1933 Act Registration No. 333-215607
1940 Act Registration No. 811-23227
Washington, D.C. 20549
Kathleen H. Moriarty
Principal U.S. Listing Exchange: NYSE Arca, Inc.
Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted
by regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the Fund intends to no longer mail paper
copies of the Fund’s shareholder reports, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Fund or your
financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank). Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will
be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report. If you already have elected
to receive shareholder reports electronically (“e-delivery”), you will not be affected by this change and you need
not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically anytime
by contacting your financial intermediary.
You may elect to receive all future reports
in paper free of charge. Please contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your
shareholder reports. That election will apply to all Syntax funds held directly in your account.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
(“SEC”) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus.
Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. Shares in the Fund are not guaranteed or insured by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation or any other agency of the U.S. Government, nor are Shares deposits or obligations of any bank. It is possible
to lose money by investing in the Fund.
Additional Non-Principal Risks
Secondary Market Trading Risk. Fund
Shares may trade in the secondary market at times when the Fund does not accept orders to purchase or redeem Shares. At such times,
Fund Shares may trade in the secondary market with more significant premiums or discounts than might be experienced at times when
the Fund accepts purchase and redemption orders.
Secondary market trading in Fund Shares
may be halted by a stock exchange because of market conditions or for other reasons. In addition, trading in Fund Shares on a stock
exchange or in any market may be subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to “circuit
breaker” rules on the stock exchange or market. There can be no assurance that the requirements necessary to maintain the
listing or trading of Fund Shares will continue to be met or will remain unchanged. Fund Shares, similar to shares of other
issuers listed on a stock exchange, may be sold short and are therefore subject to the risk of increased volatility associated
with short selling.
Fund Shares may trade at prices other
than NAV. Fund Shares trade on stock exchanges at prices at, above or below the Fund's most recent NAV. The NAV of the Fund
is calculated at the end of each business day and fluctuates with changes in the market value of the Fund's holdings. The trading
price of Fund Shares fluctuates continuously throughout trading hours based on both market supply of and demand for Fund Shares
and the underlying value of the Fund's portfolio holdings or NAV. Also, in times of market stress, market makers or Authorized
Participants may step away from their respective roles in making a market for Fund Shares and in executing purchase or
redemption orders. As a result, the trading prices of Fund Shares may deviate significantly from NAV during periods of market volatility.
ANY OF THESE FACTORS, AMONG OTHERS, MAY LEAD TO THE FUND’S SHARES TRADING AT A PREMIUM OR DISCOUNT TO NAV. However, because
Fund Shares can be created and redeemed in Creation Units at NAV (unlike shares of many closed-end funds, which frequently trade
at appreciable discounts from, and sometimes at premiums to, their NAVs), Syntax believes that large discounts or premiums to the
NAV of the Fund are not likely to be sustained over the long term. While the creation/redemption feature is designed to make it
more likely that Fund Shares normally will trade on stock exchanges at prices close to the Fund's next calculated NAV, exchange
prices are not expected to correlate exactly with the Fund's NAV due to timing reasons, supply and demand imbalances and other
factors. In addition, disruptions to creations and redemptions, including disruptions at market makers or Authorized Participants,
or to market participants or during periods of significant market volatility, may result in trading prices for Fund Shares that
differ significantly from its NAV.
Costs of Buying or Selling Fund Shares.
Buying or selling Fund Shares on an exchange involves two types of costs that apply to all securities transactions. When buying
or selling Fund Shares through a broker, you will likely incur a brokerage commission or other charges imposed by brokers as determined
by that broker. In addition, you may incur the cost of the “spread,” that is, the difference between what investors
are willing to pay for Fund Shares (the “bid” price) and the price at which they are willing to sell Fund Shares (the
“ask” price). Because of the costs inherent in buying or selling Fund Shares, frequent trading may detract significantly
from investment results and an investment in Fund Shares may not be advisable for investors who anticipate regularly making small
investments.
Continuous Offering. The method
by which Creation Units are purchased and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation
Units are issued and sold by the Fund on an ongoing basis, at any point a “distribution,” as such term is used in the
Securities Act, may occur. Broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on
the circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner which could render them statutory underwriters
and subject them to the prospectus delivery and liability provisions of the Securities Act. For example, a broker-dealer firm or
its client may be deemed a statutory underwriter if it takes Creation Units after placing an order with the Transfer Agent, breaks
them down into individual Shares, and sells such Shares directly to customers, or if it chooses to couple the creation of a supply
of new Shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of Secondary Market demand for Shares. A determination of whether
one is an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act must take into account all the facts and circumstances pertaining to the
activities of the broker-dealer or its client in the particular case, and the examples mentioned above should not be considered
a complete description of all the activities that could lead to categorization as an underwriter.
U.S. Tax Risks: To qualify for the
favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment accorded to regulated investment companies, the Fund must satisfy certain income, asset
diversification and distribution requirements. If, for any taxable year, the Fund does not qualify as a regulated investment company,
all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) for that year would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without
any deduction for distributions to its shareholders, and such distributions would be taxable to its shareholders as dividend income
to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. The tax treatment of certain derivatives is unclear
for purpose of determining the Fund’s tax status.
MANAGEMENT BOARD OF TRUSTEES. The
Board of Trustees is responsible for overseeing the management and business affairs of the Fund. The Board oversees the operations
of the Fund by its officers. The Board also reviews management of the Fund’s assets by the investment Advisor and sub-Advisor.
Information about the Board of Trustees and executive officers of the Fund is contained in the SAI.
ADVISOR. Syntax Advisors,
LLC (“Syntax” or the “Advisor”) serves as the investment Advisor to the Fund and the Underlying Funds and,
subject to the supervision of the Board, is responsible for the investment management of the Fund and the Underlying Funds, executed
through the selection of the Sub-Advisor for portfolio management and other agreed upon activities, which include the oversight
of subadvisors, administrative work, risk management, the management of compliance, legal, and reporting, and intellectual property
services. Syntax has been a registered investment Advisor since April 21, 2017. Syntax is owned by Syntax, LLC and is controlled
by Rory Riggs. As the Fund’s investment Advisor, Syntax provides an investment management program for the Fund and manages
the investment of the Fund’s assets through sub-advisory relationships. The Advisor’s principal business address is
One Liberty Plaza, 46th Fl., New York, NY 10006.
For the services provided to the Fund under
the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Fund expects to pay the Advisor the annual fee set forth below, which is based on a percentage
of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
Fund
|
|
Advisory
Fee
|
|
Syntax Stratified U.S. Total Market Hedged ETF
|
|
|
1.09
|
%
|
Syntax Advisors, LLC (the “Advisor”)
has agreed to waive its fees to ensure that Total Annual Operating Expenses (except any (i) interest expense, (ii) taxes, (iii)
brokerage expenses and other expenses (such as stamp taxes) connected with the execution of portfolio transactions or in connection
with creation and redemption transactions, (iv) expenses associated with shareholder meetings, (v) compensation and expenses of
the Independent Trustees, (vi) compensation and expenses of the Trust’s chief compliance officer and his or her staff, (vii)
distribution fees and expenses paid by the Trust under any distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act,
(viii) legal fees or expenses in connection with any arbitration, litigation or pending or threatened arbitration or litigation,
including any settlements in connection therewith, and (ix) extraordinary expenses of the Fund) do not exceed 0.65%. The Fund
has agreed to waive a portion of its management fee in an amount equal to 0.44%.
The fee waiver agreement also includes
the Advisor’s waiver of 30 basis points of Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses. Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses reflect
the Fund's pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by investing in the Advisor’s underlying ETFs
and securities. The impact of Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses is included in the total returns of the Fund. The Advisor to the
Fund has contractually agreed to reimburse a portion of its management fees for the Fund in an amount equal to the Acquired
Fund Fees and Expenses, if any, attributable to the Fund in other series of the Trust through May 1, 2021. The contractual waiver
may be terminated only upon written agreement of the Trust and the Advisor. You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions
and other charges when buying or selling shares of the Fund, which may not be reflected in the Example Fee Table above.
Subject to approval by the Fund’s
Board of Trustees, any waiver under the Expense Limitation Agreement is subject to repayment by the Fund within 36 months following
the day on which fees are waived or reimbursed, if on any particular business day of the Fund, such repayment does not cause the
Fund’s expense ratio (after the repayment is taken into account) to exceed either: (i) the expense cap in place at the time
such amounts were waived; or (ii) the current expense cap noted above. These arrangements cannot be terminated prior to one year
from the effective date of this prospectus without the approval of the Board of Trustees. If the Advisor decides to terminate
the fee waiver agreement, it will provide written notice on the Fund’s website at least 60 calendar days in advance of the
termination date.
Fund
|
|
Total Operating
Expenses after
Waiver/Reimbursement
|
|
Syntax Stratified U.S. Total Market Hedged ETF
|
|
0.65
|
%
|
SUB-ADVISORS.
Pursuant to an investment sub-advisory
agreement with Syntax, Vantage Consulting Group serves as the equity sub-Advisor to the Fund and performs the day to day management
of the Fund and places orders for the purchase and sale of securities for the Fund. For its services to the Fund, the Sub-Advisor
is compensated by the Advisor. The Sub-Advisor has been a registered investment Advisor since June 2, 1986 and is owned by Mark
T. Finn. As of December 31, 2019, the Sub-Advisor managed approximately $2.3 billion in assets. The Sub-Advisor’s principal
business address is 3500 Pacific Ave. Virginia Beach, VA 23451.
Pursuant to an investment sub-advisory
agreement with Syntax, Swan Global Investments, LLC (the “Options Sub-Adviser”) serves as the options sub-adviser to
the Fund and performs the day to day management of the Fund’s option strategies and places orders for the purchase and sale
of options for the Fund. For its services to the Fund, the Options Sub-Adviser is compensated by the Advisor. The Options Sub-Adviser
has been an SEC-registered investment adviser since 2010 and is majority owned by Randy Swan. As of December 31, 2019, the Options
Sub-Adviser managed approximately $3.1 billion in assets. The Options Sub-Adviser’s principal business address is 277 E.
Third Ave, Unit A, Durango, CO 81301.
A discussion regarding the Board’s
consideration of the investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements will be found in the Trust’s next Annual or Semi-Annual
Report to Shareholders, as applicable.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS. The Fund is managed by
the portfolio managers listed below.
Portfolio Manager
|
Firm
|
Business Experience over Past 5 Years
|
James Thomas Wolfe
|
Vantage Consulting Group
|
Mr. Wolfe currently serves as portfolio manager. He has held a variety of positions since joining Vantage in 1988 including trader, operations manager, and systems developer specializing in quantitative modeling, and he is currently head trader. Mr. Wolfe is an investment professional with over 30 years of experience. Mr. Wolfe received his BA from Virginia Wesleyan College in 1983 and an MBA from the College of William and Mary in 1989.
|
Randy Swan
|
Swan Global Investments, LLC
|
Randy Swan is the President and founder of Swan Capital Management and oversees the team that runs all of the firm’s investment activities. Before starting the Sub-Adviser in 2014 and Swan Global Investments, LLC in 1997, Mr. Swan was a Senior Manager for KPMG working in the financial services sector. Mr. Swan is a 1990 graduate of the University of Texas with a BBA and a MPA (Master’s Degree in Professional Accounting).
|
Robert Swan
|
Swan Global Investments, LLC
|
Robert Swan serves as the Chief Operating Officer and a portfolio manager of Swan Capital Management, providing daily oversight of operations, investment management, trading, and the development and maintenance of proprietary technologies enabling the firms to scale and execute the DRS strategy across multiple funds and platforms. Prior to joining affiliated Adviser Swan Global Investments, LLC in 2010 and the sub-adviser in 2014, Mr. Swan worked at Boeing Company as a flight testing and aerodynamics engineer. Mr. Swan graduated from the University of Texas with a BS in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering.
|
Chris Hausman
|
Swan Global Investments, LLC
|
Chris Hausman serves as a portfolio manager of the sub-adviser, with responsibility for risk management and assisting in the daily operations and trading for all DRS investments and positions. Prior to joining the Sub-Adviser in 2015, Mr. Hausman served in various roles at Saliba Portfolio Management, including Senior Portfolio Manager, Chief Portfolio Strategist and Director of Trading Operations. Mr. Hausman is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business with a BS in Finance, and is also a Chartered Market Technician.
|
Micah Wakefield
|
Swan Global Investments, LLC
|
Micah Wakefield serves as a portfolio manager of the Sub-Adviser, with responsibility for risk management and assisting in the daily management for all DRS investments and positions. Prior to joining the sub-adviser in 2014, Mr. Wakefield spent over five years as director of trading and operations at a financial advisory firm. Mr. Wakefield has a B.A. in Liberal Studies and an MBA from Liberty University. He also holds the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst designation (CAIA®).
|
Additional information about each portfolio
manager’s compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio manager, and the portfolio manager’s ownership of securities
in the Fund is available in the SAI.
Administrator, Custodian and Transfer
Agent
State Street Bank and Trust Company is
the Administrator for the Fund and the Syntax Underlying Funds, the Transfer Agent to the Fund and the Custodian for the Fund's
assets.
Distributor
Foreside Fund Services, LLC (the “Distributor”)
is the distributor of the Fund Shares. The Distributor will not distribute Fund Shares in less than Creation Units, and it does
not maintain a secondary market in the Fund Shares. The Distributor may enter into selected dealer agreements with other broker-dealers
or other qualified financial institutions for the sale of Creation Units of Fund Shares.
Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm
Ernst & Young LLP serves as the independent
registered public accounting firm for the Trust.
Legal Counsel
Chapman and Cutler LLP serves as legal
counsel to the Trust, the Fund and the Syntax Underlying Funds.
INDEX/TRADEMARK LICENSES AND DISCLAIMER
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold
or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices. S&P Dow Jones Indices does not make any representation or warranty, express or implied,
to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the
Fund particularly or the ability of the Index to track general market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices’ only relationship
to Syntax, LLC with respect to the referent Indices is the licensing of the S&P 500® Index, the S&P MidCap 400®
Index, and the S&P SmallCap 600® Index and their constituents, certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of S&P
Dow Jones Indices, and the provision of the calculation services related to the Index. S&P Dow Jones Indices is not responsible
for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of the Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of
the Fund or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund may be converted into cash or other redemption
mechanics. S&P Dow Jones Indices has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading
of the Fund. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC is not an investment advisor. Inclusion of a security within the Index is not a recommendation
by S&P Dow Jones Indices to buy, sell, or hold such security, nor is it investment advice.
S&P DOW JONES INDICES DOES NOT GUARANTEE
THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE INDEX OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO OR ANY COMMUNICATION WITH RESPECT
THERETO, INCLUDING, ORAL, WRITTEN, OR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS. S&P DOW JONES INDICES SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES
OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN EXCEPT THOSE ARISING FROM FRAUD OR GROSS NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF S&P.
S&P DOW JONES INDICES MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY SYNTAX, LLC, OWNERS OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON
OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE INDEX OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY DATA RELATED THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT
WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P DOW JONES INDICES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME, OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY
OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE.
ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION
The Shares are listed for secondary trading
on NYSE Arca (the “Exchange”) and individual Fund Shares may only be purchased and sold in the secondary market through
a broker-dealer. The secondary markets are closed on weekends and also are generally closed on the following holidays: New Year’s
Day, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day (observed), Independence Day, Labor Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The Exchange may close early on the business day before certain holidays and on the day after
Thanksgiving Day. Exchange holiday schedules are subject to change without notice. If you buy or sell Shares in the secondary market,
you will pay the secondary market price for Shares. In addition, you may incur customary brokerage commissions and charges and
may pay some or all of the spread between the bid and the offered price in the secondary market on each leg of a round trip (purchase
and sale) transaction.
The trading prices of Fund Shares will
fluctuate continuously throughout trading hours based on market supply and demand rather than the Fund’s NAV, which is calculated
at the end of each business day. Fund Shares will trade on the Exchange at prices that may be above (i.e., at a premium) or below
(i.e., at a discount), to varying degrees, the daily NAV of the Shares. The trading prices of Fund Shares may deviate significantly
from its net asset value during periods of market volatility. Given, however, that Fund Shares can be issued and redeemed daily
in Creation Units, the Advisor believes that large discounts and premiums to NAV should not be sustained over long periods. Information
showing the number of days the market price of Fund Shares was greater than the Fund’s NAV and the number of days it was
less than the Fund’s NAV (i.e., premium or discount) for various time periods is available by visiting the Fund’s website
at www.SyntaxAdvisors.com.
The Exchange will disseminate, every fifteen
seconds during the regular trading day, an indicative optimized portfolio value (“IOPV”) relating to the Fund. The
IOPV calculations are estimates of the value of the Fund’s NAV per Share using market data converted into U.S. dollars at
the current currency rates. The IOPV price is based on quotes and closing prices from the securities’ local market and may
not reflect events that occur subsequent to the local market’s close. Premiums and discounts between the IOPV and the market
price may occur. This should not be viewed as a “real-time” update of the NAV per Share of the Fund, which is calculated
only once a day. Neither the Fund, nor the Advisor or any of their affiliates are involved in, or responsible for, the calculation
or dissemination of such IOPVs and make no warranty as to their accuracy.
The Fund does not impose any restrictions
on the frequency of purchases and redemptions; however, the Fund reserves the right to reject or limit purchases at any time as
described in the SAI. When considering that no restriction or policy was necessary, the Board evaluated the risks posed by market
timing activities, such as whether frequent purchases and redemptions would occur, for example from an investor’s efforts
to take advantage of a potential arbitrage opportunity, and would interfere with the efficient implementation of the Fund’s
investment strategies, or whether they would cause the Fund to experience increased transaction costs. The Board considered that,
unlike traditional mutual funds, Fund Shares are issued and redeemed only in the large quantities of Creation Units available only
from the Fund directly, and that most trading in the Fund occurs on the Exchange at prevailing market prices and does not involve
the Fund directly. 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 shareholders would result in negative impact to the
Fund or its shareholders.
BOOK ENTRY. Fund Shares are held in book-entry
form and no stock certificates are issued. The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), through its nominee Cede & Co.,
is the record owner of all outstanding Shares.
Investors owning Fund Shares are beneficial
owners as shown on the records of DTC or its participants. DTC serves as the securities depository for all Fund 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 Fund Shares, you are not entitled to receive
physical delivery of stock certificates or to have Fund Shares registered in your name, and you are not considered a registered
owner of Fund Shares. Therefore, to exercise any right as an owner of Fund Shares, you must rely upon the procedures of DTC and
its participants.
These procedures are the same as those
that apply to any securities that you hold in book entry or “street name” form for any publicly-traded company. Specifically,
in the case of a shareholder meeting of the Fund, DTC assigns applicable Cede & Co. voting rights to its participants that
have Fund Shares credited to their accounts on the record date, issues an omnibus proxy and forwards the omnibus proxy to the Fund.
The omnibus proxy transfers the voting authority from Cede & Co. to the DTC participant. This gives the DTC participant through
whom you own Shares (namely, your broker, dealer, bank, trust company or other nominee) authority to vote the shares, and, in turn,
the DTC participant is obligated to follow the voting instructions you provide.
DISTRIBUTIONS
DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS. As
a shareholder, you are entitled to your 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. These amounts, net of expenses and taxes (if applicable), 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 dividend distributions, if any,
for the Fund are generally distributed to shareholders annually, but may vary significantly from period to period. Net capital
gains for the Fund are distributed at least annually. Dividends may be declared and paid more frequently or at any other times
or to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”).
Distributions in cash may be reinvested
automatically in additional whole Fund Shares only if the broker through whom you purchased Fund Shares makes such option available.
Distributions which are reinvested will nevertheless be taxable to the same extent as if such distributions had not been reinvested.
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS DISCLOSURE
A description of the Fund’s policies
and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the Fund’s portfolio securities is available in the Fund’s SAI.
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION
The following is a summary of certain U.S.
federal income tax considerations applicable to an investment in Fund Shares. The summary is based on the Internal Revenue Code,
U.S. Treasury Department regulations promulgated thereunder, and judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, all as in
effect on the date of this Prospectus and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. In addition, this
summary assumes that a shareholder holds Shares as capital assets within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code and does not
hold Shares in connection with a trade or business. This summary does not address all potential U.S. federal income tax considerations
possibly applicable to an investment in Fund Shares, and does not address the consequences to Fund shareholders subject to special
tax rules, including, but not limited to, partnerships and the partners therein, tax-exempt shareholders, those who hold Fund Shares
through an IRA, 401(k) plan or other tax-advantaged account, and, except to the extent discussed below, “non-U.S. shareholders”
(as defined below). This discussion does not discuss any aspect of U.S. state, local, estate, and gift, or non-U.S., tax law. Furthermore,
this discussion is not intended or written to be legal or tax advice to any shareholder in the Fund or other person and is not
intended nor written to be used or relied on, and cannot be used or relied on, by any such person for the purpose of avoiding any
U.S. federal tax penalties that may be imposed on such person. Prospective Fund shareholders are urged to consult their own tax
advisors with respect to the specific U.S. federal, state and local, and non-U.S., tax consequences of investing in Fund Shares,
based on their particular circumstances.
The Fund has not requested and will not
request an advance ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) as to the U.S. federal income tax matters
described below. The IRS could adopt positions contrary to those discussed below and such positions could be sustained. Prospective
investors should consult their own tax advisors with regard to the U.S. federal tax consequences of the purchase, ownership or
disposition of Fund Shares, as well as the tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, locality, non-U.S. country or
other taxing jurisdiction. The following information supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the section in the SAI
entitled “U.S. Federal Income Taxation.”
Tax Treatment of the Fund
The Fund intends to qualify and elect to
be treated as a separate “regulated investment company” (a “RIC”) under the Internal Revenue Code. To qualify
and remain eligible for the special tax treatment accorded to RICs, the Fund must meet certain annual income and quarterly asset
diversification requirements and must distribute annually at least 90% of the sum of (i) its “investment company taxable
income” (which includes dividends, interest and net short-term capital gains) and (ii) certain net tax-exempt income, if
any.
As a RIC, the Fund generally will not be
required to pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that it distributes to its shareholders.
If the Fund fails to qualify as a RIC for any year (subject to certain curative measures allowed by the Internal Revenue Code),
the Fund will be subject to regular corporate-level U.S. federal income tax in that year on all of its taxable income, regardless
of whether the Fund makes any distributions to its shareholders. In addition, in such case, distributions will be taxable to the
Fund’s shareholders generally as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and
profits. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the Fund will qualify for the special tax treatment accorded to RICs.
The Fund will be subject to a 4% excise
tax on certain undistributed income if the Fund does not distribute to its shareholders in each calendar year at least 98% of its
ordinary income for the calendar year, 98.2% of its capital gain net income for the twelve months ended October 31 of such year,
plus 100% of any undistributed amounts from prior years. For these purposes, the Fund will be treated as having distributed any
amount on which it has been subject to U.S. corporate income tax for the taxable year ending within the calendar year. The Fund
intends to make distributions necessary to avoid this 4% excise tax, although there can be no assurance that it will be able to
do so.
The Fund may be required to recognize taxable
income in advance of receiving the related cash payment. For example, if the Fund invests in original issue discount obligations
(such as zero coupon debt instruments or debt instruments with payment-in-kind interest), the Fund will be required to include
in income each year a portion of the original issue discount that accrues over the term of the obligation, even if the related
cash payment is not received by the Fund until a later year. Under the “wash sale” rules, the Fund may not be able
to deduct currently a loss on a disposition of a portfolio security. As a result, the Fund may be required to make an annual income
distribution greater than the total cash actually received during the year. Such distribution may be made from the existing cash
assets of the Fund or cash generated from selling portfolio securities. The Fund may realize gains or losses from such sales, in
which event its shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution than they would in the absence of such transactions.
Tax Treatment of Fund Shareholders
Taxation of U.S. Shareholders
The following is a summary of certain U.S.
federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Fund Shares applicable to “U.S. shareholders.”
For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. shareholder” is a beneficial owner of Fund Shares who, for U.S. federal income
tax purposes, is (i) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; (ii) a corporation (or an entity treated
as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United
States, or of any state thereof, or the District of Columbia; (iii) an estate, the income of which is includable in gross income
for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or (iv) a trust, if (1) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary
supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions
of the trust, or (2) the trust has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person.
Fund Distributions. In general,
Fund distributions are subject to U.S. federal income tax when paid, regardless of whether they consist of cash or property, and
regardless of whether they are re-invested in Fund Shares. However, any Fund distribution declared in October, November or December
of any calendar year and payable to shareholders of record on a specified date during such month will be deemed to have been received
by the Fund shareholder on December 31 of such calendar year, provided such dividend is actually paid during January of the following
calendar year.
Distributions of the Fund’s net investment
income (except, as discussed below, qualified dividend income) and net short-term capital gains are taxable as ordinary income
to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. To the extent designated as capital gain dividends
by the Fund, distributions of the Fund’s net long-term capital gains in excess of net short-term capital losses (“net
capital gain”) are taxable at long-term capital gain tax rates to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated
earnings and profits, regardless of the Fund shareholder’s holding period in Fund Shares. Distributions of qualified dividend
income are, to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, taxed to certain non-corporate Fund
shareholders at the rates generally applicable to long-term capital gain, provided that the Fund shareholder meets certain holding
period and other requirements with respect to the distributing Fund Shares and the distributing Fund meets certain holding period
and other requirements with respect to its dividend-paying stocks. Substitute payments received on Fund Shares that are lent out
will be ineligible for being reported as qualified dividend income.
The Fund intends to distribute its net
capital gain at least annually. However, by providing written notice to its shareholders no later than 60 days after its year-end,
the Fund may elect to retain some or all of its net capital gain and designate the retained amount as a “deemed distribution.”
In that event, the Fund pays U.S. federal income tax on the retained net capital gain, and the Fund shareholder recognizes a proportionate
share of the Fund’s undistributed net capital gain. In addition, the Fund shareholder can claim a tax credit or refund for
the shareholder’s proportionate share of the Fund’s U.S. federal income taxes paid on the undistributed net capital
gain and increase the shareholder’s tax basis in the Fund Shares by an amount equal to the shareholder’s proportionate
share of the Fund’s undistributed net capital gain, reduced by the amount of the shareholder’s tax credit or refund.
The Fund’s hedging strategy may reduce
or eliminate amounts that would otherwise be treated as qualified dividend income or capital gain dividends. Such dividends are
likely to be treated as ordinary dividends.
Distributions in excess of the Fund’s
current and accumulated earnings and profits will, as to each shareholder, be treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent
of the shareholder’s tax basis in its Fund Shares, and generally as capital gain thereafter.
In addition, high-income individuals (and
certain trusts and estates) generally will be subject to a 3.8% Medicare tax on “net investment income” in addition
to otherwise applicable U.S. federal income tax. “Net investment income” generally will include dividends (including
capital gain dividends) received from the Fund and net gains from the redemption or other disposition of Fund Shares. Please consult
your tax advisor regarding this tax.
Investors considering buying Fund Shares just prior to a distribution
should be aware that, although the price of the Fund Shares purchased at such time may reflect the forthcoming distribution, such
distribution nevertheless may be taxable (as opposed to a non-taxable return of capital).
Sales of Fund Shares. Any capital
gain or loss realized upon a sale or exchange of Fund Shares generally is treated as a long-term gain or loss if the Fund Shares
have been held for more than one year. Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale or exchange of Fund Shares held for one year
or less generally is treated as a short-term gain or loss, except that any capital loss on the sale or exchange of Fund Shares
held for six months or less is treated as long-term capital loss to the extent that capital gain dividends were paid (or deemed
to be paid) with respect to the Fund Shares.
Creation Unit Issues and Redemptions.
On an issue of Fund Shares as part of a Creation Unit where the creation is conducted in-kind, an Authorized Participant recognizes
capital gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the fair market value (at issue) of the issued Fund Shares (plus any cash
received by the Authorized Participant as part of the issue) and (ii) the Authorized Participant’s aggregate basis in the
exchanged securities (plus any cash paid by the Authorized Participant as part of the issue). On a redemption of Fund Shares as
part of a Creation Unit where the redemption is conducted in-kind, an Authorized Participant recognizes capital gain or loss equal
to the difference between (i) the fair market value (at redemption) of the securities received (plus any cash received by the Authorized
Participant as part of the redemption) and (ii) the Authorized Participant’s basis in the redeemed Shares (plus any cash
paid by the Authorized Participant as part of the redemption). However, the IRS may assert, under the “wash sale” rules
or on the basis that there has been no significant change in the Authorized Participant’s economic position, that any loss
on creation or redemption of Creation Units cannot be deducted currently.
In general, any capital gain or loss recognized
upon the issue or redemption of Fund Shares (as components of a Creation Unit) is treated either as long-term capital gain or loss,
if the deposited securities (in the case of an issue) or the Fund Shares (in the case of a redemption) have been held for more
than one year, or otherwise as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any capital loss on a redemption of Fund Shares held for
six months or less is treated as long-term capital loss to the extent that capital gain dividends were paid (or deemed to be paid)
with respect to such Fund Shares.
Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders
The following is a summary of certain U.S.
federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Fund Shares applicable to “non-U.S. shareholders.”
For purposes of this discussion, a “non-U.S. shareholder” is a beneficial owner of Fund Shares that is not a U.S. shareholder
(as defined above) and is not an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The following
discussion is based on current law and is for general information only. It addresses only selected, and not all, aspects of U.S.
federal income taxation.
With respect to non-U.S. shareholders of
the Fund, the Fund’s ordinary income dividends generally will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of 30%
(or at a lower rate established under an applicable tax treaty), subject to certain exceptions for “interest-related dividends”
and “short-term capital gain dividends” discussed below. U.S. federal withholding tax generally will not apply to any
gain realized by a non-U.S. shareholder in respect of the Fund’s net capital gain. Special rules apply with respect to dividends
of the Fund that are attributable to gain from the sale or exchange of “U.S. real property interests.”
In general, all “interest-related
dividends” and “short-term capital gain dividends” (each defined below) will not be subject to U.S. federal withholding
tax, provided that the non-U.S. shareholder furnished the Fund with a completed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, (or
acceptable substitute documentation) establishing the non-U.S. shareholder’s non-U.S. status and the Fund does not have actual
knowledge or reason to know that the non-U.S. shareholder would be subject to such withholding tax if the non-U.S. shareholder
were to receive the related amounts directly rather than as dividends from the Fund. “Interest-related dividends” generally
means dividends designated by the Fund as attributable to such Fund’s U.S.-source interest income, other than certain contingent
interest and interest from obligations of a corporation or partnership in which such Fund is at least a 10% shareholder, reduced
by expenses that are allocable to such income. “Short-term capital gain dividends” generally means dividends designated
by the Fund as attributable to the excess of such Fund’s net short-term capital gain over its net long-term capital loss.
Depending on its circumstances, the Fund may treat such dividends, in whole or in part, as ineligible for these exemptions from
withholding.
In general, subject to certain exceptions,
non-U.S. shareholders will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax in respect of a sale or other disposition of
Shares of the Fund.
To claim a credit or refund for any Fund-level
taxes on any undistributed net capital gain (as discussed above) or any taxes collected through back-up withholding (discussed
below), a non-U.S. shareholder must obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number and file a U.S. federal income tax return even
if the non-U.S. shareholder would not otherwise be required to do so.
Back-Up Withholding.
The Fund (or a financial intermediary such
as a broker through which a shareholder holds Shares in the Fund) may be required to report certain information on the Fund shareholder
to the IRS and withhold U.S. federal income tax (“backup withholding”) at a current rate of 24% from taxable distributions
and redemption or sale proceeds payable to the Fund shareholder if (i) the Fund shareholder fails to provide the Fund with a correct
taxpayer identification number or make required certifications, or if the IRS notifies the Fund that the Fund shareholder is otherwise
subject to backup withholding, and (ii) the Fund shareholder is not otherwise exempt from backup withholding. Non-U.S. shareholders
can qualify for exemption from backup withholding by submitting a properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E. Backup withholding
is not an additional tax and any amount withheld may be credited against the Fund shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
The U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance
Act (“FATCA”) generally imposes a 30% withholding tax on “withholdable payments” (defined below) made to
(i) a “foreign financial institution” (“FFI”), unless the FFI enters into an agreement with the IRS to
provide information regarding certain of its direct and indirect U.S. account holders and satisfy certain due diligence and other
specified requirements, and (ii) a “non-financial foreign entity” (“NFFE”) unless such NFFE provides certain
information about its direct and indirect “substantial U.S. owners” to the withholding agent or certifies that it has
no such U.S. owners. The beneficial owner of a withholdable payment may be eligible for a refund or credit of the withheld tax.
The U.S. government also has entered into several intergovernmental agreements with other jurisdictions to provide an alternative,
and generally easier, approach for FFIs to comply with FATCA.
Withholdable payments generally include,
among other items, (i) U.S.-source interest and dividends, and (ii) gross proceeds from the sale or disposition, occurring on or
after January 1, 2019, of property of a type that can produce U.S.-source interest or dividends. Proposed regulations would eliminate
the requirement to withhold on dispositions.
The Fund may be required to impose a 30%
withholding tax on withholdable payments to a shareholder if the shareholder fails to provide the Fund with the information, certifications
or documentation required under FATCA, including information, certification or documentation necessary for the Fund to determine
if the shareholder is a non-U.S. shareholder or a U.S. shareholder and, if it is a non-U.S. shareholder, if the non-U.S. shareholder
has “substantial U.S. owners” and/or is in compliance with (or meets an exception from) FATCA requirements. The Fund
will not pay any additional amounts to shareholders in respect of any amounts withheld. The Fund may disclose any shareholder information,
certifications or documentation to the IRS or other parties as necessary to comply with FATCA.
The requirements of, and exceptions from,
FATCA are complex. All prospective shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the potential application
of FATCA with respect to their own situation.
For a more detailed tax discussion regarding
an investment in the Fund, please see the section of the SAI entitled “U.S. Federal Income Taxation.”
GENERAL INFORMATION
Syntax ETF Trust was organized as a Delaware
statutory trust on June 27, 2013. If shareholders of the Fund are required to vote on any matters, shareholders are entitled to
one vote for each Share they own. Annual meetings of shareholders will not be held except as required by the 1940 Act and other
applicable law. See the SAI for more information concerning the Trust’s form of organization.
For purposes of the 1940 Act, shares of
the Trust are issued by the respective series of the Trust and the acquisition of shares by investment companies is subject to
the restrictions of section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act. The Trust has received exemptive relief from Section 12(d)(1) to
allow registered investment companies to invest in the Fund and the Syntax Underlying Funds beyond the limits set forth in Section 12(d)(1),
subject to certain terms and conditions as set forth in an SEC exemptive order issued to the Trust, including that such investment
companies enter into an agreement with the Trust.
From time to time, the Fund may advertise
yield and total return figures. Yield is a historical measure of dividend income, and total return is a measure of past dividend
income (assuming that it has been reinvested) plus capital appreciation. Neither yield nor total return should be used to predict
the future performance of the Fund.
PREMIUM/DISCOUNT INFORMATION
Information showing the number of days
the market price of Fund Shares was greater than the Fund’s NAV per Share (i.e. at a premium) and the number of days it was
less than the Fund’s NAV per Share (i.e. at a discount) for various time periods is available by visiting the Fund’s
website at www.SyntaxAdvisors.com.
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
APRIL 22, 2020
This Statement of Additional Information
(“SAI”) is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with the prospectus for the Trust dated April 22, 2020,
as it may be revised from time to time (the “Prospectus”).
Fund
|
Ticker
|
SYNTAX STRATIFIED U.S. TOTAL MARKET HEDGED ETF
|
SHUS
|
Principal U.S. Listing Exchange: NYSE
Arca, Inc.
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, Foreside Fund Services, LLC, at Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine,
04101, by visiting the Fund’s website at www.SyntaxAdvisors.com or calling (866) 972-4492.
Table of Contents
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
The Trust is an open-end management investment
company, registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), currently consisting of
six investment series (the “Funds”). The Trust was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on June 27, 2013. The
offering of the Funds’ shares (“Shares”) is registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities
Act”). The investment objective of the Syntax Stratified U.S. Total Market Hedged ETF (the “Fund”) is to obtain capital
growth that meets or exceeds the performance of the S&P Composite 1500® Index (the 1500) over a full market cycle
by investing in exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) or underlying securities that provide Stratified WeightTM
U.S. total equity market exposure to companies in the 1500 while seeking risk-managed growth via a defined risk hedging process.
Syntax Advisors, LLC (“Syntax” or the “Advisor”) serves as the investment adviser for the Fund. Vantage
Consulting Group (“Vantage” or the “Equity Sub-Advisor,”) serves as the investment sub-advisor for the
Fund. In addition to Vantage, Swan Global Investments, LLC (“Swan” or the “Options Sub-Advisor,” and together
with Vantage, the “Sub-Advisors”) sub-advises the options strategy for the Syntax Stratified U.S. Hedged Equity ETF.
Syntax, Vantage and Swan are referred collectively as “Advisors”)
The Fund offers and issues Shares at its
net asset value (sometimes referred to herein as “NAV”) only in aggregations of a specified number of Shares (each,
a “Creation Unit”). The Fund generally offers and issues Shares in exchange for a basket of securities included in
its Index (“Deposit Securities”) together with the deposit of a specified cash payment (“Cash Component”).
The Trust reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of a “cash in lieu” amount (“Deposit Cash”)
to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security. The Shares have been approved for listing and secondary trading
on a national securities exchange (“Exchange”). The Shares will trade on the Exchange at market prices. These prices
may differ from the Shares’ net asset values. The Shares are also redeemable only in Creation Unit aggregations, and generally
in exchange for portfolio securities and a specified cash payment. A Creation Unit of the Fund consists of 25,000 Shares, as set
forth in the Prospectus.
Shares may be issued in advance of receipt
of all Deposit Securities subject to various conditions including a requirement to maintain on deposit with the Trust cash at least
equal to a specified percentage of the market value of the missing Deposit Securities as set forth in the Participant Agreement
(as defined below). See “Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units.” The Trust may impose a transaction fee for each
creation or redemption. In all cases, such fees will be limited in accordance with the requirements of the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission (“SEC”) applicable to management investment companies offering redeemable securities. In addition
to the fixed creation or redemption transaction fee, an additional transaction fee of up to three times the fixed creation or redemption
transaction fee and/or an additional variable charge may apply.
ADDITIONAL INDEX INFORMATION
The Fund intends to invest in other ETFs
that are managed by the Advisor and that certain of the ETFs that track, or are benchmarked to, certain of the indices described
below. The Syntax Stratified MidCap Index, Syntax Stratified LargeCap Index and the Syntax Stratified SmallCap Index (each an “Index”,
collectively the “Indices”) are the Stratified Weight versions of the widely used S&P MidCap 400®
Index, S&P LargeCap 500® Index and S&P SmallCap 600® Index, respectively. Each Index holds
the same constituents as its corresponding index, S&P MidCap 400, S&P LargeCap 500 or S&P SmallCap 600, but the weight
of each company in the Index is based on Syntax’s patented methodology to control exposure to related business risks (RBRs).
The Indices were developed and are maintained
in accordance with the following criteria: (1) each of the component securities in each Index is a constituent company of the S&P
MidCap 400® Index, S&P LargeCap 500® Index or S&P SmallCap 600® Index, as
applicable; and (2) the Indices are calculated by S&P Opco, LLC (a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC) based on methodology
proprietary to Syntax, LLC an affiliate of the investment advisor (the “Index Provider”), using a stratification methodology.
The Index Provider publishes information regarding the market value of each Index. For more information, please visit the Fund’s
website at www.SyntaxAdvisors.com.
Syntax Stratified Weight Indices represent
a major breakthrough in passive index weighting methodology in that they are designed to control for the negative impacts of related
business risks. When two or more companies’ earnings are affected by the same fundamental drivers (e.g. the product/services
the company makes/provides, the customers or end users the company sells to, or the inputs that it utilizes to make its product
or service), we say that they share a related business risk. Syntax Indices utilize a proprietary functional information system
(“FIS”) developed by Syntax, LLC, to identify related business risks and implement a patented stratified weighting
methodology that controls for the inadvertent overweighting of related business risk that regularly occurs in capitalization-weighted
and equal-weighted indices. To learn more about FIS, please visit www.SyntaxAdvisors.com.
Stratified Weight Indices are a new class
of passive indexing that mitigates the negative impacts of overweighting related business risks without sacrificing upside performance
in normal markets. Stratified Weight indices, together with capitalization-weight and equal-weight indices, form a complementary
suite of index weighting methods that each provide a different measure of market performance. Capitalization-weight indices measure
aggregate market performance, equal-weight indices measure average company performance, and Stratified Weight indices measure diversified
business performance. Each is an important market benchmark that offers different perspectives.
The investment objective of every passive
Syntax Index is to deliver returns consistent with the performance objectives of the underlying companies that make up the index.
By using FIS and stratification to control for exposure to related business risks, Syntax Indices are designed to improve the tracking
of the actual medium-to long-term performance of groups of companies and provide results that are the product of effective diversification,
rather than the overweighting of one or more outperforming group. Because FIS defines the related business risks, Syntax Indices
are built as a more stable composite of those functional parts. While the major cap-weighted indices are designed to be a proxy
for the total market, Syntax, LLC believes that the Syntax Indices serve as a better basis for medium-to-long-term investments
in active and passive ETFs.
Disclaimer
Syntax, LLC, the Index Provider, is affiliated
with the Trust and the Advisor. The Advisor (“Licensee”) has entered into license agreements with the Index Provider
pursuant to which the Advisor pays a fee to use the Indices. The Advisor is sub-licensing rights to the Indices to the Fund at
no charge.
Each Index is the property of Syntax, LLC,
which has contracted with S&P Opco, LLC (a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC) to calculate and maintain the Indices.
The Indices are not sponsored by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC or its affiliates or its third-party licensors, including Standard
& Poor's Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (collectively, “S&P Dow Jones Indices”).
S&P Dow Jones Indices will not be liable for any errors or omissions in calculating the Indices. “Calculated by S&P
Dow Jones Indices” and the related stylized mark(s) are service marks of S&P Dow Jones Indices and have been licensed
for use by Syntax, LLC. S&P® is a registered trademark of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC, and
Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC.
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold
or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices. S&P Dow Jones Indices do not make any representation or warranty, express or implied,
to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the
Fund particularly or the ability of the Indices to track general market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices’ only relationship
to Syntax, LLC with respect to the Indices is the licensing of the S&P MidCap 400 Index, S&P LargeCap 500 Index and S&P
SmallCap 600 Index and their constituents, certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices, and
the provision of the calculation services related to each Index. S&P Dow Jones Indices is not responsible for and has not participated
in the determination of the prices and amount of the Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Fund or in the determination
or calculation of the equation by which the Fund may be converted into cash or other redemption mechanics. S&P Dow Jones Indices
has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund. S&P Dow Jones Indices
LLC is not an investment advisor. Inclusion of a security within each Index is not a recommendation by S&P Dow Jones Indices
to buy, sell, or hold such security, nor is it investment advice.
S&P DOW JONES INDICES DOES NOT GUARANTEE
THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE INDEX OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO OR ANY COMMUNICATION WITH RESPECT
THERETO, INCLUDING, ORAL, WRITTEN, OR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS. S&P DOW JONES INDICES SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES
OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN EXCEPT THOSE ARISING FROM FRAUD OR GROSS NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF S&P.
S&P DOW JONES INDICES MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY SYNTAX, LLC, OWNERS OF THE FUNDS, OR ANY OTHER PERSON
OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE INDEX OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY DATA RELATED THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT
WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P DOW JONES INDICES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME, OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY
OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE.
INVESTMENT POLICIES
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
DIVERSIFICATION STATUS
The Fund is classified as a “diversified”
investment company under the 1940 Act.
ACTIVE MANAGEMENT
The Fund is actively managed and provides
Advisor and/or Subadvisor discretion regarding security selection and weighting subject to restrictions and strategies enumerated
in the Prospectus and herein.
The following contains more detailed information
about the types of instruments in which the Fund may invest, or with which the Fund may be seeded or receive contributions-in-kind.
EQUITY SECURITIES
Equity securities in which the Fund invests,
or may be seeded with, include common stocks and preferred stocks and securities convertible into common stocks, including, but
not limited to, options. The value of equity securities varies in response to many factors, including the activities and financial
condition of individual companies, the business market in which individual companies compete and general market and economic conditions.
Equity securities fluctuate in value, often based on factors unrelated to the value of the issuer of the securities, and such fluctuations
can be significant.
COMMON STOCK
Common stock represents an equity (ownership)
interest in a company, and usually possesses voting rights and earns dividends. Dividends on common stock are not fixed but are
declared at the discretion of the issuer. Common stock generally represents the riskiest investment in a company. In addition,
common stock generally has the greatest appreciation and depreciation potential because increases and decreases in earnings are
usually reflected in a company’s stock price.
PREFERRED STOCK
The Fund may invest in, or be seeded with
or receive contributions in kind with, preferred stock with no minimum credit rating. Preferred stock is a class of stock having
a preference over common stock as to the payment of dividends and the recovery of investment should a company be liquidated, although
preferred stock is usually junior to the debt securities of the issuer. Preferred stock typically does not possess voting rights
and its market value may change based on changes in interest rates. The fundamental risk of investing in common and preferred stock
is the risk that the value of the stock might decrease. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of an individual company
or in response to general market and/or economic conditions. Historically, common stocks have provided greater long-term returns
and have entailed greater short-term risks than preferred stocks, fixed-income securities and money market investments. The market
value of all securities, including common and preferred stocks, is based upon the market’s perception of value and not necessarily
the book value of an issuer or other objective measures of a company’s worth.
EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS.
Within its equities strategy, the Fund
will invest in equity ETFs issued by the Advisor. ETFs are generally passive funds that track their related index and have the
flexibility of trading like a security. They are managed by professionals and provide the investor with diversification, cost and
tax efficiency, liquidity, marginability, are useful for hedging, have the ability to go long and short, and some provide quarterly
dividends. Additionally, some ETFs are unit investment trusts. ETFs typically have two markets. The primary market is where institutions
swap “creation units” in block multiples of, for example, 50,000 shares for in-kind securities and cash in the form
of dividends. The secondary market is where individual investors can trade as little as a single share during trading hours on
the exchange. This is different from open-ended mutual funds that are traded after hours once the NAV is calculated. ETFs share
many similar risks with open-end and closed-end funds.
SECURITIES OPTIONS
The Fund may purchase and write (i.e.,
sell) put and call options. Such options may relate to particular securities or stock indices, and may or may not be listed on
a domestic or foreign securities exchange and may or may not be issued by the Options Clearing Corporation. Options trading is
a highly specialized activity that entails greater than ordinary investment risk. Options may be more volatile than the underlying
instruments, and therefore, on a percentage basis, an investment in options may be subject to greater fluctuation than an investment
in the underlying instruments themselves. A call option for a particular security gives the purchaser of the option the right to
buy, and the writer (seller) the obligation to sell, the underlying security at the stated exercise price at any time prior to
the expiration of the option, regardless of the market price of the security. The premium paid to the writer is in consideration
for undertaking the obligation under the option contract. A put option for a particular security gives the purchaser the right
to sell the security at the stated exercise price at any time prior to the expiration date of the option, regardless of the market
price of the security. Stock index options are put options and call options on various stock indices. In most respects, they are
identical to listed options on common stocks. The primary difference between stock options and index options occurs when index
options are exercised. In the case of stock options, the underlying security, common stock, is delivered. However, upon the exercise
of an index option, settlement does not occur by delivery of the securities comprising the index. The option holder who exercises
the index option receives an amount of cash if the closing level of the stock index upon which the option is based is greater than,
in the case of a call, or less than, in the case of a put, the exercise price of the option. This amount of cash is equal to the
difference between the closing price of the stock index and the exercise price of the option expressed in dollars times a specified
multiple. A stock index fluctuates with changes in the market value of the stocks included in the index. For example, some stock
index options are based on a broad market index, such as the Standard & Poor’s 500® Index or the Value Line Composite
Index or a narrower market index, such as the Standard & Poor’s 100®.
Options on stock indices are currently
traded on the NYSE, the American Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ PHLX. The Fund’s obligation to sell an instrument subject
to a call option written by it, or to purchase an instrument subject to a put option written by it, may be terminated prior to
the expiration date of the option by the Fund’s execution of a closing purchase transaction, which is effected by purchasing
on an exchange an option of the same series (i.e., same underlying instrument, exercise price and expiration date) as the option
previously written. A closing purchase transaction will ordinarily be effected to realize a profit on an outstanding option, to
prevent an underlying instrument from being called, to permit the sale of the underlying instrument or to permit the writing of
a new option containing different terms on such underlying instrument. The cost of such a liquidation purchase plus transactions
costs may be greater than the premium received upon the original option, in which event the Fund will have paid a loss in the transaction.
There is no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular option. An option writer unable to effect a
closing purchase transaction will not be able to sell the underlying instrument or liquidate the assets held in a segregated account,
as described below, until the option expires or the optioned instrument is delivered upon exercise. In such circumstances, the
writer will be subject to the risk of market decline or appreciation in the instrument during such period. If an option purchased
by a Fund expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a loss equal to the premium paid. If the Fund enters into a closing sale transaction
on an option purchased by it, the Fund will realize a gain if the premium received by the Fund on the closing transaction is more
than the premium paid to purchase the option, or a loss if it is less. If an option written by the Fund expires on the stipulated
expiration date or if a Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction, it will realize a gain (or loss if the cost of a closing
purchase transaction exceeds the net premium received when the option is sold). If an option written by the Fund is exercised,
the proceeds of the sale will be increased by the net premium originally received and the Fund will realize a gain or loss.
Cover for Options Positions. Transactions
using options (other than options that the Fund has purchased) expose the Fund to an obligation to another party. The Fund will
not seek to enter into any such transactions unless they own either (i) an offsetting (“covered”) position in securities
or other options or (ii) cash or liquid securities with a value sufficient at all times to cover its potential obligations not
covered as provided in (i) above. The Fund will comply with SEC guidelines regarding cover for these instruments and, if the guidelines
so require, set aside cash or liquid securities in a segregated account with the Fund’s custodian in the prescribed amount.
Under current SEC guidelines, the Fund will segregate assets to cover transactions in which the Fund writes or sells options. Assets
used as cover or held in a segregated account cannot be sold while the position in the corresponding option is open, unless they
are replaced with similar assets. As a result, the commitment of a large portion of the Fund’s assets to cover or segregated
accounts could impede portfolio management or the Fund’s ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements
with commercial banks, brokers or dealers to generate income from its excess cash balances and to invest securities lending cash
collateral. A repurchase agreement is an agreement under which a Fund acquires a financial instrument (e.g., a security issued
by the U.S. government or an agency thereof, a banker’s acceptance or a certificate of deposit) from a seller, subject to
resale to the seller at an agreed upon price and date (normally, the next Business Day – as defined below). A repurchase
agreement may be considered a loan collateralized by securities. The resale price reflects an agreed upon interest rate effective
for the period the instrument is held by the Fund and is unrelated to the interest rate on the underlying instrument.
In these repurchase agreement transactions,
the securities acquired by the Fund (including accrued interest earned thereon) must have a total value in excess of the value
of the repurchase agreement and be held by the Custodian until repurchased. No more than an aggregate of 15 percent of a Fund’s
net assets will be invested in illiquid securities, including repurchase agreements having maturities longer than seven days and
securities subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale, or for which there are no readily available market quotations.
The use of repurchase agreements involves
certain risks. For example, if the other party to the agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase the underlying security
at a time when the value of the security has declined, the Fund may incur a loss upon disposition of the security. If the other
party to the agreement becomes insolvent and subject to liquidation or reorganization under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or other laws,
a court may determine that the underlying security is collateral for a loan by the Fund not within the control of the Fund and,
therefore, the Fund may not be able to substantiate its interest in the underlying security and may be deemed an unsecured creditor
of the other party to the agreement.
OTHER SHORT-TERM INSTRUMENTS
In addition to repurchase agreements, the
Fund may invest in short-term instruments, including money market instruments, cash and cash equivalents, on an ongoing basis to
provide liquidity or for other reasons. Money market instruments are generally short-term investments that may include but are
not limited to: (i) shares of money market funds; (ii) obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or
instrumentalities (including government-sponsored enterprises); (iii) negotiable certificates of deposit (“CDs”), bankers’
acceptances, fixed time deposits and other obligations of U.S. and foreign banks (including foreign branches) and similar institutions;
(iv) commercial paper rated at the date of purchase “Prime-1” by Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”)
or “A-1” by Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”), or if unrated, of comparable quality as determined
by the Advisor; (v) non-convertible corporate debt securities (e.g., bonds and debentures) with remaining maturities at the date
of purchase of not more than 397 days and that satisfy the rating requirements set forth in Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act; and (vi)
short-term U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of foreign banks (including U.S. branches) that, in the opinion of the Advisor,
are of comparable quality to obligations of U.S. banks which may be purchased by a Fund. Any of these instruments may be purchased
on a current or a forward-settled basis. Money market instruments also include shares of money market funds. Time deposits are
non-negotiable deposits maintained in banking institutions for specified periods of time at stated interest rates. Bankers’
acceptances are time drafts drawn on commercial banks by borrowers, usually in connection with international transactions.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND RISKS
A discussion of the risks associated with
an investment in the Fund is contained in the Prospectus. The discussion below supplements, and should be read in conjunction with,
the Prospectus.
GENERAL
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 securities generally and other factors.
An investment in the Fund should also be
made with an understanding of the risks inherent in an investment in securities, including the risk that the financial condition
of issuers may become impaired or that the general condition of the securities markets may deteriorate (either of which may cause
a decrease in the value of the portfolio securities and thus in the value of Shares). Securities are susceptible to general market
fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence in 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 and 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 of, or holders of debt obligations or preferred
stocks issued by, the issuer. Further, unlike debt securities which typically have a stated principal amount payable at maturity
(whose value, however, will be 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. Common stock values are subject to market fluctuations as long as the common stock remains outstanding.
The principal trading market for some of
the securities in the Index may be in the over-the-counter market. 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.
OPTIONS RISKS
There are several additional risks associated
with transactions in options. For example, there are significant differences between the securities and options markets that could
result in an imperfect correlation between these markets, causing a given transaction not to achieve its objectives. In addition,
a liquid secondary market for particular options, whether traded over-the-counter or on an exchange, may be absent for reasons
which include the following: there may be insufficient trading interest in certain options; restrictions may be imposed by an exchange
on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect
to particular classes or series of options or underlying securities or currencies; unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt
normal operations on an exchange; the facilities of an exchange or the Options Clearing Corporation may not at all times be adequate
to handle current trading value; or one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some
future date to discontinue the trading of options (or a particular class or series of options), in which event the secondary market
on that exchange (or in that class or series of options) would cease to exist, although outstanding options that had been issued
by the Options Clearing Corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would continue to be exercisable in accordance with
their terms.
Successful use by the Fund of options on
stock indices will be subject to the ability of the Adviser to correctly predict movements in the directions of the stock market.
This requires different skills and techniques than predicting changes in the prices of individual securities. In addition, the
Fund’s ability to effectively hedge all or a portion of the securities in its portfolio, in anticipation of or during a market
decline, through transactions in put options on stock indices, depends on the degree to which price movements in the underlying
index correlate with the price movements of the securities held by the Fund. Attempts to hedge may be partially ineffective due
to divergences in composition and/or weighting between the equity strategy of the Fund and the underlying instruments of the options
strategy. Inasmuch as the Fund’s securities will not duplicate the components of an index, the correlation will not be perfect.
Consequently, the Fund bears the risk that the prices of its securities being hedged will not move in the same amount as the prices
of its put options on the stock indices.
It is also possible that there may be a
negative correlation between the index and the Fund’s securities that would result in a loss on both such securities and
the options on stock indices acquired by the Fund. The hours of trading for options may not conform to the hours during which the
underlying securities are traded. To the extent that the options markets close before the markets for the underlying securities,
significant price and rate movements can take place in the underlying markets that cannot be reflected in the options markets.
The purchase of options is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated
with ordinary portfolio securities transactions.
The purchase of stock index options involves
the risk that the premium and transaction costs paid by the Fund in purchasing an option will be lost as a result of unanticipated
movements in prices of the securities comprising the stock index on which the option is based. There is no assurance that a liquid
secondary market on an options exchange will exist for any particular option, or at any particular time, and for some options no
secondary market on an exchange or elsewhere may exist. If the Fund is unable to close out a call option on securities that it
has written before the option is exercised, the Fund may be required to purchase the optioned securities in order to satisfy their
obligation under the option to deliver such securities. If the Fund is unable to effect a closing sale transaction with respect
to options on securities that they have purchased, they would have to exercise the option in order to realize any profit and would
incur transaction costs upon the purchase and sale of the underlying securities.
ILLIQUID AND RESTRICTED SECURITIES
The Fund may be seeded with, receive contributions-in-kind
associated with, or invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities. Illiquid securities include securities subject to
contractual or legal restrictions on resale (e.g., because they have not been registered under the Securities Act) and securities
that are otherwise not readily marketable (e.g., because trading in the security is suspended or because market makers do not exist
or will not entertain bids or offers). Securities that have not been registered under the Securities Act are referred to as private
placements or restricted securities and are purchased directly from the issuer or in the secondary market. Foreign securities that
are freely tradable in their principal markets are not considered to be illiquid. Restricted and other illiquid securities may
be subject to the potential for delays on resale and uncertainty in valuation. The Fund might be unable to dispose of illiquid
securities promptly or at reasonable prices and might thereby experience difficulty in satisfying redemption requests from shareholders.
The Fund might have to register restricted securities in order to dispose of them, resulting in additional expense and delay. Adverse
market conditions could impede such a public offering of securities.
TAX RISKS
As with any investment, you should consider
how your investment in Shares of the Fund will be taxed. The tax information in the Prospectus and this SAI is provided as general
information. You should consult your own tax professional about the tax consequences of an investment in Shares of the Fund.
CONTINUOUS OFFERING
The method by which Creation Units of Shares
are created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Units of Shares are issued
and sold by the Trust on an ongoing basis, at any point a “distribution,” as such term is used in the Securities Act,
may occur. Broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the circumstances,
result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner which could render them statutory underwriters and subject
them to the prospectus delivery and liability provisions of the Securities Act.
For example, a broker-dealer firm or its
client may be deemed a statutory underwriter if it takes Creation Units after placing an order with the Transfer Agent, breaks
them down into constituent Shares, and sells such Shares directly to customers, or if it chooses to couple the creation of a supply
of new Shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market demand for Shares. A determination of whether
one is an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act must take into account all the facts and circumstances pertaining to the
activities of the broker-dealer or its client in the particular case, and the examples mentioned above should not be considered
a complete description of all the activities that could lead to a categorization as an underwriter.
Broker-dealer firms should also note that
dealers who are not “underwriters” but are effecting transactions in Shares, whether or not participating in the distribution
of Shares, are generally required to deliver a prospectus. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(3) of
the Securities Act is not available in respect of such transactions as a result of Section 24(d) of the 1940 Act. Firms that incur
a prospectus-delivery obligation with respect to Shares of the Fund are reminded that under Securities Act Rule 153, a prospectus-delivery
obligation under Section 5(b)(2) of the Securities Act owed to an exchange member in connection with a sale on the Exchange is
satisfied by the fact that the Fund’s Prospectus is available at the Exchange upon request. The prospectus delivery mechanism
provided in Rule 153 is only available with respect to transactions on an exchange.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The Trust has adopted the following investment
restrictions as fundamental policies with respect to the Fund. These restrictions cannot be changed without the approval of the
holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities. For purposes of the 1940 Act, a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of a Fund means the vote, at an annual or a special meeting of the security holders of the Trust, of the lesser
of (1) 67 percent or more of the voting securities of the Fund present at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50 percent
of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (2) more than 50 percent of the outstanding
voting securities of the Fund. Except with the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities, the Fund may not:
|
1.
|
Change its investment objective;
|
|
2.
|
Lend any funds or other assets except through the purchase of all or a portion of an issue of securities or obligations of the type in which it is permitted to invest (including participation interests in such securities or obligations) and except that the Fund may lend its portfolio securities in an amount not to exceed 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets;
|
|
3.
|
Issue senior securities or borrow money, except borrowings from banks for temporary or emergency purposes in an amount up to 10% of the value of the Fund’s total assets (including the amount borrowed), valued at market, less liabilities (not including the amount borrowed) valued at the time the borrowing is made, and the Fund will not purchase securities while borrowings in excess of 5% of the Fund’s total assets are outstanding, provided, that for purposes of this restriction, short-term credits necessary for the clearance of transactions are not considered borrowings (this limitation on purchases does not apply to acceptance by the Fund of a deposit principally of securities included in the relevant Index for creation of Creation Units);
|
|
4.
|
Pledge, hypothecate, mortgage or otherwise encumber its assets, except to secure permitted borrowings. (The deposit of underlying securities and other assets in escrow and collateral arrangements with respect to initial or variation margin for futures contracts or options contracts will not be deemed to be pledges of the Fund’s assets);
|
|
5.
|
Purchase, hold or deal in real estate, or oil, gas or mineral interests or leases, but the Fund may purchase and sell securities that are issued by companies that invest or deal in such assets;
|
|
6.
|
Act as an underwriter of securities of other issuers, except to the extent the Fund may be deemed an underwriter in connection with the sale of securities in its portfolio;
|
|
7.
|
Purchase securities on margin, except for such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions, and except that the Fund may make margin deposits in connection with transactions in options, futures and options on futures;
|
|
8.
|
Sell securities short within its equities strategy, although the Fund may sell options short;
|
|
9.
|
Invest directly in commodities or commodity contracts, except that the Fund may transact in exchange traded futures contracts on securities, stock indices and options on such futures contracts and make margin deposits in connection with such contracts; or
|
|
10.
|
Concentrate its investments in securities of issuers in the same industry (the SEC Staff considers concentration to involve more than 25 percent of the Fund’s assets to be invested in an industry or group of industries).
|
In addition to the investment restrictions
adopted as fundamental policies as set forth above, the Fund observes the following restrictions, which may be changed by the Board
without a shareholder vote. The Fund:
|
1.
|
Will not invest in the securities of a company for the purpose of exercising management or control, provided that the Trust may vote the investment securities owned by the Fund in accordance with its views.
|
|
2.
|
Will not hold illiquid assets in excess of 15% of its net assets. An illiquid asset is any asset which may not be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately the value at which the Fund has valued the investment.
|
|
3.
|
Will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in equity securities of U.S. issuers and derivatives that have similar economic characteristics to such securities. Prior to any change in the Fund’s 80% investment policy, the Fund will provide shareholders with 60 days written notice.
|
|
4.
|
Will not invest in securities issued by other investment companies that are not affiliated ETFs so that, as determined immediately after a purchase of such securities is made: (i) not more than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets will be invested in the securities of any one investment company; (ii) not more than 10% of the value of its total assets will be invested in the aggregate in securities of investment companies as a group; and (iii) not more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock of any one investment company will be owned by the Fund. The Fund has the ability to exceed these percentages with respect to investments in affiliated ETFs.
|
If a percentage limitation is adhered to
at the time of investment or contract, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from any change in value or total or
net assets will not result in a violation of such restriction, except that the percentage limitations with respect to the borrowing
of money and illiquid securities will be observed continuously. With respect to the limitation on illiquid securities, in the event
that a subsequent change in net assets or other circumstances cause the Fund to exceed its limitation, the Fund will take steps
to bring the aggregate amount of illiquid instruments back within the limitations as soon as reasonably practicable.
EXCHANGE LISTING AND TRADING
A discussion of exchange listing and trading
matters associated with an investment in the Fund is contained in the Prospectus under “ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION.”
The discussion below supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, such sections of the Prospectus.
The Shares of the Fund are approved for
listing and trading on the Exchange, subject to notice of issuance. The Shares trade on the Exchange at prices that may differ
to some degree from their net asset value. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary to maintain
the listing of Shares of the Fund will continue to be met.
The Exchange may, but is not required to,
remove the Shares of the Fund from listing if: (1) following the initial twelve-month period beginning upon the commencement of
trading of the Fund, there are fewer than 50 beneficial holders of the Shares for 30 or more consecutive trading days; (2) the
value of its underlying Index or portfolio of securities on which the Fund is based is no longer calculated or available; (3) the
“indicative optimized portfolio value” (“IOPV”) of the Fund is no longer calculated or available; or (4)
such other event shall occur or condition exists that, in the opinion of the Exchange, makes further dealings on the Exchange inadvisable.
In addition, the Exchange will remove the Shares from listing and trading upon termination of the Trust or the Fund.
The Trust reserves the right to adjust
the Share price of the Fund in the future to 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.
As in the case of other publicly-traded
securities, brokers’ commissions on transactions will be based on negotiated commission rates at customary levels.
The base and trading currencies of the
Fund is the U.S. dollar. The base currency is the currency in which a Fund’s net asset value per Share is calculated and
the trading currency is the currency in which Shares of the Fund are listed and traded on the Exchange.
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST
The following information supplements and
should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “MANAGEMENT.”
The Board has responsibility for the overall
management, operations and business affairs of the Trust, including general supervision and review of its investment activities.
The Trustees elect the officers of the Trust who are responsible for administering the day-to-day operations of the Trust and the
Fund.
The Trustees and executive officers of
the Trust, along with their year of birth, principal occupations over the past five years, length of time served, total number
of portfolios overseen in the fund complex, public and fund directorships held and other positions and their affiliations, if any,
with the Advisor, are listed below:
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS OF THE TRUST
TRUSTEES
NAME, ADDRESS
AND YEAR OF BIRTH
|
POSITION(S)
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
TRUSTEE
|
OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS
HELD BY
TRUSTEE
DURING
THE LAST 5
YEARS
|
Independent Trustees
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deborah Fuhr (1959)
|
Independent Trustee
|
Term: Unlimited Trustee since 2018
|
Co-Founder and Managing Partner, ETFGI LLP (research and consulting) (2012 to present);
|
2
|
Co-Founder and Board Member, Women in ETFs (Not for Profit) (2014 to present); Co-founder and Board Member, Women in ETFs Europe Limited (Educational Association) (2015 to present); Director and Board Member, 2 Culford Gardens RTM (Property) (2011 to present); Director and Board Member (2 Culford Gardens Freehold (Property) (2011 to present)
|
George Hornig (1954)
|
Independent Trustee and Chairman of the Audit Committee
|
Term: Unlimited Trustee since 2018
|
Managing Member, George Hornig, LLC (2017 to present) (investments); Senior Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, Pinebridge Investments (investment adviser) (2010 to 2016).
|
2
|
Director, Forrester Research, Inc. (technology research company) (1996 to 2018); Director, Daniel J. Edelman Holding (2016 to present) (communications marketing firm); Director, Xometry (advanced manufacturing platform business) (2014 to present); Director, KBL Merger Corp IV (2017 to present) (healthcare).
|
Richard Lyons (1961)
|
Lead Independent Trustee and Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee
|
Term: Unlimited Trustee since 2018
|
Chief Innovation and Entrepreneurship Officer, UC Berkeley (since 2020); Professor and William & Janet Cronk Chair in Innovative Leadership (2019), Dean (2008-19), Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley; Chief Learning Officer (2006 to 2008), Goldman Sachs (investment banking and investment management); Executive Associate Dean (2005 to 2006), Acting Dean (2004 to 2005), Professor (2000 to 2004), Associate Professor (1996 to 2000), Assistant Professor (1993 to 1996), Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley.
|
2
|
Director (2013 to 2016), Matthews A Share Selections Fund, LLC (mutual funds).
|
Stewart Myers (1940)
|
Independent Trustee
|
Term: Unlimited Trustee since 2018
|
Professor Emeritus and Professor, MIT Sloan School of Management (since 2015); Principal, The Brattle Group, Inc. (since 1991).
|
2
|
Director, Entergy Corp. (2009 to 2015).
|
Interested Trustees
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rory Riggs (1953)
|
Trustee and Chief Executive Officer
|
Term: Unlimited Trustee since 2017
|
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Locus Analytics, LLC (since 2010); Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Syntax Advisors, LLC (Since 2013); and Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Syntax LLC (Since 2009).
|
2
|
Managing Member of Balfour, LLC (since 2001); Board Member, Nuredis, Inc. (2016 to present); President, Biomatrix Corporation (1996 to 2000); Director, Biomatrix Corporation (1990 to 2000); Acting President and Chief Executive Officer of RF&P Corporation (1991 to 1995); Managing Director, PaineWebber Incorporated (1981 to 1990); Co-founder and Chairman, RP Management, LLC Chairman and co-founder, Royalty Pharma (1996 to present) (biopharmaceuticals); Chairman and Co-Founder, Cibus Global, Ltd. (2001 to present) (gene editing agriculture); Director GeneNews Limited (2000 to present); Director, Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc. (since 2014); Director, FibroGen, Inc. (1993 to present).
|
Kathy Cuocolo (1952)
|
Trustee and President
|
Term: Unlimited Trustee since 2018
|
President and Senior Vice President, Syntax Advisors, LLC and predecessor companies (2014 to present); Managing Director, Head of Global ETF Services, BNY Mellon (2008 to 2013); Executive Vice President, State Street (1982 to 2003).
|
2
|
Greenbacker Renewable Energy LLC, Audit Chair (2013 to present); Guardian Life Family of Funds (2005 – 2007); Select Sector Trust, Chairman (2000 to 2007); The China Fund (1999 to 2003).
|
OFFICERS
NAME, ADDRESS
AND YEAR OF BIRTH
|
POSITION(S)
WITH TRUST
|
TERM OF OFFICE
AND LENGTH
OF TIME
SERVED
|
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
|
OFFICERS
|
|
|
|
Rory Riggs (1953)
|
Chief Executive
|
Since 2018
|
See Trustee table above
|
Kathy Cuocolo (1952)
|
President
|
Since 2018
|
See Trustee table above
|
David Jaffin (1954)
|
Treasurer
|
Since 2019
|
Partner, B2B CFO® (January 2019 to present); Chief Financial Officer, Poliwogg Holdings, Inc. (October 2012 to August 2018).
|
Carly Arison (1990)
|
Secretary
|
Since 2018
|
Senior Vice President, Vice President, and Manager, Syntax Advisors, LLC and predecessor companies (2012 to present)
|
Brandon Kipp (1983)
|
Chief Compliance Officer
|
Since 2019
|
Director, Foreside Financial Group, LLC (since May 2019); Senior Fund Compliance Officer, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (from July 2017 to May 2019); Assistant Vice President and Compliance Manager, UMB Fund Services, Inc. (March 2014 to July 2017).
|
Leadership Structure
and Board of Trustees
Board Responsibilities. The management
and affairs of the Trust and its series, including the Fund described in this SAI, are overseen by the Trustees. The Board has
approved contracts, as described in this SAI, under which certain companies provide essential management services to the Trust.
Like most mutual funds, the day-to-day
business of the Trust, including the management of risk, is performed by third party service providers, such as the Advisor, Sub-Advisors,
Distributor and Administrator. The Trustees are responsible for overseeing the Trust’s service providers and, thus, have
oversight responsibility with respect to risk management performed by those service providers. Risk management seeks to identify
and address risks, i.e., events or circumstances that could have material adverse effects on the business, operations, shareholder
services, investment performance or reputation of the Fund. The Fund and its service providers employ a variety of processes, procedures
and controls to identify various of those possible events or circumstances, to lessen the probability of their occurrence and/or
to mitigate the effects of such events or circumstances if they do occur. Each service provider is responsible for one or more
discrete aspects of the Trust’s business (e.g., a Sub-Advisor is responsible for the day-to-day management of a Fund’s
portfolio investments) and, consequently, for managing the risks associated with that business. The Board has emphasized to the
Fund’s service providers the importance of maintaining vigorous risk management.
The Trustees’ role in risk oversight
begins before the inception of a Fund, at which time the Fund’s Advisor presents the Board with information concerning the
investment objectives, strategies and risks of the Fund, as well as proposed investment limitations for the Fund. Additionally,
the Fund’s Advisor provides the Board with an overview of, among other things, their investment philosophies, brokerage practices
and compliance infrastructures. Thereafter, the Board continues its oversight function as various personnel, including the Trust’s
Chief Compliance Officer, as well as personnel of the Advisor and other service providers, such as the Fund’s independent
accountants, make periodic reports to the Audit Committee or to the Board with respect to various aspects of risk management. The
Board and the Audit Committee oversee efforts by management and service providers to manage risks to which the Fund may be exposed.
The Board is responsible for overseeing
the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Fund by the Advisor and Sub-Advisors and receives information about
those services at its regular meetings. In addition, on an annual basis, in connection with its consideration of whether to renew
the Advisory Agreement with the Advisor, Sub-Advisory Agreements with the Sub-Advisors, the Board meets with the Advisor and Sub-Advisors
to review such services. Among other things, the Board regularly considers the Advisor and Sub-Advisors’ adherence to the
Fund’s investment restrictions and compliance with various Fund policies and procedures and with applicable securities regulations.
The Board also reviews information about the Fund’s investments.
The Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer
reports regularly to the Board to review and discuss compliance issues. At least annually, the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer
provides the Board with a report reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of the Trust’s policies and procedures and those
of its service providers, including the Advisor and Sub-Advisors. The report addresses the operation of the policies and procedures
of the Trust and each service provider since the date of the last report; any material changes to the policies and procedures since
the date of the last report; any recommendations for material changes to the policies and procedures; and any material compliance
matters since the date of the last report.
The Board receives reports from Fund service
providers regarding operational risks and risks related to the valuation and liquidity of portfolio securities. Regular reports
are made to the Board concerning investments for which market quotations are not readily available. Annually, the independent registered
public accounting firm reviews with the Audit Committee its audit of the Fund’s financial statements, focusing on major areas
of risk encountered by the Fund and noting any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the Fund’s internal controls.
Additionally, in connection with its oversight function, the Board oversees Fund management’s implementation of disclosure
controls and procedures, which are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Trust in its periodic reports
with the SEC are recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the required time periods. The Board also oversees the Trust’s
internal controls over financial reporting, which comprise policies and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding
the reliability of the Trust’s financial reporting and the preparation of the Trust’s financial statements.
From their review of these reports and
discussions with the Advisor, Sub-Advisors, the Chief Compliance Officer, the independent registered public accounting firm and
other service providers, the Board and the Audit Committee learn in detail about the material risks of a Fund, thereby facilitating
a dialogue about how management and service providers identify and mitigate those risks.
The Board recognizes that not all risks
that may affect a Fund can be identified and/or quantified, that it may not be practical or cost-effective to eliminate or mitigate
certain risks, that it may be necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve the Fund’s goals,
and that the processes, procedures and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness. Moreover,
reports received by the Trustees as to risk management matters are typically summaries of the relevant information. Most of the
Fund’s investment management and business affairs are carried out by or through the Fund’s Advisor, Sub-Advisors and
other service providers, each of which has an independent interest in risk management but whose policies and the methods by which
one or more risk management functions are carried out may differ from the Fund’s and each other’s in the setting of
priorities, the resources available or the effectiveness of relevant controls. As a result of the foregoing and other factors,
the Board’s ability to monitor and manage risk, as a practical matter, is subject to limitations.
Trustees and Officers. There are
6 members of the Board of Trustees, 4 of whom are not interested persons of the Trust, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act
(“Independent Trustees”). Mr. Riggs, an Interested Trustee, serves as Chairman of the Board to act as liaison with
the investment Advisor, other service providers, counsel and other Trustees generally between meetings. Mr. Lyons serves as Lead
Independent Trustee and is a spokesperson for and leader of the Independent Trustees. The Board has determined its leadership structure
is appropriate given the specific characteristics and circumstances of the Trust. The Board made this determination in consideration
of, among other things, the fact that the Independent Trustees constitute a majority of the Board, the fact that the chairperson
of each Committee of the Board is an Independent Trustee, the amount of assets under management in the Trust, and the number of
funds (and classes of shares) overseen by the Board. The Board also believes that its leadership structure facilitates the orderly
and efficient flow of information to the Independent Trustees from fund management.
The Board of Trustees has two standing
committees: the Audit Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee. The Audit Committee and the Nominating and Governance
Committee are each chaired by an Independent Trustee and composed of all of the Independent Trustees.
Individual Trustee Qualifications
The Board has concluded that each of the
Trustees should serve on the Board because of his or her ability to review and understand information about the Fund provided to
him or her by management, to identify and request other information he or she may deem relevant to the performance of his or her
duties, to question management and other service providers regarding material factors bearing on the management and administration
of the Fund, and to exercise his or her business judgment in a manner that serves the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders.
The Board has concluded that each of the Trustees should serve as a Trustee based on his or her own experience, qualifications,
attributes and skills as described below.
Rory Riggs: Rory Riggs is
the CEO and Founder of Syntax LLC.
Rory’s idea for Syntax Stratified
Indices came from his career in healthcare and the industry’s statistical use of population sampling and stratification across
sub-populations to control for inadvertent biases in clinical trial results. To address the potential of similar biases in index
results, he and his team identified a new risk category called related business risks; developed a new classification system with
which to identify and group related business risk; and implemented a stratified weighting methodology to control for the inadvertent
over-weighting of related business risks that regularly occur capitalization-weight and equal-weight methodologies. Using this
Stratified Weight methodology, Syntax operates a family of Syntax Stratified Indices that includes a Stratified Syntax LargeCap,
SmallCap Index and MidCap Index that provide Stratified Weight versions of the widely-followed S&P 500, S&P 600 and the
S&P 400.
Prior to founding Syntax and its parent,
Locus LP, Rory has been involved in the creation and development of many successful companies in healthcare and bio-technology.
These companies include: Royalty Pharma; Fibrogen, Inc.; Cibus, LLC; GeneNews Ltd.; Sugen, Inc. and eReceivables Inc. He is currently
the chairman and co-founder of Royalty Pharma, the largest investor in revenue-producing intellectual property, principally royalty
interests in marketed and late-stage development biopharmaceutical products. In addition, Rory is Chairman and Co-founder of Cibus,
the leader in non-transgenic (non-GMO) gene editing in agriculture. He also served as the president and director of Biomatrix Corporation
(NYSE: BXM) where he launched Synvisc, an important product in the treatment of osteoarthritis.
Rory received a BA from Middlebury College
and an MBA from Columbia University.
Kathy Cuocolo: Kathy Cuocolo
has served as President and Senior Vice President of Syntax Advisors, LLC, bringing over 30 years of experience in the asset management
and ETF industry to Syntax.
Prior to Syntax, Kathy was Managing Director,
Head of Global ETF Services at BNY Mellon. Before BNY, Kathy spent 22 years at State Street Corporation, where she rose to Executive
Vice President. While at State Street, Kathy brought the first ETF to market, the S&P 500 SPDR, as well as several of the other
early ETF products such as the Select Sector SPDR, the Dow Diamond, and CountryBaskets. She began her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers
as an audit and consulting manager. She is a Board Member and Audit Chair of Greenbacker Renewable Energy LLC and has been on the
Boards of Select Sector SPDRs, The China Fund and Guardian Family of Funds. She is a frequent speaker at industry events and conferences
on topics ranging from the effectiveness of risk management to the alignment of Board composition.
Kathy received her B.A. in Accounting Summa
Cum Laude from Boston College and is a Certified Public Accountant in Massachusetts. She holds an Executive Masters Professional
Director Certification from the American College of Corporate Directors.
George Hornig: George Hornig
has had a career as a senior operating officer in the financial services industry (asset management, investment banking, insurance
and fin-tech).
From 2010 - 2016, George was a Senior Managing
Director of PineBridge Investments. George led the restructuring of the operations of this former division of AIG Insurance to
make it an independent company after its divestiture. Prior to joining PineBridge, George spent 11 years at Credit Suisse Asset
Management as Global Chief Operating Officer. Prior to that, he was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Americas,
at Deutsche Bank. In 1988, he was a co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Wasserstein Perella and Company, following his tenure
at The First Boston Corp. George also practiced law for two years at Skadden Arps at the start of his career. In addition, George’s
career has spanned investments, management and advisor in industries as diverse as health care, manufacturing and the outsourcing
of business services, social media, cybersecurity, augmented reality, and e-waste management. Presently he is managing a portfolio
of acquisition transactions and venture capital investments. Also he is the Chairman of KBL Merger Corp IV (healthcare industry
SPAC), a Director of Edelman (communications marketing firm), and a Director of Xometry (advanced manufacturing platform business).
From 1992 to 2012, he was a Director of Unity Mutual Life and from 1996 to 2018, he was a Director of Forrester Research and Chairman
of the Audit Committee.
George received his AB in Economics from
Harvard College, his MBA from Harvard Business School and his JD from Harvard Law School.
Deborah Fuhr: Deborah Fuhr
is the managing partner and co-founder of ETFGI. Previously she served as global head of ETF research and implementation strategy
and as a managing director at BlackRock/Barclays Global Investors from 2008-2011. Fuhr also worked as a managing director and head
of the investment strategy team at Morgan Stanley in London from 1997-2008, and as an associate at Greenwich Associates.
Deborah Fuhr is the recipient of the 2014
William F. Sharpe Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding and lasting contributions to the field of index investing, the Nate
Most Greatest Contributor to the ETF industry award, and the ETF.com Lifetime achievement award. She has been named as one of the
“100 Most Influential Women in Finance” by Financial News in 2014, 2013, 2012, 2009, 2008 and 2007. Ms. Fuhr won the
award for the Greatest Overall Contribution to the development of the Global ETF industry in the ExchangeTradedFunds.com survey
in 2011 and 2008, Ms. Fuhr is one of the founders and on the board of Women in ETFs and is on the board of Cancer Research UK’s
‘Women of Influence’ initiative to support female scientists. Ms. Fuhr is on the editorial board of the Journal of
Indexes, and Money Management Executive; the advisory board for the Journal of Index Investing; and the investment panel of experts
for Portfolio Adviser, the FTSE ICB Advisory Committee, the NASDAQ listing and hearing review council, the International Advisory
Committee for the Egyptian Exchange, and the University of Connecticut School of Business International Advisory Board.
She holds a BS degree from the University
of Connecticut and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Richard Lyons: Richard Lyons
is Chief Innovation and Entrepreneurship Officer at UC Berkeley, and previously served as the dean of the Haas School of Business,
UC Berkeley, where he held the Bank of America Dean’s Chair.
Prior to becoming dean in July 2008, he
served as the chief learning officer at Goldman Sachs in New York, a position he held since 2006. As chief learning officer, Rich
was responsible for leadership development among the firm’s managing directors. Prior to Goldman Sachs, Rich served as acting
dean of the Haas School from 2004 to 2005 and as executive associate dean and Sylvan Coleman Professor of Finance from 2005 to
2006.
He received his BS with highest honors
from UC Berkeley (finance) and his Ph.D. from MIT (economics). Before coming to Haas, Professor Lyons spent six years on the faculty
at Columbia Business School. His teaching expertise is in international finance.
Stewart Myers: Stewart C.
Myers is the Robert C. Merton (1970) Professor of Finance, Emeritus at the MIT Sloan School of Management.
Mr. Myers is past President of the American
Finance Association, a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research and a principal of the Brattle Group, Inc.
His textbook Principles of Corporate Finance (12th ed., with Richard Brealey and Franklin Allen) is known as the “bible”
of financial management. His research focuses on the valuation of real and financial assets, corporate finance and financial
aspects of government regulation of business. He introduced both the tradeoff and pecking order theories of capital structure and
was the first to recognize the importance of real options in corporate finance. Myers is the author of influential research
papers on many topics, including adjusted present value (APV), rate of return regulation, capital allocation and risk management
in banking and insurance, real options, payout policy, and moral hazard and information issues in financing decisions. He has served
as a director of Entergy Corporation and CAT Ltd. and as a manager of the Cambridge Endowment for Research in Finance.
He holds an AB from Williams College and
an MBA and a PhD from Stanford University.
References to the experience, attributes
and skills of Trustees above are pursuant to requirements of the SEC and do not constitute holding out of the Board or any Trustee
as having any special expertise or experience, and shall not impose any greater responsibility or liability on any such person
or on the Board by reason thereof.
In its periodic assessment of the effectiveness
of the Board, the Board considers the complementary individual skills and experience of the individual Trustees primarily in the
broader context of the Board’s overall composition so that the Board, as a body, possesses the appropriate (and appropriately
diverse) skills and experience to oversee the business of the Fund.
REMUNERATION OF THE TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
No officer, director or employee of the
Advisor, its parent or subsidiaries receives any compensation from the Trust for serving as an officer or Trustee of the Trust.
The Trust pays, in the aggregate, each Independent Trustee an annual fee of $25,000. Trustee fees are allocated between the Funds
in such a manner as deemed equitable, taking into consideration the relative net assets of the series.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Audit Committee. The Board has an
Audit Committee consisting of all Independent Trustees. George Hornig serves as Chair. The Audit Committee meets with the Trust’s
independent auditors to review and approve the scope and results of their professional services; to review the procedures for evaluating
the adequacy of the Trust’s accounting controls; to consider the range of audit fees; and to make recommendations to the
Board regarding the engagement of the Trust’s independent auditors. The Audit Committee was established on March 28, 2018
and met three times during the calendar year ending December 31, 2019.
Nominating and Governance Committee.
The Board has established a Nominating and Governance Committee consisting of all Independent Trustees. Richard Lyons serves as
Chairperson. The responsibilities of the Nominating and Governance Committee are to: (1) nominate Independent Trustees; (2) review
on a periodic basis the governance structures and procedures of the Funds; (3) periodically review Trustee compensation, (4) annually
review committee and committee chair assignments, (5) annually review the responsibilities and charter of each committee, (6) plan
and administer the Board’s annual self-evaluation, (7) annually consider the structure, operations and effectiveness of the
Nominating and Governance Committee, and (8) at least annually evaluate the independence of counsel to the Independent Trustees.
The Nominating and Governance Committee was established on March 28, 2018 and did not meet during the calendar year ended December
31, 2019.
The Trustees adopted the following procedures
with respect to the consideration of nominees recommended by security holders.
|
1.
|
The shareholder must submit any such recommendation (a “Shareholder Recommendation”) in writing to the Trust, to the attention of the Trust’s Secretary, at the address of the principal executive offices of the Trust.
|
|
2.
|
The Shareholder Recommendation must be delivered to, or mailed and received at, the principal executive offices of the Trust not less than sixty (60) calendar days nor more than ninety (90) calendar days prior to the date of the Board or shareholder meeting at which the nominee candidate would be considered for election. Shareholder Recommendations will be kept on file for two years after receipt of the Shareholder Recommendation. A Shareholder Recommendation considered by the Committee in connection with the Committee’s nomination of any candidate(s) for appointment or election as an independent Trustee need not be considered again by the Committee in connection with any subsequent nomination(s).
|
|
3.
|
The Shareholder Recommendation must include: (i) a statement in writing setting forth (A) the name, age, date of birth, business address, residence address and nationality of the person recommended by the shareholder (the “candidate”), and the names and addresses of at least three professional references; (B) the number of all shares of the Trust (including the series and class, if applicable) owned of record or beneficially by the candidate, the date such shares were acquired and the investment intent of such acquisition(s), as reported to such shareholder by the candidate; (C) any other information regarding the candidate called for with respect to director nominees by paragraphs (a), (d), (e) and (f) of Item 401 of Regulation S-K or paragraph (b) of Item 22 of Rule 14a-101 (Schedule 14A) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), adopted by the SEC (or the corresponding provisions of any applicable regulation or rule subsequently adopted by the SEC or any successor agency with jurisdiction related to the Trust); (D) any other information regarding the candidate that would be required to be disclosed if the candidate were a nominee in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitation of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or any other applicable law or regulation; and (E) whether the recommending shareholder believes that the candidate is or will be an “interested person” of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act) and, if not an “interested person,” information regarding the candidate that will be sufficient, in the discretion of the Board or the Committee, for the Trust to make such determination; (ii) the written and signed consent of the candidate to be named as a nominee and to serve as a Trustee if elected; (iii) the recommending shareholder’s name as it appears on the Trust’s books; (iv) the number of all shares of the Trust (including the series and class, if applicable) owned beneficially and of record by the recommending shareholder; (v) a complete description of all arrangements or understandings between the recommending shareholder and the candidate and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the recommendation is being made by the recommending shareholder including, without limitation, all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings between the candidate and recommending shareholder during the past three years, and (vi) a brief description of the candidate’s relevant background and experience for membership on the Board, such as qualification as an audit committee financial expert.
|
|
4.
|
The Committee may require the recommending shareholder to furnish such other information as it may reasonably require or deem necessary to verify any information furnished pursuant to paragraph 3 above or to determine the eligibility of the candidate to serve as a Trustee of the Trust or to satisfy applicable law. If the recommending shareholder fails to provide such other information in writing within seven days of receipt of a written request from the Committee, the recommendation of such candidate as a nominee will be deemed not properly submitted for consideration, and the Committee will not be required to consider such candidate.
|
OWNERSHIP OF FUND SHARES
As of December 31, 2019, neither the Independent
Trustees nor their immediate family members owned beneficially or of record any securities in the Advisor, Sub-Advisors, Principal
Underwriter or any person controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Advisor, Sub-Advisors or Principal Underwriter.
The following table sets forth information
describing the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each Trustee in the Trust as of December 31, 2019.
Name of Trustee
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
|
Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in
the
Fund
|
|
Aggregate Dollar
Range of Equity
Securities in All Funds
Overseen by Trustee in
Family of Investment
Companies
|
Independent Trustees:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deborah Fuhr
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
None
|
|
None
|
George Hornig
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
None
|
|
$0-$10,000
|
Richard Lyons
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
None
|
|
$10,000-$50,000
|
Stewart Myers
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
None
|
|
$10,000-$50,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interested Trustees:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rory Riggs
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
None
|
|
$10,000-$50,000
|
Kathy Cuocolo
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
None
|
|
Over $100,000
|
CODE OF ETHICS. The Trust, the Advisor,
the Sub-Advisors and Foreside Financial Group, LLC (on behalf of Foreside Fund Officer Services, LLC) have each adopted a code
of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. These codes of ethics permit, subject to certain conditions, personnel of
each of those entities to invest in securities that may be purchased or held by the Funds. The Distributor relies on the principal
underwriters exception under Rule 17j-1(c)(3), specifically where the Distributor is not affiliated with the Trust or the Advisor,
and no officer, director or general partner of the Distributor serves as an officer, director or general partner of the Trust or
the Advisor. Each code of ethics, filed as an exhibit to the Trust’s registration statement, may be examined at the office
of the SEC in Washington, D.C. or on the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
PROXY VOTING POLICY. The Board believes
that the voting of proxies on securities held by the Funds is an important element of the overall investment process. As such,
the Board has delegated the responsibility to vote such proxies to the Sub-Advisor. The Sub-Advisor’s proxy voting policy
is attached at the end of this SAI as Appendix A. Information regarding how a Fund voted proxies relating to its portfolio securities
during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available: (1) without charge by calling (866) 972-4492; (2) on the
Funds’ website at www.SyntaxAdvisors.com; and (3) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS POLICY.
The Trust has adopted a policy regarding the disclosure of information about the Trust’s portfolio holdings. The Board must
approve all material amendments to this policy. The Fund’s 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 the Fund’s shares,
together with estimates and actual cash components, is publicly disseminated daily prior to the opening of the Exchange via the
National Securities Clearing Corporation (the “NSCC”). The basket represents one Creation Unit of the Fund. The Trust,
the Advisor or State Street will not disseminate non-public information concerning the Trust, except: (i) to a party for a legitimate
business purpose related to the day-to-day operations of the Fund or (ii) to any other party for a legitimate business or regulatory
purpose, upon waiver or exception.
THE INVESTMENT ADVISOR
Syntax Advisors, LLC (“Syntax”
or the “Advisor”) acts as investment Advisor to the Trust and, subject to the supervision of the Board, is responsible
for the investment management of the Fund. The Advisor’s principal address is One Liberty Plaza, 46th Fl. New York, NY 10006.
The Advisor serves as investment Advisor
to the Fund pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (“Investment Advisory Agreement”) between the Trust and the
Advisor. The Investment Advisory Agreement, with respect to the Fund, continues in effect for two years from its effective date,
and thereafter is subject to annual approval by (1) the Board or (2) vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities
(as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, provided that in either event such continuance also is approved by a majority of the
Board who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for
the purpose of voting on such approval. The Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to the Fund is terminable without penalty,
on 60 days’ notice, by the Board or by a vote of the holders of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund’s
outstanding voting securities. The Investment Advisory Agreement is also terminable upon 60 days’ notice by the Advisor and
will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
Under the Investment Advisory Agreement,
the Advisor, subject to the supervision of the Board and in conformity with the stated investment policies of the Fund, manages
the investment of the Fund’s assets. The Advisor is responsible for placing purchase and sale orders and providing continuous
supervision of the investment portfolio of the Fund. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Trust has agreed to indemnify
the Advisor for certain liabilities, including certain liabilities arising under the federal securities laws, unless such loss
or liability results from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or the reckless disregard
of its obligations and duties.
For the services provided to the Fund under
the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays the Advisor monthly fees based on a percentage of the Fund’s average daily
net assets as set forth in the Fund’s Prospectus. From time to time, the Advisor may waive all or a portion of its fee. Under
the Investment Advisory Agreement, Syntax Advisors, LLC (the “Adviser”) has agreed to waive its fees to ensure that
Total Annual Operating Expenses (except any (i) interest expense, (ii) taxes, (iii) brokerage expenses and other expenses
(such as stamp taxes) connected with the execution of portfolio transactions or in connection with creation and redemption transactions,
(iv) expenses associated with shareholder meetings, (v) compensation and expenses of the Independent Trustees, (vi) compensation
and expenses of the Trust’s chief compliance officer and his or her staff, (vii) distribution fees and expenses paid by the
Trust under any distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, (viii) legal fees or expenses in connection
with any arbitration, litigation or pending or threatened arbitration or litigation, including any settlements in connection therewith,
and (ix) extraordinary expenses of the Fund) do not exceed 0.65%.
The advisory fees paid to the Advisor for
the last three fiscal years have been omitted because the Fund has not commenced investment operations as of the date of this SAI.
The fee waiver agreement also includes
the Advisor’s waiver of 30 basis points of Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses. Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses reflect
the Fund's pro rata share of the fees and expenses incurred by investing in underlying Advisor ETFs and securities.
The impact of Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses is included in the total returns of the Fund. The Advisor to the Fund has contractually
agreed to reimburse a portion of its management fees for the Fund in an amount equal to the Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses,
if any, attributable to the Fund in other series of the Trust through May 1, 2021. The contractual waiver may be terminated only
upon written agreement of the Trust and the Advisor. You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions and other charges
when buying or selling shares of the Fund, which may not be reflected in the Example Fee Table above.
Subject to approval by the Fund’s
Board of Trustees, any waiver under the Expense Limitation Agreement is subject to repayment by the Fund within 36 months following
the day on which fees are waived or reimbursed, if on any particular business day of the Fund, such repayment does not cause the
Fund’s expense ratio (after the repayment is taken into account) to exceed either: (i) the expense cap at the time such amounts
were waived; or (ii) the current expense cap noted above. These arrangements cannot be terminated prior to one year from the effective
date of this prospectus without the approval of the Board of Trustees. If the Advisor decides to terminate the fee waiver
agreement, it will provide written notice on the Fund’s website at least 60 calendar days in advance of the termination date.
Fund
|
Total Operating Expenses after
Waiver/Reimbursement
|
SYNTAX
STRATIFIED U.S. TOTAL MARKET HEDGED ETF
|
0.65%
|
A discussion regarding the Board’s
consideration of the Trust’s Investment Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreements can be found in the Trust’s
next Annual or Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders, as applicable.
SUB-ADVISORS
Vantage Consulting Group (“Vantage”
or the “Equity Sub-Advisor”), 3500 Pacific Ave. Virginia Beach, VA 23451, serves as the investment sub-advisor for
the Fund pursuant to an Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Advisor and Vantage, dated March 2, 2018 (referred to as
a “Sub-Advisory Agreement). The Equity Sub-Advisor is responsible for placing purchase and sale orders and shall make investment
decisions for the Fund, subject to the supervision by the Advisor. For its services, the Equity Sub-Advisor is compensated by the
Advisor.
Swan Global Investments, LLC (“Swan”
or the “Options Sub-Advisor”), 277 E. Third Ave, Unit A, Durango, CO 81301, serves only as the investment sub-advisor
for the options strategy of the Syntax Stratified U.S. Hedged Equity ETF pursuant to an Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between
the Advisor and Swan, dated February 19, 2020 (referred to as a “Sub-Advisory Agreement”). Swan is responsible for
placing options purchase and sale orders and shall make options investment decisions for the Syntax Stratified U.S. Hedged Equity
ETF, subject to the supervision of the Advisor. For its services, Swan is compensated by the Advisor.
VANTAGE PORTFOLIO MANAGER
The Equity Sub-Advisor manages the Fund
using a team of investment professionals. The professional primarily responsible for the day-to-day equity portfolio management
of the Fund is James Thomas Wolfe.
The following table lists the number and
types of accounts, other than the Fund, managed by Mr. Wolfe and the assets under management in those accounts.
Other Accounts Managed
as of December 31, 2019
|
Registered
Investment
Company
Accounts
|
Assets
Managed
(millions)
|
Pooled
Investment
Vehicle
Accounts
|
Assets
Managed
(millions)
|
Other
Accounts
|
Assets
Managed
(millions)
|
James Thomas Wolfe
|
1
|
$62,148,931
|
2
|
$26,083,283
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES
The portfolio manager listed above does
not beneficially own any Shares of the Fund as of December 31, 2019.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Description of Material Conflicts
of Interest. Because the portfolio manager may manage multiple portfolios for multiple clients, the potential for conflicts
of interest exists. The portfolio manager generally manages portfolios having substantially the same investment style as the Fund.
However, the portfolios managed by the portfolio manager may not have portfolio compositions identical to those of the Fund due,
for example, to specific investment limitations or guidelines present in some portfolios or accounts but not others. The portfolio
manager may purchase securities for one portfolio and not another portfolio, and the performance of securities purchased for one
portfolio may vary from the performance of securities purchased for other portfolios. The portfolio manager may place transactions
on behalf of other accounts that are directly or indirectly contrary to investment decisions made on behalf of the Fund, or make
investment decisions that are similar to those made for the Fund, both of which have the potential to adversely impact the Fund
depending on market conditions. For example, the portfolio manager may purchase a security in one portfolio while appropriately
selling that same security in another portfolio. In addition, some of these portfolios have fee structures that are or have the
potential to be higher than the advisory fees paid by the Fund, which can cause potential conflicts in the allocation of investment
opportunities between the Fund and the other accounts. However, the compensation structure for portfolio manager does not generally
provide incentive to favor one account over another because that part of a manager’s bonus based on performance is not based
on the performance of one account to the exclusion of others. There are many other factors considered in determining the portfolio
manager’s bonus and there is no formula that is applied to weight the factors listed.
COMPENSATION
The Equity Sub-Advisor’s compensation
and incentive program varies by professional and discipline. A portfolio manager’s compensation is comprised of a fixed based
salary and a bonus. The base salary is not based on the value of the assets managed but rather on the individual portfolio manager’s
experience and responsibilities. The bonus also varies by individual and is based upon criteria that incorporate the Sub-Advisor’s
assessment of each Fund’s performance as well as a portfolio manager’s corporate citizenship and overall contribution
to the Firm.
SWAN PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Swan manages
only the options strategy for the Syntax Stratified U.S. Hedged Equity ETF using a team of investment professionals. The professionals
primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the Syntax Stratified U.S. Hedged Equity ETF are Chris Hausman
and Micah Wakefield.
The following table lists the number and
types of accounts, other than the Fund, managed by Mr. Swan and the assets under management in those accounts.
Other Accounts Managed
as of June 30, 2019
Portfolio Manager
|
Registered
Investment
Company
Accounts
|
Assets
Managed
(millions)
|
Pooled
Investment
Vehicle
Accounts
|
Assets
Managed
(millions)
|
Other
Accounts
|
Assets
Managed
(millions)
|
Randy Swan
|
None
|
$0
|
5
|
$266.05
|
4,460
|
$1,402
|
Robert Swan
|
None
|
$0
|
5
|
$266.05
|
4,460
|
$1,402
|
Christopher Hausman
|
None
|
$0
|
5
|
$266.05
|
4,460
|
$1,402
|
Micah Wakefield
|
None
|
$0
|
5
|
$266.05
|
4,460
|
$1,402
|
OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES
The portfolio managers listed above does not beneficially own
any Shares of the Fund since the Fund has not yet commenced operations.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
As indicated in the table above, the portfolio
managers may manage numerous accounts for multiple clients. These accounts may include registered investment companies, other types
of pooled accounts (e.g., collective investment funds), and separate accounts (i.e., accounts managed on behalf of individuals
or public or private institutions). The portfolio managers make investment decisions for each account based on the investment objectives
and policies and other relevant investment considerations applicable to that portfolio. When a portfolio manager has responsibility
for managing more than one account, potential conflicts of interest may arise. Those conflicts could include preferential treatment
of one account over others in terms of allocation of resources or of investment opportunities. For instance, the Options Sub-Advisor
may receive fees from certain accounts that are higher than the fee it receives from the Fund. In this instance, a portfolio manager
may have an incentive to favor the account with the higher fee over the Fund. The Options Sub-Advisor has adopted policies and
procedures designed to address these potential material conflicts. For instance, a portfolio manager is normally responsible for
all accounts within a certain investment discipline, and do not, absent special circumstances, differentiate among the various
accounts when allocating resources. Additionally, the Options Sub-Advisor utilizes a system for allocating investment opportunities
among portfolios that is designed to provide a fair and equitable allocation.
The Options Sub-Advisor attempts to avoid
conflicts of interest that may arise as a result of the management of multiple client accounts. From time to time, the Sub-Adviser
may recommend or cause a client to invest in a security in which another client of the Adviser has an ownership position. The Options
Sub-Advisor has adopted certain procedures intended to treat all client accounts in a fair and equitable manner. To the extent
that the Options Sub-Advisor seeks to purchase or sell the same security for multiple client accounts, the Sub-Advisor may aggregate,
or bunch, these orders where it deems this to be appropriate and consistent with applicable regulatory requirements. When a bunched
order is filled in its entirety, each participating client account will participate at the average share prices for the bunched
order. When a bunched order is only partially filled, the securities purchased will be allocated proportionately to each account
participating in the bunched order based upon the initial amount requested for the account, subject to certain exceptions. Each
participating account will receive the average share price for the bunched order on the same business day.
COMPENSATION
For services as portfolio manager to the
Fund, Mr. Randy Swan receives a fixed salary from the Options Sub-Advisor and also shares in its profits, if any, due to his majority
ownership of the Sub-Adviser. Mr. Robert Swan receives a fixed salary from the Options Sub-Advisor and also shares in profits of
the Options Sub-Advisor due to his minority ownership of the Options Sub-Advisor. Mr. Wakefield and Mr. Hausman receive a fixed
salary from the Options Sub-Advisor and also share in the profits of the Options Sub-Advisor due to their minority ownership of
the Options Sub-Advisor.
THE ADMINISTRATOR, CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER
AGENT
State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State
Street”), located at State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, serves as Administrator
for the Trust pursuant to an administration agreement (“Administration Agreement”). Under the Administration Agreement,
State Street is responsible for certain administrative services associated with day-to-day operations of the Fund.
Pursuant to the Administration Agreement,
the Trust has agreed to a limitation on damages and to indemnify the Administrator for certain liabilities, including certain liabilities
arising under the federal securities laws; provided, however, such indemnity of the Administrator shall not apply in the case of
the Administrator’s gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties. Under the Custodian Agreement
and Transfer Agency Agreement, as described below, the Trust has also provided indemnities to State Street for certain liabilities.
State Street also serves as Custodian for
the Fund pursuant to a custodian agreement (“Custodian Agreement”). As Custodian, State Street holds the Fund’s
assets, calculates the net asset value of the Shares and calculates net income and realized capital gains or losses. State Street
and the Trust will comply with the self-custodian provisions of Rule 17f-2 under the 1940 Act.
State Street also serves as Transfer Agent
of the Fund pursuant to a transfer agency agreement (“Transfer Agency Agreement”).
Compensation. As compensation for
its services under the Administration Agreement, the Custodian Agreement and Transfer Agency Agreement, State Street shall receive
a fee for its services, calculated based on the average aggregate net assets of the Trust as follows:
For its services as Administrator, State
Street is paid an annual fee based on the net assets of the Fund. As the Fund has not yet commenced operation, the Fund has not
paid State Street fees for its services as Administrator.
For its services as Custodian and fund
accountant, State Street is paid an annual fee based on the net assets of the Fund. It also receives an annual fee for ETF basket
creation services. As the Fund has not yet commenced operation, the Fund has not paid State Street fees for its services as Custodian
or fund accountant.
THE DISTRIBUTOR
Foreside Fund Services, LLC (“Foreside”
or the “Distributor”) is the principal underwriter and Distributor of the Fund’s Creation Units. Its principal
address is Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine, 04101. Investor information can be obtained by calling (866) 972-4492.
The Distributor has entered into a distribution agreement (“Distribution Agreement”) with the Trust pursuant to which
it distributes Creation Units of the Fund. The Distribution Agreement will continue for two years from its effective date and is
renewable annually thereafter. Shares will be continuously offered for sale by the Trust through the Distributor only in Creation
Units, as described in the Prospectus and below under “PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS.” Shares in numbers
less than Creation Units are not distributed by the Distributor. The Distributor will deliver the Prospectus to Authorized Participants
(as defined below) purchasing Creation Units 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 Exchange Act and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority (“FINRA”). The Distributor has no role in determining the investment policies of the Trust or which securities
are to be purchased or sold by the Trust.
The Advisor, or an affiliate of the Advisor,
may directly or indirectly make cash payments to certain broker-dealers for participating in activities that are designed to make
registered representatives and other professionals more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for
other activities, such as participation in marketing activities and presentations, educational training programs, conferences,
the development of technology platforms and reporting systems.
The Fund has adopted a Rule 12b-1 Distribution and Service Plan
in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act pursuant to which payments of up to 0.25% of a Fund’s average daily net
assets may be made for the sale and distribution of its Shares. However, the Board of Trustees has determined not to authorize
payment of a 12b-1 Plan fee at this time. The 12b-1 Plan fee may only be imposed or increased when the Board of Trustees determines
that it is in the best interests of shareholders to do so. Rule 12b-1 fees are paid out of a Fund’s assets, and over time,
these fees increase the cost of your investment and they may cost you more than certain other types of sales charges.
The Distribution Agreement provides that
it may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, as to the Fund: (i) by vote of a majority of the Independent
Trustees or (ii) by vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, on at least
60 days written notice to the Distributor. The Distribution Agreement is also terminable upon 60 days’ notice by the Distributor
and will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
The continuation of the Distribution Agreement,
any Investor Services Agreements and any other related agreements is subject to annual approval of the Board, including by a majority
of the Independent Trustees, as described above.
Each of the Investor Services Agreements
will provide that it may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, (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 relevant Fund,
on at least 60 days’ written notice to the other party. The Distribution Agreement is also terminable upon 60 days’
notice by the Distributor and will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act). Each Investor
Services Agreement is also terminable by the applicable Investor Service Organization upon 60 days’ notice to the other
party thereto.
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 the “Book Entry Only System” section below),
DTC Participants (as defined below) and/or Investor Services Organizations.
Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement,
the Trust has agreed to indemnify the Distributor, and may indemnify Soliciting Dealers and Authorized Participants (as described
below) entering into agreements with the Distributor, for certain liabilities, including certain liabilities arising under the
federal securities laws, unless such loss or liability results from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance
of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Distribution Agreement or other agreement, as applicable.
BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS
The policy of the Trust regarding purchases
and sales of securities for the Fund is that primary consideration will be given to obtaining the most favorable prices and efficient
executions of transactions. Consistent with this policy, when securities are traded on a stock exchange, the Trust’s policy
is to pay commissions which are considered fair and reasonable without necessarily determining that the lowest possible commissions
are paid in all circumstances. The Trust believes that a requirement always to seek the lowest possible commission cost could impede
effective portfolio management and preclude the Fund and the Advisors from obtaining a high quality of brokerage and research services.
In seeking to determine the reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid in any transaction, the Advisors rely upon their experience
and knowledge regarding commissions generally charged by various brokers and on its judgment in evaluating the brokerage and research
services received from the broker effecting the transaction. Such determinations are necessarily subjective and imprecise, as in
most cases an exact dollar value for those services is not ascertainable. The Trust has adopted policies and procedures that prohibit
the consideration of sales of a Fund’s Shares as a factor in the selection of a broker or dealer to execute its portfolio
transactions.
In selecting a broker/dealer for each specific
transaction, the Advisors choose the broker/dealer deemed most capable of providing the services necessary to obtain the most favorable
execution and does not take the sale of Fund Shares into account. The Advisors consider the full range of brokerage services applicable
to a particular transaction that may be considered when making this judgment, which may include, but is not limited to: liquidity,
price, commission, timing, aggregated trades, capable floor brokers or traders, competent block trading coverage, ability to position,
capital strength and stability, reliable and accurate communications and settlement processing, use of automation, knowledge of
other buyers or sellers, arbitrage skills, administrative ability, underwriting and provision of information on a particular security
or market in which the transaction is to occur. The specific criteria will vary depending upon the nature of the transaction, the
market in which it is executed, and the extent to which it is possible to select from among multiple broker/dealers. The Advisors
will also use electronic crossing networks when appropriate.
The Advisors do not currently use the Fund’s
assets for, or participate in, third party soft dollar arrangements, although the Advisors may receive proprietary research from
various full service brokers, the cost of which is bundled with the cost of the broker’s execution services. The Advisors
do not “pay up” for the value of any such proprietary research.
The Advisors assume general supervision
over placing orders on behalf of the Trust for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities. If purchases or sales of portfolio
securities of the Trust and one or more other investment companies or clients supervised by the Advisors are considered at or about
the same time, transactions in such securities are allocated among the several investment companies and clients in a manner deemed
equitable and consistent with the fiduciary obligations to all by the Advisors. In some cases, this procedure could have a detrimental
effect on the price or volume of the security so far as the Trust 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 Trust. The
primary consideration is prompt execution of orders at the most favorable net price.
The Fund will not deal with affiliates
in principal transactions unless permitted by exemptive order or applicable rule or regulation. The aggregate dollar amount of
brokerage commissions paid by the Fund for the last three fiscal years have been omitted because the Fund has not commenced investment
operations as of the date of this SAI.
The Fund is required to identify any securities
of its “regular brokers and dealers” (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) which it may hold at the close of its
most recent fiscal year. “Regular brokers or dealers” of the Trust are the ten brokers or dealers that, during the
most recent fiscal year: (i) received the greatest dollar amounts of brokerage commissions from the Trust’s portfolio transactions;
(ii) engaged as principal in the largest dollar amounts of portfolio transactions of the Trust; or (iii) sold the largest dollar
amounts of the Trust’s Shares.
Holdings in Securities of Regular Broker-Dealers
for the most recent fiscal year have been omitted because the Fund has not commenced investment operations as of the date of this
SAI.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE
Portfolio turnover may vary from year to
year, as well as within a year. High turnover rates are likely to result in comparatively greater brokerage expenses or transaction
costs. The overall reasonableness of brokerage commissions and transaction costs is evaluated by the Advisor and reviewed by the
Board based upon their knowledge of available information as to the general level of commissions and transaction costs paid by
other institutional investors for comparable services.
BOOK ENTRY ONLY SYSTEM
The following information supplements and
should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION.”
DTC acts as securities depositary for the
Shares. Shares of the Fund are represented by securities registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co. and deposited
with, or on behalf of, DTC. Except in the limited circumstance provided below, certificates will not be issued for Shares.
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 New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”)
and the 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 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, either directly or through a third party service, 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, either directly or through a third party service, 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 and/or third party service a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement
for the expenses attendant to such transmittal, all subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
Share distributions shall be made to DTC
or its nominee, Cede & Co., as the registered holder of all Shares. DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any such distributions,
shall credit immediately 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 aspects 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 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 determine 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 either to find a replacement for DTC
to perform its functions at a comparable cost or, if such a replacement is unavailable, to issue and deliver printed certificates
representing ownership of Shares, unless the Trust makes other arrangements with respect thereto satisfactory to the Exchange.
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
The Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date of this
SAI and therefore did not have any beneficial owners that owned greater than 5% of the outstanding voting securities as of the
date of this SAI.
An Authorized Participant (as defined below)
may hold of record more than 25% of the outstanding Shares of the Fund. From time to time, Authorized Participants may be a beneficial
and/or legal owner of the Fund, may be deemed to have control of the Fund and may be able to affect the outcome of matters presented
for a vote of the shareholders of the Fund. Authorized Participants may execute an irrevocable proxy granting the Distributor,
State Street or an affiliate (the “Agent”) power to vote or abstain from voting such Authorized Participant’s
beneficially or legally owned Shares of the Fund. In such cases, the Agent shall mirror vote (or abstain from voting) such Shares
in the same proportion as all other beneficial owners of the Fund.
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS
The Fund issues and redeems its Shares
on a continuous basis, at net asset value, only in a large specified number of Shares called a “Creation Unit,” either
principally in-kind for securities included in the relevant Index or in cash for the value of such securities. The value of the
Fund is determined once each business day, as described under “Determination of Net Asset Value.” Creation Unit sizes
are set forth in the table below:
FUND
|
|
Creation Unit Size
|
Syntax Stratified U.S. Total Market Hedged ETF
|
|
25,000
|
PURCHASE (CREATION). The Trust issues
and sells Shares of the Fund only: in Creation Units on a continuous basis through the Principal Underwriter, without a sales load
(but subject to transaction fees), at their NAV per Share next determined after receipt of an order, on any Business Day (as defined
below), in proper form pursuant to the terms of the Authorized Participant Agreement (“Participant Agreement”). A “Business
Day” with respect to the Fund is, generally, any day on which the NYSE Arca is open for business.
FUND DEPOSIT. The consideration
for purchase of a Creation Unit of the Fund generally consists of either (i) the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities
instruments (“Deposit Instruments”) per each Creation Unit, constituting a substantial replication, or (ii) the Deposit
Cash constituting the cash value of the Deposit Instruments and “Cash Amount,” computed as described below. When accepting
purchases of Creation Units for cash, the Fund may incur additional costs associated with the acquisition of Deposit Instruments
that would otherwise be provided by an in-kind purchaser.
Together, the Deposit Instruments or Deposit
Cash, as applicable, and the Cash Amount constitute the “Fund Deposit,” which represents the minimum initial and subsequent
investment amount for a Creation Unit of the Fund. The “Cash Amount” is an amount equal to the difference between the
net asset value of the Shares (per Creation Unit) and the aggregate market value of the Deposit Instruments or Deposit Cash, as
applicable. If the Cash Amount is a positive number (i.e., the net asset value per Creation Unit exceeds the market value of the
Deposit Instruments or Deposit Cash, as applicable), the Cash Amount shall be such positive amount. If the Cash Amount is a negative
number (i.e., the net asset value per Creation Unit is less than the market value of the Deposit Instruments or Deposit Cash, as
applicable), the Cash Amount shall be such negative amount and the creator will be entitled to receive cash in an amount equal
to the Cash Amount. The Cash Amount serves the function of compensating for any differences between the net asset value per Creation
Unit and the market value of the Deposit Instruments or Deposit Cash, as applicable. Computation of the Cash Amount excludes any
stamp duty or other similar fees and expenses payable upon transfer of beneficial ownership of the Deposit Instruments, if applicable,
which shall be the sole responsibility of the Authorized Participant (as defined below).
The Custodian, through NSCC, makes available
on each Business Day, immediately prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern time), the list
of the names and the required amount of the instruments comprising the Deposit Instruments or the required amount of Deposit Cash,
as applicable, as well as the estimated amount of the Cash Amount 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 subject to any applicable adjustments as described
below, in order to effect purchases of Creation Units of the Fund until such time as the next-announced composition of the Deposit
Instruments or the required amount of Deposit Cash, as applicable, is made available.
The identity and required amount of each
instrument comprising the Deposit Instruments or the amount of Deposit Cash, as applicable, required for the Fund Deposit for the
Fund changes as rebalancing adjustments and corporate action events are reflected from time to time by the Advisor with a view
to the investment objective of the Fund. The composition of the Deposit Instruments may also change in response to adjustments
to the weighting or composition of the component securities of the Fund’s Index.
As noted above, the Trust reserves the
right to permit or require the substitution of Deposit Cash to replace any Deposit Instrument which shall be added to the Deposit
Instruments, including, without limitation, in situations where such Deposit Instrument: (i) may not be eligible for transfer through
the systems of DTC for corporate securities and municipal securities; (ii) in the case of foreign funds holding non-US Deposit
Instruments, where such instruments are not eligible for trading due to local trading restrictions, local restrictions on securities
transfers, or other similar circumstances; (iii) may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery; (iv) may not be eligible
for trading by an Authorized Participant (as defined below) or the investor for which it is acting; or (v) a holder of Shares of
a foreign fund holding non-US instruments would be subject to unfavorable income tax treatment if the holder receives redemption
proceed “in-kind” (collectively, “non-standard orders”). The Trust also reserves the right to include or
remove Deposit Instruments from the basket in anticipation of index rebalancing changes. The adjustments described above will reflect
changes, known to the Advisor on the date of announcement to be in effect by the time of delivery of the Fund Deposit, in the composition
of the subject Index being tracked by the Fund or resulting from certain corporate actions.
PROCEDURES FOR PURCHASE OF CREATION
UNITS. To be eligible to place orders with the Principal Underwriter, as facilitated via the Transfer Agent, to purchase a
Creation Unit 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 “BOOK ENTRY ONLY SYSTEM”). In addition, each
Participating Party or DTC Participant (each, an “Authorized Participant”) must execute a Participant Agreement that
has been agreed to by the Principal Underwriter and the Transfer Agent, and that has been accepted by the Trust, with respect to
purchases and redemptions of Creation Units. Each Authorized Participant will agree, pursuant to the terms of a Participant Agreement,
on behalf of itself or any investor on whose behalf it will act, to certain conditions, including that it will pay to the Trust,
an amount of cash sufficient to pay the Deposit Instruments together with the creation transaction fee (described below) and any
other applicable fees, taxes and additional variable charge.
All orders to purchase Shares directly
from the Fund, including non-standard orders, must be placed for one or more whole Creation Units and in the manner and by the
time set forth in the Participant Agreement and/or applicable order form. The date on which an order to purchase Creation Units
(or an order to redeem Creation Units, as set forth below) is received and accepted is referred to as the “Order Placement
Date.”
An Authorized Participant may require an
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 purchase Shares directly from the Fund in Creation Units 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 and
only a small number of such Authorized Participants may have international capabilities.
On days when the Exchange closes earlier
than normal, the Fund may require orders to create Creation Units to be placed earlier in the day. In addition, if a market or
markets on which the Fund’s investments are primarily traded is closed, the Fund will also generally not accept orders on
such day(s). 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 and in accordance with the applicable order form. Those
placing orders through an Authorized Participant should allow sufficient time to permit proper submission of the purchase order
by the cut-off time on such Business Day. Economic or market disruptions or changes, or telephone or other communication failure
may impede the ability to reach the Distributor or an Authorized Participant.
Fund Deposits must be delivered by an Authorized
Participant through the Federal Reserve System (for cash) or through DTC (for corporate securities), through a subcustody agent
for (for foreign securities) and/or through such other arrangements allowed by the Trust or its agents. With respect to foreign
Deposit Instruments, the Custodian shall cause the subcustodian of the Fund to maintain an account into which the Authorized Participant
shall deliver, on behalf of itself or the party on whose behalf it is acting, such Deposit Instruments. Foreign Deposit Instruments
must be delivered to an account maintained at the applicable local subcustodian. The Fund Deposit transfer must be ordered by the
Authorized Participant in a timely fashion so as to ensure the delivery of the requisite number of Deposit Instruments or Deposit
Cash, as applicable, to the account of the Fund or its agents by no later than the Settlement Date. The “Settlement Date”
for the Fund is generally the third Business Day after the Order Placement Date. All questions as to the number of Deposit Instruments
or Deposit Cash to be delivered, as applicable, and the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) for the deposit
of any tendered securities or cash, as applicable, will be determined by the Trust, whose determination shall be final and binding.
The amount of cash represented by the Deposit Instruments 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 the Settlement Date. If the Cash
Amount and the Deposit Instruments or Deposit Cash, as applicable, are not received in a timely manner by the Settlement Date,
the creation order may be cancelled. Upon written notice to the Transfer Agent, such canceled order may be resubmitted the following
Business Day using the Fund Deposit as newly constituted to reflect the then current NAV of the Fund. The delivery of Creation
Units so created generally will occur no later than the third Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed
received by the Transfer Agent.
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 the applicable cut-off
time and the federal funds in the appropriate amount are deposited by 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. Eastern time (per applicable instructions),
with the Custodian on the Settlement Date. If the order is not placed in proper form as required, or federal funds in the appropriate
amount are not received by 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. Eastern time (per applicable instructions) on the Settlement Date, then the order
may be deemed to be rejected and the Authorized Participant shall be liable to the Fund for losses, if any, resulting therefrom.
A creation request is considered to be in “proper form” if all procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement, order
form and this SAI are properly followed.
ISSUANCE OF A CREATION UNIT. Except
as provided herein, Creation Units will not be issued until the transfer of good title to the Trust of the Deposit Instruments
or payment of Deposit Cash, as applicable, and the payment of the Deposit Instruments has been completed. When the sub-custodian
has confirmed to the Custodian that the required Deposit Instruments (or the cash value thereof) have been delivered to the account
of the relevant sub-custodian or sub-custodians, the Principal Underwriter and the Advisor shall be notified of such delivery,
and the Trust will issue and cause the delivery of the Creation Units.
In instances where the Trust accepts Deposit
Instruments for the purchase of a Creation Unit, the Creation Unit may be purchased in advance of receipt by the Trust of all or
a portion of the applicable Deposit Instruments as described below. In these circumstances, the initial deposit will have a value
greater than the net asset value of the Shares on the date the order is placed in proper form since in addition to available Deposit
Instruments, cash must be deposited in an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Deposit Instruments, plus (ii) an additional amount
of cash equal to a percentage of the market value as set forth in the Participant Agreement, of the undelivered Deposit Instruments
(the “Additional Cash Deposit”), which shall be maintained in a general non-interest bearing collateral account. An
additional amount of cash shall be required to be deposited with the Trust, pending delivery of the missing Deposit Instruments
to the extent necessary to maintain the Additional Cash Deposit with the Trust in an amount at least equal to the applicable percentage,
as set forth in the Participant Agreement, of the daily marked to market value of the missing Deposit Instruments. The Trust may
use such Additional Cash Deposit to buy the missing Deposit Instruments at any time. Authorized Participants will be liable to
the Trust for all costs, expenses, dividends, income and taxes associated with missing Deposit Instruments, including 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 Instruments exceeds the market value of such Deposit Instruments on the day the purchase order was
deemed received by the Principal Underwriter 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 Instruments have been properly
received by the Custodian or purchased by the Trust and deposited into the Trust. In addition, a transaction fee as set forth below
under “Creation Transaction Fees” will be charged and an additional variable charge may also be applied. The delivery
of Creation Units so created generally will occur no later than the Settlement Date.
ACCEPTANCE OF ORDERS OF CREATION UNITS.
The Trust reserves the absolute right to reject an order for Creation Units transmitted in respect of a Fund at its discretion,
including, without limitation, if (a) the order is not in proper form; (b) the Deposit Instruments or Deposit Cash, as applicable,
delivered by the Participant are not as disseminated through the facilities of the NSCC for that date by the Custodian; (c) the
investor(s), upon obtaining the Shares ordered, would own 80 percent or more of the currently outstanding Shares of the Fund; (d)
acceptance of the Deposit Instruments would have certain adverse tax consequences to the Fund; (e) the acceptance of the Fund Deposit
would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (f) the acceptance of the Fund Deposit would otherwise, in the discretion of the
Trust or the Advisor, have an adverse effect on the Trust or the rights of beneficial owners; (g) the acceptance or receipt of
the order for a Creation Unit would, in the opinion of counsel to the Trust, be unlawful; (h) in the event that circumstances outside
the control of the Trust, the Custodian, the Transfer Agent and/or the Advisor make it for all practical purposes not feasible
to process orders for Creation Units; or (i) there are tax consequences for the Fund, the Advisor, and/or existing investors. Examples
of such circumstances include acts of God or public service or utility problems such as fires, floods, extreme weather conditions
and 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 Principal Underwriter, the Custodian,
the Transfer Agent, DTC, NSCC, Federal Reserve System, or any other participant in the creation process, and other extraordinary
events. The Trust or its agents shall communicate to the Authorized Participant its rejection of an order. The Trust, the Transfer
Agent, the Custodian and the Principal Underwriter are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities
in the delivery of Fund Deposits nor shall either of them incur any liability for the failure to give any such notification. The
Trust, the Transfer Agent, the Custodian and the Principal Underwriter shall not be liable for the rejection of any purchase order
for Creation Units.
All questions as to the number of shares
of each security in the Deposit Instruments 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.
REDEMPTION. Shares may be redeemed
only in Creation Units at their net asset value next determined after receipt of a redemption request in proper form by the Fund
through the Transfer Agent and only on a Business Day. EXCEPT UPON LIQUIDATION OF A FUND, THE TRUST WILL NOT REDEEM SHARES IN AMOUNTS
LESS THAN WHOLE CREATION UNITS. Investors must accumulate enough Shares in the secondary market to constitute a Creation Unit 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. Investors should expect to incur brokerage and other
costs in connection with assembling a sufficient number of Shares to constitute a redeemable Creation Unit.
With respect to the Fund, the Custodian,
through the NSCC, makes available immediately prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m. Eastern time)
on each Business Day, the list of the names and share quantities of the Fund’s portfolio instruments that will be applicable
(subject to possible amendment or correction) to redemption requests received in proper form (as defined below) on that day (“Redemption
Instruments”). In certain circumstances, Redemption Instruments received on redemption may not be identical to Deposit Instruments.
Redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit
are paid either in-kind or in cash, or a combination thereof, as determined by the Trust. With respect to in-kind redemptions of
the Fund, redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit will consist of Redemption Securities – as announced by the Custodian on
the Business Day of the request for redemption received in proper form plus cash in an amount equal to the difference between the
net asset value of the Shares being redeemed, as next determined after a receipt of a request in proper form, and the value of
the Redemption Instruments (the “Cash Redemption Amount”), less a fixed redemption transaction fee and any applicable
additional variable charge as set forth below. In the event that the Redemption Instruments have a value greater than the net asset
value of the Shares, a compensating cash payment equal to the differential is required to be made by or through an Authorized Participant
by the redeeming shareholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at the Trust’s discretion, an Authorized Participant may receive
the corresponding cash value of the securities in lieu of the in-kind securities value representing one or more redemption Instruments.
PROCEDURES FOR REDEMPTION OF CREATION
UNITS. After the Trust has deemed an order for redemption received, the Trust will initiate procedures to transfer the requisite
Redemption Instruments and the Cash Redemption Amount to the Authorized Participant by the Settlement Date. With respect to in-kind
redemptions of the Fund, the calculation of the value of the Redemption Instruments and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered
upon redemption will be made by the Custodian according to the procedures set forth under “Determination of Net Asset Value,”
computed on the Business Day on which a redemption order is deemed received by the Trust. Therefore, if a redemption order in proper
form is submitted to the Principal Underwriter by a DTC Participant by the specified time on the Order Placement Date, and the
requisite number of Shares of the Fund are delivered to the Custodian prior to 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. Eastern time (per applicable
instructions) on the Settlement Date, then the value of the Redemption Instruments and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered
will be determined by the Custodian on such Order Placement Date. If the requisite number of Shares of the Fund are not delivered
by 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. Eastern time (per applicable instructions) on the Settlement Date, the Fund will not release the underlying
securities for delivery unless collateral is posted in such percentage amount of missing Shares as set forth in the Participant
Agreement (marked to market daily).
With respect to in kind redemptions of
the Fund, in connection with taking delivery of shares of Redemption Instruments upon redemption of Creation Units, an Authorized
Participant must maintain appropriate custody arrangements with a qualified broker-dealer, bank or other custody providers in each
jurisdiction in which any of the Redemption Instruments are customarily traded (or such other arrangements as allowed by the Trust
or its agents), to which account such Redemption Instruments will be delivered. Deliveries of redemption proceeds generally will
be made within three Business Days of the trade date. Due to the schedule of holidays in certain countries, however, the delivery
of in-kind redemption proceeds may take longer than three business days after the day on which the redemption request is received
in proper form. The section below entitled “Local Market Holidays Schedules” identifies the instances where more than
seven days would be needed to deliver redemption proceeds. Pursuant to an order of the SEC, in respect of the Fund, the Trust will
make delivery of in-kind redemption proceeds within the number of days stated in the Local Market Holidays section to be the maximum
number of days necessary to deliver redemption proceeds. If the Authorized Participant has not made appropriate arrangements to
take delivery of the Redemption Instruments in the applicable foreign jurisdiction and it is not possible to make other such arrangements,
or if it is not possible to effect deliveries of the Redemption Instruments in such jurisdiction, the Trust may, in its discretion,
exercise its option to redeem such Shares in cash, and the Authorized Participant will be required to receive its redemption proceeds
in cash.
If it is not possible to make other such
arrangements, or if it is not possible to effect deliveries of the Redemption Instruments, the Trust may in its discretion exercise
its option to redeem such Shares in cash, and the redeeming investor 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 Shares based on the NAV of Shares of the 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 Trust’s brokerage and other transaction costs associated with the disposition
of Redemption Instruments). 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 Redemption Instruments but does not differ in net asset value.
An Authorized Participant submitting a
redemption request is deemed to represent to the Trust that it (or its client) (i) owns outright or has full legal authority and
legal beneficial right to tender for redemption the requisite number of Shares to be redeemed and can receive the entire proceeds
of the redemption, and (ii) the Shares to be redeemed have not been loaned or pledged to another party nor are they the subject
of a repurchase agreement, securities lending agreement or such other arrangement which would preclude the delivery of such Shares
to the Trust. The Trust reserves the right to verify these representations at its discretion, but will typically require verification
with respect to a redemption request from the Fund in connection with higher levels of redemption activity and/or short interest
in the Fund. If the Authorized Participant, upon receipt of a verification request, does not provide sufficient verification of
its representations as determined by the Trust, the redemption request will not be considered to have been received in proper form
and may be rejected by the Trust.
Redemptions of Shares for Redemption Instruments
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 Units for cash to the extent that the Trust could not lawfully deliver
specific Redemption Instruments upon redemptions or could not do so without first registering the Redemption Instruments under
such laws. An Authorized Participant or an investor for which it is acting subject to a legal restriction with respect to a particular
security included in the Redemption Instruments applicable to the redemption of Creation Units may be paid an equivalent amount
of cash. The Authorized Participant may request the redeeming investor of the Shares to complete an order form or to enter into
agreements with respect to such matters as compensating cash payment. Further, an Authorized Participant that is not a “qualified
institutional buyer,” (“QIB”), as such term is defined under Rule 144A of the Securities Act, will not be able
to receive Redemption Instruments that are restricted securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A. An Authorized Participant
may be required by the Trust to provide a written confirmation with respect to QIB status in order to receive Redemption Instruments.
The right of redemption may be suspended
or the date of payment postponed with respect to the Fund (1) for any period during which the Exchange is closed (other than customary
weekend and holiday closings); (2) for any period during which trading on the Exchange is suspended or restricted; (3) for any
period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the Shares of the Fund or determination of the NAV of
the Shares is not reasonably practicable; or (4) in such other circumstance as is permitted by the SEC.
CREATION AND REDEMPTION TRANSACTION
FEES. A transaction fee, as set forth in the table below, is imposed for the transfer and other transaction costs associated
with the purchase or redemption of Creation Units, as applicable, with fees capped at 2% of transaction amount. Authorized Participants
will be required to pay a fixed creation transaction fee and/or a fixed redemption transaction fee, as applicable, on a given day
regardless of the number of Creation Units created or redeemed on that day. The Fund may adjust the transaction fee from time to
time. The Creation/Redemption Transaction Fee may be waived for the Fund when the Advisor believes that waiver of such fee is in
the best interest of the Fund. When determining whether to waive the Creation/Redemption Transaction Fee, the Advisor considers
a number of factors including whether waiving such fee will facilitate the initial launch of the Fund; facilitate portfolio rebalancings
in a less costly manner; improve the quality of the secondary trading market for the Fund’s shares; and not result in the
Fund bearing additional costs or expenses as a result of such waiver.
An additional charge or a variable charge
(discussed below) will be applied to certain creation and redemption transactions, including non-standard orders and whole or partial
cash purchases or redemptions. With respect to creation orders, Authorized Participants are responsible for the costs of transferring
the securities constituting the Deposit Instruments to the account of the Trust and with respect to redemption orders, Authorized
Participants are responsible for the costs of transferring the Redemption Instruments from the Trust to their account or on their
order. Investors who use the services of a broker or other such intermediary may also be charged a fee for such services.
FUND
|
|
TRANSACTION
FEE
|
|
|
MAXIMUM
TRANSACTION
FEE
|
|
Syntax Stratified U.S. Total Market Hedged ETF
|
|
$
|
2,000
|
|
|
$
|
2,000
|
|
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The following information supplements and
should be read in conjunction with the sections in the Prospectus entitled “PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES” and “ADDITIONAL
PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION.”
Net asset value per Share for the Fund
of the Trust 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 outstanding. Expenses and fees, including the management, administration and distribution fees, are
accrued daily and taken into account for purposes of determining net asset value. The net asset value of the Fund is calculated
by the Custodian and determined as of the close of the regular trading session on the (ordinarily 4:00p.m. Eastern time) on each
day that such exchange is open.
In computing the Fund’s net asset
value per Share, the Fund’s securities holdings are based on the market price of the securities, which generally means a
valuation obtained from an exchange or other market (or based on a price quotation or other equivalent indication of value supplied
by an exchange or other market) or a valuation obtained from an independent pricing service. In the case of shares of funds that
are not traded on an exchange (e.g., mutual funds), last sale price means such fund’s published net asset value per share.
Other portfolio securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available are valued based on fair value as determined
in good faith by the Oversight Committee in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board. In these cases, the Fund’s net
asset value may reflect certain portfolio securities’ fair values rather than their market prices. Fair value pricing involves
subjective judgments and it is possible that the fair value determination for a security is materially different than the value
that could be realized upon the sale of the security. In addition, fair value pricing could result in a difference between the
prices used to calculate the Fund’s net asset value and the prices used by the Index. This may result in a difference between
the Fund’s performance and the performance of the Index.
Exchange traded options are valued at the
last quoted sales price or, in the absence of a sale, at the mean between the current bid and ask prices on the exchange on which
such options are traded. Other securities for which market quotes are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined
in good faith by the Board of Trustees or persons acting at their direction.
Certain securities or investments for which
daily market quotes are not readily available may be valued, pursuant to guidelines established by the Board of Trustees, with
reference to other securities or indices.
The Fund may hold securities, such as private
placements, other non-traded securities or temporarily illiquid securities through seeding or contribution-in-kind transactions,
for which market quotations are not readily available or are determined to be unreliable. These securities will be valued at their
fair market value as determined using the “fair value” procedures approved by the Board. The Board may also enlist
third party consultants such as an audit firm or financial officer of a security issuer on an as-needed basis to assist in determining
a security-specific fair value.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The following information supplements and
should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “DISTRIBUTIONS.”
GENERAL POLICIES. Dividends from
net investment income, if any, are declared and paid annually for the Fund. 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 for a Fund to improve
index tracking or to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, in all events in a manner consistent
with the provisions of the 1940 Act. In addition, the Trust intends to distribute at least annually amounts representing the full
dividend yield on the underlying portfolio securities of the Fund, net of expenses of such Fund, as if such Fund owned such underlying
portfolio securities for the entire dividend period. As a result, some portion of each distribution may result in a return of capital
for tax purposes for shareholders.
Dividends and other distributions on 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 Trust.
The Trust may make additional distributions
to the extent necessary (i) to distribute the entire annual taxable income of the Trust, plus any net capital gains and (ii) to
avoid imposition of the excise tax imposed by Section 4982 of the Internal Revenue Code. Management of the Trust reserves the right
to declare special dividends if, in its reasonable discretion, such action is necessary or advisable to preserve the status of
the Fund as a “regulated investment company” under the Internal Revenue Code or to avoid imposition of income or excise
taxes on undistributed income.
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT. Broker dealers,
at their own discretion, may also offer a dividend reinvestment service under which Shares are purchased in the secondary market
at current market prices. Investors should consult their broker dealer for further information regarding any dividend reinvestment
service offered by such broker dealer.
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION
Set forth below is a discussion of certain
U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the Fund and the purchase, ownership and disposition of Shares. It is based upon
the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”), U.S. Treasury Department regulations
promulgated thereunder, judicial authorities, and administrative rulings and practices, all as in effect as of the date of this
SAI and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. The following information supplements and should
be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “U.S. Federal Income Taxation.”
Except to the extent discussed below, this
summary assumes that the Fund’s shareholder holds Shares as capital assets within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code,
and does not hold Shares in connection with a trade or business. This summary does not address all potential U.S. federal income
tax considerations possibly applicable to an investment in Shares, and does not address the tax consequences to Fund shareholders
subject to special tax rules, including, but not limited to, partnerships and the partners therein, those who hold Shares through
an IRA, 401(k) plan or other tax-advantaged account, and, except to the extent discussed below, tax-exempt shareholders. This discussion
does not discuss any aspect of U.S. state, local, estate, and gift, or non-U.S., tax law. This discussion is not intended or written
to be legal or tax advice to any shareholder in the Fund or other person and is not intended or written to be used or relied on,
and cannot be used or relied on, by any such person for the purpose of avoiding any U.S. federal tax penalties that may be imposed
on such person. Prospective Fund shareholders are urged to consult their own tax Advisors with respect to the specific U.S. federal,
state, and local, and non-U.S., tax consequences of investing in Shares based on their particular circumstances.
The Fund has not requested and will not
request an advance ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) as to the U.S. federal income tax matters
described below. The IRS could adopt positions contrary to those discussed below and such positions could be sustained. Prospective
investors should consult their own tax advisors with regard to the U.S. federal tax consequences of the purchase, ownership or
disposition of Shares, as well as the tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, non-U.S. country or other taxing jurisdiction.
Tax Treatment of the Fund
In General. The Fund intends to
qualify and elect to be treated as a separate regulated investment company (“RIC”) under the Internal Revenue Code.
As a RIC, a Fund generally will not be required to pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital
gains that it distributes to its shareholders.
To qualify and remain eligible for the
special tax treatment accorded to RICs, a Fund must meet certain income, asset and distribution requirements, described in more
detail below. Specifically, the Fund must (i) derive at least 90% of its gross income in each taxable year from dividends, interest,
payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies,
other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business
of investing in such stock, securities or currencies and net income derived from interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships
(“QPTPs”) (i.e., partnership that are traded on an established securities market or readily tradable on a secondary
market, other than partnerships that derive at least 90% of their income from interest, dividends, and other qualifying RIC income
described above), and (ii) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year, (a) at
least 50% of the value of the Fund’s assets is represented by cash, securities of other RICs, U.S. government securities
and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater in value than
5% of the Fund’s total assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (b) not more
than 25% of the value of its assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. government securities or securities of other
RICs) of any one issuer, any two or more issuers of which 20% or more of the voting stock of each such issuer is held by the Fund
and that are determined to be engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses or related trades or business or in the securities
of one or more QPTPs. Furthermore, a Fund must distribute annually at least 90% of the sum of (i) its “investment company
taxable income” (which includes dividends, interest and net short-term capital gains) and (ii) certain net tax-exempt income,
if any.
Failure to Maintain RIC Status.
If a Fund fails to qualify as a RIC for any year (subject to certain curative measures allowed by the Internal Revenue Code), the
Fund will be subject to regular corporate-level U.S. federal income tax in that year on all of its taxable income, regardless of
whether the Fund makes any distributions to its shareholders. In addition, in such case, distributions will be taxable to the Fund’s
shareholders generally as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, possibly
eligible for (i) in the case of an individual Fund shareholder, treatment as a qualified dividend (as discussed below) subject
to tax at preferential long-term capital gains rates or (ii) in the case of a corporate Fund shareholder, a dividends-received
deduction. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the Fund will qualify for the special tax treatment accorded to RICs.
Excise Tax. A Fund will be subject
to a 4% excise tax on certain undistributed income generally if the Fund does not distribute to its shareholders in each calendar
year at least 98% of its ordinary income for the calendar year, 98.2% of its capital gain net income for the twelve months ended
October 31 of such year, plus 100% of any undistributed amounts from prior years. For these purposes, the Fund will be treated
as having distributed any amount on which it has been subject to U.S. corporate income tax for the taxable year ending within such
calendar year. The Fund intends to make distributions necessary to avoid this 4% excise tax, although there can be no assurance
that it will be able to do so.
Phantom Income. With respect to
some or all of its investments, a Fund may be required to recognize taxable income in advance of receiving the related cash payment.
For example, under the “wash sale” rules, the Fund may not be able to deduct currently a loss on a disposition of a
portfolio security. As a result, the Fund may be required to make an annual income distribution greater than the total cash actually
received during the year. Such distribution may be made from the existing cash assets of the Fund or cash generated from selling
Portfolio Securities. The Fund may realize gains or losses from such sales, in which event the Fund’s shareholders may receive
a larger capital gain distribution than they would in the absence of such transactions. (See also —“Certain Debt Instruments”
below.)
Options. To the extent such investments
are permissible for the Fund, the Fund’s transactions in options, hedging transactions, and other derivatives will be subject
to special tax rules (including mark-to-market, constructive sale, straddle, wash sale and short sale rules), the effect of which
may be to accelerate income to the Fund, defer losses to the Fund, cause adjustments in the holding periods of the Fund’s
securities, convert long-term capital gains into short-term capital gains and convert short-term capital losses into long-term
capital losses. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to shareholders. To the extent
such investments are permissible, certain of the Fund’s hedging activities are likely to produce a difference between its
book income and its taxable income. If the Fund’s book income exceeds its taxable income, the distribution (if any) of such
excess book income will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the Fund’s remaining earnings and profits (including
earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt income), (ii) thereafter, as a return of capital to the extent of the recipient’s
basis in the shares, and (iii) thereafter, as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset. If the Fund’s book income
is less than taxable income, the Fund could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a regular investment
company that is accorded special tax treatment.
Certain Debt Instruments. Some of
the debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund
(such as zero coupon debt instruments or debt instruments with payment in-kind interest) may be treated as debt securities that
are issued originally at a discount. Generally, the amount of original issue discount is treated as interest income and is included
in income over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when
the debt security matures.
If the Fund acquires debt securities (with
a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) in the secondary market, such debt securities may be treated
as having market discount. Generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt
security having market discount is treated as ordinary income to the extent the gain, or principal payment, does not exceed the
“accrued market discount” on such debt security. Market discount generally accrues in equal daily installments. The
Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt securities having market discount, which could affect the character
and timing of recognition of income.
Some debt securities (with a fixed maturity
date of one year or less from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund may be treated as having acquisition discount,
or original issue discount in the case of certain types of debt securities. Generally, the Fund will be required to include the
acquisition discount, or original issue discount, in income over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount
is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures. The Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable
to debt securities having acquisition discount, or original issue discount, which could affect the character and timing of recognition
of income.
Non-U.S. Investments. Dividends,
interest and proceeds from the direct or indirect sale of non-U.S. securities may be subject to non-U.S. withholding tax and other
taxes, including financial transaction taxes. Even if the Fund is entitled to seek a refund in respect of such taxes, it may not
have sufficient information to do so or may choose not to do so. Tax treaties between certain countries and the United States may
reduce or eliminate such taxes in some cases. Non-U.S. taxes paid by the Fund will reduce the return from the Fund’s investments.
Special or Uncertain Tax Consequences.
The Fund’s investment or other activities could be subject to special and complex tax rules that may produce differing tax
consequences, such as disallowing or limiting the use of losses or deductions, causing the recognition of income or gain without
a corresponding receipt of cash, affecting the time as to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur or
altering the characterization of certain complex financial transactions.
The Fund may engage in investment or other
activities the treatment of which may not be clear or may be subject to recharacterization by the IRS. In particular, the tax treatment
of swaps and certain other derivatives and income from foreign currency transactions is unclear for purposes of determining the
Fund’s status as a RIC. If a final determination on the tax treatment of the Fund’s investment or other activities
differs from the Fund’s original expectations, the final determination could adversely affect the Fund’s status as
a RIC or the timing or character of income recognized by the Fund, requiring the Fund to purchase or sell assets, alter its portfolio
or take other action in order to comply with the final determination.
Tax Treatment of Fund Shareholders
Taxation of U.S. Shareholders
The following is a summary of certain U.S.
federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Fund Shares applicable to “U.S. shareholders.”
For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. shareholder” is a beneficial owner of Fund Shares who, for U.S. federal income
tax purposes, is (i) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; (ii) a corporation (or an entity treated
as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United
States, or of any state thereof, or the District of Columbia; (iii) an estate, the income of which is includable in gross income
for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or (iv) a trust, if (a) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary
supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions
of the trust, or (b) the trust has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person.
Fund Distributions. In general,
Fund distributions are subject to U.S. federal income tax when paid, regardless of whether they consist of cash or property and
regardless of whether they are re-invested in Shares. However, any Fund distribution declared in October, November or December
of any calendar year and payable to shareholders of record on a specified date during such month will be deemed to have been received
by the Fund shareholder on December 31 of such calendar year, provided such dividend is actually paid during January of the following
calendar year.
Distributions of a Fund’s net investment
income and the Fund’s net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses (collectively referred to as
“ordinary income dividends”) are taxable as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated
earnings and profits (subject to an exception for “qualified dividend income, as discussed below). Corporate shareholders
of the Fund may be eligible to take a dividends-received deduction with respect to such distributions, provided the distributions
are attributable to dividends received by the Fund on stock of U.S. corporations with respect to which the Fund meets certain holding
period and other requirements. To the extent designated as “capital gain dividends” by the Fund, distributions of the
Fund’s net long-term capital gains in excess of net short-term capital losses (“net capital gain”) are taxable
at long-term capital gain tax rates to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, regardless
of the Fund shareholder’s holding period in the Fund’s Shares. Such dividends will not be eligible for a dividends-received
deduction by corporate shareholders.
A Fund’s net capital gain is computed
by taking into account the Fund’s capital loss carryforwards, if any. Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization
Act of 2010, capital losses incurred in tax years beginning after December 22, 2010 can be carried forward indefinitely and retain
the character of the original loss. To the extent that these carryforwards are available to offset future capital gains, it is
probable that the amount offset will not be distributed to shareholders. In the event that a Fund were to experience an ownership
change as defined under the Code, the Fund’s loss carryforwards, if any, may be subject to limitation.
Distributions of “qualified dividend
income” (defined below) are taxed to certain non-corporate shareholders at the reduced rates applicable to long-term capital
gain to the extent of a Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, provided that the Fund shareholder meets certain
holding period and other requirements with respect to the distributing Fund’s Shares and the distributing Fund meets certain
holding period and other requirements with respect to the dividend-paying stocks. Dividends subject to these special rules, however,
are not actually treated as capital gains and, thus, are not included in the computation of a non-corporate shareholder’s
net capital gain and generally cannot be used to offset capital losses. The portion of distributions that a Fund may report as
qualified dividend income generally is limited to the amount of qualified dividend income received by the Fund, but if for any
Fund taxable year 95% or more of the Fund’s gross income (exclusive of net capital gain from sales of stock and securities)
consist of qualified dividend income, all distributions of such income for that taxable year may be reported as qualified dividend
income. For this purpose, “qualified dividend income” generally means income from dividends received by a Fund from
U.S. corporations and qualified non-U.S. corporations. Income from dividends received by the Fund from a real estate investment
trust (“REIT”) or another RIC generally is qualified dividend income only to the extent that the dividend distributions
are made out of qualified dividend income received by such REIT or other RIC.
To the extent that the Fund makes a distribution
of income received by such Fund in lieu of dividends with respect to securities on loan pursuant to a securities lending transaction,
such income will not constitute qualified dividend income to individual shareholders and will not be eligible for the dividends-received
deduction for corporate shareholders.
Distributions in excess of the Fund’s
current and accumulated earnings and profits will, as to each shareholder, be treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent
of the shareholder’s tax basis in its Shares of the Fund, and as a capital gain thereafter (assuming the shareholder holds
its Shares of the Fund as capital assets).
The Fund intends to distribute its net
capital gain at least annually. However, by providing written notice to its shareholders no later than 60 days after its year-end,
a Fund may elect to retain some or all of its net capital gain and designate the retained amount as a “deemed distribution.”
In that event, the Fund pays U.S. federal income tax on the retained net capital gain, and the Fund shareholder recognizes a proportionate
share of the Fund’s undistributed net capital gain. In addition, a shareholder can claim a tax credit or refund for the shareholder’s
proportionate share of the Fund’s U.S. federal income taxes paid on the undistributed net capital gain and increase the shareholder’s
tax basis in the Fund Shares by an amount equal to the shareholder’s proportionate share of the Fund’s undistributed
net capital gain, reduced by the amount of the shareholder’s tax credit or refund. Organizations or persons not subject to
U.S. federal income tax on such net capital gain may be entitled to a refund of their pro rata share of such taxes paid by the
Fund upon timely filing appropriate returns or claims for refund with the IRS.
With respect to non-corporate Fund shareholders
(i.e., individuals, trusts and estates), ordinary income and short-term capital gain are taxed at a current maximum rate
of 39.6% and long-term capital gain is taxed at a current maximum rate of 20%. Corporate shareholders are taxed at a current maximum
rate of 35% on their income and gain.
In addition, high-income individuals (and
certain trusts and estates) generally will be subject to a 3.8% Medicare tax on “net investment income,” in addition
to otherwise applicable U.S. federal income tax. “Net investment income” generally will include dividends (including
capital gain dividends) received from a Fund and net gains from the redemption or other disposition of Shares. Please consult your
tax advisor regarding this tax.
Investors considering buying Shares just
prior to a distribution should be aware that, although the price of the Shares purchased at such time may reflect the forthcoming
distribution, such distribution nevertheless may be taxable (as opposed to a non-taxable return of capital).
Sales of Shares. Any capital gain
or loss realized upon a sale or exchange of Shares generally is treated as a long-term gain or loss if the Shares have been held
for more than one year. Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale or exchange of Shares held for one year or less generally
is treated as a short-term gain or loss, except that any capital loss on the sale of Shares held for six months or less is treated
as long-term capital loss to the extent that capital gain dividends were paid (or deemed to be paid) with respect to such Shares.
All or a portion of any loss realized upon a sale or exchange of Fund Shares will be disallowed under the “wash sale”
rules if substantially identical shares are purchased (through reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a 61-day period beginning
30 days before and ending 30 days after the disposition of the Fund Shares. In such a case, the basis of the newly purchased shares
will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.
Legislation passed by Congress requires
reporting to the IRS and to taxpayers of adjusted cost basis information for “covered securities,” which generally
include shares of a RIC acquired on or after January 1, 2012. Shareholders should contact their brokers to obtain information with
respect to the available cost basis reporting methods and available elections for their accounts.
Creation Unit Issues and Redemptions.
On an issue of Shares as part of a Creation Unit, made by means of an in-kind deposit, an Authorized Participant recognizes capital
gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the fair market value (at issue) of the issued Shares (plus any cash received
by the Authorized Participant as part of the issue) and (ii) the Authorized Participant’s aggregate basis in the exchanged
securities (plus any cash paid by the Authorized Participant as part of the issue). On a redemption of Shares as part of a Creation
Unit where the redemption is conducted in-kind by a payment of Fund Securities, an Authorized Participant recognizes capital gain
or loss equal to the difference between (i) the fair market value (at redemption) of the securities received (plus any cash received
by the Authorized Participant as part of the redemption) and (ii) the Authorized Participant’s basis in the redeemed Shares
(plus any cash paid by the Authorized Participant as part of the redemption). However, the IRS may assert, under the “wash
sale” rules or on the basis that there has been no significant change in the Authorized Participant’s economic position,
that any loss on an issue or redemption of Creation Units cannot be deducted currently.
In general, any capital gain or loss recognized
upon the issue or redemption of Shares (as components of a Creation Unit) is treated either as long-term capital gain or loss,
if the deposited securities (in the case of an issue) or the Shares (in the case of a redemption) have been held for more than
one year, or otherwise as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any capital loss on a redemption of Shares held for six months
or less is treated as long-term capital loss to the extent that capital gain dividends were paid (or deemed to be paid) with respect
to such Shares.
Reportable Transactions. If a shareholder
recognizes a loss with respect to Shares of $2 million or more (for an individual Fund shareholder) or $10 million or more (for
a corporate shareholder) in any single taxable year (or a greater loss over a combination of years), the Fund shareholder may be
required to file a disclosure statement with the IRS. Significant penalties may be imposed upon the failure to comply with these
reporting rules. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these rules in light of their
individual circumstances.
Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders
The following is a summary of certain U.S.
federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Fund Shares applicable to “non-U.S. shareholders.”
For purposes of this discussion, a “non-U.S. shareholder” is a beneficial owner of Fund Shares that is not a U.S. shareholder
(as defined above) and is not an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The following
discussion is based on current law, and is for general information only. It addresses only selected, and not all, aspects of U.S.
federal income taxation.
Dividends. With respect to non-U.S.
shareholders of a Fund, the Fund’s ordinary income dividends generally will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at
a rate of 30% (or at a lower rate established under an applicable tax treaty). However, ordinary income dividends that are “interest-related
dividends” or “short-term capital gain dividends” (each as defined below) and capital gain dividends generally
will not be subject to U.S. federal withholding (or income tax), provided that the non-U.S. shareholder furnishes the Fund with
a completed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, (or acceptable substitute documentation) establishing the non-U.S. shareholder’s
non-U.S. status and the Fund does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the non-U.S. shareholder would be subject to
such withholding tax if the non-U.S. shareholder were to receive the related amounts directly rather than as dividends from the
Fund. “Interest-related dividends” generally means dividends designated by the Fund as attributable to such Fund’s
U.S.-source interest income, other than certain contingent interest and interest from obligations of a corporation or partnership
in which such Fund is at least a 10% shareholder, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income. “Short-term capital
gain dividends” generally means dividends designated by the Fund as attributable to the excess of such Fund’s net short-term
capital gain over its net long-term capital loss. Depending on its circumstances, the Fund may treat such dividends, in whole or
in part, as ineligible for these exemptions from withholding.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, special
rules apply in certain cases, including as described below. For example, in cases where dividend income from a non-U.S. shareholder’s
investment in the Fund is effectively connected with a trade or business of the non-U.S. shareholder conducted in the United States,
the non-U.S. shareholder generally will be exempt from withholding tax, but will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the graduated
rates applicable to U.S. shareholders. Such income generally must be reported on a U.S. federal income tax return. Furthermore,
such income also may be subject to the 30% branch profits tax in the case of a non-U.S. shareholder that is a corporation. In addition,
if a non-U.S. shareholder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and
has a “tax home” in the United States, any gain incurred by such shareholder with respect to his or her capital gain
dividends and short-term capital gain dividends would be subject to a 30% U.S. federal income tax (which, in the case of short-term
capital gain dividends, may, in certain instances, be withheld at source by the Fund). Lastly, special rules apply with respect
to dividends that are subject to the Foreign Investment in Real Property Act (“FIRPTA”), discussed below (see—“Investments
in U.S. Real Property”).
Sales of Fund Shares. Under current
law, gain on a sale or exchange of Shares generally will be exempt from U.S. federal income tax (including withholding at the source)
unless (i) the non-U.S. shareholder is an individual who was physically present in the United States for 183 days or more during
the taxable year and has a “tax home” in the United States, in which case the non-U.S. shareholder would incur a 30%
U.S. federal income tax on his capital gain, (ii) the gain is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by
the non-U.S. shareholder (in which case the non-U.S. shareholder generally would be taxable on such gain at the same graduated
rates applicable to U.S. shareholders, would be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return and, in the case of a corporate
non-U.S. shareholder, may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax), or (iii) the gain is subject to FIRPTA, as discussed
below (see —“Investments in U.S. Real Property”).
Credits or Refunds. To claim a credit
or refund for any Fund-level taxes on any undistributed long-term capital gains (as discussed above) or any taxes collected through
withholding, a non-U.S. Fund shareholder must obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number and file a U.S. federal income tax return
even if the non-U.S. Fund shareholder would not otherwise be required to do so.
Investments in U.S. Real Property.
Subject to the exemptions described below, a non-U.S. shareholder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax under FIRPTA
on any gain from the sale or exchange of Shares if the Fund is a “U.S. real property holding corporation” (as defined
below) at any time during the shorter of the period during which the non-U.S. shareholder held such Shares and the five-year period
ending on the date of the disposition of those Shares. Any such gain will be taxed in the same manner as for a U.S. Fund shareholder
and in certain cases will be collected through withholding at the source in an amount equal to 15% of the sales proceeds. A Fund
will be a “U.S. real property holding corporation” if the fair market value of its “U.S. real property interests”
(“USRPIs”) (which includes shares of U.S. real property holding corporations and certain participating debt securities)
equals or exceeds 50% of the fair market value of such interests plus its interests in real property located outside the United
States plus any other assets used or held for use in a business.
An exemption from FIRPTA applies if either
(i) the class of Shares disposed of by the non-U.S. shareholder is regularly traded on an established securities market (as determined
for U.S. federal income tax purposes) and the non-U.S. shareholder did not actually or constructively hold more than 5% of such
class of Shares at any time during the five-year period prior to the disposition, or (ii) the Fund is a “domestically-controlled
RIC.” A “domestically-controlled RIC” is any RIC in which at all times during the relevant testing period 50%
or more in value of the RIC’s stock is owned by U.S. persons.
Furthermore, special rules apply under
FIRPTA in respect of distributions attributable to gains from USRPIs. In general, if a Fund is a U.S. real property holding corporation
(taking certain special rules into account), distributions by such Fund attributable to gains from USRPIs will be treated as income
effectively connected with a trade or business within the United States, subject generally to tax at the same graduated rates applicable
to U.S. shareholders and, in the case of a corporation that is a non-U.S. shareholder, a “branch profits” tax at a
rate of 30% (or other applicable lower treaty rate). Such distributions will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax and generally
will give rise to an obligation on the part of the non-U.S. shareholder to file a U.S. federal income tax return.
Even if a Fund is treated as a U.S. real
property holding corporation, distributions on the Fund’s Shares will not be treated, under the rule described above, as
income effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business in the case of a non-U.S. shareholder that owns (for the applicable
period) 5% or less (by class) of Shares and such class is regularly traded on an established securities market for U.S. federal
income tax purposes (but such distribution will be treated as ordinary dividends subject to a 30% withholding tax or lower applicable
treaty rate).
Non-U.S. shareholders that engage in certain
“wash sale” and/or substitute dividend payment transactions the effect of which is to avoid the receipt of distributions
from the Fund that would be treated as gain effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business will be treated as having received
such distributions.
All shareholders of the Fund should consult
their tax advisers regarding the application of the rules described above.
Back-Up Withholding
The Fund (or a financial intermediary such
as a broker through which a shareholder holds Shares in the Fund) may be required to report certain information on the Fund shareholder
to the IRS and withhold U.S. federal income tax (“backup withholding”) at a 28% rate from taxable distributions and
redemption or sale proceeds payable to the Fund shareholder if (i) the Fund shareholder fails to provide the Fund with a correct
taxpayer identification number or make required certifications, or if the IRS notifies the Fund that the Fund shareholder is otherwise
subject to backup withholding, and (ii) the Fund shareholder is not otherwise exempt from backup withholding. Non-U.S. shareholders
can qualify for exemption from backup withholding by submitting a properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E. Backup withholding
is not an additional tax and any amount withheld may be credited against the Fund shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
The U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance
Act (“FATCA”) generally imposes a 30% withholding tax on “withholdable payments” (defined below) made to
(i) a “foreign financial institution” (“FFI”), unless the FFI enters into an agreement with the IRS to
provide information regarding certain of its direct and indirect U.S. account holders and satisfy certain due diligence and other
specified requirements, and (ii) a “non-financial foreign entity” (“NFFE”) unless such NFFE provides certain
information to the withholding agent about certain of its direct and indirect “substantial U.S. owners” or certifies
that it has no such U.S. owners. The beneficial owner of a "withholdable payment" may be eligible for a refund or credit
of the withheld tax. The U.S. government also has entered into several intergovernmental agreements with other jurisdictions to
provide an alternative, and generally easier, approach for FFIs to comply with FATCA.
“Withholdable payments” generally
include, among other items, (i) U.S.-source interest and dividends, and (ii) gross proceeds from the sale or disposition, occurring
on or after January 1, 2019, of property of a type that can produce U.S.-source interest or dividends.
The Fund may be required to impose a 30%
withholding tax on withholdable payments to a shareholder if the shareholder fails to provide the Fund with the information, certifications
or documentation required under FATCA, including information, certification or documentation necessary for the Fund to determine
if the shareholder is a non-U.S. shareholder or a U.S. shareholder and, if it is a non-U.S. shareholder, if the non-U.S. shareholder
has “substantial U.S. owners” and/or is in compliance with (or meets an exception from) FATCA requirements. The Fund
will not pay any additional amounts to shareholders in respect of any amounts withheld. The Fund may disclose any shareholder information,
certifications or documentation to the IRS or other parties as necessary to comply with FATCA.
The requirements of, and exceptions from,
FATCA are complex. All prospective shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the potential application
of FATCA with respect to their own situation.
Section 351
The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has the
right to reject an order for a purchase of shares of the Fund if the purchase (including any purchases of shares in the same Fund
by a related group of purchasers) would not qualify as a tax-free transaction described in Section 351 of the Internal Revenue
Code. The Trust also has the right to require information from a purchaser of shares in a Fund for purposes of determining
if an order for a purchase of shares of the Fund qualifies as a tax-free transaction described in Section 351 of the Internal Revenue
Code.
CAPITAL STOCK AND SHAREHOLDER REPORTS
The Fund issues Shares of beneficial interest,
par value zero per Share. The Board may designate additional funds.
Each Share issued by the Trust has a pro
rata interest in the assets of the corresponding series of the Trust. 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 series of the Trust (i.e., Shares of the Fund) vote together as a single class, except that if the matter being voted
on affects only a particular Fund it will be voted on only by that Fund and if a matter affects a particular Fund differently from
other Funds, that Fund will vote separately on such matter. Under Delaware law, the Trust is not required to hold an annual meeting
of shareholders unless required to do so under the 1940 Act. The policy of the Trust is not to hold an annual meeting of shareholders
unless required to do so under the 1940 Act. All Shares of the Trust (regardless of the Fund) have noncumulative voting rights
for the election of Trustees. Under Delaware law, Trustees of the Trust may be removed by vote of the shareholders.
The Declaration of Trust contains an express
disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Trust, requires that Trust obligations include such disclaimer,
and provides for indemnification and reimbursement of expenses out of the Trust’s property for any shareholder held personally
liable for the obligations of the Trust. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability
is limited to circumstances in which the Trust itself would be unable to meet its obligations. Given the above limitations on shareholder
personal liability, and the nature of a Fund’s assets and operations, the risk to shareholders of personal liability is believed
to be remote.
Shareholder inquiries may be made by writing
to the Trust, c/o Syntax Advisors, LLC, One Liberty Plaza, 46th Fl. New York, NY 10006.
COUNSEL
Chapman and Cutler LLP serves as counsel
to the Trust and the Fund.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING
FIRM
Ernst & Young LLP serves as the independent
registered public accounting firm for the Trust.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Financial statements
are not included for the Fund, which had not commenced operation prior to the date of this SAI.
APPENDIX A
PROXY VOTING POLICIES
Background
An investment adviser has a duty of care
and loyalty to its Clients and Investors with respect to monitoring corporate events and exercising proxy authority in the best
interests of such Clients and Investors. Vantage Consulting Group Inc. (“VCG”) will adhere to Rule 206(4)-6 of the
Advisers Act and all other applicable laws and regulations in regard to the voting of proxies.
Policies and Procedures
As an investment advisor, VCG may have
the authority to vote proxies relating to securities on behalf of clients. In certain circumstances, when permitted by the client
VCG may outsource the proxy voting. These policies and procedures are designed to deal with the complexities which may arise in
cases where VCG's interests conflict or appear to conflict with the interests of its clients and to communicate to clients the
methods and rationale whereby VCG exercises proxy authority. This document is available to any client upon request. VCG will also
make available the record of VCG's votes promptly upon request.
The CCO of VCG is responsible for monitoring
the effectiveness of this policy. Unless contractually obligated to vote in a certain manner, VCG will reach its voting decisions
independently, after appropriate investigation. It does not generally intend to delegate its decision making or to rely on the
recommendations of any third party, although it may take such recommendations into consideration. Where VCG deviates from the guidelines
listed below, or depends upon a third party to make the decision, the reasons shall be documented. VCG may consult with such other
experts, such as CPA's, investment bankers, attorneys, etc., as it regards necessary to help it reach informed decisions.
Non-Voting of Proxies
VCG will generally not vote proxies in
the following situations:
•
|
Proxies are received for equity securities where, at the time of receipt, VCG's position, across all clients that it advises, is less than, or equal to, 1% of the total outstanding voting equity (an "immaterial position").
|
•
|
Proxies are received for equity securities where, at the time of receipt, VCG's Clients and Investors no longer hold that position.
|
Management Proposals
Absent good reason to the contrary, VCG
will generally give substantial weight to management recommendations regarding voting. This is based on the view that management
is usually in the best position to know which corporate actions are in the best interests of common shareholders as a whole.
VCG will generally vote for routine matters
proposed by issuer management, such as setting a time or place for an annual meeting, changing the name or fiscal year of the company,
or voting for directors in favor of the management proposed slate. Other routine matters in which VCG will generally vote along
with company management include: appointment of auditors, fees paid to board members, and change in the board structure. As long
as the proposal does not: i) measurably change the structure, management, control or operations of the company; ii) measurably
change the terms of, or fees or expenses associated with, an investment in the company; and the proposal is consistent with customary
industry standards and practices, as well as the laws of the state of incorporation applicable to the company, VCG will generally
vote along with management.
Non-Routine Matters
Non-routine matters might include such
things as:
•
|
Amendments to management incentive plans
|
•
|
The authorization of additional common or preferred stock
|
•
|
Initiation or termination of barriers to takeover or acquisition
|
•
|
Mergers or acquisitions
|
•
|
Corporate reorganizations
|
•
|
"Contested" director slates
|
In non-routine matters, VCG will attempt
to be generally familiar with the questions at issue. Non- routine matters will be voted on a case-by-case basis, given the complexity
of many of these issues.
Processing Proxy Votes
The CCO will be responsible for determining
whether each proxy is for a "routine" matter, as described above, and whether the Policy and Procedures set forth herein
actually address the specific issue. For proxies that are not clearly "routine", VCG, in conjunction with the CCO, will
determine how to vote each such proxy by applying these policies and procedures. Upon making a decision, the proxy will be executed
and returned for submission to the company. VCG's proxy voting record will be updated at the time the proxy is submitted.
An independent proxy voting advisory and
research firm may be appointed as a "Proxy Service" for voting VCG's proxies after approval by the CCO.
Documenting Proxy Voting
VCG will maintain copies of each proxy
statement received and of each executed proxy; however, VCG may rely on the SEC's EDGAR system for records of proxy statements.
VCG will also maintain records relating to each proxy, including the voting decision on each proxy, and any documents that were
material to making the voting decision.
VCG will also maintain a record of each
written request from a Client or Investor for proxy voting information and VCG's written response to any request from a Client
or Investor for proxy voting information. These records shall be maintained in compliance with Rule 204-2.
Actual and Apparent Conflicts of Interest
Potential conflicts of interest between
VCG and its clients may arise when VCG's relationships with an issuer or with a related third party actually conflict, or appear
to conflict, with the best interests of the VCG's clients.
If the issue is specifically addressed
in these policies and procedures, VCG will vote in accordance with these policies. In a situation where the issue is not specifically
addressed in these Policies and Procedures and an apparent or actual conflict exists, VCG shall either: i) delegate the voting
decision to an independent third party; ii) inform clients of the conflict of interest and obtain advance consent of a majority
of such clients for a particular voting decision; or iii) obtain approval of a voting decision from VCG's CCO, who will be responsible
for documenting the rationale for the decision made and voted.
In all such cases, VCG will make disclosures to clients of all
material conflicts and will keep documentation supporting its voting decisions.
Syntax ETF Trust (the “Trust”)
Syntax Stratified LargeCap II ETF (SPYS)
|
April 22, 2020
Principal U.S. Listing Exchange: NYSE Arca, Inc.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
(“SEC”) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus.
Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. Shares in the Fund are not guaranteed or insured by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation or any other agency of the U.S. Government, nor are Shares deposits or obligations of any bank. It is possible
to lose money by investing in the Fund.
Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted
by regulations adopted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the Fund intends to no longer mail paper
copies of the Fund’s shareholder reports, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports from the Fund or your
financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank). Instead, the reports will be made available on a website, and you will
be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report. If you already have elected
to receive shareholder reports electronically (“e-delivery”), you will not be affected by this change and you need
not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically anytime
by contacting your financial intermediary.
You may elect to receive all future reports
in paper free of charge. Please contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your
shareholder reports. That election will apply to all Syntax funds held directly in your account.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
(“SEC”) has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus.
Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. Shares in the Fund are not guaranteed or insured by the Federal Deposit
Insurance Corporation or any other agency of the U.S. Government, nor are Shares deposits or obligations of any bank. It is possible
to lose money by investing in the Fund.
Table of Contents
Syntax
Stratified LargeCap II ETF
OBJECTIVE
The
Syntax Stratified LargeCap II ETF (the “Fund”) seeks to obtain capital growth that meets or exceeds
the performance of the S&P 500® Index (“S&P 500”) by investing in securities that provide U.S. large capitalization
(“large cap”) equity market exposure.
FEES AND EXPENSES OF THE FUND
The table below describes the fees and
expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Fund (“Fund Shares”). This table and the Example below
reflect the expenses of the Fund and do not reflect brokerage commissions you may pay on purchases and sales of Fund Shares.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(Expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value
of your investment):
Management fees
|
|
|
0.45
|
%
|
Distribution and service (12b-1) fees
|
|
|
None
|
|
Other expenses1
|
|
|
0.00
|
%
|
Total annual Fund operating expenses
|
|
|
0.45
|
%
|
Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement2
|
|
|
0.15
|
%
|
Total annual Fund operating expenses after Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement2
|
|
|
0.30
|
%
|
(1) Other
expenses have been estimated for the current fiscal year. Actual expenses may be different.
(2)
Syntax Advisors, LLC (the “Advisor”) has agreed to waive its fees and/or absorb expenses of the Fund to ensure that
Total Annual Operating Expenses (except any (i) interest expense, (ii) taxes, (iii) acquired fund fees and expenses, (iv) brokerage
expenses and other expenses (such as stamp taxes) connected with the execution of portfolio transactions or in connection with
creation and redemption transactions, (v) expenses associated with shareholder meetings, (vi) compensation and expenses of the
Independent Trustees, (vii) compensation and expenses of the Trust’s chief compliance officer and his or her staff, (viii)
distribution fees and expenses paid by the Trust under any distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act,
(ix) legal fees or expenses in connection with any arbitration, litigation or pending or threatened arbitration or litigation,
including any settlements in connection therewith, and (x) extraordinary expenses of the Fund) do not exceed 0.30%.You may
also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions and other charges when buying or selling shares of the Fund, which may not
be reflected in the Example Fee Table above. Subject to approval by the Fund’s Board of Trustees, any waiver under the Expense
Limitation Agreement is subject to repayment by the Fund within 36 months following the day on which fees are waived or reimbursed,
if such repayment does not cause the Fund’s expense ratio (after the repayment is taken into account) to exceed both: (i)
the expense cap in place at the time such amounts were waived; and (ii) the Fund’s current expense cap noted above. These
arrangements cannot be terminated prior to one year from the effective date of this prospectus without the approval of the Board
of Trustees. If the Advisor decides to terminate the fee waiver agreement, it will provide written notice on the Fund’s website
at least 60 calendar days in advance of the termination date.
Example:
This Example is intended to help you compare
the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000
in the Fund for the time periods indicated, and then sell all of your Fund 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. Investors
may pay brokerage commissions on their purchases and sales of Fund shares, which are not reflected in the example. Although your
actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
Portfolio Turnover:
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as
commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may
generate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which
are not reflected in Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. Because the Fund
has not yet commenced operations, portfolio turnover information is not yet available.
PRINCIPAL STRATEGY
The
Fund seeks Stratified WeightTM exposure to the securities in the U.S. large cap equity market, principally the
S&P 500 Index, through active investments. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its assets in equity
securities of U.S. issuers that have similar economic characteristics to such securities. The fund utilizes Syntax's Stratified
Weight™ methodology to spread exposure more evenly across the business risks in large-cap U.S. securities. In addition, the
Fund may invest in cash and cash equivalents or money market instruments, such as repurchase agreements and money market funds.
Syntax’s Stratified Weight™
is designed to correct for business risk concentrations that regularly occur in cap-weighted and equal-weighted indices and funds.
Cap weighting can cause an investor’s ownership to accumulate in the largest, most momentum-driven companies and industries,
while equal weighting can cause an investor’s ownership to accumulate in the industries that have the most company representatives
in an index or fund. Instead of concentrating in the largest companies or the most represented industries, Syntax diversifies (or
stratifies) index or fund weight across a fixed number of business risk groups in a manner designed to provide a diversified exposure
to of all the business opportunities of a benchmark.
“Stratified
Weight” refers to the weighting methodology and is the method by which Syntax diversifies by hierarchically grouping and
distributing the weight of constituent companies that share “Related Business Risks.” Related Business Risk occurs
when two or more companies’ earnings are affected by the same fundamental drivers (e.g. the product/services the company
makes/provides, the customers or end users the company sells to, or the inputs that it utilizes to make its product or service).
The process of identifying, grouping, and diversifying across related business risk is called stratification. The market capitalization
of companies in the S&P 500 as of March 31, 2020 was between $1.5 billion and $1.2 trillion.
The Fund, at the Advisor’s discretion,
may from time to time own securities that are not included in the S&P 500 Index or and may hold securities that are not in
a Stratified Weight exposure if the Advisor deems it in the interest of the Fund.
The Fund is actively managed, and the weighting
of the underlying securities is expected to shift over time, based on the outlook of the Advisor who is responsible for directing
the investments of the Fund.
Please
see the Additional Strategies Information section of the Fund’s prospectus for more information on the methodology of the
Advisor.
PRINCIPAL RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE
FUND
As with all investments, there are certain
risks of investing in the Fund. Fund Shares will change in value, and you could lose money by investing in the Fund.
MARKET RISK: Overall securities market
risks will affect the value of individual instruments in which the Fund invests. Factors such as economic growth and market conditions,
interest rate levels, epidemics and pandemics, and political events affect the US securities markets. When the value of the Fund’s
investments goes down, your investment in the Fund decreases in value and you could lose money.
The
onset of an infectious respiratory disease called COVID-19, caused by a novel coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2, was first
identified in China in December 2019 and now has been detected globally. Among other things, COVID-19 has led to travel restrictions,
closed international borders, disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, prolonged quarantines,
cancellations, supply chain disruptions, shuttering of offices, universities, schools, cultural institutions and sporting events,
and lower consumer demand, contributing to extremely high equity market drawdowns and volatility as well as general anxiety and
uncertainty. The impact of COVID-19, and other infectious disease outbreaks that may arise in the future, could adversely affect
the economies and financial markets of many nations or the entire global economy and financial system, as well as individual issuers
and capital markets in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen. In addition, the impact of infectious diseases in emerging market
countries may be greater due to generally less established healthcare systems. Public health crises caused by the COVID-19 spread
may aggravate other pre-existing political, social and economic risks in certain countries or globally. The duration of the COVID-19
outbreak and its effects cannot be determined with certainty.
EQUITY SECURITIES RISK: The value of
equity securities may increase or decrease as a result of market fluctuations, changes in interest rates and perceived trends in
stock prices.
MANAGEMENT
RISK: The Fund’s dependence on stratification and judgments about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation
of particular investments or ETFs in which the Fund invests may prove to be incorrect and may not produce the desired results.
As an active fund and pursuant to the trust’s custom basket rules, the Fund, at the Advisor’s discretion, may, from
time to time, own its securities in exposures and weights that are not in their relative Stratified Weight exposures outlined in
the Principal Strategy if the Advisor deems it in the interest of the Fund. During these periods, the performance of the Fund may
deviate from what would be expected from the Stratified Weight exposures and may not produce the desired results.
ACTIVE MANAGEMENT RISK: The Fund is
actively managed using proprietary investment strategies and processes. There can be no guarantee that these strategies and processes
will be successful and the Fund may underperform the S&P 500 due to active management decisions or other reasons.
LARGE-CAPITALIZATION SECURITIES RISK:
Returns on investments in securities of large companies could trail the returns on investments in securities of smaller and mid-sized
companies. Larger companies may be unable to respond as quickly as smaller and mid-sized companies to competitive challenges or
to changes in business, product, financial, or market conditions. Larger companies may not be able to maintain growth at the high
rates that may be achieved by well-managed smaller and mid-sized companies. Under certain market conditions the capitalization
of a large-size company could decline to the extent that it exhibits the characteristics of a mid-capitalization company.
SMALL- AND MID-CAPITALIZATION SECURITIES
RISK: Investing in securities of small and mid-sized companies may involve greater volatility than investing in larger
and more established companies because small and mid-sized companies can be subject to more abrupt or erratic share price changes
than larger, more established companies, are more vulnerable to adverse business and economic developments,
and are more thinly traded relative to those of larger companies.
MARKET TRADING RISK: The Fund is a
new Fund and faces numerous market trading risks, including the potential lack of an active market for Fund Shares, losses from
trading in secondary markets, periods of high volatility and disruption in the creation/redemption process of the Fund. Any of
these factors, among others, may lead to the Fund’s Shares trading at a premium or discount to NAV.
NEW FUND RISK: The Fund is a new Fund.
As a new Fund, there can be no assurance that it will grow to or maintain an economically viable size, which may make it more difficult
to achieve its investment objective than it otherwise would at a higher asset level, nor can there be assurance regarding Fund
performance; either factor may also cause the Fund to liquidate.
CYBER
SECURITY RISK: The Fund and its service providers may be susceptible to operational and information security risks resulting
from a breach in cyber security, including cyber-attacks. A breach in cyber security, intentional or unintentional, may adversely
impact the Fund in many ways, including, but not limited to, disruption of the Fund’s operational capacity, loss of proprietary
information, theft or corruption of data, denial-of-service attacks on websites or network resources, and the unauthorized release
of confidential information. Cyber-attacks affecting the Fund’s third-party service providers, market makers, Authorized
Participants, or the issuers of securities in which the Fund invest may subject the Fund to many of the same risks associated with
direct cyber security breaches.
FUND PERFORMANCE
The Fund is new and does not yet have
a full calendar year of performance. After the Fund has been in operation for a full calendar year, total return information will
be presented. Updated performance information, which will be available by calling (866) 972-4492 or visiting our website at www.SyntaxAdvisors.com,
will provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Fund.
PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT
Investment Advisor
Syntax Advisors, LLC serves as the
investment advisor to the Fund.
Sub-Advisor
Vantage Consulting Group serves as
the investment sub-advisor to the Fund.
Portfolio Manager
The professional primarily responsible
for the day-to-day management of the Fund is:
Name
|
Start Date
|
James Thomas Wolfe
|
Since the Fund’s inception.
|
PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES
Individual Fund Shares may only be
purchased and sold on a national securities exchange through a broker-dealer. The price of Fund Shares is based on market price,
and because ETF shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (a premium) or less
than NAV (a discount). The Fund will only issue or redeem Shares that have been aggregated into blocks of 25,000 Shares or multiples
thereof (“Creation Units”) to authorized participants who have entered into agreements with the Fund’s distributor.
The Fund generally will issue or redeem Creation Units in return for a designated portfolio of securities (and an amount of cash)
that the Fund specifies each day.
TAX INFORMATION
The Fund’s distributions are
expected to be taxed as ordinary income, qualified dividend income and/or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred
arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or individual retirement account. However, subsequent withdrawals from such a tax-advantaged
account may be subject to U.S. federal income tax. You should consult your tax advisor about your specific situation.
PAYMENTS TO BROKER-DEALERS AND OTHER FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES
If you purchase Fund Shares through
a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for
the sale of Fund Shares and related services. These payments may create conflicts of interest by influencing the broker-dealer
or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial
intermediary’s website for more information.
ADDITIONAL STRATEGIES INFORMATION
The
Fund seeks Stratified Weight exposure to the securities in the U.S. large cap equity market, principally those in the S&P
500 Index, through active investments in underlying securities. Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of
its net assets in large cap equity investments. The Advisor considers a large cap company to be one that has a market capitalization
within the range of the S&P 500. The fund utilizes Syntax's Stratified Weight™ methodology to seek to spread exposure
more evenly across the business risks in large-cap U.S. securities. In addition, the Fund may invest in cash and cash equivalents
or money market instruments, such as repurchase agreements and money market funds.
Syntax’s Stratified Weight™
is designed to correct for business risk concentrations that regularly occur in cap-weighted and equal-weighted indices and funds.
Cap weighting can cause an investor’s ownership to accumulate in the largest, most momentum-driven companies and industries,
while equal weighting can cause an investor’s ownership to accumulate in the industries that have the most company representatives
in an index or fund. Instead of concentrating in the largest companies or the most represented industries, Syntax diversifies (or
stratifies) fund and index weight across a fixed number of business risk groups in a manner designed to provide a diversified exposure
to of all the business opportunities of a benchmark.
“Stratified Weight” refers
to the weighting methodology of the Fund and is the method by which Syntax diversifies by hierarchically grouping and distributing
the weight of constituent companies that share “Related Business Risks.” Related Business Risk occurs when two or more
companies’ earnings are affected by the same fundamental drivers (e.g. the product/services the company makes/provides, the
customers or end users the company sells to, or the inputs that it utilizes to make its product or service). The process of identifying,
grouping, and diversifying across related business risk is called stratification. The market capitalization of companies in the
S&P 500® Index as of March 31, 2020 was between $1.5 billion and $1.2 trillion.
The Fund, at the Advisor’s discretion,
may from time to time own securities that are not included in the S&P 500 Index and may hold securities that are not in a Stratified
Weight exposure if the Advisor deems it in the interest of the Fund.
The Fund is actively managed, and the
weighting of the underlying securities is expected to shift over time, based on the outlook of the Advisor who is responsible for
directing investments in the Fund.
For
more information, please visit the Fund’s website at www.SyntaxAdvisors.com.
Syntax
LLC, an affiliate of Syntax Advisors, LLC, utilizes a proprietary functional information system (“FIS”) developed
for use by the Fund’s Advisor, to categorize, group, and stratify constituent securities. FIS is a patented technology for
mapping economic relationships between the constituent securities and for managing concentrations of related business risks. Related
business risks are not based on companies’ capitalization or past performance, but rather, are based on each company’s
current business functions and the functional economic relationships between them. By identifying these underlying business relationships
– common suppliers, customers, competitors, products, etc. – FIS identifies shared business risks in a securities portfolio.
When financial indices lack tools for identifying these risks, they can become highly exposed to groups of companies that share
related business risks.
FIS makes it possible to control for risks shared by groups
of related companies by: 1) organizing companies that share related business risks into well-defined functional groups; and 2)
weighting these groups to spread exposure across these underlying risks. Other commonly used industry and sector classifications
like Global Industry Classification Standard (“GICS”) and Standard Industrial Classification (“SIC”) lack
codified definitions and instead simply group together companies that “seem similar.” FIS-based industries are engineered
to minimize performance distortions caused by the uncontrolled risk exposures that are present in cap-weighted financial indices.
FIS-based sectors effectively group and limit weighting in companies that have shared business functions that can make them perform
similarly when events happen to change expectations in a given part of the economy.
By
using FIS and stratification to control for related business risks, the Advisor’s Funds are designed to seek to improve
medium-to long-term performance of groups of companies and provide results that are the product of effective diversification, rather
than the overweighting of one or more outperforming group. Because FIS defines the functional parts of the economy, Syntax’s
Funds are designed to be built as a more stable composite of those functional parts. While the major cap-weighted indices are designed
to be a proxy for the total market, Syntax believes that its Funds serve as a better basis for medium-to-long-term investments.
A
number of factors may affect the Fund’s ability to match or exceed the performance of its benchmark Index, and there
can be no guarantee that the Fund will meet or exceed that performance.
These situations should be uncommon in
U.S. large and mid-cap companies, but in the event that a bankruptcy or other event occurs making a security illiquid, the Adviser
intends to allocate to other similar holdings in the portfolio.
The Board of Trustees (the “Board”)
of Syntax ETF Trust may change the Fund’s investment strategy and other policies without shareholder approval, except as
otherwise indicated in this Prospectus or in the SAI. The Board may not change the Fund’s investment objective without shareholder
approval.
ADDITIONAL RISK INFORMATION
The following section provides additional
information regarding the principal risks identified under “Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund” in the Fund Summary
along with additional risk information.
Market
Risk: Overall securities market risks will affect the value of individual instruments in which the Fund invests. Factors
such as economic growth and market conditions, interest rate levels, epidemics and pandemics, and political events affect the US
securities markets. When the value of the Fund’s investments goes down, your investment in the Fund decreases in value and
you could lose money.
The
Fund could lose money over short periods due to short-term market movements and over longer periods during more prolonged market
downturns. The value of a security or other instrument may decline due to changes in general market conditions, economic trends
or events that are not specifically related to the issuer of the security or other instrument, or factors that affect a particular
issuer or issuers, country, group of countries, region, market, industry, group of industries, sector or asset class. During a
general market downturn, multiple asset classes may be negatively affected. Changes in market conditions and interest rates generally
do not have the same impact on all types of securities and instruments.
The onset of an infectious respiratory
disease called COVID-19, caused by a novel coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2, was first identified in China in December 2019
and now has been detected globally. Among other things, COVID-19 has led to travel restrictions, closed international borders,
the disruption of and delays in healthcare service preparation and delivery, prolonged quarantines, cancellations, supply chain
disruptions, shuttering of offices, universities, schools, cultural institutions and sporting events, and lower consumer demand,
contributing to extremely high equity market drawdowns and volatility, as well as general anxiety and uncertainty. The impact of
COVID-19, and other infectious disease outbreaks that may arise in the future, could continue to adversely affect the economies
and financial markets of many nations or the entire global economy, individual issuers and capital markets in ways that cannot
necessarily be foreseen. In addition, the impact of infectious diseases in emerging market countries may be greater due to generally
less established healthcare systems, which may have spillover effects to developed markets. Public health crises caused by the
COVID-19 spread may aggravate other pre-existing political, social, financial, and economic risks in certain countries or globally.
The Fund and associated strategies may be affected as adversely, or more adversely, than benchmarks.
Neither the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak and its effects, nor the prospective health, economic, and financial risks from future
pandemics, be determined with any degree of certainty.
Equity
Securities Risk: The Fund invests in equity securities, which are subject to changes in value that may be attributable
to market perception of a particular issuer or to general stock market fluctuations that affect all issuers. Investments in equity
securities may be more volatile than investments in other asset classes.
Management
Risk: The Fund’s dependence on stratification and judgments about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation
of particular investments or ETFs in which the Fund invests may prove to be incorrect and may not produce the desired results.
As an active fund and pursuant to the trust’s custom basket rules, the Fund, at the Advisor’s discretion, may, from
time to time, own its securities in exposures and weights that are not in their relative Stratified Weight exposures outlined in
the Principal Strategy if the Advisor deems it in the interest of the Fund. During these periods, the performance of the Fund may
deviate from what would be expected from the Stratified Weight exposures and may not produce the desired results.
Active
Management Risk: The Fund is actively managed using proprietary investment strategies and processes. The Fund’s
dependence on stratification and judgments about the attractiveness, value and potential appreciation of particular investments
may prove to be incorrect and may not produce the desired results. There can be no guarantee that these strategies and processes
will be successful and the Fund may underperform the S&P 500 due to active management decisions or other reasons.
Large-Capitalization
Securities Risk: Returns on investments in securities of large companies could trail the returns on investments in securities
of smaller and mid-sized companies. Larger companies may be unable to respond as quickly as smaller and mid-sized companies to
competitive challenges or to changes in business, product, financial, or market conditions. Larger companies may not be able to
maintain growth at the high rates that may be achieved by well-managed smaller and mid-sized companies. Under certain market conditions
the capitalization of a large-size company could decline to the extent that it exhibits the characteristics of a mid-capitalization
company.
Small-
And Mid-Capitalization Securities Risk: Investing in securities of small and mid-sized companies may involve
greater volatility than investing in larger and more established companies because small and mid-sized companies can be subject
to more abrupt or erratic share price changes than larger, more established companies, are more vulnerable to adverse business
and economic developments, and are more thinly traded relative to those of larger companies.
Market
Trading Risk:
Absence
of Active Market. Although Shares of the Fund are listed for trading on one or more stock exchanges, the Fund is a new
fund and there can be no assurance that an active trading market for such Shares will develop or be maintained by market makers
or Authorized Participants.
Risk
of Secondary Listings. The Fund’s Shares may be listed or traded on U.S. and non-U.S. stock exchanges other than
the U.S. stock exchange where the Fund’s primary listing is maintained. There can be no assurance that the Fund’s Shares
will continue to trade on any such stock exchange or in any market or that the Fund’s Shares will continue to meet the requirements
for listing or trading on any exchange or in any market. The Fund’s Shares may be less actively traded in certain markets
than in others, and investors are subject to the execution and settlement risks and market standards of the market where they or
their broker direct their trades for execution. Certain information available to investors who trade Fund Shares on a U.S. stock
exchange during regular U.S. market hours may not be available to investors who trade in other markets, which may result in secondary
market prices in such markets being less efficient.
New
Fund Risk: The Fund is a new Fund. As a new Fund, there can be no assurance that it will
grow to or maintain an economically
viable size, which may cause it to experience greater tracking error to the S&P 500 than it otherwise would at a higher asset
level. There can be no assurance regarding Fund performance. Any or all of these factors may also cause the Fund to liquidate.
Cyber
Security Risk: The Fund and its service providers may be susceptible to operational and information security risks resulting
from a breach in cyber security, including cyber-attacks. A breach in cyber security, intentional or unintentional, may adversely
impact the Fund in many ways, including, but not limited to, disruption of the Fund’s operational capacity, loss of proprietary
information, theft or corruption of data, denial-of-service attacks on websites or network resources, and the unauthorized release
of confidential information. Cyber-attacks affecting the Fund’s third-party service providers, market makers, Authorized
Participants, or the issuers of securities in which the Fund invest may subject the Fund
to many of the same risks associated
with direct cyber security breaches.
Shares are not Individually
Redeemable
Shares may be redeemed at NAV
by the Fund only in large lot sizes known as “Creation Units”, which are expected to be worth in excess of one million
dollars each. The Trust may not redeem Shares in fractional Creation Units. Only certain large institutions that enter into agreements
with the Distributor are authorized to transact in Creation Units with the Fund. These entities are referred to as “Authorized
Participants.” All other persons or entities transacting in Fund Shares must do so in the secondary market.
Additional Non-Principal Risks
Secondary
Market Trading Risk. Shares of the Fund may trade in the secondary market at times when the Fund does not accept orders
to purchase or redeem Shares. At such times, Fund Shares may trade in the secondary market with more significant premiums or discounts
than might be experienced at times when the Fund accepts purchase and redemption orders.
Secondary market trading in Fund Shares
may be halted by a stock exchange because of market conditions or for other reasons. In addition, trading in Fund Shares on a stock
exchange or in any market may be subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to “circuit
breaker” rules on the stock exchange or market. There can be no assurance that the requirements necessary to maintain the
listing or trading of Fund Shares will continue to be met or will remain unchanged.
Shares of the Fund, similar to shares
of other issuers listed on a stock exchange, may be sold short and are therefore subject to the risk of increased volatility associated
with short selling.
Shares
of the Fund may trade at prices other than NAV. Shares of the Fund trade on stock exchanges at prices at, above or below
the Fund’s most recent NAV. The NAV of the Fund is calculated at the end of each business day and fluctuates with changes
in the market value of the Fund’s holdings. The trading price of the Fund’s Shares fluctuates continuously throughout
trading hours based on both market supply of and demand for Fund Shares and the underlying value of the Fund’s portfolio
holdings or NAV. Also, in times of market stress, market makers or Authorized Participants may step away from their respective
roles in making a market for Shares of the Fund and in executing purchase or redemption orders. As a result, the trading prices
of the Fund’s Shares may deviate significantly from NAV during periods of market volatility. ANY OF THESE FACTORS, AMONG
OTHERS, MAY LEAD TO THE FUND’S SHARES TRADING AT A PREMIUM OR DISCOUNT TO NAV. However, because Shares can be created and
redeemed in Creation Units at NAV (unlike shares of many closed-end funds, which frequently trade at appreciable discounts from,
and sometimes at premiums to, their NAVs), Syntax believes that large discounts or premiums to the NAV of the Fund are not likely
to be sustained over the long term. While the creation/redemption feature is designed to make it more likely that the Fund’s
Shares normally will trade on stock exchanges at prices close to the Fund’s next calculated NAV, exchange prices are not
expected to correlate exactly with the Fund’s NAV due to timing reasons, supply and demand imbalances and other factors.
In addition, disruptions to creations and redemptions, including disruptions at market makers or Authorized Participants, or to
market participants or during periods of significant market volatility, may result in trading prices for Shares of the Fund that
differ significantly from its NAV.
Costs
of Buying or Selling Fund Shares. Buying or selling Fund Shares on an exchange involves two types of costs that apply
to all securities transactions. When buying or selling Shares of the Fund through a broker, you will likely incur a brokerage commission
or other charges imposed by brokers as determined by that broker. In addition, you may incur the cost of the “spread,”
that is, the difference between what investors are willing to pay for Fund Shares (the “bid” price) and the price at
which they are willing to sell Fund Shares (the “ask” price). Because of the costs inherent in buying or selling Fund
Shares, frequent trading may detract significantly from investment results and an investment in Fund Shares may not be advisable
for investors who anticipate regularly making small investments.
Continuous
Offering. The method by which Creation Units are purchased and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities
laws. Because new Creation Units are issued and sold by the Fund on an ongoing basis, at any point a “distribution,”
as such term is used in the Securities Act, may occur. Broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their
part may, depending on the circumstances, result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner which could render
them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus delivery and liability provisions of the Securities Act. For example,
a broker-dealer firm or its client may be deemed a statutory underwriter if it takes Creation Units after placing an order with
the Transfer Agent, breaks them down into individual Shares, and sells such Shares directly to customers, or if it chooses to couple
the creation of a supply of new Shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of Secondary Market demand for Shares.
A determination of whether one is an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act must take into account all the facts and circumstances
pertaining to the activities of the broker-dealer or its client in the particular case, and the examples mentioned above should
not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could lead to categorization as an underwriter.
U.S.
Tax Risks: To qualify for the favorable U.S. federal income tax treatment accorded to regulated investment companies,
the Fund must satisfy certain income, asset diversification and distribution requirements. If, for any taxable year, the Fund does
not qualify as a regulated investment company, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) for that year would be
subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to its shareholders, and such distributions would
be taxable to its shareholders as dividend income to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits.
The tax treatment of certain derivatives is unclear for purpose of determining the Fund’s tax status.
MANAGEMENT
BOARD
OF TRUSTEES. The Board of Trustees is responsible for overseeing the management and business affairs of the
Fund. The Board oversees the operations of the Fund by its officers. The Board also reviews management of the Fund’s assets
by the investment adviser and sub-adviser. Information about the Board of Trustees and executive officers of the Fund is contained
in the SAI.
ADVISER. Syntax
Advisors, LLC (“Syntax” or the “Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser to the Fund and, subject to
the supervision of the Board, is responsible for the investment management of the Fund, executed through the selection of the Sub-Adviser
for portfolio management and other agreed upon activities. Syntax has been a registered investment adviser since April 21, 2017.
Syntax is owned by Syntax, LLC and is controlled by Rory Riggs. As the Fund’s investment adviser, Syntax provides an investment
management program for the Fund and manages the investment of the Fund’s assets through sub-advisory relationships. The Adviser’s
principal business address is One Liberty Plaza, 46th Floor, New York, NY 10006.
For the services provided to the Fund
under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Fund expects to pay the Adviser the annual fee set forth below, which is based on
a percentage of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
Fund
|
Advisory Fee
|
Syntax Stratified LargeCap II ETF
|
0.45%
|
Under the Investment Advisory Agreement,
the Advisor agrees to pay all expenses of the Fund, except (i) interest expense, (ii) taxes, (iii) acquired fund fees and expenses,
(iv) brokerage expenses and other expenses (such as stamp taxes) connected with the execution of portfolio transactions or in connection
with creation and redemption transactions, (v) expenses associated with shareholder meetings, (vi) compensation and expenses of
the Independent Trustees, (vii) compensation and expenses of the Trust’s chief compliance officer and his or her staff, (viii)
distribution fees and expenses paid by the Trust under any distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act,
(ix) legal fees or expenses in connection with any arbitration, litigation or pending or threatened arbitration or litigation,
including any settlements in connection therewith, (x) extraordinary expenses of the Fund and (xi) fees payable to the Adviser.
The payment or assumption by the Adviser of any expense of the Fund that the Advisor is not required by the Investment Advisory
Agreement to pay or assume shall not obligate the Advisor to pay or assume the same or any similar expense of the Fund on any subsequent
occasion. The Adviser has agreed to waive a portion of its management fee in an amount equivalent to 0.15%.
Contractual arrangements have been
made with Syntax, through one year from the effective date of this prospectus, to waive fees and/or reimburse fund expenses to
the extent that the Fund’s total operating expenses exceed the rates below, excluding, as applicable, (i) interest expense,
(ii) taxes, (iii) acquired fund fees and expenses, (iv) brokerage expenses and other expenses (such as stamp taxes) connected with
the execution of portfolio transactions or in connection with creation and redemption transactions, (v) expenses associated with
shareholder meetings, (vi) compensation and expenses of the Independent Trustees, (vii) compensation and expenses of the Trust’s
chief compliance officer and his or her staff, (viii) distribution fees and expenses paid by the Trust under any distribution plan
adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, (ix) legal fees or expenses in connection with any arbitration, litigation or
pending or threatened arbitration or litigation, including any settlements in connection therewith, and (x) extraordinary expenses
of the Fund. These arrangements cannot be terminated prior to one year from the effective date of this prospectus, without the
approval of the Fund’s Board of Trustees. Syntax is entitled to reimbursement by the Fund of fees waived or expenses reduced
during any of the previous 36 months if on any day the estimated annualized fund operating expenses are less than the cap. The
Fund may only make repayments to the Syntax if such repayment does not cause the Fund’s expense ratio (after the repayment
is taken into account) to exceed both: (1) the Fund’s net expense ratio in place at the time such amounts were waived; and
(2) the Fund’s current net expense ratio (before recoupment).
Fund
|
Total Operating
Expenses after
Waiver/Reimbursement
|
Syntax Stratified LargeCap II ETF
|
0.30%
|
SUB-ADVISOR. Pursuant
to an investment sub-advisory agreement with Syntax, Vantage Consulting Group (“Vantage” or the “Sub-Advisor”)
serves as the sub-advisor to the Fund and performs the day to day management of the Fund and places orders for the purchase and
sale of securities for the Fund. For its services to the Fund, the Sub-Adviser is compensated by Syntax. The Sub-Advisor has been
a registered investment adviser since June 2, 1986 and is owned by Mark T. Finn. As of December 31st, 2019, the Sub-Adviser managed
approximately $2.3 billion in assets. The Sub-Adviser’s principal business address is 3500 Pacific Ave. Virginia Beach, VA
23451.
A discussion regarding the Board’s
consideration of the investment advisory and sub-advisory agreements will be found in the Trust’s next Annual or Semi-Annual
Report to Shareholders, as applicable.
PORTFOLIO
MANAGER. The Fund is managed by the portfolio manager listed below.
Portfolio Manager
|
Business Experience over Past 5 Years
|
James Thomas Wolfe
|
Mr. Wolfe currently serves as portfolio manager. He has held a variety of positions since joining Vantage in 1988 including trader, operations manager, and systems developer specializing in quantitative modeling, and he is currently head trader. Mr. Wolfe is an investment professional with over 25 years of experience. Mr. Wolfe received his BA from Virginia Wesleyan College in 1983 and an MBA from the College of William and Mary in 1989.
|
Additional information about the portfolio
manager’s compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio manager, and the portfolio manager’s ownership of securities
in the Fund is available in the SAI.
Administrator, Custodian and Transfer
Agent
State Street Bank and Trust Company
is the Administrator for the Fund, the Transfer Agent to the Fund and the Custodian for the Fund’s assets.
Distributor
Foreside Fund Services, LLC (the “Distributor”)
is the distributor of the Fund Shares. The Distributor will not distribute Fund Shares in less than Creation Units, and it does
not maintain a secondary market in the Fund Shares. The Distributor may enter into selected dealer agreements with other broker-dealers
or other qualified financial institutions for the sale of Creation Units of Fund Shares.
Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm
Ernst
& Young LLP serves as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Trust.
Legal Counsel
Chapman and Cutler LLP serves as legal
counsel to the Trust and the Fund.
INDEX/TRADEMARK LICENSES AND DISCLAIMER
The
Fund is not sponsored by S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC or its affiliates or its third-party licensors, including Standard
& Poor’s Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (collectively, “S&P Dow Jones Indices”).
S&P® is a registered trademark of Standard & Poor’s Financial Services LLC, and Dow Jones® is a registered
trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC.
The
Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices. S&P Dow Jones Indices does not make any representation
or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing
in securities generally or in the Fund particularly or the ability of the Fund to track or exceed general market performance.
S&P Dow Jones Indices’ only relationship to Syntax, LLC is the licensing of the S&P 500® Index and its constituents,
certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices, and the provision of the calculation services related
to the Index. S&P Dow Jones Indices is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and
amount of the Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Fund or in the determination or calculation of the equation by
which the Fund may be converted into cash or other redemption mechanics. S&P Dow Jones Indices has no obligation or liability
in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Fund. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC is not an investment advisor.
Inclusion of a security within the Index is not a recommendation by S&P Dow Jones Indices to buy, sell, or hold such security,
nor is it investment advice.
S&P DOW JONES INDICES DOES NOT
GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE INDEX OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO OR ANY COMMUNICATION
WITH RESPECT THERETO, INCLUDING, ORAL, WRITTEN, OR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS. S&P DOW JONES INDICES SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO
ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN EXCEPT THOSE ARISING FROM FRAUD OR GROSS NEGLIGENCE ON THE
PART OF S&P. S&P DOW JONES INDICES MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY
OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY SYNTAX, LLC, OWNERS OF THE FUND, OR ANY OTHER PERSON
OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE INDEX OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY DATA RELATED THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT
WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P DOW JONES INDICES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME, OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY
OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE.
ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION
The Shares are listed for secondary
trading on NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “Exchange”) and individual Fund Shares may only be purchased and sold in the secondary
market through a broker-dealer. The secondary markets are closed on weekends and also are generally closed on the following holidays:
New Year’s Day, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day (observed), Independence
Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The Exchange may close early on the business day before certain holidays and
on the day after Thanksgiving Day. Exchange holiday schedules are subject to change without notice. If you buy or sell Shares in
the secondary market, you will pay the secondary market price for Shares. In addition, you may incur customary brokerage commissions
and charges and may pay some or all of the spread between the bid and the offered price in the secondary market on each leg of
a round trip (purchase and sale) transaction.
The trading prices of the Fund’s
Shares will fluctuate continuously throughout trading hours based on market supply and demand rather than the Fund’s net
asset value, which is calculated at the end of each business day. The Shares will trade on the Exchange at prices that may be above
(i.e., at a premium) or below (i.e., at a discount), to varying degrees, the daily net asset value of the Shares. The trading prices
of the Fund’s Shares may deviate significantly from its net asset value during periods of market volatility. Given, however,
that Shares can be issued and redeemed daily in Creation Units, the Adviser believes that large discounts and premiums to net asset
value should not be sustained over long periods. Information showing the number of days the market price of the Fund’s Shares
was greater than the Fund’s net asset value and the number of days it was less than the Fund’s net asset value (i.e.,
premium or discount) for various time periods is available by visiting the Fund’s website at www.SyntaxAdvisors.com.
The Exchange will disseminate, every
fifteen seconds during the regular trading day, an indicative optimized portfolio value (“IOPV”) relating to the Fund.
The IOPV calculations are estimates of the value of the Fund’s net asset value per Share using market data converted into
U.S. dollars at the current currency rates. The IOPV price is based on quotes and closing prices from the securities’ local
market and may not reflect events that occur subsequent to the local market’s close. Premiums and discounts between the IOPV
and the market price may occur. This should not be viewed as a “real-time” update of the net asset value per Share
of the Fund, which is calculated only once a day. Neither the Fund, nor the Adviser or any of their affiliates are involved in,
or responsible for, the calculation or dissemination of such IOPVs and make no warranty as to their accuracy.
The Fund does not impose any restrictions
on the frequency of purchases and redemptions; however, the Fund reserves the right to reject or limit purchases at any time as
described in the SAI. When considering that no restriction or policy was necessary, the Board evaluated the risks posed by market
timing activities, such as whether frequent purchases and redemptions would occur, for example from an investor’s efforts
to take advantage of a potential arbitrage opportunity, and would interfere with the efficient implementation of the Fund’s
investment strategy, or whether they would cause the Fund to experience increased transaction costs. The Board considered that,
unlike traditional mutual funds, Fund Shares are issued and redeemed only in the large quantities of Creation Units available only
from the Fund directly, and that most trading in the Fund occurs on the Exchange at prevailing market prices and does not involve
the Fund directly. 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 shareholders would result in negative impact to the
Fund or its shareholders.
BOOK ENTRY. Shares of the Fund are
held in book-entry form and no stock certificates are issued. The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), through its nominee
Cede & Co., is the record owner of all outstanding Shares.
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 securities that you hold in book entry or “street name” form for any publicly-traded company. Specifically,
in the case of a shareholder meeting of the Fund, DTC assigns applicable Cede & Co. voting rights to its participants that
have Shares credited to their accounts on the record date, issues an omnibus proxy and forwards the omnibus proxy to the Fund.
The omnibus proxy transfers the voting authority from Cede & Co. to the DTC participant. This gives the DTC participant through
whom you own Shares (namely, your broker, dealer, bank, trust company or other nominee) authority to vote the shares, and, in turn,
the DTC participant is obligated to follow the voting instructions you provide.
DISTRIBUTIONS
DIVIDENDS AND CAPITAL GAINS. As
a shareholder, you are entitled to your 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. These amounts, net of expenses and taxes (if applicable), 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 dividend distributions, if any,
for the Fund are generally distributed to shareholders annually, but may vary significantly from period to period. Net capital
gains for the Fund are distributed at least annually. Dividends may be declared and paid more frequently or at any other times
or to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”).
Distributions in cash may be reinvested
automatically in additional whole Fund Shares only if the broker through whom you purchased Shares makes such option available.
Distributions which are reinvested will nevertheless be taxable to the same extent as if such distributions had not been reinvested.
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS DISCLOSURE
A description of the Fund’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.
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION
The following is a summary of certain
U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to an investment in Shares of the Fund. The summary is based on the U.S. Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”), U.S. Treasury Department regulations promulgated thereunder,
and judicial and administrative interpretations thereof, all as in effect on the date of this Prospectus and all of which are subject
to change, possibly with retroactive effect. In addition, this summary assumes that a shareholder holds Shares as capital assets
within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code and does not hold Shares in connection with a trade or business. This summary does
not address all potential U.S. federal income tax considerations possibly applicable to an investment in Shares of the Fund, and
does not address the consequences to Fund shareholders subject to special tax rules, including, but not limited to, partnerships
and the partners therein, tax-exempt shareholders, those who hold Fund Shares through an IRA, 401(k) plan or other tax-advantaged
account, and, except to the extent discussed below, “non-U.S. shareholders” (as defined below). This discussion does
not discuss any aspect of U.S. state, local, estate, and gift, or non-U.S., tax law. Furthermore, this discussion is not intended
or written to be legal or tax advice to any shareholder in the Fund or other person and is not intended or written to be used or
relied on, and cannot be used or relied on, by any such person for the purpose of avoiding any U.S. federal tax penalties that
may be imposed on such person. Prospective Fund shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the specific
U.S. federal, state and local, and non-U.S., tax consequences of investing in Shares, based on their particular circumstances.
The Fund has not requested and will
not request an advance ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) as to the U.S. federal income tax
matters described below. The IRS could adopt positions contrary to those discussed below and such positions could be sustained.
Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisors with regard to the U.S. federal tax consequences of the purchase, ownership
or disposition of Shares, as well as the tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, locality, non-U.S. country or other
taxing jurisdiction. The following information supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, the section in the SAI entitled
“U.S. Federal Income Taxation.”
Tax Treatment of the Fund
The Fund intends to qualify and elect
to be treated as a separate “regulated investment company” (a “RIC”) under the Internal Revenue Code. To
qualify and remain eligible for the special tax treatment accorded to RICs, the Fund must meet certain annual income and quarterly
asset diversification requirements and must distribute annually at least 90% of the sum of (i) its “investment company taxable
income” (which includes dividends, interest and net short-term capital gains) and (ii) certain net tax-exempt income, if
any.
As a RIC, the Fund generally will not
be required to pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that it distributes to its
shareholders. If the Fund fails to qualify as a RIC for any year (subject to certain curative measures allowed by the Internal
Revenue Code), the Fund will be subject to regular corporate-level U.S. federal income tax in that year on all of its taxable income,
regardless of whether the Fund makes any distributions to its shareholders. In addition, in such case, distributions will be taxable
to the Fund’s shareholders generally as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings
and profits. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the Fund will qualify for the special tax treatment accorded to RICs.
The Fund will be subject to a 4% excise
tax on certain undistributed income if the Fund does not distribute to its shareholders in each calendar year at least 98% of its
ordinary income for the calendar year, 98.2% of its capital gain net income for the twelve months ended October 31 of such year,
plus 100% of any undistributed amounts from prior years. For these purposes, the Fund will be treated as having distributed any
amount on which it has been subject to U.S. corporate income tax for the taxable year ending within the calendar year. The Fund
intends to make distributions necessary to avoid this 4% excise tax, although there can be no assurance that it will be able to
do so.
The Fund may be required to recognize
taxable income in advance of receiving the related cash payment. For example, if the Fund invests in original issue discount obligations
(such as zero coupon debt instruments or debt instruments with payment-in-kind interest), the Fund will be required to include
in income each year a portion of the original issue discount that accrues over the term of the obligation, even if the related
cash payment is not received by the Fund until a later year. Under the “wash sale” rules, the Fund may not be able
to deduct currently a loss on a disposition of a portfolio security. As a result, the Fund may be required to make an annual income
distribution greater than the total cash actually received during the year. Such distribution may be made from the existing cash
assets of the Fund or cash generated from selling portfolio securities. The Fund may realize gains or losses from such sales, in
which event its shareholders may receive a larger capital gain distribution than they would in the absence of such transactions.
Tax Treatment of Fund Shareholders
Taxation of U.S. Shareholders
The following is a summary of certain
U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Fund Shares applicable to “U.S. shareholders.”
For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. shareholder” is a beneficial owner of Fund Shares who, for U.S. federal income
tax purposes, is (i) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; (ii) a corporation (or an entity treated
as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United
States, or of any state thereof, or the District of Columbia; (iii) an estate, the income of which is includable in gross income
for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or (iv) a trust, if (1) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary
supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions
of the trust, or (2) the trust has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person.
Fund
Distributions. In general, Fund distributions are subject to U.S. federal income tax when paid, regardless of whether
they consist of cash or property, and regardless of whether they are re-invested in Shares. However, any Fund distribution declared
in October, November or December of any calendar year and payable to shareholders of record on a specified date during such month
will be deemed to have been received by the Fund shareholder on December 31 of such calendar year, provided such dividend is actually
paid during January of the following calendar year.
Distributions of the Fund’s net
investment income (except, as discussed below, qualified dividend income) and net short-term capital gains are taxable as ordinary
income to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. To the extent designated as capital gain
dividends by the Fund, distributions of the Fund’s net long-term capital gains in excess of net short-term capital losses
(“net capital gain”) are taxable at long-term capital gain tax rates to the extent of the Fund’s current and
accumulated earnings and profits, regardless of the Fund shareholder’s holding period in the Fund’s Shares. Distributions
of qualified dividend income are, to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, taxed to certain
non-corporate Fund shareholders at the rates generally applicable to long-term capital gain, provided that the Fund shareholder
meets certain holding period and other requirements with respect to the distributing Fund’s Shares and the distributing Fund
meets certain holding period and other requirements with respect to its dividend-paying stocks. Substitute payments received on
Fund Shares that are lent out will be ineligible for being reported as qualified dividend income.
The Fund intends to distribute its
net capital gain at least annually. However, by providing written notice to its shareholders no later than 60 days after its year-end,
the Fund may elect to retain some or all of its net capital gain and designate the retained amount as a “deemed distribution.”
In that event, the Fund pays U.S. federal income tax on the retained net capital gain, and the Fund shareholder recognizes a proportionate
share of the Fund’s undistributed net capital gain. In addition, the Fund shareholder can claim a tax credit or refund for
the shareholder’s proportionate share of the Fund’s U.S. federal income taxes paid on the undistributed net capital
gain and increase the shareholder’s tax basis in the Shares by an amount equal to the shareholder’s proportionate share
of the Fund’s undistributed net capital gain, reduced by the amount of the shareholder’s tax credit or refund.
Distributions in excess of the Fund’s
current and accumulated earnings and profits will, as to each shareholder, be treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent
of the shareholder’s tax basis in its Shares of the Fund, and generally as capital gain thereafter.
In addition, high-income individuals
(and certain trusts and estates) generally will be subject to a 3.8% Medicare tax on “net investment income” in addition
to otherwise applicable U.S. federal income tax. “Net investment income” generally will include dividends (including
capital gain dividends) received from the Fund and net gains from the redemption or other disposition of Shares. Please consult
your tax advisor regarding this tax.
Investors considering buying Shares
just prior to a distribution should be aware that, although the price of the Shares purchased at such time may reflect the forthcoming
distribution, such distribution nevertheless may be taxable (as opposed to a non-taxable return of capital).
Sales
of Shares. Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale or exchange of Shares generally is treated as a long-term gain
or loss if the Shares have been held for more than one year. Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale or exchange of Shares
held for one year or less generally is treated as a short-term gain or loss, except that any capital loss on the sale or exchange
of Shares held for six months or less is treated as long-term capital loss to the extent that capital gain dividends were paid
(or deemed to be paid) with respect to the Shares.
Creation
Unit Issues and Redemptions. On an issue of Shares of the Fund as part of a Creation Unit where the creation is conducted
in-kind, an Authorized Participant recognizes capital gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the fair market value (at
issue) of the issued Shares (plus any cash received by the Authorized Participant as part of the issue) and (ii) the Authorized
Participant’s aggregate basis in the exchanged securities (plus any cash paid by the Authorized Participant as part of the
issue). On a redemption of Shares as part of a Creation Unit where the redemption is conducted in-kind, an Authorized Participant
recognizes capital gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the fair market value (at redemption) of the securities received
(plus any cash received by the Authorized Participant as part of the redemption) and (ii) the Authorized Participant’s basis
in the redeemed Shares (plus any cash paid by the Authorized Participant as part of the redemption). However, the IRS may assert,
under the “wash sale” rules or on the basis that there has been no significant change in the Authorized Participant’s
economic position, that any loss on creation or redemption of Creation Units cannot be deducted currently.
In general, any capital gain or loss
recognized upon the issue or redemption of Shares (as components of a Creation Unit) is treated either as long-term capital gain
or loss, if the deposited securities (in the case of an issue) or the Shares (in the case of a redemption) have been held for more
than one year, or otherwise as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any capital loss on a redemption of Shares held for six
months or less is treated as long-term capital loss to the extent that capital gain dividends were paid (or deemed to be paid)
with respect to such Shares.
Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders
The following is a summary of certain
U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Fund Shares applicable to “non-U.S. shareholders.”
For purposes of this discussion, a “non-U.S. shareholder” is a beneficial owner of Fund Shares that is not a U.S. shareholder
(as defined above) and is not an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The following
discussion is based on current law and is for general information only. It addresses only selected, and not all, aspects of U.S.
federal income taxation.
With respect to non-U.S. shareholders
of the Fund, the Fund’s ordinary income dividends generally will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a rate of
30% (or at a lower rate established under an applicable tax treaty), subject to certain exceptions for “interest-related
dividends” and “short-term capital gain dividends” discussed below. U.S. federal withholding tax generally will
not apply to any gain realized by a non-U.S. shareholder in respect of the Fund’s net capital gain. Special rules apply with
respect to dividends of the Fund that are attributable to gain from the sale or exchange of “U.S. real property interests.”
In general, all “interest-related dividends”
and “short-term capital gain dividends” (each defined below) will not be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax,
provided that the non-U.S. shareholder furnished the Fund with a completed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, (or acceptable
substitute documentation) establishing the non-U.S. shareholder’s non-U.S. status and the Fund does not have actual knowledge
or reason to know that the non-U.S. shareholder would be subject to such withholding tax if the non-U.S. shareholder were to receive
the related amounts directly rather than as dividends from the Fund. “Interest-related dividends” generally means
dividends designated by the Fund as attributable to such Fund’s U.S.-source interest income, other than certain contingent
interest and interest from obligations of a corporation or partnership in which such Fund is at least a 10% shareholder, reduced
by expenses that are allocable to such income. “Short-term capital gain dividends” generally means dividends designated
by the Fund as attributable to the excess of such Fund’s net short-term capital gain over its net long-term capital loss.
Depending on its circumstances, the Fund may treat such dividends, in whole or in part, as ineligible for these exemptions from
withholding.
In general, subject to certain exceptions,
non-U.S. shareholders will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax in respect of a sale or other disposition of
Shares of the Fund.
To claim a credit or refund for any
Fund-level taxes on any undistributed net capital gain (as discussed above) or any taxes collected through back-up withholding
(discussed below), a non-U.S. shareholder must obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number and file a U.S. federal income tax
return even if the non-U.S. shareholder would not otherwise be required to do so.
Back-Up
Withholding.
The Fund (or a financial intermediary
such as a broker through which a shareholder holds Shares in the Fund) may be required to report certain information on the Fund
shareholder to the IRS and withhold U.S. federal income tax (“backup withholding”) at a current rate of 28% from taxable
distributions and redemption or sale proceeds payable to the Fund shareholder if (i) the Fund shareholder fails to provide the
Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number or make required certifications, or if the IRS notifies the Fund that the Fund
shareholder is otherwise subject to backup withholding, and (ii) the Fund shareholder is not otherwise exempt from backup withholding.
Non-U.S. shareholders can qualify for exemption from backup withholding by submitting a properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax and any amount withheld may be credited against the Fund shareholder’s U.S. federal
income tax liability.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance
Act
The U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance
Act (“FATCA”) generally imposes a 30% withholding tax on “withholdable payments” (defined below) made to
(i) a “foreign financial institution” (“FFI”), unless the FFI enters into an agreement with the IRS to
provide information regarding certain of its direct and indirect U.S. account holders and satisfy certain due diligence and other
specified requirements, and (ii) a “non-financial foreign entity” (“NFFE”) unless such NFFE provides certain
information about its direct and indirect “substantial U.S. owners” to the withholding agent or certifies that it has
no such U.S. owners. The beneficial owner of a withholdable payment may be eligible for a refund or credit of the withheld tax.
The U.S. government also has entered into several intergovernmental agreements with other jurisdictions to provide an alternative,
and generally easier, approach for FFIs to comply with FATCA.
Withholdable payments generally include,
among other items, (i) U.S.-source interest and dividends, and (ii) gross proceeds from the sale or disposition, occurring on or
after January 1, 2019, of property of a type that can produce U.S.-source interest or dividends.
The Fund may be required to impose
a 30% withholding tax on withholdable payments to a shareholder if the shareholder fails to provide the Fund with the information,
certifications or documentation required under FATCA, including information, certification or documentation necessary for the Fund
to determine if the shareholder is a non-U.S. shareholder or a U.S. shareholder and, if it is a non-U.S. shareholder, if the non-U.S.
shareholder has “substantial U.S. owners” and/or is in compliance with (or meets an exception from) FATCA requirements.
The Fund will not pay any additional amounts to shareholders in respect of any amounts withheld. The Fund may disclose any shareholder
information, certifications or documentation to the IRS or other parties as necessary to comply with FATCA.
The requirements of, and exceptions
from, FATCA are complex. All prospective shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the potential application
of FATCA with respect to their own situation.
For a more detailed tax discussion
regarding an investment in the Fund, please see the section of the SAI entitled “U.S. Federal Income Taxation.”
GENERAL INFORMATION
Syntax ETF Trust was organized as a
Delaware statutory trust on June 27, 2013. If shareholders of the Fund are required to vote on any matters, shareholders are entitled
to one vote for each Share they own. Annual meetings of shareholders will not be held except as required by the 1940 Act and other
applicable law. See the SAI for more information concerning the Trust’s form of organization.
For purposes of the 1940 Act, Shares
of the Trust are issued by the respective series of the Trust and the acquisition of Shares by investment companies is subject
to the restrictions of section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act. The Trust has received exemptive relief from Section 12(d)(1)
to allow registered investment companies to invest in the Fund beyond the limits set forth in Section 12(d)(1), subject to
certain terms and conditions as set forth in an SEC exemptive order issued to the Trust, including that such investment companies
enter into an agreement with the Trust.
From time to time, the Fund may advertise
yield and total return figures. Yield is a historical measure of dividend income, and total return is a measure of past dividend
income (assuming that it has been reinvested) plus capital appreciation. Neither yield nor total return should be used to predict
the future performance of the Fund.
PREMIUM/DISCOUNT INFORMATION
Information showing the number of days
the market price of the Fund’s Shares was greater than the Fund’s NAV per Share (i.e. at a premium) and the number
of days it was less than the Fund’s NAV per Share (i.e. at a discount) for various time periods is available by visiting
the Fund’s website at www.SyntaxAdvisors.com.
CODE OF ETHICS
The Trust, the Advisor, the Sub-Advisor
and Foreside Financial Group, LLC (on behalf of Foreside Fund Officer Services, LLC) have each adopted a code of ethics under Rule 17j-1
of the 1940 Act. These codes of ethics permit, subject to certain conditions, personnel of each of those entities to invest
in securities that may be purchased or held by the Fund. The Distributor relies on the principal underwriters exception under Rule
17j-1(c)(3), specifically where the Distributor is not affiliated with the Trust or the Advisor, and no officer, director or general
partner of the Distributor serves as an officer, director or general partner of the Trust or the Advisor. Each code of ethics is
on public file with, and is available from, the SEC.
DISTRIBUTION PLAN
The Fund has adopted a Rule 12b-1 Distribution
and Service Plan in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act pursuant to which payments of up to 0.25% of the Fund’s
average daily net assets may be made for the sale and distribution of its Shares. However, the Board of Trustees has determined
not to authorize payment of a 12b-1 Plan fee at this time. The 12b-1 Plan fee may only be imposed or increased when the Board of
Trustees determines that it is in the best interests of shareholders to do so. Because Rule 12b-1 fees are paid out of the Fund’s
assets, and over time, these fees increase the cost of your investment and they may cost you more than certain other types of sales
charges.
OTHER INFORMATION
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed,
sold or promoted by NYSE Arca, Inc. NYSE Arca makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of Shares
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 achieve its objectives. NYSE Arca has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration,
marketing or trading of the Fund.
For purposes of the 1940 Act, the Fund
is a registered investment company, and the acquisition of Shares by other registered investment companies and companies relying
on exemption from registration as investment companies under Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act is subject to the restrictions
of Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act, except as permitted by an exemptive order that permits registered investment companies to
invest in the Fund beyond those limitations.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Financial Highlights are not included in this Prospectus
because the Fund has not yet commenced operations.
WHERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FUND
This Prospectus does not contain all
the information included in the Registration Statement filed with the SEC with respect to the Fund’s Shares. The Fund’s
SAI and, when available, the annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders, each of which will be filed with the SEC, provide
more information about the Fund. In the annual report, when available, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and
investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during the Fund’s last fiscal year, as applicable.
The SAI and the financial statements included in the Trust’s annual report to shareholders are incorporated herein by reference
(i.e., they are legally part of this Prospectus). These materials may be obtained without charge, upon request, by writing to the
Distributor, Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine, 04101, by visiting the Fund’s website at www.SyntaxAdvisors.com
or by calling the following number: (866) 972-4492.
Investor Information:
Reports and other information about
the Fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at www.sec.gov, and copies of this information may
be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.
Shareholder inquiries may be directed
to the Fund in writing to Syntax Advisors, LLC at One Liberty Plaza, 46th Floor, New York, NY 10006 or by calling the
Investor Information number listed above.
No person has been authorized to give
any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this Prospectus in connection with the offer of the
Fund’s Shares, and, if given or made, the information or representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized
by the Trust or the Fund. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale of Shares shall under any circumstance imply that
the information contained herein is correct as of any date after the date of this Prospectus.
Dealers effecting transactions in the
Fund’s Shares, whether or not participating in this distribution, are generally required to deliver a Prospectus. This is
in addition to any obligation of dealers to deliver a Prospectus when acting as underwriters.
Investment Company Act File No.:
811-23227
SYNTAX ETF TRUST (THE “TRUST”)
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
APRIL 22, 2020
This Statement of Additional Information
(“SAI”) is not a prospectus. It should be read in conjunction with the prospectus for the Trust dated April 22, 2020,
as it may be revised from time to time (the “Prospectus”).
Fund
|
Ticker
|
Syntax Stratified LargeCap II ETF
|
SPYS
|
Principal U.S. Listing Exchange: NYSE
Arca, Inc.
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, Foreside Fund Services, LLC, at Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine,
04101, by visiting the Fund’s website at www.SyntaxAdvisors.com or calling (866) 972-4492.
Table of Contents
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
The Trust is an open-end management investment
company, registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), currently consisting of
six investment series (the “Funds”). The Trust was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on June 27, 2013. The
offering of the Funds’ shares (“Shares”) is registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (“Securities
Act”). The investment objective of the Syntax Stratified LargeCap II ETF (the “Fund”) is to obtain capital
growth that meets or exceeds the performance of the S&P 500® Index (“S&P 500”) by investing in securities
that provide U.S. large capitalization (“large cap”) equity market exposure . Syntax Advisors, LLC (“Syntax”
or the “Advisor”) serves as the investment adviser for the Fund. Vantage Consulting Group (“Vantage” or
the “Sub-Advisor,” and together with the Advisor, “Advisors”) serves as the investment sub-adviser for
the Fund.
The Fund offers and issues Shares at its
net asset value (sometimes referred to herein as “NAV”) only in aggregations of a specified number of Shares (each,
a “Creation Unit”). The Fund generally offers and issues Shares in exchange for a basket of securities included in
its Index (“Deposit Securities”) together with the deposit of a specified cash payment (“Cash Component”).
The Trust reserves the right to permit or require the substitution of a “cash in lieu” amount (“Deposit Cash”)
to be added to the Cash Component to replace any Deposit Security. The Shares have been approved for listing and secondary trading
on a national securities exchange (“Exchange”). The Shares will trade on the Exchange at market prices. These prices
may differ from the Shares’ net asset values. The Shares are also redeemable only in Creation Unit aggregations, and generally
in exchange for portfolio securities and a specified cash payment. A Creation Unit of the Fund consists of 25,000 Shares, as set
forth in the Prospectus.
Shares may be issued in advance of receipt
of all Deposit Securities subject to various conditions including a requirement to maintain on deposit with the Trust cash at least
equal to a specified percentage of the market value of the missing Deposit Securities as set forth in the Participant Agreement
(as defined below). See “Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units.” The Trust may impose a transaction fee for each
creation or redemption. In all cases, such fees will be limited in accordance with the requirements of the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission (“SEC”) applicable to management investment companies offering redeemable securities. In addition
to the fixed creation or redemption transaction fee, an additional transaction fee of up to three times the fixed creation or redemption
transaction fee and/or an additional variable charge may apply.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Syntax Stratified Weight represents a major
breakthrough in weighting methodology in that it is designed to control for the negative impacts of related business risks. When
two or more companies’ earnings are affected by the same fundamental drivers (e.g. the product/services the company makes/provides,
the customers or end users the company sells to, or the inputs that it utilizes to make its product or service), we say that they
share a related business risk. The Advisor utilize a proprietary functional information system (“FIS”) developed by
Syntax, LLC, to identify related business risks and implement a patented stratified weighting methodology that controls for the
inadvertent overweighting of related business risk that regularly occurs in capitalization-weighted and equal-weighted indices.
To learn more about FIS, please visit www.SyntaxAdvisors.com.
Stratified Weight funds are a new class
of investments that mitigate the negative impacts of overweighting related business risks without sacrificing upside performance
in normal markets. Stratified Weight funds and indices, together with capitalization-weight and equal-weight indices and funds,
form a complementary suite of index and fund weighting methods that each provide a different measure of market performance. Capitalization-weight
indices and funds measure aggregate market performance, equal-weight indices and funds measure average company performance, and
Stratified Weight indices and funds measure diversified business performance. Each is an important market benchmark that offers
different perspectives.
The investment objective Stratified Weight
funds is to deliver returns consistent with the performance objectives of the underlying companies that it holds. By using FIS
and stratification to control for exposure to related business risks, Stratified Weight funds are designed to improve the tracking
of the actual medium-to long-term performance of groups of companies and provide results that are the product of effective diversification,
rather than the overweighting of one or more outperforming group. Because FIS defines the related business risks, Syntax funds
and indices are built as a more stable composite of those functional parts. While the major cap-weighted indices are designed to
be a proxy for the total market, Syntax believes that the Syntax funds serve as a better basis for medium-to-long-term investments.
Disclaimer
Syntax, LLC is affiliated with the Trust
and the Adviser. The Adviser (“Licensee”) has entered into license agreements with Syntax, LLC pursuant to which the
Adviser pays a fee to use the strategies. The Adviser is sub-licensing rights to the strategies to the Fund at no charge.
S&P® is a registered
trademark of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC, and Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones
Trademark Holdings LLC.
The Fund is not sponsored, endorsed, sold
or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices. S&P Dow Jones Indices do not make any representation or warranty, express or implied,
to the owners of the Fund or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the
Fund particularly or the ability of the Indices to track general market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices is not responsible
for and has not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of the Fund or the timing of the issuance or sale of
the Fund or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Fund may be converted into cash or other redemption
mechanics. S&P Dow Jones Indices has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading
of the Fund. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC is not an investment advisor. Inclusion of a security within each Index is not a recommendation
by S&P Dow Jones Indices to buy, sell, or hold such security, nor is it investment advice.
S&P DOW JONES INDICES DOES NOT GUARANTEE
THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO OR ANY COMMUNICATION WITH RESPECT THERETO,
INCLUDING, ORAL, WRITTEN, OR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS. S&P DOW JONES INDICES SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY
FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN EXCEPT THOSE ARISING FROM FRAUD OR GROSS NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF S&P. S&P
DOW JONES INDICES MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY SYNTAX, LLC, OWNERS OF THE FUNDS, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY
FROM THE USE OF ANY DATA RELATED THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P DOW JONES
INDICES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS
OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME, OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER
IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE.
INVESTMENT POLICIES
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
DIVERSIFICATION STATUS
The Fund is classified as a “diversified”
investment company under the 1940 Act.
ACTIVE MANAGEMENT
The Fund is actively managed and provides
Advisor and/or Subadvisor discretion regarding security selection and weighting subject to restrictions and strategies enumerated
in the Prospectus and herein.
The following contains more detailed information
about the types of instruments in which the Fund may invest, or with which the Fund may be seeded or receive contributions-in-kind.
EQUITY SECURITIES
Equity securities in which the Fund invests,
or may be seeded with, include common stocks and preferred stocks and securities convertible into common stocks, including, but
not limited to, options. The value of equity securities varies in response to many factors, including the activities and financial
condition of individual companies, the business market in which individual companies compete and general market and economic conditions.
Equity securities fluctuate in value, often based on factors unrelated to the value of the issuer of the securities, and such fluctuations
can be significant.
COMMON STOCK
Common stock represents an equity (ownership)
interest in a company, and usually possesses voting rights and earns dividends. Dividends on common stock are not fixed but are
declared at the discretion of the issuer. Common stock generally represents the riskiest investment in a company. In addition,
common stock generally has the greatest appreciation and depreciation potential because increases and decreases in earnings are
usually reflected in a company’s stock price.
PREFERRED STOCK
The Fund may invest in, or be seeded with
or receive contributions in kind with, preferred stock with no minimum credit rating. Preferred stock is a class of stock having
a preference over common stock as to the payment of dividends and the recovery of investment should a company be liquidated, although
preferred stock is usually junior to the debt securities of the issuer. Preferred stock typically does not possess voting rights
and its market value may change based on changes in interest rates. The fundamental risk of investing in common and preferred stock
is the risk that the value of the stock might decrease. Stock values fluctuate in response to the activities of an individual company
or in response to general market and/or economic conditions. Historically, common stocks have provided greater long-term returns
and have entailed greater short-term risks than preferred stocks, fixed-income securities and money market investments. The market
value of all securities, including common and preferred stocks, is based upon the market’s perception of value and not necessarily
the book value of an issuer or other objective measures of a company’s worth.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements
with commercial banks, brokers or dealers to generate income from its excess cash balances and to invest securities lending cash
collateral. A repurchase agreement is an agreement under which a Fund acquires a financial instrument (e.g., a security issued
by the U.S. government or an agency thereof, a banker’s acceptance or a certificate of deposit) from a seller, subject to
resale to the seller at an agreed upon price and date (normally, the next Business Day – as defined below). A repurchase
agreement may be considered a loan collateralized by securities. The resale price reflects an agreed upon interest rate effective
for the period the instrument is held by the Fund and is unrelated to the interest rate on the underlying instrument.
In these repurchase agreement transactions,
the securities acquired by the Fund (including accrued interest earned thereon) must have a total value in excess of the value
of the repurchase agreement and be held by the Custodian until repurchased. No more than an aggregate of 15 percent of a Fund’s
net assets will be invested in illiquid securities, including repurchase agreements having maturities longer than seven days and
securities subject to legal or contractual restrictions on resale, or for which there are no readily available market quotations.
The use of repurchase agreements involves
certain risks. For example, if the other party to the agreement defaults on its obligation to repurchase the underlying security
at a time when the value of the security has declined, the Fund may incur a loss upon disposition of the security. If the other
party to the agreement becomes insolvent and subject to liquidation or reorganization under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or other laws,
a court may determine that the underlying security is collateral for a loan by the Fund not within the control of the Fund and,
therefore, the Fund may not be able to substantiate its interest in the underlying security and may be deemed an unsecured creditor
of the other party to the agreement.
OTHER SHORT-TERM INSTRUMENTS
In addition to repurchase agreements, the
Fund may invest in short-term instruments, including money market instruments, cash and cash equivalents, on an ongoing basis to
provide liquidity or for other reasons. Money market instruments are generally short-term investments that may include but are
not limited to: (i) shares of money market funds; (ii) obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or
instrumentalities (including government-sponsored enterprises); (iii) negotiable certificates of deposit (“CDs”), bankers’
acceptances, fixed time deposits and other obligations of U.S. and foreign banks (including foreign branches) and similar institutions;
(iv) commercial paper rated at the date of purchase “Prime-1” by Moody’s Investors Service (“Moody’s”)
or “A-1” by Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”), or if unrated, of comparable quality as determined
by the Adviser; (v) non-convertible corporate debt securities (e.g., bonds and debentures) with remaining maturities at the date
of purchase of not more than 397 days and that satisfy the rating requirements set forth in Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act; and (vi)
short-term U.S. dollar-denominated obligations of foreign banks (including U.S. branches) that, in the opinion of the Adviser,
are of comparable quality to obligations of U.S. banks which may be purchased by a Fund. Any of these instruments may be purchased
on a current or a forward-settled basis. Money market instruments also include shares of money market funds. Time deposits are
non-negotiable deposits maintained in banking institutions for specified periods of time at stated interest rates. Bankers’
acceptances are time drafts drawn on commercial banks by borrowers, usually in connection with international transactions.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND RISKS
A discussion of the risks associated with
an investment in the Fund is contained in the Prospectus. The discussion below supplements, and should be read in conjunction with,
the Prospectus.
GENERAL
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 securities generally and other factors.
An investment in the Fund should also be
made with an understanding of the risks inherent in an investment in securities, including the risk that the financial condition
of issuers may become impaired or that the general condition of the securities markets may deteriorate (either of which may cause
a decrease in the value of the portfolio securities and thus in the value of Shares). Securities are susceptible to general market
fluctuations and to volatile increases and decreases in value as market confidence in 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 and 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 of, or holders of debt obligations or preferred
stocks issued by, the issuer. Further, unlike debt securities which typically have a stated principal amount payable at maturity
(whose value, however, will be 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. Common stock values are subject to market fluctuations as long as the common stock remains outstanding.
The principal trading market for some of
the securities in the Index may be in the over-the-counter market. 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.
TAX RISKS
As with any investment, you should consider
how your investment in Shares of the Fund will be taxed. The tax information in the Prospectus and this SAI is provided as general
information. You should consult your own tax professional about the tax consequences of an investment in Shares of the Fund.
CONTINUOUS OFFERING
The method by which Creation Units of Shares
are created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Units of Shares are issued
and sold by the Trust on an ongoing basis, at any point a “distribution,” as such term is used in the Securities Act,
may occur. Broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned that some activities on their part may, depending on the circumstances,
result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner which could render them statutory underwriters and subject
them to the prospectus delivery and liability provisions of the Securities Act.
For example, a broker-dealer firm or its
client may be deemed a statutory underwriter if it takes Creation Units after placing an order with the Transfer Agent, breaks
them down into constituent Shares, and sells such Shares directly to customers, or if it chooses to couple the creation of a supply
of new Shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market demand for Shares. A determination of whether
one is an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act must take into account all the facts and circumstances pertaining to the
activities of the broker-dealer or its client in the particular case, and the examples mentioned above should not be considered
a complete description of all the activities that could lead to a categorization as an underwriter.
Broker-dealer firms should also note that
dealers who are not “underwriters” but are effecting transactions in Shares, whether or not participating in the distribution
of Shares, are generally required to deliver a prospectus. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(3) of
the Securities Act is not available in respect of such transactions as a result of Section 24(d) of the 1940 Act. Firms that incur
a prospectus-delivery obligation with respect to Shares of the Fund are reminded that under Securities Act Rule 153, a prospectus-delivery
obligation under Section 5(b)(2) of the Securities Act owed to an exchange member in connection with a sale on the Exchange is
satisfied by the fact that the Fund’s Prospectus is available at the Exchange upon request. The prospectus delivery mechanism
provided in Rule 153 is only available with respect to transactions on an exchange.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS
The Trust has adopted the following investment
restrictions as fundamental policies with respect to the Fund. These restrictions cannot be changed without the approval of the
holders of a majority of the Fund’s outstanding voting securities. For purposes of the 1940 Act, a majority of the outstanding
voting securities of a Fund means the vote, at an annual or a special meeting of the security holders of the Trust, of the lesser
of (1) 67 percent or more of the voting securities of the Fund present at such meeting, if the holders of more than 50 percent
of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund are present or represented by proxy, or (2) more than 50 percent of the outstanding
voting securities of the Fund. Except with the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities, the Fund may not:
|
1.
|
Change its investment objective;
|
|
2.
|
Lend any funds or other assets except through the purchase of all or a portion of an issue of securities or obligations of the type in which it is permitted to invest (including participation interests in such securities or obligations) and except that the Fund may lend its portfolio securities in an amount not to exceed 33 1/3% of the value of its total assets;
|
|
3.
|
Issue senior securities or borrow money, except borrowings from banks for temporary or emergency purposes in an amount up to 10% of the value of the Fund’s total assets (including the amount borrowed), valued at market, less liabilities (not including the amount borrowed) valued at the time the borrowing is made, and the Fund will not purchase securities while borrowings in excess of 5% of the Fund’s total assets are outstanding, provided, that for purposes of this restriction, short-term credits necessary for the clearance of transactions are not considered borrowings (this limitation on purchases does not apply to acceptance by the Fund of a deposit principally of securities included in the relevant Index for creation of Creation Units);
|
|
4.
|
Pledge, hypothecate, mortgage or otherwise encumber its assets, except to secure permitted borrowings. (The deposit of underlying securities and other assets in escrow and collateral arrangements with respect to initial or variation margin for futures contracts or options contracts will not be deemed to be pledges of the Fund’s assets);
|
|
5.
|
Purchase, hold or deal in real estate, or oil, gas or mineral interests or leases, but the Fund may purchase and sell securities that are issued by companies that invest or deal in such assets;
|
|
6.
|
Act as an underwriter of securities of other issuers, except to the extent the Fund may be deemed an underwriter in connection with the sale of securities in its portfolio;
|
|
7.
|
Purchase securities on margin, except for such short-term credits as are necessary for the clearance of transactions, except that the Fund may make margin deposits in connection with transactions in options, futures and options on futures;
|
|
8.
|
Sell securities short;
|
|
9.
|
Invest in commodities or commodity contracts, except that the Fund may transact in exchange traded futures contracts on securities, stock indices and options on such futures contracts and make margin deposits in connection with such contracts; or
|
|
10.
|
Concentrate its investments in securities of issuers in the same industry (the SEC Staff considers concentration to involve more than 25 percent of the Fund’s assets to be invested in an industry or group of industries).
|
In addition to the investment restrictions
adopted as fundamental policies as set forth above, the Fund observes the following restrictions, which may be changed by the Board
without a shareholder vote. The Fund:
|
1.
|
Will not invest in the securities of a company for the purpose of exercising management or control, provided that the Trust may vote the investment securities owned by the Fund in accordance with its views.
|
|
2.
|
Will not hold illiquid assets in excess of 15% of its net assets. An illiquid asset is any asset which may not be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately the value at which the Fund has valued the investment.
|
|
3.
|
Will, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its assets in equity securities of U.S. issuers that have similar economic characteristics to such securities. Prior to any change in the Fund’s 80% investment policy, the Fund will provide shareholders with 60 days written notice.
|
|
4.
|
Will not invest in securities issued by other investment companies that are not affiliated ETFs so that, as determined immediately after a purchase of such securities is made: (i) not more than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets will be invested in the securities of any one investment company; (ii) not more than 10% of the value of its total assets will be invested in the aggregate in securities of investment companies as a group; and (iii) not more than 3% of the outstanding voting stock of any one investment company will be owned by the Fund.
|
If a percentage limitation is adhered to
at the time of investment or contract, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from any change in value or total or
net assets will not result in a violation of such restriction, except that the percentage limitations with respect to the borrowing
of money and illiquid securities will be observed continuously. With respect to the limitation on illiquid securities, in the event
that a subsequent change in net assets or other circumstances cause the Fund to exceed its limitation, the Fund will take steps
to bring the aggregate amount of illiquid instruments back within the limitations as soon as reasonably practicable.
EXCHANGE LISTING AND TRADING
A discussion of exchange listing and trading
matters associated with an investment in the Fund is contained in the Prospectus under “ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION.”
The discussion below supplements, and should be read in conjunction with, such sections of the Prospectus.
The Shares of the Fund are approved for
listing and trading on the Exchange, subject to notice of issuance. The Shares trade on the Exchange at prices that may differ
to some degree from their net asset value. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary to maintain
the listing of Shares of the Fund will continue to be met.
The Exchange may, but is not required to,
remove the Shares of the Fund from listing if: (1) following the initial twelve-month period beginning upon the commencement of
trading of the Fund, there are fewer than 50 beneficial holders of the Shares for 30 or more consecutive trading days; (2) the
value of its underlying Index or portfolio of securities on which the Fund is based is no longer calculated or available; (3) the
“indicative optimized portfolio value” (“IOPV”) of the Fund is no longer calculated or available; or (4)
such other event shall occur or condition exists that, in the opinion of the Exchange, makes further dealings on the Exchange inadvisable.
In addition, the Exchange will remove the Shares from listing and trading upon termination of the Trust or the Fund.
The Trust reserves the right to adjust
the Share price of the Fund in the future to 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.
As in the case of other publicly-traded
securities, brokers’ commissions on transactions will be based on negotiated commission rates at customary levels.
The base and trading currencies of the
Fund is the U.S. dollar. The base currency is the currency in which a Fund’s net asset value per Share is calculated and
the trading currency is the currency in which Shares of the Fund are listed and traded on the Exchange.
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST
The following information supplements and
should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “MANAGEMENT.”
The Board has responsibility for the overall
management, operations and business affairs of the Trust, including general supervision and review of its investment activities.
The Trustees elect the officers of the Trust who are responsible for administering the day-to-day operations of the Trust and the
Fund.
The Trustees and executive officers of
the Trust, along with their year of birth, principal occupations over the past five years, length of time served, total number
of portfolios overseen in the fund complex, public and fund directorships held and other positions and their affiliations, if any,
with the Adviser, are listed below:
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS OF THE TRUST
TRUSTEES
NAME, ADDRESS
AND YEAR OF BIRTH
|
POSITION(S)
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
TRUSTEE
|
OTHER
DIRECTORSHIPS
HELD BY
TRUSTEE DURING
THE LAST 5 YEARS
|
Independent Trustees
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deborah Fuhr (1959)
|
Independent Trustee
|
Term: Unlimited Trustee since 2018
|
Co-Founder and Managing Partner, ETFGI LLP (research and consulting) (2012 to present);
|
2
|
Co-Founder and Board Member, Women in ETFs (Not for Profit) (2014 to present); Co-founder and Board Member, Women in ETFs Europe Limited (Educational Association) (2015 to present); Director and Board Member, 2 Culford Gardens RTM (Property) (2011 to present); Director and Board Member (2 Culford Gardens Freehold (Property) (2011 to present)
|
George Hornig (1954)
|
Independent Trustee and Chairman of the Audit Committee
|
Term: Unlimited Trustee since 2018
|
Managing Member, George Hornig, LLC (2017 to present) (investments); Senior Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, Pinebridge Investments (investment adviser) (2010 to 2016).
|
2
|
Director, Forrester Research, Inc. (technology research company) (1996 to 2018); Director, Daniel J. Edelman Holding (2016 to present) (communications marketing firm); Director, Xometry (advanced manufacturing platform business) (2014 to present); Director, KBL Merger Corp IV (2017 to present) (healthcare).
|
Richard Lyons (1961)
|
Lead Independent Trustee and Chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee
|
Term: Unlimited Trustee since 2018
|
Chief Innovation and Entrepreneurship Officer, UC Berkeley (since 2020); Professor and William & Janet Cronk Chair in Innovative Leadership (2019), Dean (2008-19), Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley; Chief Learning Officer (2006 to 2008), Goldman Sachs (investment banking and investment management); Executive Associate Dean (2005 to 2006), Acting Dean (2004 to 2005), Professor (2000 to 2004), Associate Professor (1996 to 2000), Assistant Professor (1993 to 1996), Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley.
|
2
|
Director (2013 to 2016), Matthews A Share Selections Fund, LLC (mutual funds).
|
Stewart Myers (1940)
|
Independent Trustee
|
Term: Unlimited Trustee since 2018
|
Professor Emeritus and Professor, MIT Sloan School of Management (since 2015); Principal, The Brattle Group, Inc. (since 1991).
|
2
|
Director, Entergy Corp. (2009 to 2015).
|
Interested Trustees
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rory Riggs (1953)
|
Trustee and Chief Executive Officer
|
Term: Unlimited Trustee since 2017
|
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Locus Analytics, LLC (since 2010); Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Syntax Advisors, LLC (Since 2013); and Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Syntax LLC (Since 2009).
|
2
|
Managing Member of Balfour, LLC (since 2001); Board Member, Nuredis, Inc. (2016 to present); President, Biomatrix Corporation (1996 to 2000); Director, Biomatrix Corporation (1990 to 2000); Acting President and Chief Executive Officer of RF&P Corporation (1991 to 1995); Managing Director, PaineWebber Incorporated (1981 to 1990); Co-founder and Chairman, RP Management, LLC Chairman and co-founder, Royalty Pharma (1996 to present) (biopharmaceuticals); Chairman and Co-Founder, Cibus Global, Ltd. (2012 to present) (gene editing agriculture); Director GeneNews Limited (2000 to present); Director, Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc. (since 2014); Director, FibroGen, Inc. (1993 to present).
|
Kathy Cuocolo (1952)
|
Trustee and President
|
Term: Unlimited Trustee since 2018
|
President and Senior Vice President, Syntax Advisors, LLC and predecessor companies (2014 to present); Managing Director, Head of Global ETF Services, BNY Mellon (2008 to 2013); Executive Vice President, State Street (1982 to 2003).
|
2
|
Greenbacker Renewable Energy LLC, Audit Chair (2013 to present); Guardian Life Family of Funds (2005 – 2007); Select Sector Trust, Chairman (2000 to 2007); The China Fund (1999 to 2003).
|
OFFICERS
NAME, ADDRESS
AND YEAR OF BIRTH
|
POSITION(S)
WITH TRUST
|
TERM OF
OFFICE
AND LENGTH
OF TIME
SERVED
|
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S)
DURING PAST 5 YEARS
|
OFFICERS
|
|
|
|
Rory Riggs
(1953)
|
Chief Executive
|
Since 2018
|
See Trustee table above
|
Kathy Cuocolo
(1952)
|
President
|
Since 2018
|
See Trustee table above
|
David Jaffin
(1954)
|
Treasurer
|
Since 2019
|
Partner, B2B CFO® (January 2019 to present);
Chief
Financial Officer, Poliwogg Holdings, Inc. (October 2012 to
August 2018).
|
Carly Arison
(1990)
|
Secretary
|
Since 2018
|
Senior Vice President, Vice President, and Manager, Syntax Advisors, LLC and predecessor companies (2012 to present)
|
Brandon Kipp
(1983)
|
Chief Compliance Officer
|
Since 2019
|
Director, Foreside Financial Group, LLC (since May 2019); Senior Fund Compliance Officer, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (from July 2017 to May 2019); Assistant Vice President and Compliance Manager, UMB Fund Services, Inc. (March 2014 to July 2017).
|
Leadership Structure
and Board of Trustees
Board Responsibilities. The management
and affairs of the Trust and its series, including the Fund described in this SAI, are overseen by the Trustees. The Board has
approved contracts, as described in this SAI, under which certain companies provide essential management services to the Trust.
Like most mutual funds, the day-to-day
business of the Trust, including the management of risk, is performed by third party service providers, such as the Advisor, Sub-Advisor,
Distributor and Administrator. The Trustees are responsible for overseeing the Trust’s service providers and, thus, have
oversight responsibility with respect to risk management performed by those service providers. Risk management seeks to identify
and address risks, i.e., events or circumstances that could have material adverse effects on the business, operations, shareholder
services, investment performance or reputation of the Fund. The Fund and its service providers employ a variety of processes, procedures
and controls to identify various of those possible events or circumstances, to lessen the probability of their occurrence and/or
to mitigate the effects of such events or circumstances if they do occur. Each service provider is responsible for one or more
discrete aspects of the Trust’s business (e.g., a Sub-Advisor is responsible for the day-to-day management of a Fund’s
portfolio investments) and, consequently, for managing the risks associated with that business. The Board has emphasized to the
Fund’s service providers the importance of maintaining vigorous risk management.
The Trustees’ role in risk oversight
begins before the inception of a Fund, at which time the Fund’s Advisor presents the Board with information concerning the
investment objectives, strategies and risks of the Fund, as well as proposed investment limitations for the Fund. Additionally,
the Fund’s Advisor provides the Board with an overview of, among other things, their investment philosophies, brokerage practices
and compliance infrastructures. Thereafter, the Board continues its oversight function as various personnel, including the Trust’s
Chief Compliance Officer, as well as personnel of the Advisor and other service providers, such as the Fund’s independent
accountants, make periodic reports to the Audit Committee or to the Board with respect to various aspects of risk management. The
Board and the Audit Committee oversee efforts by management and service providers to manage risks to which the Fund may be exposed.
The Board is responsible for overseeing
the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Fund by the Advisor and Sub-Advisor and receives information about
those services at its regular meetings. In addition, on an annual basis, in connection with its consideration of whether to renew
the Advisory Agreement with the Advisor, Sub-Advisory Agreements with the Sub-Advisor, the Board meets with the Advisor and Sub-Advisor
to review such services. Among other things, the Board regularly considers the Advisor and Sub-Advisor’s adherence to the
Fund’s investment restrictions and compliance with various Fund policies and procedures and with applicable securities regulations.
The Board also reviews information about the Fund’s investments.
The Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer
reports regularly to the Board to review and discuss compliance issues. At least annually, the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer
provides the Board with a report reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of the Trust’s policies and procedures and those
of its service providers, including the Adviser and Sub-Adviser. The report addresses the operation of the policies and procedures
of the Trust and each service provider since the date of the last report; any material changes to the policies and procedures since
the date of the last report; any recommendations for material changes to the policies and procedures; and any material compliance
matters since the date of the last report.
The Board receives reports from Fund service
providers regarding operational risks and risks related to the valuation and liquidity of portfolio securities. Regular reports
are made to the Board concerning investments for which market quotations are not readily available. Annually, the independent registered
public accounting firm reviews with the Audit Committee its audit of the Fund’s financial statements, focusing on major areas
of risk encountered by the Fund and noting any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the Fund’s internal controls.
Additionally, in connection with its oversight function, the Board oversees Fund management’s implementation of disclosure
controls and procedures, which are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Trust in its periodic reports
with the SEC are recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the required time periods. The Board also oversees the Trust’s
internal controls over financial reporting, which comprise policies and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding
the reliability of the Trust’s financial reporting and the preparation of the Trust’s financial statements.
From their review of these reports and
discussions with the Advisor, Sub-Advisor, the Chief Compliance Officer, the independent registered public accounting firm and
other service providers, the Board and the Audit Committee learn in detail about the material risks of a Fund, thereby facilitating
a dialogue about how management and service providers identify and mitigate those risks.
The Board recognizes that not all risks
that may affect a Fund can be identified and/or quantified, that it may not be practical or cost-effective to eliminate or mitigate
certain risks, that it may be necessary to bear certain risks (such as investment-related risks) to achieve the Fund’s goals,
and that the processes, procedures and controls employed to address certain risks may be limited in their effectiveness. Moreover,
reports received by the Trustees as to risk management matters are typically summaries of the relevant information. Most of the
Fund’s investment management and business affairs are carried out by or through the Fund’s Advisor, Sub-Advisor and
other service providers, each of which has an independent interest in risk management but whose policies and the methods by which
one or more risk management functions are carried out may differ from the Fund’s and each other’s in the setting of
priorities, the resources available or the effectiveness of relevant controls. As a result of the foregoing and other factors,
the Board’s ability to monitor and manage risk, as a practical matter, is subject to limitations.
Trustees and Officers. There are
6 members of the Board of Trustees, 4 of whom are not interested persons of the Trust, as that term is defined in the 1940 Act
(“Independent Trustees”). Mr. Riggs, an Interested Trustee, serves as Chairman of the Board to act as liaison with
the investment Advisor, other service providers, counsel and other Trustees generally between meetings. Mr. Lyons serves as Lead
Independent Trustee and is a spokesperson for and leader of the Independent Trustees. The Board has determined its leadership structure
is appropriate given the specific characteristics and circumstances of the Trust. The Board made this determination in consideration
of, among other things, the fact that the Independent Trustees constitute a majority of the Board, the fact that the chairperson
of each Committee of the Board is an Independent Trustee, the amount of assets under management in the Trust, and the number of
funds (and classes of shares) overseen by the Board. The Board also believes that its leadership structure facilitates the orderly
and efficient flow of information to the Independent Trustees from fund management.
The Board of Trustees has two standing
committees: the Audit Committee and the Nominating and Governance Committee. The Audit Committee and the Nominating and Governance
Committee are each chaired by an Independent Trustee and composed of all of the Independent Trustees.
Individual Trustee Qualifications
The Board has concluded that each of the
Trustees should serve on the Board because of his or her ability to review and understand information about the Fund provided to
him or her by management, to identify and request other information he or she may deem relevant to the performance of his or her
duties, to question management and other service providers regarding material factors bearing on the management and administration
of the Fund, and to exercise his or her business judgment in a manner that serves the best interests of the Fund’s shareholders.
The Board has concluded that each of the Trustees should serve as a Trustee based on his or her own experience, qualifications,
attributes and skills as described below.
Rory Riggs: Rory Riggs is
the CEO and Founder of Syntax LLC.
Rory’s idea for Syntax Stratified
Indices came from his career in healthcare and the industry’s statistical use of population sampling and stratification across
sub-populations to control for inadvertent biases in clinical trial results. To address the potential of similar biases in index
results, he and his team identified a new risk category called related business risks; developed a new classification system with
which to identify and group related business risk; and implemented a stratified weighting methodology to control for the inadvertent
over-weighting of related business risks that regularly occur capitalization-weight and equal-weight methodologies. Using this
Stratified Weight methodology, Syntax operates a family of Syntax Stratified Indices that includes a Stratified Syntax LargeCap,
SmallCap Index and MidCap Index that provide Stratified Weight versions of the widely-followed S&P 500, S&P 600 and the
S&P 400.
Prior to founding Syntax and its parent,
Locus LP, Rory has been involved in the creation and development of many successful companies in healthcare and bio-technology.
These companies include: Royalty Pharma; FibroGen, Inc.; Cibus, LLC; GeneNews Ltd., Sugen, Inc. and eReceivables Inc. He is currently
the chairman and co-founder of Royalty Pharma, the largest investor in revenue-producing intellectual property, principally royalty
interests in marketed and late-stage development biopharmaceutical products. In addition, Rory is Chairman and Co-founder of Cibus,
the leader in non-transgenic (non-GMO) gene editing in agriculture. He also served as the president and director of Biomatrix Corporation
(NYSE: BXM) where he launched Synvisc, an important product in the treatment of osteoarthritis.
Rory received a BA from Middlebury College
and an MBA from Columbia University.
Kathy Cuocolo: Kathy Cuocolo
has served as President and Senior Vice President of Syntax Advisors, LLC, bringing over 30 years of experience in the asset management
and ETF industry to Syntax.
Prior to Syntax, Kathy was Managing Director,
Head of Global ETF Services at BNY Mellon. Before BNY, Kathy spent 22 years at State Street Corporation, where she rose to Executive
Vice President. While at State Street, Kathy brought the first ETF to market, the S&P 500 SPDR, as well as several of the other
early ETF products such as the Select Sector SPDR, the Dow Diamond, and CountryBaskets. She began her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers
as an audit and consulting manager. She is a Board Member and Audit Chair of Greenbacker Renewable Energy LLC and has been on the
Boards of Select Sector SPDRs, The China Fund and Guardian Family of Funds. She is a frequent speaker at industry events and conferences
on topics ranging from the effectiveness of risk management to the alignment of Board composition.
Kathy received her B.A. in Accounting Summa
Cum Laude from Boston College and is a Certified Public Accountant in Massachusetts. She holds an Executive Masters Professional
Director Certification from the American College of Corporate Directors.
George Hornig: George Hornig
has had a career as a senior operating officer in the financial services industry (asset management, investment banking, insurance
and fin-tech).
From 2010 - 2016, George was a Senior Managing
Director of PineBridge Investments. George led the restructuring of the operations of this former division of AIG Insurance to
make it an independent company after its divestiture. Prior to joining PineBridge, George spent 11 years at Credit Suisse Asset
Management as Global Chief Operating Officer. Prior to that, he was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Americas,
at Deutsche Bank. In 1988, he was a co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Wasserstein Perella and Company, following his tenure
at The First Boston Corp. George also practiced law for two years at Skadden Arps at the start of his career. In addition, George’s
career has spanned investments, management and advisor in industries as diverse as health care, manufacturing and the outsourcing
of business services, social media, cybersecurity, augmented reality, and e-waste management. Presently he is managing a portfolio
of acquisition transactions and venture capital investments. Also he is the Chairman of KBL Merger Corp IV (healthcare industry
SPAC), a Director of Edelman (communications marketing firm), and a Director of Xometry (advanced manufacturing platform business).
From 1992 to 2012, he was a Director of Unity Mutual Life and from 1996 to 2018, he was a Director of Forrester Research and Chairman
of the Audit Committee.
George received his AB in Economics from
Harvard College, his MBA from Harvard Business School and his JD from Harvard Law School.
Deborah Fuhr: Deborah Fuhr
is the managing partner and co-founder of ETFGI. Previously she served as global head of ETF research and implementation strategy
and as a managing director at BlackRock/Barclays Global Investors from 2008-2011. Fuhr also worked as a managing director and head
of the investment strategy team at Morgan Stanley in London from 1997-2008, and as an associate at Greenwich Associates.
Deborah Fuhr is the recipient of the 2014
William F. Sharpe Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding and lasting contributions to the field of index investing, the Nate
Most Greatest Contributor to the ETF industry award, and the ETF.com Lifetime achievement award. She has been named as one of the
“100 Most Influential Women in Finance” by Financial News in 2014, 2013, 2012, 2009, 2008 and 2007. Ms. Fuhr won the
award for the Greatest Overall Contribution to the development of the Global ETF industry in the ExchangeTradedFunds.com survey
in 2011 and 2008, Ms. Fuhr is one of the founders and on the board of Women in ETFs and is on the board of Cancer Research UK’s
‘Women of Influence’ initiative to support female scientists. Ms. Fuhr is on the editorial board of the Journal of
Indexes, and Money Management Executive; the advisory board for the Journal of Index Investing; and the investment panel of experts
for Portfolio Adviser, the FTSE ICB Advisory Committee, the NASDAQ listing and hearing review council, the International Advisory
Committee for the Egyptian Exchange, and the University of Connecticut School of Business International Advisory Board.
She holds a BS degree from the University
of Connecticut and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Richard Lyons: Richard Lyons
is Chief Innovation and Entrepreneurship Officer at UC Berkeley, and previously served as the dean of the Haas School of Business,
UC Berkeley, where he held the Bank of America Dean’s Chair.
Prior to becoming dean in July 2008, he
served as the chief learning officer at Goldman Sachs in New York, a position he held since 2006. As chief learning officer, Rich
was responsible for leadership development among the firm’s managing directors. Prior to Goldman Sachs, Rich served as acting
dean of the Haas School from 2004 to 2005 and as executive associate dean and Sylvan Coleman Professor of Finance from 2005 to
2006.
He received his BS with highest honors
from UC Berkeley (finance) and his Ph.D. from MIT (economics). Before coming to Haas, Professor Lyons spent six years on the faculty
at Columbia Business School. His teaching expertise is in international finance.
Stewart Myers: Stewart C.
Myers is the Robert C. Merton (1970) Professor of Finance, Emeritus at the MIT Sloan School of Management.
Mr. Myers is past President of the American
Finance Association, a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research and a principal of the Brattle Group, Inc.
His textbook Principles of Corporate Finance (12th ed., with Richard Brealey and Franklin Allen) is known as the “bible”
of financial management. His research focuses on the valuation of real and financial assets, corporate finance and financial
aspects of government regulation of business. He introduced both the tradeoff and pecking order theories of capital structure and
was the first to recognize the importance of real options in corporate finance. Myers is the author of influential research
papers on many topics, including adjusted present value (APV), rate of return regulation, capital allocation and risk management
in banking and insurance, real options, payout policy, and moral hazard and information issues in financing decisions. He has served
as a director of Entergy Corporation and CAT Ltd. and as a manager of the Cambridge Endowment for Research in Finance.
He holds an AB from Williams College and
an MBA and a PhD from Stanford University.
References to the experience, attributes
and skills of Trustees above are pursuant to requirements of the SEC and do not constitute holding out of the Board or any Trustee
as having any special expertise or experience, and shall not impose any greater responsibility or liability on any such person
or on the Board by reason thereof.
In its periodic assessment of the effectiveness
of the Board, the Board considers the complementary individual skills and experience of the individual Trustees primarily in the
broader context of the Board’s overall composition so that the Board, as a body, possesses the appropriate (and appropriately
diverse) skills and experience to oversee the business of the Fund.
REMUNERATION OF THE TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
No officer, director or employee of the
Adviser, its parent or subsidiaries receives any compensation from the Trust for serving as an officer or Trustee of the Trust.
The Trust pays, in the aggregate, each Independent Trustee an annual fee of $25,000. Trustee fees are allocated between the Funds
in such a manner as deemed equitable, taking into consideration the relative net assets of the series.
STANDING COMMITTEES
Audit Committee. The Board has an
Audit Committee consisting of all Independent Trustees. George Hornig serves as Chair. The Audit Committee meets with the Trust’s
independent auditors to review and approve the scope and results of their professional services; to review the procedures for evaluating
the adequacy of the Trust’s accounting controls; to consider the range of audit fees; and to make recommendations to the
Board regarding the engagement of the Trust’s independent auditors. The Audit Committee was established on March 28, 2018
and met three times during the calendar year ending December 31, 2019.
Nominating and Governance Committee.
The Board has established a Nominating and Governance Committee consisting of all Independent Trustees. Richard Lyons serves as
Chairperson. The responsibilities of the Nominating and Governance Committee are to: (1) nominate Independent Trustees; (2) review
on a periodic basis the governance structures and procedures of the Funds; (3) periodically review Trustee compensation, (4) annually
review committee and committee chair assignments, (5) annually review the responsibilities and charter of each committee, (6) plan
and administer the Board’s annual self-evaluation, (7) annually consider the structure, operations and effectiveness of the
Nominating and Governance Committee, and (8) at least annually evaluate the independence of counsel to the Independent Trustees.
The Nominating and Governance Committee was established on March 28, 2018 and did not meet during the calendar year ending December
31, 2019.
The Trustees adopted the following procedures
with respect to the consideration of nominees recommended by security holders.
|
1.
|
The shareholder must submit any such recommendation (a “Shareholder Recommendation”) in writing to the Trust, to the attention of the Trust’s Secretary, at the address of the principal executive offices of the Trust.
|
|
2.
|
The Shareholder Recommendation must be delivered to, or mailed and received at, the principal executive offices of the Trust not less than sixty (60) calendar days nor more than ninety (90) calendar days prior to the date of the Board or shareholder meeting at which the nominee candidate would be considered for election. Shareholder Recommendations will be kept on file for two years after receipt of the Shareholder Recommendation. A Shareholder Recommendation considered by the Committee in connection with the Committee’s nomination of any candidate(s) for appointment or election as an independent Trustee need not be considered again by the Committee in connection with any subsequent nomination(s).
|
|
3.
|
The Shareholder Recommendation must include: (i) a statement in writing setting forth (A) the name, age, date of birth, business address, residence address and nationality of the person recommended by the shareholder (the “candidate”), and the names and addresses of at least three professional references; (B) the number of all shares of the Trust (including the series and class, if applicable) owned of record or beneficially by the candidate, the date such shares were acquired and the investment intent of such acquisition(s), as reported to such shareholder by the candidate; (C) any other information regarding the candidate called for with respect to director nominees by paragraphs (a), (d), (e) and (f) of Item 401 of Regulation S-K or paragraph (b) of Item 22 of Rule 14a-101 (Schedule 14A) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), adopted by the SEC (or the corresponding provisions of any applicable regulation or rule subsequently adopted by the SEC or any successor agency with jurisdiction related to the Trust); (D) any other information regarding the candidate that would be required to be disclosed if the candidate were a nominee in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with solicitation of proxies for election of directors pursuant to Section 14 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or any other applicable law or regulation; and (E) whether the recommending shareholder believes that the candidate is or will be an “interested person” of the Trust (as defined in the 1940 Act) and, if not an “interested person,” information regarding the candidate that will be sufficient, in the discretion of the Board or the Committee, for the Trust to make such determination; (ii) the written and signed consent of the candidate to be named as a nominee and to serve as a Trustee if elected; (iii) the recommending shareholder’s name as it appears on the Trust’s books; (iv) the number of all shares of the Trust (including the series and class, if applicable) owned beneficially and of record by the recommending shareholder; (v) a complete description of all arrangements or understandings between the recommending shareholder and the candidate and any other person or persons (including their names) pursuant to which the recommendation is being made by the recommending shareholder including, without limitation, all direct and indirect compensation and other material monetary agreements, arrangements and understandings between the candidate and recommending shareholder during the past three years, and (vi) a brief description of the candidate’s relevant background and experience for membership on the Board, such as qualification as an audit committee financial expert.
|
|
4.
|
The Committee may require the recommending shareholder to furnish such other information as it may reasonably require or deem necessary to verify any information furnished pursuant to paragraph 3 above or to determine the eligibility of the candidate to serve as a Trustee of the Trust or to satisfy applicable law. If the recommending shareholder fails to provide such other information in writing within seven days of receipt of a written request from the Committee, the recommendation of such candidate as a nominee will be deemed not properly submitted for consideration, and the Committee will not be required to consider such candidate.
|
OWNERSHIP OF FUND SHARES
As of December 31, 2019, neither the Independent
Trustees nor their immediate family members owned beneficially or of record any securities in the Adviser, Sub-Adviser, Principal
Underwriter or any person controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser, Sub-Adviser or Principal Underwriter.
The following table sets forth information
describing the dollar range of equity securities beneficially owned by each Trustee in the Trust as of December 31, 2019.
Name of Trustee
|
|
|
Fund
|
|
|
Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in
the
Fund
|
|
Aggregate Dollar
Range of Equity
Securities in All Funds
Overseen by Trustee in
Family of Investment
Companies
|
Independent Trustees:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deborah Fuhr
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
None
|
|
None
|
George Hornig
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
None
|
|
$0-$10,000
|
Richard Lyons
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
None
|
|
$10,000-$50,000
|
Stewart Myers
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
None
|
|
$10,000-$50,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interested Trustees:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rory Riggs
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
None
|
|
$10,000-$50,000
|
Kathy Cuocolo
|
|
|
None
|
|
|
None
|
|
Over $100,000
|
CODE OF ETHICS. The Trust, the Advisor,
the Sub-Advisor and Foreside Financial Group, LLC (on behalf of Foreside Fund Officer Services, LLC) have each adopted a code of
ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. These codes of ethics permit, subject to certain conditions, personnel of each
of those entities to invest in securities that may be purchased or held by the Funds. The Distributor relies on the principal underwriters
exception under Rule 17j-1(c)(3), specifically where the Distributor is not affiliated with the Trust or the Advisor, and no officer,
director or general partner of the Distributor serves as an officer, director or general partner of the Trust or the Advisor. Each
code of ethics, filed as an exhibit to the Trust’s registration statement, may be examined at the office of the SEC in Washington,
D.C. or on the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
PROXY VOTING POLICY. The Board believes
that the voting of proxies on securities held by the Funds is an important element of the overall investment process. As such,
the Board has delegated the responsibility to vote such proxies to the Sub-Advisor. The Sub-Advisor’s proxy voting policy
is attached at the end of this SAI as Appendix A. Information regarding how a Fund voted proxies relating to its portfolio securities
during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available: (1) without charge by calling (866) 972-4492; (2) on the
Funds’ website at www.SyntaxAdvisors.com; and (3) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS POLICY.
The Trust has adopted a policy regarding the disclosure of information about the Trust’s portfolio holdings. The Board must
approve all material amendments to this policy. The Fund’s 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 the Fund’s shares,
together with estimates and actual cash components, is publicly disseminated daily prior to the opening of the Exchange via the
National Securities Clearing Corporation (the “NSCC”). The basket represents one Creation Unit of the Fund. The Trust,
the Adviser or State Street will not disseminate non-public information concerning the Trust, except: (i) to a party for a legitimate
business purpose related to the day-to-day operations of the Fund or (ii) to any other party for a legitimate business or regulatory
purpose, upon waiver or exception.
THE INVESTMENT ADVISOR
Syntax Advisors, LLC (“Syntax”
or “Advisor”) acts as investment adviser to the Trust and, subject to the supervision of the Board, is responsible
for the investment management of the Fund. The Advisor’s principal address is One Liberty Plaza, 46th Fl. New York, NY 10006.
The Advisor serves as investment advisor
to the Fund pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (“Investment Advisory Agreement”) between the Trust and the
Advisor. The Investment Advisory Agreement, with respect to the Fund, continues in effect for two years from its effective date,
and thereafter is subject to annual approval by (1) the Board or (2) vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities
(as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, provided that in either event such continuance also is approved by a majority of the
Board who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust by a vote cast in person at a meeting called for
the purpose of voting on such approval. The Investment Advisory Agreement with respect to the Fund is terminable without penalty,
on 60 days’ notice, by the Board or by a vote of the holders of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund’s
outstanding voting securities. The Investment Advisory Agreement is also terminable upon 60 days’ notice by the Advisor and
will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
Under the Investment Advisory Agreement,
the Advisor, subject to the supervision of the Board and in conformity with the stated investment policies of the Fund, manages
the investment of the Fund’s assets. The Advisor is responsible for placing purchase and sale orders and providing continuous
supervision of the investment portfolio of the Fund. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Trust has agreed to indemnify
the Advisor for certain liabilities, including certain liabilities arising under the federal securities laws, unless such loss
or liability results from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance of its duties or the reckless disregard
of its obligations and duties.
For the services provided to the Fund under
the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Fund pays the Advisor monthly fees based on a percentage of the Fund’s average daily
net assets as set forth in the Fund’s Prospectus. From time to time, the Advisor may waive all or a portion of its fee. Under
the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Advisor agrees to pay all expenses of the Trust, except (i) interest expense, (ii) taxes,
(iii) acquired fund fees and expenses, (iv) brokerage expenses and other expenses (such as stamp taxes) connected with the execution
of portfolio transactions or in connection with creation and redemption transactions, (v) expenses associated with shareholder
meetings, (vi) compensation and expenses of the Independent Trustees, (vii) compensation and expenses of the Trust’s chief
compliance officer and his or her staff, (viii) distribution fees and expenses paid by the Trust under any distribution plan adopted
pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, (ix) legal fees or expenses in connection with any arbitration, litigation or pending
or threatened arbitration or litigation, including any settlements in connection therewith, and (x) extraordinary expenses of the
Fund.
The advisory fees paid to the Adviser for
the last three fiscal years have been omitted because the Fund has not commenced investment operations as of the date of this SAI.
Syntax Advisors, LLC (the “Advisor”)
has agreed to waive its fees and/or absorb expenses of the Fund to ensure that Total Annual Operating Expenses (except any (i)
interest expense, (ii) taxes, (iii) acquired fund fees and expenses, (iv) brokerage expenses and other expenses (such as stamp
taxes) connected with the execution of portfolio transactions or in connection with creation and redemption transactions, (v) expenses
associated with shareholder meetings, (vi) compensation and expenses of the Independent Trustees, (vii) compensation and expenses
of the Trust’s chief compliance officer and his or her staff, (viii) distribution fees and expenses paid by the Trust under
any distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, (ix) legal fees or expenses in connection with any arbitration,
litigation or pending or threatened arbitration or litigation, including any settlements in connection therewith, and (x) extraordinary
expenses of the Fund) do not exceed 0.30%.
Subject to approval by the Fund’s
Board of Trustees, any waiver under the Expense Limitation Agreement is subject to repayment by the Fund within 36 months following
the day on which fees are waived or reimbursed, if such repayment does not cause the Fund’s expense ratio (after the repayment
is taken into account) to exceed both: (i) the expense cap in place at the time such amounts were waived; and (ii) the Fund’s
current expense cap noted above. These arrangements cannot be terminated prior to one year from the effective date of this prospectus
without the approval of the Board of Trustees.
Fund
|
Total Operating Expenses after
Waiver/Reimbursement
|
SYNTAX STRATIFIED LARGECAP II ETF
|
0.30%
|
A discussion regarding the Board’s
consideration of the Trust’s Investment Advisory Agreement and Sub-Advisory Agreement can be found in the Trust’s next
Annual or Semi-Annual Report to Shareholders, as applicable.
SUB-ADVISOR
Vantage Consulting Group (“Vantage”
or the “Equity Sub-Advisor”), 3500 Pacific Ave. Virginia Beach, VA 23451, serves as the investment sub-advisor for
the Fund pursuant to an Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement between the Advisor and Vantage, dated March 2, 2018 (referred to as
a “Sub-Advisory Agreement). The Sub-Advisor is responsible for placing purchase and sale orders and shall make investment
decisions for the Fund, subject to the supervision by the Advisor. For its services, the Sub-Advisor is compensated by the Adviser.
PORTFOLIO MANAGER
The Equity Sub-Advisor manages the Fund
using a team of investment professionals. The professional primarily responsible for the day-to-day portfolio management of the
Funds is James Thomas Wolfe.
The following table lists the number and
types of accounts, other than the Funds, managed by Mr. Wolfe and the assets under management in those accounts.
Other
Accounts Managed as of December 31, 2019
|
Registered
Investment
Company
Accounts
|
Assets
Managed
(millions)
|
Pooled
Investment
Vehicle
Accounts
|
Assets
Managed
(millions)
|
Other
Accounts
|
Assets
Managed
(millions)
|
James Thomas Wolfe
|
1
|
$62,148,931
|
2
|
$26,083,283
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES
The portfolio manager listed above does
not beneficially own any Shares of the Fund as of December 31, 2019.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Description of Material Conflicts
of Interest. Because the portfolio manager may manage multiple portfolios for multiple clients, the potential for conflicts
of interest exists. The portfolio manager generally manages portfolios having substantially the same investment style as the Fund.
However, the portfolios managed by the portfolio manager may not have portfolio compositions identical to those of the Funds due,
for example, to specific investment limitations or guidelines present in some portfolios or accounts but not others. The portfolio
manager may purchase securities for one portfolio and not another portfolio, and the performance of securities purchased for one
portfolio may vary from the performance of securities purchased for other portfolios. The portfolio manager may place transactions
on behalf of other accounts that are directly or indirectly contrary to investment decisions made on behalf of the Fund, or make
investment decisions that are similar to those made for the Fund, both of which have the potential to adversely impact the Fund
depending on market conditions. For example, the portfolio manager may purchase a security in one portfolio while appropriately
selling that same security in another portfolio. In addition, some of these portfolios have fee structures that are or have the
potential to be higher than the advisory fees paid by the Funds, which can cause potential conflicts in the allocation of investment
opportunities between the Funds and the other accounts. However, the compensation structure for portfolio manager does not generally
provide incentive to favor one account over another because that part of a manager’s bonus based on performance is not based
on the performance of one account to the exclusion of others. There are many other factors considered in determining the portfolio
manager’s bonus and there is no formula that is applied to weight the factors listed.
COMPENSATION
The Sub-Adviser’s compensation and
incentive program varies by professional and discipline. A portfolio manager’s compensation is comprised of a fixed based
salary and a bonus. The base salary is not based on the value of the assets managed but rather on the individual portfolio manager’s
experience and responsibilities. The bonus also varies by individual and is based upon criteria that incorporate the Sub-Adviser’s
assessment of each Fund’s performance as well as a portfolio manager’s corporate citizenship and overall contribution
to the Firm.
THE ADMINISTRATOR, CUSTODIAN AND TRANSFER
AGENT
State Street Bank and Trust Company (“State
Street”), located at State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, serves as Administrator
for the Trust pursuant to an administration agreement (“Administration Agreement”). Under the Administration Agreement,
State Street is responsible for certain administrative services associated with day-to-day operations of the Fund.
Pursuant to the Administration Agreement,
the Trust has agreed to a limitation on damages and to indemnify the Administrator for certain liabilities, including certain liabilities
arising under the federal securities laws; provided, however, such indemnity of the Administrator shall not apply in the case of
the Administrator’s gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of its duties. Under the Custodian Agreement
and Transfer Agency Agreement, as described below, the Trust has also provided indemnities to State Street for certain liabilities.
State Street also serves as Custodian for
the Fund pursuant to a custodian agreement (“Custodian Agreement”). As Custodian, State Street holds the Fund’s
assets, calculates the net asset value of the Shares and calculates net income and realized capital gains or losses. State Street
and the Trust will comply with the self-custodian provisions of Rule 17f-2 under the 1940 Act.
State Street also serves as Transfer Agent
of the Fund pursuant to a transfer agency agreement (“Transfer Agency Agreement”).
Compensation. As compensation for
its services under the Administration Agreement, the Custodian Agreement and Transfer Agency Agreement, State Street shall receive
a fee for its services, calculated based on the average aggregate net assets of the Trust as follows:
For its services as Administrator, State
Street is paid an annual fee based on the net assets of the Fund. As the Fund has not yet commenced operation, the Fund has not
paid State Street fees for its services as Administrator.
For its services as Custodian and fund
accountant, State Street is paid an annual fee based on the net assets of the Fund. It also receives an annual fee for ETF basket
creation services. As the Fund has not yet commenced operation, the Fund has not paid State Street fees for its services as Custodian
or fund accountant.
THE DISTRIBUTOR
Foreside Fund Services, LLC (“Foreside”
or the “Distributor”) is the principal underwriter and Distributor of the Fund’s Creation Units. Its principal
address is Three Canal Plaza, Suite 100, Portland, Maine, 04101. Investor information can be obtained by calling (866) 972-4492.
The Distributor has entered into a distribution agreement (“Distribution Agreement”) with the Trust pursuant to which
it distributes Creation Units of the Fund. The Distribution Agreement will continue for two years from its effective date and is
renewable annually thereafter. Shares will be continuously offered for sale by the Trust through the Distributor only in Creation
Units, as described in the Prospectus and below under “PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS.” Shares in numbers
less than Creation Units are not distributed by the Distributor. The Distributor will deliver the Prospectus to Authorized Participants
(as defined below) purchasing Creation Units 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 Exchange Act and a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory
Authority (“FINRA”). The Distributor has no role in determining the investment policies of the Trust or which securities
are to be purchased or sold by the Trust.
The Advisor, or an affiliate of the Adviser,
may directly or indirectly make cash payments to certain broker-dealers for participating in activities that are designed to make
registered representatives and other professionals more knowledgeable about exchange traded products, including the Fund, or for
other activities, such as participation in marketing activities and presentations, educational training programs, conferences,
the development of technology platforms and reporting systems.
The Fund has adopted a Rule 12b-1 Distribution and Service Plan
in accordance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act pursuant to which payments of up to 0.25% of a Fund’s average daily net
assets may be made for the sale and distribution of its Shares. However, the Board of Trustees has determined not to authorize
payment of a 12b-1 Plan fee at this time. The 12b-1 Plan fee may only be imposed or increased when the Board of Trustees determines
that it is in the best interests of shareholders to do so. Rule 12b-1 fees are paid out of a Fund’s assets, and over time,
these fees increase the cost of your investment and they may cost you more than certain other types of sales charges.
The Distribution Agreement provides that
it may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, as to the Fund: (i) by vote of a majority of the Independent
Trustees or (ii) by vote of a majority (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund, on at least
60 days written notice to the Distributor. The Distribution Agreement is also terminable upon 60 days’ notice by the Distributor
and will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act).
The continuation of the Distribution Agreement,
any Investor Services Agreements and any other related agreements is subject to annual approval of the Board, including by a majority
of the Independent Trustees, as described above.
Each of the Investor Services Agreements
will provide that it may be terminated at any time, without the payment of any penalty, (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 relevant Fund,
on at least 60 days’ written notice to the other party. The Distribution Agreement is also terminable upon 60 days’
notice by the Distributor and will terminate automatically in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act). Each Investor
Services Agreement is also terminable by the applicable Investor Service Organization upon 60 days’ notice to the other party
thereto.
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 the “Book Entry Only System” section below),
DTC Participants (as defined below) and/or Investor Services Organizations.
Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement,
the Trust has agreed to indemnify the Distributor, and may indemnify Soliciting Dealers and Authorized Participants (as described
below) entering into agreements with the Distributor, for certain liabilities, including certain liabilities arising under the
federal securities laws, unless such loss or liability results from willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence in the performance
of its duties or the reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Distribution Agreement or other agreement, as applicable.
BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS
The policy of the Trust regarding purchases
and sales of securities for the Fund 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 which are considered fair and reasonable without necessarily determining that the lowest possible
commissions are paid in all circumstances. The Trust believes that a requirement always to seek the lowest possible commission
cost could impede effective portfolio management and preclude the Fund and the Advisor from obtaining a high quality of brokerage
and research services. In seeking to determine the reasonableness of brokerage commissions paid in any transaction, the Advisor
rely upon its experience and knowledge regarding commissions generally charged by various brokers and on its judgment in evaluating
the brokerage and research services received from the broker effecting the transaction. Such determinations are necessarily subjective
and imprecise, as in most cases an exact dollar value for those services is not ascertainable. The Trust has adopted policies and
procedures that prohibit the consideration of sales of a Fund’s Shares as a factor in the selection of a broker or dealer
to execute its portfolio transactions.
In selecting a broker/dealer for each specific
transaction, the Sub-Advisor chooses the broker/dealer deemed most capable of providing the services necessary to obtain the most
favorable execution and does not take the sale of Fund Shares into account. The Sub-Advisor considers the full range of brokerage
services applicable to a particular transaction that may be considered when making this judgment, which may include, but is not
limited to: liquidity, price, commission, timing, aggregated trades, capable floor brokers or traders, competent block trading
coverage, ability to position, capital strength and stability, reliable and accurate communications and settlement processing,
use of automation, knowledge of other buyers or sellers, arbitrage skills, administrative ability, underwriting and provision of
information on a particular security or market in which the transaction is to occur. The specific criteria will vary depending
upon the nature of the transaction, the market in which it is executed, and the extent to which it is possible to select from among
multiple broker/dealers. The Sub-Advisor will also use electronic crossing networks when appropriate.
The Sub-Advisor does not currently use
the Fund’s assets for, or participate in, third party soft dollar arrangements, although the Sub-Advisor may receive proprietary
research from various full service brokers, the cost of which is bundled with the cost of the broker’s execution services.
The Sub-Advisor does not “pay up” for the value of any such proprietary research.
The Sub-Advisor assumes general supervision
over placing orders on behalf of the Trust for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities. If purchases or sales of portfolio
securities of the Trust and one or more other investment companies or clients supervised by the Sub-Advisors are considered at
or about the same time, transactions in such securities are allocated among the several investment companies and clients in a manner
deemed equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to all by the Advisor. In some cases, this procedure could have
a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security so far as the Trust 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 Trust.
The primary consideration is prompt execution of orders at the most favorable net price.
The Fund will not deal with affiliates
in principal transactions unless permitted by exemptive order or applicable rule or regulation. The aggregate dollar amount of
brokerage commissions paid by the Fund for the last three fiscal years have been omitted because the Fund has not commenced investment
operations as of the date of this SAI.
The Fund is required to identify any securities
of its “regular brokers and dealers” (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) which it may hold at the close of its
most recent fiscal year. “Regular brokers or dealers” of the Trust are the ten brokers or dealers that, during the
most recent fiscal year: (i) received the greatest dollar amounts of brokerage commissions from the Trust’s portfolio transactions;
(ii) engaged as principal in the largest dollar amounts of portfolio transactions of the Trust; or (iii) sold the largest dollar
amounts of the Trust’s Shares.
Holdings in Securities of Regular Broker-Dealers
for the most recent fiscal year have been omitted because the Fund has not commenced investment operations as of the date of this
SAI.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATE
Portfolio turnover may vary from year to
year, as well as within a year. High turnover rates are likely to result in comparatively greater brokerage expenses or transaction
costs. The overall reasonableness of brokerage commissions and transaction costs is evaluated by the Advisor based upon its knowledge
of available information as to the general level of commissions and transaction costs paid by other institutional investors for
comparable services.
BOOK ENTRY ONLY SYSTEM
The following information supplements and
should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION.”
DTC acts as securities depositary for the
Shares. Shares of the Fund are represented by securities registered in the name of DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co. and deposited
with, or on behalf of, DTC. Except in the limited circumstance provided below, certificates will not be issued for Shares.
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 New York Stock Exchange
(“NYSE”) and the 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 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, either directly or through a third party service, 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, either directly or through a third party service, 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 and/or third party service a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement
for the expenses attendant to such transmittal, all subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
Share distributions shall be made to DTC
or its nominee, Cede & Co., as the registered holder of all Shares. DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any such distributions,
shall credit immediately 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 aspects 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 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 determine 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 either to find a replacement for DTC
to perform its functions at a comparable cost or, if such a replacement is unavailable, to issue and deliver printed certificates
representing ownership of Shares, unless the Trust makes other arrangements with respect thereto satisfactory to the Exchange.
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
The Fund had not commenced operations prior to the date of this
SAI and therefore did not have any beneficial owners that owned greater than 5% of the outstanding voting securities as of the
date of this SAI.
An Authorized Participant (as defined below)
may hold of record more than 25% of the outstanding Shares of the Fund. From time to time, Authorized Participants may be a beneficial
and/or legal owner of the Fund, may be deemed to have control of the Fund and may be able to affect the outcome of matters presented
for a vote of the shareholders of the Fund. Authorized Participants may execute an irrevocable proxy granting the Distributor,
State Street or an affiliate (the “Agent”) power to vote or abstain from voting such Authorized Participant’s
beneficially or legally owned Shares of the Fund. In such cases, the Agent shall mirror vote (or abstain from voting) such Shares
in the same proportion as all other beneficial owners of the Fund.
PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS
The Fund issues and redeems its Shares
on a continuous basis, at net asset value, only in a large specified number of Shares called a “Creation Unit,” either
principally in-kind for securities included in the relevant Index or in cash for the value of such securities. The value of the
Fund is determined once each business day, as described under “Determination of Net Asset Value.” Creation Unit sizes
are set forth in the table below:
FUND
|
|
Creation Unit Size
|
|
Syntax Stratified LargeCap II ETF
|
|
|
25,000
|
|
PURCHASE (CREATION). The Trust issues
and sells Shares of the Fund only: in Creation Units on a continuous basis through the Principal Underwriter, without a sales load
(but subject to transaction fees), at their NAV per Share next determined after receipt of an order, on any Business Day (as defined
below), in proper form pursuant to the terms of the Authorized Participant Agreement (“Participant Agreement”). A “Business
Day” with respect to the Fund is, generally, any day on which the NYSE Arca is open for business.
FUND DEPOSIT. The consideration
for purchase of a Creation Unit of the Fund generally consists of either (i) the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of securities
instruments (“Deposit Instruments”) per each Creation Unit, constituting a substantial replication, or (ii) the Deposit
Cash constituting the cash value of the Deposit Instruments and “Cash Amount,” computed as described below. When accepting
purchases of Creation Units for cash, the Fund may incur additional costs associated with the acquisition of Deposit Instruments
that would otherwise be provided by an in-kind purchaser.
Together, the Deposit Instruments or Deposit
Cash, as applicable, and the Cash Amount constitute the “Fund Deposit,” which represents the minimum initial and subsequent
investment amount for a Creation Unit of the Fund. The “Cash Amount” is an amount equal to the difference between the
net asset value of the Shares (per Creation Unit) and the aggregate market value of the Deposit Instruments or Deposit Cash, as
applicable. If the Cash Amount is a positive number (i.e., the net asset value per Creation Unit exceeds the market value of the
Deposit Instruments or Deposit Cash, as applicable), the Cash Amount shall be such positive amount. If the Cash Amount is a negative
number (i.e., the net asset value per Creation Unit is less than the market value of the Deposit Instruments or Deposit Cash, as
applicable), the Cash Amount shall be such negative amount and the creator will be entitled to receive cash in an amount equal
to the Cash Amount. The Cash Amount serves the function of compensating for any differences between the net asset value per Creation
Unit and the market value of the Deposit Instruments or Deposit Cash, as applicable. Computation of the Cash Amount excludes any
stamp duty or other similar fees and expenses payable upon transfer of beneficial ownership of the Deposit Instruments, if applicable,
which shall be the sole responsibility of the Authorized Participant (as defined below).
The Custodian, through NSCC, makes available
on each Business Day, immediately prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern time), the list
of the names and the required amount of the instruments comprising the Deposit Instruments or the required amount of Deposit Cash,
as applicable, as well as the estimated amount of the Cash Amount 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 subject to any applicable adjustments as described
below, in order to effect purchases of Creation Units of the Fund until such time as the next-announced composition of the Deposit
Instruments or the required amount of Deposit Cash, as applicable, is made available.
The identity and required amount of each
instrument comprising the Deposit Instruments or the amount of Deposit Cash, as applicable, required for the Fund Deposit for the
Fund changes as rebalancing adjustments and corporate action events are reflected from time to time by the Advisor with a view
to the investment objective of the Fund. The composition of the Deposit Instruments may also change in response to adjustments
to the weighting or composition of the component securities of the Fund’s Index.
As noted above, the Trust reserves the
right to permit or require the substitution of Deposit Cash to replace any Deposit Instrument which shall be added to the Deposit
Instruments, including, without limitation, in situations where such Deposit Instrument: (i) may not be eligible for transfer through
the systems of DTC for corporate securities and municipal securities; (ii) in the case of foreign funds holding non-US Deposit
Instruments, where such instruments are not eligible for trading due to local trading restrictions, local restrictions on securities
transfers, or other similar circumstances; (iii) may not be available in sufficient quantity for delivery; (iv) may not be eligible
for trading by an Authorized Participant (as defined below) or the investor for which it is acting; or (v) a holder of Shares of
a foreign fund holding non-US instruments would be subject to unfavorable income tax treatment if the holder receives redemption
proceed “in-kind” (collectively, “non-standard orders”). The Trust also reserves the right to include or
remove Deposit Instruments from the basket in anticipation of index rebalancing changes. The adjustments described above will reflect
changes, known to the Advisor on the date of announcement to be in effect by the time of delivery of the Fund Deposit, in the composition
of the subject Index being tracked by the Fund or resulting from certain corporate actions.
PROCEDURES FOR PURCHASE OF CREATION
UNITS. To be eligible to place orders with the Principal Underwriter, as facilitated via the Transfer Agent, to purchase a
Creation Unit 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 “BOOK ENTRY ONLY SYSTEM”). In addition, each
Participating Party or DTC Participant (each, an “Authorized Participant”) must execute a Participant Agreement that
has been agreed to by the Principal Underwriter and the Transfer Agent, and that has been accepted by the Trust, with respect to
purchases and redemptions of Creation Units. Each Authorized Participant will agree, pursuant to the terms of a Participant Agreement,
on behalf of itself or any investor on whose behalf it will act, to certain conditions, including that it will pay to the Trust,
an amount of cash sufficient to pay the Deposit Instruments together with the creation transaction fee (described below) and any
other applicable fees, taxes and additional variable charge.
All orders to purchase Shares directly
from the Fund, including non-standard orders, must be placed for one or more whole Creation Units and in the manner and by the
time set forth in the Participant Agreement and/or applicable order form. The date on which an order to purchase Creation Units
(or an order to redeem Creation Units, as set forth below) is received and accepted is referred to as the “Order Placement
Date.”
An Authorized Participant may require an
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 purchase Shares directly from the Fund in Creation Units 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 and
only a small number of such Authorized Participants may have international capabilities.
On days when the Exchange closes earlier
than normal, the Fund may require orders to create Creation Units to be placed earlier in the day. In addition, if a market or
markets on which the Fund’s investments are primarily traded is closed, the Fund will also generally not accept orders on
such day(s). 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 and in accordance with the applicable order form. Those
placing orders through an Authorized Participant should allow sufficient time to permit proper submission of the purchase order
by the cut-off time on such Business Day. Economic or market disruptions or changes, or telephone or other communication failure
may impede the ability to reach the Distributor or an Authorized Participant.
Fund Deposits must be delivered by an Authorized
Participant through the Federal Reserve System (for cash) or through DTC (for corporate securities), through a subcustody agent
for (for foreign securities) and/or through such other arrangements allowed by the Trust or its agents. With respect to foreign
Deposit Instruments, the Custodian shall cause the subcustodian of the Fund to maintain an account into which the Authorized Participant
shall deliver, on behalf of itself or the party on whose behalf it is acting, such Deposit Instruments. Foreign Deposit Instruments
must be delivered to an account maintained at the applicable local subcustodian. The Fund Deposit transfer must be ordered by the
Authorized Participant in a timely fashion so as to ensure the delivery of the requisite number of Deposit Instruments or Deposit
Cash, as applicable, to the account of the Fund or its agents by no later than the Settlement Date. The “Settlement Date”
for the Fund is generally the third Business Day after the Order Placement Date. All questions as to the number of Deposit Instruments
or Deposit Cash to be delivered, as applicable, and the validity, form and eligibility (including time of receipt) for the deposit
of any tendered securities or cash, as applicable, will be determined by the Trust, whose determination shall be final and binding.
The amount of cash represented by the Deposit Instruments 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 the Settlement Date. If the Cash
Amount and the Deposit Instruments or Deposit Cash, as applicable, are not received in a timely manner by the Settlement Date,
the creation order may be cancelled. Upon written notice to the Transfer Agent, such canceled order may be resubmitted the following
Business Day using the Fund Deposit as newly constituted to reflect the then current NAV of the Fund. The delivery of Creation
Units so created generally will occur no later than the third Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed
received by the Transfer Agent.
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 the applicable cut-off
time and the federal funds in the appropriate amount are deposited by 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. Eastern time (per applicable instructions),
with the Custodian on the Settlement Date. If the order is not placed in proper form as required, or federal funds in the appropriate
amount are not received by 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. Eastern time (per applicable instructions) on the Settlement Date, then the order
may be deemed to be rejected and the Authorized Participant shall be liable to the Fund for losses, if any, resulting therefrom.
A creation request is considered to be in “proper form” if all procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement, order
form and this SAI are properly followed.
ISSUANCE OF A CREATION UNIT. Except
as provided herein, Creation Units will not be issued until the transfer of good title to the Trust of the Deposit Instruments
or payment of Deposit Cash, as applicable, and the payment of the Deposit Instruments has been completed. When the sub-custodian
has confirmed to the Custodian that the required Deposit Instruments (or the cash value thereof) have been delivered to the account
of the relevant sub-custodian or sub-custodians, the Principal Underwriter and the Advisor shall be notified of such delivery,
and the Trust will issue and cause the delivery of the Creation Units.
In instances where the Trust accepts Deposit
Instruments for the purchase of a Creation Unit, the Creation Unit may be purchased in advance of receipt by the Trust of all or
a portion of the applicable Deposit Instruments as described below. In these circumstances, the initial deposit will have a value
greater than the net asset value of the Shares on the date the order is placed in proper form since in addition to available Deposit
Instruments, cash must be deposited in an amount equal to the sum of (i) the Deposit Instruments, plus (ii) an additional amount
of cash equal to a percentage of the market value as set forth in the Participant Agreement, of the undelivered Deposit Instruments
(the “Additional Cash Deposit”), which shall be maintained in a general non-interest bearing collateral account. An
additional amount of cash shall be required to be deposited with the Trust, pending delivery of the missing Deposit Instruments
to the extent necessary to maintain the Additional Cash Deposit with the Trust in an amount at least equal to the applicable percentage,
as set forth in the Participant Agreement, of the daily marked to market value of the missing Deposit Instruments. The Trust may
use such Additional Cash Deposit to buy the missing Deposit Instruments at any time. Authorized Participants will be liable to
the Trust for all costs, expenses, dividends, income and taxes associated with missing Deposit Instruments, including 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 Instruments exceeds the market value of such Deposit Instruments on the day the purchase order was
deemed received by the Principal Underwriter 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 Instruments have been properly
received by the Custodian or purchased by the Trust and deposited into the Trust. In addition, a transaction fee as set forth below
under “Creation Transaction Fees” will be charged and an additional variable charge may also be applied. The delivery
of Creation Units so created generally will occur no later than the Settlement Date.
ACCEPTANCE OF ORDERS OF CREATION UNITS.
The Trust reserves the absolute right to reject an order for Creation Units transmitted in respect of a Fund at its discretion,
including, without limitation, if (a) the order is not in proper form; (b) the Deposit Instruments or Deposit Cash, as applicable,
delivered by the Participant are not as disseminated through the facilities of the NSCC for that date by the Custodian; (c) the
investor(s), upon obtaining the Shares ordered, would own 80 percent or more of the currently outstanding Shares of the Fund; (d)
acceptance of the Deposit Instruments would have certain adverse tax consequences to the Fund; (e) the acceptance of the Fund Deposit
would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (f) the acceptance of the Fund Deposit would otherwise, in the discretion of the
Trust or the Advisor, have an adverse effect on the Trust or the rights of beneficial owners; (g) the acceptance or receipt of
the order for a Creation Unit would, in the opinion of counsel to the Trust, be unlawful; or (h) in the event that circumstances
outside the control of the Trust, the Custodian, the Transfer Agent and/or the Advisor make it for all practical purposes not feasible
to process orders for Creation Units. Examples of such circumstances include acts of God or public service or utility problems
such as fires, floods, extreme weather conditions and 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 Principal Underwriter, the Custodian, the Transfer Agent, DTC, NSCC, Federal Reserve System, or any other participant
in the creation process, and other extraordinary events. The Trust or its agents shall communicate to the Authorized Participant
its rejection of an order. The Trust, the Transfer Agent, the Custodian and the Principal Underwriter are under no duty, however,
to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Fund Deposits nor shall either of them incur any liability
for the failure to give any such notification. The Trust, the Transfer Agent, the Custodian and the Principal Underwriter shall
not be liable for the rejection of any purchase order for Creation Units.
All questions as to the number of shares
of each security in the Deposit Instruments 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.
REDEMPTION. Shares may be redeemed
only in Creation Units at their net asset value next determined after receipt of a redemption request in proper form by the Fund
through the Transfer Agent and only on a Business Day. EXCEPT UPON LIQUIDATION OF A FUND, THE TRUST WILL NOT REDEEM SHARES IN AMOUNTS
LESS THAN WHOLE CREATION UNITS. Investors must accumulate enough Shares in the secondary market to constitute a Creation Unit 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. Investors should expect to incur brokerage and other
costs in connection with assembling a sufficient number of Shares to constitute a redeemable Creation Unit.
With respect to the Fund, the Custodian,
through the NSCC, makes available immediately prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m. Eastern time)
on each Business Day, the list of the names and share quantities of the Fund’s portfolio instruments that will be applicable
(subject to possible amendment or correction) to redemption requests received in proper form (as defined below) on that day (“Redemption
Instruments”). In certain circumstances, Redemption Instruments received on redemption may not be identical to Deposit Instruments.
Redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit
are paid either in-kind or in cash, or a combination thereof, as determined by the Trust. With respect to in-kind redemptions of
the Fund, redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit will consist of Redemption Securities – as announced by the Custodian on
the Business Day of the request for redemption received in proper form plus cash in an amount equal to the difference between the
net asset value of the Shares being redeemed, as next determined after a receipt of a request in proper form, and the value of
the Redemption Instruments (the “Cash Redemption Amount”), less a fixed redemption transaction fee and any applicable
additional variable charge as set forth below. In the event that the Redemption Instruments have a value greater than the net asset
value of the Shares, a compensating cash payment equal to the differential is required to be made by or through an Authorized Participant
by the redeeming shareholder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at the Trust’s discretion, an Authorized Participant may receive
the corresponding cash value of the securities in lieu of the in-kind securities value representing one or more redemption Instruments.
PROCEDURES FOR REDEMPTION OF CREATION
UNITS. After the Trust has deemed an order for redemption received, the Trust will initiate procedures to transfer the requisite
Redemption Instruments and the Cash Redemption Amount to the Authorized Participant by the Settlement Date. With respect to in-kind
redemptions of the Fund, the calculation of the value of the Redemption Instruments and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered
upon redemption will be made by the Custodian according to the procedures set forth under “Determination of Net Asset Value,”
computed on the Business Day on which a redemption order is deemed received by the Trust. Therefore, if a redemption order in proper
form is submitted to the Principal Underwriter by a DTC Participant by the specified time on the Order Placement Date, and the
requisite number of Shares of the Fund are delivered to the Custodian prior to 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. Eastern time (per applicable
instructions) on the Settlement Date, then the value of the Redemption Instruments and the Cash Redemption Amount to be delivered
will be determined by the Custodian on such Order Placement Date. If the requisite number of Shares of the Fund are not delivered
by 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. Eastern time (per applicable instructions) on the Settlement Date, the Fund will not release the underlying
securities for delivery unless collateral is posted in such percentage amount of missing Shares as set forth in the Participant
Agreement (marked to market daily).
With respect to in kind redemptions of
the Fund, in connection with taking delivery of shares of Redemption Instruments upon redemption of Creation Units, an Authorized
Participant must maintain appropriate custody arrangements with a qualified broker-dealer, bank or other custody providers in each
jurisdiction in which any of the Redemption Instruments are customarily traded (or such other arrangements as allowed by the Trust
or its agents), to which account such Redemption Instruments will be delivered. Deliveries of redemption proceeds generally will
be made within three Business Days of the trade date. Due to the schedule of holidays in certain countries, however, the delivery
of in-kind redemption proceeds may take longer than three business days after the day on which the redemption request is received
in proper form. The section below entitled “Local Market Holidays Schedules” identifies the instances where more than
seven days would be needed to deliver redemption proceeds. Pursuant to an order of the SEC, in respect of the Fund, the Trust will
make delivery of in-kind redemption proceeds within the number of days stated in the Local Market Holidays section to be the maximum
number of days necessary to deliver redemption proceeds. If the Authorized Participant has not made appropriate arrangements to
take delivery of the Redemption Instruments in the applicable foreign jurisdiction and it is not possible to make other such arrangements,
or if it is not possible to effect deliveries of the Redemption Instruments in such jurisdiction, the Trust may, in its discretion,
exercise its option to redeem such Shares in cash, and the Authorized Participant will be required to receive its redemption proceeds
in cash.
If it is not possible to make other such
arrangements, or if it is not possible to effect deliveries of the Redemption Instruments, the Trust may in its discretion exercise
its option to redeem such Shares in cash, and the redeeming investor 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 Shares based on the NAV of Shares of the 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 Trust’s brokerage and other transaction costs associated with the disposition
of Redemption Instruments). 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 Redemption Instruments but does not differ in net asset value.
An Authorized Participant submitting a
redemption request is deemed to represent to the Trust that it (or its client) (i) owns outright or has full legal authority and
legal beneficial right to tender for redemption the requisite number of Shares to be redeemed and can receive the entire proceeds
of the redemption, and (ii) the Shares to be redeemed have not been loaned or pledged to another party nor are they the subject
of a repurchase agreement, securities lending agreement or such other arrangement which would preclude the delivery of such Shares
to the Trust. The Trust reserves the right to verify these representations at its discretion, but will typically require verification
with respect to a redemption request from the Fund in connection with higher levels of redemption activity and/or short interest
in the Fund. If the Authorized Participant, upon receipt of a verification request, does not provide sufficient verification of
its representations as determined by the Trust, the redemption request will not be considered to have been received in proper form
and may be rejected by the Trust.
Redemptions of Shares for Redemption Instruments
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 Units for cash to the extent that the Trust could not lawfully deliver
specific Redemption Instruments upon redemptions or could not do so without first registering the Redemption Instruments under
such laws. An Authorized Participant or an investor for which it is acting subject to a legal restriction with respect to a particular
security included in the Redemption Instruments applicable to the redemption of Creation Units may be paid an equivalent amount
of cash. The Authorized Participant may request the redeeming investor of the Shares to complete an order form or to enter into
agreements with respect to such matters as compensating cash payment. Further, an Authorized Participant that is not a “qualified
institutional buyer,” (“QIB”), as such term is defined under Rule 144A of the Securities Act, will not be able
to receive Redemption Instruments that are restricted securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A. An Authorized Participant
may be required by the Trust to provide a written confirmation with respect to QIB status in order to receive Redemption Instruments.
The right of redemption may be suspended
or the date of payment postponed with respect to the Fund (1) for any period during which the Exchange is closed (other than customary
weekend and holiday closings); (2) for any period during which trading on the Exchange is suspended or restricted; (3) for any
period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the Shares of the Fund or determination of the NAV of
the Shares is not reasonably practicable; or (4) in such other circumstance as is permitted by the SEC.
CREATION AND REDEMPTION TRANSACTION
FEES. A transaction fee, as set forth in the table below, is imposed for the transfer and other transaction costs associated
with the purchase or redemption of Creation Units, as applicable, with fees capped at 2% of transaction amount. Authorized Participants
will be required to pay a fixed creation transaction fee and/or a fixed redemption transaction fee, as applicable, on a given day
regardless of the number of Creation Units created or redeemed on that day. The Fund may adjust the transaction fee from time to
time. The Creation/Redemption Transaction Fee may be waived for the Fund when the Advisor believes that waiver of such fee is in
the best interest of the Fund. When determining whether to waive the Creation/Redemption Transaction Fee, the Advisor considers
a number of factors including whether waiving such fee will facilitate the initial launch of the Fund; facilitate portfolio rebalancings
in a less costly manner; improve the quality of the secondary trading market for the Fund’s shares; and not result in the
Fund bearing additional costs or expenses as a result of such waiver.
An additional charge or a variable charge
(discussed below) will be applied to certain creation and redemption transactions, including non-standard orders and whole or partial
cash purchases or redemptions. With respect to creation orders, Authorized Participants are responsible for the costs of transferring
the securities constituting the Deposit Instruments to the account of the Trust and with respect to redemption orders, Authorized
Participants are responsible for the costs of transferring the Redemption Instruments from the Trust to their account or on their
order. Investors who use the services of a broker or other such intermediary may also be charged a fee for such services.
FUND
|
|
TRANSACTION
FEE
|
|
|
MAXIMUM
TRANSACTION
FEE
|
|
Syntax Stratified LargeCap II ETF
|
|
$
|
1,250
|
|
|
$
|
2,000
|
|
DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE
The following information supplements and
should be read in conjunction with the sections in the Prospectus entitled “PURCHASE AND SALE OF FUND SHARES” and “ADDITIONAL
PURCHASE AND SALE INFORMATION.”
Net asset value per Share for the Fund
of the Trust 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 outstanding. Expenses and fees, including the management, administration and distribution fees, are
accrued daily and taken into account for purposes of determining net asset value. The net asset value of the Fund is calculated
by the Custodian and determined as of the close of the regular trading session on the (ordinarily 4:00p.m. Eastern time) on each
day that such exchange is open.
In computing the Fund’s net asset
value per Share, the Fund’s securities holdings are based on the market price of the securities, which generally means a
valuation obtained from an exchange or other market (or based on a price quotation or other equivalent indication of value supplied
by an exchange or other market) or a valuation obtained from an independent pricing service. In the case of shares of funds that
are not traded on an exchange (e.g., mutual funds), last sale price means such fund’s published net asset value per share.
Other portfolio securities and assets for which market quotations are not readily available are valued based on fair value as determined
in good faith by the Oversight Committee in accordance with procedures adopted by the Board. In these cases, the Fund’s net
asset value may reflect certain portfolio securities’ fair values rather than their market prices. Fair value pricing involves
subjective judgments and it is possible that the fair value determination for a security is materially different than the value
that could be realized upon the sale of the security. In addition, fair value pricing could result in a difference between the
prices used to calculate the Fund’s net asset value and the prices used by the Index. This may result in a difference between
the Fund’s performance and the performance of the Index.
DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
The following information supplements and
should be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “DISTRIBUTIONS.”
GENERAL POLICIES. Dividends from
net investment income, if any, are declared and paid annually for the Fund. 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 for a Fund to improve
index tracking or to comply with the distribution requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, in all events in a manner consistent
with the provisions of the 1940 Act. In addition, the Trust intends to distribute at least annually amounts representing the full
dividend yield on the underlying portfolio securities of the Fund, net of expenses of such Fund, as if such Fund owned such underlying
portfolio securities for the entire dividend period. As a result, some portion of each distribution may result in a return of capital
for tax purposes for shareholders.
Dividends and other distributions on 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 Trust.
The Trust may make additional distributions
to the extent necessary (i) to distribute the entire annual taxable income of the Trust, plus any net capital gains and (ii) to
avoid imposition of the excise tax imposed by Section 4982 of the Internal Revenue Code. Management of the Trust reserves the right
to declare special dividends if, in its reasonable discretion, such action is necessary or advisable to preserve the status of
the Fund as a “regulated investment company” under the Internal Revenue Code or to avoid imposition of income or excise
taxes on undistributed income.
DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT. Broker dealers,
at their own discretion, may also offer a dividend reinvestment service under which Shares are purchased in the secondary market
at current market prices. Investors should consult their broker dealer for further information regarding any dividend reinvestment
service offered by such broker dealer.
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION
Set forth below is a discussion of certain
U.S. federal income tax considerations affecting the Fund and the purchase, ownership and disposition of Shares. It is based upon
the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”), U.S. Treasury Department regulations
promulgated thereunder, judicial authorities, and administrative rulings and practices, all as in effect as of the date of this
SAI and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. The following information supplements and should
be read in conjunction with the section in the Prospectus entitled “U.S. Federal Income Taxation.”
Except to the extent discussed below, this
summary assumes that the Fund’s shareholder holds Shares as capital assets within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code,
and does not hold Shares in connection with a trade or business. This summary does not address all potential U.S. federal income
tax considerations possibly applicable to an investment in Shares, and does not address the tax consequences to Fund shareholders
subject to special tax rules, including, but not limited to, partnerships and the partners therein, those who hold Shares through
an IRA, 401(k) plan or other tax-advantaged account, and, except to the extent discussed below, tax-exempt shareholders. This discussion
does not discuss any aspect of U.S. state, local, estate, and gift, or non-U.S., tax law. This discussion is not intended or written
to be legal or tax advice to any shareholder in the Fund or other person and is not intended or written to be used or relied on,
and cannot be used or relied on, by any such person for the purpose of avoiding any U.S. federal tax penalties that may be imposed
on such person. Prospective Fund shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the specific U.S. federal,
state, and local, and non-U.S., tax consequences of investing in Shares based on their particular circumstances.
The Fund has not requested and will not
request an advance ruling from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) as to the U.S. federal income tax matters
described below. The IRS could adopt positions contrary to those discussed below and such positions could be sustained. Prospective
investors should consult their own tax advisors with regard to the U.S. federal tax consequences of the purchase, ownership or
disposition of Shares, as well as the tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, non-U.S. country or other taxing jurisdiction.
Tax Treatment of the Fund
In General. The Fund intends to
qualify and elect to be treated as a separate regulated investment company (“RIC”) under the Internal Revenue Code.
As a RIC, a Fund generally will not be required to pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital
gains that it distributes to its shareholders.
To qualify and remain eligible for the
special tax treatment accorded to RICs, a Fund must meet certain income, asset and distribution requirements, described in more
detail below. Specifically, the Fund must (i) derive at least 90% of its gross income in each taxable year from dividends, interest,
payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies,
other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business
of investing in such stock, securities or currencies and net income derived from interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships
(“QPTPs”) (i.e., partnership that are traded on an established securities market or readily tradable on a secondary
market, other than partnerships that derive at least 90% of their income from interest, dividends, and other qualifying RIC income
described above), and (ii) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the Fund’s taxable year, (a) at
least 50% of the value of the Fund’s assets is represented by cash, securities of other RICs, U.S. government securities
and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater in value than
5% of the Fund’s total assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (b) not more
than 25% of the value of its assets is invested in the securities (other than U.S. government securities or securities of other
RICs) of any one issuer, any two or more issuers of which 20% or more of the voting stock of each such issuer is held by the Fund
and that are determined to be engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses or related trades or business or in the securities
of one or more QPTPs. Furthermore, a Fund must distribute annually at least 90% of the sum of (i) its “investment company
taxable income” (which includes dividends, interest and net short-term capital gains) and (ii) certain net tax-exempt income,
if any.
Failure to Maintain RIC Status.
If a Fund fails to qualify as a RIC for any year (subject to certain curative measures allowed by the Internal Revenue Code), the
Fund will be subject to regular corporate-level U.S. federal income tax in that year on all of its taxable income, regardless of
whether the Fund makes any distributions to its shareholders. In addition, in such case, distributions will be taxable to the Fund’s
shareholders generally as ordinary dividends to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, possibly
eligible for (i) in the case of an individual Fund shareholder, treatment as a qualified dividend (as discussed below) subject
to tax at preferential long-term capital gains rates or (ii) in the case of a corporate Fund shareholder, a dividends-received
deduction. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the Fund will qualify for the special tax treatment accorded to RICs.
Excise Tax. A Fund will be subject
to a 4% excise tax on certain undistributed income generally if the Fund does not distribute to its shareholders in each calendar
year at least 98% of its ordinary income for the calendar year, 98.2% of its capital gain net income for the twelve months ended
October 31 of such year, plus 100% of any undistributed amounts from prior years. For these purposes, the Fund will be treated
as having distributed any amount on which it has been subject to U.S. corporate income tax for the taxable year ending within such
calendar year. The Funds intends to make distributions necessary to avoid this 4% excise tax, although there can be no assurance
that it will be able to do so.
Phantom Income. With respect to
some or all of its investments, a Fund may be required to recognize taxable income in advance of receiving the related cash payment.
For example, under the “wash sale” rules, the Fund may not be able to deduct currently a loss on a disposition of a
portfolio security. As a result, the Fund may be required to make an annual income distribution greater than the total cash actually
received during the year. Such distribution may be made from the existing cash assets of the Fund or cash generated from selling
Portfolio Securities. The Fund may realize gains or losses from such sales, in which event the Fund’s shareholders may receive
a larger capital gain distribution than they would in the absence of such transactions. (See also —“Certain Debt Instruments”
below.)
Certain Debt Instruments. Some of
the debt securities (with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund
(such as zero coupon debt instruments or debt instruments with payment in-kind interest) may be treated as debt securities that
are issued originally at a discount. Generally, the amount of original issue discount is treated as interest income and is included
in income over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, usually when
the debt security matures.
If the Fund acquires debt securities (with
a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) in the secondary market, such debt securities may be treated
as having market discount. Generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt
security having market discount is treated as ordinary income to the extent the gain, or principal payment, does not exceed the
“accrued market discount” on such debt security. Market discount generally accrues in equal daily installments. The
Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt securities having market discount, which could affect the character
and timing of recognition of income.
Some debt securities (with a fixed maturity
date of one year or less from the date of issuance) that may be acquired by the Fund may be treated as having acquisition discount,
or original issue discount in the case of certain types of debt securities. Generally, the Fund will be required to include the
acquisition discount, or original issue discount, in income over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount
is not received until a later time, usually when the debt security matures. The Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable
to debt securities having acquisition discount, or original issue discount, which could affect the character and timing of recognition
of income.
Non-U.S. Investments. Dividends,
interest and proceeds from the direct or indirect sale of non-U.S. securities may be subject to non-U.S. withholding tax and other
taxes, including financial transaction taxes. Even if the Fund is entitled to seek a refund in respect of such taxes, it may not
have sufficient information to do so or may choose not to do so. Tax treaties between certain countries and the United States may
reduce or eliminate such taxes in some cases. Non-U.S. taxes paid by the Fund will reduce the return from the Fund’s investments.
Special or Uncertain Tax Consequences.
The Fund’s investment or other activities could be subject to special and complex tax rules that may produce differing tax
consequences, such as disallowing or limiting the use of losses or deductions, causing the recognition of income or gain without
a corresponding receipt of cash, affecting the time as to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur or
altering the characterization of certain complex financial transactions.
The Fund may engage in investment or other
activities the treatment of which may not be clear or may be subject to recharacterization by the IRS. In particular, the tax treatment
of swaps and certain other derivatives and income from foreign currency transactions is unclear for purposes of determining the
Fund’s status as a RIC. If a final determination on the tax treatment of the Fund’s investment or other activities
differs from the Fund’s original expectations, the final determination could adversely affect the Fund’s status as
a RIC or the timing or character of income recognized by the Fund, requiring the Fund to purchase or sell assets, alter its portfolio
or take other action in order to comply with the final determination.
Tax Treatment of Fund Shareholders
Taxation of U.S. Shareholders
The following is a summary of certain U.S.
federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Fund Shares applicable to “U.S. shareholders.”
For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. shareholder” is a beneficial owner of Fund Shares who, for U.S. federal income
tax purposes, is (i) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; (ii) a corporation (or an entity treated
as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United
States, or of any state thereof, or the District of Columbia; (iii) an estate, the income of which is includable in gross income
for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its source; or (iv) a trust, if (a) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary
supervision over the administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions
of the trust, or (b) the trust has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person.
Fund Distributions. In general,
Fund distributions are subject to U.S. federal income tax when paid, regardless of whether they consist of cash or property and
regardless of whether they are re-invested in Shares. However, any Fund distribution declared in October, November or December
of any calendar year and payable to shareholders of record on a specified date during such month will be deemed to have been received
by the Fund shareholder on December 31 of such calendar year, provided such dividend is actually paid during January of the following
calendar year.
Distributions of a Fund’s net investment
income and the Fund’s net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses (collectively referred to as
“ordinary income dividends”) are taxable as ordinary income to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated
earnings and profits (subject to an exception for “qualified dividend income, as discussed below). Corporate shareholders
of the Fund may be eligible to take a dividends-received deduction with respect to such distributions, provided the distributions
are attributable to dividends received by the Fund on stock of U.S. corporations with respect to which the Fund meets certain holding
period and other requirements. To the extent designated as “capital gain dividends” by the Fund, distributions of the
Fund’s net long-term capital gains in excess of net short-term capital losses (“net capital gain”) are taxable
at long-term capital gain tax rates to the extent of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, regardless
of the Fund shareholder’s holding period in the Fund’s Shares. Such dividends will not be eligible for a dividends-received
deduction by corporate shareholders.
A Fund’s net capital gain is computed
by taking into account the Fund’s capital loss carryforwards, if any. Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization
Act of 2010, capital losses incurred in tax years beginning after December 22, 2010 can be carried forward indefinitely and retain
the character of the original loss. To the extent that these carryforwards are available to offset future capital gains, it is
probable that the amount offset will not be distributed to shareholders. In the event that a Fund were to experience an ownership
change as defined under the Code, the Fund’s loss carryforwards, if any, may be subject to limitation.
Distributions of “qualified dividend
income” (defined below) are taxed to certain non-corporate shareholders at the reduced rates applicable to long-term capital
gain to the extent of a Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, provided that the Fund shareholder meets certain
holding period and other requirements with respect to the distributing Fund’s Shares and the distributing Fund meets certain
holding period and other requirements with respect to the dividend-paying stocks. Dividends subject to these special rules, however,
are not actually treated as capital gains and, thus, are not included in the computation of a non-corporate shareholder’s
net capital gain and generally cannot be used to offset capital losses. The portion of distributions that a Fund may report as
qualified dividend income generally is limited to the amount of qualified dividend income received by the Fund, but if for any
Fund taxable year 95% or more of the Fund’s gross income (exclusive of net capital gain from sales of stock and securities)
consist of qualified dividend income, all distributions of such income for that taxable year may be reported as qualified dividend
income. For this purpose, “qualified dividend income” generally means income from dividends received by a Fund from
U.S. corporations and qualified non-U.S. corporations. Income from dividends received by the Fund from a real estate investment
trust (“REIT”) or another RIC generally is qualified dividend income only to the extent that the dividend distributions
are made out of qualified dividend income received by such REIT or other RIC.
To the extent that the Fund makes a distribution
of income received by such Fund in lieu of dividends with respect to securities on loan pursuant to a securities lending transaction,
such income will not constitute qualified dividend income to individual shareholders and will not be eligible for the dividends-received
deduction for corporate shareholders.
Distributions in excess of the Fund’s
current and accumulated earnings and profits will, as to each shareholder, be treated as a tax-free return of capital to the extent
of the shareholder’s tax basis in its Shares of the Fund, and as a capital gain thereafter (assuming the shareholder holds
its Shares of the Fund as capital assets).
The Fund intends to distribute its net
capital gain at least annually. However, by providing written notice to its shareholders no later than 60 days after its year-end,
a Fund may elect to retain some or all of its net capital gain and designate the retained amount as a “deemed distribution.”
In that event, the Fund pays U.S. federal income tax on the retained net capital gain, and the Fund shareholder recognizes a proportionate
share of the Fund’s undistributed net capital gain. In addition, a shareholder can claim a tax credit or refund for the shareholder’s
proportionate share of the Fund’s U.S. federal income taxes paid on the undistributed net capital gain and increase the shareholder’s
tax basis in the Fund Shares by an amount equal to the shareholder’s proportionate share of the Fund’s undistributed
net capital gain, reduced by the amount of the shareholder’s tax credit or refund. Organizations or persons not subject to
U.S. federal income tax on such net capital gain may be entitled to a refund of their pro rata share of such taxes paid by the
Fund upon timely filing appropriate returns or claims for refund with the IRS.
With respect to non-corporate Fund shareholders
(i.e., individuals, trusts and estates), ordinary income and short-term capital gain are taxed at a current maximum rate
of 39.6% and long-term capital gain is taxed at a current maximum rate of 20%. Corporate shareholders are taxed at a current maximum
rate of 35% on their income and gain.
In addition, high-income individuals (and
certain trusts and estates) generally will be subject to a 3.8% Medicare tax on “net investment income,” in addition
to otherwise applicable U.S. federal income tax. “Net investment income” generally will include dividends (including
capital gain dividends) received from a Fund and net gains from the redemption or other disposition of Shares. Please consult your
tax advisor regarding this tax.
Investors considering buying Shares just
prior to a distribution should be aware that, although the price of the Shares purchased at such time may reflect the forthcoming
distribution, such distribution nevertheless may be taxable (as opposed to a non-taxable return of capital).
Sales of Shares. Any capital gain
or loss realized upon a sale or exchange of Shares generally is treated as a long-term gain or loss if the Shares have been held
for more than one year. Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale or exchange of Shares held for one year or less generally
is treated as a short-term gain or loss, except that any capital loss on the sale of Shares held for six months or less is treated
as long-term capital loss to the extent that capital gain dividends were paid (or deemed to be paid) with respect to such Shares.
All or a portion of any loss realized upon a sale or exchange of Fund Shares will be disallowed under the “wash sale”
rules if substantially identical shares are purchased (through reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a 61-day period beginning
30 days before and ending 30 days after the disposition of the Fund Shares. In such a case, the basis of the newly purchased shares
will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.
Legislation passed by Congress requires
reporting to the IRS and to taxpayers of adjusted cost basis information for “covered securities,” which generally
include shares of a RIC acquired on or after January 1, 2012. Shareholders should contact their brokers to obtain information with
respect to the available cost basis reporting methods and available elections for their accounts.
Creation Unit Issues and Redemptions.
On an issue of Shares as part of a Creation Unit, made by means of an in-kind deposit, an Authorized Participant recognizes capital
gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the fair market value (at issue) of the issued Shares (plus any cash received
by the Authorized Participant as part of the issue) and (ii) the Authorized Participant’s aggregate basis in the exchanged
securities (plus any cash paid by the Authorized Participant as part of the issue). On a redemption of Shares as part of a Creation
Unit where the redemption is conducted in-kind by a payment of Fund Securities, an Authorized Participant recognizes capital gain
or loss equal to the difference between (i) the fair market value (at redemption) of the securities received (plus any cash received
by the Authorized Participant as part of the redemption) and (ii) the Authorized Participant’s basis in the redeemed Shares
(plus any cash paid by the Authorized Participant as part of the redemption). However, the IRS may assert, under the “wash
sale” rules or on the basis that there has been no significant change in the Authorized Participant’s economic position,
that any loss on an issue or redemption of Creation Units cannot be deducted currently.
In general, any capital gain or loss recognized
upon the issue or redemption of Shares (as components of a Creation Unit) is treated either as long-term capital gain or loss,
if the deposited securities (in the case of an issue) or the Shares (in the case of a redemption) have been held for more than
one year, or otherwise as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any capital loss on a redemption of Shares held for six months
or less is treated as long-term capital loss to the extent that capital gain dividends were paid (or deemed to be paid) with respect
to such Shares.
Reportable Transactions. If a shareholder
recognizes a loss with respect to Shares of $2 million or more (for an individual Fund shareholder) or $10 million or more (for
a corporate shareholder) in any single taxable year (or a greater loss over a combination of years), the Fund shareholder may be
required to file a disclosure statement with the IRS. Significant penalties may be imposed upon the failure to comply with these
reporting rules. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these rules in light of their
individual circumstances.
Taxation of Non-U.S. Shareholders
The following is a summary of certain U.S.
federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Fund Shares applicable to “non-U.S. shareholders.”
For purposes of this discussion, a “non-U.S. shareholder” is a beneficial owner of Fund Shares that is not a U.S. shareholder
(as defined above) and is not an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The following
discussion is based on current law, and is for general information only. It addresses only selected, and not all, aspects of U.S.
federal income taxation.
Dividends. With respect to non-U.S.
shareholders of a Fund, the Fund’s ordinary income dividends generally will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at
a rate of 30% (or at a lower rate established under an applicable tax treaty). However, ordinary income dividends that are “interest-related
dividends” or “short-term capital gain dividends” (each as defined below) and capital gain dividends generally
will not be subject to U.S. federal withholding (or income tax), provided that the non-U.S. shareholder furnishes the Fund with
a completed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E, as applicable, (or acceptable substitute documentation) establishing the non-U.S. shareholder’s
non-U.S. status and the Fund does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that the non-U.S. shareholder would be subject to
such withholding tax if the non-U.S. shareholder were to receive the related amounts directly rather than as dividends from the
Fund. “Interest-related dividends” generally means dividends designated by the Fund as attributable to such Fund’s
U.S.-source interest income, other than certain contingent interest and interest from obligations of a corporation or partnership
in which such Fund is at least a 10% shareholder, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income. “Short-term capital
gain dividends” generally means dividends designated by the Fund as attributable to the excess of such Fund’s net short-term
capital gain over its net long-term capital loss. Depending on its circumstances, the Fund may treat such dividends, in whole or
in part, as ineligible for these exemptions from withholding.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, special
rules apply in certain cases, including as described below. For example, in cases where dividend income from a non-U.S. shareholder’s
investment in the Fund is effectively connected with a trade or business of the non-U.S. shareholder conducted in the United States,
the non-U.S. shareholder generally will be exempt from withholding tax, but will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the graduated
rates applicable to U.S. shareholders. Such income generally must be reported on a U.S. federal income tax return. Furthermore,
such income also may be subject to the 30% branch profits tax in the case of a non-U.S. shareholder that is a corporation. In addition,
if a non-U.S. shareholder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year and
has a “tax home” in the United States, any gain incurred by such shareholder with respect to his or her capital gain
dividends and short-term capital gain dividends would be subject to a 30% U.S. federal income tax (which, in the case of short-term
capital gain dividends, may, in certain instances, be withheld at source by the Fund). Lastly, special rules apply with respect
to dividends that are subject to the Foreign Investment in Real Property Act (“FIRPTA”), discussed below (see—“Investments
in U.S. Real Property”).
Sales of Fund Shares. Under current
law, gain on a sale or exchange of Shares generally will be exempt from U.S. federal income tax (including withholding at the source)
unless (i) the non-U.S. shareholder is an individual who was physically present in the United States for 183 days or more during
the taxable year and has a “tax home” in the United States, in which case the non-U.S. shareholder would incur a 30%
U.S. federal income tax on his capital gain, (ii) the gain is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by
the non-U.S. shareholder (in which case the non-U.S. shareholder generally would be taxable on such gain at the same graduated
rates applicable to U.S. shareholders, would be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return and, in the case of a corporate
non-U.S. shareholder, may also be subject to the 30% branch profits tax), or (iii) the gain is subject to FIRPTA, as discussed
below (see —“Investments in U.S. Real Property”).
Credits or Refunds. To claim a credit
or refund for any Fund-level taxes on any undistributed long-term capital gains (as discussed above) or any taxes collected through
withholding, a non-U.S. Fund shareholder must obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number and file a U.S. federal income tax return
even if the non-U.S. Fund shareholder would not otherwise be required to do so.
Investments in U.S. Real Property.
Subject to the exemptions described below, a non-U.S. shareholder generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax under FIRPTA
on any gain from the sale or exchange of Shares if the Fund is a “U.S. real property holding corporation” (as defined
below) at any time during the shorter of the period during which the non-U.S. shareholder held such Shares and the five-year period
ending on the date of the disposition of those Shares. Any such gain will be taxed in the same manner as for a U.S. Fund shareholder
and in certain cases will be collected through withholding at the source in an amount equal to 15% of the sales proceeds. A Fund
will be a “U.S. real property holding corporation” if the fair market value of its “U.S. real property interests”
(“USRPIs”) (which includes shares of U.S. real property holding corporations and certain participating debt securities)
equals or exceeds 50% of the fair market value of such interests plus its interests in real property located outside the United
States plus any other assets used or held for use in a business.
An exemption from FIRPTA applies if either
(i) the class of Shares disposed of by the non-U.S. shareholder is regularly traded on an established securities market (as determined
for U.S. federal income tax purposes) and the non-U.S. shareholder did not actually or constructively hold more than 5% of such
class of Shares at any time during the five-year period prior to the disposition, or (ii) the Fund is a “domestically-controlled
RIC.” A “domestically-controlled RIC” is any RIC in which at all times during the relevant testing period 50%
or more in value of the RIC’s stock is owned by U.S. persons.
Furthermore, special rules apply under
FIRPTA in respect of distributions attributable to gains from USRPIs. In general, if a Fund is a U.S. real property holding corporation
(taking certain special rules into account), distributions by such Fund attributable to gains from USRPIs will be treated as income
effectively connected with a trade or business within the United States, subject generally to tax at the same graduated rates applicable
to U.S. shareholders and, in the case of a corporation that is a non-U.S. shareholder, a “branch profits” tax at a
rate of 30% (or other applicable lower treaty rate). Such distributions will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax and generally
will give rise to an obligation on the part of the non-U.S. shareholder to file a U.S. federal income tax return.
Even if a Fund is treated as a U.S. real
property holding corporation, distributions on the Fund’s Shares will not be treated, under the rule described above, as
income effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business in the case of a non-U.S. shareholder that owns (for the applicable
period) 5% or less (by class) of Shares and such class is regularly traded on an established securities market for U.S. federal
income tax purposes (but such distribution will be treated as ordinary dividends subject to a 30% withholding tax or lower applicable
treaty rate).
Non-U.S. shareholders that engage in certain
“wash sale” and/or substitute dividend payment transactions the effect of which is to avoid the receipt of distributions
from the Fund that would be treated as gain effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business will be treated as having received
such distributions.
All shareholders of the Fund should consult
their tax advisers regarding the application of the rules described above.
Back-Up Withholding
The Fund (or a financial intermediary such
as a broker through which a shareholder holds Shares in the Fund) may be required to report certain information on the Fund shareholder
to the IRS and withhold U.S. federal income tax (“backup withholding”) at a 28% rate from taxable distributions and
redemption or sale proceeds payable to the Fund shareholder if (i) the Fund shareholder fails to provide the Fund with a correct
taxpayer identification number or make required certifications, or if the IRS notifies the Fund that the Fund shareholder is otherwise
subject to backup withholding, and (ii) the Fund shareholder is not otherwise exempt from backup withholding. Non-U.S. shareholders
can qualify for exemption from backup withholding by submitting a properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E. Backup withholding
is not an additional tax and any amount withheld may be credited against the Fund shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
The U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance
Act (“FATCA”) generally imposes a 30% withholding tax on “withholdable payments” (defined below) made to
(i) a “foreign financial institution” (“FFI”), unless the FFI enters into an agreement with the IRS to
provide information regarding certain of its direct and indirect U.S. account holders and satisfy certain due diligence and other
specified requirements, and (ii) a “non-financial foreign entity” (“NFFE”) unless such NFFE provides certain
information to the withholding agent about certain of its direct and indirect “substantial U.S. owners” or certifies
that it has no such U.S. owners. The beneficial owner of a "withholdable payment" may be eligible for a refund or credit
of the withheld tax. The U.S. government also has entered into several intergovernmental agreements with other jurisdictions to
provide an alternative, and generally easier, approach for FFIs to comply with FATCA.
“Withholdable payments” generally
include, among other items, (i) U.S.-source interest and dividends, and (ii) gross proceeds from the sale or disposition, occurring
on or after January 1, 2019, of property of a type that can produce U.S.-source interest or dividends.
The Fund may be required to impose a 30%
withholding tax on withholdable payments to a shareholder if the shareholder fails to provide the Fund with the information, certifications
or documentation required under FATCA, including information, certification or documentation necessary for the Fund to determine
if the shareholder is a non-U.S. shareholder or a U.S. shareholder and, if it is a non-U.S. shareholder, if the non-U.S. shareholder
has “substantial U.S. owners” and/or is in compliance with (or meets an exception from) FATCA requirements. The Fund
will not pay any additional amounts to shareholders in respect of any amounts withheld. The Fund may disclose any shareholder information,
certifications or documentation to the IRS or other parties as necessary to comply with FATCA.
The requirements of, and exceptions from,
FATCA are complex. All prospective shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the potential application
of FATCA with respect to their own situation.
Section 351
The Trust, on behalf of the Fund, has the
right to reject an order for a purchase of shares of a Fund if the purchase (including any purchases of shares in the same Fund
by a related group of purchasers) would not qualify as a tax-free transaction described in Section 351 of the Internal Revenue
Code. The Trust also has the right to require information from a purchaser of shares in a Fund for purposes of determining
if an order for a purchase of shares of the Fund qualifies as a tax-free transaction described in Section 351 of the Internal Revenue
Code.
CAPITAL STOCK AND SHAREHOLDER REPORTS
The Fund issues Shares of beneficial interest,
par value zero per Share. The Board may designate additional funds.
Each Share issued by the Trust has a pro
rata interest in the assets of the corresponding series of the Trust. 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 series of the Trust (i.e., Shares of the Fund) vote together as a single class, except that if the matter being voted
on affects only a particular Fund it will be voted on only by that Fund and if a matter affects a particular Fund differently from
other Funds, that Fund will vote separately on such matter. Under Delaware law, the Trust is not required to hold an annual meeting
of shareholders unless required to do so under the 1940 Act. The policy of the Trust is not to hold an annual meeting of shareholders
unless required to do so under the 1940 Act. All Shares of the Trust (regardless of the Fund) have noncumulative voting rights
for the election of Trustees. Under Delaware law, Trustees of the Trust may be removed by vote of the shareholders.
The Declaration of Trust contains an express
disclaimer of shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Trust, requires that Trust obligations include such disclaimer,
and provides for indemnification and reimbursement of expenses out of the Trust’s property for any shareholder held personally
liable for the obligations of the Trust. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability
is limited to circumstances in which the Trust itself would be unable to meet its obligations. Given the above limitations on shareholder
personal liability, and the nature of a Fund’s assets and operations, the risk to shareholders of personal liability is believed
to be remote.
Shareholder inquiries may be made by writing
to the Trust, c/o Syntax Advisors, LLC, One Liberty Plaza, 46th Fl. New York, NY 10006.
COUNSEL
Chapman and Cutler LLP serves as counsel
to the Trust and the Fund.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING
FIRM
Ernst & Young LLP serves as the independent
registered public accounting firm for the Trust.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Financial statements
are not included for the Fund, which had not commenced operation prior to the date of this SAI.