EMQQ
The Emerging Markets Internet & Ecommerce ETF
Financial Highlights
Selected Per Share Data & Ratios
For the Period Ended February 29, 2020 (unaudited) and years ended August 31,
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Year/Period
|
|
Net Asset
Value,
Beginning
of Period
|
|
Net
Investment
Income
(Loss)*
|
|
Net Realized
and
Unrealized
Gain
(Loss) on
Investments
|
|
Total from
Operations
|
|
Distributions
from
Investment
Income
|
|
Distributions
from Net
Realized
Capital Gains
|
|
Total
Distributions
|
|
Net Asset
Value,
End of
Period
|
|
Market
Price,
End of
Period
|
|
Total
Return(1)
|
|
Net Assets
End of
Period
(000)
|
|
Ratio of
Expenses
to Average
Net Assets
|
|
Ratio of Net
Investment
Income
(Loss) to
Average Net
Assets
|
|
Portfolio
Turnover(2)
|
2020†
|
|
$
|
32.08
|
|
$
|
0.72
|
|
|
$
|
2.19
|
|
|
$
|
2.91
|
|
|
$
|
(0.45
|
)
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
(0.45
|
)
|
|
$
|
34.54
|
|
$
|
34.77
|
|
9.06
|
%
|
|
$
|
429,981
|
|
0.86%(4)
|
|
4.18%(4)
|
|
5%
|
2019
|
|
|
3 3.05
|
|
|
(0.16
|
)
|
|
|
(0.81
|
)
|
|
|
(0.97
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
32.08
|
|
|
31.97
|
|
(2.93
|
)
|
|
|
378,601
|
|
0.86
|
|
(0.53)
|
|
25
|
2018
|
|
|
35.51
|
|
|
(0.23
|
)
|
|
|
(1.87
|
)
|
|
|
(2.10
|
)
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
(0.22
|
)
|
|
|
(0.36
|
)
|
|
|
33.05
|
|
|
33.01
|
|
(6.05
|
)
|
|
|
381,700
|
|
0.86
|
|
(0.59)
|
|
33
|
2017
|
|
|
25.88
|
|
|
(0.05
|
)
|
|
|
9.85
|
|
|
|
9.80
|
|
|
|
(0.17
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
(0.17
|
)
|
|
|
35.51
|
|
|
35.56
|
|
38.23
|
|
|
|
271,660
|
|
0.86
|
|
(0.17)
|
|
17
|
2016
|
|
|
19.90
|
|
|
(0.15
|
)
|
|
|
6.15
|
|
|
|
6.00
|
|
|
|
(0.02
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
(0.02
|
)
|
|
|
25.88
|
|
|
25.86
|
|
30.15
|
|
|
|
18,117
|
|
0.86
|
|
(0.68)
|
|
31
|
2015(3)
|
|
|
26.00
|
|
|
(0.13
|
)
|
|
|
(5.97
|
)
|
|
|
(6.10
|
)
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
19.90
|
|
|
19.97
|
|
(23.46
|
)
|
|
|
9,950
|
|
0.86(4)
|
|
(0.67)(4)
|
|
28
|
Amounts designated as “—“ are $0.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
7
EMQQ
The Emerging Markets Internet & Ecommerce ETF
Notes to the Financial Statements
February 29, 2020 (Unaudited)
1. ORGANIZATION
Exchange Traded Concepts Trust (the “Trust”), is a Delaware statutory trust formed on July 17, 2009. The Trust is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company with multiple investment portfolios. The financial statements herein are those of EMQQ The Emerging Markets Internet & Ecommerce ETF (the “Fund”). The Fund seeks to provide investment results that, before fees and expenses, correspond generally to the price and yield performance of EMQQ The Emerging Markets Internet & Ecommerce ETF IndexTM (the “Index”). The Fund is classified as a “non-diversified” fund under the 1940 Act (see “Non-Diversification Risk” under Note 6). The Fund commenced operations on November 12, 2014.
Shares of the Fund are listed and traded on the NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “Exchange”). Market prices for the shares may be different from their net asset value (“NAV”). The Fund issues and redeems shares on a continuous basis to certain institutional investors (typically market makers or other broker-dealers) at NAV only in large blocks of shares, typically 50,000 shares, called “Creation Units”. Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally in-kind for securities included in the Index. Once created, shares trade in a secondary market at market prices that change throughout the day in share amounts less than a Creation Unit.
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following significant accounting policies, which are consistently followed in the preparation of the financial statements of the Trust, are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for investment companies. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP on the accrual basis of accounting. Management has reviewed Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946, Financial Services — Investment Companies (“ASC 946”), and concluded that the Fund meets criteria of an “investment company,” and therefore, the Fund prepares its financial statements in accordance with investment company accounting as outlined in ASC 946.
Use of Estimates and Indemnifications — The Fund is an investment company in conformity with U.S. GAAP. Therefore, the Fund follows the accounting and reporting guidelines for investment companies. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
In the normal course of business, the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations which provide general indemnifications. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements cannot be known; however, the Fund expects any risk of loss to be remote.
Security Valuation — Securities listed on a securities exchange, market or automated quotation system for which quotations are readily available (except for securities traded on NASDAQ), including securities traded over the counter, are valued at the last quoted sale price on the primary exchange or market (foreign or domestic) on which they are traded (or at approximately 4:00 pm Eastern Time if a security’s primary exchange is normally open at that time), or, if there is no such reported sale, at the most recent quoted bid for long positions and the most recent ask price for short positions. For securities traded on NASDAQ, the NASDAQ Official Closing Price will be used. If available, debt securities are priced based upon valuations provided by independent, third-party pricing agents. Such values generally reflect the last reported sales price if the security is actively traded.
The third-party pricing agents may also value debt securities at an evaluated bid price by employing methodologies that utilize actual market transactions, broker-supplied valuations, or other methodologies designed to identify the fair value for such securities. Debt obligations with remaining maturities of sixty days or less when acquired will be valued at their market value. If a market value is not available from a pricing vendor or from an independent broker, the security shall be
8
EMQQ
The Emerging Markets Internet & Ecommerce ETF
Notes to the Financial Statements
February 29, 2020 (Unaudited) (Continued)
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
fair valued according to the Trust’s Fair Value Procedures. Prices for most securities held in the Fund are provided daily by recognized independent pricing agents. If a security price cannot be obtained from an independent, third-party pricing agent, the Fund seeks to obtain a bid price from at least one independent broker.
Securities for which market prices are not “readily available” are valued in accordance with fair value procedures established by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”). The Fund’s fair value procedures are implemented through a fair value committee (the “Committee”) designated by the Board. Some of the more common reasons that may necessitate that a security be valued using fair value procedures include: the security’s trading has been halted or suspended; the security has been de-listed from a national exchange; the security’s primary trading market is temporarily closed at a time when, under normal conditions, it would be open; the security has not been traded for an extended period of time; the security’s primary pricing source is not able or willing to provide a price; or trading of the security is subject to local government-imposed restrictions. In addition, the Fund may fair value its securities if an event that may materially affect the value of the Fund’s securities that traded outside of the United States (a ‘‘Significant Event’’) has occurred between the time of the security’s last close and the time that the Fund calculates its net asset value. A Significant Event may relate to a single issuer or to an entire market sector. Events that may be Significant Events include, but are not limited to: government actions, natural disasters, armed conflict, acts of terrorism and significant market fluctuations. If the Adviser becomes aware of a Significant Event that has occurred with respect to a security or group of securities after the closing of the exchange or market on which the security or securities principally trade, but before the time at which the Fund calculates its net asset value, it may request that a Committee meeting be called. When a security is valued in accordance with the fair value procedures, the Committee will determine the value after taking into consideration relevant information reasonably available to the Committee.
In accordance with the authoritative guidance on fair value measurements and disclosure under U.S. GAAP, the Fund discloses fair value of its investments in a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure the fair value. The objective of a fair value measurement is to determine the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). Accordingly, the fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
• Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access at the measurement date;
• Level 2 — Quoted prices which are not active, or inputs that are observable (either directly or indirectly) for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and
• Level 3 — Prices, inputs or exotic modeling techniques which are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable (supported by little or no market activity).
The valuation techniques used by the Fund to measure fair value during the period ended February 29, 2020 maximized the use of observable inputs and minimized the use of unobservable inputs.
For the period ended February 29, 2020, there have been no significant changes to the Fund’s fair valuation methodologies.
Federal Income Taxes — It is the Fund’s intention to qualify as a regulated investment company for Federal income tax purposes by complying with the appropriate provisions of Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Accordingly, no provisions for Federal income taxes have been made in the financial statements.
The Fund’s policy is to classify interest and penalties associated with underpayment of federal and state income taxes, if any, as income tax expense on its Statement of Operations. As of February 29, 2020, the Fund did not have any interest or penalties associated with the underpayment of any income taxes. All tax years since inception remain open and subject to
9
EMQQ
The Emerging Markets Internet & Ecommerce ETF
Notes to the Financial Statements
February 29, 2020 (Unaudited) (Continued)
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
examination by tax jurisdictions. The Fund has reviewed all major jurisdictions and concluded that there is no impact on the Fund’s net assets and no tax liability resulting from unrecognized tax benefits relating to uncertain income tax positions taken or expected to be taken on its tax returns.
Foreign Taxes — The Fund may be subject to taxes imposed by countries in which it invests. Such taxes are generally based on either income or gains earned or repatriated. The Fund accrues and applies such taxes to net investment income, net realized gains and net unrealized gains as income and/or capital gains earned. The Fund is monitoring and recording accrued Capital Gains Tax of $113,649 as of February 29, 2020, as shown on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. For the period ended February 29, 2020, the Fund recorded net change in unrealized losses of $17,856 on the Statement of Operations.
Security Transactions and Investment Income — Security transactions are accounted for on trade date. Costs used in determining realized gains and losses on the sale of investment securities are based on specific identification. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis. Withholding taxes and reclaims on foreign dividends have been provided for in accordance with the Fund’s understanding of the applicable country’s tax rules and rates.
Foreign Currency Translation — The books and records of the Fund are maintained in U.S. dollars. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollars on the date of valuation. Purchases and sales of investment securities, income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the relevant rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions. The Fund does not isolate that portion of realized or unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in the foreign exchange rate from fluctuations arising from changes in the market prices of the securities. These gains and losses are included in net realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments on the Statement of Operations. Net realized and unrealized gains and losses on foreign currency transactions represent net foreign exchange gains or losses from foreign currency exchange contracts, disposition of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between trade and settlement dates on securities transactions and the difference between the amount of the investment income and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Fund’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent amounts actually received or paid. The Fund may be subject to foreign taxes related to foreign income received, capital gain on the sale of securities and certain foreign currency transactions (a portion of which may be reclaimable). All foreign taxes are recorded in accordance with the applicable regulations and rates that exist in the foreign jurisdictions in which the Fund invests.
Cash and Cash Equivalents — Idle cash may be swept into various overnight demand deposits and is classified as Cash and Cash equivalents on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities. The Fund maintains cash in bank deposit accounts which, at times, may exceed United States federally insured limits. Amounts swept overnight are available on the next business day.
Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders — The Fund pays out dividends from its net investment income and distributes its net capital gains, if any, to investors at least annually. All distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date.
Creation Units — The Fund issues and redeems shares at NAV and only in Creation Units, or multiples thereof. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares are not redeemable securities. Purchasers of Creation Units (“Authorized Participants”) at NAV must pay a standard creation transaction fee of $750 per transaction. The fee is a single charge and will be the same regardless of the number of Creation Units purchased by an investor on the same day. An Authorized Participant who holds Creation Units and wishes to redeem at NAV would also pay a standard minimum redemption transaction fee of $750 per transaction to the custodian on the date of such redemption, regardless of the number of Creation Units redeemed that day. The Fund may charge, either in lieu of or in addition to the fixed creation transaction fee, a variable fee for creations and redemptions in order to cover certain non-standard brokerage, tax, foreign exchange, execution, market impact and other costs and expenses related to the execution of trades resulting from such transaction. In all cases, such fees will be limited in accordance with the requirements of the SEC applicable to management investment companies offering redeemable securities.
10
EMQQ
The Emerging Markets Internet & Ecommerce ETF
Notes to the Financial Statements
February 29, 2020 (Unaudited) (Continued)
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)
The Adviser may retain all or a portion of the transaction fee to the extent the Adviser bears the expenses that otherwise would be borne by the Trust in connection with the purchase of a Creation Unit, which the transaction fee is designed to cover.
Shares of the Fund may only be purchased or redeemed directly from the Fund by Authorized Participants. An Authorized Participant is either (i) a broker-dealer or other participant in the clearing process through the Continuous Net Settlement System of the National Securities Clearing Corporation or (ii) a Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) participant and, in each case, must have executed an Authorized Participant Agreement with the Fund’s distributor. Most retail investors will not qualify as Authorized Participants or have the resources to buy and sell whole Creation Units. Therefore, they will be unable to purchase or redeem the shares directly from the Fund. Rather, most retail investors will purchase and sell shares in the secondary market with the assistance of a broker and will be subject to customary brokerage commissions or fees. If a Creation Unit is purchased or redeemed for cash, a higher transaction fee will be charged.
The following table discloses the Creation Unit breakdown based on the NAV as of February 29, 2020:
|
|
Creation
Unit Shares
|
|
Creation
Transaction
Fee
|
|
Value
|
|
Redemption
Transaction
Fee
|
EMQQ The Emerging Markets Internet & Ecommerce ETF
|
|
50,000
|
|
$
|
750
|
|
$
|
1,727,000
|
|
$
|
750
|
To the extent contemplated by a participant agreement, in the event an Authorized Participant has submitted a redemption request in proper form but is unable to transfer all or part of the shares comprising a Creation Unit to be redeemed to the Distributor, on behalf of the Fund, by the time as set forth in a participant agreement, the Distributor may nonetheless accept the redemption request in reliance on the undertaking by the Authorized Participant to deliver the missing shares as soon as possible, which undertaking shall be secured by the Authorized Participant’s delivery and maintenance of collateral equal to a percentage of the value of the missing shares as specified in the participant agreement. A participant agreement may permit the Fund to use such collateral to purchase the missing shares, and could subject an Authorized Participant to liability for any shortfall between the cost of the Fund acquiring such shares and the value of the collateral. Amounts are disclosed as Segregated Cash Balance from Authorized Participants for Deposit Securities and Collateral Payable upon Return of Deposit Securities on the Statement of Assets and Liabilities, when applicable.
3. AGREEMENTS
Investment Advisory Agreement
Exchange Traded Concepts, LLC (the “Adviser”), is an Oklahoma limited liability company located at 10900 Hefner Pointe Drive, Suite 401, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73120, its principle place of business, and 295 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10017. The Adviser serves as the investment adviser to the Trust, including the Fund, pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (“Advisory Agreement”). Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser provides investment advisory services to the Fund primarily in the form of oversight of the Sub-Adviser (as defined below), including daily monitoring of the purchase and sale of securities by the Sub-Adviser and regular review of the Sub-Adviser’s performance. The Adviser also arranges for transfer agency, custody, fund administration and accounting, and other non-distribution related services necessary for the Fund to operate. The Adviser administers the Fund’s business affairs, provides office facilities and equipment and certain clerical, bookkeeping and administrative services, and provides its officers and employees to serve as officers or Trustees of the Trust.
For the services it provides to the Fund, the Adviser receives a fee, which is calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.86% of average daily net assets of the Fund.
11
EMQQ
The Emerging Markets Internet & Ecommerce ETF
Notes to the Financial Statements
February 29, 2020 (Unaudited) (Continued)
3. AGREEMENTS (continued)
Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser has agreed to pay all expenses of the Fund except for the advisory fee, interest, taxes, brokerage commissions and other expenses incurred in placing orders for the purchase and sale of securities and other investment instruments, acquired fund fees and expenses, extraordinary expenses, and distribution fees and expenses paid by the Trust under any distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.
The Adviser has entered into a license agreement with Big Tree Capital LLC, the Fund’s index provider, pursuant to which the Adviser pays a fee to use the Index. The Adviser is sub-licensing rights to the Index to the Fund at no charge.
Sub-Advisory Agreements
Penserra Capital Management LLC, (the “Sub-Adviser”), is a New York limited liability company located at 4 Orinda Way, Suite 100-A, Orinda, California 94563, serves as the Fund’s sub-adviser pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement (the “Sub-Advisory-Agreement”). Under the Sub-Advisory Agreement the Sub-Adviser is responsible for, among other things, trading portfolio securities on behalf of the Fund, including selecting broker-dealers to execute purchase and sale transactions as instructed by the Adviser or in connection with any rebalancing or reconstitution of the Index, subject to the supervision of the Adviser and the Board. Under a sub-advisory agreement, the Adviser pays the Sub-Adviser a fee calculated daily and paid monthly out of the fee Adviser receives from the Fund, at an annual rate of 0.05% on the average daily net assets of the Fund, subject to a $25,000 minimum fee.
The Sub-Adviser’s affiliated broker-dealer, Penserra Securities LLC (“Penserra Securities”), holds a minority interest in the Sub-Adviser. The Fund may execute brokerage or other agency transactions through registered broker dealer affiliates of the Fund, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser or the Distributor for a commission in conformity with the 1940 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”) and rules promulgated by the Commission. For the period ended February 29, 2020, the Fund paid commissions to affiliated brokers in the amount of $3,320.
Distribution Agreement
SEI Investments Distribution Co. (the “Distributor”) serves as the Fund’s underwriter and distributor of shares pursuant to a Distribution Agreement. Under the Distribution Agreement, the Distributor, as agent, receives orders to purchase shares in Creation Units and transmits such orders to the Fund’s custodian and transfer agent. The Distributor has no obligation to sell any specific quantity of Fund shares. The Distributor bears the following costs and expenses relating to the distribution of shares: (i) the expenses of maintaining its registration or qualification as a dealer or broker under federal or state laws; (ii) filing fees; and (iii) all other expenses incurred in connection with the distribution services, that are not reimbursed by the Adviser, as contemplated in the Distribution Agreement. The Distributor does not maintain any secondary market in Fund shares.
The Fund has adopted a Distribution and Service Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. In accordance with the Plan, the Fund is authorized to pay an amount up to 0.25% of its average net assets each year for certain distribution-related activities. For the period ended February 29, 2020, no fees were charged by the Distributor under the Plan and the Plan will only be implemented with approval of the Board.
Administrator, Custodian and Transfer Agent
SEI Investments Global Funds Services (the “Administrator”) serves as the Fund’s Administrator pursuant to an Administration Agreement. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (the “Custodian” and “Transfer Agent”) serves as the Fund’s Custodian and Transfer Agent pursuant to a Custodian Agreement and Transfer Agency Services Agreement. The Adviser of the Fund pays these fees.
Certain officers and an interested trustee of the Trust may also be officers of the Administrator, Adviser, or Distributor. They receive no fees for serving as officers or interested trustee of the Trust.
12
EMQQ
The Emerging Markets Internet & Ecommerce ETF
Notes to the Financial Statements
February 29, 2020 (Unaudited) (Continued)
4. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
For the period ended February 29, 2020, the purchases and sales of investments in securities, excluding in-kind transactions, long-term U.S. Government and short-term securities were:
|
|
Purchases
|
|
Sales and
Maturities
|
|
|
EMQQ The Emerging Markets Internet & Ecommerce ETF
|
|
$
|
102,103,112
|
|
$
|
90,907,263
|
|
There were no purchases or sales of long-term U.S. Government securities by the Fund.
For the period ended February 29, 2020, in-kind transactions associated with creations and redemptions were:
|
|
Purchases
|
|
Sales
|
|
Realized Gain
|
|
|
EMQQ The Emerging Markets Internet & Ecommerce ETF
|
|
$
|
46,024,986
|
|
$
|
20,914,943
|
|
$
|
2,886,264
|
|
For the year ended August 31, 2019, the Fund had $5,194,508 of realized gains as a result of in-kind transactions.
5. TAX INFORMATION
The amount and character of income and capital gain distributions to be paid, if any, are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. As a result, net investment income (loss) and net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions for a reporting period may differ significantly from distributions during such period. These book/tax differences may be temporary or permanent. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature, they are charged or credited to paid-in capital and distributable earnings, as appropriate, in the period that the differences arise.
The tax character of dividends paid during the years ended August 31, 2019 and August 31, 2018 were as follows:
|
|
Ordinary
Income
|
|
Long-Term
Capital Gain
|
|
Totals
|
|
|
EMQQ The Emerging Markets Internet & Ecommerce ETF
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2019
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
2018
|
|
|
2,628,803
|
|
|
1,069,562
|
|
|
3,698,365
|
|
As of August 31, 2019, the components of Distributable Earnings (Accumulated Losses) on a tax basis were as follows:
|
|
EMQQ The Emerging Markets
Internet & Ecommerce ETF
|
|
|
Post-October Losses
|
|
$
|
(20,165,596
|
)
|
|
Capital Loss Carryforwards
|
|
|
(12,731,681
|
)
|
|
Late-Year Loss Deferral
|
|
|
(1,311,199
|
)
|
|
Other Temporary Differences
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
Unrealized Depreciation
|
|
|
(23,822,860
|
)
|
|
Total Accumulated Losses
|
|
$
|
(58,031,338
|
)
|
|
Post-October capital losses represent capital losses realized on investment transactions from November 1, 2018 through August 31, 2019, that, in accordance with Federal income tax regulations, the Fund may elect to defer and treat as having arisen in the following fiscal year.
Deferred Late-Year Losses represent ordinary losses realized on investment transactions from January 1, 2019 through August 31, 2019 and specified losses realized on investment transactions from November 1, 2018 through August 31, 2019, that, in accordance with Federal income tax regulations, the Fund defers and treats as having arisen in the following fiscal year.
13
EMQQ
The Emerging Markets Internet & Ecommerce ETF
Notes to the Financial Statements
February 29, 2020 (Unaudited) (Continued)
5. TAX INFORMATION (continued)
The Fund is permitted to utilize capital losses that are carried forward and will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses. As of August 31, 2019, the Fund has the following capital/loss carry forwards to offset capital gains for an unlimited period:
|
|
Short-Term
|
|
Long-Term
|
|
Total Capital
Losses
Carryforwards
|
|
|
EMQQ The Emerging Markets Internet & Ecommerce ETF
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2019
|
|
$
|
11,332,607
|
|
$
|
1,399,074
|
|
$
|
12,731,681
|
|
The Federal tax cost and aggregate gross unrealized appreciation and depreciation on investments held by the Fund at February 29, 2020, were as follows:
|
|
Federal Tax
Cost
|
|
Aggregated
Gross
Unrealized
Appreciation
|
|
Aggregated
Gross
Unrealized
Depreciation
|
|
Net Unrealized
Appreciation
|
|
|
EMQQ The Emerging Markets Internet & Ecommerce ETF
|
|
$
|
421,457,594
|
|
$
|
62,674,618
|
|
$
|
(48,931,024)
|
|
$
|
13,743,594
|
|
6. RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND
As with all exchange traded funds (“ETFs”), a shareholder of the Fund is subject to the risk that his or her investment could lose money. The Fund is subject to the principal risks noted below, any of which may adversely affect the Fund’s NAV, trading price, yield, total return and ability to meet its investment objective. A more complete description of principal risks is included in the prospectus under the heading “Principal Risks”.
The Fund will normally invest at least 80% of its total assets in securities of the Index or in depositary receipts representing securities of the Index. The Index is designed to measure the performance of an investable universe of publicly-traded, emerging market internet and ecommerce companies.
Common Stock Risk: Common stock holds the lowest priority in the capital structure of a company, and therefore takes the largest share of the company’s risk and its accompanying volatility. The value of the common stock held by the Fund may fall due to general market and economic conditions, perceptions regarding the industries in which the issuers of securities held by the Fund participate, or facts relating to specific companies in which the Fund invests.
Currency Exchange Rate Risk: The Fund may invest a relatively large percentage of its assets in securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies. Changes in currency exchange rates and the relative value of non-U.S. currencies will affect the value of the Fund’s investment and the value of your shares. Because the Fund’s NAV is determined in U.S. dollars, the Fund’s NAV could decline if the currency of the non-U.S. market in which the Fund invests depreciates against the U.S. dollar, even if the value of the Fund’s holdings, measured in the foreign currency, increases. Currency exchange rates can be very volatile and can change quickly and unpredictably. As a result, the value of an investment in the Fund may change quickly and without warning and you may lose money.
Depositary Receipt Risk: ADRs, ADSs, GDRs and IDRs are subject to the risks associated with investing directly in foreign securities. In addition, investments in ADRs, ADSs, GDRs and IDRs may be less liquid than the underlying shares in their primary trading market.
Early Close/Trading Halt Risk: An exchange or market may close or issue trading halts on specific securities, or the ability to buy or sell certain securities or financial instruments may be restricted, which may result in the Fund being unable to buy or sell certain securities or financial instruments. In such circumstances, the Fund may be unable to rebalance its portfolio, may be unable to accurately price its investments, and/or may incur substantial trading losses.
14
EMQQ
The Emerging Markets Internet & Ecommerce ETF
Notes to the Financial Statements
February 29, 2020 (Unaudited) (Continued)
6. RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND (continued)
Emerging Markets Securities Risk: Emerging markets are subject to greater market volatility, lower trading volume, political and economic instability, uncertainty regarding the existence of trading markets and more governmental limitations on foreign investment than more developed markets. In addition, securities in emerging markets may be subject to greater price fluctuations than securities in more developed markets. An investment in securities of foreign companies may be in the form of depositary receipts or other securities convertible into securities of foreign issuers.
Foreign Securities Risk: Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to expropriation, nationalization or adverse political or economic developments. Foreign securities may have relatively low market liquidity and decreased publicly available information about issuers. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. Non-U.S. issuers may also be subject to inconsistent and potentially less stringent accounting, auditing, financial reporting and investor protection standards than U.S. issuers. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments. In addition, where all or a portion of the Fund’s portfolio holdings trade in markets that are closed when the Fund’s market is open, there may be valuation differences that could lead to differences between the Fund’s market price and the value of the Fund’s portfolio holdings
Frontier Market Risk: Certain foreign markets are only in the earliest stages of development and may be considered “frontier markets.” Frontier financial markets generally are less liquid and more volatile than other markets, including markets in developing and emerging economies. Frontier markets have a high concentration of market capitalization and trading volume in a small number of issuers representing a limited number of industries.
Securities may have limited marketability and be subject to erratic price movements. Frontier markets, particularly countries in the Middle East, have been, and may continue to be, impacted by political instability, war, terrorist activities and religious, ethnic and/or socioeconomic unrest. These and other factors make investing in frontier market countries significantly riskier than investing in developed market or emerging market countries.
Geographic Investment Risk: To the extent the Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in the securities of companies of a single country or region, it is more likely to be impacted by events or conditions affecting that country or region.
Investing in China Risk: The Fund invests a significant portion of its assets in securities of Chinese issuers. Consequently, the Fund’s performance is expected to be closely tied to social, political, and economic conditions within China and to be more volatile than the performance of more geographically diversified funds. The government of China maintains strict currency controls in order to achieve economic, trade and political objectives and regularly intervenes in the currency market. The Chinese government also plays a major role in the country’s economic policies regarding foreign investments. Foreign investors are subject to the risk of loss from expropriation or nationalization of their investment assets and property, governmental restrictions on foreign investments and the repatriation of capital invested. In addition, the rapid growth rate of the Chinese economy over the past several years may not continue, and the trend toward economic liberalization and disparities in wealth may result in social disorder, including violence and labor unrest.
These and other factors could have a negative impact on the Fund’s performance and increase the volatility of an investment in the Fund.
Geopolitical Risk: Some countries and regions in which the Fund invests have experienced security concerns, war or threats of war and aggression, terrorism, economic uncertainty, natural and environmental disasters and/or systemic market dislocations that have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on the U.S. and world economies and markets generally, each of which may negatively impact the Fund’s investments.
15
EMQQ
The Emerging Markets Internet & Ecommerce ETF
Notes to the Financial Statements
February 29, 2020 (Unaudited) (Continued)
6. RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND (continued)
Illiquid Investments Risk: This risk exists when particular Fund investments are difficult to purchase or sell, which can reduce the Fund’s returns because the Fund may be unable to transact at advantageous times or prices.
Index Tracking Risk: The Fund’s return may not match or achieve a high degree of correlation with the return of the Index. To the extent the Fund utilizes a sampling approach, it may experience tracking error to a greater extent than if the Fund sought to replicate the Index.
Industry Concentration Risk: Because the Fund’s assets will be concentrated in an industry or group of industries to the extent that the Index concentrates in a particular industry or group of industries, the Fund is subject to loss due to adverse occurrences that may affect that industry or group of industries.
Internet Companies Risk: The Fund invests in the securities of Internet Companies, including internet services companies and internet retailers. Internet Companies are subject to rapid changes in technology, worldwide competition, rapid obsolescence of products and services, loss of patent protections, cyclical market patterns, evolving industry standards, frequent new product introductions and the considerable risk of owning small capitalization companies that have recently begun operations.
Issuer-Specific Risk: Fund performance depends on the performance of individual securities to which the Fund has exposure. Issuer-specific events, including changes in the financial condition of an issuer, can have a negative impact on the value of the Fund.
Large-Capitalization Risk: Returns on investments in securities of large companies could trail the returns on investments in securities of smaller and mid-sized companies.
Limited Authorized Participants, Market Makers and Liquidity Providers Concentration Risk: Because the Fund is an ETF, only a limited number of institutional investors (known as “Authorized Participants”) are authorized to purchase and redeem shares directly from the Fund. In addition, there may be a limited number of market makers and/or liquidity providers in the marketplace. To the extent either of the following events occur, shares of the Fund may trade at a material discount to NAV and possibly face delisting: (i) Authorized Participants exit the business or otherwise become unable to process creation and/or redemption orders and no other Authorized Participants step forward to perform these services, or (ii) market makers and/or liquidity providers exit the business or significantly reduce their business activities and no other entities step forward to perform their functions.
Market Risk: The market price of a security or instrument could decline, sometimes rapidly or unpredictably, due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or perceived adverse economic or political conditions throughout the world, changes in the general outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment generally. Local, regional, or global events such as war, acts of terrorism, the spread of infectious illness or other public health issues, recessions, or other events could have a significant impact on the market generally and on specific securities. The market value of a security may also decline because of factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry.
Non-Diversification Risk: The Fund is non-diversified, meaning that, as compared to a diversified fund, it can invest a greater percentage of its assets in securities issued by or representing a small number of issuers. As a result, the performance of these issuers can have a substantial impact on the Fund’s performance.
Operational Risk: The Fund and its service providers may experience disruptions that arise from human error, processing and communications errors, counterparty or third-party errors, technology or systems failures, any of which may have an adverse impact on the Fund.
16
EMQQ
The Emerging Markets Internet & Ecommerce ETF
Notes to the Financial Statements
February 29, 2020 (Unaudited) (Continued)
6. RISKS OF INVESTING IN THE FUND (continued)
Passive Investment Risk: The Fund is not actively managed and, therefore, the Fund would not sell a security due to current or projected underperformance of the security, industry or sector, unless that security is removed from the Index or selling the security is otherwise required upon a rebalancing of the Index.
Sector Focus Risk: The Fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in one or more sectors and thus will be more susceptible to the risks affecting those sectors. While the Fund’s sector exposure is expected to vary over time based on the composition of the Index, the Fund anticipates that it may be subject to some or all of the risks described below. The list below is not a comprehensive list of the sectors to which the Fund may have exposure over time and should not be relied on as such.
Communication Services Sector Risk: Communication services companies are particularly vulnerable to the potential obsolescence of products and services due to technological advancement and the innovation of competitors. Companies in the communication services sector may also be affected by other competitive pressures, such as pricing competition, as well as research and development costs, substantial capital requirements and government regulation. Additionally, fluctuating domestic and international demand, shifting demographics and often unpredictable changes in consumer tastes can drastically affect a communication services company’s profitability. While all companies may be susceptible to network security breaches, certain companies in the communication services sector may be particular targets of hacking and potential theft of proprietary or consumer information or disruptions in service, which could have a material adverse effect on their businesses.
Consumer Discretionary Sector Risk: The Fund invests in consumer discretionary companies, which are companies that provide non-essential goods and services, such as retailers, media companies and consumer services. These companies manufacture products and provide discretionary services directly to the consumer, and the success of these companies is tied closely to the performance of the overall domestic and international economy, interest rates, competition and consumer confidence.
Information Technology Sector Risk: The Fund is subject to the risk that market or economic factors impacting information technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technology advances could have a major effect on the value of the Fund’s investments. The value of stocks of information technology companies and companies that rely heavily on technology is particularly vulnerable to rapid changes in technology product cycles, rapid product obsolescence, government regulation and competition, both domestically and internationally, including competition from foreign competitors with lower production costs.
Small- and Mid-Capitalization Risk: The small- and mid-capitalization companies in which the Fund invests may be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic events than larger, more established companies, and may underperform other segments of the market or the equity market as a whole. Securities of small- and mid-capitalization companies generally trade in lower volumes, are often more vulnerable to market volatility, and are subject to greater and more unpredictable price changes than larger capitalization stocks or the stock market as a whole.
Trading Risk: Shares of the Fund may trade on the Exchange above or below their NAV. The NAV of the Fund’s shares will fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings. In addition, although the shares are currently listed on the Exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for shares will develop or be maintained. Trading in shares may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in shares inadvisable.
17
EMQQ
The Emerging Markets Internet & Ecommerce ETF
Notes to the Financial Statements
February 29, 2020 (Unaudited) (Continued)
7. Securities Lending
The Fund has entered into a Securities Lending Agreement with Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. (the “Lending Agent”) to lend portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial organizations that meet capital and other credit requirements or other criteria established by the Trust’s Board. These loans, if and when made, may not exceed 33 1/3% of the total asset value of the Fund (including the loan collateral). The Fund will not lend portfolio securities to the Adviser or its affiliates unless permissible under the 1940 Act and the rules and promulgations thereunder. Loans of portfolio securities will be fully collateralized by cash, letters of credit or U.S. government securities, and the collateral will be maintained in an amount equal to at least 102% of the value of domestic equity securities and American Depositary Receipts and 105% of the value of foreign equity securities (other than ADRs). However, due to market fluctuations during the day, the value of securities loaned on a particular day may, during the course of the day, exceed the value of collateral. On each business day, the amount of collateral is adjusted based on the prior day’s market fluctuations and the current day’s lending activity. Income from lending activity is determined by the amount of interest earned on collateral, less any amounts payable to the borrowers of the securities and the lending agent. Lending securities involves certain risks, including the risk that the Fund may be delayed or restricted from recovering the loaned securities or disposing of the collateral for the loan, which could give rise to loss because at adverse market actions expenses and/or delays in connection with the disposition of the underlying securities. Any gain or loss in the market price of the securities loaned and income from lending activity by the Fund that might occur during the term of the loan would be for the account of the Fund. Cash collateral received in connection with securities lending is invested in short-term investments by the lending agent.
Securities lending transactions are entered into by the Fund under the Securities Lending Agreement, which permits the Fund, under certain circumstances such as an event of default, to offset amounts payable by the Fund to the same counterparty against amounts receivable from the counterparty to create a net payment due to or from the Fund.
The following is a summary of securities lending agreements held by the Fund, with cash collateral of overnight maturities and non-cash collateral, which would be subject to offset as of February 29, 2020:
|
|
Gross Amount
of Recognized
Assets (Value of
Securities on
Loan)
|
|
Value of Cash
Collateral
Received(1)
|
|
Value of Non-
Cash Collateral
Received
|
|
Net Amount
|
|
|
EMQQ The Emerging Markets Internet & Ecommerce ETF
|
|
$
|
5,090,208
|
|
$
|
5,090,208
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
The value of loaned securities and related collateral outstanding at February 29, 2020 are shown in the Schedule of Investments. The value of the collateral held may be temporarily less than that required under the lending contract. As of February 29, 2020, the cash collateral was invested in a Short-Term Investment with the following maturity:
Remaining Contractual Maturity of the Agreements, as of February 29, 2020:
|
|
Overnight and
Continuous
|
|
<30 Days
|
|
Between
30 & 90 Days
|
|
>90 Days
|
|
Total
|
|
|
EMQQ The Emerging Markets Internet & Ecommerce ETF
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-Term Investment
|
|
$
|
5,371,307
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
$
|
5,371,307
|
|
18
EMQQ
The Emerging Markets Internet & Ecommerce ETF
Notes to the Financial Statements
February 29, 2020 (Unaudited) (Concluded)
8. OTHER
At February 29, 2020, the records of the Trust reflected that 100% of the Fund’s total Shares outstanding were held by one Authorized Participant, in the form of Creation Units. However, the individual shares comprising such Creation Units are listed and traded on the Exchange and have been purchased and sold by persons other than Authorized Participants.
9. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUCEMENTS
In August 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820). The new guidance includes additions and modifications to disclosures requirements for fair value measurements. For public entities, the amendments are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Management elected to early adopt the removal of certain disclosures and delay the adoption of additional disclosure until the effective date.
10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Fund has evaluated the need for additional disclosures and/or adjustments resulting from subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued.
The spread of COVID-19 around the world in the first quarter of 2020 has caused significant volatility in U.S. and international markets. There is significant uncertainty around the breadth and duration of business disruptions related to COVID-19, as well as its impact on the U.S. and international economies. The operational and financial performance of the issuers of securities in which the Fund invests depends on future developments, including the duration and spread of the outbreak, and such developments may in turn impact the value of the Fund’s investments. The ultimate impact of COVID-19 on the financial performance of the Fund’s investments is not reasonably estimable at this time.
19
EMQQ
The Emerging Markets Internet & Ecommerce ETF
Disclosure of Fund Expenses
(Unaudited)
All ETFs have operating expenses. As a shareholder of the Funds you incur an Advisory fee. In addition to the Advisory fee, a shareholder may pay brokerage expenses, taxes, interest, litigation expenses and other extraordinary expenses (including acquired fund fees and expenses), if any. It is important for you to understand the impact of these ongoing costs on your investment returns. Shareholders may incur brokerage commissions on their purchases and sales of Fund shares, which are not reflected in these examples.
The following examples use the annualized expense ratio and are intended to help you understand the ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in each Fund and to compare these costs with those of other funds. The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period shown and held for the entire period (September 1 2019, to February 29, 2020) (unless otherwise noted below). The table below illustrates each Fund’s cost in two ways:
Actual Fund Return. This section helps you to estimate the actual expenses after fee waivers that your Fund incurred over the period. The “Expenses Paid During Period” column shows the actual dollar expense cost incurred by a $1,000 investment in the Fund, and the “Ending Account Value” number is derived from deducting that expense cost from the Fund’s gross investment return.
You can use this information, together with the actual amount you invested in the Fund, to estimate the expenses you paid over that period. Simply divide your actual account value by $1,000 to arrive at a ratio (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply that ratio by the number shown for your Fund under “Expenses Paid During Period.”
Hypothetical 5% Return. This section helps you compare your Fund’s costs with those of other funds. It assumes that the Fund had an annual 5% return before expenses during the year, but that the expense ratio (Column 3) for the period is unchanged. This example is useful in making comparisons because the Commission requires all funds to make this 5% calculation. You can assess your Fund’s comparative cost by comparing the hypothetical result for your Fund in the “Expenses Paid During Period” column with those that appear in the same charts in the shareholder reports for other funds.
NOTE: Because the return is set at 5% for comparison purposes — NOT your Fund’s actual return — the account values shown may not apply to your specific investment.
|
|
Beginning Account
Value
9/1/2019
|
|
Ending
Account
Value
2/29/2020
|
|
Annualized
Expense
Ratios
|
|
Expenses
Paid
During
Period(1)
|
EMQQ The Emerging Markets Internet & Ecommerce ETF
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actual Fund Return
|
|
$ 1,000.00
|
|
$ 1,090.60
|
|
0.86%
|
|
$4.47
|
Hypothetical 5% Return
|
|
$ 1,000.00
|
|
$ 1,020.59
|
|
0.86%
|
|
$4.32
|
20
EMQQ
The Emerging Markets Internet & Ecommerce ETF
Supplemental Information
(Unaudited)
Net asset value, or “NAV”, is the price per share at which the Fund issues and redeems shares. It is calculated in accordance with the standard formula for valuing mutual fund shares. The “Market Price” of the Fund generally is determined using the midpoint between the highest bid and the lowest offer on the stock exchange on which the Shares of the Fund are listed for trading, as of the time that the Fund’s NAV is calculated. The Fund’s Market Price may be at, above or below its NAV. The NAV of the Fund will fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings. The NAV of the Fund may also be impacted by the accrual of deferred taxes. The Market Price of the Fund will fluctuate in accordance with changes in its NAV, as well as market supply and demand.
Premiums or discounts are the differences (expressed as a percentage) between the NAV and Market Price of the Fund on a given day, generally at the time NAV is calculated. A premium is the amount that the Fund is trading above the reported NAV, expressed as a percentage of the NAV. A discount is the amount that the Fund is trading below the reported NAV, expressed as a percentage of the NAV.
Further information regarding premiums and discounts is available on the Fund’s website at www.emqqetf.com.
21
10900 Hefner Point Drive, Suite 401
Oklahoma City, OK 73120
Investment Adviser:
Exchange Traded Concepts, LLC
10900 Hefner Point Drive, Suite 401
Oklahoma City, OK 73120
Investment Sub-Adviser:
Penserra Capital Management LLC
4 Orinda Way, 100-A
Orinda, CA 94563
Distributor:
SEI Investments Distribution Co.
One Freedom Valley Drive
Oaks, PA 19456
Administrator:
SEI Investments Global Funds Services
One Freedom Valley Drive
Oaks, PA 19456
Legal Counsel:
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
1111 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm:
Cohen & Company, Ltd.
151 North Franklin Street
Suite 575
Chicago, IL 60606
This information must be preceded or accompanied by a current prospectus for the Fund.
EMQ-SA-001-0600