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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 8, 2013

Securities Act File No. 333-148826                    

Investment Company Act File No. 811-22175                    

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-1A

 

 
 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

  x
 

Pre-Effective Amendment No.

  ¨
 

Post Effective Amendment No. 144

  x
  and/or  
 

REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940

  x
  Amendment No. 145   x
 

 

(Check appropriate box or boxes)

 

ALPS ETF TRUST

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

1290 Broadway

Suite 1100

Denver, Colorado 80203

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(303) 623-2577

Registrant’s Telephone Number

 

Tané T. Tyler, Esq.

ALPS Fund Services, Inc.

1290 Broadway

Suite 1100

Denver, Colorado 80203

(Name and Address of Agent for Service)

 

Copy to:

Stuart M. Strauss, Esq.

Dechert LLP

1095 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10036

 

It is proposed that this filing will become effective:

 

  ¨

Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)

  ¨

On (date) pursuant to paragraph (b)

  ¨

60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

  x

75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)

  ¨

On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)

  ¨

On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.

If appropriate, check the following box:

  ¨

This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment


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[ALPS® LOGO]

ALPS ETF TRUST

BARRON’S 400 ETF (NYSE ARCA: [XXXX])

PROSPECTUS

 

[DATE]

 

The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

 

SUMMARY SECTION

     1   

INTRODUCTION - ALPS ETF TRUST

     5   

TAX-ADVANTAGED PRODUCT STRUCTURE

     5   

BARRON’S 400 ETF

     6   

SECONDARY INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

     7   

ADDITIONAL RISK CONSIDERATIONS

     8   

INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES

     8   

PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES

     9   

HOW TO BUY AND SELL SHARES

     10   

FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS

     13   

FUND SERVICE PROVIDERS

     13   

INDEX PROVIDER

     13   

DISCLAIMERS

     13   

FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION

     15   

OTHER INFORMATION

     17   

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

     18   

FOR MORE INFORMATION

     18   


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SUMMARY SECTION

Barron’s 400 ETF (the “Fund”)

Investment Objective

The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally, before fees and expenses, to the performance of the Barron’s 400 Index (the “Underlying Index”).

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund. Investors purchasing or selling Shares in the secondary market may be subject to costs (including customary brokerage commissions) charged by their broker. These costs are not included in the expense example below.

Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)

 

Management fees

     [     ]% 

Other expenses (1)

     [     ]% 

Total annual Fund operating expenses

     [     ]% 

 

(1)

“Other expenses” are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year and are calculated as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets.

Example

The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the costs of investing in other funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same each year. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

     

One Year

    

Three Years

 

$[            ]

     $[            ]

Portfolio Turnover

The Fund will pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it purchases and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover will cause the Fund to incur additional transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, may affect the Fund’s performance.

 

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Principal Investment Strategies

ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser”) will seek investment results that correspond generally to the performance of the Underlying Index. The Underlying Index is a rules-based index intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of high performing equity securities of U.S. companies. The Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets in the equity securities which comprise the Index.

The Underlying Index generally consists of 400 stocks. The Underlying Index’s stocks are constituents of the Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index. In compiling the Index, MarketGrader Capital, LLC (the “Index Provider”) selects the 400 stocks from the Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index by using a methodology that selects components based on the strength of their fundamentals in growth, value, profitability and cash flow and then screens such potential Index components for certain criteria regarding concentration, market capitalization and liquidity. The eligible stocks that are selected for inclusion in the Underlying Index’s portfolio are equally weighted. The Underlying Index is rebalanced semiannually, on the third Friday of March and September each year.

The Adviser seeks a correlation over time of 0.95 or better between the Fund’s performance, before fees and expenses, and the performance of the Underlying Index. A figure of 1.00 would represent perfect correlation.

The Fund generally will invest in all of the securities that comprise the Underlying Index in proportion to their weightings in the Underlying Index. However, under various circumstances, it may not be possible or practicable to purchase all of the securities in the Underlying Index in those weightings. In those circumstances, the Fund may purchase a sample of the securities in the Underlying Index in proportions expected by the Investment Adviser to replicate generally the performance of the Underlying Index as a whole. There may also be instances in which the Adviser may choose to overweight another security in the Underlying Index, purchase (or sell) securities not in the Underlying Index which the Adviser believes are appropriate to substitute for one or more Underlying Index components or utilize various combinations of other available investment techniques, in seeking to replicate, before fees and expenses, the performance of the Underlying Index. In addition, from time to time securities are added to or removed from the Underlying Index. The Fund may sell securities that are represented in the Underlying Index or purchase securities that are not yet represented in the Underlying Index in anticipation of their removal from or addition to the Underlying Index.

Principal Investment Risks

Investors should consider the following risk factors and special considerations associated with investing in the Fund, which may cause you to lose money.

Investment Risk . An investment in the Fund is subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of the entire principal amount that you invest.

Equity Risk . A principal risk of investing in the Fund is equity risk, which is the risk that the value of the securities held by the Fund will fall due to general market and economic conditions, perceptions regarding the industries in which the issuers of securities held by the Fund participate or factors relating to specific companies in which the Fund invests. For example, an adverse event, such as an unfavorable earnings report, may depress the value of equity securities of an issuer held by the Fund; the price of common stock of an issuer may be particularly sensitive to general movements in the stock market; or a drop in the stock market may depress the price of most or all of the common stocks and other equity securities held by the Fund. In addition, common stock of an issuer in the Fund’s portfolio may decline in price if the

 

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issuer fails to make anticipated dividend payments because, among other reasons, the issuer of the security experiences a decline in its financial condition. Common stock is subordinated to preferred stocks, bonds and other debt instruments in a company’s capital structure, in terms of priority to corporate income, and therefore will be subject to greater dividend risk than preferred stocks or debt instruments of such issuers. In addition, while broad market measures of common stocks have historically generated higher average returns than fixed income securities, common stocks have also experienced significantly more volatility in those returns.

Small and Mid Capitalization Company Risk. Investments in securities of small and mid capitalization companies are subject to the risks of common stocks. Investments in smaller companies may involve greater risks because these companies generally have a limited track record. Smaller companies often have narrower markets, more limited managerial and financial resources and a less diversified product offering than larger, more established companies. As a result, their performance can be more volatile, which may increase the volatility of the Fund’s portfolio.

Non-Correlation Risk . The Fund’s return may not match the return of the Underlying Index for a number of reasons. For example, the Fund incurs a number of operating expenses not applicable to the Underlying Index, and incurs costs in buying and selling securities, especially when rebalancing the Fund’s securities holdings to reflect changes in the composition of the Underlying Index. In addition, the performance of the Fund and the Underlying Index may vary due to asset valuation differences and differences between the Fund’s portfolio and the Underlying Index resulting from legal restrictions.

Due to legal and regulatory rules and limitations, the Fund may not be able to invest in all securities included in the Underlying Index. For tax efficiency purposes, the Fund may sell certain securities to realize losses, causing it to deviate from the Underlying Index.

The Fund may not be fully invested at times, either as a result of cash flows into the Fund or reserves of cash held by the Fund to meet redemptions and expenses. If the Fund utilizes a sampling approach or otherwise does not hold all of the securities in the Underlying Index, its return may not correlate as well with the return on the Underlying Index, as would be the case if it purchased all of the securities in the Underlying Index with the same weightings as the Underlying Index.

Replication Management Risk . Unlike many investment companies, the Fund is not “actively” managed. Therefore, it would not necessarily sell a security because the security’s issuer was in financial trouble unless that security is removed from the Underlying Index.

Issuer-Specific Changes . The value of an individual security or particular type of security can be more volatile than the market as a whole and can perform differently from the value of the market as a whole.

 

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Fund Performance

As of the date of this Prospectus, the Fund has not yet commenced investment operations. When the Fund has completed a full calendar year of investment operations, this section will include charts that show annual total returns, highest and lowest quarterly returns and average annual total returns (before and after taxes) compared to the Index and a benchmark index selected for the Fund.

Investment Adviser

ALPS Advisors, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Fund.

Portfolio Manager

Michael Akins, Senior Vice President, Director of Index Management & Product Oversight of ALPS Advisors, Inc. has been responsible for the day to day management of the Fund since its inception.

Purchase and Redemption of Shares

The Trust will issue and redeem Shares at NAV only in a large specified number of Shares called a “Creation Unit” or multiples thereof. A Creation Unit consists of 50,000 Shares. Creation Unit transactions are typically conducted in exchange for the deposit or delivery of in-kind securities and/or cash constituting a substantial replication, or a representation, of the securities included in the Fund’s benchmark Index.

Individual Shares of the Fund may only be purchased and sold in secondary market transactions through brokers. Shares of the Fund are listed for trading on NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “NYSE Arca”) and because Shares will trade at market prices rather than NAV, Shares of the Fund may trade at a price greater than or less than NAV.

Tax Information

The Fund’s distributions are taxable and will generally be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains.

 

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INTRODUCTION—ALPS ETF TRUST

The ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”) is an investment company currently consisting of twelve separate exchange-traded “index funds.” This prospectus relates to the Barron’s 400 ETF. The Fund seeks investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of the Barron’s 400 Index.

The Fund’s shares (the “Shares”) are listed on the NYSE Arca. The Fund’s Shares will trade at market prices that may differ to some degree from the net asset value (“NAV”) of the Shares. Unlike conventional mutual funds, the Fund will issue and redeem Shares on a continuous basis, at NAV, only in large specified blocks of 50,000 Shares, each of which is called a “Creation Unit.” Creation Units will be issued and redeemed principally in-kind for securities included in a specified index. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, Shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund .

TAX-ADVANTAGED PRODUCT STRUCTURE

Unlike interests in many conventional mutual funds, the Shares are traded throughout the day on a national securities exchange, whereas mutual fund interests are typically only bought and sold at closing NAVs. The Shares have been designed to be tradable in the secondary market on a national securities exchange on an intra-day basis, and to be created and redeemed principally in-kind in Creation Units at each day’s next calculated NAV. These arrangements are designed to protect ongoing shareholders from adverse effects on the Fund’s portfolio that could arise from frequent cash creation and redemption transactions. In a conventional mutual fund, redemptions can have an adverse tax impact on taxable shareholders because of the mutual fund’s need to sell portfolio securities to obtain cash to meet fund redemptions. These sales may generate taxable gains for the shareholders of the mutual fund, whereas the Shares’ in-kind redemption mechanism generally will not lead to a tax event for the Fund or its ongoing shareholders.

 

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BARRON’S 400 ETF

Investment Objective

The Fund seeks investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of the Barron’s 400 Index (the “Underlying Index”). The Fund’s investment objective is not fundamental and may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. The Fund has adopted a policy that requires the Fund to provide shareholders with at least 60 days’ notice prior to any material change in the Fund’s investment objective.

Additional Information about Principal Investment Strategies

The Board of Trustees of the Trust may change the Fund’s investment strategy and other policies without shareholder approval, except as otherwise indicated.

Index Description

The Underlying Index methodology selects the 400 stocks from the Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index by using a methodology that selects components based on the strength of their fundamentals in growth, value, profitability and cash flow and then screens such potential Index components for certain criteria regarding concentration, market capitalization and liquidity. The 400 stocks that are selected for inclusion in the portfolio are equally weighted.

The Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index is composed of equity securities of U.S. companies (common stocks and real estate investment trusts (“REITs”)). The selection criteria for the Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index include market capitalization, trading volume, institutional holdings, and conversion rules (for companies with multiple share classes). All constituents of the Underlying Index must be constituents of the Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index.

Companies deleted from the Dow Jones U.S. Total Stock Market Index that are constituents of the Underlying Index are also deleted from the Underlying Index and the deleted stock’s weight is distributed equally among the remaining Underlying Index constituents, until the next semiannual rebalancing date, when a replacement stock is added.

Stocks in the index universe are evaluated for inclusion in the Underlying Index as follows:

 

  1.

Stocks that have reported quarterly or annual results within the past six months are analyzed by MarketGrader to determine the strength of their fundamentals in four key areas: growth, value, profitability and cash flow.

 

  2.

Stocks with the highest ratings based on the MarketGrader system are put on a selection list for possible inclusion in the Underlying Index.

 

  3.

Stocks on the selection list are then screened by Dow Jones Indexes using the following rules-based criteria:

 

   

No REITs are eligible for index selection.

 

   

The number of selections in the same ICB Industry cannot exceed 20% of the index (80 companies) for diversification.

 

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All selections must have a minimum three-month average daily trading dollar value of $2 million.

 

   

All selections must have a minimum float-adjusted market cap of $250 million.

 

   

At least 25% of all selections (100 companies) must have a total market cap of at least $3 billion.

4. The top 400 companies that pass all above screens are included in the Underlying Index.

The Underlying Index was developed by the Index Provider and its publication began on August 29, 2007. CME Group Index Services LLC serves as the Underlying Index’s calculation agent. Underlying Index values are distributed to the public via the Chicago Mercantile Exchange throughout the day, between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Eastern time, at 15 second intervals under the symbol “B400.”

SECONDARY INVESTMENT STRATEGIES

The Fund will invest at least 80% of its total assets in the shares of the equity securities that comprise the Underlying Index. The Fund may invest its remaining assets in money market instruments, including repurchase agreements or other funds which invest exclusively in money market instruments, convertible securities, structured notes (notes on which the amount of principal repayment and interest payments are based on the movement of one or more specified factors, such as the movement of a particular stock or stock index), forward foreign currency exchange contracts and in swaps, options and futures contracts. Swaps, options and futures contracts (and convertible securities and structured notes) may be used by the Fund in seeking performance that corresponds to the Underlying Index, and in managing cash flows. The Fund will not invest in money market instruments as part of a temporary defensive strategy to protect against potential stock market declines. The Investment Adviser anticipates that it may take approximately three business days (i.e., each day the NYSE is open) for additions and deletions to the Underlying Index to be reflected in the portfolio composition of the Fund.

The Fund may borrow money from a bank up to a limit of 10% of the value of its assets, but only for temporary or emergency purposes.

The Fund may lend its portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions desiring to borrow securities to complete transactions and for other purposes. In connection with such loans, the Fund receives liquid collateral equal to at least 102% of the value of the portfolio securities being lent. This collateral is marked to market on a daily basis.

The investment objective and policies described herein constitute non-fundamental policies that may be changed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust without shareholder approval. Certain other fundamental policies of the Fund are set forth in the Statement of Additional Information under “Investment Restrictions.”

 

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ADDITIONAL RISK CONSIDERATIONS

In addition to the risks described previously, there are certain other risks related to investing in the Fund.

Trading Issues . Trading in Shares on the NYSE Arca may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the NYSE Arca, make trading in Shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in Shares on the NYSE Arca is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to the NYSE Arca “circuit breaker” rules. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the NYSE Arca necessary to maintain the listing of the Fund will continue to be met or will remain unchanged.

Fluctuation of Net Asset Value . The NAV of the Fund’s Shares will generally fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings. The market prices of the Shares will generally fluctuate in accordance with changes in NAV as well as the relative supply of and demand for the Shares on the NYSE Arca. The Adviser cannot predict whether the Shares will trade below, at or above their NAV. Price differences may be due, in large part, to the fact that supply and demand forces at work in the secondary trading market for the Shares will be closely related to, but not identical to, the same forces influencing the prices of the stocks of the Underlying Index trading individually or in the aggregate at any point in time.

However, given that the Shares can be purchased and redeemed in Creation Units (unlike shares of many closed-end funds, which frequently trade at appreciable discounts from, and sometimes premiums to, their NAV), the Investment Adviser believes that large discounts or premiums to the NAV of the Shares should not be sustained.

Securities Lending . Although the Fund will receive collateral in connection with all loans of its securities holdings, the Fund would be exposed to a risk of loss should a borrower default on its obligation to return the borrowed securities (e.g., the loaned securities may have appreciated beyond the value of the collateral held by the Fund). In addition, the Fund will bear the risk of loss of any cash collateral that it invests.

These risks are described further in the Statement of Additional Information.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY SERVICES

Investment Adviser

ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the “Adviser”) acts as the Fund’s investment adviser pursuant to an advisory agreement with the Trust on behalf of the Fund (the “Advisory Agreement”). The Investment Adviser, located at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203, is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an investment adviser. The Investment Adviser currently employs five investment professionals with more than 84 years combined industry experience. As of June 30, 2012, the Investment Adviser provided supervisory and management services on approximately $6.6 billion in assets through closed-end funds, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds. Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Investment Adviser manages the investment and reinvestment of the Fund’s assets and administers the affairs of the Fund to the extent requested by the Board of Trustees.

 

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Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays the Adviser a unitary fee for the services and facilities it provides payable on a monthly basis at the annual rate of 0.    % of the Fund’s average daily net assets. From time to time, the Adviser may waive all or a portion of its fee.

Out of the unitary management fee, the Adviser pays substantially all expenses of the Fund, including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services, except for interest expenses, distribution fees or expenses, brokerage expenses, taxes and extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business.

The Adviser’s unitary management fee is designed to pay substantially all the Fund’s expenses and to compensate the Investment Adviser for providing services for the Fund.

Approval of Advisory Agreement

A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees’ approval of the Advisory Agreement will be available in the Fund’s annual report to shareholders for the period ending [                    ].

Portfolio Management

Michael Akins, Senior Vice President, Director of Index Management & Product Oversight, is the Portfolio Manager of the Fund and is also responsible for the refinement and implementation of the equity portfolio management process. Prior to joining ALPS Advisors, Mr. Akins served as Deputy Chief Compliance Officer for ALPS Fund Services. Before joining ALPS, Mr. Akins was AVP and Compliance Officer for UMB Financial Corporation and prior to UMB, he was an Account Manager at State Street Corporation. Mr. Akins has over 10 years financial services experience, is an Honor Graduate from the Fiduciary and Investment Risk Management School and graduated from Briar Cliff University with a B.A. in Business Administration.

The Statement of Additional Information provides additional information about the portfolio manager’s compensation structure, other accounts managed by the portfolio manager and the portfolio manager’s ownership of securities of the Fund.

PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF SHARES

Book Entry

Shares are held in book-entry form, which means that no stock certificates are issued. The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee is the record owner of all outstanding Shares of the Fund and is recognized as the owner of all Shares for all purposes.

Investors owning Shares are beneficial owners as shown on the records of DTC or its participants. DTC serves as the securities depository for all Shares. Participants in DTC include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other institutions that directly or indirectly maintain a custodial relationship with DTC. As a beneficial owner of Shares, you are not entitled to receive physical delivery of stock certificates or to have Shares registered in your name, and you are not considered a registered owner of Shares. Therefore, to exercise any right as an owner of Shares, you must rely upon the procedures of DTC and its participants. These procedures are the same as those that apply to any other stocks that you hold in book entry or “street name” form.

 

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HOW TO BUY AND SELL SHARES

Pricing Fund Shares

The trading price of the Fund’s shares on the NYSE Arca may differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and can be affected by market forces of supply and demand, economic conditions and other factors.

The NYSE Arca intends to disseminate the approximate value of Shares of the Fund every fifteen seconds. This approximate value should not be viewed as a “real-time” update of the NAV per Share of the Fund because the approximate value may not be calculated in the same manner as the NAV, which is computed once a day, generally at the end of the business day. The Fund is not involved in, or responsible for, the calculation or dissemination of the approximate value and the Fund does not make any warranty as to its accuracy.

The NAV per Share for the Fund is determined once daily as of the close of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, each day the NYSE is open for trading. NAV per Share is determined by dividing the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities, cash and other assets (including accrued interest), less all liabilities (including accrued expenses), by the total number of shares outstanding.

Equity securities are valued at the last reported sale price on the principal exchange on which such securities are traded, as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE Arca on the day the securities are being valued or, if there are no sales, at the mean of the most recent bid and asked prices. Equity securities that are traded in over-the-counter markets are valued at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE Arca on the day the securities are valued or, if there are no sales, at the mean of the most recent bid and asked prices. Debt securities are valued at the mean between the last available bid and asked prices for such securities or, if such prices are not available, at prices for securities of comparable maturity, quality, and type. Securities for which market quotations are not readily available, including restricted securities, are valued by a method that the Trustees believe accurately reflects fair value. Securities will be valued at fair value when market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable, such as when a security’s value or meaningful portion of the Fund’s portfolio is believed to have been materially affected by a significant event. Such events may include a natural disaster, an economic event like a bankruptcy filing, a trading halt in a security, an unscheduled early market close or a substantial fluctuation in domestic and foreign markets that has occurred between the close of the principal exchange and the NYSE Arca. In such a case, the value for a security is likely to be different from the last quoted market price. In addition, due to the subjective and variable nature of fair market value pricing, it is possible that the value determined for a particular asset may be materially different from the value realized upon such asset’s sale.

Creation Units

Investors such as market makers, large investors and institutions who wish to deal in Creation Units (large specified blocks of 50,000 Shares) directly with the Fund must have entered into an authorized participant agreement with the Distributor and the transfer agent, or purchase through a dealer that has entered into such an agreement. Set forth below is a brief description of the procedures applicable to purchase and redemption of Creation Units. For more detailed information, see “Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations” in the Statement of Additional Information.

How to Buy Shares

 

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In order to purchase Creation Units of the Fund, an investor must generally deposit a designated portfolio of equity securities constituting a substantial replication, or a representation, of the Underlying Sector ETFs representing the stocks included in the Index (the “Deposit Securities”) and generally make a small cash payment referred to as the “Cash Component.” For those APs that are not eligible for trading a Deposit Security, custom orders are available. The list of the names and the numbers of shares of the Deposit Securities is made available by the Fund’s custodian through the facilities of the NSCC, immediately prior to the opening of business each day of the NYSE Arca. The Cash Component represents the difference between the NAV of a Creation Unit and the market value of the Deposit Securities. In the case of custom orders, cash-in-lieu may be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Securities that the AP may not be eligible to trade.

Orders must be placed in proper form by or through either (i) a “Participating Party” i.e., a broker-dealer or other participant in the Clearing Process of the Continuous Net Settlement System of the NSCC (the “Clearing Process”) or (ii) a participant of the DTC (“DTC Participant”) that has entered into an agreement with the Trust, the Distributor and the transfer agent, with respect to purchases and redemptions of Creation Units. All standard orders must be placed for one or more whole Creation Units of Shares of the Fund and must be received by the Distributor in proper form no later than the close of regular trading on the NYSE (ordinarily 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) (“Closing Time”) in order to receive that day’s closing NAV per Share. In the case of custom orders, as further described in the Statement of Additional Information, the order must be received by the Distributor no later than one hour prior to Closing Time in order to receive that day’s closing NAV per Share. A custom order may be placed by an AP in the event that the Trust permits or requires the substitution of an amount of cash to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security which may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or which may not be eligible for trading by such AP or the investor for which it is acting or any other relevant reason. See “Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations” in the Statement of Additional Information.

A fixed creation transaction fee of $500 per transaction (the “Creation Transaction Fee”) is applicable to each transaction regardless of the number of Creation Units purchased in the transaction. An additional charge of up to four times the Creation Transaction Fee may be imposed on transactions effected outside of the Clearing Process (through a DTC Participant) or to the extent that cash is used in lieu of securities to purchase Creation Units. See “Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations” in the Statement of Additional Information. The price for each Creation Unit will equal the daily NAV per Share times the number of Shares in a Creation Unit plus the fees described above and, if applicable, any transfer taxes.

Shares of the Fund may be issued in advance of receipt of all Deposit Securities subject to various conditions, including a requirement to maintain cash at least equal to 115% of the market value of the missing Deposit Securities on deposit with the Trust. See “Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations” in the Statement of Additional Information.

Legal Restrictions on Transactions in Certain Stocks

An investor subject to a legal restriction with respect to a particular stock required to be deposited in connection with the purchase of a Creation Unit may, at the Fund’s discretion, be permitted to deposit an equivalent amount of cash in substitution for any stock which would otherwise be included in the Deposit Securities applicable to the purchase of a Creation Unit. For more details, see “Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations” in the Statement of Additional Information.

Redemption of Shares

 

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Shares may be redeemed only in Creation Units at their NAV and only on a day the NYSE Arca is open for business. The Fund’s custodian makes available immediately prior to the opening of business each day of the NYSE Arca, through the facilities of the NSCC, the list of the names and the numbers of shares of the Fund’s portfolio securities that will be applicable that day to redemption requests in proper form (“Fund Securities”). Fund Securities received on redemption may not be identical to Deposit Securities, which are applicable to purchases of Creation Units. Unless cash redemptions are available or specified for the Fund, the redemption proceeds consist of the Fund Securities, plus cash in an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of Shares being redeemed as next determined after receipt by the transfer agent of a redemption request in proper form, and the value of the Fund Securities (the “Cash Redemption Amount”), less the applicable redemption fee and, if applicable, any transfer taxes. Should the Fund Securities have a value greater than the NAV of Shares being redeemed, a compensating cash payment to the Fund equal to the differential, plus the applicable redemption fee and, if applicable, any transfer taxes will be required to be arranged for, by or on behalf of the redeeming shareholder. For more details, see “Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations” in the Statement of Additional Information.

An order to redeem Creation Units of the Fund may only be effected by or through an AP. An order to redeem must be placed for one or more whole Creation Units and must be received by the transfer agent in proper form no later than the close of regular trading on the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern time) in order to receive that day’s closing NAV per Share. In the case of custom orders, as further described in the Statement of Additional Information, the order must be received by the transfer agent no later than 3:00 p.m. Eastern time.

A fixed redemption transaction fee of $500 per transaction (the “Redemption Transaction Fee”) is applicable to each redemption transaction regardless of the number of Creation Units redeemed in the transaction. An additional charge of up to four times the Redemption Transaction Fee may be charged to approximate additional expenses incurred by the Fund with respect to redemptions effected outside of the Clearing Process or to the extent that redemptions are for cash. The Fund reserves the right to effect redemptions in cash. A shareholder may request a cash redemption in lieu of securities, however, the Fund may, in its discretion, reject any such request. See “Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations” in the Statement of Additional Information.

Distributions

Dividends and Capital Gains . Fund shareholders are entitled to their share of the Fund’s income and net realized gains on its investments. The Fund pays out substantially all of its net earnings to its shareholders as “distributions.”

The Fund typically earns income dividends from stocks and interest from debt securities. These amounts, net of expenses, are passed along to Fund shareholders as “income dividend distributions.” The Fund realizes capital gains or losses whenever it sells securities. Net long-term capital gains are distributed to shareholders as “capital gain distributions.”

Income dividends, if any, are distributed to shareholders quarterly. Net capital gains are distributed at least annually. Dividends may be declared and paid more frequently to improve Index tracking or to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. In addition, the Fund intends to distribute at least quarterly amounts representing the full dividend yield net of expenses on the underlying investment securities as if the Fund owned the underlying investment securities for the entire dividend period. As a result, some portion of each distribution may result in a return of capital (which is a return of the shareholder’s investment in the Fund). Section 19(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and Rule 19a-1 thereunder require the Fund to provide a written statement accompanying any such distribution that adequately discloses its

 

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source or sources to the extent the source includes something other than net investment income. Thus, if the source of the dividend or other distribution were the original capital contribution of the shareholder, and the payment amounted to a return of capital, the Fund would be required to provide written disclosure to that effect. Nevertheless, persons who periodically receive the payment of a dividend or other distribution may be under the impression that they are receiving net profits when they are not. Shareholders should read any written disclosure provided pursuant to Section 19(a) and Rule 19a-1 carefully, and should not assume that the source of any distribution from the Fund is net profit.

Distributions in cash may be reinvested automatically in additional whole Shares only if the broker through which the Shares were purchased makes such option available.

FREQUENT PURCHASES AND REDEMPTIONS

The Fund imposes no restrictions on the frequency of purchases and redemptions. The Board of Trustees evaluated the risks of market timing activities by the Fund’s shareholders when they determined that no restriction or policy was necessary. The Board considered that, unlike traditional mutual funds, the Fund issues and redeems its shares at NAV for a basket of securities intended to mirror the Fund’s portfolio, plus a small amount of cash, and the Fund’s Shares may be purchased and sold on the exchange at prevailing market prices. Given this structure, the Board determined that it is unlikely that (a) market timing would be attempted by the Fund’s shareholders or (b) any attempts to market time the Fund by its shareholders would result in negative impact to the Fund or its shareholders.

FUND SERVICE PROVIDERS

ALPS Fund Services, Inc. is the administrator of the Fund.

The Bank of New York Mellon is the custodian, fund accounting agent and transfer agent for the Fund.

Dechert LLP serves as counsel to the Fund.

— serves as the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for auditing the annual financial statements of the Fund.

INDEX PROVIDER

The Index Provider was founded in 1999 to serve as a consultancy to the financial services industry. Since its founding, the Index Provider has specialized in indexes, indexation and index-based products, including ETFs. The Index Provider is not affiliated with the Trust, the Investment Adviser or the Distributor. The Trust and the Investment Adviser have entered into a license agreement with the Index Provider to use the Underlying Index.

DISCLAIMERS

The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by the Index Provider. The Index Provider makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Fund to track the performance of the physical commodities market. The Index Provider’s only relationship to the Adviser or the Fund is the licensing of certain service marks and trade names of the Index Provider and of the Underlying Index that is determined, composed and calculated by the Index Provider without regard to the Adviser or the Fund. The Index Provider has no obligation to take the needs of the Adviser or the Fund or the owners of the Fund into consideration in determining, composing

 

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or calculating the Underlying Index. The Index Provider is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Fund to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund is to be converted into cash. The Index Provider has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund.

THE INDEX PROVIDER DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND THE INDEX PROVIDER SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. THE INDEX PROVIDER MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY THE ADVISER, THE FUND, OWNERS OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. THE INDEX PROVIDER MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE UNDERLYING INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL THE INDEX PROVIDER HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.

“The Barron’s 400 Index SM ” is calculated and published by Dow Jones Indexes. “Dow Jones Indexes”, the marketing name of CME Group Index Services LLC (“CME Indexes”), is a trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. “Barron’s ® ” is a service mark of Dow Jones & Company. Inc. (“Dow Jones”) and has been licensed to CME Indexes for use with the Barron’s 400 Index and sublicensed for certain purposes by the Index Provider.

The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Dow Jones, CME Indexes or any of their respective affiliates. Dow Jones, CME Indexes and their respective affiliates make no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of trading in the Fund particularly. Dow Jones and CME Indexes only relationship to the Index Provider with respect to the Fund is the licensing of the Barron’s 400 Index and certain trademarks with respect thereto, which Underlying Index is determined, composed and calculated by CME Indexes without regard to the Index Provider or the Fund. Dow Jones and CME Indexes have no obligation to take the needs of the Index Provider or the owners of the Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Barron’s 400 Index SM . Dow Jones, CME Indexes and their respective affiliates are not responsible for and have not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Fund to be sold or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund are to be converted into cash. Dow Jones, CME Indexes and their respective affiliates have no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, CME Group Inc. and its affiliates may independently issue and/or sponsor financial products unrelated to the Fund currently being issued by the Index Provider, but which may be similar to and competitive with the Fund. In addition, CME Group Inc. and its affiliates may trade financial products which are linked to the performance of the Barron’s 400 Index SM . It is possible that this trading activity will affect the value of the Barron’s 400 Index SM and the Fund.

DOW JONES, CME INDEXES AND THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE BARRON’S 400 INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND DOW JONES, CME INDEXES AND THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. DOW JONES, CME INDEXES AND THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES MAKE NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY THE INDEX PROVIDER, OWNERS OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON

 

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OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE BARRON’S 400 INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. DOW JONES, CME INDEXES AND THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES. AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE BARRON’S 400 INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL DOW JONES, CME INDEXES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY LOST PROFITS OR INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LOSSES, EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. THERE ARE NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES OF ANY AGREEMENTS OR ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN CME INDEXES AND THE INDEX PROVIDER, OTHER THAN THE LICENSORS OF CME INDEXES.

The Adviser does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Underlying Index or any data included therein, and the Adviser shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. The Adviser makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Fund, owners of the Shares of the Fund or any other person or entity from the use of the Underlying Index or any data included therein. The Adviser makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Underlying Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Adviser have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of the Underlying Index, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.

FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION

As with any investment, you should consider how your investment in Shares will be taxed. The tax information in this Prospectus is provided as general information. You should consult your own tax professional about the tax consequences of an investment in Shares.

Unless your investment in the Shares is made through a tax-exempt entity or tax-deferred retirement account, such as an IRA plan, you need to be aware of the possible tax consequences when:

 

   

The Fund makes distributions,

 

   

You sell your Shares listed on the NYSE Arca, and

 

   

You purchase or redeem Creation Units.

Taxes on Distributions

Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid quarterly. The Fund may also pay a special distribution at the end of the calendar year to comply with federal tax requirements. In general, your distributions are subject to federal income tax when they are paid, whether you take them in cash or reinvest them in the Fund. Dividends paid out of the Fund’s income and net short-term capital gains, if any, are taxable as ordinary income. Distributions of net long-term capital gains, if any, in excess of net short-term capital losses are taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long you have held the Shares.

For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, the maximum individual rate applicable to long-term capital gains is either 15% or 20%, depending on whether the individual’s income exceeds certain threshold amounts. In addition, some ordinary dividends declared and paid by the Fund to non-corporate shareholders may qualify for taxation at the lower reduced tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains, provided that holding period and other requirements are met by the Fund and the shareholder.

 

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If you are not a citizen or permanent resident of the United States, the Fund’s ordinary income dividends (which include distributions of net short-term capital gains) will generally be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax, unless a lower treaty rate applies or unless such income is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business carried on through a permanent establishment in the United States. For distributions with respect to taxable years of regulated investment companies beginning before January 1, 2012, the Fund is not required to withhold any amounts with respect to distributions to foreign shareholders that are properly designated by the Fund as “interest-related dividends” or “short-term capital gain dividends,” provided that the income would not be subject to federal income tax if earned directly by the foreign shareholder. However the Fund may withhold tax on these amounts regardless of the fact that it is not required to do so. Any amounts withheld from payments made to a shareholder may be refunded or credited against the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS. Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the specific tax consequences described above.

The Fund generally would be required to withhold a percentage of your distributions and proceeds if you have not provided a taxpayer identification number (generally your social security number) or otherwise provide proof of an applicable exemption from backup withholding. The backup withholding rate for an individual is 28%.

Taxes on Exchange-Listed Shares Sales

Currently, any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of Shares is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for more than one year and as short-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for one year or less. The ability to deduct capital losses may be limited.

Taxes on Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units

An AP who exchanges equity securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or a loss. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time of the exchange and the exchanger’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered and the Cash Component paid. A person who exchanges Creation Units for equity securities will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the exchanger’s basis in the Creation Units and the aggregate market value of the securities received and the Cash Redemption Amount. The Internal Revenue Service, however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position. Persons exchanging securities should consult their own tax advisor with respect to whether the wash sale rules apply and when a loss might be deductible.

Under current federal tax laws, any capital gain or loss realized upon redemption of Creation Units is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for more than one year and as a short-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for one year or less.

If you purchase or redeem Creation Units, you will be sent a confirmation statement showing how many and at what price you purchased or sold Shares.

The foregoing discussion summarizes some of the possible consequences under current federal tax law of an investment in the Fund. It is not a substitute for personal tax advice. You may also be subject to state and local taxation on Fund distributions, and sales of Fund Shares. Consult your personal tax advisor about the potential tax consequences of an investment in Fund Shares under all applicable tax laws.

 

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OTHER INFORMATION

For purposes of the 1940 Act, the Fund is treated as a registered investment company. Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act restricts investments by investment companies in the securities of other investment companies, including Shares of the Fund. The SEC has issued an exemptive order to the Trust permitting registered investment companies to invest in exchange-traded funds offered by the Trust beyond the limits of Section 12(d)(1) subject to certain terms and conditions, including that such registered investment companies enter into an agreement with the Trust.

Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings

The Fund’s portfolio holdings will be disclosed each day on its website at www.alpsfunds.com. A description of the Trust’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information.

Premium/Discount Information

Information regarding how often the Shares of each Fund traded on the Exchange at a price above (i.e., at a premium) or below (i.e., at a discount) the net asset value of the Fund during the past calendar year will be available at www.alpsfunds.com.

 

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FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

The Fund has not yet commenced operations and therefore does not have a financial history.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Existing Shareholders or Prospective Investors

 

   

Call your financial professional

 

   

www.alpsfunds.com

Dealers

 

   

www.alpsfunds.com

 

   

Distributor Telephone: 1-866-675-2639

 

I nvestment Adviser

 

ALPS Advisors, Inc.

1290 Broadway

Suite 1100

Denver, Colorado 80203

  

Transfer Agent

 

The Bank of New York Mellon

101 Barclay Street

New York, New York 10286

Distributor

 

ALPS Distributors, Inc.

1290 Broadway

Suite 1100

Denver, Colorado 80203

  

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

                             —

Custodian

 

The Bank of New York Mellon

101 Barclay Street

New York, New York 10286

  

Legal Counsel

 

Dechert LLP

1095 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10036

  

 

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[ALPS® LOGO]

A Statement of Additional Information dated [            ], which contains more details about the Fund, is incorporated by reference in its entirety into this Prospectus, which means that it is legally part of this Prospectus.

You will find additional information about the Fund in its annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders, when available. The annual report will explain the market conditions and investment strategies affecting the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year.

You can ask questions or obtain a free copy of the Fund’s shareholder reports or the Statement of Additional Information by calling 866.675.2639. Free copies of the Fund’s shareholder reports and the Statement of Additional Information are available from our website at www.alpsfunds.com .

The Fund sends only one report to a household if more than one account has the same address. Contact the transfer agent if you do not want this policy to apply to you.

Information about the Fund, including its reports and the Statement of Additional Information, has been filed with the SEC. It can be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, DC or on the EDGAR database on the SEC’s internet site (http://www.sec.gov). Information on the operation of the SEC’s Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 202.551.5850. You can also request copies of these materials, upon payment of a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the SEC’s e-mail address (publicinfo@sec.gov) or by writing the Public Reference section of the SEC, 100 F Street NE, Room 1580, Washington, DC 20549.

PROSPECTUS

Distributor

ALPS Distributors, Inc.

1290 Broadway

Suite 1100

Denver, Colorado 80203

[DATE]

Investment Company Act File No. 811-22175.

 

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Investment Company Act File No. 811-22175

ALPS ETF Trust

BARRON’S 400 ETF ([    ])

Statement of Additional Information

Dated [                    ]

This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus dated [                    ] for the Barron’s 400 ETF, a series of the ALPS ETF Trust (the “Trust”), as it may be revised from time to time. Capitalized terms used herein that are not defined have the same meaning as in the Prospectus, unless otherwise noted. A copy of the Prospectus may be obtained without charge by writing to the Trust’s distributor, ALPS Distributors, Inc. (the “Distributor”), or by calling toll free 866.675.2639.

Table of Contents

 

       Page  

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND THE FUND

     1   

EXCHANGE LISTING AND TRADING

     1   

INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS AND POLICIES

     2   

INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISKS

     3   

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS AND RISKS

     7   

MANAGEMENT

     9   

BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS

     20   

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THE TRUST

     21   

CREATION AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNIT AGGREGATIONS

     24   

TAXES

     33   

FEDERAL TAX TREATMENT OF FUTURES AND OPTIONS CONTRACTS

     35   

DETERMINATION OF NAV

     35   

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

     36   

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

     36   

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     37   

APPENDIX A PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

     A-1   

APPENDIX B CONFLICTS OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE FORM

     B-1   

 


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GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST AND THE FUND

The Trust was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on September 13, 2007 and is authorized to have multiple series or portfolios. The Trust is an open-end management investment company, registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Trust currently consists of 12 investment portfolios. This SAI relates to the Barron’s 400 ETF (the “Fund”). The Fund seeks investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of the Barron’s 400 Index (the “Underlying Index”). The shares of the Fund are referred to herein as “Shares” or “Fund Shares.”

The Fund is managed by ALPS Advisors, Inc. (“ALPS Advisors” or the “Adviser”).

The Fund will offer and issue Shares at net asset value (“NAV”) only in aggregations of a specified number of Shares (each a “Creation Unit” or a “Creation Unit Aggregation”), generally in exchange for a basket of equity securities included in the Underlying Index (the “Deposit Securities”), together with the deposit of a specified cash payment (the “Cash Component”). The Fund’s Shares are listed on NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “NYSE Arca”) under the trading symbol [XXXX]. Fund Shares will trade on the NYSE Arca at market prices that may be below, at or above NAV. Shares are redeemable only in Creation Unit Aggregations and, generally, in exchange for portfolio securities and a specified cash payment. Creation Units are aggregations of 50,000 Shares. In the event of the liquidation of the Fund, the Trust may lower the number of Shares in a Creation Unit.

The Trust reserves the right to offer a “cash” option for creations and redemptions of Fund Shares. Fund Shares may be issued in advance of receipt of Deposit Securities subject to various conditions including a requirement to maintain on deposit with the Trust cash at least equal to 115% of the market value of the missing Deposit Securities. See the “Creation and Redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations” section. In each instance of such cash creations or redemptions, transaction fees may be imposed that will be higher than the transaction fees associated with in-kind creations or redemptions. In all cases, such fees will be limited in accordance with the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) applicable to management investment companies offering redeemable securities.

EXCHANGE LISTING AND TRADING

There can be no assurance that the requirements of the NYSE Arca, Inc. necessary to maintain the listing of Shares of the Fund will continue to be met. The NYSE Arca may, but is not required to, remove the Shares of the Fund from listing if (i) following the initial 12-month period beginning at the commencement of trading of the Fund, there are fewer than 50 beneficial owners of the Shares of the Fund for 30 or more consecutive trading days; (ii) the value of the Underlying Index is no longer calculated or available; or (iii) such other event shall occur or condition exist that, in the opinion of the NYSE Arca, makes further dealings on the NYSE Arca inadvisable. The NYSE Arca will remove the Shares of the Fund from listing and trading upon termination of such Fund.

As in the case of other stocks traded on the NYSE Arca, broker’s commissions on transactions will be based on negotiated commission rates at customary levels.

The Trust reserves the right to adjust the price levels of the Shares in the future to help maintain convenient trading ranges for investors. Any adjustments would be accomplished through stock splits or reverse stock splits, which would have no effect on the net assets of the Fund.

 

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INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS AND POLICIES

Investment Objective

The Fund seeks investment results that replicate as closely as possible, before fees and expenses, the performance of the Barron’s 400 Index (the “Underlying Index”). The Fund’s investment objective is not fundamental and may be changed by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board” or the “Trustees”) without shareholder approval.

Investment Restrictions

The Board has adopted as fundamental policies the Fund’s respective investment restrictions, numbered (1) through (7) below. The Fund, as a fundamental policy, may not:

(1) Invest 25% or more of the value of its total assets in securities of issuers in any one industry or group of industries, except to the extent that the Underlying Index that the Fund replicates concentrates in an industry or group of industries. This restriction does not apply to obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities.

(2) Borrow money, except that the Fund may (i) borrow money from banks for temporary or emergency purposes (but not for leverage or the purchase of investments) up to 10% of its total assets and (ii) make other investments or engage in other transactions permissible under the 1940 Act that may involve a borrowing, provided that the combination of (i) and (ii) shall not exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets (including the amount borrowed), less the Fund’s liabilities (other than borrowings).

(3) Act as an underwriter of another issuer’s securities, except to the extent that the Fund may be deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with the purchase and sale of portfolio securities.

(4) Make loans to other persons, except through (i) the purchase of debt securities permissible under the Fund’s investment policies, (ii) repurchase agreements or (iii) the lending of portfolio securities, provided that no such loan of portfolio securities may be made by the Fund if, as a result, the aggregate of such loans would exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the Fund’s total assets.

(5) Purchase or sell commodities unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the Fund (i) from purchasing or selling options, futures contracts or other derivative instruments, or (ii) from investing in securities or other instruments backed by commodities).

(6) Purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prohibit the Fund from purchasing or selling securities or other instruments backed by real estate or of issuers engaged in real estate activities).

(7) Issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act.

Except for restriction (2), if a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment, a later increase in percentage resulting from a change in market value of the investment or the total assets, or the sale of a security out of the portfolio, will not constitute a violation of that restriction.

 

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The foregoing fundamental investment policies cannot be changed as to the Fund without approval by holders of a “majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting shares.” As defined in the 1940 Act, this means the vote of (i) 67% or more of the Fund’s Shares present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the Fund’s Shares are present or represented by proxy, or (ii) more than 50% of the Fund’s Shares, whichever is less.

In addition to the foregoing fundamental investment policies, the Fund is also subject to the following non-fundamental restrictions and policies, which may be changed at any time by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. The Fund may not:

(1) Sell securities short, unless the Fund owns or has the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short at no added cost, and provided that transactions in options, futures contracts, options on futures contracts or other derivative instruments are not deemed to constitute selling securities short.

(2) Purchase securities on margin, except that the Fund may obtain such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions; and provided that margin deposits in connection with futures contracts, options on futures contracts or other derivative instruments shall not constitute purchasing securities on margin.

(3) Purchase securities of open-end or closed-end investment companies except in compliance with the 1940 Act.

(4) Invest in direct interests in oil, gas or other mineral exploration programs or leases; however, the Fund may invest in the securities of issuers that engage in these activities.

(5) Invest in illiquid securities if, as a result of such investment, more than 15% of the Fund’s net assets would be invested in illiquid securities.

The investment objective of the Fund is a non-fundamental policy that can be changed by the Board of Trustees without approval by shareholders.

INVESTMENT POLICIES AND RISKS

Loans of Portfolio Securities . The Fund may lend its investment securities to approved borrowers. Any gain or loss on the market price of the securities loaned that might occur during the term of the loan would be for the account of the Fund. These loans cannot exceed 33 1/3% of the Fund’s total assets.

Approved borrowers are brokers, dealers, domestic and foreign banks, or other financial institutions that meet credit or other requirements as established by, and subject to the review of, the Trust’s Board, so long as the terms, the structure and the aggregate amount of such loans are not inconsistent with the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder or interpretations of the SEC, which require that (a) the borrowers pledge and maintain with the Fund collateral consisting of cash, an irrevocable letter of credit issued by a bank, or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government having a value at all times of not less than 102% of the value of the securities loaned (on a “mark-to-market” basis); (b) the loan be made subject to termination by the Fund at any time; and (c) the Fund receives reasonable interest on the loan. From time to time, the Fund may return a part of the interest earned from the investment of collateral received from securities loaned to the borrower and/or a third party that is unaffiliated with the Fund and that is acting as a finder.

 

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Repurchase Agreements . The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements, which are agreements pursuant to which securities are acquired by the Fund from a third party with the understanding that they will be repurchased by the seller at a fixed price on an agreed date. These agreements may be made with respect to any of the portfolio securities in which the Fund is authorized to invest. Repurchase agreements may be characterized as loans secured by the underlying securities. The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements with (i) member banks of the Federal Reserve System having total assets in excess of $500 million and (ii) securities dealers (“Qualified Institutions”). The Adviser will monitor the continued creditworthiness of Qualified Institutions.

The use of repurchase agreements involves certain risks. For example, if the seller of securities under a repurchase agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase the underlying securities, as a result of its bankruptcy or otherwise, the Fund will seek to dispose of such securities, which action could involve costs or delays. If the seller becomes insolvent and subject to liquidation or reorganization under applicable bankruptcy or other laws, the Fund’s ability to dispose of the underlying securities may be restricted. Finally, it is possible that the Fund may not be able to substantiate its interest in the underlying securities. To minimize this risk, the securities underlying the repurchase agreement will be held by the custodian at all times in an amount at least equal to the repurchase price, including accrued interest. If the seller fails to repurchase the securities, the Fund may suffer a loss to the extent proceeds from the sale of the underlying securities are less than the repurchase price.

The resale price reflects the purchase price plus an agreed upon market rate of interest. The collateral is marked to market daily.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements . The Fund may enter into reverse repurchase agreements, which involve the sale of securities with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment and have the characteristics of borrowing. The securities purchased with the funds obtained from the agreement and securities collateralizing the agreement will have maturity dates no later than the repayment date. Generally the effect of such transactions is that the Fund can recover all or most of the cash invested in the portfolio securities involved during the term of the reverse repurchase agreement, while in many cases the Fund is able to keep some of the interest income associated with those securities. Such transactions are only advantageous if the Fund has an opportunity to earn a greater rate of return on the cash derived from these transactions than the interest cost of obtaining the same amount of cash. Opportunities to realize earnings from the use of the proceeds equal to or greater than the interest required to be paid may not always be available and the Fund intends to use the reverse repurchase technique only when the Adviser believes it will be advantageous to the Fund. The use of reverse repurchase agreements may exaggerate any interim increase or decrease in the value of the Fund’s assets. The custodian bank will maintain a separate account for the Fund with securities having a value equal to or greater than such commitments. Under the 1940 Act, reverse repurchase agreements are considered loans.

Money Market Instruments . The Fund may invest a portion of its assets in high-quality money market instruments on an ongoing basis to provide liquidity. The instruments in which the Fund may invest include: (i) short-term obligations issued by the U.S. Government; (ii) negotiable certificates of deposit (“CDs”), fixed time deposits and bankers’ acceptances of U.S. and foreign banks and similar institutions; (iii) commercial paper rated at the date of purchase “Prime-1” by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. or “A-1+” or “A-1” by Standard & Poor’s or, if unrated, of comparable quality as determined by the Adviser; (iv) repurchase agreements; and (v) money market mutual funds. CDs are short-term negotiable obligations of commercial banks. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in banking institutions for specified periods of time at stated interest rates. Banker’s acceptances are time drafts drawn on commercial banks by borrowers, usually in connection with international transactions.

 

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Illiquid Securities . The Fund may invest up to an aggregate amount of 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. Illiquid securities include securities subject to contractual or other restrictions on resale and other instruments that lack readily available markets.

Futures and Options . The Fund may utilize exchange-traded futures and options contracts.

Futures contracts generally provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified commodity at a specified future time and at a specified price. Stock index futures contracts are settled daily with a payment by one party to the other of a cash amount based on the difference between the level of the stock index specified in the contract from one day to the next. Futures contracts are standardized as to maturity date and underlying instrument and are traded on futures exchanges.

Futures traders are required to make a good faith margin deposit in cash or U.S. government securities with a broker or custodian to initiate and maintain open positions in futures contracts. A margin deposit is intended to assure completion of the contract (delivery or acceptance of the underlying commodity or payment of the cash settlement amount) if it is not terminated prior to the specified delivery date. Brokers may establish deposit requirements which are higher than the exchange minimums. Futures contracts are customarily purchased and sold on margin deposits which may range upward from less than 5% of the value of the contract being traded.

After a futures contract position is opened, the value of the contract is marked to market daily. If the futures contract price changes to the extent that the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, payment of additional “variation” margin will be required. Conversely, change in the contract value may reduce the required margin, resulting in a repayment of excess margin to the contract holder. Variation margin payments are made to and from the futures broker for as long as the contract remains open. In such case, the Fund would expect to earn interest income on its margin deposits. Closing out an open futures position is done by taking an opposite position (“buying” a contract which has previously been “sold,” or “selling” a contract previously “purchased”) in an identical contract to terminate the position. Brokerage commissions are incurred when a futures contract position is opened or closed.

The Fund may use exchange-traded futures and options, together with positions in cash and money market instruments, to simulate full investment in its Underlying Index. Under such circumstances, the Adviser may seek to utilize other instruments that it believes to be correlated to the underlying index components or a subset of the components.

An option on a futures contract, as contrasted with the direct investment in such a contract, gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in the underlying futures contract at a specified exercise price at any time prior to the expiration date of the option. Upon exercise of an option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the accumulated balance in the writer’s futures margin account that represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract exceeds (in the case of a call) or is less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option on the futures contract. The potential for loss related to the purchase of an option on a futures contract is limited to the premium paid for the option plus transaction costs. Because the value of the option is fixed at the point of purchase, there are no daily cash payments by the purchaser to reflect changes in the value of the underlying contract; however, the value of the option changes daily and that change would be reflected in the NAV of the Fund. The potential for loss related to writing call options on equity securities or indices is unlimited. The potential for loss related to writing put options is limited only by the aggregate strike price of the put option less the premium received.

 

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The Fund may purchase and write put and call options on futures contracts that are traded on a U.S. exchange as a hedge against changes in value of its portfolio securities, or in anticipation of the purchase of securities, and may enter into closing transactions with respect to such options to terminate existing positions. There is no guarantee that such closing transactions can be effected.

Restrictions on the Use of Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts . Pursuant to a claim for exemption filed with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) on behalf of the Fund, neither the Fund nor the Trust is deemed to be a “commodity pool” or “commodity pool operator” (“CPO”), respectively, under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”), and they are not subject to registration or regulation as such under the CEA. The Adviser is not deemed to be a “commodity trading advisor” with respect to its services as an investment adviser to the Fund. In February 2012, the CFTC adopted certain regulatory changes that may subject the Adviser to register with the CFTC as a commodity pool operator (“CPO”) if the investment company is unable to comply with certain trading and marketing limitations on its investments in futures and certain other instruments.

With respect to investments in swap transactions, commodity futures, commodity options or certain other derivatives used for purposes other than bona fide hedging purposes, an investment company must meet one of the following tests under the amended regulations in order to claim an exemption from being considered a “commodity pool” or CPO. First, the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish an investment company’s positions in such investments may not exceed five percent (5%) of the liquidation value of the investment company’s portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such investments). Alternatively, the aggregate net notional value of such instruments, determined at the time of the most recent position established, may not exceed one hundred percent (100%) of the liquidation value of the investment company’s portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions). In addition to meeting one of the foregoing trading limitations, the investment company may not market itself as a commodity pool or otherwise as a vehicle for trading in the commodity futures, commodity options or swaps and derivatives markets. In the event that the Adviser are required to register as a CPO, the disclosure and operations of the Fund would need to comply with all applicable CFTC regulations. Compliance with these additional registration and regulatory requirements would increase operational expenses. Other potentially adverse regulatory initiatives could also develop. A related CFTC proposal to harmonize applicable CFTC and SEC regulations could, if adopted, mitigate certain disclosure and operational burdens if CPO registration were required.

Swap Agreements . Over-the-counter swap agreements are contracts between parties in which one party agrees to make periodic payments to the other party (the “Counterparty”) based on the change in market value or level of a specified rate, index or asset. In return, the Counterparty agrees to make periodic payments to the first party based on the return of a different specified rate, index or asset. Swap agreements will usually be done on a net basis, the Fund receiving or paying only the net amount of the two payments. The net amount of the excess, if any, of the Fund’s obligations over its entitlements with respect to each swap is accrued on a daily basis and an amount of cash or highly liquid securities having an aggregate value at least equal to the accrued excess is maintained in an account at the Trust’s custodian bank.

The use of interest-rate and index swaps is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. These transactions generally do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying assets or principal.

The use of such swap agreements involves certain risks. For example, if the Counterparty under a swap agreement defaults on its obligation to make payments due from it, as a result of its bankruptcy or

 

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otherwise, the Fund may lose such payments altogether, or collect only a portion thereof, which collection could involve costs or delays.

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS AND RISKS

A discussion of the risks associated with an investment in the Fund is contained in the Prospectus in the “Primary Investment Risks” and “Additional Risk Considerations” sections. The discussion below supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, these sections of the Prospectus.

An investment in the Fund should be made with an understanding that the value of the Fund’s portfolio securities may fluctuate in accordance with changes in the financial condition of the issuers of the portfolio securities, the value of common stocks in general and other factors that affect the market.

An investment in the Fund should also be made with an understanding of the risks inherent in an investment in equity securities, including the risk that the financial condition of issuers may become impaired or that the general condition of the stock market may deteriorate (either of which may cause a decrease in the value of the portfolio securities and thus in the value of Fund Shares). Common stocks are susceptible to general stock market fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence and perceptions of their issuers change. These investor perceptions are based on various and unpredictable factors, including expectations regarding government, economic, monetary and fiscal policies, inflation and interest rates, economic expansion or contraction, and global or regional political, economic or banking crises.

Holders of common stocks incur more risk than holders of preferred stocks and debt obligations because common stockholders, as owners of the issuer, have generally inferior rights to receive payments from the issuer in comparison with the rights of creditors, or holders of debt obligations or preferred stocks. Further, unlike debt securities which typically have a stated principal amount payable at maturity (whose value, however, is subject to market fluctuations prior thereto), or preferred stocks, which typically have a liquidation preference and which may have stated optional or mandatory redemption provisions, common stocks have neither a fixed principal amount nor a maturity.

The existence of a liquid trading market for certain securities may depend on whether dealers will make a market in such securities. There can be no assurance that a market will be made or maintained or that any such market will be or remain liquid. The price at which securities may be sold and the value of the Fund’s Shares will be adversely affected if trading markets for the Fund’s portfolio securities are limited or absent, or if bid/ask spreads are wide.

Risks of Futures and Options Transactions . There are several risks accompanying the utilization of futures contracts and options on futures contracts. First, while the Fund plans to utilize futures contracts only if an active market exists for such contracts, there is no guarantee that a liquid market will exist for the contract at a specified time.

Furthermore, because, by definition, futures contracts project price levels in the future and not current levels of valuation, market circumstances may result in a discrepancy between the price of the stock index future and the movement in the Underlying Index. In the event of adverse price movements, the Fund would continue to be required to make daily cash payments to maintain its required margin. In such situations, if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell portfolio securities to meet daily margin requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so. In addition, the Fund may be required to deliver the instruments underlying futures contracts it has sold.

 

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The risk of loss in trading futures contracts or uncovered call options in some strategies (e.g., selling uncovered stock index futures contracts) is potentially unlimited. The Fund does not plan to use futures and options contracts in this way. The risk of a futures position may still be large as traditionally measured due to the low margin deposits required. In many cases, a relatively small price movement in a futures contract may result in immediate and substantial loss or gain to the investor relative to the size of a required margin deposit. The Fund, however, intends to utilize futures and options contracts in a manner designed to limit their risk exposure to levels comparable to direct investment in stocks.

Utilization of futures and options on futures by the Fund involves the risk of imperfect or even negative correlation to the Underlying Index if the index underlying the futures contract differs from the Underlying Index. There is also the risk of loss by the Fund of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of a broker with whom the Fund has an open position in the futures contract or option; however, this risk is substantially minimized because (a) of the regulatory requirement that the broker has to “segregate” customer funds from its corporate funds, and (b) in the case of regulated exchanges in the United States, the clearing corporation stands behind the broker to make good losses in such a situation. The purchase of put or call options could be based upon predictions by the Adviser as to anticipated trends, which predictions could prove to be incorrect and a part or all of the premium paid therefore could be lost.

Because the futures market imposes less burdensome margin requirements than the securities market, an increased amount of participation by speculators in the futures market could result in price fluctuations. Certain financial futures exchanges limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day. The daily limit establishes the maximum amount by which the price of a futures contract may vary either up or down from the previous day’s settlement price at the end of a trading session. Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular type of contract, no trades may be made on that day at a price beyond that limit. It is possible that futures contract prices could move to the daily limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of futures positions and subjecting the Fund to substantial losses. In the event of adverse price movements, the Fund would be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin.

Although the Fund intends to enter into futures contracts only if there is an active market for such contracts, there is no assurance that an active market will exist for the contracts at any particular time.

Risks of Swap Agreements . The risk of loss with respect to swaps generally is limited to the net amount of payments that the Fund is contractually obligated to make. Swap agreements are also subject to the risk that the swap counterparty will default on its obligations. If such a default were to occur, the Fund will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction. However, such remedies may be subject to bankruptcy and insolvency laws which could affect the Fund’s rights as a creditor — (e.g., the Fund may not receive the net amount of payments that it contractually is entitled to receive). The Fund, however, intends to utilize swaps in a manner designed to limit its risk exposure to levels comparable to direct investments in stocks.

 

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MANAGEMENT

Trustees and Officers

The general supervision of the duties performed by the Adviser for the Fund under the Investment Advisory Agreement is the responsibility of the Board of Trustees. The Trust currently has four Trustees. Three Trustees have no affiliation or business connection with the Adviser or any of its affiliated persons and do not own any stock or other securities issued by the Adviser. These are the “non-interested” or “independent” Trustees (“Independent Trustees”). The other Trustee (the “Interested Trustee”) is affiliated with the Adviser.

The Independent Trustees of the Trust, their term of office and length of time served, their principal business occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen by each Independent Trustee, and other directorships, if any, held by the Trustee are shown below.

Independent Trustees

 

      

Position

(s)

Held with
Trust

  

Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served**

  

Principal

Occupation(s)

During Past 5

Years

   Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustees***
  

Other

Directorships

Held by

Trustees

  Mary K.

  Anstine , age 72

  

Trustee

  

Since March 2008

  

Ms. Anstine was President/Chief Executive Officer of HealthONE Alliance, Denver, Colorado, and former Executive Vice President of First Interstate Bank of Denver. Ms. Anstine is also Trustee/Director of the following: AV

Hunter Trust; Colorado Uplift Board. Ms. Anstine was formerly a Director of the Trust Bank of Colorado (later purchased and now known as Northern Trust Bank), HealthONE and Denver Area Council of the

   25    Ms. Anstine is a Trustee of Financial Investors Variable Insurance Trust (5 funds); Financial Investors Trust (25 funds); Reaves Utility Income Fund; and Westcore Trust (12 funds).

 

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Position(s)
Held with
Trust

  

Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served**

  

Principal

Occupation(s)

During Past 5

Years

   Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustees***
  

Other

Directorships

Held by

Trustees

               Boy Scouts of America and a member of
the American Bankers Association Trust
Executive Committee.
         

  Jeremy W.

  Deems , age 36

  

Trustee

  

Since March 2008

   Mr. Deems is the Co-Founder, Chief Operations Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Green Alpha Advisors, LLC. Prior to joining Green Alpha Advisors, Mr. Deems was CFO and Treasurer of Forward Management, LLC, ReFlow Management Co., LLC, ReFlow Fund, LLC, a private investment fund, and Sutton Place Management, LLC, an administrative services company, from 2004 to June 2007. Prior to this, Mr. Deems served as Controller of Forward Management, LLC, ReFlow Management Co., LLC, ReFlow Fund, LLC and Sutton Place Management, LLC.    25    Mr. Deems is a Trustee of Financial Investors Variable Insurance Trust (5 funds); Financial Investors Trust (25 funds); and Reaves Utility Income Fund.

  Rick A.

  Pederson , age 60

  

Trustee

  

Since March 2008

   Mr. Pederson is President, Foundation Properties, Inc. (a real estate investment    9    Mr. Pederson is Trustee of Westcore Trust (12 funds)

 

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Position

(s)

Held with
Trust

  

Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served**

  

Principal

Occupation(s)

During Past 5

Years

   Number of
Portfolios in
Fund Complex
Overseen by
Trustees***
  

Other

Directorships

Held by

Trustees

         management company), 1994 - present; Partner, Bow River Capital Partners (investment manager), 2003 - present; Principal, The Pauls Corporation (real estate development), 2008 - present; Director, Guaranty Bank and Trust (a community bank), 1999 - 2007; Winter Park Recreational Association (an entity that operates, maintains and develops Winter Park Resort), 2002 - 2008; Neenan Co. (an integrated real estate development, architecture and construction company), 2002 - present; NexCore Properties LLC (a real estate investment company), 2004 - present; Urban Land Conservancy (a not-for-profit organization), 2004 - present.      

 

*

The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203.

 

**

This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his successor is elected.

 

***

The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services.

 

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The Trustee who is affiliated with the Adviser or affiliates of the Adviser and executive officers of the Trust, his term of office and length of time served, his principal business occupations during the past five years, the number of portfolios in the Fund Complex overseen by the Interested Trustee and the other directorships, if any, held by the Trustee, are shown below.

Interested Trustee

 

  Name, Address and

  Age of Interested

  Trustee*

  

Position(s)
Held with
Trust

  

Term of
Office and
Length of
Time
Served**

  

Principal

Occupation(s)

During Past 5

Years

   Number of
Portfolios in
Fund
Complex
Overseen by
Trustees
  

Other

Directorships

Held by

Trustees

   Thomas A. Carter ,

  age 46

  

Trustee and President

  

Since

March 2008

   Mr. Carter joined ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“ALPS”) in 1994 and is currently President and Director of ALPS Advisors, Inc. (“AAI”), ALPS Distributors, Inc. (“ADI”) and FTAM Funds Distributor, Inc. (“FDI”) and Executive Vice President and Director of ALPS and ALPS Holdings, Inc. (“AHI”). Because of his position with AHI, ALPS, ADI, FDI and AAI, Mr. Carter is deemed an affiliate of the Fund as defined under the 1940 Act. Before joining ALPS, Mr. Carter was with Deloitte & Touche LLP, where he worked with a diverse group of clients, primarily within the financial services industry. Mr. Carter is a Certified Public Accountant and received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Colorado at Boulder.    14   

Mr. Carter is a Trustee of Financial Investors Variable Insurance Trust (5 funds)

 

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*

The business address of the Trustee is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203.

 

**

This is the period for which the Trustee began serving the Trust. Each Trustee serves an indefinite term, until his successor is elected.

 

***

Mr. Carter is an interested person of the Trust because of his affiliation with ALPS.

Officers

 

Name, Address and Age of

Executive Officer

  

Position(s) Held
with Trust

  

Length of Time
Served *

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5

Years

Melanie Zimdars, age 36

  

Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”)

   Since December 2009    Ms. Zimdars currently serves as a Deputy Chief Compliance Officer with ALPS. Prior to joining ALPS in September 2009, Ms. Zimdars served as Principal Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary for the Wasatch Funds from February 2007 to December 2008. From November 2006 to February 2007, she served as Assistant Treasurer for the Wasatch Funds and served as a Senior Compliance Officer for Wasatch Advisors, Inc. since 2005. Because of her position with ALPS, Ms. Zimdars is deemed an affiliate of the Trust as defined under the 1940 Act. Ms. Zimdars is also the CCO of EGA Emerging Global Shares Trust, Financial Investors Variable Insurance Trust, Liberty All-Star Growth Fund, Inc., Liberty All-Star Equity Fund and BPV Family of Funds.

Patrick D. Buchanan,

age 40

  

Treasurer

  

Since June 2012

   Mr. Buchanan is Vice President of ALPS. Mr. Buchanan joined ALPS in 2007 and because of his position with ALPS, he is deemed an affiliate of the Trust as defined under the 1940 Act.

William Parmentier ,

age 60

  

Vice President

  

Since March 2008

   Mr. Parmentier is Chief Investment Officer, ALPS Advisors, Inc. (since 2006); President and Chief Executive Officer of the Liberty All-Star Funds (since April 1999); Senior Vice President (2005-2006), Banc of America Investment Advisors, Inc.

 

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Name, Address and Age of

Executive Officer

  

Position(s) Held
with Trust

  

Length of Time
Served *

  

Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5

Years

Tané T. Tyler,

age 47

  

Secretary

  

Since December 2008

   Ms. Tyler is Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of ALPS. Ms. Tyler joined ALPS in 2004. Ms. Tyler also serves as Secretary, Liberty All-Star Equity Fund and Liberty All-Star Growth Fund. She also served as Secretary, Reaves Utility Income Fund from December 2004–2007; Secretary, Westcore Funds from February 2005–2007; Secretary, First Funds from November 2004 to January 2007; Secretary, Financial Investors Variable Insurance Trust from December 2004–December 2006; Vice President and Associate Counsel, Oppenheimer Funds from January 2004 to August 2004; Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, INVESCO Funds from September 1991 to December 2003.

 

*

The business address of each Officer is c/o ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203.

 

**

This is the period for which the Officer began serving the Trust. Each Officer serves an indefinite term, until his/her successor is elected.

Additional Information About the Trustees’ Qualifications and Experience

The following is a brief discussion of the specific education, experience, qualifications, or skills that led to the conclusion, as of the date of this SAI, that each person identified below should serve as a Trustee for the Trust.

Mary K. Anstine

Ms. Anstine has been an Independent Trustee of the Trust since March 25, 2008. Currently retired, Ms. Anstine has over 30 years of financial services experience. Most recently, she was President and CEO of HealthONE Alliance, Denver, Colorado from 1994 through 2004. From 1964 to 1994, Ms. Anstine held positions leading up to Executive Vice President of First Interstate Bank. She was selected to serve as a Trustee of the Trust based on her business and financial services experience.

Jeremy W. Deems

Mr. Deems has been an Independent Trustee of the Trust since March 25, 2008. In 2007, Mr. Deems co-founded Green Alpha Advisors, LLC, a registered investment adviser, for which he currently serves as Co-Founder, Chief Operations Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to co-founding Green Alpha Advisors, Mr. Deems was CFO of Forward Management, LLC, investment advisor to the Forward Funds and Sierra Club Mutual Funds, where he was also co-portfolio manager to the Sierra Club Stock Fund. In addition, he was the CFO of ReFlow Management Co., LLC. Prior to joining Forward and ReFlow, he served as Regional Marketing Assistant within the Investment Consulting Services Group at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter. Mr. Deems received a B.S. and a MBA in finance from Saint Mary’s College of California and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He was selected to serve as a Trustee of the Trust based on his business, financial services, accounting and investment management experience.

Rick A. Pederson

 

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Mr. Pederson has been an Independent Trustee of the Trust since March 25, 2008. He currently serves as President of Foundation Properties, Inc., a real estate investment manager, is a Partner at and Bow River Capital Partners, an investment manager. Mr. Pederson is also Principal of the Pauls Corporation, a real estate development, and Director of Neenan Co., an integrated real estate development, architecture and construction company, NexCore Properties LLC, a real estate investment company, and Urban Land Conservancy, a not-for-profit organization. He has previously served as a Director at Guaranty Bank and Trust, a community bank, and Winter Park Recreational Association, an entity that operates, maintains and develops Winter Park Resort. He was selected to serve as a Trustee of the Trust based on his business and financial services experience.

Thomas A. Carter

Mr. Carter has been an Interested Trustee and Chairman of the Trust since March 25, 2008. Since joining ALPS Fund Services, Inc. in 1994, Mr. Carter joined ALPS Fund Services, Inc., the Funds’ administrator, in 1994 and currently serves as President of ALPS Distributors, Inc., the Funds’ principal underwriter, and ALPS Advisors, Inc., the Funds’ investment adviser. Before joining ALPS, Mr. Carter was with Deloitte & Touche LLP, where he worked with a diverse group of clients, primarily within the financial services industry. Mr. Carter is a Certified Public Accountant and received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He was selected to serve as a Trustee of the Trust based on his business, accounting, financial services and investment management experience.

Leadership Structure and Oversight Responsibilities

Overall responsibility for oversight of the Fund rests with the Trustees. The Trust has engaged the Adviser to manage the Fund on a day-to day basis. The Board is responsible for overseeing the Adviser and other service providers in the operations of the Fund in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act, applicable provisions of state and other laws and the Trust’s charter. The Board is currently composed of four members, three of whom are Independent Trustees. The Board meets at regularly scheduled quarterly meetings each year. In addition, the Board may hold special in-person or telephonic meetings or informal conference calls to discuss specific matters that may arise or require action between regular meetings. As described below, the Board has established a Nominating and Governance Committee and an Audit Committee, and may establish ad hoc committees or working groups from time to time, to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities.

The Board has appointed Thomas A. Carter, an Interested Trustee, to serve in the role of Chairman. The Chairman’s role is to preside at all meetings of the Board and to act as a liaison with the Adviser, other service providers, counsel and other Trustees generally between meetings. The Chairman and may also perform such other functions as may be delegated by the Board from time to time. The Board has determined not to appoint a lead independent trustee. The Board reviews matters related to its leadership structure annually. The Board has determined that the Board’s leadership structure is appropriate given the Trust’s characteristics and circumstances. These include the Trust’s multiple series of fund shares, each fund’s single portfolio of assets, each fund’s net assets and the services provided by the funds’ service providers.

Risk oversight forms part of the Board’s general oversight of the Fund and is addressed as part of various Board and Committee activities. As part of its regular oversight of the Fund, the Board, directly or through a Committee, interacts with and reviews reports from, among others, Fund management, the Adviser, the Fund’s Chief Compliance Officer, the Fund’s legal counsel and the independent registered public accounting firm for the Fund regarding risks faced by the Fund. The Board, with the assistance of Fund management and the Adviser, reviews investment policies and risks in connection with its review of the Fund’s performance. The Board has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer who oversees the

 

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implementation and testing of the Fund’s compliance program and reports to the Board regarding compliance matters for the Fund and its principal service providers. In addition, as part of the Board’s periodic review of the Fund’s advisory, sub-advisory and other service provider agreements, the Board may consider risk management aspects of these service providers’ operations and the functions for which they are responsible.

None of the Independent Trustees own securities in the Adviser or the Distributor, nor do they own securities in any entity directly controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser or the Distributor.

Audit Committee . The Board has an Audit Committee which considers such matters pertaining to the Trust’s books of account, financial records, internal accounting controls and changes in accounting principles or practices as the Trustees may from time to time determine. The Audit Committee also considers the engagement and compensation of the independent registered public accounting firm (“Firm”) and ensures receipt from the Firm of a formal written statement delineating relationships between the Firm and the Trust, consistent with Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Rule 3526. The Audit Committee also meets privately with the representatives of the Firm to review the scope and results of audits and other duties as set forth in the Audit Committee’s Charter. The Audit Committee members, each of whom are Independent Trustees are: Ms. Anstine and Messrs. Deems (Chairman) and Pederson. The Audit Committee met three times during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2012.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee meets periodically to advise and assist the Board in selecting nominees to serve as trustees of the Trust. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes the Board generally benefits from diversity of background, experience and views among its members, and considers this a factor in evaluating the composition of the Board, but has not adopted any specific policy in this regard. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also advises and assists the Board in establishing, implementing and executing policies, procedures and practices that assure orderly and effective governance of the Trust and effective and efficient management of all business and financial affairs of the Trust. Members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are currently: Ms. Anstine (Chairman) and Messrs. Deems and Pederson. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board met twice during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2012.

Shareholder Nominations .  The Board will consider shareholder nominees for Trustees. All nominees must possess the appropriate characteristics, skills and experience for serving on the Board. In particular, the Board and its Independent Trustees will consider each nominee’s integrity, educational, professional background, understanding of the Trust’s business on a technical level and commitment to devote the time and attention necessary to fulfill a Trustee’s duties. All shareholders who wish to recommend nominees for consideration as Trustees shall submit the names and qualifications of the candidates to the Secretary of the Trust by writing to: ALPS ETF Trust, 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado, 80203.

Remuneration of Trustees and Officers

Each Independent Trustee receives (1) a quarterly retainer of $3,500, (2) a per meeting fee of $1,500, (3) $750 for any special meeting held outside of a regularly scheduled board meeting, and (4) reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. The following chart provides certain information about the Trustee fees paid by the Trust for the fiscal year ended November 30, 2012:

 

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       Aggregate
Compensation
From the Trust
   Pension Or
Retirement

Benefits Accrued
As Part of
Portfolio
Expenses
   Estimated
Annual
Benefits Upon
Retirement
   Aggregate
Compensation
From The Trust And
Portfolio Complex
Paid To

Trustees(1)

Mary K. Anstine, Trustee

   $21,500    $0    $0    $76,000

Jeremy W. Deems, Trustee

   $21,500    $0    $0    $76,000

Rick A. Pederson, Trustee

   $21,500    $0    $0    $21,500

 

(1)

The Fund Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. provides investment advisory services.

Officers who are employed by the Adviser receive no compensation or expense reimbursements from the Trust.

Adviser . The Fund is managed by the Adviser. The Adviser, a wholly owned subsidiary of ALPS Holdings, Inc. (“ALPS Holdings”), subject to the authority of the Board, is responsible for the overall management and administration of the Fund’s business affairs. The Adviser commenced business operations in December 2006 upon the acquisition of an existing investment advisory operation and is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser. The Adviser’s principal address is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203. The Adviser is an affiliate of ALPS Fund Services, Inc., who serves as the Funds’ administrator, and ALPS Distributors, Inc., who serves as Distributor to the Funds.

Located in Denver, Colorado, ALPS Holdings was founded in 2005 and assumed the business of ALPS Financial Services, which was founded in 1985 as a provider of fund administration and fund distribution services. Since then, ALPS Holdings has added additional services, including fund accounting, transfer agency, shareholder services, active distribution, legal, tax and compliance services. As of November 30, 2012, ALPS Holdings and its affiliates provide fund administration services to funds with assets in excess of $38 billion and distribution services to funds with assets of more than $334 billion.

Investment Advisory Agreement . Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Trust, the Adviser is responsible for all expenses of the Fund, including the cost of transfer agency, custody, fund administration, legal, audit and other services, except interest expenses, distribution fees or expenses, brokerage expenses, taxes, and extraordinary expenses not incurred in the ordinary course of the Fund’s business. For the Adviser’s services to the Fund, the Fund has agreed to pay an annual management fee equal to a 0.—% of its average daily net assets.

Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser will not be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Fund in connection with the performance of the Investment Advisory Agreement, except a loss resulting from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser in the performance of its duties or from reckless disregard of its duties and obligations thereunder. The initial term of the Investment Advisory Agreement is two years and continues thereafter only if approved annually by the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees. The Agreement terminates automatically upon assignment and is terminable at any time without penalty as to the Fund by the Board, including a majority of the Independent Trustees, or by vote

 

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of the holders of a majority of that Fund’s outstanding voting securities on 60 days written notice to the Adviser, or by the Adviser on 60 days written notice to the Fund.

ALPS Advisors is located at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203.

Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Manager; Compensation of the Portfolio Manager .

Information regarding the other accounts managed by the portfolio manager as of November 30, 2012, is set forth below:

 

      

Accounts Managed

   Accounts With Respect to Which
the Advisory Fee is based on the
Performance of the Account

Name of Portfolio

Manager

  

Category of

Account

   Number of
Accounts in
Category
   Total Assets
in Accounts
in Category
   Number of
Accounts in
Category
   Total Assets in
Accounts in
Category

Michael Akins

   Registered Investment Companies    5    $4.8 billion    N/A    N/A
  

Other Pooled investment vehicles

   N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A
  

Other Accounts

   N/A    N/A    N/A    N/A

Portfolio Manager Compensation Structure Disclosure

The Adviser is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund. Portfolio managers and team members at the Adviser who are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund are paid a base salary, plus a discretionary bonus. The bonus is determined by the business unit’s revenue and profitability as well as the individual’s contribution to the business unit. The bonus is discretionary and is not based specifically on portfolio performance.

Securities Ownership of the Portfolio Manager . Because the Fund is newly organized, the portfolio manager does not own shares of the Fund.

Administrator . ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (“ALPS Fund Services”) serves as the Trust’s administrator. Pursuant to an administration agreement, ALPS Fund Services provides certain administrative, bookkeeping and accounting services to the Trust. For the services, ALPS Fund Services receives a fee, accrued daily and paid monthly by the Adviser from the management fee. ALPS Fund Services is located at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203.

As discussed above, ALPS Advisors is compensated by the Fund in an amount equal to [    ]% of its average daily net assets. From that 0.—% fee, ALPS Fund Services is compensated in an amount equal to [    ]% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.

 

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Custodian and Transfer Agent . The Bank of New York Mellon (“BNY”), also serves as custodian for the Fund pursuant to a Custodian Agreement. As custodian, BNY holds the Fund’s assets, calculates the NAV of Shares and calculates net income and realized capital gains or losses. BNY also serves as transfer agent of the Fund pursuant to a Transfer Agency Agreement. As compensation for the foregoing services, BNY receives certain out-of-pocket costs, transaction fees and asset-based fees which are accrued daily and paid monthly by the Adviser from the management fee.

Distributor . ALPS Distributors, Inc. is the distributor of the Fund’s Shares. Its principal address is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203. The Distributor has entered into a Distribution Agreement with the Trust pursuant to which it distributes Fund Shares. Shares are continuously offered for sale by the Fund through the Distributor only in Creation Unit Aggregations, as described in the Prospectus and below under the heading “Creation and Redemption of Creation Units.”

Aggregations . Fund Shares in less than Creation Unit Aggregations are not distributed by the Distributor. The Distributor will deliver the Prospectus and, upon request, this SAI to persons purchasing Creation Unit Aggregations and will maintain records of both orders placed with it and confirmations of acceptance furnished by it. The Distributor is a broker-dealer registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”).

The Distribution Agreement for the Fund provides that it may be terminated as to the Fund at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on at least 60 days written notice by the Trust to the Distributor (i) by vote of a majority of the Independent Trustees or (ii) by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund. The Distribution Agreement will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).

The Distributor may also enter into agreements with securities dealers (“Soliciting Dealers”) who will solicit purchases of Creation Unit Aggregations of Fund Shares. Such Soliciting Dealers may also be Participating Parties (as defined in “Procedures for Creation of Creation Unit Aggregations” below) and DTC Participants of the Depository Trust Company (the “DTC”) (as defined in “DTC Acts as Securities Depository” below).

Index Provider . Set forth below is the Fund and the Underlying Index upon which it is based.

 

Fund

  

Underlying Index

Barron’s 400 ETF

   Barron’s 400 Index

MarketGrader Capital, LLC (the “Index Provider”) is not affiliated with the Barron’s 400 ETF or the Adviser. The Fund is entitled to use the Underlying Index pursuant to a licensing agreement with the Index Provider and the Adviser. The Adviser pays a licensing fee to the Index Provider out of the management fee.

“The Barron’s 400 Index SM ” is calculated and published by Dow Jones Indexes. “Dow Jones Indexes”, the marketing name of CME Group Index Services LLC (“CME Indexes”), is a trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. “Barron’s ® ” is a service mark of Dow Jones & Company. Inc. (“Dow Jones”) and has been licensed to CME Indexes for use with the Barron’s 400 Index and sublicensed for certain purposes by the Index Provider.

 

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The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Dow Jones, CME Indexes or any of their respective affiliates. Dow Jones, CME Indexes and their respective affiliates make no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of trading in the Fund particularly. Dow Jones and CME Indexes only relationship to the Index Provider with respect to the Fund is the licensing of the Barron’s 400 Index and certain trademarks with respect thereto, which Underlying Index is determined, composed and calculated by CME Indexes without regard to the Index Provider or the Fund. Dow Jones and CME Indexes have no obligation to take the needs of the Index Provider or the owners of the Fund into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Barron’s 400 Index SM . Dow Jones, CME Indexes and their respective affiliates are not responsible for and have not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Fund to be sold or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund are to be converted into cash. Dow Jones, CME Indexes and their respective affiliates have no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, CME Group Inc. and its affiliates may independently issue and/or sponsor financial products unrelated to the Fund currently being issued by the Index Provider, but which may be similar to and competitive with the Fund. In addition, CME Group Inc. and its affiliates may trade financial products which are linked to the performance of the Barron’s 400 Index SM . It is possible that this trading activity will affect the value of the Barron’s 400 Index SM and the Fund.

DOW JONES, CME INDEXES AND THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE BARRON’S 400 INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN AND DOW JONES, CME INDEXES AND THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. DOW JONES, CME INDEXES AND THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES MAKE NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY THE INDEX PROVIDER, OWNERS OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE BARRON’S 400 INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. DOW JONES, CME INDEXES AND THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES. AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE BARRON’S 400 INDEX OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL DOW JONES, CME INDEXES OR THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY LOST PROFITS OR INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR LOSSES, EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. THERE ARE NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES OF ANY AGREEMENTS OR ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN CME INDEXES AND THE INDEX PROVIDER, OTHER THAN THE LICENSORS OF CME INDEXES.

BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS

The policy of the Trust regarding purchases and sales of securities is that primary consideration will be given to obtaining the most favorable prices and efficient executions of transactions. Consistent with this policy, when securities transactions are effected on a stock exchange, the Trust’s policy is to pay commissions that are considered fair and reasonable without necessarily determining that the lowest possible commissions are paid in all circumstances. In seeking to determine the reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid in any transaction, the Adviser relies upon its experience and knowledge regarding commissions generally charged by various brokers. The sale of Fund Shares by a broker-dealer is not a factor in the selection of broker-dealers.

 

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In seeking to implement the Trust’s policies, the Adviser effects transactions with those brokers and dealers that the Adviser believes provide the most favorable prices and are capable of providing efficient executions. The Adviser and its affiliates do not currently participate in soft dollar transactions.

The Adviser assumes general supervision over placing orders on behalf of the Fund for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities. If purchases or sales of portfolio securities by the Fund and one or more other investment companies or clients supervised by the Adviser are considered at or about the same time, transactions in such securities may be allocated among the Fund, the several investment companies and clients in a manner deemed equitable to all by the Adviser. In some cases, this procedure could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security as far as the Fund is concerned. However, in other cases, it is possible that the ability to participate in volume transactions and to negotiate lower brokerage commissions will be beneficial to the Fund. The primary consideration is prompt execution of orders at the most favorable net price.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONCERNING THE TRUST

The Trust is an open-end management investment company registered under the 1940 Act. The Trust was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on September 13, 2007.

The Trust is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares in one or more series or “funds.” The Trust currently is comprised of 12 funds. The Board of Trustees of the Trust has the right to establish additional series in the future, to determine the preferences, voting powers, rights and privileges thereof and to modify such preferences, voting powers, rights and privileges without shareholder approval.

Each Share issued by the Fund has a pro rata interest in the assets of the Fund. Fund Shares have no preemptive, exchange, subscription or conversion rights and are freely transferable. Each Share is entitled to participate equally in dividends and distributions declared by the Board with respect to the Fund, and in the net distributable assets of the Fund on liquidation.

Each Share has one vote with respect to matters upon which a shareholder vote is required consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules promulgated thereunder. Shares of all funds, including the Fund, of the Trust vote together as a single class except as otherwise required by the 1940 Act, or if the matter being voted on affects only a particular fund, and, if a matter affects a particular fund differently from other funds, the shares of that fund will vote separately on such matter.

The Declaration of Trust may, except in limited circumstances, be amended or supplemented by the Trustees without shareholder vote. The holders of Fund shares are required to disclose information on direct or indirect ownership of Fund shares as may be required to comply with various laws applicable to the Fund, and ownership of Fund shares may be disclosed by the Fund if so required by law or regulation.

The Trust is not required and does not intend to hold annual meetings of shareholders. Shareholders owning more than 51% of the outstanding shares of the Trust have the right to call a special meeting to remove one or more Trustees or for any other purpose.

The Trust does not have information concerning the beneficial ownership of Shares held by DTC Participants (as defined below).

Shareholders may make inquiries by writing to the Trust, c/o the Distributor, 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203.

 

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Control Persons . As of the date of this SAI, no entity owns of record 5% or more of the outstanding Shares of the Fund.

Book Entry Only System . The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Book Entry.”

DTC Acts as Securities Depository for Fund Shares. Shares of the Fund are represented by securities registered in the name of DTC or its nominee and deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC.

DTC, a limited-purpose trust company, was created to hold securities of its participants (the “DTC Participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among the DTC Participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the DTC Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own DTC. More specifically, DTC is owned by a number of its DTC Participants and by the NYSE Arca and FINRA. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant, either directly or indirectly (the “Indirect Participants”).

Beneficial ownership of Shares is limited to DTC Participants, Indirect Participants and persons holding interests through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in Shares (owners of such beneficial interests are referred to herein as “Beneficial Owners”) is shown on, and the transfer of ownership is effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to DTC Participants) and on the records of DTC Participants (with respect to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners that are not DTC Participants). Beneficial Owners will receive from or through the DTC Participant a written confirmation relating to their purchase and sale of Shares.

Conveyance of all notices, statements and other communications to Beneficial Owners is effected as follows. Pursuant to the Depositary Agreement between the Trust and DTC, DTC is required to make available to the Trust upon request and for a fee to be charged to the Trust a listing of the Shares of the Fund held by each DTC Participant. The Trust shall inquire of each such DTC Participant as to the number of Beneficial Owners holding Shares, directly or indirectly, through such DTC Participant. The Trust shall provide each such DTC Participant with copies of such notice, statement or other communication, in such form, number and at such place as such DTC Participant may reasonably request, in order that such notice, statement or communication may be transmitted by such DTC Participant, directly or indirectly, to such Beneficial Owners. In addition, the Trust shall pay to each such DTC Participant a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement for the expenses attendant to such transmittal, all subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

Fund distributions shall be made to DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., as the registered holder of all Fund Shares. DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any such distributions, shall immediately credit DTC Participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in Shares of the Fund as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. Payments by DTC Participants to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners of Shares held through such DTC Participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in a “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such DTC Participants.

The Trust has no responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or notices to Beneficial Owners, or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in such Shares, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests, or for

 

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any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and the DTC Participants or the relationship between such DTC Participants and the Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners owning through such DTC Participants.

DTC may decide to discontinue providing its service with respect to Shares at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Trust and discharging its responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law. Under such circumstances, the Trust shall take action to find a replacement for DTC to perform its functions at a comparable cost.

Proxy Voting . The Board has delegated responsibility for decisions regarding proxy voting for securities held by the Fund to the Adviser. The Adviser will vote such proxies in accordance with its proxy policies and procedures, which are included in Appendix A of this SAI. The Board will periodically review the Fund’s proxy voting record.

The Trust is required to disclose annually the Fund’s complete proxy voting record on Form N-PX covering the period July 1 through June 30 and file it with the SEC no later than August 31. Form N-PX for the Fund also will be available at no charge upon request by calling 1-866-675-2639 or by writing to ALPS ETF Trust at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203. The Fund’s Form N-PX will also be available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Quarterly Portfolio Schedule . The Trust is required to disclose, after its first and third fiscal quarters, the complete schedule of the Fund’s portfolio holdings with the SEC on Form N-Q. The Trust will also disclose a complete schedule of the Fund’s portfolio holdings with the SEC on Form N-CSR after its second and fourth quarters. Form N-Q and Form N-CSR for the Fund will be available on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. The Fund’s Form N-Q and Form N-CSR may also be reviewed and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. and information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 1-202-551-5850. The Fund’s Form N-Q and Form N-CSR will be available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-866-675-2639 or by writing to ALPS ETF Trust at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203.

Portfolio Holdings Policy . The Trust has adopted a policy regarding the disclosure of information about the Trust’s portfolio holdings. The Fund and its service providers may not receive compensation or any other consideration (which includes any agreement to maintain assets in the Fund or in other investment companies or accounts managed by the Adviser or any affiliated person of the Adviser) in connection with the disclosure of portfolio holdings information of the Fund. The Trust’s policy is implemented and overseen by the Chief Compliance Officer of the Fund, subject to the oversight of the Board. Periodic reports regarding these procedures will be provided to the Board. The Board must approve all material amendments to this policy. The Fund’s complete portfolio holdings are publicly disseminated each day the Fund is open for business through financial reporting and news services, including publicly accessible Internet web sites. In addition, a basket composition file, which includes the security names and share quantities to deliver in exchange for Fund shares, together with estimates and actual cash components, is publicly disseminated daily prior to the opening of the NYSE Arca via the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”). The basket represents one Creation Unit of the Fund. The Trust, the Adviser and the Distributor will not disseminate non-public information concerning the Trust.

Codes of Ethics . Pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act, the Board has adopted a Code of Ethics for the Trust and approved Codes of Ethics adopted by the Adviser and the Distributor (collectively the “Codes”). The Codes are intended to ensure that the interests of shareholders and other clients are placed ahead of any personal interest, that no undue personal benefit is obtained from the person’s employment activities and that actual and potential conflicts of interest are avoided.

 

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The Codes apply to the personal investing activities of Trustees and officers of the Trust, the Adviser and the Distributor (“Access Persons”). Rule 17j-1 and the Codes are designed to prevent unlawful practices in connection with the purchase or sale of securities by Access Persons. Under the Codes, Access Persons are permitted to engage in personal securities transactions, but are required to report their personal securities transactions for monitoring purposes. The Codes permit personnel subject to the Codes to invest in securities subject to certain limitations, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund. In addition, certain Access Persons are required to obtain approval before investing in initial public offerings or private placements. The Codes are on file with the SEC, and are available to the public.

CREATION AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNIT AGGREGATIONS

Creation . The Trust issues and sells Shares of the Fund only in Creation Unit Aggregations on a continuous basis through the Distributor, without a sales load, at its NAV next determined after receipt, on any Business Day (as defined below), of an order in proper form.

A “Business Day” is any day on which the NYSE is open for business. As of the date of this SAI, the NYSE observes the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Deposit of Securities and Deposit or Delivery of Cash . The consideration for purchase of Creation Unit Aggregations of the Fund generally consists of the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of equity securities — the “Deposit Securities” — per each Creation Unit Aggregation constituting a substantial replication of the stocks included in the Underlying Index (“Fund Securities”) and an amount of cash — the “Cash Component” — computed as described below. Together, the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component constitute the “Fund Deposit,” which represents the minimum initial and subsequent investment amount for a Creation Unit Aggregation of the Fund.

The Cash Component is sometimes also referred to as the Balancing Amount. The Cash Component serves the function of compensating for any differences between the NAV per Creation Unit Aggregation and the Deposit Amount (as defined below). The Cash Component is an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of the Fund Shares (per Creation Unit Aggregation) and the “Deposit Amount” — an amount equal to the market value of the Deposit Securities. If the Cash Component is a positive number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit Aggregation exceeds the Deposit Amount), the creator will deliver the Cash Component. If the Cash Component is a negative number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit Aggregation is less than the Deposit Amount), the creator will receive the Cash Component.

The Custodian, through the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”) (discussed below), makes available on each Business Day, prior to the opening of business on the NYSE Arca (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern time), the list of the names and the required number of shares of each Deposit Security to be included in the current Fund Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day) for the Fund.

Such Fund Deposit is applicable, subject to any adjustments as described below, in order to effect creations of Creation Unit Aggregations of the Fund until such time as the next-announced composition of the Deposit Securities is made available.

The identity and number of shares of the Deposit Securities required for a Fund Deposit for the Fund changes as rebalancing adjustments and corporate action events are reflected within the Fund from time to

 

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time by the Adviser with a view to the investment objective of the Fund. The composition of the Deposit Securities may also change in response to adjustments to the weighting or composition of the component stocks of the Underlying Index. In addition, the Trust reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of an amount of cash — i.e., a “cash in lieu” amount — to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security that may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or that may not be eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC or the Clearing Process (discussed below), or which might not be eligible for trading by an Authorized Participant (as defined below) or the investor for which it is acting or other relevant reason. Brokerage commissions incurred in connection with the acquisition of Deposit Securities not eligible for transfer through the systems of DTC and hence not eligible for transfer through the Clearing Process (discussed below) will be at the expense of the Fund and will affect the value of all Shares; but the Adviser, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees, may adjust the transaction fee within the parameters described above to protect ongoing shareholders. The adjustments described above will reflect changes known to the Adviser on the date of announcement to be in effect by the time of delivery of the Fund Deposit, in the composition of the Underlying Index or resulting from certain corporate actions.

In addition to the list of names and numbers of securities constituting the current Deposit Securities of a Fund Deposit, the Custodian, through the NSCC, also makes available on each Business Day, the estimated Cash Component, effective through and including the previous Business Day, per outstanding Creation Unit Aggregation of the Fund.

Procedures for Creation of Creation Unit Aggregations . To be eligible to place orders with the Distributor and to create a Creation Unit Aggregation of the Fund, an entity must be (i) a “Participating Party,” i.e., a broker-dealer or other participant in the clearing process through the Continuous Net Settlement System of the NSCC (the “Clearing Process”), a clearing agency that is registered with the SEC; or (ii) a DTC Participant (see the Book Entry Only System section), and, in each case, must have executed an agreement with the Distributor, with respect to creations and redemptions of Creation Unit Aggregations (“Participant Agreement”) (discussed below). A Participating Party and DTC Participant are collectively referred to as an “Authorized Participant.” Investors should contact the Distributor for the names of Authorized Participants that have signed a Participant Agreement. All Fund Shares, however created, will be entered on the records of DTC in the name of Cede & Co. for the account of a DTC Participant.

All orders to create Creation Unit Aggregations, whether through the Clearing Process (through a Participating Party) or outside the Clearing Process (through a DTC Participant), must be received by the Distributor no later than the closing time of the regular trading session on the NYSE (“Closing Time”) (ordinarily 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) in each case on the date such order is placed in order for creation of Creation Unit Aggregations to be effected based on the NAV of Shares of the Fund as next determined on such date after receipt of the order in proper form. In the case of custom orders, the order must be received by the Distributor no later than 3:00 p.m., Eastern time on the trade date. A custom order may be placed by an Authorized Participant in the event that the Trust permits or requires the substitution of an amount of cash to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security which may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery or which may not be eligible for trading by such Authorized Participant or the investor for which it is acting or other relevant reason. The date on which an order to create Creation Unit Aggregations (or an order to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations, as discussed below) is placed is referred to as the “Transmittal Date.” Orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the Distributor pursuant to procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement, as described below (see the “Placement of Creation Orders Using Clearing Process” and the “Placement of Creation Orders Outside Clearing Process” sections). Severe economic or market disruptions or changes, or telephone or other communication failure may impede the ability to reach the Distributor or an Authorized Participant.

 

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All orders from investors who are not Authorized Participants to create Creation Unit Aggregations shall be placed with an Authorized Participant, as applicable, in the form required by such Authorized Participant. In addition, the Authorized Participant may request the investor to make certain representations or enter into agreements with respect to the order, e.g., to provide for payments of cash, when required. Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not have executed a Participant Agreement and that, therefore, orders to create Creation Unit Aggregations of the Fund have to be placed by the investor’s broker through an Authorized Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. In such cases there may be additional charges to such investor. At any given time, there may be only a limited number of broker-dealers that have executed a Participant Agreement. Those placing orders for Creation Unit Aggregations through the Clearing Process should afford sufficient time to permit proper submission of the order to the Distributor prior to the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date. Orders for Creation Unit Aggregations that are effected outside the Clearing Process are likely to require transmittal by the DTC Participant earlier on the Transmittal Date than orders effected using the Clearing Process. Those persons placing orders outside the Clearing Process should ascertain the deadlines applicable to DTC and the Federal Reserve Bank wire system by contacting the operations department of the broker or depository institution effectuating such transfer of Deposit Securities and Cash Component.

Placement of Creation Orders Using Clearing Process . The Clearing Process is the process of creating or redeeming Creation Unit Aggregations through the Continuous Net Settlement System of the NSCC. Fund Deposits made through the Clearing Process must be delivered through a Participating Party that has executed a Participant Agreement. The Participant Agreement authorizes the Distributor to transmit through the Custodian to NSCC, on behalf of the Participating Party, such trade instructions as are necessary to effect the Participating Party’s creation order. Pursuant to such trade instructions to NSCC, the Participating Party agrees to deliver the requisite Deposit Securities and the Cash Component to the Trust, together with such additional information as may be required by the Distributor. An order to create Creation Unit Aggregations through the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Distributor on the Transmittal Date if (i) such order is received by the Distributor not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed.

Placement of Creation Orders Outside Clearing Process . Fund Deposits made outside the Clearing Process must be delivered through a DTC Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement pre-approved by the Adviser and the Distributor. A DTC Participant who wishes to place an order creating Creation Unit Aggregations to be effected outside the Clearing Process does not need to be a Participating Party, but such orders must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that the creation of Creation Unit Aggregations will instead be effected through a transfer of securities and cash directly through DTC. The Fund Deposit transfer must be ordered by the DTC Participant on the Transmittal Date in a timely fashion so as to ensure the delivery of the requisite number of Deposit Securities through DTC to the account of the Fund by no later than 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, of the next Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date.

All questions as to the number of Deposit Securities to be delivered, and the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) for the deposit of any tendered securities, will be determined by the Trust, whose determination shall be final and binding. The amount of cash equal to the Cash Component must be transferred directly to the Custodian through the Federal Reserve Bank wire transfer system in a timely manner so as to be received by the Custodian no later than 2:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the next Business Day immediately following such Transmittal Date. An order to create Creation Unit Aggregations outside the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Distributor on the Transmittal Date if (i) such order is received by the Distributor not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date; and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. However, if the Custodian does not receive both the required Deposit Securities and the Cash Component by 11:00 a.m. and

 

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2:00 p.m., respectively, on the next Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date, such order will be canceled. Upon written notice to the Distributor, such canceled order may be resubmitted the following Business Day using a Fund Deposit as newly constituted to reflect the then current Deposit Securities and Cash Component. The delivery of Creation Unit Aggregations so created will occur no later than the third (3rd) Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Distributor.

Additional transaction fees may be imposed with respect to transactions effected outside the Clearing Process (through a DTC Participant) and in the limited circumstances in which any cash can be used in lieu of Deposit Securities to create Creation Units. (See Creation Transaction Fee section below).

Creation Unit Aggregations may be created in advance of receipt by the Trust of all or a portion of the applicable Deposit Securities as described below. In these circumstances, the initial deposit will have a value greater than the NAV of the Fund Shares on the date the order is placed in proper form since, in addition to available Deposit Securities, cash must be deposited in an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Cash Component, plus (ii) 115% of the market value of the undelivered Deposit Securities (the “Additional Cash Deposit”). The order shall be deemed to be received on the Business Day on which the order is placed provided that the order is placed in proper form prior to 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on such date, and federal funds in the appropriate amount are deposited with the Custodian by 11:00 a.m., Eastern time, the following Business Day. If the order is not placed in proper form by 4:00 p.m. or federal funds in the appropriate amount are not received by 11:00 a.m. the next Business Day, then the order may be deemed to be canceled and the Authorized Participant shall be liable to the Fund for losses, if any, resulting therefrom. An additional amount of cash shall be required to be deposited with the Trust, pending delivery of the missing Deposit Securities to the extent necessary to maintain the Additional Cash Deposit with the Trust in an amount at least equal to 115% of the daily marked to market value of the missing Deposit Securities. To the extent that missing Deposit Securities are not received by 1:00 p.m., Eastern time, on the third Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Distributor or in the event a marked-to-market payment is not made within one Business Day following notification by the Distributor that such a payment is required, the Trust may use the cash on deposit to purchase the missing Deposit Securities. Authorized Participants will be liable to the Trust and the Fund for the costs incurred by the Trust in connection with any such purchases. These costs will be deemed to include the amount by which the actual purchase price of the Deposit Securities exceeds the market value of such Deposit Securities on the day the purchase order was deemed received by the Distributor plus the brokerage and related transaction costs associated with such purchases. The Trust will return any unused portion of the Additional Cash Deposit once all of the missing Deposit Securities have been properly received by the Custodian or purchased by the Trust and deposited into the Trust. In addition, a transaction fee, as listed below, will be charged in all cases. The delivery of Creation Unit Aggregations so created will occur no later than the third Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Distributor.

Acceptance of Orders for Creation Unit Aggregations . The Trust reserves the absolute right to reject a creation order transmitted to it by the Distributor in respect of the Fund if: (i) the order is not in proper form; (ii) the investor(s), upon obtaining the Fund Shares ordered, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding shares of any Fund; (iii) the Deposit Securities delivered are not as disseminated for that date by the Custodian, as described above; (iv) acceptance of the Deposit Securities would have certain adverse tax consequences to the Fund; (v) acceptance of the Fund Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (vi) acceptance of the Fund Deposit would otherwise, in the discretion of the Trust or the Adviser, have an adverse effect on the Trust or the rights of beneficial owners; or (vii) in the event that circumstances outside the control of the Trust, the Custodian, the Distributor and the Adviser make it for all practical purposes impossible to process creation orders. Examples of such circumstances include acts of God; public service or utility problems such as fires, floods, extreme weather conditions and

 

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power outages resulting in telephone, telecopy and computer failures; market conditions or activities causing trading halts; systems failures involving computer or other information systems affecting the Trust, the Adviser, the Distributor, DTC, NSCC, the Custodian or sub-custodian or any other participant in the creation process, and similar extraordinary events. The Distributor shall notify a prospective creator of a Creation Unit and/or the Authorized Participant acting on behalf of such prospective creator of its rejection of the order of such person. The Trust, the Custodian, any sub-custodian and the Distributor are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Fund Deposits nor shall any of them incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification.

All questions as to the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility, and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by the Trust, and the Trust’s determination shall be final and binding.

Creation Transaction Fee . Investors will be required to pay a fixed creation transaction fee, described below, payable regardless of the number of creations made each day. An additional charge of up to four times the fixed transaction fee (expressed as a percentage of the value of the Deposit Securities) may be imposed for (i) creations effected outside the Clearing Process; and (ii) cash creations (to offset the Trust’s brokerage and other transaction costs associated with using cash to purchase the requisite Deposit Securities). Investors are responsible for the costs of transferring the securities constituting the Deposit Securities to the account of the Trust.

The Standard Creation/Redemption Transaction Fee for the Fund will be $500. The Maximum Creation/Redemption Transaction Fee for the Fund will be $2,000.

Redemption of Fund Shares in Creation Units Aggregations . Fund Shares may be redeemed only in Creation Unit Aggregations at its NAV next determined after receipt of a redemption request in proper form by the Fund through the Transfer Agent and only on a Business Day. The Fund will not redeem Shares in amounts less than Creation Unit Aggregations. Beneficial owners must accumulate enough Shares in the secondary market to constitute a Creation Unit Aggregation in order to have such Shares redeemed by the Trust. There can be no assurance, however, that there will be sufficient liquidity in the public trading market at any time to permit assembly of a Creation Unit Aggregation. Investors should expect to incur brokerage and other costs in connection with assembling a sufficient number of Fund Shares to constitute a redeemable Creation Unit Aggregation.

With respect to the Fund, the Custodian, through the NSCC, makes available prior to the opening of business on the NYSE Arca(currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern time) on each Business Day, the identity of the Fund Securities that will be applicable (subject to possible amendment or correction) to redemption requests received in proper form (as described below) on that day. Fund Securities received on redemption may not be identical to Deposit Securities that are applicable to creations of Creation Unit Aggregations.

Unless cash redemptions are available or specified for the Fund, the redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit Aggregation generally consist of Fund Securities — as announced on the Business Day of the request for redemption received in proper form — plus or minus cash in an amount equal to the difference between the NAV of the Fund Shares being redeemed, as next determined after a receipt of a request in proper form, and the value of the Fund Securities (the “Cash Redemption Amount”), less a redemption transaction fee as listed below. In the event that the Fund Securities have a value greater than the NAV of the Fund Shares, a compensating cash payment equal to the difference is required to be made by or through an Authorized Participant by the redeeming shareholder.

 

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The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed (i) for any period during which the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (ii) for any period during which trading on the NYSE is suspended or restricted; (iii) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the Shares of the Fund or determination of the Fund’s NAV is not reasonably practicable; or (iv) in such other circumstances as is permitted by the SEC.

Redemption Transaction Fee . A redemption transaction fee is imposed to offset transfer and other transaction costs that may be incurred by the Fund. An additional variable charge for cash redemptions (when cash redemptions are available or specified) for the Fund may be imposed. Investors will also bear the costs of transferring the Fund Securities from the Trust to their account or on their order. Investors who use the services of a broker or other such intermediary in addition to an Authorized Participant to effect a redemption of a Creation Unit Aggregation may be charged an additional fee of up to four times the fixed transaction fee for such services. The redemption transaction fees for the Fund are the same as the creation fees set forth above. In no event, will the redemption transaction fee exceed 2%.

Placement of Redemption Orders Using Clearing Process . Orders to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations through the Clearing Process must be delivered through a Participating Party that has executed the Participant Agreement. An order to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations using the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Trust on the Transmittal Date if (i) such order is received by the Transfer Agent not later than 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, on such Transmittal Date, and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed; such order will be effected based on the NAV of the relevant Fund as next determined. An order to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations using the Clearing Process made in proper form but received by the Trust after 4:00 p.m., Eastern time, will be deemed received on the next Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date and will be effected at the NAV next determined on such next Business Day. The requisite Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount will be transferred by the third NSCC Business Day following the date on which such request for redemption is deemed received.

Placement of Redemption Orders Outside Clearing Process . Orders to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations outside the Clearing Process must be delivered through a DTC Participant that has executed the Participant Agreement. A DTC Participant who wishes to place an order for redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations to be effected outside the Clearing Process does not need to be a Participating Party, but such orders must state that the DTC Participant is not using the Clearing Process and that redemption of Creation Unit Aggregations will instead be effected through transfer of Fund Shares directly through DTC. An order to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations outside the Clearing Process is deemed received by the Trust on the Transmittal Date if (i) such order is received by the Transfer Agent not later than 4:00 p.m., Eastern time on such Transmittal Date; (ii) such order is accompanied or followed by the requisite number of Shares of the Fund, which delivery must be made through DTC to the Custodian no later than 11:00 a.m., Eastern time (for the Fund Shares), on the next Business Day immediately following such Transmittal Date (the “DTC Cut-Off-Time”) and 2:00 p.m., Eastern Time for any Cash Component, if any owed to the Fund; and (iii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement are properly followed. After the Trust has deemed an order for redemption outside the Clearing Process received, the Trust will initiate procedures to transfer the requisite Fund Securities which are expected to be delivered within three Business Days and the Cash Redemption Amount, if any owed to the redeeming Beneficial Owner to the Authorized Participant on behalf of the redeeming Beneficial Owner by the third Business Day following the Transmittal Date on which such redemption order is deemed received by the Trust.

The calculation of the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered/received upon redemption will be made by the Custodian according to the procedures set forth under Determination of NAV computed on the Business Day on which a redemption order is deemed

 

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received by the Trust. Therefore, if a redemption order in proper form is submitted to the Transfer Agent by a DTC Participant not later than Closing Time on the Transmittal Date, and the requisite number of Shares of the Fund are delivered to the Custodian prior to the DTC Cut-Off-Time, then the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered/received will be determined by the Custodian on such Transmittal Date. If, however, either (i) the requisite number of Shares of the relevant Fund are not delivered by the DTC Cut-Off-Time, as described above, or (ii) the redemption order is not submitted in proper form, then the redemption order will not be deemed received as of the Transmittal Date. In such case, the value of the Fund Securities and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered/received will be computed on the Business Day following the Transmittal Date provided that the Fund Shares of the relevant Fund are delivered through DTC to the Custodian by 11:00 a.m. the following Business Day pursuant to a properly submitted redemption order.

If it is not possible to effect deliveries of the Fund Securities, the Trust may in its discretion exercise its option to redeem such Fund Shares in cash, and the redeeming Beneficial Owner will be required to receive its redemption proceeds in cash. In addition, an investor may request a redemption in cash that the Fund may, in its sole discretion, permit. In either case, the investor will receive a cash payment equal to the NAV of its Fund Shares based on the NAV of Shares of the relevant Fund next determined after the redemption request is received in proper form (minus a redemption transaction fee and additional charge for requested cash redemptions specified above, to offset the Fund’s brokerage and other transaction costs associated with the disposition of Fund Securities). The Fund may also, in its sole discretion, upon request of a shareholder, provide such redeemer a portfolio of securities that differs from the exact composition of the Fund Securities, or cash in lieu of some securities added to the Cash Component, but in no event will the total value of the securities delivered and the cash transmitted differ from the NAV. Redemptions of Fund Shares for Fund Securities will be subject to compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws and the Fund (whether or not it otherwise permits cash redemptions) reserves the right to redeem Creation Unit Aggregations for cash to the extent that the Trust could not lawfully deliver specific Fund Securities upon redemptions or could not do so without first registering the Fund Securities under such laws. An Authorized Participant or an investor for which it is acting subject to a legal restriction with respect to a particular stock included in the Fund Securities applicable to the redemption of a Creation Unit Aggregation may be paid an equivalent amount of cash. The Authorized Participant may request the redeeming Beneficial Owner of the Fund Shares to complete an order form or to enter into agreements with respect to such matters as compensating cash payment, beneficial ownership of shares or delivery instructions.

 

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The chart below describes in further detail the placement of redemption orders outside the clearing process.

 

    

Transmittal Date

(T)

  

Next Business Day

(T+1)

  

Second Business

Day (T+2)

  

Third Business Day

(T+3)

Creation through NSCC

Standard Orders   

4:00 p.m. (ET)

 

Order must be received by the Distributor.

   No action.    No action.    Creation Unit Aggregations will be delivered.
Custom Orders   

3:00 p.m. (ET)

 

Order must be received by the Distributor.

 

Orders received after 3:00 p.m. (ET) will be treated as standard orders.

   No action.    No action.    Creation Unit Aggregations will be delivered.
Creation Outside NSCC
Standard Orders   

4:00 p.m. (ET)

 

Order in proper form must be received by the Distributor.

  

11:00 a.m. (ET)

 

Deposit Securities must be received by the Fund’s account through DTC.

 

2:00 p.m. (ET)

 

Cash Component must be received by the Custodian.

   No action.    Creation Unit Aggregations will be delivered.
Standard Orders created in advance of receipt by the Trust of all or a portion of the Deposit Securities   

4:00 p.m. (ET)

 

Order in proper form must be received by the Distributor.

  

11:00 a.m. (ET)

 

Available Deposit Securities.

 

Cash in an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Cash Component, plus (ii) 115% of the market value of the undelivered Deposit Securities.

   No action.   

1:00 p.m. (ET)

 

Missing Deposit Securities are due to the Trust or the Trust may use cash on deposit to purchase missing Deposit Securities.

 

Creation Unit Aggregations will be delivered.

Custom Orders   

3:00 p.m. (ET)

 

Order in proper form must be received by the Distributor.

 

Orders received after 3:00 p.m. (ET) will be treated as standard orders.

  

11:00 a.m. (ET)

 

Deposit Securities must be received by the Fund’s account through DTC.

 

2:00 p.m. (ET)

 

Cash Component must be received by the Orders Custodian.

   No action.    Creation Unit Aggregations will be delivered.

 

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Transmittal Date

(T)

  

Next Business Day

(T+1)

  

Second Business

Day (T+2)

  

Third Business Day

(T+3)

Redemption Through NSCC

Standard Orders   

4:00 p.m. (ET)

 

Order must be received by the Transfer Agent.

 

Orders received after 4:00 p.m. (ET) will be deemed received on the next business day (T+1).

   No action.    No action.    Fund Securities and Cash Redemption Amount will be transferred.
Custom Orders   

3:00 p.m. (ET)

 

Order must be received by the Transfer Agent.

 

Orders received after 3:00 p.m. (ET) will be treated as standard orders.

   No action.    No action.    Fund Securities and Cash Redemption Amount will be transferred.

Redemption Outside of NSCC

Standard Orders   

4:00 p.m. (ET)

 

Order must be received by the Transfer Agent.

 

Orders received after 4:00 p.m. (ET) will be deemed received on the next business day (T+1).

  

11:00 a.m. (ET)

 

Fund Shares must be delivered through DTC to the Custodian.

 

2:00 p.m. (ET)

 

Cash Component, if any, is due.

 

*If the order is not in proper form or the Fund Shares are not delivered, then the order will not be deemed received as

of T.

   No action.    Fund Securities and Cash Redemption Amount is delivered to the redeeming beneficial owner.
Custom Orders   

3:00 p.m. (ET)

 

Order must be received by the Transfer Agent.

 

Orders received after 3:00 p.m. (ET) will be treated as standard orders.

  

11:00 a.m. (ET)

 

Fund Shares must be delivered through DTC to the Custodian.

 

2:00 p.m. (ET)

 

Cash Component, if any, is due.

 

*If the order is not in proper form or the Fund Shares are not delivered, then the order will not be deemed received as

of T.

   No action.    Fund Securities and Cash Redemption Amount is delivered to the redeeming beneficial owner.

 

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TAXES

The Fund intends to qualify for and to elect to be treated as a separate regulated investment company (a “RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended (the “Code”). As a RIC, the Fund will not be subject to U.S. Federal income tax on the portion of its taxable investment income and capital gains that it distributes to its shareholders. To qualify for treatment as a RIC, a company must annually distribute at least 90% of its net investment company taxable income (which includes dividends, interest and net short-term capital gains) and meet several other requirements relating to the nature of its income and the diversification of its assets. If the Fund fails to qualify for any taxable year as a RIC, all of its taxable income will be subject to tax at regular corporate income tax rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders, and such distributions generally will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits.

The Fund is treated as a separate corporation for federal income tax purposes. The Fund therefore is considered to be a separate entity in determining its treatment under the rules for RICs described herein and in the Prospectus.

The Fund will be subject to a 4% excise tax on certain undistributed income if it does not distribute to its shareholders in each calendar year at least 98.2% of its ordinary income for the calendar year plus 98.2% of its net capital gains for twelve months ended October 31 of such year. The Fund intends to declare and distribute dividends and distributions in the amounts and at the times necessary to avoid the application of this 4% excise tax.

As a result of tax requirements, the Trust on behalf of the Fund has the right to reject an order to purchase Shares if the purchaser (or group of purchasers) would, upon obtaining the Shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding Shares of the Fund and if, pursuant to section 351 of the Code, the Fund would have a basis in the Deposit Securities different from the market value of such securities on the date of deposit. The Trust also has the right to require information necessary to determine beneficial Share ownership for purposes of the 80% determination.

The Fund may make investments that are subject to special federal income tax rules, such as investments in repurchase agreements, money market instruments, convertible securities, structured notes, and non-U.S. corporations classified as “passive foreign investment companies.” Those special tax rules can, among other things, affect the timing of income or gain, the treatment of income as capital or ordinary and the treatment of capital gain or loss as long-term or short-term. The application of these special rules would therefore also affect the character of distributions made by the Fund. The Fund may need to borrow money or dispose of some of its investments earlier than anticipated in order to meet its distribution requirements.

Distributions from the Fund’s net investment income, including net short-term capital gains, if any, and distributions of income from securities lending, are taxable as ordinary income. Distributions reinvested in additional Shares of the Fund through the means of a dividend reinvestment service will be taxable dividends to Shareholders acquiring such additional Shares to the same extent as if such dividends had been received in cash. Distributions of net long-term capital gains, if any, in excess of net short-term capital losses are taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of how long shareholders have held the Shares.

Dividends declared by the Fund in October, November or December and paid to shareholders of record of such months during the following January may be treated as having been received by such shareholders in the year the distributions were declared.

 

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For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2012, the maximum individual rate applicable to “qualified dividend income” and long-term capital gains is either 15% or 20%, depending on whether the individual’s income exceeds certain threshold amounts. In addition, some ordinary dividends declared and paid by the Fund to non-corporate shareholders may qualify for taxation at the lower reduced tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains, provided that holding period and other requirements are met by the Fund and the shareholder. The Fund will report to shareholders annually the amounts of dividends received from ordinary income, the amount of distributions received from capital gains and the portion of dividends which may qualify for the dividends received deduction. In addition, the Fund will report the amount of dividends to non-corporate shareholders eligible for taxation at the lower reduced tax rates applicable to long-term capital gains.

The sale, exchange or redemption of Shares may give rise to a gain or loss. In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Shares will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Shares have been held for more than one year. Otherwise, the gain or loss on the taxable disposition of Shares will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. A loss realized on a sale or exchange of Shares of the Fund may be disallowed if other substantially identical Shares are acquired (whether through the automatic reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a sixty-one (61) day period beginning thirty (30) days before and ending thirty (30) days after the date on which the Shares are disposed. In such a case, the basis of the Shares acquired must be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Any loss upon the sale or exchange of Shares held for six (6) months or less is treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends received by the shareholders (including undistributed capital gain included in income). Distribution of ordinary income and capital gains may also be subject to state and local taxes.

Distributions reinvested in additional Shares of the Fund through the means of the dividend reinvestment service (see below) will nevertheless be taxable dividends to shareholders acquiring such additional Shares to the same extent as if such dividends had been received in cash.

If, for any calendar year, the total distributions made exceed the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will, for federal income tax purposes, be treated as a tax free return of capital to each shareholder up to the amount of the shareholder’s basis in his or her shares, and thereafter as gain from the sale of shares. The amount treated as a tax free return of capital will reduce the shareholder’s adjusted basis in his or her shares, thereby increasing his or her potential gain or reducing his or her potential loss on the subsequent sale of his or her shares.

Distributions of ordinary income paid to shareholders who are nonresident aliens or foreign entities that are not effectively connected to the conduct of a trade or business within the U.S. will generally be subject to a 30% U.S. withholding tax unless a reduced rate of withholding or a withholding exemption is provided under applicable treaty law. However, shareholders who are nonresident aliens or foreign entities will generally not be subject to U.S. withholding or income tax on gains realized on the sale of Shares or on dividends from capital gains unless (i) such gain or capital gain dividend is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the U.S. or (ii) in the case of a non-corporate shareholder, the shareholder is present in the U.S. for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the sale or capital gain dividend and certain other conditions are met. Gains on the sale of Shares and dividends that are effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the U.S. will generally be subject to U.S. federal net income taxation at regular income tax rates. For distributions with respect to taxable years of regulated investment companies beginning before January 1, 2014, the Fund is not required to withhold any amounts with respect to distributions to foreign shareholders that are properly designated by the Fund as “interest-related dividends” or “short-term capital gain dividends,” provided that the income would not be subject to federal income tax if earned directly by the foreign shareholder. However the Fund may withhold tax on these amounts regardless of the fact that it is not required to do so. Any amounts withheld from payments made to a shareholder may

 

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be refunded or credited against the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS. Nonresident shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors concerning the applicability of the U.S. withholding tax and the potential application of the U.S. estate tax.

Some shareholders may be subject to a withholding tax on distributions of ordinary income, capital gains and any cash received on redemption of Creation Units (“backup withholding”). Generally, shareholders subject to backup withholding will be those for whom no certified taxpayer identification number is on file with the Fund or who, to the Fund’s knowledge, have furnished an incorrect number. When establishing an account, an investor must certify under penalty of perjury that such number is correct and that such investor is not otherwise subject to backup withholding.

The foregoing discussion is a summary only and is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Purchasers of Shares should consult their own tax advisors as to the tax consequences of investing in such Shares, including under federal, state, local and other tax laws. Finally, the foregoing discussion is based on applicable provisions of the Code, regulations, judicial authority and administrative interpretations in effect on the date hereof. Changes in applicable authority could materially affect the conclusions discussed above, possibly retroactively.

FEDERAL TAX TREATMENT OF FUTURES AND OPTIONS CONTRACTS

The Fund is required for federal income tax purposes to mark to market and recognize as income for each taxable year its net unrealized gains and losses on certain futures contracts as of the end of the year as well as those actually realized during the year. Gain or loss from futures and options contracts on broad-based indexes required to be marked to market will be 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gain or loss. Application of this rule may alter the timing and character of distributions to shareholders. The Fund may be required to defer the recognition of losses on futures contracts, options contracts and swaps to the extent of any unrecognized gains on offsetting positions held by the Fund.

In order for the Fund to continue to qualify for federal income tax treatment as a RIC, at least 90% of its gross income for a taxable year must be derived from qualifying income, i.e., dividends, interest, income derived from loans or securities, gains from the sale of securities or of foreign currencies or other income derived with respect to the Fund’s business of investing in securities (including net income derived from an interest in certain “qualified publicly traded partnerships”). It is anticipated that any net gain realized from the closing out of futures or options contracts will be considered gain from the sale of securities or derived with respect to the Fund’s business of investing in securities and therefore will be qualifying income for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement.

The Fund distributes to shareholders at least annually any net capital gains which have been recognized for federal income tax purposes, including unrealized gains at the end of the Fund’s fiscal year on futures or options transactions. Such distributions are combined with distributions of capital gains realized on the Fund’s other investments and shareholders are advised on the nature of the distributions.

DETERMINATION OF NAV

The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Net Asset Value.”

 

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The NAV per Share of the Fund is computed by dividing the value of the net assets of the Fund (i.e., the value of its total assets less total liabilities) by the total number of Shares of the Fund outstanding, rounded to the nearest cent. Expenses and fees, including without limitation, the management and administration fees, are accrued daily and taken into account for purposes of determining NAV. The NAV per Share is calculated by the Custodian and determined as of the close of the regular trading session on the NYSE (ordinarily 4:00 p.m., Eastern time) on each day that such exchange is open.

In computing the Fund’s NAV, the Fund’s securities holdings traded on a national securities exchange are valued based on their last sale price. Price information on listed securities is taken from the exchange where the security is primarily traded. Securities regularly traded in an over-the-counter market are valued at the latest quoted sale price in such market or in the case of the NASDAQ, at the NASDAQ official closing price. Other portfolio securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available are valued based on fair value as determined in good faith in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board.

DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS

The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “Dividends, Distributions and Taxes.”

General Policies . Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid annually. Distributions of net realized securities gains, if any, generally are declared and paid once a year, but the Trust may make distributions on a more frequent basis. The Trust reserves the right to declare special distributions if, in its reasonable discretion, such action is necessary or advisable to preserve the status of the Fund as a RIC or to avoid imposition of income or excise taxes on undistributed income.

Dividends and other distributions on Fund Shares are distributed, as described below, on a pro rata basis to Beneficial Owners of such Shares. Dividend payments are made through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants to Beneficial Owners then of record with proceeds received from the Fund.

Dividend Reinvestment Service . No reinvestment service is provided by the Trust. Broker-dealers may make available the DTC book-entry Dividend Reinvestment Service for use by Beneficial Owners of the Fund for reinvestment of their dividend distributions. Beneficial Owners should contact their broker to determine the availability and costs of the service and the details of participation therein. Brokers may require Beneficial Owners to adhere to specific procedures and timetables.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Counsel . Dechert LLP, 1095 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York, 10036, is counsel to the Trust.

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm . — serves as the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm. They audit the Fund’s financial statements and perform other related audit services.

 

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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As of the date of this SAI, the Fund has not commenced investment operations. When available, you can obtain copies of the Fund’s Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report at no charge by writing or telephoning the Fund at the address or number on the front page of this SAI.

 

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APPENDIX A

ALPS Advisors, Inc.

Proxy Voting Policy, Procedures and Guidelines

Overview

An investment adviser that exercises voting authority over clients’ proxies must adopt written policies and procedures that are reasonably designed to ensure that those proxies are voted in the best economic interests of clients. An adviser’s policies and procedures must address how the adviser resolves material conflicts of interest between its interests and those of its clients. An investment adviser must comply with certain record keeping and disclosure requirements with respect to its proxy voting responsibilities. In addition, an investment adviser to ERISA accounts has an affirmative obligation to vote proxies for an ERISA account, unless the client expressly retains proxy voting authority.

Policy Summary

With all advisory clients of AAI currently being investment companies registered under the 1940 Act, any assignment of voting authority over the Funds’ voting securities is typically delegated to AAI as the Funds’ investment adviser, or the Funds’ sub-adviser by the respective Funds’ Board of Trustees/Directors. If the Funds’ day-to-day investment decisions are performed by the Funds’ investment sub-adviser(s), Funds’ Board of Trustees/Directors may elect to delegate the responsibility of voting proxies to such sub-adviser to be voted in accordance to the sub-adviser’s proxy voting policies and procedures in conformance with Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. For securities in the portfolio of a Fund that is managed by more than one sub-adviser, each sub-adviser shall make voting decisions pursuant to their own proxy voting policies and procedures, as adopted in conformance with the Advisers Act for their respective portions of the Fund’s portfolio, unless directed otherwise.

ALPS Advisors, Inc. (“AAI”) has adopted and implemented the following policies and procedures, which it believes are reasonably designed to: (1) ensure that proxies are voted in the best economic interest of clients and (2) address material conflicts of interest that may arise. AAI will provide clients with a copy of its policies and procedures, as they may be updated from time to time, upon request. Information regarding AAI’s proxy voting decisions is confidential. Therefore, the information may be shared on a need to know basis only, including within AAI. Advisory clients may obtain information on how their proxies were voted by AAI. However, AAI will not selectively disclose its investment company clients’ proxy voting records to third parties; the investment company clients’ proxy records will be disclosed to shareholders by publicly-available annual filings of each investment company’s proxy voting record for 12-month periods ending June 30 th .

POLICY:

All proxies regarding client securities for which AAI has authority to vote will, unless AAI determines in accordance with policies stated below to refrain from voting, be voted in a manner considered by AAI to be in the best interest of AAI’s clients without regard to any resulting benefit or detriment to AAI or its affiliates. The best interest of clients is defined for this purpose as the interest of enhancing or protecting the economic value of client accounts, considered as a group rather than individually, as AAI determines in its sole and absolute discretion. In the event a client believes that its other interests require a different vote, AAI will vote as the client clearly instructs, provided AAI receives such instructions in time to act accordingly.

 

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AAI endeavors to vote, in accordance with this Policy, all proxies of which it becomes aware, subject to the following general exceptions (unless otherwise agreed) when AAI expects to routinely refrain from voting:

 

  1. Proxies will usually not be voted in cases where the security has been loaned from the Client’s account.

 

  2. Proxies will usually not be voted in cases where AAI deems the costs to the Client and/or the administrative inconvenience of voting the security outweigh the benefit of doing so (e.g., international issuers which impose share blocking restrictions).

AAI seeks to avoid the occurrence of actual or apparent material conflicts of interest in the proxy voting process by voting in accordance with predetermined voting guidelines and observing other procedures that are intended to guard against and manage conflicts of interest (refer to Section III, Conflicts of Interest below).

PROCEDURES AND CONTROLS:

AAI has adopted the following proxy voting procedures and controls for any client securities which AAI has authority to vote on. Where proxy voting is delegated to the sub-adviser, the sub-adviser will adopt proxy voting policies and procedures in accordance in conformance with Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.

I. PROXY COMMITTEE

AAI has established a Proxy Committee whose standing members include Chief Compliance Officer, Deputy Chief Compliance Officer(s), Chief Investment Officer, Vice President of Investments and Head of Trading, who participate as voting authorities on the Committee. Each standing member may designate a senior portfolio manager or a senior analyst officer to act as a substitute in a given matter on their behalf. Additionally, the Proxy Committee regularly involves other associates (e.g., Fund CCO or Legal representative) who participate as needed to enable effective execution of the Committee’s responsibilities.

The Proxy Committee’s functions include, in part,

(a) direction of the vote on proposals where there has been a recommendation to the Committee not to vote according to the predetermined Voting Guidelines (stated in Appendix A) or on proposals which require special, individual consideration in accordance with Section IV.C;

(b) review at least annually of this Proxy Voting Policy and Procedure to ensure consistency with internal policies, client disclosures and regulatory requirements;

(c) review at least annually of existing Voting Guidelines and the need for development of additional Voting Guidelines to assist in the review of proxy proposals; and

(d) development and modification of Voting Procedures, as stated in Section VI, as it deems appropriate or necessary.

 

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II. AAI’S INVESTMENT ASSOCIATES

In considering a particular proxy matter, the research analyst or portfolio manager must vote in the clients’ best interest as defined above. Information regarding AAI’s proxy voting decisions is confidential information. Therefore, research analysts and portfolio managers generally must not discuss proxy votes with any person outside of AAI and within AAI on a need to know basis only.

Research analysts and portfolio managers must discharge their responsibilities consistent with the obligations set forth below (refer to Management of Conflicts of Interest – Additional Procedures). A research analyst or portfolio manager must disclose to AAI’s Chief Compliance Officer in writing any inappropriate attempt to influence their recommendation or any other personal interest that they have with the issuer (see Conflicts of Interest Disclosure and Certification Form—Appendix B to this policy). For each Proxy Referral (defined below), the research analyst or portfolio manager is responsible for memorializing their recommendation and communicating it to the Compliance Department.

Research analysts and portfolio managers should seek advice from Compliance or Legal with respect to any questions that they have regarding personal conflicts of interests, communications regarding proxies, or other related matters.

III. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

For purposes of this policy, a material conflict of interest is a relationship or activity engaged in by AAI, an AAI affiliate, or an AAI associate that creates an incentive (or appearance thereof) to favor the interests of AAI, the affiliate, or associate, rather than the clients’ interests. For example, AAI may have a conflict of interest if either AAI has a significant business relationship with a company that is soliciting a proxy, or if an AAI associate involved in the proxy voting decision-making process has a significant personal or family relationship with the particular company. A conflict of interest is considered to be “material” to the extent that a reasonable person could expect the conflict to influence AAI’s decision on the particular vote at issue. In all cases where there is deemed to be a material conflict of interest, AAI will seek to resolve it in the clients’ best interests.

For those proxy proposals that: (1) are not addressed by AAI’s proxy voting guidelines; (2) the guidelines specify the issue must be evaluated and determined on a case-by-case basis; or (3) an AAI investment associate believes that an exception to the guidelines may be in the best economic interest of AAI’s clients (collectively, “Proxy Referrals”), AAI may vote the proxy, subject to the conflicts of interest procedures set forth below.

In the case of Proxy Referrals, Compliance will collect and review any information deemed reasonably appropriate to evaluate if AAI or any person participating in the proxy voting decision-making process has, or has the appearance of, a material conflict of interest. AAI investment personnel involved in the particular Proxy Referral must report any personal conflict of interest circumstances to AAI’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”), or designee, in writing (see Appendix B—“Conflicts of Interest Disclosure and Certification Form”). Compliance will consider information about AAI’s significant business relationships, as well as other relevant information. The information considered by Compliance may include information regarding: (1) AAI client and other business relationships; (2) any relevant personal conflicts; and (3) communications between investment professionals and parties outside the AAI investment

 

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division regarding the proxy matter. Compliance will consult with relevant experts, including legal counsel, as necessary.

If Compliance determines that it reasonably believes (1) AAI has a material conflict of interest, or (2) certain individuals should be recused from participating in the proxy vote at issue, Compliance will inform the Chair of the Proxy Committee. Where a material conflict of interest is determined to have arisen in the proxy voting process, AAI’s policy is to invoke one or more of the following conflict management procedures:

 

  1. Causing the proxies to be voted in accordance with the recommendations of an independent third party (which generally will be AAI’s proxy voting agent);
  2. Causing the proxies to be delegated to a qualified, independent third party, which may include AAI’s proxy voting agent.
  3. In unusual cases, with the Client’s consent and upon ample notice, forwarding the proxies to AAI’s clients so that they may vote the proxies directly.

Affiliate Investment Companies and Public Companies

AAI considers proxies solicited by open-end and closed-end investment companies for which AAI or an affiliate serves as an investment adviser or principal underwriter to present a material conflict of interest for AAI. Consequently, the proxies of such affiliates will be voted following one of the conflict management procedures discussed above.

Management of Conflicts of Interest – Additional Procedures

AAI has various compliance policies and procedures in place in order to address any material conflicts of interest that might arise in this context.

 

  1. ALPS’s Code of Ethics affirmatively requires that associates of AAI act in a manner whereby no actual or apparent conflict of interest may be seen as arising between the associate’s interests and those of AAI’s Clients.

 

  2. By assuming his or her responsibilities pursuant to this Policy, each member of the Proxy Committee (including the chairperson) and any AAI or ALPS associate advising or acting under the supervision or oversight of the Proxy Committee undertakes:

 

  To disclose in writing to AAI’s CCO, or designee, any actual or apparent personal material conflicts of interest which he or she may have (e.g., by way of substantial ownership of securities, relationships with nominees for directorship, members of an issuer’s or dissident’s management or otherwise) in determining whether or how AAI will vote proxies. Additionally, each member must disclose any direct, indirect or perceived influence or attempt to influence such action which the member or associate views as being inconsistent with the purpose or provisions of this Policy or the Code of Ethics of ALPS. In the event any member of the Proxy Committee has a conflict of interest regarding a given matter, he or she will abstain from participating in the Committee’s determination of whether and/or how to vote in the matter; and

 

 

To refrain from taking into consideration, in the decision as to whether or how

 

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  AAI will vote proxies the existence of any current or prospective material business relationship between AAI, ALPS or any of their affiliates, on one hand, and any party (or its affiliates) that is soliciting or is otherwise interested in the proxies to be voted, on the other hand.

 

  3. In certain circumstances, AAI follows the proxy guidelines and uses other research services provided by Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc. (“ISS”) or another independent third party. AAI has undertaken a review of ISS’ conflicts of interest procedures, and will continue to monitor them on an ongoing basis. In the event that AAI determines that it would be appropriate to use another third party, it will undertake a similar conflicts of interest assessment review.

IV. PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES

A. AAI’s Proxy Voting Guidelines – General Practices.

The Proxy Committee has adopted the guidelines for voting proxies specified in Appendix A of this policy. AAI will use an independent, third-party vendor to implement its proxy voting process as AAI’s proxy voting agent. In general, whenever a vote is solicited, ISS or another independent third party will execute the vote according to AAI’s Voting Guidelines.

B. Ability to Vote Proxies Other than as Provided by Voting Guidelines.

A portfolio manager or other party involved with a client’s account may conclude that the best interest of the firm’s client, as defined above, requires that a proxy be voted in a manner that differs from the predetermined proxy Voting Guidelines. In this situation, he or she will request that the Proxy Committee consider voting the proxy other than according to such Guidelines. If any person, group, or entity requests the Proxy Committee (or any of its members) vote a proxy other than according to the predetermined Voting Guidelines, that person will furnish to the Proxy Committee a written explanation of the reasons for the request and a description of the person’s, group’s, or entity’s relationship, if any, with the parties proposing and/or opposing the matter’s adoption. The Proxy Committee may consider the matter, subject to the conflicts of interest procedures discussed above.

C. Other Proxy Proposals

For the following categories of proposals either the Proxy Committee will determine how proxies related to all such proposals will be voted, or the proxies will be voted in accordance with ISS’ or an individual client’s guidelines.

1. New Proposals . For each new type of proposal that is expected to be proposed to shareholders of multiple companies, the Proxy Committee will develop a Voting Guideline which will be incorporated into this Policy.

2. Accounts Adhering to Taft Hartley Principles. All proposals for these accounts will be voted according to the Taft Hartley Guidelines developed by ISS.

3. Accounts Adhering to Socially Responsible Principles. All proposals for these accounts will be voted according to the Socially Responsible Guidelines developed by ISS or as specified by the client.

 

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4. Proxies of International Issuers which Block Securities Sales between the Time a Shareholder submits a Proxy and the Vote . In general, AAI will refrain from voting such securities. However, in the exceptional circumstances that AAI determines that it would be appropriate to vote such proxies, all proposals for these securities will be voted only on the specific instruction of the Proxy Committee and to the extent practicable in accordance with the Voting Guidelines set forth in this Policy.

5. Proxies of Investment Company Shares. Proposals on issues other than those specified in Section IV.A will be voted on the specific instruction of the Proxy Committee.

6. Executive/Director Compensation. Except as provided in Section IV.A, proposals relating to compensation of any executive or director will be voted as recommended by ISS or as otherwise directed by the Proxy Committee.

7. Preemptive Rights . Proposals to create or eliminate shareholder preemptive rights. In evaluating these proposals the Proxy Committee will consider the size of the company and the nature of its shareholder base.

V. VOTING PROCEDURES

The Proxy Committee has developed the following procedures to aid the voting of proxies according to the Voting Guidelines. The Proxy Committee may revise these procedures from time to time, as it deems necessary or appropriate to affect the purposes of this Policy.

 

  1. AAI will use an independent, third-party vendor, to implement its proxy voting process as AAI’s proxy voting agent. This retention is subject to AAI continuously assessing the vendor’s independence from AAI and its affiliates, and the vendor’s ability to perform its responsibilities (and, especially, its responsibility to vote client proxies in accordance with AAI’s proxy voting guidelines) free of any actual, potential or apparent material conflicts of interests that may arise between the interests of the vendor, its affiliates, the vendor’s other clients and the owners, officers or employees of any such firm, on the one hand, and AAI’s clients, on the other hand. As means of performing this assessment, AAI will require various reports and notices from the vendor, as well as periodic audits of the vendor’s voting record and other due diligence.

 

  2. ISS will provide proxy analysis and record keeping services in addition to voting proxies on behalf of AAI in accordance with this Policy.

 

  3. On a daily basis, AAI will send to ISS a holdings file detailing each equity holding held in all accounts over which AAI has voting authority. Information regarding equity holdings for international portfolios will be sent weekly.

 

  4. ISS will receive proxy material information from Proxy Edge or the custodian bank for the account. This will include issues to be voted upon, together with a breakdown of holdings for AAI accounts. ISS will then reconcile information it receives from AAI with information that it has received from Proxy Edge and custodian banks. Any discrepancies will be promptly noted and resolved by ISS, with notice to AAI.

 

  5.

Whenever a vote is solicited, ISS will execute the vote according to AAI’s Voting Guidelines which will be delivered by AAI to ISS as set forth in Appendix A and anytime

 

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  there is a material change to these guidelines.
  º If ISS is unsure how to vote a particular proxy, ISS will issue a request for voting instructions to AAI over a secure website. AAI personnel will check this website regularly. The request will be accompanied by a recommended vote. The recommended vote will be based upon ISS’ understanding of the Voting Guidelines previously delivered to ISS. AAI will promptly provide ISS with any amendments or modifications to the Voting Guidelines if necessary. AAI will return a final instruction to vote to ISS, which ISS will record with Proxy Edge or the custodian bank as our agent.

 

  6. Each time that ISS sends AAI a request to vote, the request will be accompanied by the recommended vote determined in accordance with AAI’s Voting Guidelines. ISS will vote as indicated in the request unless the client has reserved discretion, the Proxy Committee determines that the best interest of clients requires another vote, or the proposal is a matter as to which the Proxy Committee affords special, individual consideration under Section IV.C. In such situations, ISS will vote based on the direction of the client or the Proxy Committee, as the case may be. The interests of AAI’s Taft Hartley or Socially Responsible clients may impact a proposal that normally should be voted in a certain way. ISS will inform AAI of all proposals having impact on its Taft Hartley and or Socially Responsible clients. The Proxy Voting Committee will be consulted before a vote is placed in cases where Taft Hartley or Socially Responsible issues are presented.

 

  7. ISS will have procedures in place to ensure that a vote is cast on every security holding maintained by AAI on which a vote is solicited unless otherwise directed by the Proxy Committee. On a yearly basis, or as required by our clients AAI will receive a report from ISS detailing AAI’s voting for the previous period.

VI. SUPERVISION

Managers and supervisory personnel are responsible for ensuring that their associates understand and follow this policy and any applicable procedures adopted by the business group to implement the policy. The Proxy Committee has ultimate responsibility for the implementation of this Policy.

VII. ESCALATION

With the exception of conflicts of interest-related matters, issues arising under this policy should be escalated to AAI’s CCO, or designee. Issues involving potential or actual conflicts of interest should be promptly communicated to Compliance or Legal. Compliance will notify the Fund Chief Compliance Officer(s), if a material conflict of interest has arisen that deems the attention of the respective Fund Board(s).

VIII. MONITORING

AAI’s Compliance Department is primarily responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the proxy voting process. The Compliance Department’s monitoring will take into account the following elements: (1) periodic review of ISS votes to ensure that ISS is accurately voting consistent with AAI’s Proxy Guidelines; and (2) review of fund’s N-PX report to ensure that it’s

 

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filed in a timely and accurate manner. Additionally, AAI will review ISS’ conflicts of interest policies.

IX. AVAILABILITY OF PROXY POLICY AND VOTING RECORD

A summary disclosure regarding the provisions of this Policy is available in AAI’s Form ADV. Upon receipt of a Client’s request for more information, AAI will provide to the Client a copy of this Policy and/or how AAI voted proxies for the Client pursuant to this Policy for up to a one-year period. It is AAI’s policy not to disclose how it voted a client’s proxy to third parties.

With respect to its investment company clients, AAI will not selectively disclose its investment company clients’ proxy voting records; rather, ALPS will disclose such information by publicly available annual filings. AAI will create and maintain records of each investment company’s proxy record for 12-month periods ended June 30 th . AAI will compile the following information for each matter relating to a portfolio security considered at any shareholder meeting during the period covered by the annual report and which the company was entitled to vote:

 

  · The name of the issuer of the security;

 

  · The exchange ticker symbol of the portfolio security (is symbol is available through reasonably practicable means);

 

  · The Council on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures number for the portfolio security (if number is available through reasonably practicable means);

 

  · The shareholder meeting date;

 

  · A brief identification of the matter voted on;

 

  · Whether the matter was proposed by the issuer or by a security holder;

 

  · Whether the company cast its vote on the matter;

 

  · How the company cast its vote (e.g., for or against proposal, or abstain; for or withhold regarding the election of directors); and

 

  · Whether the company cast its vote for or against management.

OTHER RECORD KEEPING REQUIREMENTS

Business groups and support partners are responsible for maintaining all records necessary to evidence compliance with this policy. The records must be properly maintained and readily accessible in order to evidence compliance with this policy.

These records include:

 

  · Proxy Committee Meeting Minutes and Other Materials
  · Analysis and Supporting Materials of Investment Management Personnel Concerning Proxy Decisions and Recommendations
  · Conflicts of Interest Review Documentation, including Conflicts of Interest Forms

 

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  · Client Communications Regarding Proxy Matters

Records should be retained for a period of not less than six years. Records must be retained in an appropriate office of AAI for the first three years.

 

 

 

 

 

Dated: November 29, 2006

Amended: December, 22, 2010

 

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Appendix A

Summary of Proxy Voting Guidelines

AAI has adopted Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc.’s guidelines. AAI retains the right to override any of ISS’ guidelines on a case-by-case basis. A concise summary of ISS’ current Proxy Voting Guidelines can be found at http://www.issgovernance.com/policy.

 

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Appendix B

Conflicts of Interest Disclosure Form

ALPS ADVISORS, INC.

PROXY VOTING CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE FORM

 

1. Company name:                                                                                                                       
2. Date of Meeting:                                                                                                                      
3. Referral Item(s):                                                                                                                       
4. Description of AAI’s Business Relationship with Issuer of Proxy which may give rise to a conflict
of interest:                                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                       

5. Describe procedures used to address any conflict of interest:                                                

                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                       

Compliance will consider information about AAI’s significant business relationships, as well as other relevant information. The information considered by Compliance may include information regarding: (1) AAI client and other business relationships; (2) any relevant personal conflicts; and (3) communications between investment professionals and parties outside the AAI investment division regarding the proxy matter. Compliance will consult with relevant experts, including legal counsel, as necessary.

If Compliance determines that it reasonably believes (1) AAI has a material conflict of interest, or (2) certain individuals should be recused from participating in the proxy vote at issue, Compliance will inform the Chair of the Proxy Committee. Where a material conflict of interest is determined to have arisen in the proxy voting process, AAI’s policy is to invoke one or more of the following conflict management procedures:

 

  a. Causing the proxies to be voted in accordance with the recommendations of an independent third party (which generally will be AAI’s proxy voting agent);
  b. Causing the proxies to be delegated to a qualified, independent third party, which may include AAI’s proxy voting agent.
  c. In unusual cases, with the Client’s consent and upon ample notice, forwarding the proxies to AAI’s clients so that they may vote the proxies directly.

Affiliate Investment Companies and Public Companies

AAI considers (1) proxies solicited by open-end and closed-end investment companies for which AAI or an affiliate serves as an investment adviser or principal underwriter to present a material conflict of interest for AAI. Consequently, the proxies of such affiliates will be voted following one of the conflict management procedures discussed above.

Management of Conflicts of Interest – Additional Procedures

AAI has various compliance policies and procedures in place in order to address any material conflicts of interest that might arise in this context.

 

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  a. AAI’s Code of Ethics affirmatively requires that associates of AAI act in a manner whereby no actual or apparent conflict of interest may be seen as arising between the associate’s interests and those of AAI’s Clients.

 

  b. By assuming his or her responsibilities pursuant to this Policy, each member of the Proxy Committee (including the chairperson) and any AAI or ALPS associate advising or acting under the supervision or oversight of the Proxy Committee undertakes:

 

   

To disclose in writing to AAI’s Chief Compliance Officer any actual or apparent personal material conflicts of interest which he or she may have (e.g., by way of substantial ownership of securities, relationships with nominees for directorship, members of an issuer’s or dissident’s management or otherwise) in determining whether or how AAI will vote proxies. Additionally, each member must disclose any direct, indirect or perceived influence or attempt to influence such action which the member or associate views as being inconsistent with the purpose or provisions of this Policy or the Code of Ethics of AAI or ALPS. In the event any member of the Proxy Committee has a conflict of interest regarding a given matter, he or she will abstain from participating in the Committee’s determination of whether and/or how to vote in the matter; and

 

   

To refrain from taking into consideration, in the decision as to whether or how AAI will vote proxies the existence of any current or prospective material business relationship between AAI, ALPS or any of their affiliates, on one hand, and any party (or its affiliates) that is soliciting or is otherwise interested in the proxies to be voted, on the other hand.

 

  c. In certain circumstances, AAI follows the proxy guidelines and uses other research services provided by Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc. (“ISS”) or another independent third party. AAI has undertaken a review of ISS’ conflicts of interest procedures, and will continue to monitor them on an ongoing basis. In the event that AAI determines that it would be appropriate to use another third party, it will undertake a similar conflicts of interest assessment review.

6. Describe any contacts from parties outside AAI (other than routine communications from proxy solicitors) with respect to the referral item not otherwise reported in an investment professional’s recommendation:

CERTIFICATION

The undersigned personnel of AAI certifies that, to the best of his/her knowledge, any recommendation of an investment professional provided under circumstances where a conflict of interest exists was made solely on the investment merits and without regard to any other consideration.

 

 

  
Name:   
Title:   

 

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Item 28.

   Exhibits      
   (a)    (1)    Certificate of Trust of Registrant dated September 13, 2007.(1)
      (2)    Declaration of Trust of Registrant dated September 13, 2007.(2)
   (b)       By-Laws of Registrant dated September 13, 2007.(2)
   (c)       Provisions of instruments defining rights of security holders are contained in Articles 4 and 7 of the Declaration of Trust (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a) of this filing).
   (d)    (1)    Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF.(4)
      (2)    Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF.(3)
      (3)    Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to Thomson Reuters/Jefferies CRB Global Commodity Equity Index Fund, Thomson Reuters/Jefferies CRB Global Agriculture Equity Index Fund, Thomson Reuters/Jefferies CRB Global Energy Equity Index Fund, Thomson Reuters/Jefferies CRB Global Industrial Metals Equity Index Fund and Thomson Reuters/Jefferies CRB Global Precious Metals Equity Index Fund.(6)
      (4)    Form of Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to Jefferies | TR/J CRB Natural Gas Equity ETF and Jefferies | TR/J CRB Energy Wildcatters Exploration & Production Equity ETF.(7)
      (5)    Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the Alerian MLP ETF.(10)


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     (6)    Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. with respect to the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
     (7)    Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Trust and RiverFront Investment Group, LLC with respect to the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
     (8)    Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the U.S. Equity High Volatility Put Write Index Fund.(16)
     (9)    Form of Sub-Advisory Agreement between ALPS Advisors, Inc. and Rich Investment Solutions, LLC with respect to the U.S. Equity High Volatility Put Write Index Fund.(16)
     (10)    Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the Sector Dividend Dogs ETF.(13)
     (11)    Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the VelocityShares Tail Risk Hedged Large Cap ETF and VelocityShares Volatility Hedged Large Cap ETF.(15)
     (12)    Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the ALPS/GS Momentum Builder Growth Markets Equities and US Treasuries Index ETF, ALPS/GS Momentum Builder Multi-Asset Index ETF, ALPS/GS Momentum Builder Asia ex-Japan Equities and US Treasuries Index ETF and ALPS/GS Risk-Adjusted Return US Large Cap Index ETF.(14)
    

(13)

   Form of Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the VelocityShares Emerging Markets DR ETF, VelocityShares Russia Select DR ETF and Velocity Shares Emerging Asia DR ETF.(15)


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      (15)    Form of Amendment to Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the NYSE Arca U.S. Equity Synthetic Reverse Convertible Index Fund (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
      (16)    Form of Amendment to Sub-Advisory Agreement between ALPS Advisors, Inc. and Rich Investment Solutions LLC, with respect to the NYSE Arca U.S. Equity Synthetic Reverse Convertible Index Fund (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
      (17)    Form of Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the ALPS MarketGrader Barron’s 400 ETF (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
  

(e)

   (1)    Distribution Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Distributors, Inc.(4)
      (2)    Form of Amendment to Distribution Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Distributors, Inc. with respect to the ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF.(3)
      (3)    Form of Participant Agreement.(2)
      (4)    Distribution Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Distributors, Inc. with respect to the Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Commodity Equity Index Fund, Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Agriculture Equity Index Fund, Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Energy Equity Index Fund, Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Industrial Metals Equity Index Fund and Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Precious Metals Equity Index Fund.(7)
      (5)    Form of Amendment to Distribution Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Distributors, Inc. with respect to Jefferies | TR/J CRB Natural Gas Equity ETF and Jefferies | TR/J CRB Energy Wildcatters Exploration & Production Equity ETF.(7)
      (6)    Form of Distribution Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Distributors, Inc. with respect to Alerian MLP ETF.(10)


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      (7)    Form of Distribution Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Distributors, Inc. with respect to RiverFront Strategic Income Fund (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
      (8)    Form of Distribution Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Distributors, Inc. with respect to U.S. Equity High Volatility Put Write Index Fund.(16)
      (9)    Form of Distribution Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Distributors, Inc. with respect to the Sector Dividend Dogs ETF.(13)
      (10)    Form of Distribution Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Distributors, Inc. with respect to the VelocityShares Tail Risk Hedged Large Cap ETF and VelocityShares Volatility Hedged Large Cap ETF.(15)
      (11)    Form of Distribution Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Distributors, Inc. with respect to the ALPS/GS Momentum Builder Growth Markets Equities and US Treasuries Index ETF, ALPS/GS Momentum Builder Multi-Asset Index ETF, ALPS/GS Momentum Builder Asia ex-Japan Equities and US Treasuries Index ETF and ALPS/GS Risk-Adjusted Return US Large Cap Index ETF.(14)
      (12)    Form of Amendment to Distribution Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Distributors, Inc. with respect to the VelocityShares Emerging Markets DR ETF, VelocityShares Russia Select DR ETF and Velocity Shares Emerging Asia DR ETF.(15)
      (13)    Form of Amendment to Distribution Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Distributors, Inc. with respect to the NYSE Arca U.S. Equity Synthetic Reverse Convertible Index Fund (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
      (14)    Form of Distribution Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Distributors, Inc. with respect to the ALPS MarketGrader Barron’s 400 ETF (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
  

(f)

      None.


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(g)

   (1)    Custody Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York.(4)
      (2)    Form of Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York with respect to the ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF.(3)
      (3)    Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York.(4)
      (4)    Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York with respect to the Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Commodity Equity Index Fund, Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Agriculture Equity Index Fund, Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Energy Equity Index Fund, Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Industrial Metals Equity Index Fund and Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Precious Metals Equity Index Fund.(7)
      (5)    Amendment to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Commodity Equity Index Fund, Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Agriculture Equity Index Fund, Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Energy Equity Index Fund, Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Industrial Metals Equity Index Fund and Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Precious Metals Equity Index Fund.(7)
      (6)    Form of Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Alerian MLP ETF and the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund.(10)
      (7)    Form of Amendment to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Alerian MLP ETF and the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund.(10)
      (8)    Form of Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Sector Dividend Dogs ETF.(13)


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(9)

   Form of Amendment to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Sector Dividend Dogs ETF.(13)
    

(10)

   Form of Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS/GS Momentum Builder Growth Markets Equities and US Treasuries Index ETF, ALPS/GS Momentum Builder Multi-Asset Index ETF, ALPS/GS Momentum Builder Asia ex-Japan Equities and US Treasuries Index ETF, ALPS/GS Risk-Adjusted Return US Large Cap Index ETF, VelocityShares Tail Risk Hedged Large Cap ETF, VelocityShares Volatility Hedged Large Cap ETF, VelocityShares Emerging Markets DR ETF, VelocityShares Russia Select DR ETF, Velocity Shares Emerging Asia DR ETF, NYSE Arca U.S. Equity Synthetic Reverse Convertible Index Fund and U.S. Equity High Volatility Put Write Index Fund.(14).
    

(11)

   Form of Amendment to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS/GS Momentum Builder Growth Markets Equities and US Treasuries Index ETF, ALPS/GS Momentum Builder Multi-Asset Index ETF, ALPS/GS Momentum Builder Asia ex-Japan Equities and US Treasuries Index ETF, ALPS/GS Risk-Adjusted Return US Large Cap Index ETF, VelocityShares Tail Risk Hedged Large Cap ETF, VelocityShares Volatility Hedged Large Cap ETF, VelocityShares Emerging Markets DR ETF, VelocityShares Russia Select DR ETF, Velocity Shares Emerging Asia DR ETF, NYSE Arca U.S. Equity Synthetic Reverse Convertible Index Fund and U.S. Equity High Volatility Put Write Index Fund.(14)
    

(12)

   Form of Amendment to Custody Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS MarketGrader Barron’s 400 ETF (to be filed by subsequent amendment).


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      (13)    Form of Amendment to Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS MarketGrader Barron’s 400 ETF (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
  

(h)

   (1)    Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc.(4)
      (2)    Form of Amendment to Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF.(3)
      (3)    Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Commodity Equity Index Fund, Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Agriculture Equity Index Fund, Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Energy Equity Index Fund, Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Industrial Metals Equity Index Fund and Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Precious Metals Equity Index Fund.(7)
      (4)    Form of Amendment to Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the Jefferies | TR/J CRB Natural Gas Equity ETF and Jefferies | TR/J CRB Energy Wildcatters Exploration & Production Equity ETF.(7)
      (5)    Form of Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the Alerian MLP ETF.(10)
      (6)    Form of Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
      (7)    Form of Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the U.S. Equity High Volatility Put Write Index Fund.(16)
      (8)    Form of Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the Sector Dividend Dogs ETF.(13)


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(9)

   Form of Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the VelocityShares Tail Risk Hedged Large Cap ETF and VelocityShares Volatility Hedged Large Cap ETF.(15)
    

(10)

   Form of Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the ALPS/GS Momentum Builder Growth Markets Equities and US Treasuries Index ETF, ALPS/GS Momentum Builder Multi-Asset Index ETF, ALPS/GS Momentum Builder Asia ex-Japan Equities and US Treasuries Index ETF and ALPS/GS Risk-Adjusted Return US Large Cap Index ETF.(14)
    

(11)

   Form of Amendment to Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the VelocityShares Emerging Markets DR ETF, VelocityShares Russia Select DR ETF and Velocity Shares Emerging Asia DR ETF.(15)
    

(12)

   Form of Amendment to Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. with respect to the NYSE Arca U.S. Equity Synthetic Reverse Convertible Index Fund (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
    

(13)

   Form of Administration Agreement with respect to the ALPS MarketGrader Barron’s 400 ETF (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
    

(14)

   Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York.(4)
    

(15)

   Form of Amendment to Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York with respect to the ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF.(3)


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(16)

   Amendment to Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York with respect to the Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Commodity Equity Index Fund, Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Agriculture Equity Index Fund, Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Energy Equity Index Fund, Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Industrial Metals Equity Index Fund and Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Precious Metals Equity Index Fund.(7)
    

(17)

   Form of Amendment to Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Alerian MLP ETF and the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund.(10)
    

(18)

   Form of Amendment to Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Sector Dividend Dogs ETF.(13)
    

(19)

   Form of Amendment to Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS/GS Momentum Builder Growth Markets Equities and US Treasuries Index ETF, ALPS/GS Momentum Builder Multi-Asset Index ETF, ALPS/GS Momentum Builder Asia ex-Japan Equities and US Treasuries Index ETF, ALPS/GS Risk-Adjusted Return US Large Cap Index ETF, VelocityShares Tail Risk Hedged Large Cap ETF, VelocityShares Volatility Hedged Large Cap ETF, VelocityShares Emerging Markets DR ETF, VelocityShares Russia Select DR ETF, Velocity Shares Emerging Asia DR ETF, NYSE Arca U.S. Equity Synthetic Reverse Convertible Index Fund and U.S. Equity High Volatility Put Write Index Fund.(14)
    

(20)

   Form of Amendment to Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS MarketGrader Barron’s 400 ETF (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
    

(21)

   Fund Accounting Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York.(4)


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(22)

   Form of Amendment to Fund Accounting Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York with respect to the ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF.(3)
    

(23)

   Amendment to Fund Accounting Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York with respect to the Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Commodity Equity Index Fund, Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Agriculture Equity Index Fund, Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Energy Equity Index Fund, Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Industrial Metals Equity Index Fund and Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Precious Metals Equity Index Fund.(7)
    

(24)

   Form of Amendment to Fund Accounting Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Alerian MLP ETF and the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund.(10)
    

(25)

   Form of Amendment to Fund Accounting Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Sector Dividend Dogs ETF.(13)
    

(26)

   Form of Amendment to Fund Accounting Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS/GS Momentum Builder Growth Markets Equities and US Treasuries Index ETF, ALPS/GS Momentum Builder Multi-Asset Index ETF, ALPS/GS Momentum Builder Asia ex-Japan Equities and US Treasuries Index ETF and ALPS/GS Risk-Adjusted Return US Large Cap Index ETF, VelocityShares Tail Risk Hedged Large Cap ETF, VelocityShares Volatility Hedged Large Cap ETF, VelocityShares Emerging Markets DR ETF, VelocityShares Russia Select DR ETF, Velocity Shares Emerging Asia DR ETF, NYSE Arca U.S. Equity Synthetic Reverse Convertible Index Fund and U.S. Equity High Volatility Put Write Index Fund. (14)
    

(27)

   Form of Amendment to Fund Accounting Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the ALPS MarketGrader Barron’s 400 ETF (to be filed by subsequent amendment).


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(i)

   (1)    Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP with respect to the Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF, ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF, Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Commodity Equity Index Fund, Jefferies | TR/J CRB Energy Wildcatters Exploration & Production Equity ETF and Alerian MLP ETF.(12)
      (2)    Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP with respect to the RiverFront Strategic Income Fund (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
      (3)    Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP with respect to U.S. Equity High Volatility Put Write Index Fund.(16)
      (4)    Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP with respect to Sector Dividend Dogs ETF.(13)
      (5)    Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP with respect to the VelocityShares Tail Risk Hedged Large Cap ETF and VelocityShares Volatility Hedged Large Cap ETF (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
      (6)    Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP with respect to the ALPS/GS Momentum Builder Growth Markets Equities and US Treasuries Index ETF, ALPS/GS Momentum Builder Multi-Asset Index ETF, ALPS/GS Momentum Builder Asia ex-Japan Equities and US Treasuries Index ETF and ALPS/GS Risk-Adjusted Return US Large Cap Index ETF.(14)
      (7)    Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP with respect to the VelocityShares Emerging Markets DR ETF, VelocityShares Russia Select DR ETF and Velocity Shares Emerging Asia DR ETF.(15)
      (8)    Opinion and Consent of Dechert LLP with respect to the ALPS MarketGrader Barron’s 400 ETF (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
  

(j)

   (1)    Consent of independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Cohen & Steers Global Realty Majors ETF, ALPS Equal Sector Weight ETF, Jefferies | TR/J CRB Global Commodity Equity Index Fund, Jefferies | TR/J CRB Energy Wildcatters Exploration & Production Equity ETF and Alerian MLP ETF.(12)


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   (k)       Not applicable.
  

(l)

      Not applicable.
  

(m)

      Not applicable.
  

(n)

      Not applicable.
  

(p)

   (1)    Code of Ethics for the Trust.(2)
      (2)    Code of Ethics for ALPS Holdings, Inc. (includes ALPS Advisors, Inc. and ALPS Distributors, Inc., each a subsidiary of ALPS Holdings, Inc.) revised as of May 1, 2010.(11)
      (3)    Code of Ethics for WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
      (4)    Code of Ethics for Riverfront Investment Group, LLC (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
      (5)    Code of Ethics for Rich Investment Solutions, LLC (to be filed by subsequent amendment).
  

(q)

      Powers of Attorney for Mary K. Anstine, Jeremy W. Deems, and Rick A. Pederson.(3)

 

(1) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on January 23, 2008.
(2) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on May 1, 2008.
(3) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on March 13, 2009.
(4) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on April 29, 2009.
(5) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on June 23, 2009.
(6) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 9 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on September 10, 2009.


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(7) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on December 15, 2009.
(8) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 14 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on February 22, 2010.
(9) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 18 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on April 30, 2010.
(10) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 23 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on August 10, 2010.
(11) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on April 29, 2011.
(12) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 63 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on March 29, 2012.
(13) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 79 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on June 26, 2012.
(14) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 119 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on December 14, 2012.
(15) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 135 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on January 22, 2013.
(16) Previously filed as an exhibit to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 136 to the Trust’s Registration Statement on Form N-1A (File Nos. 333-148826; 811-22175), filed on January 22, 2013.

 

Item 29. Persons Controlled by or under Common Control with Registrant .

None.

 

Item 30. Indemnification .

Reference is made to Article Eight of the Registrant’s Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust which is incorporated by reference herein:

The Registrant (also, the “Trust”) is organized as a Delaware business trust is operated pursuant to a Declaration of Trust, dated September 13, 2007 (the “Declaration of Trust”), that permits the Registrant to indemnify every person who is, or has been, a Trustee, officer, employee or agent of the Trust, including persons who serve at the request of the Trust as directors, trustees, officers, employees or agents of another organization in which the Trust has an interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise (hereinafter referred to as a “Covered Person”), shall be indemnified by the Trust to the


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fullest extent permitted by law against liability and against all expenses reasonably incurred or paid by him in connection with any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which he becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his being or having been such a Trustee, director, officer, employee or agent and against amounts paid or incurred by him in settlement thereof. This indemnification is subject to the following conditions:

No indemnification shall be provided hereunder to a Covered Person:

(a) For any liability to the Trust or its Shareholders arising out of a final adjudication by the court of other body before which the proceeding was brought that the Covered Person engaged in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office;

(b) With respect to any matter as to which the Covered Person shall have been finally adjudicated not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that his or her action was in the best interests of the Trust; or

(c) In the event of a settlement of other disposition not involving a final adjudication (as provided in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section 8.5.2) and resulting in a payment by a Covered Person, unless there has been either a determination that such Covered Person did not engage in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of this office by the court or other body approving the settlement or other disposition, or a reasonable determination, based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that he or she did not engage in such conduct, such determination being made by : (i) a vote of a majority of the Disinterested Trustees (as such term is defined in Section 8.5.5) acting on the matter); or (ii) a writer opinion of independent legal counsel.

The rights of indemnification under the Declaration of Trust may be insured against by policies maintained by the Trust, and shall be severable, shall not affect any other rights to which any Covered Person may now or hereafter be entitled, shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Covered Person, and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person. Nothing contained in the Declaration of Trust shall affect any rights to indemnification to which Trust personnel other than Covered Persons may be entitled by contract or otherwise under law.

Expenses of preparation and presentation of a defense to any claim, action, suit or proceeding subject to a claim for indemnification under Section 8.5 of the Declaration of Trust shall be advanced by the Trust prior to final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the recipient to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to indemnification under Section 8.5 of the Declaration of Trust, provided that either: Covered Person, unless there has been either a determination that such Covered Person did not engage in willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of this office by the court or other body approving the settlement or other disposition, or a reasonable determination, based on a review of readily available facts (as opposed to a full trial-type inquiry), that he or she did not engage in such conduct, such determination being made


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by : (i) a vote of a majority of the Disinterested Trustees (as such term is defined in Section 8.5.5) acting on the matter (provided that a majority of Disinterested Trustees then in office act on the matter); or (ii) a written opinion of independent legal counsel.

(a) Such undertaking is secured by a surety bond or some other appropriate security or the Trust shall be insured against losses arising out of any such advances; or

(b) A majority of the Disinterested Trustees acting on the matter (provided that a majority of the Disinterested Trustees then in office act on the matter) or independent legal counsel in a written opinion shall determine, based upon a review of the readily available facts (as opposed to the facts available upon a full trial), that there is reason to believe that the recipient ultimately will be found entitled to indemnification.

As used in Section 8.5 of the Declaration of Trust, the following words shall have the meanings set forth below:

(a) A “Disinterested Trustee” is one (i) who is not an Interested Person of the Trust (including anyone, as such Disinterested Trustees, who has been exempted from being an Interested Person by any rule, regulation or order of the Commission), and (ii) against whom none of such actions, suits or other proceedings or another action, suit or other proceeding on the same or similar grounds is then or has been pending;

(b) “Claim,” “action,” “suite” or “proceeding” shall apply to all claims, actions, suits, proceedings (civil, criminal, administrative or other, including appeals), actual or threatened; and

(c) “Liability” and “expenses” shall include without limitation, attorneys’ fees, costs, judgments, amounts paid in settlement, fines, penalties and other liabilities.


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        Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Advisers

ALPS ADVISORS, INC.

Name *   

Position with ALPS

Advisors, Inc.

  

Other Business

Connections

   Type of Business
Edmund J. Burke    Director    President and Director, ALPS Holdings, Inc. and Director, ALPS Advisors, Inc., ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Fund Services, Inc. and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc.    Fund Servicing
Thomas A. Carter    President, Director    See Trustee and Officer Table in the SAI    Fund Servicing
Jeremy O. May    Executive Vice President, Director    President and Director, ALPS Fund Services, Inc., Executive Vice President and Director, ALPS Holdings, Inc. and Director, ALPS Distributors and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc.    Fund Servicing
Michael Akins    Senior Vice President, Index Management    Not Applicable    Not Applicable
Tané T. Tyler    Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Assistant Secretary    See Trustee and Officer Table in the SAI    Fund Servicing
Bradley J. Swenson    Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer    Senior Vice President CCO, ALPS Holdings, Inc., ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. and ALPS Fund Services, Inc.    Fund Servicing
Corey Dillon    Senior Vice President, Director of Institutional Advisory Services    Not Applicable    Not Applicable
Jeremy Held    Senior Vice President, Director of Research    Not Applicable    Not Applicable
Robert J. Szydlowski    Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer    Not Applicable    Not Applicable
William R. Parmentier, Jr.    Senior Vice President, Chief Investment Officer    Not Applicable    Not Applicable
Kenneth V. Hager    Vice President, Treasurer & Asst. Secretary    Not Applicable    Not Applicable
Mark T. Haley    Vice President    Not Applicable    Not Applicable
Erin E. Douglas    Vice President,    Vice President, Senior    Fund Servicing


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       Assistant General Counsel    Associate Counsel, ALPS
Distributors, Inc. ALPS
Fund Services, Inc. and
ALPS Portfolio Solutions
Distributor, Inc.
      
JoEllen L. Legg    Vice President, Assistant General Counsel    Vice President, Senior Associate Counsel, ALPS Distributors, Inc. ALPS Fund Services, Inc. and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc.    Fund Servicing
Paul F. Leone    Vice President, Assistant General Counsel    Vice President, Assistant General Counsel, ALPS Distributors, Inc. ALPS Fund Services, Inc. and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc.    Fund Servicing
David T. Buhler    Vice President, Associate Counsel    Vice President, Associate Counsel, ALPS Distributors, Inc. ALPS Fund Services, Inc. and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc.    Fund Servicing
Rhonda A. Mills    Vice President, Associate Counsel    Vice President, Associate Counsel, ALPS Distributors, Inc. ALPS Fund Services, Inc. and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc.    Fund Servicing
Eric Parsons    Vice President, Controller, Assistant Treasurer    Vice President, Assistant Treasurer and Controller, ALPS Holdings, Inc., ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. and ALPS Fund Services, Inc.    Fund Servicing
Patrick Buchanan    Vice President, Advisory Operations    See Trustee and Officer Table in the SAI    Not Applicable
Randall D. Young Secretary    Secretary    Not Applicable    Not Applicable
Gregg Wm. Givens    Assistant Treasurer    Not Applicable    Not Applicable

* The principal business address for each of the ALPS Advisors, Inc. representatives is: 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado, 80203.


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WISDOMTREE ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC.

 

Name *    Position with
WisdomTree Asset
Management, Inc.
   Other Business
Connections
   Type of Business
Jonathan Steinberg    President, (Principal Executive Officer) and Trustee    None    N/A
Amit Muni    Chief Financial Officer    None    N/A
Richard Morris    General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer    None    N/A

* The principal business address for each of the WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. representatives is: 380 Madison Avenue, 21st Floor, New York, NY 10017.

RIVERFRONT INVESTMENTS, LLC

 

Name*   

Position with
RiverFront

Investments LLC

  

Other Business

Connections

  

Type of

Business

Paul Michael Jones, CFA

   Chief Investment Officer, Founding Partner    None    N/A

Rod Smyth

   Chief Investment Strategist, Founding Partner    Virginia Retirement System (VRS) – Chairman, Investment Advisory Committee    Financial Services

Doug Sandler, CFA

   Chief Equity Officer, Founding Partner    None    N/A

Peter J. Quinn, Jr

   Chief Operating Officer, Founding Partner    Virginia Business Bank (VBB) – Board Member    Financial Services

Timothy Anderson, CFA

   Chief Fixed Income Strategist, Partner    None    N/A

Samuel Turner, CMT

   Director Large Cap Portfolio Management, Partner    None    N/A

Paul Louie

   Director Small/Mid Cap Portfolio Management, Partner    None    N/A

William Ryder, CFA, CMT

   Director of Quantitative Strategy, Partner    None    N/A

Marc Cheatham

   Director Technology & Operations, Partner    None    N/A


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Chris Konstantinos    Portfolio Risk Manager    None    N/A

*The principal business address for each of the RiverFront representatives is: 9011 Arboretum Parkway, Suite 110, Richmond, VA 23236.

RICH INVESTMENT SOLUTIONS, LLC

 

Name *   

Position with Rich

Investment

Solutions, LLC

  

Other Business

Connections

   Type of Business

Kevin Rich

   President and Chief Compliance Officer    None    Investment Advisory

Jeff Klearman

   Chief Investment Officer    None    Investment Advisory

*The principal business address for Rich Investment Solutions, LLC is 845 Third Avenue, 6 th Floor, New York, NY 10022.

Item 32.         Principal Underwriters.

ALPS Distributors, Inc. acts as the distributor for the Registrant and the following investment companies: ALPS Series Trust, Arbitrage Funds, AQR Funds, BBH Trust, Bennett Group of Funds, BLDRS Index Funds Trust, BPV Family of Funds, Brown Management Funds, Caldwell & Orkin Funds, Inc., Campbell Multi-Strategy Trust, Century Capital Management Trust, Columbia ETF Trust, CornerCap Group of Funds, The Cortina Funds, Inc., CRM Mutual Fund Trust, Cullen Funds, Drexel Hamilton Investment Partners LLC, EGA Global Shares Trust, Financial Investors Trust, Financial Investors Variable Insurance Trust, Firsthand Funds, GLG Investment Series Trust, Heartland Group, Inc., Henssler Funds, Inc., Holland Balanced Fund, IndexIQ Trust, Index IQ ETF Trust, James Advantage Funds, Laudus Trust, Laudus Institutional Trust, Mairs & Power Funds Trust, Oak Associates Funds, Pax World Series Trust I, Pax World Funds Trust II, PowerShares QQQ 100 Trust Series 1, RiverNorth Funds, Russell Exchange Traded Funds Trust, SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust, SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust, SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF Trust, Select Sector SPDR Trust, Stonebridge Funds Trust, Stone Harbor Investment Funds, Tilson Investment Trust, Transparent Value Trust, db-X Exchange-Traded Funds Inc., Trust for Professional Managers, Wakefield Alternative Series Trust, Wasatch Funds, WesMark Funds, Westcore Trust, Whitebox Mutual Funds, Williams Capital Liquid Assets Fund, Wilmington Funds and WisdomTree Trust.

(b) To the best of Registrant’s knowledge, the directors and executive officers of ALPS Distributors, Inc., are as follows:

 

Name*    Position with Underwriter    Positions with Fund

Edmund J. Burke

   Director    None


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Thomas A. Carter

   President, Director    President, Trustee, Chairman

Jeremy O. May

   Executive Vice President, Director    None

Kevin J. Ireland

   Senior Vice President, Director of Institutional Sales    None

Mark R. Kiniry

   Senior Vice President, National Sales Director – Investments    None

Bradley J. Swenson

   Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer    None

Robert J. Szydlowski

   Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer    None

Tané T. Tyler

   Senior Vice President, Assistant Secretary, General Counsel    Secretary

Kenneth V. Hager

   Vice President, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary    None

Eric Parsons

   Vice President, Controller and Assistant Treasurer    None

Steven Price

   Vice President, Deputy Chief Compliance Officer    None

James Stegall

   Vice President, Institutional Sales Manager    None

Jeff Brainard

   Vice President, Regional Sales Manager    None

Paul F. Leone

   Vice President, Assistant General Counsel    None

Erin E. Douglas

   Vice President, Assistant General Counsel    None

JoEllen Legg

   Vice President, Assistant Counsel    None

David T. Buhler

   Vice President, Associate Counsel    None

Rhonda A. Mills

   Vice President, Associate Counsel    None

Randall D. Young

   Secretary    None


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Gregg Wm. Givens

   Assistant Treasurer    None

* The principal business address for each of the above directors and executive officers is: 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203.

(c) Not applicable.

 

Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records

All accounts, books and other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules thereunder are maintained at the following offices: (1) ALPS Distributors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203; (2) ALPS Advisors, Inc. at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203; (3) The Bank of New York, 101 Barclay Street, New York, New York 10286; (4) WisdomTree Asset Management, Inc. 380 Madison Avenue, 21st Floor, New York, NY 10017; (5) RiverFront Investments, LLC9011 Arboretum Parkway, Suite 110, Richmond, VA 23236; and (6) Rich Investment Solutions, LLC, 845 Third Avenue, 6 th Floor, New York, NY 10022.

 

Item 34. Management Services

Not applicable.

 

Item 35. Undertakings .

Not applicable.


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant d has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 144 of its Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Denver, and State of Colorado, on the 8th day of February, 2013.

 

ALPS ETF TRUST

By:

 

/s/ Thomas A. Carter

  Thomas A. Carter
  President

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

 

Signatures

  

Title

  

Date

/s/ Mary K. Anstine

   Trustee    February 8, 2013
Mary K. Anstine*      

/s/ Jeremy W. Deems

   Trustee    February 8, 2013
Jeremy W. Deems*      

/s/ Rick A. Pederson

   Trustee    February 8, 2013
Rick A. Pederson*      

/s/ Thomas A. Carter

   Trustee and President    February 8, 2013
Thomas A. Carter      

/s/ Patrick D. Buchanan

   Treasurer    February 8, 2013
Patrick D. Buchanan      

*Signature affixed by Tané T. Tyler pursuant to a power of attorney dated December 8, 2008.


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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

  Exhibits
  None.