As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
on
File No. 333-239440
File No. 811-23580
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 [X]
Pre-Effective Amendment No. __ [ ]
Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 [X]
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 [X]
Amendment No. 23
(Check appropriate box or boxes.)
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, TX 78746
(Address of Principal Executive Office) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s Telephone Number, including Area Code (512) 306-7400
Catherine L. Newell, Esquire
6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, TX 78746
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Please send copies of all communications to:
Jana L. Cresswell, Esquire
Brian Crowell, Esquire
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP
2600 One Commerce Square
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 564-8048
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
[X] immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
[ ] on [Date] pursuant to paragraph (b)
[ ] 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
[ ] on [Date] pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
[ ] 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
[ ] on [Date] pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485
If appropriate, check the following box:
[ ] This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.
Titles of Securities Being Registered:
Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF
Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF
Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF
Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF
Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF
Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF
Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF
Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF
Dimensional Inflation-Protected Securities ETF
Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF
Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF
Dimensional International High Profitability ETF
Dimensional International Small Cap ETF
Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF
Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF
Dimensional International Value ETF
Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF
Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF
Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF
Dimensional U.S. Equity ETF
Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF
Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF
Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF
Dimensional US High Profitability ETF
Dimensional US Large Cap Value ETF
Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF
Dimensional US Real Estate ETF
Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF
Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF
Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF
This Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 19/23 to Registration File Nos. 333-239440/811-23580 includes the following:
1. | FACING PAGE |
2. | CONTENTS PAGE |
3. | PART A – Prospectus relating to the Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF, Dimensional US High Profitability ETF, Dimensional US Large Cap Value ETF, Dimensional US Real Estate ETF, Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF, Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF, Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF, Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF, Dimensional International Small Cap ETF, Dimensional International High Profitability ETF, Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF, Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF, Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF, Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF, and Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF series of shares |
4. | PART A – Prospectus relating to the Dimensional U.S. Equity ETF, Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF, Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF, Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF, Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF, Dimensional International Value ETF, and Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF series of shares |
5. | PART A – Prospectus relating to the Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF, Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF, Dimensional Inflation-Protected Securities ETF, and Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF series of shares |
6. | Part A – Prospectus relating to the Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF, Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF, Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF, and Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF series of shares |
7. | PART B – Statement of Additional Information relating to the Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF, Dimensional US High Profitability ETF, Dimensional US Large Cap Value ETF, Dimensional US Real Estate ETF, Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF, Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF, Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF, Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF, Dimensional International Small Cap ETF, Dimensional International High Profitability ETF, Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF, Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF, Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF, Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF, and Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF series of shares |
8. | PART B – Statement of Additional Information relating to the Dimensional U.S. Equity ETF, Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF, Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF, Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF, Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF, Dimensional International Value ETF, and Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF series of shares |
9. | PART B – Statement of Additional Information relating to the Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF, Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF, Dimensional Inflation-Protected Securities ETF, and Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF series of shares |
10. | Part B – Statement of Additional Information relating to the Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF, Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF, Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF, and Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF series of shares |
11. | PART C – Other Information |
12. | SIGNATURES |
Prospectus
DIMENSIONAL ETF TRUST
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Ticker: |
Exchange: |
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Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF |
DFAU |
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
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Dimensional US High Profitability ETF |
DUHP |
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
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Dimensional US Large Cap Value ETF |
DFLV |
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
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Dimensional US Real Estate ETF |
DFAR |
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
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Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF |
DFSV |
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
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Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF |
DFAI |
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
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Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF |
DFIC |
Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. |
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Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF |
DISV |
Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. |
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Dimensional International Small Cap ETF |
DFIS |
Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. |
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Dimensional International High Profitability ETF |
DIHP |
Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. |
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Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF |
DFAE |
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
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Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF |
DEHP |
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
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Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF |
DFEV |
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
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Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF |
DFEM |
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
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Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF |
DFGR |
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
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This Prospectus describes the shares of the Portfolios which are for long-term investors.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
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International Small Cap Value ETF, International Small Cap ETF |
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v
The investment objective of the Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (the “US Core ETF” or “Portfolio”) is to achieve long-term capital appreciation.
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold or sell shares of the U.S. Core Equity ETF. You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Portfolio, which are not reflected in the table or Example that follows.
year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
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Management Fee |
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Other Expenses |
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
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This Example is meant to help you compare the cost of investing in the US Core ETF with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs whether you redeem or hold your shares would be:
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1 Year |
3 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
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The US Core ETF pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate was
To achieve the US Core ETF’s investment objective, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (the “Advisor”) implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions. As further described below, the Portfolio’s design emphasizes long-term drivers of expected returns identified by the Advisor’s research, while balancing risk through broad diversification across companies and sectors. The Advisor’s portfolio management and trading processes further balance those long-term drivers of expected returns with shorter-term drivers of expected returns and trading costs.
1
The US Core ETF is designed to purchase a broad and diverse group of readily marketable securities of U.S. companies that is composed of companies within the U.S. Universe that meet the Advisor’s investment criteria. The Advisor defines the “U.S. Universe” as a market capitalization weighted set (e.g., the larger the company, the greater the proportion of the U.S. Universe it represents) of U.S. operating companies listed on securities exchanges in the United States that are deemed appropriate by the Advisor. The Portfolio will invest in companies of all sizes, with increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies as compared to their representation in the U.S. Universe. The Portfolio’s increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies may be achieved by decreasing the allocation of the Portfolio’s assets to larger capitalization, higher relative price, or lower profitability companies relative to their weight in the U.S. Universe. An equity issuer is considered to have a high relative price (i.e., a growth stock) primarily because it has a high price in relation to its book value. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to their book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time. As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities of U.S. companies. For purposes of the 80% policy, the Advisor considers a U.S. company to be an operating company that is principally traded on a securities exchange in the United States that is deemed appropriate by the Advisor.
The Advisor may also increase or reduce the US Core ETF’s exposure to an eligible company, or exclude a company, based on shorter-term considerations, such as a company’s price momentum and investment characteristics. In assessing a company’s investment characteristics, the Advisor considers ratios such as recent changes in assets divided by total assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing a company’s investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time. In addition, the Advisor seeks to reduce trading costs using a flexible trading approach that looks for opportunities to participate in the available market liquidity, while managing turnover and explicit transaction costs.
The US Core ETF may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for U.S. equity securities and indices to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio.
The US Core ETF may lend its portfolio securities to generate additional income.
The US Core ETF is an actively managed exchange traded fund and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index and may have a higher degree of portfolio turnover than such index funds.
Equity Market Risk: Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, market, political, and issuer-specific conditions and events will cause the value of equity securities, and the Portfolio that owns them, to rise or fall. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices.
Small and Mid-Cap Company Risk: Securities of small and mid-cap companies are often less liquid than those of large companies and this could make it difficult to sell a small or mid-cap company security at a desired time or price. As a result, small and mid-cap company stocks may fluctuate relatively more in price. In general, small and mid-capitalization companies are also more vulnerable than larger companies to adverse business or economic developments and they may have more limited resources.
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Profitability Investment Risk: High relative profitability stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies.
Value Investment Risk: Value stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies. Value stocks can react differently to political, economic, and industry developments than the market as a whole and other types of stocks. Value stocks also may underperform the market for long periods of time.
Market Trading Risk: Active trading markets for the Portfolio’s shares may not be developed or maintained by market makers or authorized participants. Authorized participants are not obligated to make a market in the Portfolio’s shares or to submit purchase or redemption orders for creation units. Trading in shares on an exchange may be halted in certain circumstances. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the listing exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Portfolio will continue to be met.
Premium/Discount Risk: The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Portfolio and the value of your investment may fluctuate. Disruptions to creations and redemptions or the market price of the Portfolio’s holdings, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for shares may widen bid-ask spreads and result in shares trading at a significant premium or discount to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are instruments, such as futures contracts, and options thereon, whose value is derived from that of other assets, rates or indices. The use of derivatives for non-hedging purposes may be considered to carry more risk than other types of investments. When the Portfolio uses derivatives, the Portfolio will be directly exposed to the risks of those derivatives. Derivative instruments are subject to a number of risks including counterparty, liquidity, interest rate, market, credit and management risks, as well as the risk of improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Portfolio could lose more than the principal amount invested.
Securities Lending Risk: Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Portfolio may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Portfolio could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. Securities lending also may have certain adverse tax consequences.
Operational Risk: Operational risks include human error, changes in personnel, system changes, faults in communication, and failures in systems, technology, or processes. Various operational events or circumstances are outside the Advisor’s control, including instances at third parties. The Portfolio and the Advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate to address these risks.
Cyber Security Risk: The Portfolio’s and its service providers’ use of internet, technology and information systems may expose the Portfolio to potential risks linked to cyber security breaches of those technological or information systems. Cyber security breaches, amongst other things, could allow an unauthorized party to gain access to proprietary information, customer data, or fund assets, or cause the Portfolio and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality.
Large Shareholder Risk: Certain shareholders, including other funds or accounts advised by the Advisor, may from time to time own a substantial amount of the Portfolio’s shares. In addition, a third party investor, the Advisor, an authorized participant, a lead market maker, or another entity may invest in the Portfolio and hold its investment for a limited period of time solely to facilitate commencement of the Portfolio or to facilitate the Portfolio achieving a specified size or scale. There can be no assurance that any large shareholder would not redeem its investment, that the size of the Portfolio would be maintained at such levels or that the Portfolio would continue to meet applicable listing requirements. Redemptions by large shareholders could have a significant negative impact on the Portfolio. In addition, transactions by large shareholders may account for a
3
large percentage of the trading volume on the listing exchange and may, therefore, have a material upward or downward effect on the market price of the shares.
January 2021-December 2022
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Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF |
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Russell 3000 Index | - | % |
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Investment Advisor/Portfolio Management
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP serves as the investment advisor for the US Core ETF. The following individuals are responsible for leading the day-to-day management of the Portfolio:
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Jed S. Fogdall, Global Head of Portfolio Management, Chairman of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2020). |
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Joseph F. Hohn, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2020). |
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Allen Pu, Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since 2022. |
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The US Core ETF issues (or redeems) shares at NAV only to certain financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the Portfolio’s distributor in large aggregated blocks known as “Creation Units.” A Creation Unit of the Portfolio consists of 50,000 shares. Creation Units are issued (or redeemed) in-kind for securities (and an amount of cash) that the Portfolio specifies each day at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order.
Individual US Core ETF shares may only be purchased and sold on NYSE Arca, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). Because Portfolio shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Portfolio shares may trade at a price less than (discount) or greater than (premium) the Portfolio’s NAV. Recent information, including information on the Portfolio’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is available on the Portfolio’s website at https://www.dimensional.com/us-en/funds.
Tax Information
The dividends and distributions you receive from the US Core ETF are taxable and generally will be taxed as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, in which case distributions may be taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn from the plan or account.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the US Core ETF through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Portfolio and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of the Portfolio shares and/or related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the financial intermediary to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
5
The investment objective of the Dimensional US High Profitability ETF (the “US High Profitability ETF” or “Portfolio”) is to achieve long-term capital appreciation.
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold or sell shares of the US High Profitability ETF. You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Portfolio, which are not reflected in the table or Example that follows.
year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
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Management Fee |
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Other Expenses |
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
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This Example is meant to help you compare the cost of investing in the US High Profitability ETF with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs whether you redeem or hold your shares would be:
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1 Year |
3 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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The US High Profitability ETF pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. During the period February 23, 2022 to October 31, 2022, the Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate was
To achieve the US High Profitability ETF’s investment objective, the Advisor implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions. As further described below, the Portfolio’s design emphasizes long-term drivers of expected returns identified by the Advisor’s research, while balancing risk through broad diversification across companies and sectors. The Advisor’s portfolio management and trading processes further balance those long-term drivers of expected returns with shorter-term drivers of expected returns and trading costs.
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The Portfolio is designed to purchase a broad and diverse group of readily marketable securities of large U.S. companies that the Advisor determines to have high profitability relative to other U.S. large cap companies at the time of purchase. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The Portfolio may emphasize certain stocks, including smaller capitalization companies, lower relative price stocks, and/or higher profitability stocks as compared to their representation in the large-cap, high profitability segment of the U.S. market. The Portfolio’s increased exposure to such stocks may be achieved by overweighting and/or underweighting eligible stocks based on their market capitalization, relative price, and/or profitability characteristics. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time.
As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities of U.S. companies. As of the date of this Prospectus, for purposes of the Portfolio, the Advisor considers large cap companies to be companies whose market capitalizations are generally in the highest 90% of total market capitalization or companies whose market capitalizations are larger than or equal to the 1,000th largest U.S. company within the U.S. Universe, whichever results in the higher market capitalization break. The Advisor generally defines the U.S. Universe as a portfolio of U.S. operating companies listed on securities exchanges in the United States that are deemed appropriate by the Advisor. Total market capitalization is based on the market capitalization of eligible operating companies within the U.S. Universe. Under the Advisor’s market capitalization guidelines described above, based on market capitalization data as of December 31, 2022, the market capitalization of a large cap company would be $7,650 million or above. This threshold will change due to market conditions.
The Advisor may also increase or reduce the Portfolio’s exposure to an eligible company, or exclude a company, based on shorter-term considerations, such as a company’s price momentum. In addition, the Advisor seeks to reduce trading costs using a flexible trading approach that looks for opportunities to participate in the available market liquidity, while managing turnover and explicit transaction costs.
The Portfolio may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for U.S. equity securities and indices to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio.
The Portfolio may lend its portfolio securities to generate additional income.
The Portfolio is an actively managed exchange-traded fund and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index and may have a higher degree of portfolio turnover than such index funds.
Equity Market Risk: Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, market, political, and issuer-specific conditions and events will cause the value of equity securities, and the Portfolio that owns them, to rise or fall. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices.
Profitability Investment Risk: High relative profitability stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies.
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Value Investment Risk: Value stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies. Value stocks can react differently to political, economic, and industry developments than the market as a whole and other types of stocks. Value stocks also may underperform the market for long periods of time.
Market Trading Risk: Active trading markets for the Portfolio’s shares may not be developed or maintained by market makers or authorized participants. Authorized participants are not obligated to make a market in the Portfolio’s shares or to submit purchase or redemption orders for creation units. Trading in shares on an exchange may be halted in certain circumstances. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the listing exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Portfolio will continue to be met.
Premium/Discount Risk: The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Portfolio and the value of your investment may fluctuate. Disruptions to creations and redemptions or the market price of the Portfolio’s holdings, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for shares may widen bid-ask spreads and result in shares trading at a significant premium or discount to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are instruments, such as futures contracts, and options thereon, whose value is derived from that of other assets, rates or indices. The use of derivatives for non-hedging purposes may be considered to carry more risk than other types of investments. When the Portfolio uses derivatives, the Portfolio will be directly exposed to the risks of those derivatives. Derivative instruments are subject to a number of risks including counterparty, liquidity, interest rate, market, credit and management risks, as well as the risk of improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Portfolio could lose more than the principal amount invested.
Securities Lending Risk: Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Portfolio may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Portfolio could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. Securities lending also may have certain adverse tax consequences.
Operational Risk: Operational risks include human error, changes in personnel, system changes, faults in communication, and failures in systems, technology, or processes. Various operational events or circumstances are outside the Advisor’s control, including instances at third parties. The Portfolio and the Advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate to address these risks.
Cyber Security Risk: The Portfolio’s and its service providers’ use of internet, technology and information systems may expose the Portfolio to potential risks linked to cyber security breaches of those technological or information systems. Cyber security breaches, amongst other things, could allow an unauthorized party to gain access to proprietary information, customer data, or fund assets, or cause the Portfolio and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality.
Large Shareholder Risk: Certain shareholders, including other funds or accounts advised by the Advisor, may from time to time own a substantial amount of the Portfolio’s shares. In addition, a third party investor, the Advisor, an authorized participant, a lead market maker, or another entity may invest in the Portfolio and hold its investment for a limited period of time solely to facilitate commencement of the Portfolio or to facilitate the Portfolio achieving a specified size or scale. There can be no assurance that any large shareholder would not redeem its investment, that the size of the Portfolio would be maintained at such levels or that the Portfolio would continue to meet applicable listing requirements. Redemptions by large shareholders could have a significant negative impact on the Portfolio. In addition, transactions by large shareholders may account for a large percentage of the trading volume on the listing exchange and may, therefore, have a material upward or downward effect on the market price of the shares.
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Investment Advisor/Portfolio Management
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP serves as the investment advisor for the US High Profitability ETF. The following individuals are responsible for leading the day-to-day management of the Portfolio:
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Jed S. Fogdall, Global Head of Portfolio Management, Chairman of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
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John A. Hertzer, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
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Joseph F. Hohn, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
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Mary T. Phillips, Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The US High Profitability ETF issues (or redeems) shares at NAV only to certain financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the Portfolio’s distributor in large aggregated blocks known as “Creation Units.” A Creation Unit of the Portfolio consists of 50,000 shares. Creation Units are issued (or redeemed) in-kind for securities (and an amount of cash) that the Portfolio specifies each day at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order.
Individual Portfolio shares may only be purchased and sold on NYSE Arca, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). Because Portfolio shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Portfolio shares may trade at a price less than (discount) or greater than (premium) the Portfolio’s NAV. Recent information, including information on the Portfolio’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is available on the Portfolio’s website at https://www.dimensional.com/us-en/funds.
Tax Information
The dividends and distributions you receive from the US High Profitability ETF are taxable and generally will be taxed as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, in which case distributions may be taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn from the plan or account.
9
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the US High Profitability ETF through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Portfolio and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of the Portfolio shares and/or related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the financial intermediary to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
10
The investment objective of the Dimensional US Large Cap Value ETF (the “US Large Cap Value ETF” or “Portfolio”) is to achieve long-term capital appreciation.
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold or sell shares of the US Large Cap Value ETF. You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Portfolio, which are not reflected in the table or Example that follows.
year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
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Management Fee | | |
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Other Expenses* | | |
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | | |
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Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement** | | |
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement | | |
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* | | ||
** | |
This Example is meant to help you compare the cost of investing in the US Large Cap Value ETF with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. The costs for the Portfolio reflect the net expenses of the Portfolio that result from the contractual expense waiver in the first year only. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs whether you redeem or hold your shares would be:
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1 Year |
3 Years |
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$ |
$ |
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The US Large Cap Value ETF pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. Because the Portfolio is new, information about portfolio turnover rate is not yet available.
11
To achieve the US Large Cap Value ETF’s investment objective, the Advisor implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions. As further described below, the Portfolio’s design emphasizes long-term drivers of expected returns identified by the Advisor’s research, while balancing risk through broad diversification across companies and sectors. The Advisor’s portfolio management and trading processes further balance those long-term drivers of expected returns with shorter-term drivers of expected returns and trading costs.
The Portfolio is designed to purchase a broad and diverse group of readily marketable securities of large U.S. companies that the Advisor determines to be value stocks. A company’s market capitalization is the number of its shares outstanding times its price per share. Under a market capitalization weighted approach, companies with higher market capitalizations generally represent a larger proportion of the Portfolio than companies with relatively lower market capitalizations. The Advisor may overweight certain stocks, including smaller companies, lower relative price stocks, and/or higher profitability stocks within the large-cap value segment of the U.S. market. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time.
As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities of large cap U.S. companies. As of the date of this Prospectus, for purposes of the Portfolio, the Advisor considers large cap companies to be companies whose market capitalizations are generally in the highest 90% of total market capitalization or companies whose market capitalizations are larger than or equal to the 1,000th largest U.S. company, whichever results in the higher market capitalization break. Total market capitalization is based on the market capitalization of eligible U.S. operating companies listed on a securities exchange in the United States that is deemed appropriate by the Advisor. Under the Advisor’s market capitalization guidelines described above, based on market capitalization data as of December 31, 2022, the market capitalization of a large cap company would be $7,650 million or above. This threshold will change due to market conditions.
The Advisor may also increase or reduce the Portfolio’s exposure to an eligible company, or exclude a company, based on shorter-term considerations, such as a company’s price momentum. In addition, the Advisor seeks to reduce trading costs using a flexible trading approach that looks for opportunities to participate in the available market liquidity, while managing turnover and explicit transaction costs.
The Portfolio may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for U.S. equity securities and indices to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio.
The Portfolio may lend its portfolio securities to generate additional income.
The Portfolio is an actively managed exchange traded fund and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index and may have a higher degree of portfolio turnover than such index funds.
Equity Market Risk: Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, market, political, and issuer-specific conditions and events will cause the value of equity securities, and the portfolio that
12
owns them, to rise or fall. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices.
Value Investment Risk: Value stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies. Value stocks can react differently to political, economic, and industry developments than the market as a whole and other types of stocks. Value stocks also may underperform the market for long periods of time.
Profitability Investment Risk: High relative profitability stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies.
Market Trading Risk: Active trading markets for the Portfolio’s shares may not be developed or maintained by market makers or authorized participants. Authorized participants are not obligated to make a market in the Portfolio’s shares or to submit purchase or redemption orders for creation units. Trading in shares on an exchange may be halted in certain circumstances. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the listing exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Portfolio will continue to be met.
Premium/Discount Risk: The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Portfolio and the value of your investment may fluctuate. Disruptions to creations and redemptions or the market price of the Portfolio’s holdings, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for shares may widen bid-ask spreads and result in shares trading at a significant premium or discount to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are instruments, such as futures contracts and options thereon, whose value is derived from that of other assets, rates or indices. The use of derivatives for non-hedging purposes may be considered to carry more risk than other types of investments. When the Portfolio uses derivatives, the Portfolio will be directly exposed to the risks of those derivatives. Derivative instruments are subject to a number of risks including counterparty, liquidity, interest rate, market, credit and management risks, as well as the risk of improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Portfolio could lose more than the principal amount invested.
Securities Lending Risk: Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Portfolio may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Portfolio could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. Securities lending also may have certain adverse tax consequences.
Operational Risk: Operational risks include human error, changes in personnel, system changes, faults in communication, and failures in systems, technology, or processes. Various operational events or circumstances are outside the Advisor’s control, including instances at third parties. The Portfolio and the Advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate to address these risks.
Cyber Security Risk: The Portfolio’s and its service providers’ use of internet, technology and information systems may expose the Portfolio to potential risks linked to cyber security breaches of those technological or information systems. Cyber security breaches, amongst other things, could allow an unauthorized party to gain access to proprietary information, customer data, or fund assets, or cause the Portfolio and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality.
Large Shareholder Risk: Certain shareholders, including other funds or accounts advised by the Advisor, may from time to time own a substantial amount of the Portfolio’s shares. In addition, a third party investor, the Advisor, an authorized participant, a lead market maker, or another entity may invest in the Portfolio and hold its investment for a limited period of time solely to facilitate commencement of the Portfolio or to facilitate the Portfolio achieving a specified size or scale. There can be no assurance that any large shareholder would not
13
redeem its investment, that the size of the Portfolio would be maintained at such levels or that the Portfolio would continue to meet applicable listing requirements. Redemptions by large shareholders could have a significant negative impact on the Portfolio. In addition, transactions by large shareholders may account for a large percentage of the trading volume on the listing exchange and may, therefore, have a material upward or downward effect on the market price of the shares.
Investment Advisor/Portfolio Management
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP serves as the investment advisor for the US Large Cap Value ETF. The following individuals are responsible for leading the day-to-day management of the Portfolio:
• |
Jed S. Fogdall, Global Head of Portfolio Management, Chairman of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
||
• |
John A. Hertzer, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
||
• |
Joseph F. Hohn, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
||
• |
Mary T. Phillips, Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The US Large Cap Value ETF issues (or redeems) shares at NAV only to certain financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the Portfolio’s distributor in large aggregated blocks known as “Creation Units.” A Creation Unit of the Portfolio consists of 50,000 shares. Creation Units are issued (or redeemed) in-kind for securities (and an amount of cash) that the Portfolio specifies each day at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order.
Individual Portfolio shares may only be purchased and sold on NYSE Arca, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). Because Portfolio shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Portfolio shares may trade at a price less than (discount) or greater than (premium) the Portfolio’s NAV. Recent information, including information on the Portfolio’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is available on the Portfolio’s website at https://www.dimensional.com/us-en/funds.
Tax Information
The dividends and distributions you receive from the US Large Cap Value ETF are taxable and generally will be taxed as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a
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tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, in which case distributions may be taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn from the plan or account.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the US Large Cap Value ETF through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Portfolio and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of the Portfolio shares and/or related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the financial intermediary to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
15
The investment objective of the Dimensional US Real Estate ETF (the “US Real Estate ETF” or “Portfolio”) is to achieve long-term capital appreciation.
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold or sell shares of the US Real Estate ETF. You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Portfolio, which are not reflected in the table or Example that follows.
year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
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Management Fee | | |
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Other Expenses | | |
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | | |
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Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement* | | |
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement | | |
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* | |
This Example is meant to help you compare the cost of investing in the US Real Estate ETF with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. The costs for the Portfolio reflect the net expenses of the Portfolio that result from the contractual expense waiver in the first year only. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs whether you redeem or hold your shares would be:
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1 Year |
3 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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The US Real Estate ETF pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. During the period February 23, 2022 to October 31, 2022, the Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate was
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To achieve the US Real Estate ETF’s investment objective, the Advisor implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions.
The Portfolio, using a market capitalization weighted approach, will concentrate investments in readily marketable equity securities of companies whose principal activities include ownership, management, development, construction, or sale of residential, commercial or industrial real estate. The Portfolio will principally invest in equity securities of companies in certain real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) and companies engaged in residential construction and firms, except partnerships, whose principal business is to develop commercial property. The Portfolio invests in companies of all sizes. A company’s market capitalization is the number of its shares outstanding times its price per share. Under a market capitalization weighted approach, companies with higher market capitalizations generally represent a larger proportion of the Portfolio than companies with relatively lower market capitalizations. The Advisor may adjust the representation in the Portfolio of an eligible company, or exclude a company, after considering such factors as free float, price momentum, trading strategies, liquidity, size, relative price, profitability, and other factors that the Advisor determines to be appropriate. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time.
As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Portfolio’s net assets will be invested in securities of U.S. companies in the real estate industry. The Portfolio concentrates (i.e., invests more than 25% of its net assets) its investments in securities of companies in the real estate industry. The Portfolio generally considers a company to be principally engaged in the real estate industry if the company (i) derives at least 50% of its revenue or profits from the ownership, management, development, construction, or sale of residential, commercial, industrial, or other real estate; (ii) has at least 50% of the value of its assets invested in residential, commercial, industrial, or other real estate; or (iii) is organized as a REIT or REIT-like entity. REITs and REIT-like entities are types of real estate companies that pool investors’ funds for investment primarily in income producing real estate or real estate related loans or interests. The Portfolio will make equity investments in securities listed on a securities exchange in the United States that is deemed appropriate by the Advisor.
The Portfolio may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for U.S. equity securities and indices to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio.
The Portfolio may lend its portfolio securities to generate additional income.
The Portfolio is an actively managed exchange-traded fund and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index and may have a higher degree of portfolio turnover than such index funds.
Equity Market Risk: Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, market, political, and issuer-specific conditions and events will cause the value of equity securities, and the Portfolio that owns them, to rise or fall. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices.
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Risks of Concentrating in the Real Estate Industry: The Portfolio concentrates (i.e., invests more than 25% of its net assets) its investments in securities of companies in the real estate industry. The exclusive focus by the Portfolio on the real estate industry will cause the Portfolio to be exposed to the general risks of direct real estate ownership. The value of securities in the real estate industry can be affected by changes in real estate values and rental income, property taxes, and tax and regulatory requirements. Also, the value of securities in the real estate industry may decline with changes in interest rates. Investing in REITs and REIT-like entities involves certain unique risks in addition to those risks associated with investing in the real estate industry in general. REITs and REIT-like entities are dependent upon management skill, may not be diversified, and are subject to heavy cash flow dependency and self-liquidation. REITs and REIT-like entities also are subject to the possibility of failing to qualify for tax free pass-through of income. Also, because REITs and REIT-like entities typically are invested in a limited number of projects or in a particular market segment, these entities are more susceptible to adverse developments affecting a single project or market segment than more broadly diversified investments. The performance of the Portfolio may be materially different from the broad equity market.
Small and Mid-Cap Company Risk: Securities of small and mid-cap companies are often less liquid than those of large companies and this could make it difficult to sell a small or mid-cap company security at a desired time or price. As a result, small and mid-cap company stocks may fluctuate relatively more in price. In general, small and mid-capitalization companies are also more vulnerable than larger companies to adverse business or economic developments and they may have more limited resources.
Market Trading Risk: Active trading markets for the Portfolio’s shares may not be developed or maintained by market makers or authorized participants. Authorized participants are not obligated to make a market in the Portfolio’s shares or to submit purchase or redemption orders for creation units. Trading in shares on an exchange may be halted in certain circumstances. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the listing exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Portfolio will continue to be met.
Premium/Discount Risk: The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Portfolio and the value of your investment may fluctuate. Disruptions to creations and redemptions or the market price of the Portfolio’s holdings, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for shares may widen bid-ask spreads and result in shares trading at a significant premium or discount to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are instruments, such as futures contracts and options thereon, whose value is derived from that of other assets, rates or indices. The use of derivatives for non-hedging purposes may be considered to carry more risk than other types of investments. When the Portfolio uses derivatives, the Portfolio will be directly exposed to the risks of those derivatives. Derivative instruments are subject to a number of risks including counterparty, liquidity, interest rate, market, credit and management risks, as well as the risk of improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Portfolio could lose more than the principal amount invested.
Securities Lending Risk: Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Portfolio may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Portfolio could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. Securities lending also may have certain adverse tax consequences.
Operational Risk: Operational risks include human error, changes in personnel, system changes, faults in communication, and failures in systems, technology, or processes. Various operational events or circumstances are outside the Advisor’s control, including instances at third parties. The Portfolio and the Advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate to address these risks.
Cyber Security Risk: The Portfolio’s and its service providers’ use of internet, technology and information systems may expose the Portfolio to potential risks linked to cyber security breaches of those technological or information systems. Cyber security breaches, amongst other things, could allow an unauthorized party to gain
18
access to proprietary information, customer data, or fund assets, or cause the Portfolio and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality.
Large Shareholder Risk: Certain shareholders, including other funds or accounts advised by the Advisor, may from time to time own a substantial amount of the Portfolio’s shares. In addition, a third party investor, the Advisor, an authorized participant, a lead market maker, or another entity may invest in the Portfolio and hold its investment for a limited period of time solely to facilitate commencement of the Portfolio or to facilitate the Portfolio achieving a specified size or scale. There can be no assurance that any large shareholder would not redeem its investment, that the size of the Portfolio would be maintained at such levels or that the Portfolio would continue to meet applicable listing requirements. Redemptions by large shareholders could have a significant negative impact on the Portfolio. In addition, transactions by large shareholders may account for a large percentage of the trading volume on the listing exchange and may, therefore, have a material upward or downward effect on the market price of the shares.
Investment Advisor/Portfolio Management
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP serves as the investment advisor for the US Real Estate ETF. The following individuals are responsible for leading the day-to-day management of the Portfolio:
• |
Jed S. Fogdall, Global Head of Portfolio Management, Chairman of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
||
• |
John A. Hertzer, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
||
• |
Joseph F. Hohn, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
||
• |
Mary T. Phillips, Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The US Real Estate ETF issues (or redeems) shares at NAV only to certain financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the Portfolio’s distributor in large aggregated blocks known as “Creation Units.” A Creation Unit of the Portfolio consists of 50,000 shares. Creation Units are issued (or redeemed) in-kind for securities (and an amount of cash) that the Portfolio specifies each day at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order.
Individual Portfolio shares may only be purchased and sold on NYSE Arca, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). Because Portfolio shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Portfolio shares may trade at a price less than (discount) or greater than (premium) the Portfolio’s NAV. Recent information, including information on the Portfolio’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is available on the Portfolio’s website at https://www.dimensional.com/us-en/funds.
19
Tax Information
The dividends and distributions you receive from the US Real Estate ETF are taxable and generally will be taxed as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, in which case distributions may be taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn from the plan or account.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the US Real Estate ETF through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Portfolio and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of the Portfolio shares and/or related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the financial intermediary to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
20
The investment objective of the Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF (the “US Small Cap Value ETF” or “Portfolio”) is to achieve long-term capital appreciation.
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold or sell shares of the US Small Cap Value ETF. You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Portfolio, which are not reflected in the table or Example that follows.
year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
|
|
|
Management Fee |
|
|
|
||
Other Expenses |
|
|
|
||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
|
|
This Example is meant to help you compare the cost of investing in the US Small Cap Value ETF with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs whether you redeem or hold your shares would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
3 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
|||
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|||
|
The US Small Cap Value ETF pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. During the period February 23, 2022 to October 31, 2022, the Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate was
To achieve the US Small Cap Value ETF’s investment objective, the Advisor implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions. As further described below, the Portfolio’s design emphasizes long-term drivers of expected returns identified by the Advisor’s research, while balancing risk through broad diversification across companies and sectors. The Advisor’s portfolio management and trading processes further balance those long-term drivers of expected returns with shorter-term drivers of expected returns and trading costs.
21
The Portfolio, using a market capitalization weighted approach, is designed to purchase a broad and diverse group of the readily marketable securities of U.S. small cap companies that the Advisor determines to be value stocks. A company’s market capitalization is the number of its shares outstanding times its price per share. Under a market capitalization weighted approach, companies with higher market capitalizations generally represent a larger proportion of the Portfolio than companies with relatively lower market capitalizations. The Portfolio may emphasize certain stocks, including smaller capitalization companies, lower relative price stocks, and/or higher profitability stocks as compared to their representation in the small-cap value segment of the U.S. market. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time.
As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities of small cap U.S. companies. As of the date of this Prospectus, for purposes of the Portfolio, the Advisor considers small cap companies to be companies whose market capitalizations are generally in the lowest 10% of total market capitalization or companies whose market capitalizations are smaller than the 1,000th largest U.S. company within the U.S. Universe, whichever results in the higher market capitalization break. The Advisor generally defines the U.S. Universe as a portfolio of U.S. operating companies listed on securities exchanges in the United States that are deemed appropriate by the Advisor. Total market capitalization is based on the market capitalization of eligible operating companies within the U.S. Universe. Under the Advisor’s market capitalization guidelines described above, based on market capitalization data as of December 31, 2022, the market capitalization of a small cap company would be below $7,650 million. This threshold will change due to market conditions.
The Advisor may also increase or reduce the Portfolio’s exposure to an eligible company, or exclude a company, based on shorter-term considerations, such as a company’s price momentum and investment characteristics. In assessing a company’s investment characteristics, the Advisor considers ratios such as recent changes in assets divided by total assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing a company’s investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time. In addition, the Advisor seeks to reduce trading costs using a flexible trading approach that looks for opportunities to participate in the available market liquidity, while managing turnover and explicit transaction costs.
The Portfolio may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for U.S. equity securities and indices to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio.
The Portfolio may lend its portfolio securities to generate additional income.
The Portfolio is an actively managed exchange-traded fund and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index and may have a higher degree of portfolio turnover than such index funds.
Equity Market Risk: Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, market, political, and issuer-specific conditions and events will cause the value of equity securities, and the portfolio that owns them, to rise or fall. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices.
22
Small Company Risk: Securities of small companies are often less liquid than those of large companies and this could make it difficult to sell a small company security at a desired time or price. As a result, small company stocks may fluctuate relatively more in price. In general, smaller capitalization companies are also more vulnerable than larger companies to adverse business or economic developments and they may have more limited resources.
Value Investment Risk: Value stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies. Value stocks can react differently to political, economic, and industry developments than the market as a whole and other types of stocks. Value stocks also may underperform the market for long periods of time.
Profitability Investment Risk: High relative profitability stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies.
Market Trading Risk: Active trading markets for the Portfolio’s shares may not be developed or maintained by market makers or authorized participants. Authorized participants are not obligated to make a market in the Portfolio’s shares or to submit purchase or redemption orders for creation units. Trading in shares on an exchange may be halted in certain circumstances. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the listing exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Portfolio will continue to be met.
Premium/Discount Risk: The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Portfolio and the value of your investment may fluctuate. Disruptions to creations and redemptions or the market price of the Portfolio’s holdings, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for shares may widen bid-ask spreads and result in shares trading at a significant premium or discount to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are instruments, such as futures contracts and options thereon, whose value is derived from that of other assets, rates or indices. The use of derivatives for non-hedging purposes may be considered to carry more risk than other types of investments. When the Portfolio uses derivatives, the Portfolio will be directly exposed to the risks of those derivatives. Derivative instruments are subject to a number of risks including counterparty, liquidity, interest rate, market, credit and management risks, as well as the risk of improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Portfolio could lose more than the principal amount invested.
Securities Lending Risk: Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Portfolio may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Portfolio could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. Securities lending also may have certain adverse tax consequences.
Operational Risk: Operational risks include human error, changes in personnel, system changes, faults in communication, and failures in systems, technology, or processes. Various operational events or circumstances are outside the Advisor’s control, including instances at third parties. The Portfolio and the Advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate to address these risks.
Cyber Security Risk: The Portfolio’s and its service providers’ use of internet, technology and information systems may expose the Portfolio to potential risks linked to cyber security breaches of those technological or information systems. Cyber security breaches, amongst other things, could allow an unauthorized party to gain access to proprietary information, customer data, or fund assets, or cause the Portfolio and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality.
Large Shareholder Risk: Certain shareholders, including other funds or accounts advised by the Advisor, may from time to time own a substantial amount of the Portfolio’s shares. In addition, a third party investor, the
23
Advisor, an authorized participant, a lead market maker, or another entity may invest in the Portfolio and hold its investment for a limited period of time solely to facilitate commencement of the Portfolio or to facilitate the Portfolio achieving a specified size or scale. There can be no assurance that any large shareholder would not redeem its investment, that the size of the Portfolio would be maintained at such levels or that the Portfolio would continue to meet applicable listing requirements. Redemptions by large shareholders could have a significant negative impact on the Portfolio. In addition, transactions by large shareholders may account for a large percentage of the trading volume on the listing exchange and may, therefore, have a material upward or downward effect on the market price of the shares.
Investment Advisor/Portfolio Management
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP serves as the investment advisor for the US Small Cap Value ETF. The following individuals are responsible for leading the day-to-day management of the Portfolio:
• |
Jed S. Fogdall, Global Head of Portfolio Management, Chairman of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
||
• |
Joseph F. Hohn, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
||
• |
Joel P. Schneider, Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
||
• |
Marc C. Leblond, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The US Small Cap Value ETF issues (or redeems) shares at NAV only to certain financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the Portfolio’s distributor in large aggregated blocks known as “Creation Units.” A Creation Unit of the Portfolio consists of 50,000 shares. Creation Units are issued (or redeemed) in-kind for securities (and an amount of cash) that the Portfolio specifies each day at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order.
Individual Portfolio shares may only be purchased and sold on NYSE Arca, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). Because Portfolio shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Portfolio shares may trade at a price less than (discount) or greater than (premium) the Portfolio’s NAV. Recent information, including information on the Portfolio’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is available on the Portfolio’s website at https://www.dimensional.com/us-en/funds.
24
Tax Information
The dividends and distributions you receive from the US Small Cap Value ETF are taxable and generally will be taxed as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, in which case distributions may be taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn from the plan or account.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the US Small Cap Value ETF through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Portfolio and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of the Portfolio shares and/or related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the financial intermediary to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
25
The investment objective of the Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (the “International Core ETF” or “Portfolio”) is to achieve long-term capital appreciation.
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold or sell shares of the International Core ETF. You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Portfolio, which are not reflected in the table or Example that follows.
year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
|
|
|
Management Fee |
|
|
|
||
Other Expenses |
|
|
|
||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
|
|
This Example is meant to help you compare the cost of investing in the International Core ETF with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs whether you redeem or hold your shares would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
3 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
|||
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|||
|
The International Core ETF pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate was
To achieve the International Core ETF’s investment objective, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (the “Advisor”) implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions. As further described below, the Portfolio’s design emphasizes long-term drivers of expected returns identified by the Advisor’s research, while balancing risk through broad diversification across companies, sectors, and countries. The Advisor’s portfolio management and trading processes further balance those long-term drivers of expected returns with shorter-term drivers of expected returns and trading costs.
26
The International Core ETF is designed to purchase a broad and diverse group of readily marketable securities of non-U.S. companies that is composed of companies within the International Universe that meet the Advisor’s investment criteria. The Advisor defines the “International Universe” as a market capitalization weighted set (e.g., the larger the company, the greater the proportion of the International Universe it represents) of non-U.S. companies associated with developed markets that have been designated as Approved Markets (as identified below) for investment by the Advisor. The Portfolio will invest in companies of all sizes, with increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies as compared to their representation in the International Universe. The Portfolio’s increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies may be achieved by decreasing the allocation of the Portfolio’s assets to larger capitalization, higher relative price, or lower profitability companies relative to their weight in the International Universe. An equity issuer is considered to have a high relative price (i.e., a growth stock) primarily because it has a high price in relation to its book value. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to their book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time. As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities.
The Advisor may also increase or reduce the International Core ETF’s exposure to an eligible company, or exclude a company, based on shorter-term considerations, such as a company’s price momentum and investment characteristics. In assessing a company’s investment characteristics, the Advisor considers ratios such as recent changes in assets divided by total assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing a company’s investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time. In addition, the Advisor seeks to reduce trading costs using a flexible trading approach that looks for opportunities to participate in the available market liquidity, while managing turnover and explicit transaction costs.
The Advisor will seek to set country weights based on the relative market capitalizations of eligible companies within each Approved Market. As of the date of this Prospectus, the International Core ETF can invest in the following countries that have been designated as Approved Markets by the Advisor: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The countries designated as Approved Markets will change from time to time. In addition, the countries in which the Portfolio actually holds investments will change from time to time. For additional information regarding the Portfolio’s Approved Markets, see the “Additional Information on Investment Objectives and Policies—Approved Markets” section of the Prospectus.
The International Core ETF may gain exposure to companies associated with Approved Markets by purchasing equity securities in the form of depositary receipts, which may be listed or traded outside the issuer’s domicile country. The Portfolio also may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for foreign or U.S. equity securities and indices to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio. Because many of the Portfolio’s investments may be denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio may enter into foreign currency exchange transactions, including foreign currency forward contracts, in connection with the settlement of foreign securities or to transfer cash balances from one currency to another currency.
The International Core ETF may lend its portfolio securities to generate additional income.
The International Core ETF is an actively managed exchange traded fund and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index and may have a higher degree of portfolio turnover than such index funds.
27
Equity Market Risk: Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, market, political, and issuer-specific conditions and events will cause the value of equity securities, and the Portfolio that owns them, to rise or fall. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices.
Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Foreign securities prices may decline or fluctuate because of: (a) economic or political actions of foreign governments, and/or (b) less regulated or liquid securities markets. Investors holding these securities may also be exposed to foreign currency risk (the possibility that foreign currency will fluctuate in value against the U.S. dollar or that a foreign government will convert, or be forced to convert, its currency to another currency, changing its value against the U.S. dollar). The International Core ETF does not hedge foreign currency risk.
Depositary receipts are generally subject to the same risks as the foreign securities that they evidence or into which they may be converted. In addition, the underlying issuers of certain depositary receipts, particularly unsponsored or unregistered depositary receipts, are under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications to the holders of such receipts, or to pass through to them any voting rights with respect to the deposited securities. Depositary receipts that are not sponsored by the issuer may be less liquid and there may be less readily available public information about the issuer.
Small and Mid-Cap Company Risk: Securities of small and mid-cap companies are often less liquid than those of large companies and this could make it difficult to sell a small or mid-cap company security at a desired time or price. As a result, small and mid-cap company stocks may fluctuate relatively more in price. In general, small and mid-capitalization companies are also more vulnerable than larger companies to adverse business or economic developments and they may have more limited resources.
Profitability Investment Risk: High relative profitability stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies.
Value Investment Risk: Value stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies. Value stocks can react differently to political, economic, and industry developments than the market as a whole and other types of stocks. Value stocks also may underperform the market for long periods of time.
Market Trading Risk: Active trading markets for the Portfolio’s shares may not be developed or maintained by market makers or authorized participants. Authorized participants are not obligated to make a market in the Portfolio’s shares or to submit purchase or redemption orders for creation units. Trading in shares on an exchange may be halted in certain circumstances. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the listing exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Portfolio will continue to be met.
Premium/Discount Risk: The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Portfolio and the value of your investment may fluctuate. Disruptions to creations and redemptions or the market price of the Portfolio’s holdings, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for shares may widen bid-ask spreads and result in shares trading at a significant premium or discount to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
International Closed Market Trading Risk: To the extent that the underlying securities held by the Portfolio trade on an exchange that is closed when the securities exchange on which the Portfolio shares list and trade is open, there may be market uncertainty about the stale security pricing (i.e., the last quote from its closed foreign market) resulting in premiums or discounts to NAV that may be greater than those experienced by other ETFs.
28
Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are instruments, such as futures, and options thereon, and foreign currency forward contracts, whose value is derived from that of other assets, rates or indices. The use of derivatives for non-hedging purposes may be considered to carry more risk than other types of investments. When the Portfolio uses derivatives, the Portfolio will be directly exposed to the risks of those derivatives. Derivative instruments are subject to a number of risks including counterparty, settlement, liquidity, interest rate, market, credit and management risks, as well as the risk of improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Portfolio could lose more than the principal amount invested.
Securities Lending Risk: Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Portfolio may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Portfolio could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. Securities lending also may have certain adverse tax consequences.
Operational Risk: Operational risks include human error, changes in personnel, system changes, faults in communication, and failures in systems, technology, or processes. Various operational events or circumstances are outside the Advisor’s control, including instances at third parties. The Portfolio and the Advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate to address these risks.
Cyber Security Risk: The Portfolio’s and its service providers’ use of internet, technology and information systems may expose the Portfolio to potential risks linked to cyber security breaches of those technological or information systems. Cyber security breaches, amongst other things, could allow an unauthorized party to gain access to proprietary information, customer data, or fund assets, or cause the Portfolio and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality.
Large Shareholder Risk: Certain shareholders, including other funds or accounts advised by the Advisor, may from time to time own a substantial amount of the Portfolio’s shares. In addition, a third party investor, the Advisor, an authorized participant, a lead market maker, or another entity may invest in the Portfolio and hold its investment for a limited period of time solely to facilitate commencement of the Portfolio or to facilitate the Portfolio achieving a specified size or scale. There can be no assurance that any large shareholder would not redeem its investment, that the size of the Portfolio would be maintained at such levels or that the Portfolio would continue to meet applicable listing requirements. Redemptions by large shareholders could have a significant negative impact on the Portfolio. In addition, transactions by large shareholders may account for a large percentage of the trading volume on the listing exchange and may, therefore, have a material upward or downward effect on the market price of the shares.
29
January 2021-December 2022
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Periods ending December 31, 2022
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Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF |
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Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Portfolio Shares | - | % |
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MSCI World ex USA IMI Index (net dividends) | - | % |
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Investment Advisor/Portfolio Management
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP serves as the investment advisor for the International Core ETF. Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. and DFA Australia Limited serve as the sub-advisors for the Portfolio. The following individuals are responsible for leading the day-to-day management of the Portfolio:
• |
Jed S. Fogdall, Global Head of Portfolio Management, Chairman of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2020). |
||
• |
Joseph F. Hohn, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2020). |
||
• |
Allen Pu, Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2020). |
30
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The International Core ETF issues (or redeems) shares at NAV only to certain financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the Portfolio’s distributor in large aggregated blocks known as “Creation Units.” A Creation Unit of the Portfolio consists of 100,000 shares. Creation Units are issued (or redeemed) in-kind for securities (and an amount of cash) that the Portfolio specifies each day at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order.
Individual International Core ETF shares may only be purchased and sold on NYSE Arca, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). Because Portfolio shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Portfolio shares may trade at a price less than (discount) or greater than (premium) the Portfolio’s NAV. Recent information, including information on the Portfolio’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is available on the Portfolio’s website at https://www.dimensional.com/us-en/funds.
Tax Information
The dividends and distributions you receive from the International Core ETF are taxable and generally will be taxed as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, in which case distributions may be taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn from the plan or account.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the International Core ETF through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Portfolio and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of the Portfolio shares and/or related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the financial intermediary to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
31
The investment objective of the Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF (the “International Core Equity 2 ETF” or “Portfolio”) is to achieve long-term capital appreciation.
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold or sell shares of the International Core Equity 2 ETF. You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Portfolio, which are not reflected in the table or Example that follows.
year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
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Management Fee |
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Other Expenses |
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
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This Example is meant to help you compare the cost of investing in the International Core Equity 2 ETF with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs whether you redeem or hold your shares would be:
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1 Year |
3 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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The International Core Equity 2 ETF pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. During the period March 23, 2022 to October 31, 2022, the Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate was
To achieve the International Core Equity 2 ETF’s investment objective, the Advisor implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions. As further described below, the Portfolio’s design emphasizes long-term drivers of expected returns identified by the Advisor’s research, while balancing risk through broad diversification across companies, sectors, and countries. The Advisor’s portfolio management and trading processes further balance those long-term drivers of expected returns with shorter-term drivers of expected returns and trading costs.
32
The Portfolio is designed to purchase a broad and diverse group of securities of non-U.S. companies in developed markets. The Portfolio invests in companies of all sizes, with increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies as compared to their representation in the International Universe. For purposes of this Portfolio, the Advisor defines the International Universe as a market capitalization weighted set (e.g., the larger the company, the greater the proportion of the International Universe it represents) of non-U.S. companies in developed markets that have been authorized as approved markets for investment by the Advisor’s Investment Committee. The Portfolio’s increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies may be achieved by decreasing the allocation of the Portfolio’s assets to larger capitalization, higher relative price, or lower profitability companies relative to their weight in the International Universe. An equity issuer is considered to have a high relative price (i.e., a growth stock) primarily because it has a high price in relation to its book value. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time.
The Portfolio intends to purchase securities of companies associated with developed market countries that the Advisor has designated as approved markets. As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities. The Advisor determines company size on a country or region-specific basis and based primarily on market capitalization. The percentage allocation of the assets of the Portfolio to securities of the largest high relative price companies will generally be reduced from between 5% and 35% of their percentage weight in the International Universe. As of December 31, 2022, securities of the largest high relative price companies in the International Universe comprised approximately 16% of the International Universe and, if the Portfolio had been in operation, the Advisor would have allocated approximately 8% of the Portfolio to securities of the largest high relative price companies in the International Universe. The percentage by which the Portfolio’s allocation to securities of the largest high relative price companies is reduced will change due to market movements and other factors.
The Advisor may also increase or reduce the Portfolio’s exposure to an eligible company, or exclude a company, based on shorter-term considerations, such as a company’s price momentum and investment characteristics. In assessing a company’s investment characteristics, the Advisor considers ratios such as recent changes in assets divided by total assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing a company’s investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time. In addition, the Advisor seeks to reduce trading costs using a flexible trading approach that looks for opportunities to participate in the available market liquidity, while managing turnover and explicit transaction costs.
The Portfolio may gain exposure to companies associated with approved markets by purchasing equity securities in the form of depositary receipts, which may be listed or traded outside the issuer’s domicile country, or by entering into equity swap agreements. The Portfolio also may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for foreign or U.S. equity securities and indices to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio. Because many of the Portfolio’s investments may be denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio may enter into foreign currency exchange transactions, including foreign currency forward contracts, in connection with the settlement of a foreign securities or to transfer cash balances from one currency to another currency.
The Portfolio may lend its portfolio securities to generate additional income.
The Portfolio is an actively managed exchange-traded fund and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index and may have a higher degree of portfolio turnover than such index funds.
33
Equity Market Risk: Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, market, political, and issuer-specific conditions and events will cause the value of equity securities, and the Portfolio that owns them, to rise or fall. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices.
Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Foreign securities prices may decline or fluctuate because of: (a) economic or political actions of foreign governments, and/or (b) less regulated or liquid securities markets. Investors holding these securities may also be exposed to foreign currency risk (the possibility that foreign currency will fluctuate in value against the U.S. dollar or that a foreign government will convert, or be forced to convert, its currency to another currency, changing its value against the U.S. dollar). The Portfolio does not hedge foreign currency risk.
Depositary receipts are generally subject to the same risks as the foreign securities that they evidence or into which they may be converted. In addition, the underlying issuers of certain depositary receipts, particularly unsponsored or unregistered depositary receipts, are under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications to the holders of such receipts, or to pass through to them any voting rights with respect to the deposited securities. Depositary receipts that are not sponsored by the issuer may be less liquid and there may be less readily available public information about the issuer.
Small and Mid-Cap Company Risk: Securities of small and mid-cap companies are often less liquid than those of large companies and this could make it difficult to sell a small or mid-cap company security at a desired time or price. As a result, small and mid-cap company stocks may fluctuate relatively more in price. In general, small and mid-capitalization companies are also more vulnerable than larger companies to adverse business or economic developments and they may have more limited resources.
Profitability Investment Risk: High relative profitability stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies.
Value Investment Risk: Value stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies. Value stocks can react differently to political, economic, and industry developments than the market as a whole and other types of stocks. Value stocks also may underperform the market for long periods of time.
Market Trading Risk: Active trading markets for the Portfolio’s shares may not be developed or maintained by market makers or authorized participants. Authorized participants are not obligated to make a market in the Portfolio’s shares or to submit purchase or redemption orders for creation units. Trading in shares on an exchange may be halted in certain circumstances. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the listing exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Portfolio will continue to be met.
Premium/Discount Risk: The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Portfolio and the value of your investment may fluctuate. Disruptions to creations and redemptions or the market price of the Portfolio’s holdings, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for shares may widen bid-ask spreads and result in shares trading at a significant premium or discount to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
International Closed Market Trading Risk: To the extent that the underlying securities held by the Portfolio trade on an exchange that is closed when the securities exchange on which the Portfolio shares list and trade is open, there may be market uncertainty about the stale security pricing (i.e., the last quote from its closed foreign market) resulting in premiums or discounts to NAV that may be greater than those experienced by other ETFs.
34
Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are instruments, such as futures contracts, and options thereon, foreign currency forward contracts, and swaps, whose value is derived from that of other assets, rates or indices. The use of derivatives for non-hedging purposes may be considered to carry more risk than other types of investments. When the Portfolio uses derivatives, the Portfolio will be directly exposed to the risks of those derivatives. Derivative instruments are subject to a number of risks including counterparty, settlement, liquidity, interest rate, market, credit and management risks, as well as the risk of improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Portfolio could lose more than the principal amount invested.
Securities Lending Risk: Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Portfolio may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Portfolio could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. Securities lending also may have certain adverse tax consequences.
Operational Risk: Operational risks include human error, changes in personnel, system changes, faults in communication, and failures in systems, technology, or processes. Various operational events or circumstances are outside the Advisor’s control, including instances at third parties. The Portfolio and the Advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate to address these risks.
Cyber Security Risk: The Portfolio’s and its service providers’ use of internet, technology and information systems may expose the Portfolio to potential risks linked to cyber security breaches of those technological or information systems. Cyber security breaches, amongst other things, could allow an unauthorized party to gain access to proprietary information, customer data, or fund assets, or cause the Portfolio and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality.
Large Shareholder Risk: Certain shareholders, including other funds or accounts advised by the Advisor, may from time to time own a substantial amount of the Portfolio’s shares. In addition, a third party investor, the Advisor, an authorized participant, a lead market maker, or another entity may invest in the Portfolio and hold its investment for a limited period of time solely to facilitate commencement of the Portfolio or to facilitate the Portfolio achieving a specified size or scale. There can be no assurance that any large shareholder would not redeem its investment, that the size of the Portfolio would be maintained at such levels or that the Portfolio would continue to meet applicable listing requirements. Redemptions by large shareholders could have a significant negative impact on the Portfolio. In addition, transactions by large shareholders may account for a large percentage of the trading volume on the listing exchange and may, therefore, have a material upward or downward effect on the market price of the shares.
Investment Advisor/Portfolio Management
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP serves as the investment advisor for the International Core Equity 2 ETF. Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. and DFA Australia Limited serve as the sub-advisors for the Portfolio. The following individuals are responsible for leading the day-to-day management of the Portfolio:
• |
William B. Collins-Dean, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
35
• |
Jed S. Fogdall, Global Head of Portfolio Management, Chairman of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
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• |
Joseph F. Hohn, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
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• |
Mary T. Phillips, Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The International Core Equity 2 ETF issues (or redeems) shares at NAV only to certain financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the Portfolio’s distributor in large aggregated blocks known as “Creation Units.” A Creation Unit of the Portfolio consists of 100,000 shares. Creation Units are issued (or redeemed) in-kind for securities (and an amount of cash) that the Portfolio specifies each day at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order.
Individual Portfolio shares may only be purchased and sold on Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). Because Portfolio shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Portfolio shares may trade at a price less than (discount) or greater than (premium) the Portfolio’s NAV. Recent information, including information on the Portfolio’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is available on the Portfolio’s website at https://www.dimensional.com/us-en/funds.
Tax Information
The dividends and distributions you receive from the International Core Equity 2 ETF are taxable and generally will be taxed as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, in which case distributions may be taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn from the plan or account.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the International Core Equity 2 ETF through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Portfolio and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of the Portfolio shares and/or related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the financial intermediary to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
36
The investment objective of the Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF (the “International Small Cap Value ETF” or “Portfolio”) is to achieve long-term capital appreciation.
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold or sell shares of the International Small Cap Value ETF. You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Portfolio, which are not reflected in the table or Example that follows.
year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
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Management Fee | | |
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Other Expenses | | |
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | | |
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Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement* | | |
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement | | |
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This Example is meant to help you compare the cost of investing in the International Small Cap Value ETF with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. The costs for the Portfolio reflect the net expenses of the Portfolio that result from the contractual expense waiver in the first year only. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs whether you redeem or hold your shares would be:
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1 Year |
3 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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The International Small Cap Value ETF pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. During the period March 23, 2022 to October 31, 2022, the Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate was
37
To achieve the International Small Cap Value ETF’s investment objective, the Advisor implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions. As further described below, the Portfolio’s design emphasizes long-term drivers of expected returns identified by the Advisor’s research, while balancing risk through broad diversification across companies, sectors, and countries. The Advisor’s portfolio management and trading processes further balance those long-term drivers of expected returns with shorter-term drivers of expected returns and trading costs.
The Portfolio, using a market capitalization weighted approach, is designed to purchase securities of small, non-U.S. companies in countries with developed markets that the Advisor determines to be value stocks at the time of purchase. A company’s market capitalization is the number of its shares outstanding times its price per share. Under a market capitalization weighted approach, companies with higher market capitalizations generally represent a larger proportion of the Portfolio than companies with relatively lower market capitalizations. The Portfolio may emphasize certain stocks, including smaller capitalization companies, lower relative price stocks, and/or higher profitability stocks as compared to their representation in the small-cap value segment of developed non-U.S. markets. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time.
The Portfolio intends to purchase securities of small value companies associated with developed market countries that the Advisor has designated as approved markets. As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities of small companies in the particular markets in which it invests. The Advisor determines the maximum market capitalization of a small company with respect to each country in which the Portfolio invests. In the countries or regions authorized for investment, the Advisor first ranks eligible companies listed on selected exchanges based on the companies’ market capitalizations. The Advisor then determines the universe of eligible securities by defining the maximum market capitalization of a small company that may be purchased by the Portfolio with respect to each country or region. Based on market capitalization data as of December 31, 2022, for the Portfolio, the market capitalization of a small company in any country in which the Portfolio invests would be below $8,202 million. This threshold will vary by country or region. For example, based on market capitalization data as of December 31, 2022, the Advisor would consider a small company in Switzerland to have a market capitalization below $8,202 million, a small company in Norway to have a market capitalization below $1,765 million, and a small company in Japan to have a market capitalization below $2,035 million. These thresholds will change due to market conditions.
The Advisor may also increase or reduce the Portfolio’s exposure to an eligible company, or exclude a company, based on shorter-term considerations, such as a company’s price momentum and investment characteristics. In assessing a company’s investment characteristics, the Advisor considers ratios such as recent changes in assets divided by total assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing a company’s investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time. In addition, the Advisor seeks to reduce trading costs using a flexible trading approach that looks for opportunities to participate in the available market liquidity, while managing turnover and explicit transaction costs.
The Portfolio may gain exposure to companies associated with approved markets by purchasing equity securities in the form of depositary receipts, which may be listed or traded outside the issuer’s domicile country, or by entering into equity swap agreements. The Portfolio also may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for foreign and U.S. equity securities and indices to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio. Because many of the Portfolio’s investments may be denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio may enter into foreign currency exchange transactions, including foreign currency forward contracts, in connection with the settlement of a foreign securities or to transfer cash balances from one currency to another currency.
The Portfolio may lend its portfolio securities to generate additional income.
38
The Portfolio is an actively managed exchange-traded fund and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index and may have a higher degree of portfolio turnover than such index funds.
Equity Market Risk: Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, market, political, and issuer-specific conditions and events will cause the value of equity securities, and the Portfolio that owns them, to rise or fall. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices.
Small Company Risk: Securities of small companies are often less liquid than those of large companies and this could make it difficult to sell a small company security at a desired time or price. As a result, small company stocks may fluctuate relatively more in price. In general, smaller capitalization companies are also more vulnerable than larger companies to adverse business or economic developments and they may have more limited resources.
Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Foreign securities prices may decline or fluctuate because of: (a) economic or political actions of foreign governments, and/or (b) less regulated or liquid securities markets. Investors holding these securities may also be exposed to foreign currency risk (the possibility that foreign currency will fluctuate in value against the U.S. dollar or that a foreign government will convert, or be forced to convert, its currency to another currency, changing its value against the U.S. dollar). The Portfolio does not hedge foreign currency risk.
Depositary receipts are generally subject to the same risks as the foreign securities that they evidence or into which they may be converted. In addition, the underlying issuers of certain depositary receipts, particularly unsponsored or unregistered depositary receipts, are under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications to the holders of such receipts, or to pass through to them any voting rights with respect to the deposited securities. Depositary receipts that are not sponsored by the issuer may be less liquid and there may be less readily available public information about the issuer.
Value Investment Risk: Value stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies. Value stocks can react differently to political, economic, and industry developments than the market as a whole and other types of stocks. Value stocks also may underperform the market for long periods of time.
Profitability Investment Risk: High relative profitability stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies.
Market Trading Risk: Active trading markets for the Portfolio’s shares may not be developed or maintained by market makers or authorized participants. Authorized participants are not obligated to make a market in the Portfolio’s shares or to submit purchase or redemption orders for creation units. Trading in shares on an exchange may be halted in certain circumstances. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the listing exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Portfolio will continue to be met.
Premium/Discount Risk: The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Portfolio and the value of your investment may fluctuate. Disruptions to creations and redemptions or the market price of the Portfolio’s holdings, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for shares may widen bid-ask spreads and result in shares trading at a significant premium or discount to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a
39
time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
International Closed Market Trading Risk: To the extent that the underlying securities held by the Portfolio trade on an exchange that is closed when the securities exchange on which the Portfolio shares list and trade is open, there may be market uncertainty about the stale security pricing (i.e., the last quote from its closed foreign market) resulting in premiums or discounts to NAV that may be greater than those experienced by other ETFs.
Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are instruments, such as futures contracts, and options thereon, foreign currency forward contracts, and swaps, whose value is derived from that of other assets, rates or indices. The use of derivatives for non-hedging purposes may be considered to carry more risk than other types of investments. When the Portfolio uses derivatives, the Portfolio will be directly exposed to the risks of those derivatives. Derivative instruments are subject to a number of risks including counterparty, settlement, liquidity, interest rate, market, credit and management risks, as well as the risk of improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Portfolio could lose more than the principal amount invested.
Securities Lending Risk: Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Portfolio may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Portfolio could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. Securities lending also may have certain adverse tax consequences.
Operational Risk: Operational risks include human error, changes in personnel, system changes, faults in communication, and failures in systems, technology, or processes. Various operational events or circumstances are outside the Advisor’s control, including instances at third parties. The Portfolio and the Advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate to address these risks.
Cyber Security Risk: The Portfolio’s and its service providers’ use of internet, technology and information systems may expose the Portfolio to potential risks linked to cyber security breaches of those technological or information systems. Cyber security breaches, amongst other things, could allow an unauthorized party to gain access to proprietary information, customer data, or fund assets, or cause the Portfolio and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality.
Large Shareholder Risk: Certain shareholders, including other funds or accounts advised by the Advisor, may from time to time own a substantial amount of the Portfolio’s shares. In addition, a third party investor, the Advisor, an authorized participant, a lead market maker, or another entity may invest in the Portfolio and hold its investment for a limited period of time solely to facilitate commencement of the Portfolio or to facilitate the Portfolio achieving a specified size or scale. There can be no assurance that any large shareholder would not redeem its investment, that the size of the Portfolio would be maintained at such levels or that the Portfolio would continue to meet applicable listing requirements. Redemptions by large shareholders could have a significant negative impact on the Portfolio. In addition, transactions by large shareholders may account for a large percentage of the trading volume on the listing exchange and may, therefore, have a material upward or downward effect on the market price of the shares.
40
Investment Advisor/Portfolio Management
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP serves as the investment advisor for the International Small Cap Value ETF. Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. and DFA Australia Limited serve as the sub-advisors for the Portfolio. The following individuals are responsible for leading the day-to-day management of the Portfolio:
• |
Jed S. Fogdall, Global Head of Portfolio Management, Chairman of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
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• |
Joseph F. Hohn, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
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• |
Arun C. Keswani, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
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• |
Joel P. Schneider, Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The International Small Cap Value ETF issues (or redeems) shares at NAV only to certain financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the Portfolio’s distributor in large aggregated blocks known as “Creation Units.” A Creation Unit of the Portfolio consists of 50,000 shares. Creation Units are issued (or redeemed) in-kind for securities (and an amount of cash) that the Portfolio specifies each day at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order.
Individual Portfolio shares may only be purchased and sold on Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). Because Portfolio shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Portfolio shares may trade at a price less than (discount) or greater than (premium) the Portfolio’s NAV. Recent information, including information on the Portfolio’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is available on the Portfolio’s website at https://www.dimensional.com/us-en/funds.
Tax Information
The dividends and distributions you receive from the International Small Cap Value ETF are taxable and generally will be taxed as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, in which case distributions may be taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn from the plan or account.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the International Small Cap Value ETF through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Portfolio and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of the Portfolio shares and/or related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the financial intermediary to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
41
The investment objective of the Dimensional International Small Cap ETF (the “International Small Cap ETF” or “Portfolio”) is to achieve long-term capital appreciation.
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold or sell shares of the International Small Cap ETF. You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Portfolio, which are not reflected in the table or Example that follows.
year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
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Management Fee | | |
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Other Expenses | | |
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | | |
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Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement* | | |
| ||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement | | |
|
* | |
This Example is meant to help you compare the cost of investing in the International Small Cap ETF with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. The costs for the Portfolio reflect the net expenses of the Portfolio that result from the contractual expense waiver in the first year only. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs whether you redeem or hold your shares would be:
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|
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|
1 Year |
3 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
|||
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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The International Small Cap ETF pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. During the period March 23, 2022 to October 31, 2022, the Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate was
42
To achieve the International Small Cap ETF’s investment objective, the Advisor implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions. As further described below, the Portfolio’s design emphasizes long-term drivers of expected returns identified by the Advisor’s research, while balancing risk through broad diversification across companies, sectors, and countries. The Advisor’s portfolio management and trading processes further balance those long-term drivers of expected returns with shorter-term drivers of expected returns and trading costs.
The Portfolio, using a market capitalization weighted approach, is designed to purchase securities of small, non-U.S. companies in countries with developed markets. A company’s market capitalization is the number of its shares outstanding times its price per share. Under a market capitalization weighted approach, companies with higher market capitalizations generally represent a larger proportion of the Portfolio than companies with relatively lower market capitalizations. The Portfolio may emphasize certain stocks, including smaller capitalization companies, lower relative price stocks, and/or higher profitability stocks as compared to their representation in the small-cap segment of developed non-U.S. markets. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time.
The Portfolio intends to purchase securities of small companies associated with developed market countries that the Advisor has designated as approved markets. As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities of small companies in the particular markets in which it invests. The Advisor determines the maximum market capitalization of a small company with respect to each country in which the Portfolio invests. In the countries or regions authorized for investment, the Advisor first ranks eligible companies listed on selected exchanges based on the companies’ market capitalizations. The Advisor then determines the universe of eligible securities by defining the maximum market capitalization of a small company that may be purchased by the Portfolio with respect to each country or region. Based on market capitalization data as of December 31, 2022, for the Portfolio, the market capitalization of a small company in any country in which the Portfolio invests would be below $8,202 million. This threshold will vary by country or region. For example, based on market capitalization data as of December 31, 2022, the Advisor would consider a small company in Switzerland to have a market capitalization below $8,202 million, a small company in Norway to have a market capitalization below $1,765 million, and a small company in Japan to have a market capitalization below $2,035 million. These thresholds will change due to market conditions.
The Advisor may also increase or reduce the Portfolio’s exposure to an eligible company, or exclude a company, based on shorter-term considerations, such as a company’s price momentum and investment characteristics. In assessing a company’s investment characteristics, the Advisor considers ratios such as recent changes in assets divided by total assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing a company’s investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time. In addition, the Advisor seeks to reduce trading costs using a flexible trading approach that looks for opportunities to participate in the available market liquidity, while managing turnover and explicit transaction costs.
The Portfolio may gain exposure to companies associated with approved markets by purchasing equity securities in the form of depositary receipts, which may be listed or traded outside the issuer’s domicile country, or by entering into equity swap agreements. The Portfolio also may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for foreign and U.S. equity securities and indices to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio. Because many of the Portfolio’s investments may be denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio may enter into foreign currency exchange transactions, including foreign currency forward contracts, in connection with the settlement of a foreign securities or to transfer cash balances from one currency to another currency.
The Portfolio may lend its portfolio securities to generate additional income.
43
The Portfolio is an actively managed exchange-traded fund and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index and may have a higher degree of portfolio turnover than such index funds.
Equity Market Risk: Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, market, political, and issuer-specific conditions and events will cause the value of equity securities, and the Portfolio that owns them, to rise or fall. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices.
Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Foreign securities prices may decline or fluctuate because of: (a) economic or political actions of foreign governments, and/or (b) less regulated or liquid securities markets. Investors holding these securities may also be exposed to foreign currency risk (the possibility that foreign currency will fluctuate in value against the U.S. dollar or that a foreign government will convert, or be forced to convert, its currency to another currency, changing its value against the U.S. dollar). The Portfolio does not hedge foreign currency risk.
Depositary receipts are generally subject to the same risks as the foreign securities that they evidence or into which they may be converted. In addition, the underlying issuers of certain depositary receipts, particularly unsponsored or unregistered depositary receipts, are under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications to the holders of such receipts, or to pass through to them any voting rights with respect to the deposited securities. Depositary receipts that are not sponsored by the issuer may be less liquid and there may be less readily available public information about the issuer.
Small Company Risk: Securities of small companies are often less liquid than those of large companies and this could make it difficult to sell a small company security at a desired time or price.
As a result, small company stocks may fluctuate relatively more in price. In general, smaller capitalization companies are also more vulnerable than larger companies to adverse business or economic developments and they may have more limited resources.
Profitability Investment Risk: High relative profitability stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies.
Value Investment Risk: Value stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies. Value stocks can react differently to political, economic, and industry developments than the market as a whole and other types of stocks. Value stocks also may underperform the market for long periods of time.
Market Trading Risk: Active trading markets for the Portfolio’s shares may not be developed or maintained by market makers or authorized participants. Authorized participants are not obligated to make a market in the Portfolio’s shares or to submit purchase or redemption orders for creation units. Trading in shares on an exchange may be halted in certain circumstances. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the listing exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Portfolio will continue to be met.
Premium/Discount Risk: The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Portfolio and the value of your investment may fluctuate. Disruptions to creations and redemptions or the market price of the Portfolio’s holdings, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for shares may widen bid-ask spreads
44
and result in shares trading at a significant premium or discount to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
International Closed Market Trading Risk: To the extent that the underlying securities held by the Portfolio trade on an exchange that is closed when the securities exchange on which the Portfolio shares list and trade is open, there may be market uncertainty about the stale security pricing (i.e., the last quote from its closed foreign market) resulting in premiums or discounts to NAV that may be greater than those experienced by other ETFs.
Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are instruments, such as futures contracts, and options thereon, foreign currency forward contracts, and swaps, whose value is derived from that of other assets, rates or indices. The use of derivatives for non-hedging purposes may be considered to carry more risk than other types of investments. When the Portfolio uses derivatives, the Portfolio will be directly exposed to the risks of those derivatives. Derivative instruments are subject to a number of risks including counterparty, settlement, liquidity, interest rate, market, credit and management risks, as well as the risk of improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Portfolio could lose more than the principal amount invested.
Securities Lending Risk: Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Portfolio may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Portfolio could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. Securities lending also may have certain adverse tax consequences.
Operational Risk: Operational risks include human error, changes in personnel, system changes, faults in communication, and failures in systems, technology, or processes. Various operational events or circumstances are outside the Advisor’s control, including instances at third parties. The Portfolio and the Advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate to address these risks.
Cyber Security Risk: The Portfolio’s and its service providers’ use of internet, technology and information systems may expose the Portfolio to potential risks linked to cyber security breaches of those technological or information systems. Cyber security breaches, amongst other things, could allow an unauthorized party to gain access to proprietary information, customer data, or fund assets, or cause the Portfolio and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality.
Large Shareholder Risk: Certain shareholders, including other funds or accounts advised by the Advisor, may from time to time own a substantial amount of the Portfolio’s shares. In addition, a third party investor, the Advisor, an authorized participant, a lead market maker, or another entity may invest in the Portfolio and hold its investment for a limited period of time solely to facilitate commencement of the Portfolio or to facilitate the Portfolio achieving a specified size or scale. There can be no assurance that any large shareholder would not redeem its investment, that the size of the Portfolio would be maintained at such levels or that the Portfolio would continue to meet applicable listing requirements. Redemptions by large shareholders could have a significant negative impact on the Portfolio. In addition, transactions by large shareholders may account for a large percentage of the trading volume on the listing exchange and may, therefore, have a material upward or downward effect on the market price of the shares.
45
Investment Advisor/Portfolio Management
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP serves as the investment advisor for the International Small Cap ETF. Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. and DFA Australia Limited serve as the sub-advisors for the Portfolio. The following individuals are responsible for leading the day-to-day management of the Portfolio:
• |
Jed S. Fogdall, Global Head of Portfolio Management, Chairman of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
||
• |
Joseph F. Hohn, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
||
• |
Arun C. Keswani, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
||
• |
Joel P. Schneider, Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The International Small Cap ETF issues (or redeems) shares at NAV only to certain financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the Portfolio’s distributor in large aggregated blocks known as “Creation Units.” A Creation Unit of the Portfolio consists of 100,000 shares. Creation Units are issued (or redeemed) in-kind for securities (and an amount of cash) that the Portfolio specifies each day at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order.
Individual Portfolio shares may only be purchased and sold on Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). Because Portfolio shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Portfolio shares may trade at a price less than (discount) or greater than (premium) the Portfolio’s NAV. Recent information, including information on the Portfolio’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is available on the Portfolio’s website at https://www.dimensional.com/us-en/funds.
Tax Information
The dividends and distributions you receive from the International Small Cap ETF are taxable and generally will be taxed as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, in which case distributions may be taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn from the plan or account.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the International Small Cap ETF through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Portfolio and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of the Portfolio shares and/or related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the financial intermediary to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
46
The investment objective of the Dimensional International High Profitability ETF (the “International High Profitability ETF” or “Portfolio”) is to achieve long-term capital appreciation.
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold or sell shares of the International High Profitability ETF. You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Portfolio, which are not reflected in the table or Example that follows.
year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
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Management Fee |
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|
|
||
Other Expenses |
|
|
|
||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
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|
|
This Example is meant to help you compare the cost of investing in the International High Profitability ETF with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs whether you redeem or hold your shares would be:
|
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|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
3 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
|||
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|||
|
The International High Profitability ETF pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. During the period March 23, 2022 to October 31, 2022, the Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate was
To achieve the International High Profitability ETF’s investment objective, the Advisor implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions. As further described below, the Portfolio’s design emphasizes long-term drivers of expected returns identified by the Advisor’s research, while balancing risk through broad diversification across companies, sectors, and countries. The Advisor’s portfolio management and trading processes further balance those long-term drivers of expected returns with shorter-term drivers of expected returns and trading costs.
47
The Portfolio is designed to purchase securities of large non-U.S. companies that the Advisor determines to have high profitability relative to other large capitalization companies in the same country or region, at the time of purchase. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The Portfolio may emphasize certain stocks, including smaller capitalization companies, lower relative price stocks, and/or higher profitability stocks as compared to their representation in the large-cap high profitability segments of developed non-U.S. markets. The Portfolio’s increased exposure to such stocks may be achieved by overweighting and/or underweighting eligible stocks based on their market capitalization, relative price, and/or profitability characteristics. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time.
The Portfolio intends to purchase securities of large non-U.S. companies associated with developed market countries that the Advisor has designated as approved markets. As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities of companies in the particular non-U.S. markets in which the Portfolio invests. The Advisor determines the minimum market capitalization of a large company with respect to each country or region in which the Portfolio invests. Based on market capitalization data as of December 31, 2022, the market capitalization of a large company in any country or region in which the Portfolio invests would be $1,325 million or above. This threshold will vary by country or region. For example, based on market capitalization data as of December 31, 2022, the Advisor considered a large company in the European Economic and Monetary Union (the “EMU“) to have a market capitalization of at least $6,125 million, a large company in Norway to have a market capitalization of at least $1,765 million and a large company in Switzerland to have a market capitalization of at least $8,202 million. These thresholds will change due to market conditions.
The Advisor may also increase or reduce the Portfolio’s exposure to an eligible company, or exclude a company, based on shorter-term considerations, such as a company’s price momentum. In addition, the Advisor seeks to reduce trading costs using a flexible trading approach that looks for opportunities to participate in the available market liquidity, while managing turnover and explicit transaction costs.
The Portfolio may gain exposure to companies in an approved market by purchasing equity securities in the form of depositary receipts, which may be listed or traded outside the issuer’s domicile country, or by entering into equity swap agreements. The Portfolio also may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for foreign and U.S. equity securities and indices to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio. Because many of the Portfolio’s investments may be denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio may enter into foreign currency exchange transactions, including foreign currency forward contracts, in connection with the settlement of a foreign securities or to transfer cash balances from one currency to another currency.
The Portfolio may lend its portfolio securities to generate additional income.
The Portfolio is an actively managed exchange-traded fund and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index and may have a higher degree of portfolio turnover than such index funds.
Equity Market Risk: Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, market, political, and issuer-specific conditions and events will cause the value of equity securities, and the Portfolio that
48
owns them, to rise or fall. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices.
Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Foreign securities prices may decline or fluctuate because of: (a) economic or political actions of foreign governments, and/or (b) less regulated or liquid securities markets. Investors holding these securities may also be exposed to foreign currency risk (the possibility that foreign currency will fluctuate in value against the U.S. dollar or that a foreign government will convert, or be forced to convert, its currency to another currency, changing its value against the U.S. dollar). The Portfolio does not hedge foreign currency risk.
Depositary receipts are generally subject to the same risks as the foreign securities that they evidence or into which they may be converted. In addition, the underlying issuers of certain depositary receipts, particularly unsponsored or unregistered depositary receipts, are under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications to the holders of such receipts, or to pass through to them any voting rights with respect to the deposited securities. Depositary receipts that are not sponsored by the issuer may be less liquid and there may be less readily available public information about the issuer.
Profitability Investment Risk: High relative profitability stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies.
Value Investment Risk: Value stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies. Value stocks can react differently to political, economic, and industry developments than the market as a whole and other types of stocks. Value stocks also may underperform the market for long periods of time.
Market Trading Risk: Active trading markets for the Portfolio’s shares may not be developed or maintained by market makers or authorized participants. Authorized participants are not obligated to make a market in the Portfolio’s shares or to submit purchase or redemption orders for creation units. Trading in shares on an exchange may be halted in certain circumstances. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the listing exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Portfolio will continue to be met.
Premium/Discount Risk: The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Portfolio and the value of your investment may fluctuate. Disruptions to creations and redemptions or the market price of the Portfolio’s holdings, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for shares may widen bid-ask spreads and result in shares trading at a significant premium or discount to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
International Closed Market Trading Risk: To the extent that the underlying securities held by the Portfolio trade on an exchange that is closed when the securities exchange on which the Portfolio shares list and trade is open, there may be market uncertainty about the stale security pricing (i.e., the last quote from its closed foreign market) resulting in premiums or discounts to NAV that may be greater than those experienced by other ETFs.
Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are instruments, such as futures contracts, and options thereon, foreign currency forward contracts, and swaps, whose value is derived from that of other assets, rates or indices. The use of derivatives for non-hedging purposes may be considered to carry more risk than other types of investments. When the Portfolio uses derivatives, the Portfolio will be directly exposed to the risks of those derivatives. Derivative instruments are subject to a number of risks including counterparty, settlement, liquidity, interest rate, market, credit and management risks, as well as the risk of improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Portfolio could lose more than the principal amount invested.
Securities Lending Risk: Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Portfolio may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Portfolio could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the
49
collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. Securities lending also may have certain adverse tax consequences.
Operational Risk: Operational risks include human error, changes in personnel, system changes, faults in communication, and failures in systems, technology, or processes. Various operational events or circumstances are outside the Advisor’s control, including instances at third parties. The Portfolio and the Advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate to address these risks.
Cyber Security Risk: The Portfolio’s and its service providers’ use of internet, technology and information systems may expose the Portfolio to potential risks linked to cyber security breaches of those technological or information systems. Cyber security breaches, amongst other things, could allow an unauthorized party to gain access to proprietary information, customer data, or fund assets, or cause the Portfolio and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality.
Large Shareholder Risk: Certain shareholders, including other funds or accounts advised by the Advisor, may from time to time own a substantial amount of the Portfolio’s shares. In addition, a third party investor, the Advisor, an authorized participant, a lead market maker, or another entity may invest in the Portfolio and hold its investment for a limited period of time solely to facilitate commencement of the Portfolio or to facilitate the Portfolio achieving a specified size or scale. There can be no assurance that any large shareholder would not redeem its investment, that the size of the Portfolio would be maintained at such levels or that the Portfolio would continue to meet applicable listing requirements. Redemptions by large shareholders could have a significant negative impact on the Portfolio. In addition, transactions by large shareholders may account for a large percentage of the trading volume on the listing exchange and may, therefore, have a material upward or downward effect on the market price of the shares.
Investment Advisor/Portfolio Management
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP serves as the investment advisor for the International High Profitability ETF. Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. and DFA Australia Limited serve as the sub-advisors for the Portfolio. The following individuals are responsible for leading the day-to-day management of the Portfolio:
• |
Jed S. Fogdall, Global Head of Portfolio Management, Chairman of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
||
• |
Joseph F. Hohn, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
||
• |
Arun C. Keswani, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
||
• |
Joel P. Schneider, Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
50
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The International High Profitability ETF issues (or redeems) shares at NAV only to certain financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the Portfolio’s distributor in large aggregated blocks known as “Creation Units.” A Creation Unit of the Portfolio consists of 50,000 shares. Creation Units are issued (or redeemed) in-kind for securities (and an amount of cash) that the Portfolio specifies each day at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order.
Individual Portfolio shares may only be purchased and sold on Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). Because Portfolio shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Portfolio shares may trade at a price less than (discount) or greater than (premium) the Portfolio’s NAV. Recent information, including information on the Portfolio’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is available on the Portfolio’s website at https://www.dimensional.com/us-en/funds.
Tax Information
The dividends and distributions you receive from the International High Profitability ETF are taxable and generally will be taxed as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, in which case distributions may be taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn from the plan or account.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the International High Profitability ETF through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Portfolio and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of the Portfolio shares and/or related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the financial intermediary to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
51
The investment objective of the Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF (the “Emerging Markets Core ETF” or “Portfolio”) is to achieve long-term capital appreciation.
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold or sell shares of the Emerging Markets Core ETF. You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Portfolio, which are not reflected in the table or Example that follows.
year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
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Management Fee |
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Other Expenses |
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
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This Example is meant to help you compare the cost of investing in the Emerging Markets Core ETF with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs whether you redeem or hold your shares would be:
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1 Year |
3 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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The Emerging Markets Core ETF pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate was
To achieve the Emerging Markets Core ETF’s investment objective, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (the “Advisor”) implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions. As further described below, the Portfolio’s design emphasizes long-term drivers of expected returns identified by the Advisor’s research, while balancing risk through broad diversification across companies, sectors, and countries. The Advisor’s portfolio management and trading processes further balance those long-term drivers of expected returns with shorter-term drivers of expected returns and trading costs.
52
The Emerging Markets Core ETF Portfolio is designed to purchase a broad and diverse group of readily marketable emerging markets securities that is composed of companies within the Emerging Markets Universe that meet the Advisor’s investment criteria. The Advisor defines the “Emerging Markets Universe” as a market capitalization weighted set (e.g., the larger the company, the greater the proportion of the Emerging Markets Universe it represents) of non-U.S. companies associated with emerging markets, which may include frontier markets (emerging market countries in an earlier stage of development), that have been designated as Approved Markets (as identified below) for investment by the Advisor. The Portfolio will invest in companies of all sizes, with increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies as compared to their representation in the Emerging Markets Universe. The Portfolio’s increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies may be achieved by decreasing the allocation of the Portfolio’s assets to larger capitalization, higher relative price, or lower profitability companies relative to their weight in the Emerging Markets Universe. An equity issuer is considered to have a high relative price (i.e., a growth stock) primarily because it has a high price in relation to its book value. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to their book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time. As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets in emerging market equity investments that are defined in the Prospectus as Approved Market Securities.
The Advisor may also increase or reduce the Emerging Markets Core ETF’s exposure to an eligible company, or exclude a company, based on shorter-term considerations, such as a company’s price momentum and investment characteristics. In assessing a company’s investment characteristics, the Advisor considers ratios such as recent changes in assets divided by total assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing a company’s investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time. In addition, the Advisor seeks to reduce trading costs using a flexible trading approach that looks for opportunities to participate in the available market liquidity, while managing turnover and explicit transaction costs.
As of the date of this Prospectus, the Emerging Markets Core ETF can invest in the following countries that have been designated as Approved Markets by the Advisor: Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates. In determining what countries are eligible markets for the Portfolio, the Advisor may consider various factors, including without limitation, the data, analysis, and classification of countries published or disseminated by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (commonly known as the World Bank), the International Finance Corporation, FTSE International, and MSCI. The countries designated as Approved Markets will change from time to time. In addition, the countries in which the Portfolio actually holds investments will change from time to time. To determine whether a company is related to an emerging market country, the Advisor will consider various factors, such as where the company is organized or maintains its principal place of business, the principal trading market of the company, what government, agency or instrumentality issued or guaranteed the security, where the company’s revenues or profits are derived, and whether the company is in the Portfolio’s benchmark.
The Emerging Markets Core ETF may gain exposure to companies associated with Approved Markets by purchasing equity securities in the form of depositary receipts, which may be listed or traded outside the issuer’s domicile country, or by entering into equity swap agreements. The Portfolio may also invest in China A-shares (equity securities of companies listed in China) and variable interest entities (special structures that utilize contractual arrangements to provide exposure to certain Chinese companies). The Portfolio also may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for Approved Market or other equity market securities and indices, including those of the United States, to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio. Because many of the Portfolio’s investments may be denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio may enter into foreign currency exchange transactions, including foreign currency forward contracts, in connection with the settlement of foreign securities or to transfer cash balances from one currency to another currency.
The Emerging Markets Core ETF may lend its portfolio securities to generate additional income.
53
The Emerging Markets Core ETF is an actively managed exchange traded fund and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index and may have a higher degree of portfolio turnover than such index funds.
Equity Market Risk: Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, market, political, and issuer-specific conditions and events will cause the value of equity securities, and the Portfolio that owns them, to rise or fall. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices.
Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Foreign securities prices may decline or fluctuate because of: (a) economic or political actions of foreign governments, and/or (b) less regulated or liquid securities markets. Investors holding these securities may also be exposed to foreign currency risk (the possibility that foreign currency will fluctuate in value against the U.S. dollar or that a foreign government will convert, or be forced to convert, its currency to another currency, changing its value against the U.S. dollar). The Portfolio does not hedge foreign currency risk.
Depositary receipts are generally subject to the same risks as the foreign securities that they evidence or into which they may be converted. In addition, the underlying issuers of certain depositary receipts, particularly unsponsored or unregistered depositary receipts, are under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications to the holders of such receipts, or to pass through to them any voting rights with respect to the deposited securities. Depositary receipts that are not sponsored by the issuer may be less liquid and there may be less readily available public information about the issuer.
Small and Mid-Cap Company Risk: Securities of small and mid-cap companies are often less liquid than those of large companies and this could make it difficult to sell a small or mid-cap company security at a desired time or price. As a result, small and mid-cap company stocks may fluctuate relatively more in price. In general, small and mid-capitalization companies are also more vulnerable than larger companies to adverse business or economic developments and they may have more limited resources.
Emerging Markets Risk: Numerous emerging market countries have a history of, and continue to experience serious, and potentially continuing, economic and political problems. Stock markets in many emerging market countries are relatively small, expensive to trade in and generally have higher risks than those in developed markets. Securities in emerging markets also may be less liquid than those in developed markets and foreigners are often limited in their ability to invest in, and withdraw assets from, these markets. Additional restrictions may be imposed under other conditions. Frontier market countries generally have smaller economies or less developed capital markets and, as a result, the risks of investing in emerging market countries are magnified in frontier market countries.
China Investments Risk: There are special risks associated with investments in China and Taiwan, which are considered emerging market countries by the Portfolio. The Chinese government has implemented significant economic reforms in order to liberalize trade policy, promote foreign investment in the economy, reduce government control of the economy and develop market mechanisms. But there can be no assurance that these reforms will continue or that they will be effective. Despite reforms and privatizations of companies in certain sectors, the Chinese government still exercises substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector and may own or control many companies. The Chinese government continues to maintain a major role in economic policy making and investing in China involves risks of losses due to expropriation, nationalization, confiscation of assets and property, and the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and on repatriation of capital invested.
54
A reduction in spending on Chinese products and services or the institution of additional tariffs or other trade barriers, including as a result of heightened trade tensions between China and the United States may also have an adverse impact on the Chinese economy. In addition, investments in Taiwan could be adversely affected by its political and economic relationship with China. Certain securities issued by companies located or operating in China, such as China A-shares, are also subject to trading restrictions, quota limitations and less market liquidity, which could pose risks to the Portfolio. The Portfolio may also invest in special structures that utilize contractual arrangements to provide exposure to certain Chinese companies, known as variable interest entities (“VIEs”), that operate in sectors in which China restricts and/or prohibits foreign investments. The Chinese government’s acceptance of VIE structure is evolving. It is uncertain whether Chinese officials and regulators will withdraw their acceptance of the structure or whether Chinese courts or arbitration bodies would decline to enforce the contractual rights of foreign investors, each of which would likely have significant, detrimental, and possibly permanent losses on the value of such investments.
Profitability Investment Risk: High relative profitability stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies.
Value Investment Risk: Value stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies. Value stocks can react differently to political, economic, and industry developments than the market as a whole and other types of stocks. Value stocks also may underperform the market for long periods of time.
Market Trading Risk: Active trading markets for the Portfolio’s shares may not be developed or maintained by market makers or authorized participants. Authorized participants are not obligated to make a market in the Portfolio’s shares or to submit purchase or redemption orders for creation units. Trading in shares on an exchange may be halted in certain circumstances. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the listing exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Portfolio will continue to be met.
Premium/Discount Risk: The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Portfolio and the value of your investment may fluctuate. Disruptions to creations and redemptions or the market price of the Portfolio’s holdings, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for shares may widen bid-ask spreads and result in shares trading at a significant premium or discount to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
International Closed Market Trading Risk: To the extent that the underlying securities held by the Portfolio trade on an exchange that is closed when the securities exchange on which the Portfolio shares list and trade is open, there may be market uncertainty about the stale security pricing (i.e., the last quote from its closed foreign market) resulting in premiums or discounts to NAV that may be greater than those experienced by other ETFs.
Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are instruments, such as futures, and options thereon, foreign currency forward contracts, and swaps, whose value is derived from that of other assets, rates or indices. The use of derivatives for non-hedging purposes may be considered to carry more risk than other types of investments. When the Portfolio uses derivatives, the Portfolio will be directly exposed to the risks of those derivatives. Derivative instruments are subject to a number of risks including counterparty, settlement, liquidity, interest rate, market, credit and management risks, as well as the risk of improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, securities, rate, or index, and the Portfolio could lose more than the principal amount invested. Additional risks are associated with the use of swaps including counterparty and credit risk (the risk that the other party to a swap agreement will not fulfill its contractual obligations, whether because of bankruptcy or other default) and liquidity risk (the possible lack of a secondary market for the swap agreement). Counterparty risk increases when the Portfolio is a buyer of swaps. Swaps may be illiquid or difficult to value.
Securities Lending Risk: Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Portfolio may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Portfolio could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the
55
collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. Securities lending also may have certain adverse tax consequences.
Operational Risk: Operational risks include human error, changes in personnel, system changes, faults in communication, and failures in systems, technology, or processes. Various operational events or circumstances are outside the Advisor’s control, including instances at third parties. The Portfolio and the Advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate to address these risks.
Cyber Security Risk: The Portfolio’s and its service providers’ use of internet, technology and information systems may expose the Portfolio to potential risks linked to cyber security breaches of those technological or information systems. Cyber security breaches, amongst other things, could allow an unauthorized party to gain access to proprietary information, customer data, or fund assets, or cause the Portfolio and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality.
Large Shareholder Risk: Certain shareholders, including other funds or accounts advised by the Advisor, may from time to time own a substantial amount of the Portfolio’s shares. In addition, a third party investor, the Advisor, an authorized participant, a lead market maker, or another entity may invest in the Portfolio and hold its investment for a limited period of time solely to facilitate commencement of the Portfolio or to facilitate the Portfolio achieving a specified size or scale. There can be no assurance that any large shareholder would not redeem its investment, that the size of the Portfolio would be maintained at such levels or that the Portfolio would continue to meet applicable listing requirements. Redemptions by large shareholders could have a significant negative impact on the Portfolio. In addition, transactions by large shareholders may account for a large percentage of the trading volume on the listing exchange and may, therefore, have a material upward or downward effect on the market price of the shares.
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January 2021-December 2022
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Investment Advisor/Portfolio Management
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP serves as the investment advisor for the Emerging Markets Core ETF. Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. and DFA Australia Limited serve as the sub-advisors for the Portfolio. The following individuals are responsible for leading the day-to-day management of the Portfolio:
• |
Jed S. Fogdall, Global Head of Portfolio Management, Chairman of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2020). |
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Joseph F. Hohn, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2020). |
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Allen Pu, Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2020). |
57
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Emerging Markets Core ETF issues (or redeems) shares at NAV only to certain financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the Portfolio’s distributor in large aggregated blocks known as “Creation Units.” A Creation Unit of the Portfolio consists of 100,000 shares. Creation Units are issued (or redeemed) in-kind for securities (and an amount of cash) that the Portfolio specifies each day at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order.
Individual Emerging Markets Core ETF shares may only be purchased and sold on NYSE Arca, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). Because Portfolio shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Portfolio shares may trade at a price less than (discount) or greater than (premium) the Portfolio’s NAV. Recent information, including information on the Portfolio’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is available on the Portfolio’s website at https://www.dimensional.com/us-en/funds.
Tax Information
The dividends and distributions you receive from the Emerging Markets Core ETF are taxable and generally will be taxed as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, in which case distributions may be taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn from the plan or account.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the Emerging Markets Core ETF through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Portfolio and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of the Portfolio shares and/or related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the financial intermediary to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
58
The investment objective of the Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF (the “Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF” or “Portfolio”) is to achieve long-term capital appreciation.
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold or sell shares of the Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF. You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Portfolio, which are not reflected in the table or Example that follows.
year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
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Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement* | | |
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement | | |
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This Example is meant to help you compare the cost of investing in the Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. The costs for the Portfolio reflect the net expenses of the Portfolio that result from the contractual expense waiver in the first year only. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs whether you redeem or hold your shares would be:
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1 Year |
3 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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The Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. During the period April 26, 2022 to October 31, 2022, the Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate was
59
To achieve the Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF’s investment objective, the Advisor implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions. As further described below, the Portfolio’s design emphasizes long-term drivers of expected returns identified by the Advisor’s research, while balancing risk through broad diversification across companies, sectors, and countries. The Advisor’s portfolio management and trading processes further balance those long-term drivers of expected returns with shorter-term drivers of expected returns and trading costs.
The Portfolio is designed to purchase securities of large companies associated with emerging markets that the Advisor determines to have high profitability relative to other large companies in the same country or region at the time of purchase. The Portfolio intends to purchase securities of large companies that are associated with emerging markets, which may include frontier markets (emerging market countries in an earlier stage of development), authorized for investment by the Advisor’s Investment Committee (“Approved Markets”).
An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The Portfolio may emphasize certain stocks, including smaller capitalization companies, lower relative price stocks, and/or higher profitability stocks as compared to their representation in the large-cap high profitability segments of the Approved Markets in which the Portfolio is authorized to invest. The Portfolio’s increased exposure to such stocks may be achieved by overweighting and/or underweighting eligible stocks based on their market capitalization, relative price, and/or profitability characteristics. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time.
The Advisor’s definition of a large company varies across countries and is based primarily on market capitalization. A company’s market capitalization is the number of its shares outstanding times its price per share. In each country authorized for investment, the Advisor first ranks eligible companies listed on selected exchanges based on the companies’ market capitalizations. The Advisor then defines the minimum market capitalization for a large company in that country. Based on market capitalization data as of December 31, 2022, the market capitalization of a large cap company in any country or region in which the Portfolio invests would be $1,070 million or above. This threshold will vary by country or region. For example, based on market capitalization data as of December 31, 2022, the Advisor considered a large company in Mexico to have a market capitalization of at least $4,888 million, and a large company in the Czech Republic to have a market capitalization of at least $1,718 million. These thresholds will change due to market conditions.
The Advisor may also increase or reduce the Portfolio’s exposure to an eligible company, or exclude a company, based on shorter-term considerations, such as a company’s price momentum. In addition, the Advisor seeks to reduce trading costs using a flexible trading approach that looks for opportunities to participate in the available market liquidity, while managing turnover and explicit transaction costs.
As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets in emerging markets investments that are defined in the prospectus as Approved Market securities. The Portfolio may gain exposure to companies in an Approved Market by purchasing equity securities in the form of depositary receipts, which may be listed or traded outside the issuer’s domicile country, or by entering into equity swap agreements. The Portfolio may also invest in China A-shares (equity securities of companies listed in China) and variable interest entities (special structures that utilize contractual arrangements to provide exposure to certain Chinese companies). The Portfolio also may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for Approved Market or other equity market securities and indices, including those of the United States, to increase or decrease market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio. Because many of the Portfolio’s investments may be denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio may enter into foreign currency exchange transactions, including foreign currency forward contracts, in connection with the settlement of a foreign securities or to transfer cash balances from one currency to another currency.
60
The Portfolio may lend its portfolio securities to generate additional income.
The Portfolio is an actively managed exchange-traded fund and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index and may have a higher degree of portfolio turnover than such index funds.
Equity Market Risk: Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, market, political, and issuer-specific conditions and events will cause the value of equity securities, and the Portfolio that owns them, to rise or fall. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices.
Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Foreign securities prices may decline or fluctuate because of: (a) economic or political actions of foreign governments, and/or (b) less regulated or liquid securities markets. Investors holding these securities may also be exposed to foreign currency risk (the possibility that foreign currency will fluctuate in value against the U.S. dollar or that a foreign government will convert, or be forced to convert, its currency to another currency, changing its value against the U.S. dollar). The Portfolio does not hedge foreign currency risk.
Depositary receipts are generally subject to the same risks as the foreign securities that they evidence or into which they may be converted. In addition, the underlying issuers of certain depositary receipts, particularly unsponsored or unregistered depositary receipts, are under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications to the holders of such receipts, or to pass through to them any voting rights with respect to the deposited securities. Depositary receipts that are not sponsored by the issuer may be less liquid and there may be less readily available public information about the issuer.
Emerging Markets Risk: Numerous emerging market countries have a history of, and continue to experience serious, and potentially continuing, economic and political problems. Stock markets in many emerging market countries are relatively small, expensive to trade in and generally have higher risks than those in developed markets. Securities in emerging markets also may be less liquid than those in developed markets and foreigners are often limited in their ability to invest in, and withdraw assets from, these markets. Additional restrictions may be imposed under other conditions. Frontier market countries generally have smaller economies or less developed capital markets and, as a result, the risks of investing in emerging market countries are magnified in frontier market countries.
China Investments Risk: There are special risks associated with investments in China and Taiwan, which are considered emerging market countries by the Portfolio. The Chinese government has implemented significant economic reforms in order to liberalize trade policy, promote foreign investment in the economy, reduce government control of the economy and develop market mechanisms. But there can be no assurance that these reforms will continue or that they will be effective. Despite reforms and privatizations of companies in certain sectors, the Chinese government still exercises substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector and may own or control many companies. The Chinese government continues to maintain a major role in economic policy making and investing in China involves risks of losses due to expropriation, nationalization, confiscation of assets and property, and the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and on repatriation of capital invested.
A reduction in spending on Chinese products and services or the institution of additional tariffs or other trade barriers, including as a result of heightened trade tensions between China and the United States may also have an adverse impact on the Chinese economy. In addition, investments in Taiwan could be adversely affected by its political and economic relationship with China. Certain securities issued by companies located or operating in
61
China, such as China A-shares, are also subject to trading restrictions, quota limitations and less market liquidity, which could pose risks to the Portfolio. The Portfolio may also invest in special structures that utilize contractual arrangements to provide exposure to certain Chinese companies, known as variable interest entities (“VIEs”), that operate in sectors in which China restricts and/or prohibits foreign investments. The Chinese government’s acceptance of VIE structure is evolving. It is uncertain whether Chinese officials and regulators will withdraw their acceptance of the structure or whether Chinese courts or arbitration bodies would decline to enforce the contractual rights of foreign investors, each of which would likely have significant, detrimental, and possibly permanent losses on the value of such investments.
Profitability Investment Risk: High relative profitability stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies.
Value Investment Risk: Value stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies. Value stocks can react differently to political, economic, and industry developments than the market as a whole and other types of stocks. Value stocks also may underperform the market for long periods of time.
Market Trading Risk: Active trading markets for the Portfolio’s shares may not be developed or maintained by market makers or authorized participants. Authorized participants are not obligated to make a market in the Portfolio’s shares or to submit purchase or redemption orders for creation units. Trading in shares on an exchange may be halted in certain circumstances. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the listing exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Portfolio will continue to be met.
Premium/Discount Risk: The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Portfolio and the value of your investment may fluctuate. Disruptions to creations and redemptions or the market price of the Portfolio’s holdings, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for shares may widen bid-ask spreads and result in shares trading at a significant premium or discount to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
International Closed Market Trading Risk: To the extent that the underlying securities held by the Portfolio trade on an exchange that is closed when the securities exchange on which the Portfolio shares list and trade is open, there may be market uncertainty about the stale security pricing (i.e., the last quote from its closed foreign market) resulting in premiums or discounts to NAV that may be greater than those experienced by other ETFs.
Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are instruments, such as futures contracts, and options thereon, foreign currency forward contracts, and swaps, whose value is derived from that of other assets, rates or indices. The use of derivatives for non-hedging purposes may be considered to carry more risk than other types of investments. When the Portfolio uses derivatives, the Portfolio will be directly exposed to the risks of those derivatives. Derivative instruments are subject to a number of risks including counterparty, settlement, liquidity, interest rate, market, credit and management risks, as well as the risk of improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Portfolio could lose more than the principal amount invested.
Securities Lending Risk: Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Portfolio may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Portfolio could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. Securities lending also may have certain adverse tax consequences.
Operational Risk: Operational risks include human error, changes in personnel, system changes, faults in communication, and failures in systems, technology, or processes. Various operational events or circumstances are outside the Advisor’s control, including instances at third parties. The Portfolio and the Advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate to address these risks.
62
Cyber Security Risk: The Portfolio’s and its service providers’ use of internet, technology and information systems may expose the Portfolio to potential risks linked to cyber security breaches of those technological or information systems. Cyber security breaches, amongst other things, could allow an unauthorized party to gain access to proprietary information, customer data, or fund assets, or cause the Portfolio and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality.
Large Shareholder Risk: Certain shareholders, including other funds or accounts advised by the Advisor, may from time to time own a substantial amount of the Portfolio’s shares. In addition, a third party investor, the Advisor, an authorized participant, a lead market maker, or another entity may invest in the Portfolio and hold its investment for a limited period of time solely to facilitate commencement of the Portfolio or to facilitate the Portfolio achieving a specified size or scale. There can be no assurance that any large shareholder would not redeem its investment, that the size of the Portfolio would be maintained at such levels or that the Portfolio would continue to meet applicable listing requirements. Redemptions by large shareholders could have a significant negative impact on the Portfolio. In addition, transactions by large shareholders may account for a large percentage of the trading volume on the listing exchange and may, therefore, have a material upward or downward effect on the market price of the shares.
Investment Advisor/Portfolio Management
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP serves as the investment advisor for the Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF. Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. and DFA Australia Limited serve as the sub-advisors for the Portfolio. The following individuals are responsible for leading the day-to-day management of the Portfolio:
• |
Jed S. Fogdall, Global Head of Portfolio Management, Chairman of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
||
• |
Joseph F. Hohn, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
||
• |
Allen Pu, Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
||
• |
Ethan Wren, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF issues (or redeems) shares at NAV only to certain financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the Portfolio’s distributor in large aggregated blocks known as “Creation Units.” A Creation Unit of the Portfolio consists of 50,000 shares. Creation Units are issued (or redeemed) in-kind for securities (and an amount of cash) that the Portfolio specifies each day at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order.
Individual Portfolio shares may only be purchased and sold on NYSE Arca, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to
63
purchase shares (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). Because Portfolio shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Portfolio shares may trade at a price less than (discount) or greater than (premium) the Portfolio’s NAV. Recent information, including information on the Portfolio’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is available on the Portfolio’s website at https://www.dimensional.com/us-en/funds.
Tax Information
The dividends and distributions you receive from the Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF are taxable and generally will be taxed as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, in which case distributions may be taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn from the plan or account.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Portfolio and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of the Portfolio shares and/or related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the financial intermediary to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
64
The investment objective of the Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF (the “Emerging Markets Value ETF” or “Portfolio”) is to achieve long-term capital appreciation.
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold or sell shares of the Emerging Markets Value ETF. You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Portfolio, which are not reflected in the table or Example that follows.
year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
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Management Fee | | |
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Other Expenses | | |
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | | |
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Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement* | | |
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement | | |
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* | |
This Example is meant to help you compare the cost of investing in the Emerging Markets Value ETF with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. The costs for the Portfolio reflect the net expenses of the Portfolio that result from the contractual expense waiver in the first year only. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs whether you redeem or hold your shares would be:
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1 Year |
3 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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The Emerging Markets Value ETF pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. During the period April 26, 2022 to October 31, 2022, the Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate was
65
To achieve the Emerging Markets Value ETF’s investment objective, the Advisor implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions. As further described below, the Portfolio’s design emphasizes long-term drivers of expected returns identified by the Advisor’s research, while balancing risk through broad diversification across companies, sectors, and countries. The Advisor’s portfolio management and trading processes further balance those long-term drivers of expected returns with shorter-term drivers of expected returns and trading costs.
The Portfolio is designed to purchase emerging market equity securities that are deemed by the Advisor to be value stocks at the time of purchase, which may include frontier markets (emerging market countries in an earlier stage of development), authorized for investment by the Advisor’s Investment Committee (“Approved Markets”). An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. The Portfolio may emphasize certain stocks, including smaller capitalization companies, lower relative price stocks, and/or higher profitability stocks as compared to their representation in the value segments of the Approved Markets in which the Portfolio is authorized to invest. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time.
As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets in emerging markets investments that are defined in the Prospectus as Approved Markets securities. The Portfolio may purchase emerging market equity securities across all market capitalizations.
The Advisor may also increase or reduce the Portfolio’s exposure to an eligible company, or exclude a company, based on shorter-term considerations, such as a company’s price momentum and investment characteristics. In assessing a company’s investment characteristics, the Advisor considers ratios such as recent changes in assets divided by total assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing a company’s investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time. In addition, the Advisor seeks to reduce trading costs using a flexible trading approach that looks for opportunities to participate in the available market liquidity, while managing turnover and explicit transaction costs.
The Portfolio may gain exposure to companies associated with Approved Markets by purchasing equity securities in the form of depositary receipts, which may be listed or traded outside the issuer’s domicile country, or by entering into equity swap agreements. The Portfolio may also invest in China A-shares (equity securities of companies listed in China) and variable interest entities (special structures that utilize contractual arrangements to provide exposure to certain Chinese companies). The Portfolio may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for Approved Market or other equity market securities and indices, including those of the United States, to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio. Because many of the Portfolio’s investments may be denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio may enter into foreign currency exchange transactions, including foreign currency forward contracts, in connection with the settlement of a foreign securities or to transfer cash balances from one currency to another currency.
The Portfolio may lend its portfolio securities to generate additional income.
The Portfolio is an actively managed exchange-traded fund and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index and may have a higher degree of portfolio turnover than such index funds.
66
Equity Market Risk: Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, market, political, and issuer-specific conditions and events will cause the value of equity securities, and the Portfolio that owns them, to rise or fall. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices.
Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Foreign securities prices may decline or fluctuate because of: (a) economic or political actions of foreign governments, and/or (b) less regulated or liquid securities markets. Investors holding these securities may also be exposed to foreign currency risk (the possibility that foreign currency will fluctuate in value against the U.S. dollar or that a foreign government will convert, or be forced to convert, its currency to another currency, changing its value against the U.S. dollar). The Portfolio does not hedge foreign currency risk.
Depositary receipts are generally subject to the same risks as the foreign securities that they evidence or into which they may be converted. In addition, the underlying issuers of certain depositary receipts, particularly unsponsored or unregistered depositary receipts, are under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications to the holders of such receipts, or to pass through to them any voting rights with respect to the deposited securities. Depositary receipts that are not sponsored by the issuer may be less liquid and there may be less readily available public information about the issuer.
Emerging Markets Risk: Numerous emerging market countries have a history of, and continue to experience serious, and potentially continuing, economic and political problems. Stock markets in many emerging market countries are relatively small, expensive to trade in and generally have higher risks than those in developed markets. Securities in emerging markets also may be less liquid than those in developed markets and foreigners are often limited in their ability to invest in, and withdraw assets from, these markets. Additional restrictions may be imposed under other conditions. Frontier market countries generally have smaller economies or less developed capital markets and, as a result, the risks of investing in emerging market countries are magnified in frontier market countries.
China Investments Risk: There are special risks associated with investments in China and Taiwan, which are considered emerging market countries by the Portfolio. The Chinese government has implemented significant economic reforms in order to liberalize trade policy, promote foreign investment in the economy, reduce government control of the economy and develop market mechanisms. But there can be no assurance that these reforms will continue or that they will be effective. Despite reforms and privatizations of companies in certain sectors, the Chinese government still exercises substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector and may own or control many companies. The Chinese government continues to maintain a major role in economic policy making and investing in China involves risks of losses due to expropriation, nationalization, confiscation of assets and property, and the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and on repatriation of capital invested.
A reduction in spending on Chinese products and services or the institution of additional tariffs or other trade barriers, including as a result of heightened trade tensions between China and the United States may also have an adverse impact on the Chinese economy. In addition, investments in Taiwan could be adversely affected by its political and economic relationship with China. Certain securities issued by companies located or operating in China, such as China A-shares, are also subject to trading restrictions, quota limitations and less market liquidity, which could pose risks to the Portfolio. The Portfolio may also invest in special structures that utilize contractual arrangements to provide exposure to certain Chinese companies, known as variable interest entities (“VIEs”), that operate in sectors in which China restricts and/or prohibits foreign investments. The Chinese government’s acceptance of VIE structure is evolving. It is uncertain whether Chinese officials and regulators will withdraw their acceptance of the structure or whether Chinese courts or arbitration bodies would decline to enforce the contractual rights of foreign investors, each of which would likely have significant, detrimental, and possibly permanent losses on the value of such investments.
Small and Mid-Cap Company Risk: Securities of small and mid-cap companies are often less liquid than those of large companies and this could make it difficult to sell a small or mid-cap company security at a desired time or
67
price. As a result, small and mid-cap company stocks may fluctuate relatively more in price. In general, small and mid- capitalization companies are also more vulnerable than larger companies to adverse business or economic developments and they may have more limited resources.
Value Investment Risk: Value stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies. Value stocks can react differently to political, economic, and industry developments than the market as a whole and other types of stocks. Value stocks also may underperform the market for long periods of time.
Profitability Investment Risk: High relative profitability stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies.
Market Trading Risk: Active trading markets for the Portfolio’s shares may not be developed or maintained by market makers or authorized participants. Authorized participants are not obligated to make a market in the Portfolio’s shares or to submit purchase or redemption orders for creation units. Trading in shares on an exchange may be halted in certain circumstances. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the listing exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Portfolio will continue to be met.
Premium/Discount Risk: The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Portfolio and the value of your investment may fluctuate. Disruptions to creations and redemptions or the market price of the Portfolio’s holdings, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for shares may widen bid-ask spreads and result in shares trading at a significant premium or discount to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
International Closed Market Trading Risk: To the extent that the underlying securities held by the Portfolio trade on an exchange that is closed when the securities exchange on which the Portfolio shares list and trade is open, there may be market uncertainty about the stale security pricing (i.e., the last quote from its closed foreign market) resulting in premiums or discounts to NAV that may be greater than those experienced by other ETFs.
Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are instruments, such as futures contracts, and options thereon, foreign currency forward contracts, and swaps, whose value is derived from that of other assets, rates or indices. The use of derivatives for non-hedging purposes may be considered to carry more risk than other types of investments. When the Portfolio uses derivatives, the Portfolio will be directly exposed to the risks of those derivatives. Derivative instruments are subject to a number of risks including counterparty, settlement, liquidity, interest rate, market, credit and management risks, as well as the risk of improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Portfolio could lose more than the principal amount invested.
Securities Lending Risk: Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Portfolio may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Portfolio could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. Securities lending also may have certain adverse tax consequences.
Operational Risk: Operational risks include human error, changes in personnel, system changes, faults in communication, and failures in systems, technology, or processes. Various operational events or circumstances are outside the Advisor’s control, including instances at third parties. The Portfolio and the Advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate to address these risks.
Cyber Security Risk: The Portfolio’s and its service providers’ use of internet, technology and information systems may expose the Portfolio to potential risks linked to cyber security breaches of those technological or information systems. Cyber security breaches, amongst other things, could allow an unauthorized party to gain
68
access to proprietary information, customer data, or fund assets, or cause the Portfolio and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality.
Large Shareholder Risk: Certain shareholders, including other funds or accounts advised by the Advisor, may from time to time own a substantial amount of the Portfolio’s shares. In addition, a third party investor, the Advisor, an authorized participant, a lead market maker, or another entity may invest in the Portfolio and hold its investment for a limited period of time solely to facilitate commencement of the Portfolio or to facilitate the Portfolio achieving a specified size or scale. There can be no assurance that any large shareholder would not redeem its investment, that the size of the Portfolio would be maintained at such levels or that the Portfolio would continue to meet applicable listing requirements. Redemptions by large shareholders could have a significant negative impact on the Portfolio.
In addition, transactions by large shareholders may account for a large percentage of the trading volume on the listing exchange and may, therefore, have a material upward or downward effect on the market price of the shares.
Investment Advisor/Portfolio Management
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP serves as the investment advisor for the Emerging Markets Value ETF. Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. and DFA Australia Limited serve as the sub-advisors for the Portfolio. The following individuals are responsible for leading the day-to-day management of the Portfolio:
• |
Jed S. Fogdall, Global Head of Portfolio Management, Chairman of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
||
• |
Joseph F. Hohn, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
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• |
Allen Pu, Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
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• |
Ethan Wren, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Emerging Markets Value ETF issues (or redeems) shares at NAV only to certain financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the Portfolio’s distributor in large aggregated blocks known as “Creation Units.” A Creation Unit of the Portfolio consists of 100,000 shares. Creation Units are issued (or redeemed) in-kind for securities (and an amount of cash) that the Portfolio specifies each day at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order.
Individual Portfolio shares may only be purchased and sold on NYSE Arca, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares (ask) when buying or selling shares
69
in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). Because Portfolio shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Portfolio shares may trade at a price less than (discount) or greater than (premium) the Portfolio’s NAV. Recent information, including information on the Portfolio’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is available on the Portfolio’s website at https://www.dimensional.com/us-en/funds.
Tax Information
The dividends and distributions you receive from the Emerging Markets Value ETF are taxable and generally will be taxed as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, in which case distributions may be taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn from the plan or account.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the Emerging Markets Value ETF through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Portfolio and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of the Portfolio shares and/or related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the financial intermediary to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
70
The investment objective of the Dimensional Emerging Markets Core 2 ETF (the “Emerging Markets Core 2 ETF” or “Portfolio”) is to achieve long-term capital appreciation.
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold or sell shares of the Emerging Markets Core 2 ETF. You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Portfolio, which are not reflected in the table or Example that follows.
year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
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Management Fee |
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Other Expenses |
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||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
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This Example is meant to help you compare the cost of investing in the Emerging Markets Core 2 ETF with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs whether you redeem or hold your shares would be:
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1 Year |
3 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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The Emerging Markets Core 2 ETF pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. During the period April 26, 2022 to October 31, 2022, the Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate was
To achieve the Emerging Markets Core 2 ETF’s investment objective, the Advisor implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions. As further described below, the Portfolio’s design emphasizes long-term drivers of expected returns identified by the Advisor’s research, while balancing risk through broad diversification across companies, sectors, and countries. The Advisor’s portfolio management and trading processes further balance those long-term drivers of expected returns with shorter-term drivers of expected returns and trading costs.
71
The Portfolio is designed to purchase a broad and diverse group of securities associated with emerging markets, which may include frontier markets (emerging market countries in an earlier stage of development), authorized for investment by the Advisor Investment Committee (“Approved Markets”). The Portfolio will invest in companies of all sizes, with increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies. The Portfolio’s increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies may be achieved by decreasing the allocation of the Portfolio’s assets to larger capitalization, higher relative price, or lower profitability companies. An equity issuer is considered to have a high relative price (i.e., a growth stock) primarily because it has a high price in relation to its book value. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time.
The Advisor defines the “Emerging Markets Universe” as a market capitalization weighted set (e.g., the larger the company, the greater the proportion of the Emerging Markets Universe it represents) of non-U.S. companies associated with Approved Markets. The percentage allocation of the assets of the Portfolio to securities of the largest high relative price companies will generally be reduced from between 5% and 35% of their percentage weight in the Emerging Markets Universe. As of December 31, 2022, securities of the largest high relative price companies in the Emerging Markets Universe comprised approximately 10% of the Emerging Markets Universe and, if the Portfolio had been in operation, the Advisor would have allocated approximately 4% of the Portfolio to securities of the largest high relative price companies in the Emerging Markets Universe. The percentage by which the Portfolio’s allocation to securities of the largest high relative price companies is reduced will change due to market movements and other factors.
As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets in emerging markets equity investments that are defined in the prospectus as Approved Market securities.
The Advisor may also increase or reduce the Portfolio’s exposure to an eligible company, or exclude a company, based on shorter-term considerations, such as a company’s price momentum and investment characteristics. In assessing a company’s investment characteristics, the Advisor considers ratios such as recent changes in assets divided by total assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing a company’s investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time. In addition, the Advisor seeks to reduce trading costs using a flexible trading approach that looks for opportunities to participate in the available market liquidity, while managing turnover and explicit transaction costs.
The Portfolio may gain exposure to companies associated with Approved Markets by purchasing equity securities in the form of depositary receipts, which may be listed or traded outside the issuer’s domicile country, or by entering into equity swap agreements. The Portfolio may also invest in China A-shares (equity securities of companies listed in China) and variable interest entities (special structures that utilize contractual arrangements to provide exposure to certain Chinese companies). The Portfolio may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for Approved Market or other equity market securities and indices, including those of the United States, to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio. Because many of the Portfolio’s investments may be denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio may enter into foreign currency exchange transactions, including foreign currency forward contracts, in connection with the settlement of a foreign securities or to transfer cash balances from one currency to another currency.
The Portfolio may lend its portfolio securities to generate additional income.
The Portfolio is an actively managed exchange-traded fund and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index and may have a higher degree of portfolio turnover than such index funds.
72
Equity Market Risk: Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, market, political, and issuer-specific conditions and events will cause the value of equity securities, and the Portfolio that owns them, to rise or fall. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices.
Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Foreign securities prices may decline or fluctuate because of: (a) economic or political actions of foreign governments, and/or (b) less regulated or liquid securities markets. Investors holding these securities may also be exposed to foreign currency risk (the possibility that foreign currency will fluctuate in value against the U.S. dollar or that a foreign government will convert, or be forced to convert, its currency to another currency, changing its value against the U.S. dollar). The Portfolio does not hedge foreign currency risk.
Depositary receipts are generally subject to the same risks as the foreign securities that they evidence or into which they may be converted. In addition, the underlying issuers of certain depositary receipts, particularly unsponsored or unregistered depositary receipts, are under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications to the holders of such receipts, or to pass through to them any voting rights with respect to the deposited securities. Depositary receipts that are not sponsored by the issuer may be less liquid and there may be less readily available public information about the issuer.
Small and Mid-Cap Company Risk: Securities of small and mid-cap companies are often less liquid than those of large companies and this could make it difficult to sell a small or mid-cap company security at a desired time or price. As a result, small and mid-cap company stocks may fluctuate relatively more in price. In general, small and mid- capitalization companies are also more vulnerable than larger companies to adverse business or economic developments and they may have more limited resources.
Emerging Markets Risk: Numerous emerging market countries have a history of, and continue to experience serious, and potentially continuing, economic and political problems. Stock markets in many emerging market countries are relatively small, expensive to trade in and generally have higher risks than those in developed markets. Securities in emerging markets also may be less liquid than those in developed markets and foreigners are often limited in their ability to invest in, and withdraw assets from, these markets. Additional restrictions may be imposed under other conditions. Frontier market countries generally have smaller economies or less developed capital markets and, as a result, the risks of investing in emerging market countries are magnified in frontier market countries.
China Investments Risk: There are special risks associated with investments in China and Taiwan, which are considered emerging market countries by the Portfolio. The Chinese government has implemented significant economic reforms in order to liberalize trade policy, promote foreign investment in the economy, reduce government control of the economy and develop market mechanisms. But there can be no assurance that these reforms will continue or that they will be effective. Despite reforms and privatizations of companies in certain sectors, the Chinese government still exercises substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector and may own or control many companies. The Chinese government continues to maintain a major role in economic policy making and investing in China involves risks of losses due to expropriation, nationalization, confiscation of assets and property, and the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and on repatriation of capital invested.
A reduction in spending on Chinese products and services or the institution of additional tariffs or other trade barriers, including as a result of heightened trade tensions between China and the United States may also have an adverse impact on the Chinese economy. In addition, investments in Taiwan could be adversely affected by its political and economic relationship with China. Certain securities issued by companies located or operating in
73
China, such as China A-shares, are also subject to trading restrictions, quota limitations and less market liquidity, which could pose risks to the Portfolio. The Portfolio may also invest in special structures that utilize contractual arrangements to provide exposure to certain Chinese companies, known as variable interest entities (“VIEs”), that operate in sectors in which China restricts and/or prohibits foreign investments. The Chinese government’s acceptance of VIE structure is evolving. It is uncertain whether Chinese officials and regulators will withdraw their acceptance of the structure or whether Chinese courts or arbitration bodies would decline to enforce the contractual rights of foreign investors, each of which would likely have significant, detrimental, and possibly permanent losses on the value of such investments.
Profitability Investment Risk: High relative profitability stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies.
Value Investment Risk: Value stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies. Value stocks can react differently to political, economic, and industry developments than the market as a whole and other types of stocks. Value stocks also may underperform the market for long periods of time.
Market Trading Risk: Active trading markets for the Portfolio’s shares may not be developed or maintained by market makers or authorized participants. Authorized participants are not obligated to make a market in the Portfolio’s shares or to submit purchase or redemption orders for creation units. Trading in shares on an exchange may be halted in certain circumstances. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the listing exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Portfolio will continue to be met.
Premium/Discount Risk: The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Portfolio and the value of your investment may fluctuate. Disruptions to creations and redemptions or the market price of the Portfolio’s holdings, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for shares may widen bid-ask spreads and result in shares trading at a significant premium or discount to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
International Closed Market Trading Risk: To the extent that the underlying securities held by the Portfolio trade on an exchange that is closed when the securities exchange on which the Portfolio shares list and trade is open, there may be market uncertainty about the stale security pricing (i.e., the last quote from its closed foreign market) resulting in premiums or discounts to NAV that may be greater than those experienced by other ETFs.
Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are instruments, such as futures contracts, and options thereon, foreign currency forward contracts, and swaps, whose value is derived from that of other assets, rates or indices. The use of derivatives for non-hedging purposes may be considered to carry more risk than other types of investments. When the Portfolio uses derivatives, the Portfolio will be directly exposed to the risks of those derivatives. Derivative instruments are subject to a number of risks including counterparty, settlement, liquidity, interest rate, market, credit and management risks, as well as the risk of improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Portfolio could lose more than the principal amount invested.
Securities Lending Risk: Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Portfolio may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Portfolio could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. Securities lending also may have certain adverse tax consequences.
Operational Risk: Operational risks include human error, changes in personnel, system changes, faults in communication, and failures in systems, technology, or processes. Various operational events or circumstances are outside the Advisor’s control, including instances at third parties. The Portfolio and the Advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate to address these risks.
74
Cyber Security Risk: The Portfolio’s and its service providers’ use of internet, technology and information systems may expose the Portfolio to potential risks linked to cyber security breaches of those technological or information systems. Cyber security breaches, amongst other things, could allow an unauthorized party to gain access to proprietary information, customer data, or fund assets, or cause the Portfolio and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality.
Large Shareholder Risk: Certain shareholders, including other funds or accounts advised by the Advisor, may from time to time own a substantial amount of the Portfolio’s shares. In addition, a third party investor, the Advisor, an authorized participant, a lead market maker, or another entity may invest in the Portfolio and hold its investment for a limited period of time solely to facilitate commencement of the Portfolio or to facilitate the Portfolio achieving a specified size or scale. There can be no assurance that any large shareholder would not redeem its investment, that the size of the Portfolio would be maintained at such levels or that the Portfolio would continue to meet applicable listing requirements. Redemptions by large shareholders could have a significant negative impact on the Portfolio. In addition, transactions by large shareholders may account for a large percentage of the trading volume on the listing exchange and may, therefore, have a material upward or downward effect on the market price of the shares.
Investment Advisor/Portfolio Management
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP serves as the investment advisor for the Emerging Markets Core 2 ETF. Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. and DFA Australia Limited serve as the sub-advisors for the Portfolio. The following individuals are responsible for leading the day-to-day management of the Portfolio:
• |
Jed S. Fogdall, Global Head of Portfolio Management, Chairman of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
||
• |
Joseph F. Hohn, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
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Allen Pu, Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
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Mary T. Phillips, Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
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William B. Collins-Dean, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Emerging Markets Core 2 ETF issues (or redeems) shares at NAV only to certain financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the Portfolio’s distributor in large aggregated blocks known as “Creation Units.” A Creation Unit of the Portfolio consists of 100,000 shares. Creation Units are issued (or redeemed) in-kind for securities (and an amount of cash) that the Portfolio specifies each day at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order.
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Individual Portfolio shares may only be purchased and sold on NYSE Arca, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). Because Portfolio shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Portfolio shares may trade at a price less than (discount) or greater than (premium) the Portfolio’s NAV. Recent information, including information on the Portfolio’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is available on the Portfolio’s website at https://www.dimensional.com/us-en/funds.
Tax Information
The dividends and distributions you receive from the Emerging Markets Core 2 ETF are taxable and generally will be taxed as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, in which case distributions may be taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn from the plan or account.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the Emerging Markets Core 2 ETF through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Portfolio and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of the Portfolio shares and/or related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the financial intermediary to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
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The investment objective of the Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF (the “Global Real Estate ETF” or “Portfolio”) is to achieve long-term capital appreciation.
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold or sell shares of the Global Real Estate ETF. You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Portfolio, which are not reflected in the table or Example that follows.
year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
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This Example is meant to help you compare the cost of investing in the Global Real Estate ETF with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. The costs for the Portfolio reflect the net expenses of the Portfolio that result from the contractual expense waiver in the first year only. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs whether you redeem or hold your shares would be:
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1 Year |
3 Years |
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$ |
$ |
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The Global Real Estate ETF pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual
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Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. Because the Portfolio is new, information about portfolio turnover rate is not yet available.
To achieve the Global Real Estate ETF’s investment objective, the Advisor implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions.
The Portfolio, using a market capitalization weighted approach, purchases a broad and diverse set of securities of U.S. and non-U.S. companies principally engaged in the real estate industry, including developed and emerging markets, with a particular focus on real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) and companies the Advisor considers to be REIT-like entities. The Portfolio invests in companies of all sizes. A company’s market capitalization is the number of its shares outstanding times its price per share. Under a market capitalization weighted approach, companies with higher market capitalizations generally represent a larger proportion of the Portfolio than companies with relatively lower market capitalizations. However, the Advisor may limit or fix the Portfolio’s exposure to a particular country or issuer. The Advisor may also adjust the representation in the Portfolio of an eligible company, or exclude a company, after considering such factors as free float, price momentum, trading strategies, liquidity, size, relative price, profitability, and other factors that the Advisor determines to be appropriate. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time. The Advisor also may limit or fix the Portfolio’s exposure to a particular country or issuer.
As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Portfolio’s net assets will be invested in securities of companies in the real estate industry. The Portfolio concentrates (i.e., invests more than 25% of its net assets) its investments in securities of companies in the real estate industry. The Portfolio generally considers a company to be principally engaged in the real estate industry if the company (i) derives at least 50% of its revenue or profits from the ownership, management, development, construction, or sale of residential, commercial, industrial, or other real estate; (ii) has at least 50% of the value of its assets invested in residential, commercial, industrial, or other real estate; or (iii) is organized as a REIT or REIT-like entity. REITs and REIT-like entities are types of real estate companies that pool investors’ funds for investment primarily in income producing real estate or real estate related loans or interests. The Portfolio also may invest in stapled securities, where one or more of the underlying securities represents interests in a company or subsidiary in the real estate industry.
The Portfolio intends to purchase securities of companies associated with countries that the Advisor has identified as approved markets for investment for the Portfolio. The Portfolio intends to invest its assets to gain exposure to at least three different countries, including the United States. The Advisor will generally seek to set country weights based on the relative market capitalizations of eligible companies within each approved market. (For a description of the securities and countries approved for investment, see the “Additional Information on Investment Objective and Policies—Approved Markets” section of the Prospectus). As of the date of the Prospectus, the Portfolio invests approximately 65% of its net assets in U.S. companies. This percentage will change due to market conditions.
The Portfolio may gain exposure to companies associated with approved markets by purchasing equity securities in the form of depositary receipts, which may be listed or traded outside the issuer’s domicile country. The Portfolio may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for equity securities and indices to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio.
Because many of the Portfolio’s investments may be denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio may enter into foreign currency exchange transactions, including foreign currency forward contracts, in connection with the settlement of foreign securities or to transfer cash balances from one currency to another currency.
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The Portfolio may lend its portfolio securities to generate additional income.
The Portfolio is an actively managed exchange traded fund and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index and may have a higher degree of portfolio turnover than such index funds.
Equity Market Risk: Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, market, political, and issuer-specific conditions and events will cause the value of equity securities, and the portfolio that owns them, to rise or fall. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices.
Risks of Concentrating in the Real Estate Industry: The Portfolio concentrates (i.e., invests more than 25% of its net assets) its investments in securities of companies in the real estate industry. The exclusive focus by the Portfolio on the real estate industry will cause the Portfolio to be exposed to the general risks of direct real estate ownership. The value of securities in the real estate industry can be affected by changes in real estate values and rental income, property taxes, and tax and regulatory requirements. Also, the value of securities in the real estate industry may decline with changes in interest rates. Investing in REITs and REIT-like entities involves certain unique risks in addition to those risks associated with investing in the real estate industry in general. REITs and REIT-like entities are dependent upon management skill, may not be diversified, and are subject to heavy cash flow dependency and self-liquidation. REITs and REIT-like entities also are subject to the possibility of failing to qualify for tax free pass-through of income. Also, because REITs and REIT-like entities typically are invested in a limited number of projects or in a particular market segment, these entities are more susceptible to adverse developments affecting a single project or market segment than more broadly diversified investments. The performance of the Portfolio may be materially different from the broad equity market.
Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Foreign securities prices may decline or fluctuate because of: (a) economic or political actions of foreign governments, and/or (b) less regulated or liquid securities markets. Investors holding these securities may also be exposed to foreign currency risk (the possibility that foreign currency will fluctuate in value against the U.S. dollar or that a foreign government will convert, or be forced to convert, its currency to another currency, changing its value against the U.S. dollar). The Portfolio does not hedge foreign currency risk.
Depositary receipts are generally subject to the same risks as the foreign securities that they evidence or into which they may be converted. In addition, the underlying issuers of certain depositary receipts, particularly unsponsored or unregistered depositary receipts, are under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications to the holders of such receipts, or to pass through to them any voting rights with respect to the deposited securities. Depositary receipts that are not sponsored by the issuer may be less liquid and there may be less readily available public information about the issuer.
Small and Mid-Cap Company Risk: Securities of small and mid-cap companies are often less liquid than those of large companies and this could make it difficult to sell a small or mid- cap company security at a desired time or price. As a result, small and mid-cap company stocks may fluctuate relatively more in price. In general, small and mid-capitalization companies are also more vulnerable than larger companies to adverse business or economic developments and they may have more limited resources.
Emerging Markets Risk: Numerous emerging market countries have a history of, and continue to experience serious, and potentially continuing, economic and political problems. Stock markets in many emerging market countries are relatively small, expensive to trade in and generally have higher risks than those in developed markets. Securities in emerging markets also may be less liquid than those in developed markets and foreigners
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are often limited in their ability to invest in, and withdraw assets from, these markets. Additional restrictions may be imposed under other conditions. Frontier market countries generally have smaller economies or less developed capital markets and, as a result, the risks of investing in emerging market countries are magnified in frontier market countries.
Market Trading Risk: Active trading markets for the Portfolio’s shares may not be developed or maintained by market makers or authorized participants. Authorized participants are not obligated to make a market in the Portfolio’s shares or to submit purchase or redemption orders for creation units. Trading in shares on an exchange may be halted in certain circumstances. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the listing exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Portfolio will continue to be met.
Premium/Discount Risk: The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Portfolio and the value of your investment may fluctuate. Disruptions to creations and redemptions or the market price of the Portfolio’s holdings, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for shares may widen bid-ask spreads and result in shares trading at a significant premium or discount to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
International Closed Market Trading Risk: To the extent that the underlying securities held by the Portfolio trade on an exchange that is closed when the securities exchange on which the Portfolio shares list and trade is open, there may be market uncertainty about the stale security pricing (i.e., the last quote from its closed foreign market) resulting in premiums or discounts to NAV that may be greater than those experienced by other ETFs.
Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are instruments, such as futures contracts and options thereon, and foreign currency forward contracts, whose value is derived from that of other assets, rates or indices. The use of derivatives for non-hedging purposes may be considered to carry more risk than other types of investments. When the Portfolio uses derivatives, the Portfolio will be directly exposed to the risks of those derivatives. Derivative instruments are subject to a number of risks including counterparty, liquidity, interest rate, market, credit and management risks, as well as the risk of improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Portfolio could lose more than the principal amount invested.
Securities Lending Risk: Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Portfolio may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Portfolio could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. Securities lending also may have certain adverse tax consequences.
Operational Risk: Operational risks include human error, changes in personnel, system changes, faults in communication, and failures in systems, technology, or processes. Various operational events or circumstances are outside the Advisor’s control, including instances at third parties. The Portfolio and the Advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate to address these risks.
Cyber Security Risk: The Portfolio’s and its service providers’ use of internet, technology and information systems may expose the Portfolio to potential risks linked to cyber security breaches of those technological or information systems. Cyber security breaches, amongst other things, could allow an unauthorized party to gain access to proprietary information, customer data, or fund assets, or cause the Portfolio and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality.
Large Shareholder Risk: Certain shareholders, including other funds or accounts advised by the Advisor, may from time to time own a substantial amount of the Portfolio’s shares. In addition, a third party investor, the Advisor, an authorized participant, a lead market maker, or another entity may invest in the Portfolio and hold its investment for a limited period of time solely to facilitate commencement of the Portfolio or to facilitate the Portfolio achieving a specified size or scale. There can be no assurance that any large shareholder would not redeem its investment, that the size of the Portfolio would be maintained at such levels or that the Portfolio would continue to meet applicable listing requirements. Redemptions by large shareholders could have a significant negative impact on the Portfolio. In addition, transactions by large shareholders may account for a
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large percentage of the trading volume on the listing exchange and may, therefore, have a material upward or downward effect on the market price of the shares.
Investment Advisor/Portfolio Management
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP serves as the investment advisor for the Global Real Estate ETF. Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. and DFA Australia Limited serve as the sub-advisors for the Portfolio. The following individuals are responsible for leading the day-to-day management of the Portfolio:
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William B. Collins-Dean, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
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Jed S. Fogdall, Global Head of Portfolio Management, Chairman of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
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Joseph F. Hohn, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
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Mary T. Phillips, Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Global Real Estate ETF issues (or redeems) shares at NAV only to certain financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the Portfolio’s distributor in large aggregated blocks known as “Creation Units.” A Creation Unit of the Portfolio consists of 50,000 shares. Creation Units are issued (or redeemed) in-kind for securities (and an amount of cash) that the Portfolio specifies each day at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order.
Individual Portfolio shares may only be purchased and sold on NYSE Arca, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). Because Portfolio shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Portfolio shares may trade at a price less than (discount) or greater than (premium) the Portfolio’s NAV. Recent information, including information on the Portfolio’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is available on the Portfolio’s website at https://www.dimensional.com/us-en/funds.
Tax Information
The dividends and distributions you receive from the Global Real Estate ETF are taxable and generally will be taxed as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, in which case distributions may be taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn from the plan or account.
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Payments to Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the Global Real Estate ETF through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Portfolio and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of the Portfolio shares and/or related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the financial intermediary to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
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Additional Information on Investment Objectives and Policies
Dimensional ETF Trust (the “Trust”) offers a variety of investment portfolios. Each of the investment company’s portfolios has its own investment objective and is the equivalent of a separate exchange-traded fund (“ETF”). Shares of the Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF (the “US Core ETF”), Dimensional US High Profitability ETF (the “US High Profitability ETF”), Dimensional US Large Cap Value ETF (the “US Large Cap Value ETF”), Dimensional US Real Estate ETF (the “US Real Estate ETF”), Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF (the “US Small Cap Value ETF”), Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF (the “International Core ETF”), Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF (the “International Core Equity 2 ETF”), Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF (the “International Small Cap Value ETF”), Dimensional International Small Cap ETF (the “International Small Cap ETF”), Dimensional International High Profitability ETF (the “International High Profitability ETF”), Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF (the “Emerging Markets Core ETF”), Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF (the “Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF”), Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF (the “Emerging Markets Value ETF”), Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF (the “Emerging Markets Core 2 ETF”) and Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF (the “Global Real Estate ETF”) (each, a “Portfolio” and collectively, the “Portfolios”) are offered in this Prospectus. The Portfolios are designed for long-term investors.
The investment objective of each Portfolio is to achieve long-term capital appreciation. Each Portfolio’s investment objective is non-fundamental, which means it may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Shareholders will be given at least 60 days’ advance notice of any change to a Portfolio’s investment objective.
Investment Terms Used in the Prospectus
Below are the definitions of some terms that the Advisor uses to describe the investment strategies for certain Portfolios.
Free Float generally describes the number of publicly traded shares of a company.
Price Momentum generally describes the past performance of a stock relative to other stocks.
Trading Strategies generally refers to the ability to execute purchases and sales of stocks in a cost-effective manner.
Profitability generally measures a company’s profit in relation to its book value or assets.
US Core ETF
To achieve the US Core ETF’s investment objective, the Advisor implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions. As further described below, the Portfolio’s design emphasizes long-term drivers of expected returns identified by the Advisor’s research, while balancing risk through broad diversification across companies and sectors. The Advisor’s portfolio management and trading processes further balance those long-term drivers of expected returns with shorter-term drivers of expected returns and trading costs.
The US Core ETF is designed to achieve its investment objective by purchasing a broad and diverse group of readily marketable securities of U.S. companies that is composed of companies within the U.S. Universe that meet the Advisor’s investment criteria. The Advisor defines the “U.S. Universe” as a market capitalization weighted set of U.S. operating companies listed on securities exchanges in the United States that are deemed appropriate by the Advisor. Market capitalization weighted means that a company’s weighting in the U.S. Universe is proportional to that company’s actual market capitalization compared to the total market capitalization of all eligible companies. The higher the company’s relative market capitalization, the greater its representation. The Portfolio will invest in companies of all sizes, with increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies as compared to their representation in the U.S. Universe. The Portfolio’s increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher
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profitability companies may be achieved by decreasing the allocation of the Portfolio’s assets to larger capitalization, higher relative price, or lower profitability companies relative to their weight in the U.S. Universe.
An equity issuer is considered to have a high relative price (i.e., a growth stock) primarily because it has a high price in relation to its book value. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to their book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price-to-cash-flow or price-to-earnings ratios. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time.
The Advisor may also increase or reduce the US Core ETF’s exposure to an eligible company, or exclude a company, based on shorter-term considerations, such as a company’s price momentum and investment characteristics. The Advisor may consider a small capitalization company’s investment characteristics as compared to other eligible companies when making investment decisions and may exclude a small capitalization company with high investment as measured by the company’s recent asset growth. The Portfolio will generally not exclude more than 5% of the eligible small capitalization companies within the U.S. Universe based on such investment characteristics. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing a company’s investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time. The Advisor may decrease the amount that the Portfolio invests in small capitalization companies that have lower profitability and/or higher relative prices. In addition, the Advisor seeks to reduce trading costs using a flexible trading approach that looks for opportunities to participate in the available market liquidity, while managing turnover and explicit transaction costs.
The US Core ETF may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for U.S. equity securities and indices, to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio.
The US Core ETF may invest in ETFs for the purpose of gaining exposure to the U.S. stock market while maintaining liquidity. In addition to money market instruments and other short-term investments, the Portfolio may invest in affiliated and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds to manage the Portfolio’s cash pending investment in other securities or to maintain liquidity for the payment of redemptions or other purposes. Investments in ETFs and money market funds may involve a duplication of certain fees and expenses. The Portfolio will look through to the security holdings of any investment companies in which it invests for purposes of compliance with its 80% policy, to the extent that the Portfolio has sufficient information about the holdings of such investment companies.
US High Profitability ETF
To achieve the US High Profitability ETF’s investment objective, the Advisor implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions. As further described below, the Portfolio’s design emphasizes long-term drivers of expected returns identified by the Advisor’s research, while balancing risk through broad diversification across companies and sectors. The Advisor’s portfolio management and trading processes further balance those long-term drivers of expected returns with shorter-term drivers of expected returns and trading costs.
The Portfolio is designed to purchase a broad and diverse group of readily marketable securities of large U.S. companies that the Advisor determines to have high profitability relative to other U.S. large cap companies at the time of purchase. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The Advisor may also adjust the representation in the Portfolio of an eligible company, or exclude a company, after considering such factors as market capitalization, free float, size, relative price, profitability, price momentum, trading strategies, liquidity management and other factors that the Advisor determines to be appropriate. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time.
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As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities of U.S. companies. As of the date of this Prospectus, for purposes of the Portfolio, the Advisor considers large cap companies to be companies whose market capitalizations are generally in the highest 90% of total market capitalization or companies whose market capitalizations are larger than or equal to the 1,000th largest U.S. company, whichever results in the higher market capitalization break. Total market capitalization is based on the market capitalization of eligible U.S. operating companies listed on a securities exchange in the U.S. that is deemed appropriate by the Advisor.
At least semi-annually, the Advisor reviews total market capitalization to determine those companies whose stock may be eligible for investment. Generally, the Portfolio does not intend to purchase or sell securities based on the prospects for the economy, the securities markets or the individual issuers whose shares are eligible for purchase. The Portfolio may sell portfolio securities when the issuer’s market capitalization falls below that of the issuer with the minimum market capitalization that is then eligible for purchase by the Portfolio.
The total market capitalization range used by the Advisor for the Portfolio, as described above, generally applies at the time of purchase. The Portfolio is not required to dispose of a security if the security’s issuer is no longer within the total market capitalization range criteria. Securities that do meet the market capitalization criteria nevertheless may be sold at any time when, in the Advisor’s judgment, circumstances warrant their sale. See “Portfolio Transactions—All Portfolios.”
The Portfolio may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for U.S. equity securities and indices to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio.
The Portfolio may invest in ETFs for the purpose of gaining exposure to the U.S. stock market while maintaining liquidity. In addition to money market instruments and other short-term investments, the Portfolio may invest in affiliated and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds to manage the Portfolio’s cash pending investment in other securities or to maintain liquidity for the payment of redemptions or other purposes. Investments in ETFs and money market funds may involve a duplication of certain fees and expenses.
US Large Cap Value ETF
To achieve the US Large Cap Value ETF’s investment objective, the Advisor implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions. The Portfolio invests its assets in a broad and diverse group of readily marketable securities of U.S. companies which the Advisor determines to be value stocks at the time of purchase. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value (a “price to book ratio”). The Advisor may overweight certain stocks, including smaller companies, lower relative price stocks, and/or higher profitability stocks within the large-cap value segment of the U.S. market. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time.
As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities of large cap U.S. companies. The Portfolio will purchase securities of U.S. operating companies listed on securities exchanges in the United States that are deemed appropriate by the Advisor. On not less than a semi-annual basis, the Advisor calculates price to book ratios and reviews total market capitalization to determine those companies whose stock may be eligible for purchase by the Portfolio. Generally, the Portfolio does not intend to purchase or sell securities based on the prospects for the economy, the securities markets or the individual issuers whose shares are eligible for purchase.
The Portfolio may sell portfolio securities when the issuer’s market capitalization falls below that of the issuer with the minimum market capitalization that is then eligible for purchase by the Portfolio. In addition, the Portfolio may sell portfolio securities when their price to book ratios rise above those of the security with the highest such ratio that is then eligible for purchase by the Portfolio.
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The total market capitalization range, and the value criteria used by the Advisor for the Portfolio, as described above, generally apply at the time of purchase by the Portfolio. The Portfolio is not required to dispose of a security if the security’s issuer is no longer within the total market capitalization range or does not meet current value criteria. Securities that do meet the market capitalization and/or value criteria nevertheless may be sold at any time when, in the Advisor’s judgment, circumstances warrant their sale. See “Portfolio Transactions—All Portfolios” in this Prospectus.
The Portfolio may invest in ETFs for the purpose of gaining exposure to the U.S. stock market while maintaining liquidity. In addition to money market instruments and other short-term investments, the Portfolio may invest in affiliated and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds to manage cash pending investment in other securities or to maintain liquidity for the payment of redemptions or other purposes. Investments in ETFs and money market funds may involve a duplication of certain fees and expenses.
Portfolio Structure. The Portfolio will purchase securities that are listed on the U.S. national securities exchanges. Under a market capitalization weighted approach, companies with higher market capitalizations generally represent a larger proportion of the Portfolio than companies with relatively lower market capitalizations. The Advisor may adjust the representation in the Portfolio of an eligible company, or exclude a company, after considering such factors as free float, price momentum, trading strategies, liquidity, size, relative price, profitability, and other factors that the Advisor determines to be appropriate. The Advisor may also deviate from market capitalization weighting to limit or fix the exposure of the Portfolio to a particular issuer to a maximum proportion of the assets of the Portfolio. The Advisor may exclude the stock of a company that meets applicable market capitalization criterion if the Advisor determines, in its judgment, that the purchase of such stock is inappropriate in light of other conditions. These adjustments will result in deviations from traditional market capitalization weighting.
Furthermore, in order to retain sufficient liquidity, the relative amount of any security held by the Portfolio may be reduced, from time to time. The Portfolio may also invest a portion of its assets, ordinarily not more than 20%, in fixed income securities, such as money market instruments, short-term repurchase agreements and shares of affiliated and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds. These investments may cause further deviation from market capitalization weighting. The Portfolio may make block purchases of eligible securities at opportune prices even though such purchases exceed the number of shares that, at the time of purchase, adherence to a market capitalization weighted approach would otherwise require. In addition, the Portfolio may acquire securities eligible for purchase or otherwise represented in its portfolio at the time of the exchange in exchange for the issuance of its shares. See “Creations and Redemptions.” While such purchases and acquisitions might cause a temporary deviation from market capitalization weighting, they would ordinarily be made in anticipation of further growth of the assets of the Portfolio.
US Real Estate ETF
To achieve the US Real Estate ETF’s investment objective, the Advisor implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions.
The Portfolio, using a market capitalization weighted approach, purchases readily marketable equity securities of companies whose principal activities include ownership, management, development, construction, or sale of residential, commercial or industrial real estate. The Portfolio will principally invest in equity securities of companies in certain real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) and companies engaged in residential construction and firms, except partnerships, whose principal business is to develop commercial property. A company’s market capitalization is the number of its shares outstanding times its price per share. Under a market capitalization weighted approach, companies with higher market capitalizations generally represent a larger proportion of the Portfolio than companies with relatively lower market capitalizations. The Advisor may adjust the representation in the Portfolio of an eligible company, or exclude a company, after considering such factors as free float, price momentum, trading strategies, liquidity, size, relative price, profitability, and other factors that the Advisor determines to be appropriate. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or
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assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time.
As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Portfolio’s net assets will be invested in securities of U.S. companies in the real estate industry. The Portfolio generally considers a company to be principally engaged in the real estate industry if the company (i) derives at least 50% of its revenue or profits from the ownership, management, development, construction, or sale of residential, commercial, industrial, or other real estate; (ii) has at least 50% of the value of its assets invested in residential, commercial, industrial, or other real estate; or (iii) is organized as a REIT or REIT-like entity. REITs and REIT-like entities are types of real estate companies that pool investors’ funds for investment primarily in income producing real estate or real estate related loans or interests. A REIT is not taxed on income distributed to shareholders if it complies with several requirements relating to its organization, ownership, assets, and income and a requirement that it distribute to its shareholders at least 90% of its taxable income (other than net capital gains) for each taxable year.
The Portfolio will make equity investments in securities listed on a securities exchange in the United States that is deemed appropriate by the Advisor.
The Portfolio may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for U.S. equity securities and indices to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio.
At least semi-annually, the Advisor identifies a schedule of eligible investments consisting of equity securities of companies in the real estate industry described above. It is the intention of the Portfolio to invest in the securities of eligible companies using a market capitalization weighted approach. See “Market Capitalization Weighted Approach.”
The Portfolio generally redeems its shares in kind. See “Creations and Redemptions.” If securities must be sold in order to obtain funds to make redemption payments, such securities may be repurchased by the Portfolio, as additional cash becomes available to it. However, the Portfolio has retained the right to borrow to make redemption payments. Further, because the securities of certain companies whose shares are eligible for purchase are thinly traded, the Portfolio might not be able to purchase the number of shares that strict adherence to market capitalization weighting might require.
Investments will not be based upon an issuer’s dividend payment policy or record. However, many of the companies whose securities will be included in the Portfolio do pay dividends. It is anticipated, therefore, that the Portfolio will receive dividend income. Periodically, the Advisor may expand the investments eligible for the Portfolio to include equity securities of companies in sectors of the real estate industry in addition to those described above as eligible for investment as of the date of this Prospectus.
The Portfolio may invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for the purpose of gaining exposure to the U.S. stock market while maintaining liquidity. In addition to money market instruments and other short-term investments, the Portfolio may invest in affiliated and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds to manage the Portfolio’s cash pending investment in other securities or to maintain liquidity for the payment of redemptions or other purposes. Investments in ETFs and money market funds may involve a duplication of certain fees and expenses.
US Small Cap Value ETF
To achieve the US Small Cap Value ETF’s investment objective, the Advisor implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions. As further described below, the Portfolio’s design emphasizes long-term drivers of expected returns identified by the Advisor’s research, while balancing risk through broad diversification across companies and sectors. The Advisor’s portfolio management and trading processes further balance those long-term drivers of expected returns with shorter-term drivers of expected returns and trading costs.
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The Portfolio, using a market capitalization weighted approach, is designed to purchase a broad and diverse group of the readily marketable securities of U.S. small cap companies that the Advisor determines to be value stocks. A company’s market capitalization is the number of its shares outstanding times its price per share. Under a market capitalization weighted approach, companies with higher market capitalizations generally represent a larger proportion of the Portfolio than companies with relatively lower market capitalizations. The Advisor may adjust the representation in the Portfolio of an eligible company, or exclude a company, after considering such factors as free float, price momentum, trading strategies, liquidity, relative price, profitability, investment characteristics, and other factors that the Advisor determines to be appropriate. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time.
As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities of small cap U.S. companies. As of the date of this Prospectus, for purposes of the Portfolio, the Advisor considers small cap companies to be companies whose market capitalizations are generally in the lowest 10% of total market capitalization or companies whose market capitalizations are smaller than the 1,000th largest U.S. company, whichever results in the higher market capitalization break. Total market capitalization is based on the market capitalization of eligible U.S. operating companies listed on a securities exchange in the U.S. that is deemed appropriate by the Advisor.
The Portfolio may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for U.S. equity securities and indices to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio.
The Advisor may consider a small capitalization company’s investment characteristics as compared to other eligible companies when making investment decisions and may exclude a small capitalization company with high investment as measured by the company’s recent asset growth. The Portfolio will generally not exclude more than 5% of the eligible U.S. small capitalization companies based on investment characteristics. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time. The Advisor may also decrease the amount that the Portfolio invests in small capitalization companies that have lower profitability and/or higher relative prices.
The Portfolio will purchase securities that are listed on the U.S. national securities exchanges and using a market capitalization weighted approach. See “Market Capitalization Weighted Approach” in this Prospectus. On not less than a semi-annual basis, the Advisor calculates price to book ratios and reviews total market capitalization to determine those companies whose stock may be eligible for investment.
Generally, the Portfolio does not intend to purchase or sell securities based on the prospects for the economy, the securities markets or the individual issuers whose shares are eligible for purchase.
The Portfolio may sell portfolio securities when the issuer’s market capitalization increases to a level that exceeds that of the issuer with the largest market capitalization that is then eligible for investment by that Portfolio. In addition, the Portfolio may also sell portfolio securities in the same circumstances, however, the Portfolio may retain securities of issuers with relatively smaller market capitalizations for longer periods, despite a decrease in the issuers’ price to book ratios.
The total market capitalization range, and the value criteria used by the Advisor for Portfolio, as described above, generally apply at the time of purchase by the Portfolio. The Portfolio is not required to dispose of a security if the security’s issuer is no longer within the total market capitalization range or does not meet current value criteria. Securities that do meet the market capitalization and/or value criteria nevertheless may be sold at any time when, in the Advisor’s judgment, circumstances warrant their sale. See “Portfolio Transactions—All Portfolios” in this Prospectus.
The Portfolio may invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for the purpose of gaining exposure to the U.S. stock market while maintaining liquidity. In addition to money market instruments and other short-term investments,
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the Portfolio may invest in affiliated and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds to manage cash pending investment in other securities or to maintain liquidity for the payment of redemptions or other purposes. Investments in ETFs and money market funds may involve a duplication of certain fees and expenses.
International Core ETF
To achieve the International Core ETF’s investment objective, the Advisor implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions. As further described below, the Portfolio’s design emphasizes long-term drivers of expected returns identified by the Advisor’s research, while balancing risk through broad diversification across companies, sectors, and countries. The Advisor’s portfolio management and trading processes further balance those long-term drivers of expected returns with shorter-term drivers of expected returns and trading costs.
The International Core ETF is designed to achieve its investment objective by purchasing a broad and diverse group of readily marketable securities of non-U.S. companies that is composed of companies within the International Universe that meet the Advisor’s investment criteria. The Advisor defines the “International Universe” as a market capitalization weighted set of non-U.S. companies associated with developed markets that have been designated as Approved Markets for investment by the Advisor. Market capitalization weighted means that a company’s weighting in the International Universe is proportional to that company’s actual market capitalization compared to the total market capitalization of all eligible companies. The higher the company’s relative market capitalization, the greater its representation. For a description of the securities and countries approved for investment, see “Approved Markets” below. The Portfolio will invest in companies of all sizes, with increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies as compared to their representation in the International Universe. The Portfolio’s increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies may be achieved by decreasing the allocation of the Portfolio’s assets to larger capitalization, higher relative price, or lower profitability companies relative to their weight in the International Universe. An equity issuer is considered to have a high relative price (i.e., a growth stock) primarily because it has a high price in relation to its book value. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to their book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors, such as price-to-cash-flow or price-to-earnings ratios. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time.
The Advisor will seek to set country weights based on the relative market capitalizations of eligible companies within each Approved Market. The Advisor may also increase or reduce the International Core ETF’s exposure to an eligible company, or exclude a company, based on shorter-term considerations, such as a company’s price momentum and investment characteristics. The Advisor may consider a small capitalization company’s investment characteristics as compared to other eligible companies when making investment decisions and may exclude a small capitalization company with high investment as measured by the company’s recent asset growth. The Portfolio will generally not exclude more than 5% of the eligible small capitalization company universe within each eligible country based on such investment characteristics. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time. The Advisor may decrease the amount that the Portfolio invests in small capitalization companies that have lower profitability and/or higher relative prices. In addition, the Advisor seeks to reduce trading costs using a flexible trading approach that looks for opportunities to participate in the available market liquidity, while managing turnover and explicit transaction costs.
Under normal market conditions, the International Core ETF intends to invest at least 40% of its assets in three or more non-U.S. countries by investing in securities of companies associated with such countries.
The International Core ETF may gain exposure to companies associated with Approved Markets by purchasing equity securities in the form of depositary receipts, which may be listed or traded outside the issuer’s domicile country. The Portfolio also may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for foreign or U.S. equity securities and indices, to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio.
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The International Core ETF may invest in ETFs for the purpose of gaining exposure to the equity markets while maintaining liquidity. In addition to money market instruments and other short-term investments, the International Core ETF may invest in affiliated and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds to manage cash pending investment in other securities or to maintain liquidity for the payment of redemptions or other purposes. Investments in ETFs and money market funds may involve a duplication of certain fees and expenses. The Portfolio will look through to the security holdings of any investment companies in which it invests for purposes of compliance with its 80% policy, to the extent that the Portfolio has sufficient information about the holdings of such investment companies.
International Core Equity 2 ETF
To achieve the International Core Equity 2 ETF’s investment objective, the Advisor implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions. As further described below, the Portfolio’s design emphasizes long-term drivers of expected returns identified by the Advisor’s research, while balancing risk through broad diversification across companies, sectors, and countries. The Advisor’s portfolio management and trading processes further balance those long-term drivers of expected returns with shorter-term drivers of expected returns and trading costs.
The Portfolio is designed to purchase a broad and diverse group of securities of non-U.S. companies in developed markets. The Portfolio invests in companies of all sizes, with increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies as compared to their representation in the International Universe. For purposes of this Portfolio, the Advisor defines the International Universe as a market capitalization weighted set (e.g., the larger the company, the greater the proportion of the International Universe it represents) of non-U.S. companies in developed markets that have been authorized as approved markets for investment by the Advisor’s Investment Committee. See “Approved Markets” in this Prospectus. The Portfolio’s increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies may be achieved by decreasing the allocation of the Portfolio’s assets to larger capitalization, higher relative price, or lower profitability companies relative to their weight in the International Universe. An equity issuer is considered to have a high relative price (i.e., a growth stock) primarily because it has a high price in relation to its book value. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time.
The Portfolio intends to purchase securities of companies associated with developed market countries that the Advisor has designated as approved markets. As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities. The Advisor determines company size on a country or region-specific basis and based primarily on market capitalization. The percentage allocation of the assets of the Portfolio to securities of the largest high relative price companies will generally be reduced from between 5% and 35% of their percentage weight in the International Universe. The percentage by which the Portfolio’s allocation to securities of the largest high relative price companies is reduced will change due to market movements and other factors.
The Advisor may also adjust the representation in the Portfolio of an eligible company, or exclude a company, after considering such factors as free float, price momentum, trading strategies, liquidity, size, relative price, profitability, investment characteristics, and other factors that the Advisor determines to be appropriate. In assessing a company’s investment characteristics, the Advisor considers ratios such as recent changes in assets divided by total assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing a company’s investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time.
The Portfolio may gain exposure to companies associated with approved markets by purchasing equity securities in the form of depositary receipts, which may be listed or traded outside the issuer’s domicile country, or by entering into equity swap agreements. The Portfolio also may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for foreign or U.S. equity securities and indices to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio.
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Under normal market conditions, the Portfolio intends to invest at least 40% of its assets in three or more non-U.S. countries by investing in securities of companies associated with such countries.
The Advisor may consider a small capitalization company’s investment characteristics as compared to other eligible companies when making investment decisions and may exclude a small capitalization company with high investment as measured by the company’s recent asset growth. The Portfolio will generally not exclude more than 5% of the eligible small capitalization company universe within each eligible country based on investment characteristics. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing a company’s investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time. The Advisor may decrease the amount that the Portfolio invests in small capitalization companies that have lower profitability and/or higher relative prices. In addition, the Advisor seeks to reduce trading costs using a flexible trading approach that looks for opportunities to participate in the available market liquidity, while managing turnover and explicit transaction costs.
The Portfolio may invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for the purpose of gaining exposure to the equity markets while maintaining liquidity. In addition to money market instruments and other short-term investments, the Portfolio may invest in affiliated and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds to manage cash pending investment in other securities or to maintain liquidity for the payment of redemptions or other purposes. Investments in ETFs and money market funds may involve a duplication of certain fees and expenses.
International Small Cap Value ETF
International Small Cap ETF
To achieve the Portfolios’ investment objectives, the Advisor implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions. As further described below, the Portfolios’ design emphasizes long-term drivers of expected returns identified by the Advisor’s research, while balancing risk through broad diversification across companies, sectors, and countries. The Advisor’s portfolio management and trading processes further balance those long-term drivers of expected returns with shorter-term drivers of expected returns and trading costs.
The International Small Cap Value ETF, using a market capitalization weighted approach, is designed to purchase securities of small, non-U.S. companies in countries with developed markets that the Advisor determines to be value stocks at the time of purchase. The International Small Cap ETF, using a market capitalization weighted approach, is designed to purchase securities of small, non-U.S. companies in countries with developed markets. A company’s market capitalization is the number of its shares outstanding times its price per share. Under a market capitalization weighted approach, companies with higher market capitalizations generally represent a larger proportion of the Portfolio than companies with relatively lower market capitalizations. The Advisor may adjust the representation in a Portfolio of an eligible company, or exclude a company, after considering such factors as free float, price momentum, trading strategies, liquidity, relative price, profitability, investment characteristics, and other factors that the Advisor determines to be appropriate. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time.
The International Small Cap Value ETF intends to purchase securities of small value companies associated with developed market countries that the Advisor has designated as approved markets. The International Small Cap ETF intends to purchase securities of small companies associated with developed market countries that the Advisor has designated as approved markets. For a description of the securities and countries approved for investment, see “Approved Markets” in this Prospectus. Under normal market conditions, each Portfolio intends to invest at least 40% of its assets in three or more non-U.S. countries by investing in securities of companies associated with such countries.
Each Portfolio intends to invest in the stock of eligible companies using a market capitalization weighted approach. The Advisor, using this approach and its judgment, will seek to set country weights based on the relative market capitalizations of eligible small companies within each country. See “Market Capitalization
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Weighted Approach” in this Prospectus. The weightings of countries in each Portfolio may vary from their weightings in international indices, such as those published by FTSE International, and MSCI.
As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, each Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities of small companies in the particular markets in which it invests. The Advisor determines the maximum market capitalization of a small company with respect to each country in which each Portfolio invests. In the countries or regions authorized for investment, the Advisor first ranks eligible companies listed on selected exchanges based on the companies’ market capitalizations. The Advisor then determines the universe of eligible securities by defining the maximum market capitalization of a small company that may be purchased by a Portfolio with respect to each country or region. Based on market capitalization data as of December 31, 2022, for each Portfolio, the market capitalization of a small company in any country in which the Portfolio invests would be below $8,202 million. This threshold will vary by country or region. For example, based on market capitalization data as of December 31, 2022, the Advisor would consider a small company in Switzerland to have a market capitalization below $8,202 million, a small company in Norway to have a market capitalization below $1,765 million, and a small company in Japan to have a market capitalization below $2,035 million. These thresholds will change due to market conditions.
Each Portfolio may gain exposure to companies associated with approved markets by purchasing equity securities in the form of depositary receipts, which may be listed or traded outside the issuer’s domicile country, or by entering into equity swap agreements. Each Portfolio also may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for foreign and U.S. equity securities and indices to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from a Portfolio.
Each Portfolio does not seek current income as an investment objective and investments will not be based upon an issuer’s dividend payment policy or record. However, many of the companies whose securities will be included in a Portfolio do pay dividends. It is anticipated, therefore, that each Portfolio will receive dividend income.
The Advisor may consider a small capitalization company’s investment characteristics as compared to other eligible companies with high investment as measured by the company’s recent net asset growth. Each Portfolio will generally not exclude more than 5% of the eligible small capitalization company universe within each eligible country based on investment characteristics. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time. The Advisor may also decrease the amount that each Portfolio invests in small capitalization companies that have lower profitability and/or higher relative prices.
Each Portfolio may invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for the purpose of gaining exposure to the equity markets while maintaining liquidity. In addition to money market instruments and other short-term investments, a Portfolio may invest in affiliated and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds to manage the Portfolio’s cash pending investment in other securities or to maintain liquidity for the payment of redemptions or other purposes. Investments in ETFs and money market funds may involve a duplication of certain fees and expenses.
International High Profitability ETF
To achieve the International High Profitability ETF’s investment objective, the Advisor implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions. As further described below, the Portfolio’s design emphasizes long-term drivers of expected returns identified by the Advisor’s research, while balancing risk through broad diversification across companies, sectors, and countries. The Advisor’s portfolio management and trading processes further balance those long-term drivers of expected returns with shorter-term drivers of expected returns and trading costs.
The Portfolio is designed to purchase securities of large non-U.S. companies that the Advisor determines to have high profitability relative to other large capitalization companies in the same country or region, at the time of purchase. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The Advisor may also adjust the representation in the Portfolio of an eligible company, or exclude a company, after considering such factors as market capitalization, free float, size, relative price, profitability, price momentum, trading strategies, liquidity management, and other factors
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that the Advisor determines to be appropriate. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time.
Under normal market conditions, the Portfolio intends to invest at least 40% of its assets in three or more non-U.S. countries by investing in securities of companies associated with such countries. The Portfolio invests its assets in securities of large non-U.S. companies associated with approved markets. For a description of the securities and countries approved for investment, see “Approved Markets” in this Prospectus. In addition, the Portfolio may continue to hold securities of developed market countries that are not listed in Approved Markets, but had been authorized for investment in the past, and may reinvest distributions received in connection with such existing investments in such previously Approved Markets.
As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities of companies in the particular non-U.S. markets in which the Portfolio invests. The Advisor determines the minimum market capitalization of a large company with respect to each country or region in which the Portfolio invests. Based on market capitalization data as of December 31, 2022, the market capitalization of a large company in any country or region in which the Portfolio invests would be $1,325 million or above. This threshold will vary by country or region. For example, based on market capitalization data as of December 31, 2022, the Advisor considered a large company in the EMU to have a market capitalization of at least $1,765 million, a large company in Norway to have a market capitalization of at least $6,125 million and a large company in Switzerland to have a market capitalization of at least $8,202 million. These thresholds will change due to market conditions.
The Portfolio does not seek current income as an investment objective and investments will not be based upon an issuer’s dividend payment policy or record. However, many of the companies whose securities will be included in the Portfolio do pay dividends. It is anticipated, therefore, that the Portfolio will receive dividend income.
The Portfolio may gain exposure to companies in an approved market by purchasing equity securities in the form of depositary receipts, which may be listed or traded outside the issuer’s domicile country, or by entering into equity swap agreements. The Portfolio also may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for foreign or U.S. equity securities and indices to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio.
The Portfolio may invest in ETFs for the purpose of gaining exposure to the equity markets while maintaining liquidity. In addition to money market instruments and other short-term investments, the Portfolio may invest in affiliated and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds to manage the Portfolio’s cash pending investment in other securities or to maintain liquidity for the payment of redemptions or other purposes. Investments in ETFs and money market funds may involve a duplication of certain fees and expenses.
Emerging Markets Core ETF
To achieve the Emerging Markets Core ETF’s investment objective, the Advisor implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions. As further described below, the Portfolio’s design emphasizes long-term drivers of expected returns identified by the Advisor’s research, while balancing risk through broad diversification across companies, sectors, and countries. The Advisor’s portfolio management and trading processes further balance those long-term drivers of expected returns with shorter-term drivers of expected returns and trading costs.
The Portfolio is designed to purchase a broad and diverse group of readily marketable emerging markets securities that is composed of companies within the Emerging Markets Universe that meet the Advisor’s investment criteria. The Advisor defines the “Emerging Markets Universe” as a market capitalization weighted set of non-U.S. companies associated with emerging markets, which may include frontier markets (emerging market countries in an earlier stage of development), that have been designated as Approved Markets for investment by the Advisor. Market capitalization weighted means that a company’s weighting in the Emerging Markets Universe is proportional to that company’s actual market capitalization compared to the total market capitalization of all
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eligible companies. The higher the company’s relative market capitalization, the greater its representation. For a description of the securities and countries approved for investment, see “Approved Markets” below. The Portfolio invests its assets primarily in Approved Market equity securities listed on bona fide securities exchanges. The Portfolio may also invest in China A-shares (equity securities of companies listed in China) that are accessible through the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect program or the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect program (together “Stock Connect”) and variable interest entities (special structures that utilize contractual arrangements to provide exposure to certain Chinese companies).
The Portfolio will invest in companies of all sizes, with increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies as compared to their representation in the Emerging Markets Universe. The Portfolio’s increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies may be achieved by decreasing the allocation of the Portfolio’s assets to larger capitalization, higher relative price, or lower profitability companies relative to their weight in the Emerging Markets Universe. An equity issuer is considered to have a high relative price (i.e., a growth stock) primarily because it has a high price in relation to its book value. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to their book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors, such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time.
The Advisor may also increase or reduce the Portfolio’s exposure to an eligible company, or exclude a company, based on shorter-term considerations, such as a company’s price momentum and investment characteristics. The Advisor may consider a small capitalization company’s investment characteristics as compared to other eligible companies when making investment decisions and may exclude a small capitalization company with high investment as measured by the company’s recent asset growth. The Portfolio will generally not exclude more than 5% of the eligible small capitalization company universe within each eligible country based on such investment characteristics. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time. The Advisor may decrease the amount that the Portfolio invests in small capitalization companies that have lower profitability and/or higher relative prices. In addition, the Advisor seeks to reduce trading costs using a flexible trading approach that looks for opportunities to participate in the available market liquidity, while managing turnover and explicit transaction costs.
As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets in emerging markets investments that are defined in the Prospectus as Approved Market securities. The Portfolio may gain exposure to companies in Approved Markets by purchasing equity securities in the form of depositary receipts, which may be listed or traded outside the issuer’s domicile country, or by entering into swap agreements. The Portfolio may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for Approved Market or other equity market securities and indices, including those of the United States, to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio.
In determining which emerging market countries are eligible markets for the Portfolio, the Advisor may consider various factors, including without limitation, the data, analysis, and classification of countries published or disseminated by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (commonly known as the World Bank), the International Finance Corporation, FTSE International, and MSCI. Approved Markets may not include all such emerging markets. In determining whether to approve emerging markets for investment, the Advisor may take into account, among other things, market liquidity, relative availability of investor information, government regulation, including fiscal and foreign exchange repatriation rules and the availability of other access to these markets for the Portfolio.
Pending the investment of new capital in Approved Markets securities, the Portfolio will typically invest in money market instruments or other highly liquid debt instruments including those denominated in U.S. dollars (including, without limitation, repurchase agreements). In addition, the Portfolio, may, for liquidity, or for temporary defensive purposes during periods in which market or economic or political conditions warrant, purchase highly liquid debt instruments or hold freely convertible currencies.
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The Portfolio also may invest up to 10% of its total assets in shares of other registered investment companies that invest in one or more Approved Markets, although it intends to do so only where access to those markets is otherwise significantly limited. The Portfolio may also invest in ETFs that provide exposure to Approved Markets or other equity markets, including the United States, for the purposes of gaining exposure to the equity markets while maintaining liquidity. In addition to money market instruments and other short-term investments, the Portfolio may invest in affiliated and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds to manage cash pending investment in other securities or to maintain liquidity for the payment of redemptions or other purposes. Investments in ETFs and money market funds may involve a duplication of certain fees and expenses. The Portfolio will look through to the security holdings of any investment companies in which it invests for purposes of compliance with its 80% policy, to the extent that the Portfolio has sufficient information about the holdings of such investment companies.
The Portfolio does not seek current income as an investment objective, and investments will not be based upon an issuer’s dividend payment policy or record. However, many of the companies whose securities will be included in the Portfolio do pay dividends. It is anticipated, therefore, that the Portfolio will receive dividend income.
Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF
To achieve the Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF’s investment objective, the Advisor implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions. As further described below, the Portfolio’s design emphasizes long-term drivers of expected returns identified by the Advisor’s research, while balancing risk through broad diversification across companies, sectors, and countries. The Advisor’s portfolio management and trading processes further balance those long-term drivers of expected returns with shorter-term drivers of expected returns and trading costs.
The Portfolio is designed to purchase securities of large companies associated with emerging markets that the Advisor determines to have high profitability relative to other large companies in the same country or region at the time of purchase. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The Advisor may also adjust the representation in the Portfolio of an eligible company, or exclude a company, after considering such factors as market capitalization, free float, size, relative price, profitability, price momentum, trading strategies, liquidity management, and other factors that the Advisor determines to be appropriate. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time.
The Portfolio intends to purchase securities of large companies that are associated with emerging markets, which may include frontier markets (emerging market countries in an earlier stage of development), that have been designated as Approved Markets. The Advisor’s definition of a large company varies across countries and is based primarily on market capitalization. A company’s market capitalization is the number of its shares outstanding times its price per share. In each country authorized for investment, the Advisor first ranks eligible companies listed on selected exchanges based on the companies’ market capitalizations. The Advisor then defines the minimum market capitalization for a large company in that country. Based on market capitalization data as of December 31, 2022, the market capitalization of a large cap company in any country or region in which the Portfolio invests would be $1,070 million or above. This threshold will vary by country or region. For example, based on market capitalization data as of December 31, 2022, the Advisor considered a large company in Mexico to have a market capitalization of at least $4,888 million, and a large company in the Czech Republic to have a market capitalization of at least $1,718 million. These thresholds will change due to market conditions.
As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets in emerging markets investments that are defined in the prospectus as Approved Market securities. The Portfolio may gain exposure to companies in an Approved Market by purchasing equity securities in the form of depositary receipts, which may be listed or traded outside the issuer’s domicile country, or by entering into equity swap agreements. The Portfolio also may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for Approved Market or other equity market securities and indices, including those of the
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United States, to increase or decrease market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio. The Portfolio may also invest in China A-shares (equity securities of companies listed in China) that are accessible through Stock Connect and variable interest entities (special structures that utilize contractual arrangements to provide exposure to certain Chinese companies).
The Portfolio does not seek current income as an investment objective, and investments will not be based upon an issuer’s dividend payment policy or record. However, many of the companies whose securities will be included in the Portfolio do pay dividends. It is anticipated, therefore, that the Portfolio will receive dividend income.
The Portfolio may also invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that provide exposure to Approved Markets or other equity markets, including the United States, for the purposes of gaining exposure to the equity markets while maintaining liquidity. In addition to money market instruments and other short-term investments, the Portfolio may invest in affiliated and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds to manage cash pending investment in other securities or to maintain liquidity for the payment of redemptions or other purposes. Investments in ETFs and money market funds may involve a duplication of certain fees and expenses.
Pending the investment of new capital in Approved Markets securities, the Portfolio will typically invest in money market instruments or other highly liquid debt instruments including those denominated in U.S. dollars (including, without limitation, repurchase agreements). In addition, the Portfolio, may, for liquidity, or for temporary defensive purposes during periods in which market or economic or political conditions warrant, purchase highly liquid debt instruments or hold freely convertible currencies, although the Portfolio does not expect the aggregate of all such amounts to exceed 20% of its net assets under normal circumstances.
The Portfolio also may invest up to 10% of its total assets in shares of other investment companies that invest in one or more Approved Markets, although it intends to do so only where access to those markets is otherwise significantly limited. In some Approved Markets, it may be necessary or advisable for the Portfolio to establish a wholly owned subsidiary or a trust for the purpose of investing in the local markets.
Emerging Markets Value ETF
To achieve the Emerging Markets Value ETF’s investment objective, the Advisor implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions. As further described below, the Portfolio’s design emphasizes long-term drivers of expected returns identified by the Advisor’s research, while balancing risk through broad diversification across companies, sectors, and countries. The Advisor’s portfolio management and trading processes further balance those long-term drivers of expected returns with shorter-term drivers of expected returns and trading costs.
The Portfolio is designed to purchase emerging market equity securities that are deemed by the Advisor to be value stocks at the time of purchase, which may include frontier markets (emerging market countries in an earlier stage of development), that have been designated as Approved Markets. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. The Advisor may also adjust the representation in the Portfolio of an eligible company, or exclude a company, after considering such factors as free float, price momentum, trading strategies, liquidity, size, relative price, profitability, investment characteristics, and other factors that the Advisor determines to be appropriate. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time.
As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets in emerging markets investments that are defined in the Prospectus as Approved Markets securities. The Portfolio may purchase emerging market equity securities across all market capitalizations.
The Portfolio may gain exposure to companies associated with Approved Markets by purchasing equity securities in the form of depositary receipts, which may be listed or traded outside the issuer’s domicile country, or by entering into equity swap agreements. The Portfolio may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on
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futures contracts for Approved Market or other equity market securities and indices, including those of the United States, to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio. The Portfolio may also invest in China A-shares (equity securities of companies listed in China) that are accessible through Stock Connect and variable interest entities (special structures that utilize contractual arrangements to provide exposure to certain Chinese companies).
The Portfolio does not seek current income as an investment objective, and investments will not be based upon an issuer’s dividend payment policy or record. However, many of the companies whose securities will be included in the Portfolio do pay dividends. It is anticipated, therefore, that the Portfolio will receive dividend income.
The Portfolio may also invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that provide exposure to Approved Markets or other equity markets, including the United States, for the purposes of gaining exposure to the equity markets while maintaining liquidity. In addition to money market instruments and other short-term investments, the Portfolio may invest in affiliated and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds to manage cash pending investment in other securities or to maintain liquidity for the payment of redemptions or other purposes. Investments in ETFs and money market funds may involve a duplication of certain fees and expenses.
Generally, changes in the composition and relative ranking (in terms of price to book ratio) of the stocks which are eligible for purchase by the Portfolio take place with every trade when the securities markets are open for trading due primarily to price changes of such securities. On a periodic basis, the Advisor will identify value stocks that are eligible for investment and re-evaluate eligible value stocks no less than semi-annually.
Pending the investment of new capital in Approved Markets securities, the Portfolio will typically invest in money market instruments or other highly liquid debt instruments including those denominated in U.S. dollars (including, without limitation, repurchase agreements). In addition, the Portfolio, may, for liquidity, or for temporary defensive purposes during periods in which market or economic or political conditions warrant, purchase highly liquid debt instruments or hold freely convertible currencies, although the Portfolio does not expect the aggregate of all such amounts to exceed 20% of its net assets under normal circumstances.
The Portfolio also may invest up to 10% of its total assets in shares of other investment companies that invest in one or more Approved Markets, although it intends to do so only where access to those markets is otherwise significantly limited. In some Approved Markets, it may be necessary or advisable for the Portfolio to establish a wholly owned subsidiary or a trust for the purpose of investing in the local markets.
The Advisor may consider a small capitalization company’s investment characteristics as compared to other eligible companies when making investment decisions and may exclude a small capitalization company with high investment as measured by the company’s recent asset growth. The Portfolio will generally not exclude more than 5% of the eligible small capitalization company universe within each eligible country based on investment characteristics. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time. The Advisor may also decrease the amount that the Portfolio invests in small capitalization companies that have lower profitability and/or higher relative prices.
Emerging Markets Core 2 ETF
To achieve the Emerging Markets Core 2 ETF’s investment objective, the Advisor implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions. As further described below, the Portfolio’s design emphasizes long-term drivers of expected returns identified by the Advisor’s research, while balancing risk through broad diversification across companies, sectors, and countries. The Advisor’s portfolio management and trading processes further balance those long-term drivers of expected returns with shorter-term drivers of expected returns and trading costs.
The Portfolio is designed to purchase a broad and diverse group of securities associated with emerging markets, which may include frontier markets (emerging market countries in an earlier stage of development), that have been designated as Approved Markets. The Portfolio will invest in companies of all sizes, with increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies. The Portfolio’s increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies may be
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achieved by decreasing the allocation of the Portfolio’s assets to larger capitalization, higher relative price, or lower profitability companies. An equity issuer is considered to have a high relative price (i.e., a growth stock) primarily because it has a high price in relation to its book value. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time. The Advisor may also adjust the representation in the Portfolio of an eligible company, or exclude a company, after considering such factors as free float, price momentum, trading strategies, liquidity, size, relative price, profitability, investment characteristics, and other factors that the Advisor determines to be appropriate.
The Advisor defines the “Emerging Markets Universe” as a market capitalization weighted set (e.g., the larger the company, the greater the proportion of the Emerging Markets Universe it represents) of non-U.S. companies associated with Approved Markets. The percentage allocation of the assets of the Portfolio to securities of the largest high relative price companies will generally be reduced from between 5% and 35% of their percentage weight in the Emerging Markets Universe. The percentage by which the Portfolio’s allocation to securities of the largest high relative price companies is reduced will change due to market movements and other factors.
As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets in emerging markets equity investments that are defined in the prospectus as Approved Market securities.
The Portfolio may gain exposure to companies associated with Approved Markets by purchasing equity securities in the form of depositary receipts, which may be listed or traded outside the issuer’s domicile country, or by entering into equity swap agreements. The Portfolio may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for Approved Market or other equity market securities and indices, including those of the United States, to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio. The Portfolio may also invest in China A-shares (equity securities of companies listed in China) that are accessible through Stock Connect and variable interest entities (special structures that utilize contractual arrangements to provide exposure to certain Chinese companies).
The Portfolio does not seek current income as an investment objective, and investments will not be based upon an issuer’s dividend payment policy or record. However, many of the companies whose securities will be included in the Portfolio do pay dividends. It is anticipated, therefore, that the Portfolio will receive dividend income.
The Portfolio may also invest in exchange- traded funds (ETFs) that provide exposure to Approved Markets or other equity markets, including the United States, for the purposes of gaining exposure to the equity markets while maintaining liquidity. In addition to money market instruments and other short-term investments, the Portfolio may invest in affiliated and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds to manage cash pending investment in other securities or to maintain liquidity for the payment of redemptions or other purposes. Investments in ETFs and money market funds may involve a duplication of certain fees and expenses.
Pending the investment of new capital in Approved Markets securities, the Portfolio will typically invest in money market instruments or other highly liquid debt instruments including those denominated in U.S. dollars (including, without limitation, repurchase agreements). In addition, the Portfolio, may, for liquidity, or for temporary defensive purposes during periods in which market or economic or political conditions warrant, purchase highly liquid debt instruments or hold freely convertible currencies, although the Portfolio does not expect the aggregate of all such amounts to exceed 20% of its net assets under normal circumstances.
The Portfolio also may invest up to 10% of its total assets in shares of other investment companies that invest in one or more Approved Markets, although it intends to do so only where access to those markets is otherwise significantly limited. In some Approved Markets, it may be necessary or advisable for the Portfolio to establish a wholly owned subsidiary or a trust for the purpose of investing in the local markets.
The Advisor may consider a small capitalization company’s investment characteristics as compared to other eligible companies when making investment decisions and may exclude a small capitalization company with high
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investment as measured by the company’s recent asset growth. The Portfolio will generally not exclude more than 5% of the eligible small capitalization company universe within each eligible country based on investment characteristics. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time. The Advisor may decrease the amount that the Portfolio invests in small capitalization companies that have lower profitability and/or higher relative prices. In addition, the Advisor seeks to reduce trading costs using a flexible trading approach that looks for opportunities to participate in the available market liquidity, while managing turnover and explicit transaction costs.
Global Real Estate ETF
The Global Real Estate ETF seeks to achieve exposure to a broad portfolio of securities of U.S. and non-U.S. companies in the real estate industry, with a focus on real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) or companies that the Advisor considers to be REIT-like entities. REITs and REIT-like entities are types of real estate companies that pool investors’ funds for investment primarily in income producing real estate or real estate related loans or interests. A U.S. REIT is not taxed on income distributed to shareholders if it complies with several requirements relating to its organization, ownership, assets, and income and a requirement that it distribute to its shareholders at least 90% of its taxable income (other than net capital gains) for each taxable year.
As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Portfolio’s net assets will be invested in securities of companies in the real estate industry. The Portfolio concentrates (i.e., invests more than 25% of its net assets) its investments in securities of companies in the real estate industry. The U.S. real estate securities of companies purchased by the Portfolio will be listed on securities exchanges in the United States that are deemed appropriate by the Advisor. The Portfolio will only purchase non-U.S. real estate securities of companies that are associated with Approved Markets (For a description of the securities and countries approved for investment, see “Approved Markets”).
On at least a semi-annual basis, the Advisor identifies a schedule of eligible investments consisting of equity securities of U.S. and non-U.S. companies in the real estate industry as described above. It is the intention of the Portfolio to invest in the securities of eligible companies generally using a market capitalization weighted approach to determine individual security weights and country weights. See “Market Capitalization Weighted Approach.” The use of a market capitalization weighted approach may result in the Portfolio having more than 25% of its assets in companies located in a single country.
The Portfolio generally redeems its shares in kind. See “Creations and Redemptions.” If securities must be sold in order to obtain funds to make redemption payments, such securities may be repurchased by the Portfolio, as additional cash becomes available to it. However, the Portfolio has retained the right to borrow to make redemption payments. Further, because the securities of certain companies whose shares are eligible for purchase are thinly traded, the Portfolio might not be able to purchase the number of shares that strict adherence to market capitalization weighting might require.
Investments will not be based upon an issuer’s dividend payment policy or record. However, many of the companies whose securities will be included in the Portfolio do pay dividends. It is anticipated, therefore, that the Portfolio will receive dividend income. Periodically, the Advisor may expand the investments eligible for the Portfolio to include equity securities of companies in sectors of the real estate industry, in addition to those described above as eligible for investment as of the date of this Prospectus, and additional countries to respond to market events, new listings and/or new legal structures in non-U.S. markets, among others.
The Portfolio may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for equity securities and indices, and such investments may or may not provide exposure to the real estate industry. The Portfolio does not intend to sell futures contracts to or to use derivatives for purposes of speculation or leveraging investment returns. The Portfolio may invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that provide exposure to equity markets, including the United States, both within and outside the real estate industry, and for the purposes of gaining exposure to the equity markets, while maintaining liquidity. In addition to money market instruments and other short-term investments, the Portfolio may invest in affiliated and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds to manage cash pending investment in other securities or to maintain liquidity for the payment of redemptions or other purposes. Investments in ETFs and money market funds may involve a duplication of certain fees and expenses.
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The Portfolio may also invest in China A-shares (equity securities of companies listed in China) that are accessible through Stock Connect and variable interest entities (special structures that utilize contractual arrangements to provide exposure to certain Chinese companies).
APPROVED MARKETS
As of the date of this Prospectus, the International Core ETF, International Core Equity 2 ETF, International Small Cap Value ETF, International Small Cap ETF, International High Profitability ETF, Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF, Emerging Markets Core 2 ETF, Emerging Markets Value ETF, Emerging Markets Core ETF and Global Real Estate ETF (each, an “International Portfolio” and collectively, the “International Portfolios”) can invest in the following countries that are designated as “Approved Markets”:
International Core ETF, International Core Equity 2 ETF, International Small Cap Value ETF, International Small Cap ETF and International High Profitability ETF: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
Emerging Markets Value ETF: Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates.
Emerging Markets Core ETF, Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF and Emerging Markets Core 2 ETF: Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates.
Global Real Estate ETF: Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Kingdom and United States (collectively, the “Approved Markets”).
The Advisor will determine in its discretion when and whether to invest in countries that have been authorized as Approved Markets, depending on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, asset growth in the International Portfolio, constraints imposed within Approved Markets, and other characteristics of each country’s markets. The Investment Committee of the Advisor also may authorize other countries for investment in the future, in addition to the Approved Markets listed above. Although the Advisor does not intend to purchase securities not associated with an Approved Market, an International Portfolio may acquire such securities in connection with corporate actions or other reorganizations or transactions with respect to securities that are held by the Portfolio from time to time. Also, an International Portfolio may continue to hold investments in countries that are not currently designated as Approved Markets, but had been authorized for investment in the past, and may reinvest distributions received in connection with such existing investments in such previously Approved Markets. Emerging Markets approved for investment may include countries in an earlier stage of development that are sometimes referred to as frontier markets.
The International Portfolios invest in securities of Approved Markets (as identified above) listed on bona fide securities exchanges or traded on the over-the-counter markets. These exchanges or over-the-counter markets may be either within or outside the issuer’s domicile country. For example, the securities may be listed or traded in the form of European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), or other types of depositary receipts (including non-voting depositary receipts) or may be listed on bona fide securities exchanges in more than one country. An International Portfolio will consider for purchase securities that are associated with an Approved Market (“Approved Market Securities”). Approved Market Securities are: (a) securities of companies that are organized under the laws of, or maintain their principal place of business in, an Approved Market; (b) securities for which the principal trading market is in an Approved Market; (c) securities issued or guaranteed by the government of an Approved Market, its agencies or instrumentalities, or the central bank of such country or territory; (d) securities of companies that derive at least 50% of their revenues or profits from goods produced or sold, investments made, or services performed in Approved Markets or have at least 50% of their assets in Approved Markets; (e) securities included in the
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Portfolio’s benchmark index, which tracks Approved Markets; or (f) depositary shares of companies associated with Approved Markets under the criteria above. Securities of Approved Markets may include securities of companies that have characteristics and business relationships common to companies in other countries or regions. As a result, the value of the securities of such companies may reflect economic and market forces in such other countries or regions as well as in the Approved Markets. The Advisor, however, will select only those companies that, in its view, have sufficiently strong exposure to economic and market forces in Approved Markets that satisfy the criteria described above. The International Portfolios also may obtain exposure to Approved Market Securities by investing in derivative instruments that derive their value from Approved Markets Securities, or by investing in securities of pooled investment vehicles that invest at least 80% of their assets in Approved Markets Securities.
In determining what countries are eligible markets for the Emerging Markets High Profitability, Emerging Markets Core 2 and Emerging Markets Value ETFs, the Advisor may consider various factors, including without limitation, the data, analysis, and classification of countries published or disseminated by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (commonly known as the World Bank), the International Finance Corporation, FTSE International, and MSCI. Approved Markets may not include all such emerging markets. In determining whether to approve markets for investment, the Advisor may take into account, among other things, market liquidity, relative availability of investor information, government regulation, including fiscal and foreign exchange repatriation rules and the availability of other access to these markets for the Emerging Markets High Profitability, Emerging Markets Core 2 and Emerging Markets Value ETFs.
MARKET CAPITALIZATION WEIGHTED APPROACH
The portfolio structures of the US Real Estate ETF, US Small Cap Value ETF, International Small Cap Value ETF, International Small Cap ETF and Global Real Estate ETF involve market capitalization weighting in determining individual security weights and, where applicable, country or region weights. Market capitalization weighting means each security is generally purchased based on the issuer’s relative market capitalization. Market capitalization weighting may be modified by the Advisor for a variety of reasons. The Advisor may adjust the representation in the US Real Estate ETF of an eligible company, or exclude a company, after considering such factors as free float, price momentum, trading strategies, liquidity, size, relative price, profitability, and other factors that the Advisor determines to be appropriate. The Advisor may adjust the representation in the US Small Cap Value, International Small Cap Value, International Small Cap and Global Real Estate ETFs of an eligible company, or exclude a company, after considering such factors as free float, price momentum, trading strategies, liquidity, relative price, profitability, investment characteristics, and other factors that the Advisor determines to be appropriate. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. In assessing a company’s investment characteristics, the Advisor considers ratios such as recent changes in assets divided by total assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price, profitability, and investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time. The Advisor may deviate from market capitalization weighting to limit or fix the exposure of a Portfolio to a particular issuer to a maximum proportion of the assets of the Portfolio. The Advisor may exclude the stock of a company that meets applicable market capitalization criterion if the Advisor determines, in its judgment, that the purchase of such stock is inappropriate in light of other conditions. With respect to the US Small Cap Value, International Small Cap Value and International Small Cap ETFs, the Advisor may decrease the allocation of the Portfolio’s assets to eligible small capitalization companies that generally have lower profitability and/or higher relative prices. These adjustments will result in a deviation from traditional market capitalization weighting.
Adjustment for free float modifies market capitalization weighting to exclude the share capital of a company that is not freely available for trading in the public equity markets. For example, the following types of shares may be excluded: (i) those held by strategic investors (such as governments, controlling shareholders and management), (ii) treasury shares, or (iii) shares subject to foreign ownership restrictions.
Furthermore, the Advisor may reduce the relative amount of any security held in order to retain sufficient portfolio liquidity. A portion, but generally not in excess of 20% of assets, may be invested in interest bearing obligations, such as money market instruments, thereby causing further deviation from market capitalization
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weighting. A further deviation may occur due to holdings in securities received in connection with corporate actions.
Block purchases of eligible securities may be made at opportune prices, even though such purchases exceed the number of shares that, at the time of purchase, adherence to a market capitalization weighted approach would otherwise require. In addition, securities eligible for purchase or otherwise represented in a Portfolio may be acquired in exchange for the issuance of shares. See “Creations and Redemptions.” While such transactions might cause a deviation from market capitalization weighting, they would ordinarily be made in anticipation of further growth of assets.
Generally, changes in the composition and relative ranking (in terms of market capitalization) of the stocks that are eligible for purchase take place with every trade when the securities markets are open for trading due, primarily, to price changes of such securities. At least semi-annually, the Advisor will identify companies whose stock is eligible for investment by a Portfolio. Additional investments generally will not be made in securities that have changed in value sufficiently to be excluded from the Advisor’s then current market capitalization requirement for eligible portfolio securities. This may result in further deviation from market capitalization weighting. Such deviation could be substantial if a significant amount of holdings of a Portfolio change in value sufficiently to be excluded from the requirement for eligible securities, but not by a sufficient amount to warrant their sale.
Country weights may be based on the total market capitalization of companies within each country. The country weights may take into consideration the free float of companies within a country or whether these companies are eligible to be purchased for the particular strategy. In addition, to maintain a satisfactory level of diversification, the Investment Committee may limit or fix the exposure to a particular country or region to a maximum proportion of the assets of that vehicle. Country weights may also vary due to general day-to-day trading patterns and price movements. The weighting of countries may vary from their weighting in published international indices.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
In general, securities will not be purchased or sold based on the prospects for the economy, the securities markets, or the individual issuers whose shares are eligible for purchase. Securities that have depreciated in value since their acquisition will not be sold solely because prospects for the issuer are not considered attractive or due to an expected or realized decline in securities prices in general. Securities generally will not be sold solely to realize short-term profits, but when circumstances warrant, they may be sold without regard to the length of time held. Securities, including those eligible for purchase, may be disposed of, however, at any time when, in the Advisor’s judgment, circumstances warrant their sale, including, but not limited to, tender offers, mergers, and similar transactions, or bids made for block purchases at opportune prices. Generally, securities will be purchased with the expectation that they will be held for longer than one year and will be held until such time as they are no longer an appropriate holding in light of the investment policies of each Portfolio.
In attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political, or other considerations, each Portfolio may, from time to time, invest its assets in a temporary defensive manner that is inconsistent with the Portfolio’s principal investment strategies. In these circumstances, the Portfolio may invest a portion of its assets in highly liquid debt instruments, freely convertible currencies, or index futures contracts, and options thereon, which may prevent the Portfolio from achieving its investment objective.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING INVESTMENT RISKS
Because the value of your investment in a Portfolio will fluctuate, there is the risk that you will lose money. An investment in a Portfolio is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The following is a description of principal risks of investing in the Portfolios.
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US High |
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International |
International |
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China Investments Risk |
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Cyber Security Risk |
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Depositary Receipts Risk |
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Derivatives Risk |
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Equity Market Risk |
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X |
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Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk |
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International Closed Market Trading Risk |
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Large Shareholder Risk |
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Market Trading Risk |
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Operational Risk |
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Premium/Discount Risk |
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Profitability Investment Risk |
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Risks of Concentrating in the Real Estate Industry |
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Securities Lending Risk |
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Small Company Risk |
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Small and Mid-Cap Company Risk |
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Value Investment Risk |
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Risk |
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China Investments Risk |
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Cyber Security Risk |
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Depositary Receipts Risk |
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Derivatives Risk |
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Emerging Markets Risk |
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Equity Market Risk |
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Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk |
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International Closed Market Trading Risk |
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Large Shareholder Risk |
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Market Trading Risk |
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Operational Risk |
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Premium/Discount Risk |
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Profitability Investment Risk |
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Risks of Concentrating in the Real Estate Industry |
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Securities Lending Risk |
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Small Company Risk |
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Small and Mid-Cap Company Risk |
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Value Investment Risk |
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China Investments Risk: There are special risks associated with investments in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The Chinese government has implemented significant economic reforms in order to liberalize trade policy, promote foreign investment in the economy, reduce government control of the economy and develop market mechanisms. But there can be no assurance that these reforms will continue or that they will be effective. Despite reforms and privatizations of companies in certain sectors, the Chinese government still exercises substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector and may own or control many companies. The Chinese government continues to maintain a major role in economic policy making and investing in China involves risks of losses due to expropriation, nationalization, confiscation of assets and property, and the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and on repatriation of capital invested. In addition, investments in Taiwan could be adversely affected by its political and economic relationship with China. The Chinese economy is also vulnerable to the long-running disagreements with Hong Kong related to integration.
Investing in China A-shares through Stock Connect is subject to trading, clearance, settlement, and other procedures, which could pose risks to the Portfolio. Trading through the Stock Connect program is subject to daily quotas that limit the maximum daily net purchases on any particular day, each of which may restrict or preclude the Portfolio’s ability to invest in China A-shares through the Stock Connect program. Trading through Stock Connect may require pre-validation of cash or securities prior to acceptance of orders. This requirement may limit the Portfolio’s ability to dispose of its A-shares purchased through Stock Connect in a timely manner.
A primary feature of the Stock Connect program is the application of the home market’s laws and rules applicable to investors in China A-shares. Therefore, the Portfolio’s investments in Stock Connect China A-shares are generally subject to the securities regulations and listing rules of the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”), among other restrictions. Stock Connect can only operate when both PRC and Hong Kong markets are open for
104
trading and when banking services are available in both markets on the corresponding settlement days. As such, the Shanghai and Shenzhen markets may be open at a time when Stock Connect is not trading, with the result that prices of China A-shares may fluctuate at times when the Portfolio is unable to add to or exit its position, which could adversely affect the Portfolio’s performance.
Changes in the operation of the Stock Connect program may restrict or otherwise affect the Portfolio’s investments or returns. Furthermore, any changes in laws, regulations and policies of the China A-shares market or rules in relation to Stock Connect may affect China A-share prices. These risks are heightened generally by the developing state of the PRC’s investment and banking systems and the uncertainty about the precise nature of the rights of equity owners and their ability to enforce such rights under Chinese law. An investment in China A-Shares is also generally subject to the risks identified under “Emerging Markets Risk,” and foreign investment risks such as price controls, expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, and nationalization may be heightened when investing in China. Certain investments in Chinese companies may be made through a special structure known as a VIE. In a VIE structure, foreign investors, such as the Portfolio, will only own stock in a shell company rather than directly in the VIE, which must be owned by Chinese nationals (and/or Chinese companies) to obtain the licenses and/or assets required to operate in certain restricted or prohibited sectors in China. The value of the shell company is derived from its ability to consolidate the VIE into its financials pursuant to contractual arrangements that allow the shell company to exert a degree of control over, and obtain economic benefits arising from, the VIE without formal legal ownership. While VIEs are a longstanding industry practice and are well known by Chinese officials and regulators, historically the structure has not been formally recognized under Chinese law and Chinese regulations regarding the structure are evolving. It is uncertain whether Chinese officials or regulators will withdraw their acceptance of the structure. It is also uncertain whether the contractual arrangements, which may be subject to conflicts of interest between the legal owners of the VIE and foreign investors, would be enforced by Chinese courts or arbitration bodies. Prohibitions of these structures by the Chinese government, or the inability to enforce such contracts, from which the shell company derives its value, would likely cause the VIE-structured holding(s) to suffer significant, detrimental, and possibly permanent losses, and in turn, adversely affect the Portfolio’s returns and net asset value.
Cyber Security Risk: The Portfolio’s and its service providers’ use of internet, technology and information systems may expose the Portfolio to potential risks linked to cyber security breaches of those technological or information systems. Cyber security breaches, amongst other things, could allow an unauthorized party to gain access to proprietary information, customer data, or fund assets, or cause the Portfolio and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality.
Depositary Receipts Risk: Depositary receipts, such as EDRs, GDRs and ADRs, are subject to many of the risks of the underlying securities. For some depositary receipts, the custodian or similar financial institution that holds the issuer’s shares in a trust account is located in the issuer’s home country. In these cases if the issuer’s home country does not have developed financial markets, the Portfolio could be exposed to the credit risk of the custodian or financial institution and greater market risk. In addition, the depository institution may not have physical custody of the underlying securities at all times and may charge fees for various services. The Portfolio may experience delays in receiving its dividend and interest payments or exercising rights as a shareholder. There may be an increased possibility of untimely responses to certain corporate actions of the issuer in an unsponsored depositary receipt program. Accordingly, there may be less information available regarding issuers of securities underlying unsponsored programs and there may not be a correlation between this information and the market value of the depositary receipts.
Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are instruments, such as futures, and options thereon, foreign currency forward contracts and swaps whose value is derived from that of other assets, rates or indices. The use of derivatives for non-hedging purposes may be considered to carry more risk than other types of investments. When the Portfolio uses derivatives, the Portfolio will be directly exposed to the risks of those derivatives. Derivatives expose the Portfolio to counterparty risk (the risk that the derivative counterparty will not fulfill its contractual obligations), including credit risk of the derivative counterparty, and settlement risk (the risk faced when one party to a transaction has performed its obligations under a contract but has not yet received value from its counterparty). The possible lack of a liquid secondary market for derivatives and the resulting inability of the Portfolio to sell or otherwise close a derivatives position could expose the Portfolio to losses and could make derivatives more difficult for the Portfolio to value accurately. Some derivatives are more sensitive to interest rate changes and market price fluctuations than other securities. The Portfolio could also suffer losses related to its derivatives
105
positions as a result of unanticipated market movements, which losses are potentially unlimited. The Advisor may not be able to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors, which could cause the Portfolio’s derivatives positions to lose value. Valuation of derivatives may also be more difficult in times of market turmoil since many investors and market makers may be reluctant to purchase derivatives or quote prices for them. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Portfolio could lose more than the principal amount invested. Additional risks are associated with the use of swaps including counterparty and credit risk (the risk that the other party to a swap agreement will not fulfill its contractual obligations, whether because of bankruptcy or other default) and liquidity risk (the possible lack of a secondary market for the swap agreement). Counterparty risk increases when the Portfolio is a buyer of swaps. Swaps may be illiquid or difficult to value.
Emerging Markets Risk: Securities of issuers associated with emerging market countries, including, but not limited to, issuers that are organized under the laws of, maintain a principal place of business in, derive significant revenues from, or issue securities backed by the government (or, its agencies or instrumentalities) of emerging market countries may be subject to higher and additional risks than securities of issuers in developed foreign markets. These risks include, but are not limited to (i) social, political and economic instability; (ii) government intervention, including policies or regulations that may restrict the Portfolio’s investment opportunities, including restrictions on investment in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to an emerging market country’s national interests; (iii) less transparent and established taxation policies; (iv) less developed legal systems allowing for enforcement of private property rights and/or redress for injuries to private property; (v) the lack of a capital market structure or market-oriented economy; (vi) higher degree of corruption and fraud; (vii) counterparties and financial institutions with less financial sophistication, creditworthiness and/or resources as those in developed foreign markets; and (viii) the possibility that the process of easing restrictions on foreign investment occurring in some emerging market countries may be slowed or reversed by unanticipated economic, political or social events in such countries, or the countries that exercise a significant influence over those countries. Similar to foreign issuers, emerging market issuers may not be subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and there may be less publicly available financial and other information about such issuers, comparable to U.S. issuers. Stock markets in many emerging market countries are relatively small, expensive to trade in and generally have higher risks than those in developed markets. Securities in emerging markets also may be less liquid than those in developed markets and foreigners are often limited in their ability to invest in, and withdraw assets from, these markets. Additional restrictions may be imposed under other conditions. Frontier market countries generally have smaller economies or less developed capital markets and, as a result, the risks of investing in emerging market countries are magnified in frontier market countries.
Equity Market Risk: Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, market, political, and issuer-specific conditions and events will cause the value of equity securities, and the Portfolio that owns them, to rise or fall. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices. In addition, economies and financial markets throughout the world have become increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one region or country will adversely affect markets or issuers in other regions or countries. Portfolio securities may be negatively impacted by inflation (or expectations for inflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products/services or resources, natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics, terrorism, war, military confrontations, regulatory events and governmental or quasi-governmental actions, among others.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted, at times, in market closures, market volatility, liquidity constraints and increased trading costs. Efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 have resulted in global travel restrictions and disruptions of healthcare systems, business operations and supply chains, layoffs, reduced consumer demand, defaults and credit rating downgrades, and other significant economic impacts. The effects of COVID-19 have impacted global economic activity and may heighten pre-existing political, social and economic risks, domestically or globally. The full impact and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic (or other future epidemics or pandemics) are unpredictable and may adversely affect the Portfolio’s performance.
Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Foreign securities prices may decline or fluctuate because of: (a) economic or political actions of foreign governments, and/or (b) less regulated or liquid securities markets. Investors holding these securities may also be exposed to foreign currency risk (the possibility that foreign currency will fluctuate in value against the U.S. dollar or that a foreign government will convert, or be forced to
106
convert, its currency to another currency, changing its value against the U.S. dollar). The Portfolio does not hedge foreign currency risk.
Foreign issuers may not be subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and there may be less publicly available financial and other information about such issuers, comparable to U.S. issuers.
Certain countries’ legal institutions, financial markets, and services are less developed than those in the U.S. or other major economies. The Portfolio may have greater difficulty voting proxies, exercising shareholder rights, securing dividends and obtaining information regarding corporate actions on a timely basis, pursuing legal remedies, and obtaining judgments with respect to foreign investments in foreign courts than with respect to domestic issuers in U.S. courts.
International Closed Market Trading Risk: To the extent that the underlying securities held by the Portfolio trade on an exchange that is closed when the securities exchange on which the Portfolio shares list and trade is open, there may be market uncertainty about the stale security pricing (i.e., the last quote from its closed foreign market) resulting in premiums or discounts to NAV that may be greater than those experienced by other ETFs.
Large Shareholder Risk: Certain large shareholders, including other funds or accounts advised by the Advisor, may from time to time own a substantial amount of the Portfolio’s shares. In addition, a third party investor, the Advisor, an authorized participant, a lead market maker, or another entity may invest in the Portfolio and hold its investment for a limited period of time solely to facilitate commencement of the Portfolio or to facilitate the Portfolio’s achieving a specified size or scale. There can be no assurance that any large shareholder would not redeem its investment. Dispositions of a large number of shares by these shareholders may adversely affect the Portfolio’s liquidity and net assets to the extent such transactions are executed directly with the Portfolio in the form of redemptions through an authorized participant, rather than executed in the secondary market. These redemptions may also force the Portfolio to sell portfolio securities when it might not otherwise do so, which may negatively impact the Portfolio’s NAV and increase the Portfolio’s brokerage costs. To the extent these large shareholders transact in shares on the secondary market, such transactions may account for a large percentage of the trading volume on listing exchange and may, therefore, have a material upward or downward effect on the market price of the shares.
Market Trading Risk: Although shares of the Portfolio are listed for trading on one or more stock exchanges, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for such shares will develop or be maintained. There are no obligations of market makers to make a market in the Portfolio’s shares or of an authorized participant to submit purchase or redemption orders for Creation Units. Decisions by market makers or authorized participants to reduce their role or step away from these activities in times of market stress could inhibit the effectiveness of the arbitrage process in maintaining the relationship between the underlying value of the Portfolio’s portfolio securities and the Portfolio’s market price. This reduced effectiveness could result in Portfolio shares trading at a premium or discount to its NAV and also greater than normal intraday bid/ask spreads. Additionally, in stressed market conditions, the market for the Portfolio’s shares may become less liquid in response to deteriorating liquidity in the markets for the Portfolio’s portfolio holdings, which may cause a significant variance in the market price of the Portfolio’s shares and their underlying value as well as an increase in the Portfolio’s bid-ask spread.
There can be no assurance that the Portfolio’s shares will continue to trade on a stock exchange or in any market or that the Portfolio’s shares will continue to meet the requirements for listing or trading on any exchange or in any market, or that such requirements will remain unchanged. Secondary market trading in Portfolio shares may be halted by a stock exchange because of market conditions or other reasons. In addition, trading in Portfolio 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.
During a “flash crash,” the market prices of the Portfolio’s shares may decline suddenly and significantly. Such a decline may not reflect the performance of the portfolio securities held by the Portfolio. Flash crashes may cause authorized participants and other market makers to limit or cease trading in the Portfolio’s shares for temporary or longer periods. Shareholders could suffer significant losses to the extent that they sell shares at these temporarily low market prices. Shares of the Portfolio, 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.
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Operational Risk: Operational risks include human error, changes in personnel, system changes, faults in communication, and failures in systems, technology, or processes. Various operational events or circumstances are outside the Advisor’s control, including instances at third parties. The Portfolio and the Advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate to address these risks.
Premium/Discount Risk: Shares of the Portfolio may trade at prices other than NAV. Shares of the Portfolio trade on stock exchanges at prices at, above or below their most recent NAV. The NAV of the Portfolio is calculated at the end of each business day and fluctuates with changes in the market value of the Portfolio’s holdings since the most recent calculation. The trading prices of the Portfolio’s shares fluctuate continuously throughout trading hours based on market supply and demand rather than NAV. As a result, the trading prices of the Portfolio’s shares may deviate significantly from NAV during periods of market volatility.
Any of these factors, among others, may lead to the Portfolio’s shares trading at a premium or discount to NAV. Thus, you may pay more (or less) than NAV when you buy shares of the Portfolio in the secondary market, and you may receive less (or more) than NAV when you sell those shares in the secondary market. The Advisor cannot predict whether shares will trade above (premium), below (discount) or at NAV. However, because shares can be created and redeemed in Creation Units at NAV, the Advisor believes that large discounts or premiums to the NAV of the Portfolio are not likely to be sustained over the long-term. While the creation/redemption feature is designed to make it likely that the Portfolio’s shares normally will trade on stock exchanges at prices close to the Portfolio’s next calculated NAV, exchange prices are not expected to correlate exactly with the Portfolio’s NAV due to timing reasons as well as market supply and demand factors. In addition, disruptions to creations and redemptions or extreme market volatility may result in trading prices for shares of the Portfolio that differ significantly from its NAV.
Profitability Investment Risk: High relative profitability stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies.
Risks of Concentrating in the Real Estate Industry: The Portfolio is concentrated in the real estate industry. The exclusive focus by the Portfolio on the real estate industry will cause the Portfolio to be exposed to the general risks of direct real estate ownership. The value of securities in the real estate industry can be affected by changes in real estate values and rental income, property taxes, and tax and regulatory requirements. Also, the value of securities in the real estate industry may decline with changes in interest rates. Investing in REITs and REIT-like entities involves certain unique risks in addition to those risks associated with investing in the real estate industry in general. REITs and REIT-like entities are dependent upon management skill, may not be diversified, and are subject to heavy cash flow dependency and self-liquidation. Also, many foreign REIT-like entities are deemed for tax purposes as passive foreign investment companies (PFICs), which could result in the receipt of taxable dividends to shareholders at an unfavorable tax rate. REITs and REIT-like entities also are subject to the possibility of failing to qualify for tax free pass-through of income. Also, because REITs and REIT-like entities typically are invested in a limited number of projects or in a particular market segment, these entities are more susceptible to adverse developments affecting a single project or market segment than more broadly diversified investments. The performance of the Portfolio may be materially different from the broad equity market.
Securities Lending Risk: Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Portfolio may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Portfolio could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. Securities lending also may have certain adverse tax consequences.
Small Company Risk: Securities of small companies are often less liquid than those of large companies and this could make it difficult to sell a small company security at a desired time or price. As a result, small company stocks may fluctuate relatively more in price. In general, smaller capitalization companies are also more vulnerable than larger companies to adverse business or economic developments and they may have more limited resources.
Small and Mid-Cap Company Risk: Securities of small and mid-cap companies are often less liquid than those of large companies and this could make it difficult to sell a small or mid-cap company security at a desired time or price. As a result, small and mid-cap company stocks may fluctuate relatively more in price. In general, small and
108
mid-capitalization companies are also more vulnerable than larger companies to adverse business or economic developments and they may have more limited resources.
Value Investment Risk: Value stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies. Value stocks can react differently to political, economic, and industry developments than the market as a whole and other types of stocks. Value stocks also may underperform the market for long periods of time.
Other Information
COMMODITY POOL OPERATOR EXEMPTION
Each Portfolio is operated by a person that has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”) with respect to the Portfolio, and, therefore, such person is not subject to registration or regulation as a pool operator under the CEA with respect to the Portfolio.
Securities Loans
Each Portfolio is authorized to lend securities to qualified brokers, dealers, banks and other financial institutions for the purpose of earning additional income. While a Portfolio may earn additional income from lending securities, such activity is incidental to the investment objective of the Portfolio. The value of securities loaned may not exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the Portfolio’s total assets, which includes the value of collateral received. To the extent the Portfolio loans a portion of its securities, the Portfolio will receive collateral consisting generally of cash or U.S. government securities. Collateral received will be maintained by marking to market daily and (i) in an amount equal to at least 100% of the current market value of the loaned securities with respect to securities of the U.S. Government or its agencies, (ii) in an amount generally equal to 102% of the current market value of the loaned securities with respect to U.S. securities, and (iii) in an amount generally equal to 105% of the current market value of the loaned securities with respect to foreign securities. Subject to its stated investment policies, a Portfolio will generally invest the cash collateral received for the loaned securities in The DFA Short Term Investment Fund (the “Money Market Series”), an affiliated registered money market fund advised by the Advisor for which the Advisor receives a management fee of 0.05% of the average daily net assets of the Money Market Series. A Portfolio may also invest such collateral in securities of the U.S. Government or its agencies, repurchase agreements collateralized by securities of the U.S. Government or its agencies, and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds. For purposes of this paragraph, agencies include both agency debentures and agency mortgage-backed securities.
In addition, a Portfolio will be able to terminate the loan at any time and will receive reasonable interest on the loan, as well as amounts equal to any dividends, interest or other distributions on the loaned securities. However, dividend income received from loaned securities may not be eligible to be taxed at qualified dividend income rates. See each Portfolio’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) for a further discussion of the tax consequences related to securities lending. A Portfolio will be entitled to recall a loaned security in time to vote proxies or otherwise obtain rights to vote proxies of loaned securities if the Portfolio knows that a material event will occur. In the event of the bankruptcy of the borrower, a Portfolio could experience delay in recovering the loaned securities or only recover cash or a security of equivalent value. See “Principal Risks—Securities Lending Risk” for a discussion of the risks related to securities lending.
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Securities Lending Revenue
During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the following Portfolios received the following net revenues from a securities lending program (see “SECURITIES LOANS”), which constituted a percentage of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio:
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Portfolio |
Net Revenue* |
Percentage |
||||||||||||
Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF |
|
$ |
|
81,338 |
|
0.00 |
% |
|
||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Dimensional US High Profitability ETF |
|
$ |
|
8,458 |
|
0.00 |
% |
|
||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Dimensional US Real Estate ETF |
|
$ |
|
2,025 |
|
0.00 |
% |
|
||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF |
|
$ |
|
16,782 |
|
0.01 |
% |
|
||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF |
|
$ |
|
155,190 |
|
0.01 |
% |
|
||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF |
|
$ |
|
126,294 |
|
0.02 |
% |
|
||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF |
|
$ |
|
38,536 |
|
0.02 |
% |
|
||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Dimensional International Small Cap ETF |
|
$ |
|
62,058 |
|
0.05 |
% |
|
||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Dimensional International High Profitability ETF |
|
$ |
|
26,939 |
|
0.01 |
% |
|
||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF |
|
$ |
|
677,962 |
|
0.07 |
% |
|
||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF |
|
$ |
|
3,525 |
|
0.01 |
% |
|
||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF |
|
$ |
|
5,067 |
|
0.00 |
% |
|
||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF |
|
$ |
|
82,181 |
|
0.02 |
% |
|
||||||
|
* |
The amounts included in the table above may differ from the amounts disclosed in the Portfolios’ annual reports due to timing differences, reconciliations, and certain other adjustments. |
Management of the Trust
The Advisor serves as investment advisor to each of the Portfolios. Pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement with each Portfolio, the Advisor is responsible for the management of their respective assets. The Portfolios are managed using a team approach. The investment team includes the Investment Committee of the Advisor, portfolio managers and trading personnel.
The Investment Committee is composed primarily of certain officers and directors of the Advisor who are appointed annually. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Investment Committee has fourteen members. Investment strategies for all Portfolios are set by the Investment Committee, which meets on a regular basis and also as needed to consider investment issues. The Investment Committee also sets and reviews all investment related policies and procedures and approves any changes in regards to approved countries, security types and brokers.
In accordance with the team approach used to manage the Portfolios, the portfolio managers and portfolio traders implement the policies and procedures established by the Investment Committee. The portfolio managers and portfolio traders also make daily investment decisions regarding the Portfolios based on the parameters established by the Investment Committee. The individuals named in a Portfolio’s “INVESTMENT ADVISOR/PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT” section coordinate the efforts of all other portfolio managers or trading personnel with respect to the day to day management of such Portfolio.
Mr. Collins-Dean is Vice President and a Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor. Mr. Collins-Dean holds an MBA from the University of Chicago and a BS from Wake Forest University. Mr. Collins-Dean joined the Advisor in 2014, has been a portfolio manager since 2016, and has been responsible for the International Core Equity 2 ETF, Emerging Markets Core 2 ETF and Global Real Estate ETF since inception (2022).
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Mr. Fogdall is Global Head of Portfolio Management, Chairman of the Investment Committee, Vice President, and a Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor. Mr. Fogdall has an MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles and a BS from Purdue University. Mr. Fogdall joined the Advisor as a portfolio manager in 2004 and has been responsible for the Portfolios since inception (2020), with respect to the US Core ETF, International Core ETF and Emerging Core ETF, and 2022 with respect to each other Portfolio.
Mr. Hertzer is Vice President and a Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor. Mr. Hertzer holds an MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles and a BA from Dartmouth College. Mr. Hertzer joined the Advisor in 2013, has been a portfolio manager since 2016, and has been responsible for the US High Profitability ETF, US Large Cap Value ETF and US Real Estate ETF since inception (2022).
Mr. Hohn is Vice President and a Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor. Mr. Hohn holds an MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles, an MS from the University of Southern California and a BS from Iowa State University. Mr. Hohn joined the Advisor in 2012, has been a portfolio manager since 2015, and has been responsible for the Portfolios since inception (2020), with respect to the US Core ETF, International Core ETF and Emerging Core ETF, and 2022 with respect to each other Portfolio.
Mr. Keswani is Vice President and a Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor. Mr. Keswani holds an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management, an MS from Pennsylvania State University, and a BS from Purdue University. Mr. Keswani joined the Advisor in 2011, has been a portfolio manager since 2013, and has been responsible for the International Small Cap Value ETF, International Small Cap ETF and International High Profitability ETF since inception (2022).
Mr. Leblond is Vice President and a Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor. Mr. Leblond holds an MBA from the University of Chicago, and an MS and BS from Columbia University. Mr. Leblond joined the Advisor in 2015, has been a portfolio manager since 2017, and has been responsible for the US Small Cap Value ETF since inception (2022).
Ms. Phillips is Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, a member of the Investment Committee, Vice President, and a Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor. Ms. Phillips holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BA from the University of Puget Sound. Ms. Phillips joined the Advisor in 2012, has been a portfolio manager since 2014, and has been responsible for the US High Profitability ETF, US Large Cap Value ETF, US Real Estate ETF, International Core Equity 2 ETF, Emerging Markets Core 2 ETF and Global Real Estate ETF since inception (2022).
Mr. Pu is Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, a member of the Investment Committee, Vice President, and a Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor. Mr. Pu has an MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles, an MS and PhD from Caltech, and a BS from Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art. Mr. Pu joined the Advisor as a portfolio manager in 2006 and has been responsible for the International Core ETF and Emerging Markets Core ETF since inception (2020), the Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF, Emerging Markets Value ETF and Emerging Markets Core 2 ETF since inception (2022) and the US Core ETF since 2022.
Mr. Schneider is Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, a member of the Investment Committee, Vice President, and a Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor. Mr. Schneider holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, an MS from the University of Minnesota, and a BS from Iowa State University. Mr. Schneider joined the Advisor in 2011, has been a portfolio manager since 2013, and has been responsible for the US Small Cap Value ETF, International Small Cap Value ETF, International High Profitability ETF and International Small Cap ETF since inception (2022).
Mr. Wren is Vice President and a Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor. Mr. Wren holds an MBA and an MPA from the University of Texas at Austin. Mr. Wren joined the Advisor in 2010, has been a portfolio manager since 2018, and has been responsible for the Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF and Emerging Markets Value ETF since inception (2022).
The Portfolios’ SAI provides information about each portfolio manager’s compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio manager, and the portfolio manager’s ownership of Portfolio shares.
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The Advisor and, with respect to the International Portfolios, Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. (“DFAL”) and DFA Australia Limited (“DFA Australia”), provide the Portfolios with a trading department and selects brokers and dealers to effect securities transactions. Securities transactions are placed with a view to obtaining best price and execution. The Advisor may pay compensation, out of the Advisor’s profits and not as an additional charge to a Portfolio, to financial intermediaries to support the sale of Portfolio shares. The Advisor’s address is 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, TX 78746. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees approving the Investment Management Agreements and Sub-Advisory Agreements with respect to the Portfolios (excluding the US Large Cap Value ETF and Global Real Estate ETF) is available in the semi-annual report for the Portfolios for the fiscal period ending April 30, 2022 and, with respect to the US Large Cap Value ETF and Global Real Estate ETF, will be available in a future semi-annual report for such Portfolios.
The Advisor has been engaged in the business of providing investment management services since May 1981. The Advisor is currently organized as a Delaware limited partnership and is controlled and operated by its general partner, Dimensional Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation. The Advisor controls DFAL and DFA Australia. As of January 31, 2023, assets under management for all Dimensional affiliated advisors totaled approximately $626 billion.
The Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration”) provides that by virtue of becoming a shareholder of the Trust, each shareholder shall be held expressly to have agreed to be bound by the provisions of the Declaration. However, shareholders should be aware that they cannot waive their rights under the federal securities laws. The Declaration provides a detailed process for the bringing of derivative actions by shareholders for claims other than federal securities law claims beyond the process otherwise required by law. This derivative actions process is intended to permit legitimate inquiries and claims while avoiding the time, expense, distraction, and other harm that can be caused to a Portfolio or its shareholders as a result of spurious shareholder demands and derivative actions. Prior to bringing a derivative action, a demand by the complaining shareholder must first be made on the Trustees. The Declaration details conditions that must be met with respect to the demand. Following receipt of the demand, the Trustees must be afforded a reasonable amount of time to investigate and consider the demand. The Trustees will be entitled to retain counsel or other advisors in considering the merits of the request and shall require an undertaking by the shareholders making such request to reimburse the Trust for the expense of any such advisors in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring such action. The Trust’s process for bringing derivative suits may be more restrictive than other investment companies. The process for derivative actions for the Trust also may make it more expensive for a shareholder to bring a suit than if the shareholder was not required to follow such a process.
The Declaration also requires that actions by shareholders against a Portfolio be brought only in a certain federal court in Texas, or if not permitted to be brought in federal court, then in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as required by applicable law, or the Superior Court of Delaware (the “Exclusive Jurisdictions”), and that the right to jury trial be waived to the fullest extent permitted by law. Other investment companies may not be subject to similar restrictions. In addition, the designation of Exclusive Jurisdictions may make it more expensive for a shareholder to bring a suit than if the shareholder was permitted to select another jurisdiction. Also, the designation of Exclusive Jurisdictions and the waiver of jury trials limit a shareholder’s ability to litigate a claim in the jurisdiction and in a manner that may be more favorable to the shareholder. A court may choose not to enforce these provisions of the Declaration.
UNITARY FEES
Each of the US Core ETF, International Core ETF and Emerging Core ETF (the “Unitary Portfolios”) pays the Advisor a unified management fee for managing the Unitary Portfolio’s assets. Pursuant to the investment management agreement with the Trust, on behalf of each Unitary Portfolio, the Advisor is responsible for substantially all ordinary fund operating expenses, except for (i) payments under the Unitary Portfolio’s 12b-1 plan (if any); (ii) brokerage expenses (including any costs incidental to transactions in portfolio securities, instruments and other investments); (iii) taxes; (iv) interest expenses (including borrowing costs and dividend expenses on securities sold short and overdraft charges); (v) litigation expenses (including litigation to which the Trust or Portfolio may be a party and indemnification of the Trustees and officers with respect thereto); (vi) Trustees’ fees and expenses; (vii) legal expenses of counsel to the Independent Trustees; (viii) Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) compensation; (ix) acquired fund fees and expenses (if any); and (x) other non-
112
routine or extraordinary expenses. The fee is equal to the following annual rate based on the net assets of an Unitary Portfolio:
|
|
|
Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF |
0.12% |
|
|
||
Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF |
0.18% |
|
|
||
Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF |
0.35% |
|
|
Pursuant to a separate contractual arrangement, the Advisor arranges for the provision of CCO services with respect to each Unitary Portfolio, and is liable and responsible for, and administers, payments to the CCO, the Independent Trustees and counsel to the Independent Trustees. The Advisor receives a fee of up to 0.0044% of each Unitary Portfolio’s average daily net assets for providing such services and paying such expenses. The Advisor provides CCO services to the Trust.
MANAGEMENT FEES
The “Annual Fund Operating Expenses” table describes the fees incurred by each non-Unitary Portfolio (excluding the US Large Cap Value ETF and Global Real Estate ETF) for the services provided by the Advisor for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022. The “Management Fee” listed in the “Annual Fund Operating Expenses” table for each non-Unitary Portfolio (excluding the US Large Cap Value ETF and Global Real Estate ETF) provides the investment management fee that was payable by the Portfolio to the Advisor.
The “Annual Fund Operating Expenses” table describes the anticipated fees to be incurred by the US Large Cap Value ETF and Global Real Estate ETF for the services provided by the Advisor for the first full fiscal year. The “Management Fee” listed in the “Annual Fund Operating Expenses” table for the Global Real Estate ETF has been restated to reflect a decrease in the management fee to be paid to the Advisor, effective as of February 28, 2023, from 0.20% to 0.19%.
Sub-Advisors
The Advisor has entered into Sub-Advisory Agreements with DFAL and DFA Australia, respectively, with respect to each International Portfolio. Pursuant to the terms of each Sub-Advisory Agreement, DFAL and DFA Australia each have the authority and responsibility to select brokers or dealers to execute securities transactions for the Portfolio. Each Sub-Advisor’s duties include the maintenance of a trading desk and the determination of the best and most efficient means of executing securities transactions. On at least a semi-annual basis, the Advisor will review the holdings of an International Portfolio and review the trading process and the execution of securities transactions. The Advisor is responsible for determining those securities that are eligible for purchase and sale by an International Portfolio and may delegate this task, subject to its own review, to DFAL and DFA Australia. DFAL and DFA Australia maintain and furnish to the Advisor information and reports on securities of companies in certain markets, including recommendations of securities to be added to the securities that are eligible for purchase by an International Portfolio, as well as making recommendations and elections on corporate actions. The Advisor controls DFAL and DFA Australia. DFA Australia has been a U.S. federally registered investment advisor since 1994 and is located at Level 43 Gateway, 1 Macquarie Place, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia. DFAL has been a U.S. federally registered investment advisor since 1991 and is located at 20 Triton Street, Regent’s Place, London NW13BF, United Kingdom. The Advisor, not the International Portfolios, compensates the sub-advisors.
Manager of Managers Structure
The Advisor and the Trust have received an exemptive order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for a manager of managers structure that allows the Advisor to appoint, remove or change Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisors (defined below), and enter into, amend and terminate sub-advisory agreements with Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisors, without prior shareholder approval, but subject to Board approval. A “Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisor” includes (1) sub-advisors that are wholly-owned by the Advisor (i.e., an indirect or direct “wholly-owned subsidiary” (as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”)) of the Advisor, or (2) a sister company of the Advisor that is an indirect or direct “wholly-owned subsidiary” (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the same company that, indirectly or directly, wholly owns
113
the Advisor (“Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisors”). The Board only will approve a change with respect to sub-advisors if the Trustees conclude that such arrangements would be in the best interests of the shareholders of a Portfolio. If a new Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisor is hired for a Portfolio, shareholders will receive information about the new sub-advisor within 90 days of the change. The exemptive order allows greater flexibility for the Advisor to utilize, if desirable, personnel throughout the worldwide organization enabling a Portfolio to operate more efficiently. The Advisor will not hire unaffiliated sub-advisors without prior shareholder approval and did not request the ability to do so in its application to the SEC for an exemptive order to allow the manager of managers structure.
The use of the manager of managers structure with respect to a Portfolio is subject to certain conditions set forth in the SEC exemptive order. Under the manager of managers structure, the Advisor has the ultimate responsibility, subject to oversight by the Board, to oversee the Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisors and recommend their hiring, termination and replacement. The Advisor will provide general management services to a Portfolio, including overall supervisory responsibility for the general management and investment of the Portfolio’s assets. Subject to review and approval of the Board, the Advisor will (a) set a Portfolio’s overall investment strategies, (b) evaluate, select, and recommend Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisors to manage all or a portion of a Portfolio’s assets, and (c) implement procedures reasonably designed to ensure that Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisors comply with a Portfolio’s investment objective, policies and restrictions. Subject to review by the Board, the Advisor will (a) when appropriate, allocate and reallocate a Portfolio’s assets among multiple Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisors; and (b) monitor and evaluate the performance of Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisors.
Fee Waiver and Expense Assumption Agreements
Pursuant to a Fee Waiver and/or Expense Assumption Agreement for each Portfolio (excluding the Unitary Portfolios), the Advisor has agreed to waive certain fees and in certain instances, assume certain expenses of the Portfolio, as described below. The Fee Waiver and/or Expense Assumption Agreement will remain in effect through February 28, 2024, and may only be terminated by the Trust’s Board of Trustees prior to that date. The Fee Waiver and/or Expense Assumption Agreement shall continue in effect from year to year thereafter unless terminated by the Trust or the Advisor. With respect to each Fee Waiver and/or Expense Assumption Agreement, prior year waived fees and/or assumed expenses can be recaptured only if the expense ratio following such recapture would be less than the expense cap that was in place when such prior year fees were waived and/or expenses assumed, and less than the current expense cap in place for the Portfolio. The Portfolio is not obligated to reimburse the Advisor for fees previously waived or expenses previously assumed by the Advisor more than thirty-six months before the date of such reimbursement.
The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and assume the ordinary operating expenses of each of the Portfolios (excluding the expenses that the Portfolio incurs indirectly through its investment in other investment companies) (“Portfolio Expenses”) to the extent necessary to limit the Portfolio Expenses of each Portfolio, on an annualized basis, to the rates listed below as a percentage of the respective Portfolio’s average net assets (the “Expense Limitation Amount”). At any time that the Portfolio Expenses of a Portfolio are less than the Expense Limitation Amount for the Portfolio, the Advisor retains the right to recover any fees previously waived and/or expenses previously assumed to the extent that such recovery will not cause the annualized Portfolio Expenses for such Portfolio to exceed the applicable Expense Limitation Amount identified below.
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|
|
|
|||||
Portfolio |
Expense Limitation Amount |
||||||
Dimensional US High Profitability ETF |
|
|
0.22 |
% |
|
||
|
|||||||
Dimensional US Large Cap Value ETF |
|
0.22 |
% |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Dimensional US Real Estate ETF |
|
|
0.19 |
% |
|
||
|
|||||||
Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF |
|
|
0.31 |
% |
|
||
|
|||||||
Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF |
|
|
0.23 |
% |
|
||
|
|||||||
Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF |
|
|
0.42 |
% |
|
||
|
|||||||
Dimensional International Small Cap ETF |
|
|
0.39 |
% |
|
||
|
|||||||
Dimensional International High Profitability ETF |
|
|
0.29 |
% |
|
||
|
|||||||
Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF |
|
|
0.41 |
% |
|
||
|
|||||||
Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF |
|
|
0.43 |
% |
|
||
|
|||||||
Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF |
|
|
0.39 |
% |
|
||
|
|||||||
Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF |
|
0.22 |
% |
|
|||
|
Dividends, Capital Gains Distributions and Taxes
Dividends and Distributions. Each Portfolio intends to qualify each year as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). As a regulated investment company, a Portfolio generally pays no federal income tax on the income and gains it distributes. Dividends from net investment income of the Portfolios are distributed quarterly (on a calendar basis) and any net realized capital gains (after any reductions for available capital loss carryforwards) are distributed annually, typically in December. A Portfolio may distribute such income dividends and capital gains more frequently, if necessary, in order to reduce or eliminate federal excise or income taxes on the Portfolio.
Capital gains distributions may vary considerably from year to year as a result of a Portfolio’s normal investment activities and cash flows. During a time of economic volatility, a Portfolio may experience capital losses and unrealized depreciation in value of investments, the effect of which may be to reduce or eliminate capital gains distributions for a period of time. A Portfolio may be required to distribute taxable realized gains from a prior year, even if the Portfolio has a net realized loss for the year of distribution.
Distributions may be reinvested automatically in additional whole shares only if the broker through whom you purchased shares makes such option available.
Annual Statements. Each year, you will receive a statement that shows the tax status of distributions you received the previous calendar year. Distributions declared in October, November, or December to shareholders of record in such month, but paid in January, are taxable as if they were paid in December.
Avoid “Buying A Dividend.” At the time you purchase your Portfolio shares, a Portfolio’s NAV may reflect undistributed income or undistributed capital gains. A subsequent distribution to you of such amounts, although constituting a return of your investment, would be taxable. Buying shares in a Portfolio just before it declares an income dividend or capital gains distribution is sometimes known as “buying a dividend.” In addition, a Portfolio’s NAV may, at any time, reflect net unrealized appreciation, which may result in future taxable distributions to you.
Tax Considerations. In general, if you are a taxable investor, Portfolio distributions are taxable to you as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both. This is true whether you reinvest your distributions in additional Portfolio shares or receive them in cash.
For federal income tax purposes, Portfolio distributions of short-term capital gains are taxable to you at ordinary income rates. Portfolio distributions of long-term capital gains are taxable to you at long-term capital gain rates no matter how long you have owned your shares. A portfolio with a high portfolio turnover rate (a measure of
115
how frequently assets within a portfolio are bought and sold) is more likely to generate short-term capital gains than a portfolio with a low portfolio turnover. A portion of income dividends reported by a Portfolio as qualified dividend income may be eligible for taxation by individual shareholders at long-term capital gain rates provided certain holding period requirements are met.
Compared to other types of investments, derivatives may be less tax efficient. For example, the use of derivatives by a Portfolio may cause the Portfolio to realize higher amounts of ordinary income or short-term capital gain, distributions from which are taxable to individual shareholders at ordinary income tax rates rather than at the more favorable tax rates for long-term capital gains. Changes in government regulation of derivative instruments could affect the character, timing and amount of a Portfolio’s taxable income or gains, and may limit or prevent the Portfolio from using certain types of derivative instruments as a part of its investment strategy. A Portfolio’s use of derivatives also may be limited by the requirements for taxation of the Portfolio as a regulated investment company.
If a Portfolio qualifies to pass through the tax benefits from foreign taxes it pays on its investments, and elects to do so, then any foreign taxes it pays on these investments will be treated as paid by you. You will then be entitled either to deduct your share of these taxes in computing your taxable income, or to claim a foreign tax credit for these taxes against your U.S. federal income tax (subject to limitations for certain shareholders).
Sale of Portfolio Shares. The sale of shares of a Portfolio is a taxable event and may result in a capital gain or loss to you. Currently, any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of Portfolio shares generally is treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year and as short-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for one year or less. Any loss incurred on the sale or exchange of a Portfolio’s shares, held for six months or less, will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of capital gain dividends received with respect to such shares. The ability to deduct capital losses may be limited.
Creation Units. An authorized participant who exchanges equity securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or a loss. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time of purchase (plus any cash received by the authorized participant as part of the issue) and the authorized participant’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered (plus any cash paid by the authorized participant as part of the issue). An authorized participant who exchanges Creation Units for equity securities generally will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the authorized participant’s basis in the Creation Units (plus any cash paid by the authorized participant as part of the redemption) and the aggregate market value of the securities received (plus any cash received by the authorized participant as part of the redemption). The Internal Revenue Service, however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position. Persons exchanging securities should consult their own tax advisor with respect to whether the wash sale rules apply and when a loss might be deductible.
Under current federal tax laws, any capital gain or loss realized upon redemption of Creation Units is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year and as a short-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for one year or less, assuming such Creation Units are held as a capital asset.
If a Portfolio redeems Creation Units in cash, it may recognize more capital gains than it will if it redeems Creation Units in-kind.
Medicare Tax. An additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from a Portfolio and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Portfolio shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds a threshold amount. This Medicare tax, if applicable, is reported by you on, and paid with, your federal income tax return.
Backup Withholding. By law, a 24% withholding tax may apply to taxable dividends, capital gains distributions, and redemption proceeds paid to you if you do not provide your proper taxpayer identification number and
116
certain required certifications. You may avoid this withholding requirement by providing and certifying on the account registration form your correct Taxpayer Identification Number and by certifying that you are not subject to backup withholding and are a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien). Withholding is also imposed if the Internal Revenue Service requires it.
State and Local Taxes. In addition to federal taxes, you may be subject to state and local taxes on distributions from a Portfolio and on gains arising on redemption or exchange of a Portfolio’s shares. Distributions of interest income and capital gains realized from certain types of U.S. Government securities may be exempt from state personal income taxes.
Non-U.S. Investors. Non-U.S. investors may be subject to U.S. withholding tax, at either the 30% statutory rate or a lower rate if you are a resident of a country that has a tax treaty with the U.S., and are subject to special U.S. tax certification requirements to avoid backup withholding and claim any treaty benefits. Exemptions from U.S. withholding tax are provided for certain capital gain dividends paid by a Portfolio from net long-term capital gains, if any, interest-related dividends paid by a Portfolio from its qualified net interest income from U.S. sources and short-term capital gain dividends, if such amounts are reported by a Portfolio. However, notwithstanding such exemptions from U.S. withholding at the source, any such dividends and distributions of income and capital gains will be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 24% if you fail to properly certify that you are not a U.S. person. Non-U.S. investors also may be subject to U.S. estate tax.
Other Reporting and Withholding Requirements. Under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”), a 30% withholding tax is imposed on income dividends made by the Portfolio to certain foreign entities, referred to as foreign financial institutions or non-financial foreign entities, that fail to comply (or be deemed compliant) with extensive reporting and withholding requirements designed to inform the U.S. Department of the Treasury of U.S.-owned foreign investment accounts. After December 31, 2018, FATCA withholding also would have applied to certain capital gain distributions, return of capital distributions and the proceeds arising from the sale of Portfolio shares; however, based on proposed regulations issued by the Internal Revenue Service, which may be relied upon currently, such withholding is no longer required unless final regulations provide otherwise (which is not expected). Information about a Portfolio shareholder may be disclosed to the Internal Revenue Service, non-U.S. taxing authorities or other parties as necessary to comply with FATCA or similar laws. Withholding also may be required if a foreign entity that is a shareholder of a Portfolio fails to provide the appropriate certifications or other documentation concerning its status under FATCA.
SPECIAL TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR INVESTORS THAT INVEST IN THE US REAL ESTATE ETF AND GLOBAL REAL ESTATE ETF.
PFIC Securities. Each Portfolio may invest in securities of foreign entities that could be deemed for tax purposes to be PFICs. In general, any foreign corporation is considered a PFIC if 75% or more of its gross income for its taxable year is passive income, or 50% or more of its average assets (by value) are held for the production of passive income. When investing in PFIC securities, each Portfolio intends to mark-to-market these securities and recognize any unrealized gains as ordinary income at the end of its fiscal year. Deductions for losses are allowable only to the extent of any current or previously recognized gains. These gains (reduced by allowable losses) are treated as ordinary income that a Portfolio is required to distribute, even though it has not sold or received dividends from these securities. You should also be aware that the designation of a foreign security as a PFIC security will cause its income dividends to fall outside of the definition of qualified foreign corporation dividends. These dividends generally will not qualify for the reduced rate of taxation on qualified dividends when distributed to you by a Portfolio. Due to various complexities in identifying PFICs, a Portfolio can give no assurances that it will be able to identify portfolio securities in foreign corporations that are PFICs in time for the Portfolio to make a mark-to-market election. If a Portfolio is unable to identify an investment as a PFIC and thus does not make a mark-to-market election, the Portfolio may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a portion of any “excess distribution” or gain from the disposition of such shares even if such income is distributed as a taxable dividend by the Portfolio to its shareholders. Additional charges in the nature of interest may be imposed on a Portfolio in respect of deferred taxes arising from such distributions or gains. Any such taxes or interest charges could in turn reduce a Portfolio’s distributions paid to you.
Investment in U.S. REITS. A U.S. REIT is not subject to federal income tax on the income and gains it distributes to shareholders. Dividends paid by a U.S. REIT, other than capital gain distributions, will be taxable as ordinary
117
income up to the amount of the U.S. REIT’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. Capital gain dividends paid by a U.S. REIT to a Portfolio will be treated as long-term capital gains by the Portfolio and, in turn, may be distributed by the Portfolio to its shareholders as a capital gain distribution. Because of certain noncash expenses, such as property depreciation, an equity U.S. REIT’s cash flow may exceed its taxable income. The equity U.S. REIT, and in turn a Portfolio, may distribute this excess cash to shareholders in the form of a return of capital distribution. However, if a U.S. REIT is operated in a manner that fails to qualify as a REIT, an investment in the U.S. REIT would become subject to double taxation, meaning the taxable income of the U.S. REIT would be subject to federal income tax at the corporate income tax rate without any deduction for dividends paid to shareholders and the dividends would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income (or possibly as qualified dividend income) to the extent of the U.S. REIT’s current and accumulated earnings and profits.
Receipt of Excess Inclusion Income by a Portfolio. A Portfolio may derive “excess inclusion income” from certain equity interests in mortgage pooling vehicles either directly or through an investment in a U.S. REIT. Please see the SAI for a discussion of the risks and special tax consequences to tax-exempt and other shareholders in the event a Portfolio realizes excess inclusion income in excess of certain threshold amounts.
Investment in U.S. Real Property. The sale of a U.S. real property interest by a U.S. REIT or U.S. real property holding corporation in which a Portfolio invests may trigger special tax consequences to the Portfolio’s non-U.S. investors. Please see the SAI for a discussion of the risks and special tax consequences to shareholders from a sale of a U.S. real property interest by a U.S. REIT or U.S. real property holding corporation in which a Portfolio invests.
Qualified REIT dividends. Under 2017 legislation commonly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, “qualified REIT dividends” (i.e., ordinary REIT dividends other than capital gain dividends and portions of REIT dividends designated as qualified dividend income) are treated as eligible for a 20% deduction by noncorporate taxpayers.
A Portfolio may choose to report the special character of “qualified REIT dividends” to its shareholders, provided both the Portfolio and the shareholder meets certain holding period requirements with respect to their shares.
This discussion of “DIVIDENDS, CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES” is not intended or written to be used as tax advice. Because everyone’s tax situation is unique, you should consult your tax professional about federal, state, local or foreign tax consequences before making an investment in a Portfolio. Prospective investors should also consult the SAI.
Purchase and Sale of Shares
Shares of a Portfolio may be acquired or redeemed directly from the Portfolio only in Creation Units or multiples thereof, as discussed in the “Creations and Redemptions” section of this Prospectus. Only an Authorized Participant (defined below) may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with a Portfolio. An “Authorized Participant” is either a “participating party” (i.e., a broker-dealer or other participant in the clearing process through the Continuous Net Settlement System of the National Securities Clearing Corporation) or a Depository Trust Company participant who, in either case, has executed an agreement with the distributor and transfer agent with respect to creations and redemptions of Creation Units. Once created, shares of a Portfolio generally trade in the secondary market in amounts less than a Creation Unit.
Shares of a Portfolio are listed for trading on a national securities exchange during the trading day. Shares can be bought and sold throughout the trading day like shares of other publicly traded companies. However, there can be no guarantee that an active trading market will develop or be maintained, or that a Portfolio’s shares listing will continue or remain unchanged. The Trust does not impose any minimum investment for shares of a Portfolio purchased on an exchange. Shares of the Portfolios trade under the following symbols:
118
|
|
|
|||||
Ticker: |
|||||||
Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF |
|
|
DFAU |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional US High Profitability ETF |
|
|
DUHP |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional US Large Cap Value ETF |
|
DFLV |
|||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional US Real Estate ETF |
|
|
DFAR |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF |
|
|
DFSV |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF |
|
|
DFAI |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF |
|
|
DFIC |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF |
|
|
DISV |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional International Small Cap ETF |
|
|
DFIS |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional International High Profitability ETF |
|
|
DIHP |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF |
|
|
DFAE |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF |
|
|
DEHP |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF |
|
|
DFEV |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF |
|
|
DFEM |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF |
|
DFGR |
|||||
|
Buying or selling a Portfolio’s shares on an exchange involves certain costs that may apply to all securities transactions. When buying or selling shares of a Portfolio through a financial intermediary, you may incur a brokerage commission or other charges determined by your financial intermediary. Due to these brokerage costs, if any, frequent trading may detract significantly from investment returns. The commission is frequently a fixed amount and may be a significant proportional cost for investors seeking to buy or sell small amounts of shares. In addition, you may also incur the cost of the “spread” (the difference between the bid price and the ask price). The spread varies over time for shares of a Portfolio based on its trading volume and market liquidity and is generally less if the Portfolio has more trading volume and market liquidity and more if the Portfolio has less trading volume and market liquidity. Because shares of the Portfolios trade at market price rather than NAV, an investor may pay more than NAV when purchasing shares and receive less than NAV when selling Portfolio shares. Authorized Participants may acquire Portfolio shares directly from a Portfolio, and Authorized Participants may tender their shares for redemption directly to a Portfolio, at NAV per share only in Creation Units, and in accordance with the procedures described in the SAI.
119
The Portfolios’ primary listing exchanges are listed below (each, an “Exchange” and collectively the “Exchanges”):
|
|
|
|||||
Portfolio |
Exchange: |
||||||
Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF |
|
|
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional US High Profitability ETF |
|
|
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional US Large Cap Value ETF |
|
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
|||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional US Real Estate ETF |
|
|
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF |
|
|
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF |
|
|
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF |
|
|
Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF |
|
|
Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional International Small Cap ETF |
|
|
Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional International High Profitability ETF |
|
|
Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF |
|
|
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF |
|
|
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF |
|
|
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF |
|
|
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF |
|
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
|||||
|
Each Exchange is open for trading Monday through Friday and is closed on the following holidays: New Year’s Day (NYSE only), Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Thanksgiving early close (Cboe only) and Christmas Day.
The Board has not adopted a policy of monitoring for frequent purchases and redemptions of Portfolio shares (“frequent trading”) that appear to attempt to take advantage of potential arbitrage opportunities presented by a lag between a change in the value of a Portfolio’s portfolio securities after the close of the primary markets for the Portfolio’s portfolio securities and the reflection of that change in the Portfolio’s NAV (“market timing”) because each Portfolio sells and redeems its shares directly through transactions that are in-kind and/or for cash, subject to the conditions described below under “Creations and Redemptions.” The Board has not adopted a policy of monitoring for other frequent trading activity because shares of the Portfolios are listed for trading on a national securities exchange.
SHARE PRICE
The trading prices of a Portfolio’s shares in the secondary market will fluctuate continuously throughout trading hours based on the supply of and demand for Portfolio shares and shares of underlying securities held by a Portfolio, economic conditions and other factors, rather than a Portfolio’s NAV, which is calculated at the end of each business day. Portfolio shares will trade on an 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 a Portfolio’s shares. The trading prices of a Portfolio’s shares may deviate significantly from the Portfolio’s NAV during periods of market volatility. Given, however, that a Portfolio’s 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.
Each Exchange will disseminate, every fifteen seconds during the regular trading day, an indicative optimized portfolio value (“IOPV”) relating to a Portfolio. The IOPV calculations are estimates of the value of a Portfolio’s NAV per share. 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. The IOPV is based on the current market value of the published basket of portfolio securities and/or cash required to be deposited in exchange for a Creation Unit and does not necessarily reflect the precise composition of a Portfolio’s actual portfolio at a particular point in time. Moreover, the IOPV is generally determined by using current market quotations and/or price quotations
120
obtained from broker-dealers and other market intermediaries and valuations based on current market rates. The IOPV may not be calculated in the same manner as the NAV, which (i) is computed only once a day, (ii) unlike the calculation of the IOPV, takes into account Portfolio expenses, and (iii) may be subject, in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, to fair valuation at different prices than those used in the calculations of the IOPV. The IOPV price is based on quotes and closing prices from the securities’ local market converted into U.S. dollars at the current currency rates and may not reflect events that occur subsequent to the local market’s close. Therefore, the IOPV may not reflect the best possible valuation of a Portfolio’s current portfolio. Neither the Portfolio 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. In the future, the dissemination of the IOPV may be discontinued.
BOOK ENTRY
Shares of the Portfolios are held in book-entry form, which means that no stock certificates are issued. The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee is the record owner of, and holds legal title to, all outstanding shares of the Portfolios.
Investors owning shares of the Portfolios are beneficial owners as shown on the records of DTC or its participants. DTC serves as the securities depository for shares of the Portfolios. DTC participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other institutions that directly or indirectly maintain a custodial relationship with DTC. As a beneficial owner of shares, you are not entitled to receive physical delivery of stock certificates or to have shares registered in your name, and you are not considered a registered owner of shares. Therefore, to exercise any right as an owner of shares, you must rely upon the procedures of DTC and its participants. These procedures are the same as those that apply to any other securities that you hold in book-entry or “street name” form.
NET ASSET VALUE
The NAV per share of each Portfolio is normally calculated once daily after the close of the Exchange on which the Portfolio is listed for trading (normally, 4:00 p.m. ET) by dividing the total value of the Portfolio’s investments and other assets, less any liabilities, by the total outstanding shares of beneficial interest of the Portfolio. Note: The time at which transactions and shares are priced may be changed in case of an emergency or if the Exchange on which the Portfolio is listed for trading closes at a time other than 4:00 p.m. ET or in other situations to the extent permitted by the SEC.
The value of shares of each Portfolio will fluctuate in relation to its investment experience. Securities held by the Portfolios will be valued in accordance with applicable laws and procedures approved by the Board, and generally, as described below.
Securities held by the Portfolios (including over-the-counter securities) are valued at, as applicable: (1) the official closing price on the exchange or market where the security is principally traded; or (2) the last reported sale price prior to that day’s close. Securities held by the Portfolios that are listed on Nasdaq are valued at the Nasdaq Official Closing Price (“NOCP”). If there is no last reported sales price or official closing price of the day, the Portfolios value the securities at the mean between the most recent quoted bid and asked prices. Price information on listed securities is taken from the exchange where the security is primarily traded. Generally, options will be valued using the same pricing methods discussed above.
The value of the securities and other assets of the Portfolios for which no market quotations are readily available (including restricted securities), or for which market quotations have become unreliable, are determined in good faith at fair value in accordance with Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act pursuant to procedures approved by the Board. Fair value pricing may also be used if events that have a significant effect on the value of an investment (as determined in the discretion of the Advisor) occur before the NAV is calculated. When fair value pricing is used, the prices of securities used by the Portfolios may differ from the quoted or published prices for the same securities on their primary markets or exchanges.
To the extent that the Portfolios hold large numbers of securities, it is likely that it will have a larger number of securities that may be deemed illiquid and therefore must be valued pursuant to fair value pricing procedures
121
approved by the Board than would a fund that holds a smaller number of securities. Portfolios that invest in small capitalization companies are more likely to hold illiquid securities than would a fund that invests in larger capitalization companies.
Valuing securities at fair value involves greater reliance on judgment than valuing securities that have readily available market quotations. There can be no assurance that a Portfolio could obtain the fair value assigned to a security if it were to sell the security at approximately the time at which the Portfolio determines its NAV per share. As a result, the sale or redemption by a Portfolio of its shares at NAV, at a time when a holding or holdings are valued at fair value, may have the effect of diluting or increasing the economic interest of existing shareholders.
For the International Portfolios, the prices of securities traded in foreign currencies will be expressed in U.S. dollars by using the mid-rate prices for the U.S. dollar as quoted by generally recognized reliable sources at 4 p.m. London time. Because the International Portfolios own securities that are primarily traded in foreign markets which may trade on days when the Portfolios do not price their shares, the NAVs of the Portfolios may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or redeem shares.
Certain of the securities holdings of the Emerging Markets Core, Emerging Markets High Profitability, Emerging Markets Value, Emerging Markets Core 2 and Global Real Estate ETFs in Approved Markets may be subject to tax, investment and currency repatriation regulations of the Approved Markets that could have a material effect on the values of the securities. For example, a Portfolio might be subject to different levels of taxation on current income and realized gains depending upon the holding period of the securities. In general, a longer holding period (e.g., 5 years) may result in the imposition of lower tax rates than a shorter holding period (e.g., 1 year). The Emerging Markets Core, Emerging Markets High Profitability, Emerging Markets Value, Emerging Markets Core 2 and Global Real Estate ETFs may also be subject to certain contractual arrangements with investment authorities in an Approved Market which require a Portfolio to maintain minimum holding periods or to limit the extent of repatriation of income and realized gains.
Futures contracts are valued using the settlement price established each day on the exchange on which they are traded. The value of such futures contracts held by a Portfolio is determined each day as of such close. In the absence of prices that are readily available as defined in Rule 2a-5, the futures contract will be valued in good faith at fair value in accordance with procedures approved by the Board.
Swap agreements will be valued at the price provided by an independent third-party pricing service or source. If a price is not readily available as defined in Rule 2a-5, the swap agreement will be valued in good faith at fair value in accordance with procedures approved by the Board.
Each Portfolio generally calculates its NAV per share and accepts purchase and redemption orders of Creation Units on days that the Exchange on which the Portfolio is listed for trading is open for trading.
122
Creations and Redemptions
Prior to trading in the secondary market, shares of a Portfolio are “created” at NAV by market makers, large investors and institutions only in block-size Creation Units of the following number of shares, or multiples thereof:
|
|
|
|||||
Portfolio |
Creation Unit |
||||||
Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF |
|
|
50,000 shares |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional US High Profitability ETF |
|
|
50,000 shares |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional US Large Cap Value ETF |
|
50,000 shares |
|||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional US Real Estate ETF |
|
|
50,000 shares |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF |
|
|
50,000 shares |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF |
|
|
100,000 shares |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF |
|
|
100,000 shares |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF |
|
|
50,000 shares |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional International Small Cap ETF |
|
|
100,000 shares |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional International High Profitability ETF |
|
|
50,000 shares |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF |
|
|
100,000 shares |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF |
|
|
50,000 shares |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF |
|
|
100,000 shares |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF |
|
|
100,000 shares |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF |
|
50,000 shares |
|||||
|
All orders to purchase Creation Units must be placed by or through an “Authorized Participant” that has entered into an authorized participant agreement (an “AP Agreement”) with the Portfolios’ distributor (the “Distributor”).
A creation transaction, which is subject to acceptance by the Distributor or its agents, generally takes place when an Authorized Participant deposits into a Portfolio a designated portfolio of securities (including any portion of such securities for which cash may be substituted) and a specified amount of cash in exchange for a specified number of Creation Units.
Similarly, shares can be redeemed only in Creation Units, generally for a designated portfolio of securities (including any portion of such securities for which cash may be substituted) held by a Portfolio and a specified amount of cash. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares are not redeemable by a Portfolio.
The prices at which creations and redemptions occur are based on the next calculation of NAV after a creation or redemption order is received in an acceptable form under the AP Agreement.
Only an Authorized Participant may create or redeem Creation Units directly with a Portfolio. In the event of a system failure or other interruption, including disruptions at market makers or Authorized Participants, orders to purchase or redeem Creation Units either may not be executed according to a Portfolio’s instructions or may not be executed at all, or a Portfolio may not be able to place or change orders.
When a Portfolio engages in in-kind transactions, the Portfolio intends to comply with the U.S. federal securities laws in accepting securities for deposit and satisfying redemptions with redemption securities by, among other means, assuring that any securities accepted for deposit and any securities used to satisfy redemption requests will be sold in transactions that would be exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”). Further, an Authorized Participant that is not a “qualified institutional buyer,” as such term is defined under Rule 144A of the 1933 Act, will not be able to receive restricted securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A.
123
Creations and redemptions must be made through a firm that is either a member of the Continuous Net Settlement System of the National Securities Clearing Corporation or a DTC participant and, in either case, has executed an AP Agreement with the Distributor. Information about the procedures regarding creation and redemption of Creation Units (including the cut-off times for receipt of creation and redemption orders) is included in the Portfolios’ SAI.
Because new shares may be created and issued on an ongoing basis, at any point during the life of a Portfolio a “distribution,” as such term is used in the 1933 Act, may be occurring. 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 that could render them statutory underwriters subject to the prospectus delivery and liability provisions of the 1933 Act. Any determination of whether one is an underwriter must take into account all the relevant facts and circumstances of each particular case.
Broker-dealers should also note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are participating in a distribution (as contrasted to ordinary secondary transactions), and thus dealing with shares that are part of an “unsold allotment” within the meaning of Section 4(a)(3)(C) of the 1933 Act, would be unable to take advantage of the prospectus delivery exemption provided by Section 4(a)(3) of the 1933 Act. For delivery of prospectuses to exchange members, the prospectus delivery mechanism of Rule 153 under the 1933 Act is available only with respect to transactions on a national securities exchange.
Premium/Discount Information
Information showing the number of days the market price of a Portfolio’s shares was greater than the Portfolio’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Portfolio’s NAV (i.e., premium or discount) for various time periods is available by visiting the Portfolio’s website at https://us.dimensional.com/etfs.
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings
A description of the Trust’s policies and procedures regarding the release of portfolio holdings information is also available in the Trust’s SAI. Portfolio holdings information is available by visiting a Portfolio’s website at https://us.dimensional.com/etfs.
Delivery of Shareholder Documents
To eliminate duplicate mailings and reduce expenses, certain broker-dealers may deliver a single copy of certain shareholder documents, such as this Prospectus and annual and semi-annual reports, to related shareholders at the same address, even if accounts are registered in different names. This practice is known as “householding.” You may contact your broker-dealer to enroll in householding. Once enrolled, this process will continue indefinitely unless you instruct your broker-dealer otherwise. If you do not want the mailings of these documents to be combined with those of other members of your household, please contact your broker-dealer. At any time you may view current prospectuses and financial reports on a Portfolio’s website at https://us.dimensional.com/etfs.
Distribution
The Distributor or its agents distribute Creation Units for the Portfolios on an agency basis. The Distributor does not maintain a secondary market in shares of the Portfolios.
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE (12B-1) FEES
The Board has adopted a distribution plan, sometimes known as a Rule 12b-1 plan, that allows a Portfolio to pay distribution fees of up to 0.25% per year, to those who sell and distribute Portfolio shares and provide other
124
services to shareholders. However, the Board has determined not to authorize payment of a Rule 12b-1 plan fee at this time. Because these fees are paid out of a Portfolio’s assets on an ongoing basis, to the extent that a fee is authorized, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.
Financial Highlights
The Financial Highlights table is meant to help you understand each Portfolio’s financial performance for the past 5 years or, if shorter, the period of that Portfolio’s operations, as indicated by the table. The total returns in the table represent the rate that you would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Portfolio, assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with the Portfolios’ financial statements, is included in the annual report. Further information about the Portfolios’ performance is contained in the annual report, which is available upon request.
125
Dimensional ETF Trust
Financial Highlights
(for a share outstanding throughout each period)
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Dimensional |
||||||||||||||
Year |
Period |
|||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period |
|
$ |
|
32.08 |
|
$ |
|
24.92 |
||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Income from Investment Operations(a) |
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net Investment Income (Loss) |
|
0.42 |
|
0.36 |
||||||||||
Net Gains (Losses) on Securities (Realized and Unrealized) |
|
(4.78 |
) |
|
|
7.04 |
||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Total from Investment Operations |
|
(4.36 |
) |
|
|
7.40 |
||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Less Distributions: |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Net Investment Income |
|
(0.39 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.24 |
) |
|
|||||
|
||||||||||||||
Total Distributions |
|
(0.39 |
) |
|
|
(0.24 |
) |
|
||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period |
|
$ |
|
27.33 |
|
$ |
|
32.08 |
||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Total Return at NAV(b)(c) |
|
(13.67 |
)% |
|
|
29.81 |
% |
|
||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Total Return at Market(c)(d) |
|
(13.65 |
)% |
|
|
|
29.88 |
% |
|
|||||
|
||||||||||||||
Net Assets, End of Year (thousands) |
|
$ |
|
2,582,901 |
|
$ |
|
1,328,340 |
||||||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets(e) |
|
0.12 |
% |
|
|
0.12 |
% |
|
||||||
Ratio of Expense to Average Net Assets (Excluding Fees Waived, Expenses Reimbursed, Previously Waived Fees Recovered by Advisor and/or Fees Paid Indirectly)(e) |
|
0.12 |
% |
|
|
0.12 |
% |
|
||||||
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets(e) |
|
1.46 |
% |
|
|
1.27 |
% |
|
||||||
Portfolio Turnover Rate(c)(f) |
|
6 |
% |
|
|
3.00 |
% |
|
||||||
|
(a) |
Computed using average shares outstanding. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) |
Net asset value (“NAV”) total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at net asset value. This percentage is not an indication of the performance of a shareholder’s investment in the Fund based on market value due to differences between the market price of the shares and the net asset value per share of the Fund. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) |
Not annualized for periods less than one year. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(d) |
Market value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the market value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at market value. Market value is determined by the composite closing price. Composite closing security price is defined as the last reported sale price from any primary listing market (e.g., NYSE Arca) or participating regional exchanges or markets. The composite closing price is the last reported sale price from any of the eligible sources, regardless of volume and not an average price and may have occurred on a date prior to the close of the reporting period. Market value may be greater or less than net asset value, depending on the Fund’s closing price on the listing market. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(e) |
Annualized for periods less than one year. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(f) |
Excludes impact of in-kind transactions. |
126
Dimensional ETF Trust
Financial Highlights
(for a share outstanding throughout each period)
|
|
|
|||||
Dimensional |
|||||||
Period |
|||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period |
|
$ |
|
24.54 |
|||
|
|||||||
Income From Investment Operations(a) |
|
||||||
Net Investment Income (Loss) |
|
0.29 |
|||||
Net Gains (Losses) on Securities (Realized and Unrealized) |
|
(1.11 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total from Investment Operations |
|
(0.82 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Less Distributions: |
|
||||||
Net Investment Income |
|
(0.15 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total Distributions |
|
(0.15 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period |
|
$ |
|
23.57 |
|||
|
|||||||
Total Return at NAV(b)(c) |
|
(3.31 |
)% |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total Return at Market(c)(d) |
|
(3.30 |
)% |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net Assets, End of Year (thousands) |
|
$ |
|
1,084,080 |
|||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets(e) |
|
0.21 |
% |
|
|||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (Excluding Fees Waived, Expenses Reimbursed, Previously Waived Fees Recovered by Advisor and/or Fees Paid Indirectly)(e) |
|
0.21 |
% |
|
|||
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets(e) |
|
1.81 |
% |
|
|||
Portfolio Turnover Rate(c)(f) |
|
2 |
% |
|
|||
|
(a) |
Computed using average shares outstanding. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) |
Net asset value (“NAV”) total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at net asset value. This percentage is not an indication of the performance of a shareholder’s investment in the Fund based on market value due to differences between the market price of the shares and the net asset value per share of the Fund. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) |
Not annualized for periods less than one year. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(d) |
Market value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the market value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at market value. Market value is determined by the composite closing price. Composite closing security price is defined as the last reported sale price from any primary listing market (e.g., NYSE Arca) or participating regional exchanges or markets. The composite closing price is the last reported sale price from any of the eligible sources, regardless of volume and not an average price and may have occurred on a date prior to the close of the reporting period. Market value may be greater or less than net asset value, depending on the Fund’s closing price on the listing market. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(e) |
Annualized for periods less than one year. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(f) |
Excludes impact of in-kind transactions. |
127
Dimensional ETF Trust
Financial Highlights
(for a share outstanding throughout each period)
|
|
|
|||||
Dimensional |
|||||||
Period |
|||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period |
|
$ |
|
24.65 |
|||
|
|||||||
Income From Investment Operations(a) |
|
||||||
Net Investment Income (Loss) |
|
0.40 |
|||||
Net Gains (Losses) on Securities (Realized and Unrealized) |
|
(3.72 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total from Investment Operations |
|
(3.32 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Less Distributions: |
|
||||||
Net Investment Income |
|
(0.12 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total Distributions |
|
(0.12 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period |
|
$ |
|
21.21 |
|||
|
|||||||
Total Return at NAV(b)(c) |
|
(13.52 |
)% |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total Return at Market(c)(d) |
|
(13.50 |
)% |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net Assets, End of Year (thousands) |
|
$ |
|
297,950 |
|||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets(e) |
|
0.19 |
% |
|
|||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (Excluding Fees Waived, Expenses Reimbursed, Previously Waived Fees Recovered by Advisor and/or Fees Paid Indirectly)(e) |
|
0.21 |
% |
|
|||
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets(e) |
|
3.84 |
% |
|
|||
Portfolio Turnover Rate(c)(f) |
|
2 |
% |
|
|||
|
(a) |
Computed using average shares outstanding. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) |
Net asset value (“NAV”) total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at net asset value. This percentage is not an indication of the performance of a shareholder’s investment in the Fund based on market value due to differences between the market price of the shares and the net asset value per share of the Fund. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) |
Not annualized for periods less than one year. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(d) |
Market value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the market value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at market value. Market value is determined by the composite closing price. Composite closing security price is defined as the last reported sale price from any primary listing market (e.g., NYSE Arca) or participating regional exchanges or markets. The composite closing price is the last reported sale price from any of the eligible sources, regardless of volume and not an average price and may have occurred on a date prior to the close of the reporting period. Market value may be greater or less than net asset value, depending on the Fund’s closing price on the listing market. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(e) |
Annualized for periods less than one year. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(f) |
Excludes impact of in-kind transactions. |
128
Dimensional ETF Trust
Financial Highlights
(for a share outstanding throughout each period)
|
|
|
|||||
Dimensional |
|||||||
Period |
|||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period |
|
$ |
|
24.66 |
|||
|
|||||||
Income From Investment Operations(a) |
|
||||||
Net Investment Income (Loss) |
|
0.24 |
|||||
Net Gains (Losses) on Securities (Realized and Unrealized) |
|
0.23 |
|||||
|
|||||||
Total from Investment Operations |
|
0.47 |
|||||
|
|||||||
Less Distributions: |
|
||||||
Net Investment Income |
|
(0.12 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total Distributions |
|
(0.12 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period |
|
$ |
|
25.01 |
|||
|
|||||||
Total Return at NAV(b)(c) |
|
1.92 |
% |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total Return at Market(c)(d) |
|
2.09 |
% |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net Assets, End of Year (thousands) |
|
$ |
|
690,252 |
|||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets(e) |
|
0.31 |
% |
|
|||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (Excluding Fees Waived, Expenses Reimbursed, Previously Waived Fees Recovered by Advisor and/or Fees Paid Indirectly)(e) |
|
0.31 |
% |
|
|||
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets(e) |
|
1.44 |
% |
|
|||
Portfolio Turnover Rate(c)(f) |
|
4 |
% |
|
|||
|
(a) |
Computed using average shares outstanding. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) |
Net asset value (“NAV”) total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at net asset value. This percentage is not an indication of the performance of a shareholder’s investment in the Fund based on market value due to differences between the market price of the shares and the net asset value per share of the Fund. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) |
Not annualized for periods less than one year. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(d) |
Market value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the market value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at market value. Market value is determined by the composite closing price. Composite closing security price is defined as the last reported sale price from any primary listing market (e.g., NYSE Arca) or participating regional exchanges or markets. The composite closing price is the last reported sale price from any of the eligible sources, regardless of volume and not an average price and may have occurred on a date prior to the close of the reporting period. Market value may be greater or less than net asset value, depending on the Fund’s closing price on the listing market. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(e) |
Annualized for periods less than one year. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(f) |
Excludes impact of in-kind transactions. |
129
Dimensional ETF Trust
Financial Highlights
(for a share outstanding throughout each period)
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Dimensional |
||||||||||||||
Year |
Period |
|||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period |
|
$ |
|
29.75 |
|
$ |
|
25.07 |
||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Income from Investment Operations(a) |
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net Investment Income (Loss) |
|
0.83 |
|
0.77 |
||||||||||
Net Gains (Losses) on Securities (Realized and Unrealized) |
|
(7.02 |
) |
|
|
4.36 |
||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Total from Investment Operations |
|
(6.19 |
) |
|
|
5.13 |
||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Less Distributions: |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Net Investment Income |
|
(0.73 |
) |
|
|
(0.45 |
) |
|
||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Total Distributions |
|
(0.73 |
) |
|
|
(0.45 |
) |
|
||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period |
|
$ |
|
22.83 |
|
$ |
|
29.75 |
||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Total Return at NAV(b)(c) |
|
(21.04 |
)% |
|
|
20.54 |
% |
|
||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Total Return at Market(c)(d) |
|
(21.30 |
)% |
|
|
21.08 |
% |
|
||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Net Assets, End of Year (thousands) |
|
$ |
|
2,257,417 |
|
$ |
|
767,440 |
||||||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets(e) |
|
0.18 |
% |
|
|
0.18 |
% |
|
||||||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (Excluding Fees Waived, Expenses Reimbursed, Previously Waived Fees Recovered by Advisor and/or Fees Paid Indirectly)(e) |
|
0.18 |
% |
|
|
0.18 |
% |
|
||||||
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets(e) |
|
3.24 |
% |
|
|
2.78 |
% |
|
||||||
Portfolio Turnover Rate(c)(f) |
|
5 |
% |
|
|
4.00 |
% |
|
||||||
|
(a) |
Computed using average shares outstanding. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) |
Net asset value (“NAV”) total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at net asset value. This percentage is not an indication of the performance of a shareholder’s investment in the Fund based on market value due to differences between the market price of the shares and the net asset value per share of the Fund. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) |
Not annualized for periods less than one year. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(d) |
Market value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the market value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at market value. Market value is determined by the composite closing price. Composite closing security price is defined as the last reported sale price from any primary listing market (e.g., NYSE Arca) or participating regional exchanges or markets. The composite closing price is the last reported sale price from any of the eligible sources, regardless of volume and not an average price and may have occurred on a date prior to the close of the reporting period. Market value may be greater or less than net asset value, depending on the Fund’s closing price on the listing market. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(e) |
Annualized for periods less than one year. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(f) |
Excludes impact of in-kind transactions. |
130
Dimensional ETF Trust
Financial Highlights
(for a share outstanding throughout each period)
|
|
|
|||||
Dimensional |
|||||||
Period |
|||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period |
|
$ |
|
24.95 |
|||
|
|||||||
Income From Investment Operations(a) |
|
||||||
Net Investment Income (Loss) |
|
0.38 |
|||||
Net Gains (Losses) on Securities (Realized and Unrealized) |
|
(4.82 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total from Investment Operations |
|
(4.44 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Less Distributions: |
|
||||||
Net Investment Income |
|
(0.21 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total Distributions |
|
(0.21 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period |
|
$ |
|
20.30 |
|||
|
|||||||
Total Return at NAV(b)(c) |
|
(17.83 |
)% |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total Return at Market(c)(d) |
|
(17.71 |
)% |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net Assets, End of Year (thousands) |
|
$ |
|
1,414,936 |
|||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets(e) |
|
0.23 |
% |
|
|||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (Excluding Fees Waived, Expenses Reimbursed, Previously Waived Fees Recovered by Advisor and/or Fees Paid Indirectly)(e) |
|
0.23 |
% |
|
|||
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets(e) |
|
2.95 |
% |
|
|||
Portfolio Turnover Rate(c)(f) |
|
5 |
% |
|
|||
|
(a) |
Computed using average shares outstanding. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) |
Net asset value (“NAV”) total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at net asset value. This percentage is not an indication of the performance of a shareholder’s investment in the Fund based on market value due to differences between the market price of the shares and the net asset value per share of the Fund. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) |
Not annualized for periods less than one year. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(d) |
Market value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the market value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at market value. Market value is determined by the composite closing price. Composite closing security price is defined as the last reported sale price from any primary listing market (e.g., NYSE Arca) or participating regional exchanges or markets. The composite closing price is the last reported sale price from any of the eligible sources, regardless of volume and not an average price and may have occurred on a date prior to the close of the reporting period. Market value may be greater or less than net asset value, depending on the Fund’s closing price on the listing market. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(e) |
Annualized for periods less than one year. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(f) |
Excludes impact of in-kind transactions. |
131
Dimensional ETF Trust
Financial Highlights
(for a share outstanding throughout each period)
|
|
|
|||||
Dimensional |
|||||||
Period |
|||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period |
|
$ |
|
24.94 |
|||
|
|||||||
Income From Investment Operations(a) |
|
||||||
Net Investment Income (Loss) |
|
0.36 |
|||||
Net Gains (Losses) on Securities (Realized and Unrealized) |
|
(5.47 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total from Investment Operations |
|
(5.11 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Less Distributions: |
|
||||||
Net Investment Income |
|
(0.16 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total Distributions |
|
(0.16 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period |
|
$ |
|
19.67 |
|||
|
|||||||
Total Return at NAV(b)(c) |
|
(20.54 |
)% |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total Return at Market(c)(d) |
|
(20.42 |
)% |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net Assets, End of Year (thousands) |
|
$ |
|
472,079 |
|||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets(e) |
|
0.42 |
% |
|
|||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (Excluding Fees Waived, Expenses Reimbursed, Previously Waived Fees Recovered by Advisor and/or Fees Paid Indirectly)(e) |
|
0.44 |
% |
|
|||
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets(e) |
|
2.86 |
% |
|
|||
Portfolio Turnover Rate(c)(f) |
|
3 |
% |
|
|||
|
(a) |
Computed using average shares outstanding. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) |
Net asset value (“NAV”) total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at net asset value. This percentage is not an indication of the performance of a shareholder’s investment in the Fund based on market value due to differences between the market price of the shares and the net asset value per share of the Fund. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) |
Not annualized for periods less than one year. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(d) |
Market value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the market value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at market value. Market value is determined by the composite closing price. Composite closing security price is defined as the last reported sale price from any primary listing market (e.g., NYSE Arca) or participating regional exchanges or markets. The composite closing price is the last reported sale price from any of the eligible sources, regardless of volume and not an average price and may have occurred on a date prior to the close of the reporting period. Market value may be greater or less than net asset value, depending on the Fund’s closing price on the listing market. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(e) |
Annualized for periods less than one year. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(f) |
Excludes impact of in-kind transactions. |
132
Dimensional ETF Trust
Financial Highlights
(for a share outstanding throughout each period)
|
|
|
|||||
Dimensional |
|||||||
Period |
|||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period |
|
$ |
|
25.00 |
|||
|
|||||||
Income From Investment Operations(a) |
|
||||||
Net Investment Income (Loss) |
|
0.28 |
|||||
Net Gains (Losses) on Securities (Realized and Unrealized) |
|
(5.65 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total from Investment Operations |
|
(5.37 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Less Distributions: |
|
||||||
Net Investment Income |
|
(0.16 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total Distributions |
|
(0.16 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period |
|
$ |
|
19.47 |
|||
|
|||||||
Total Return at NAV(b)(c) |
|
(21.51 |
)% |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total Return at Market(c)(d) |
|
(21.50 |
)% |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net Assets, End of Year (thousands) |
|
$ |
|
323,183 |
|||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets(e) |
|
0.39 |
% |
|
|||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (Excluding Fees Waived, Expenses Reimbursed, Previously Waived Fees Recovered by Advisor and/or Fees Paid Indirectly)(e) |
|
0.42 |
% |
|
|||
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets(e) |
|
2.27 |
% |
|
|||
Portfolio Turnover Rate(c)(f) |
|
4 |
% |
|
|||
|
(a) |
Computed using average shares outstanding. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) |
Net asset value (“NAV”) total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at net asset value. This percentage is not an indication of the performance of a shareholder’s investment in the Fund based on market value due to differences between the market price of the shares and the net asset value per share of the Fund. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) |
Not annualized for periods less than one year. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(d) |
Market value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the market value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at market value. Market value is determined by the composite closing price. Composite closing security price is defined as the last reported sale price from any primary listing market (e.g., NYSE Arca) or participating regional exchanges or markets. The composite closing price is the last reported sale price from any of the eligible sources, regardless of volume and not an average price and may have occurred on a date prior to the close of the reporting period. Market value may be greater or less than net asset value, depending on the Fund’s closing price on the listing market. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(e) |
Annualized for periods less than one year. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(f) |
Excludes impact of in-kind transactions. |
133
Dimensional ETF Trust
Financial Highlights
(for a share outstanding throughout each period)
|
|
|
|||||
Dimensional |
|||||||
Period |
|||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period |
|
$ |
|
24.97 |
|||
|
|||||||
Income From Investment Operations(a) |
|
||||||
Net Investment Income (Loss) |
|
0.41 |
|||||
Net Gains (Losses) on Securities (Realized and Unrealized) |
|
(4.94 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total from Investment Operations |
|
(4.53 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Less Distributions: |
|
||||||
Net Investment Income |
|
(0.27 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total Distributions |
|
(0.27 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period |
|
$ |
|
20.17 |
|||
|
|||||||
Total Return at NAV(b)(c) |
|
(18.18 |
)% |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total Return at Market(c)(d) |
|
(18.08 |
)% |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net Assets, End of Year (thousands) |
|
$ |
|
458,811 |
|||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets(e) |
|
0.29 |
% |
|
|||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (Excluding Fees Waived, Expenses Reimbursed, Previously Waived Fees Recovered by Advisor and/or Fees Paid Indirectly)(e) |
|
0.29 |
% |
|
|||
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets(e) |
|
3.16 |
% |
|
|||
Portfolio Turnover Rate(c)(f) |
|
2 |
% |
|
|||
|
(a) |
Computed using average shares outstanding. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) |
Net asset value (“NAV”) total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at net asset value. This percentage is not an indication of the performance of a shareholder’s investment in the Fund based on market value due to differences between the market price of the shares and the net asset value per share of the Fund. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) |
Not annualized for periods less than one year. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(d) |
Market value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the market value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at market value. Market value is determined by the composite closing price. Composite closing security price is defined as the last reported sale price from any primary listing market (e.g., NYSE Arca) or participating regional exchanges or markets. The composite closing price is the last reported sale price from any of the eligible sources, regardless of volume and not an average price and may have occurred on a date prior to the close of the reporting period. Market value may be greater or less than net asset value, depending on the Fund’s closing price on the listing market. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(e) |
Annualized for periods less than one year. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(f) |
Excludes impact of in-kind transactions. |
134
Dimensional ETF Trust
Financial Highlights
(for a share outstanding throughout each period)
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Dimensional |
||||||||||||||
Year |
Period |
|||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period |
|
$ |
|
27.48 |
|
$ |
|
25.41 |
||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Income from Investment Operations(a) |
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net Investment Income (Loss) |
|
0.81 |
|
0.62 |
||||||||||
Net Gains (Losses) on Securities (Realized and Unrealized) |
|
(8.00 |
) |
|
|
|
1.75 |
|||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Total from Investment Operations |
|
(7.19 |
) |
|
|
2.37 |
||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Less Distributions: |
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Net Investment Income |
|
(0.61 |
) |
|
|
(0.30 |
) |
|
||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Total Distributions |
|
(0.61 |
) |
|
|
(0.30 |
) |
|
||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period |
|
$ |
|
19.68 |
|
$ |
|
27.48 |
||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Total Return at NAV(b)(c) |
|
(26.50 |
)% |
|
|
9.33 |
% |
|
||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Total Return at Market(c)(d) |
|
(26.36 |
)% |
|
|
9.57 |
% |
|
||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Net Assets, End of Year (thousands) |
|
$ |
|
1,548,815 |
|
$ |
|
395,729 |
||||||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets(e) |
|
0.35 |
% |
|
|
0.35 |
% |
|
||||||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (Excluding Fees Waived, Expenses Reimbursed, Previously Waived Fees Recovered by Advisor and/or Fees Paid Indirectly)(e) |
|
0.35 |
% |
|
|
0.35 |
% |
|
||||||
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets(e) |
|
3.43 |
% |
|
|
2.40 |
% |
|
||||||
Portfolio Turnover Rate(c)(f) |
|
6 |
% |
|
|
4.00 |
% |
|
||||||
|
(a) |
Computed using average shares outstanding. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) |
Net asset value (“NAV”) total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at net asset value. This percentage is not an indication of the performance of a shareholder’s investment in the Fund based on market value due to differences between the market price of the shares and the net asset value per share of the Fund. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) |
Not annualized for periods less than one year. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(d) |
Market value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the market value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at market value. Market value is determined by the composite closing price. Composite closing security price is defined as the last reported sale price from any primary listing market (e.g., NYSE Arca) or participating regional exchanges or markets. The composite closing price is the last reported sale price from any of the eligible sources, regardless of volume and not an average price and may have occurred on a date prior to the close of the reporting period. Market value may be greater or less than net asset value, depending on the Fund’s closing price on the listing market. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(e) |
Annualized for periods less than one year. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(f) |
Excludes impact of in-kind transactions. |
135
Dimensional ETF Trust
Financial Highlights
(for a share outstanding throughout each period)
|
|
|
|||||
Dimensional |
|||||||
Period |
|||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period |
|
$ |
|
25.03 |
|||
|
|||||||
Income From Investment Operations(a) |
|
||||||
Net Investment Income (Loss) |
|
0.44 |
|||||
Net Gains (Losses) on Securities (Realized and Unrealized) |
|
(5.55 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total from Investment Operations |
|
(5.11 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Less Distributions: |
|
||||||
Net Investment Income |
|
(0.19 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total Distributions |
|
(0.19 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period |
|
$ |
|
19.73 |
|||
|
|||||||
Total Return at NAV(b)(c) |
|
(20.53 |
)% |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total Return at Market(c)(d) |
|
(20.25 |
)% |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net Assets, End of Year (thousands) |
|
$ |
|
71,014 |
|||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets(e) |
|
0.41 |
% |
|
|||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (Excluding Fees Waived, Expenses Reimbursed, Previously Waived Fees Recovered by Advisor and/or Fees Paid Indirectly)(e) |
|
0.65 |
% |
|
|||
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets(e) |
|
3.90 |
% |
|
|||
Portfolio Turnover Rate(c)(f) |
|
— |
% |
|
|||
|
(a) |
Computed using average shares outstanding. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) |
Net asset value (“NAV”) total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at net asset value. This percentage is not an indication of the performance of a shareholder’s investment in the Fund based on market value due to differences between the market price of the shares and the net asset value per share of the Fund. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) |
Not annualized for periods less than one year. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(d) |
Market value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the market value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at market value. Market value is determined by the composite closing price. Composite closing security price is defined as the last reported sale price from any primary listing market (e.g., NYSE Arca) or participating regional exchanges or markets. The composite closing price is the last reported sale price from any of the eligible sources, regardless of volume and not an average price and may have occurred on a date prior to the close of the reporting period. Market value may be greater or less than net asset value, depending on the Fund’s closing price on the listing market. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(e) |
Annualized for periods less than one year. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(f) |
Excludes impact of in-kind transactions. |
136
Dimensional ETF Trust
Financial Highlights
(for a share outstanding throughout each period)
|
|
|
|||||
Dimensional |
|||||||
Period |
|||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period |
|
$ |
|
25.04 |
|||
|
|||||||
Income From Investment Operations(a) |
|
||||||
Net Investment Income (Loss) |
|
0.83 |
|||||
Net Gains (Losses) on Securities (Realized and Unrealized) |
|
(4.91 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total from Investment Operations |
|
(4.08 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Less Distributions: |
|
||||||
Net Investment Income |
|
(0.55 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total Distributions |
|
(0.55 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period |
|
$ |
|
20.41 |
|||
|
|||||||
Total Return at NAV(b)(c) |
|
(16.51 |
)% |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total Return at Market(c)(d) |
|
(16.08 |
)% |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net Assets, End of Year (thousands) |
|
$ |
|
169,367 |
|||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets(e) |
|
0.43 |
% |
|
|||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (Excluding Fees Waived, Expenses Reimbursed, Previously Waived Fees Recovered by Advisor and/or Fees Paid Indirectly)(e) |
|
0.47 |
% |
|
|||
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets(e) |
|
7.12 |
% |
|
|||
Portfolio Turnover Rate(c)(f) |
|
2 |
% |
|
|||
|
(a) |
Computed using average shares outstanding. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) |
Net asset value (“NAV”) total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at net asset value. This percentage is not an indication of the performance of a shareholder’s investment in the Fund based on market value due to differences between the market price of the shares and the net asset value per share of the Fund. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) |
Not annualized for periods less than one year. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(d) |
Market value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the market value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at market value. Market value is determined by the composite closing price. Composite closing security price is defined as the last reported sale price from any primary listing market (e.g., NYSE Arca) or participating regional exchanges or markets. The composite closing price is the last reported sale price from any of the eligible sources, regardless of volume and not an average price and may have occurred on a date prior to the close of the reporting period. Market value may be greater or less than net asset value, depending on the Fund’s closing price on the listing market. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(e) |
Annualized for periods less than one year. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(f) |
Excludes impact of in-kind transactions. |
137
Dimensional ETF Trust
Financial Highlights
(for a share outstanding throughout each period)
|
|
|
|||||
Dimensional |
|||||||
Period |
|||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period |
|
$ |
|
25.04 |
|||
|
|||||||
Income From Investment Operations(a) |
|
||||||
Net Investment Income (Loss) |
|
0.49 |
|||||
Net Gains (Losses) on Securities (Realized and Unrealized) |
|
(5.10 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total from Investment Operations |
|
(4.61 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Less Distributions: |
|
||||||
Net Investment Income |
|
(0.30 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total Distributions |
|
(0.30 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period |
|
$ |
|
20.13 |
|||
|
|||||||
Total Return at NAV(b)(c) |
|
(18.54 |
)% |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total Return at Market(c)(d) |
|
(18.14 |
)% |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net Assets, End of Year (thousands) |
|
$ |
|
666,384 |
|||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets(e) |
|
0.38 |
% |
|
|||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (Excluding Fees Waived, Expenses Reimbursed, Previously Waived Fees Recovered by Advisor and/or Fees Paid Indirectly)(e) |
|
0.38 |
% |
|
|||
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets(e) |
|
4.22 |
% |
|
|||
Portfolio Turnover Rate(c)(f) |
|
4 |
% |
|
|||
|
(a) |
Computed using average shares outstanding. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) |
Net asset value (“NAV”) total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at net asset value. This percentage is not an indication of the performance of a shareholder’s investment in the Fund based on market value due to differences between the market price of the shares and the net asset value per share of the Fund. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) |
Not annualized for periods less than one year. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(d) |
Market value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the market value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at market value. Market value is determined by the composite closing price. Composite closing security price is defined as the last reported sale price from any primary listing market (e.g., NYSE Arca) or participating regional exchanges or markets. The composite closing price is the last reported sale price from any of the eligible sources, regardless of volume and not an average price and may have occurred on a date prior to the close of the reporting period. Market value may be greater or less than net asset value, depending on the Fund’s closing price on the listing market. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(e) |
Annualized for periods less than one year. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(f) |
Excludes impact of in-kind transactions. |
138
Other Available Information
You can find more information about the Trust and each Portfolio in the Portfolios’ SAI and Annual and Semi-Annual Reports.
Statement of Additional Information.
The SAI, incorporated herein by reference, supplements, and is technically part of, this Prospectus. It includes an expanded discussion of investment practices, risks, and fund operations.
Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders.
These reports focus on Portfolio holdings and performance. The Annual Report also discusses the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Portfolios in their last fiscal year.
How to get these and other materials:
• |
Your investment advisor or broker-dealer—you are a client of an investment advisor or broker-dealer who has invested in a Portfolio on your behalf. |
||
• |
The Trust—Call collect at (512) 306-7400. |
||
• |
Access them on our Web site at https://us.dimensional.com/etfs. |
||
• |
Access them on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. |
||
• |
Obtain them, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov. |
Dimensional ETF Trust—Registration No. 811-23580
|
|
|
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP |
|
Prospectus
February 28, 2023
DIMENSIONAL ETF TRUST
|
|
|
|
|
Ticker: |
Exchange: |
|||
Dimensional U.S. Equity ETF |
DFUS |
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
||
|
||||
Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF |
DFAS |
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
||
|
||||
Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF |
DFAT |
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
||
|
||||
Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF |
DFAC |
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
||
|
||||
Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF |
DFUV |
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
||
|
||||
Dimensional International Value ETF |
DFIV |
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
||
|
||||
Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF |
DFAX |
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
||
|
This Prospectus describes the shares of the Portfolios which are for long-term investors.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Table of Contents
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Additional Information on Investment Objectives and Policies |
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iii
The investment objective of the Dimensional U.S. Equity ETF (the “US Equity ETF” or “Portfolio”) is to achieve long-term capital appreciation while minimizing federal income taxes on returns.
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold or sell shares of the US Equity ETF. You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Portfolio, which are not reflected in the table or Example that follows.
year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
|
|
|
Management Fee |
|
|
|
||
Other Expenses |
|
|
|
||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
|
|
This Example is meant to help you compare the cost of investing in the US Equity ETF with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs whether you redeem or hold your shares would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
3 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
|||
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|||
|
The US Equity ETF pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate was
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP’s (the “Advisor”) tax management strategies for the US Equity ETF are designed to maximize the after tax value of a shareholder’s investment. Generally, the Advisor buys and sells securities for the Portfolio with the goals of: (i) delaying and minimizing the realization of net capital gains (e.g., selling stocks with capital losses to offset gains, realized or anticipated); and (ii) maximizing the extent to which any realized net capital gains are long-term in nature (i.e., taxable at lower capital gains tax rates).
To achieve the US Equity ETF’s investment objective, the Advisor implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions. As further described
1
below, the Portfolio’s design emphasizes long-term drivers of expected returns identified by the Advisor’s research, while balancing risk through broad diversification across companies and sectors. The Advisor’s portfolio management and trading processes further balance those long-term drivers of expected returns with shorter-term drivers of expected returns and trading costs.
The US Equity ETF, using a market capitalization weighted approach, is designed to generally purchase a broad and diverse group of equity securities of U.S. companies. A company’s market capitalization is the number of its shares outstanding times its price per share. The Portfolio may emphasize certain stocks, including smaller capitalization companies, lower relative price stocks, and/or higher profitability stocks as compared to their representation in the U.S. market. Under a market capitalization weighted approach, companies with higher market capitalizations generally represent a larger proportion of the Portfolio than companies with relatively lower market capitalizations. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time.
The Advisor may also increase or reduce the US Equity ETF’s exposure to an eligible company, or exclude a company, based on shorter-term considerations, such as a company’s price momentum. In assessing a company’s investment characteristics, the Advisor considers ratios such as recent changes in assets divided by total assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing a company’s investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time. In addition, the Advisor seeks to reduce trading costs using a flexible trading approach that looks for opportunities to participate in the available market liquidity, while managing turnover and explicit transaction costs.
As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the US Equity ETF will invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities of U.S. companies. The Advisor considers companies of all market capitalizations for purchase by the Portfolio.
The US Equity ETF may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for U.S. equity securities and indices, to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio.
The US Equity ETF may lend its portfolio securities to generate additional income.
The US Equity ETF is an actively managed exchange-traded fund and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index and may have a higher degree of portfolio turnover than such index funds.
Equity Market Risk: Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, market, political, and issuer-specific conditions and events will cause the value of equity securities, and the Portfolio that owns them, to rise or fall. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices.
Small and Mid-Cap Company Risk: Securities of small and mid-cap companies are often less liquid than those of large companies and this could make it difficult to sell a small or mid-cap company security at a desired time or price. As a result, small and mid-cap company stocks may fluctuate relatively more in price. In general, small and
2
mid-capitalization companies are also more vulnerable than larger companies to adverse business or economic developments and they may have more limited resources.
Tax-Management Strategy Risk: The tax-management strategies may alter investment decisions and affect portfolio holdings, when compared to those of non-tax managed funds. The Advisor anticipates that performance of the Portfolio may deviate from that of non-tax managed funds. Although the Advisor intends to manage the Portfolio in a manner which considers the effects of the realization of capital gains and taxable dividend income each year, the Portfolio may nonetheless distribute taxable gains and dividends to shareholders.
Market Trading Risk: Active trading markets for the Portfolio’s shares may not be developed or maintained by market makers or authorized participants. Authorized participants are not obligated to make a market in the Portfolio’s shares or to submit purchase or redemption orders for creation units. Trading in shares on an exchange may be halted in certain circumstances. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the listing exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Portfolio will continue to be met.
Premium/Discount Risk: The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Portfolio and the value of your investment may fluctuate. Disruptions to creations and redemptions or the market price of the Portfolio’s holdings, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for shares may widen bid-ask spreads and result in shares trading at a significant premium or discount to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are instruments, such as futures contracts, and options thereon, whose value is derived from that of other assets, rates or indices. The use of derivatives for non-hedging purposes may be considered to carry more risk than other types of investments. When the Portfolio uses derivatives, the Portfolio will be directly exposed to the risks of those derivatives. Derivative instruments are subject to a number of risks including counterparty, liquidity, interest rate, market, credit and management risks, as well as the risk of improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Portfolio could lose more than the principal amount invested.
Securities Lending Risk: Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Portfolio may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Portfolio could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. Securities lending also may have certain adverse tax consequences.
Operational Risk: Operational risks include human error, changes in personnel, system changes, faults in communication, and failures in systems, technology, or processes. Various operational events or circumstances are outside the Advisor’s control, including instances at third parties. The Portfolio and the Advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate to address these risks.
Cyber Security Risk: The Portfolio’s and its service providers’ use of internet, technology and information systems may expose the Portfolio to potential risks linked to cyber security breaches of those technological or information systems. Cyber security breaches, amongst other things, could allow an unauthorized party to gain access to proprietary information, customer data, or fund assets, or cause the Portfolio and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality.
The bar chart and table immediately following illustrate the variability of the US Equity ETF’s returns and are meant to provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Portfolio. The US Equity ETF has adopted the performance of the Tax-Managed U.S. Equity Portfolio (the predecessor fund) as the result of a reorganization of the predecessor fund into the US Equity ETF, which was consummated after the close of business on June 11, 2021 (the “Reorganization”).
3
Prior to the Reorganization, the US Equity ETF had not yet commenced operations. The bar chart shows the changes in the Portfolio’s (and the predecessor fund’s) performance from year to year. The table illustrates how annualized one year, five year and ten year returns, both before and after taxes, compare with those of a broad measure of market performance.
January 2013-December 2022
|
|
|
| |
4
Periods ending December 31, 2022
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||
1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years | |||||||||||||||||||
Dimensional U.S. Equity ETF |
|
|
|
|
| ||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||
Return Before Taxes | - | % |
|
| | % |
|
| | % |
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Return After Taxes on Distributions | - | % |
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| | % |
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| | % |
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Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Portfolio Shares | - | % |
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| ||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||
Russell 3000® Index | - | % |
|
| | % |
|
| | % |
| ||||||||||
|
Investment Advisor/Portfolio Management
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP serves as the investment advisor for the US Equity ETF. The following individuals are responsible for leading the day-to-day management of the Portfolio:
• |
Jed S. Fogdall, Global Head of Portfolio Management, Chairman of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since 2021 (predecessor fund 2012). |
||
• |
John A. Hertzer, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since 2022. |
||
• |
Joseph F. Hohn, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since 2022. |
||
• |
Mary T. Phillips, Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since 2022. |
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The US Equity ETF issues (or redeems) shares at NAV only to certain financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the Portfolio’s distributor in large aggregated blocks known as “Creation Units.” A Creation Unit of the Portfolio consists of 40,000 shares. Creation Units are issued (or redeemed) in-kind for securities (and an amount of cash) that the Portfolio specifies each day at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order.
Individual Portfolio shares may only be purchased and sold on NYSE Arca, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). Because Portfolio shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Portfolio shares may trade at a price less than (discount) or greater than (premium) the Portfolio’s NAV. Recent information, including information on the Portfolio’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is available on the Portfolio’s website at https://www.dimensional.com/us-en/funds.
Tax Information
The dividends and distributions you receive from the US Equity ETF are taxable and generally will be taxed as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, in which case distributions may be taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn from the plan or account.
5
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the US Equity ETF through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Portfolio and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of the Portfolio shares and/or related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the financial intermediary to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
6
The investment objective of the Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF (the “US Small Cap ETF” or “Portfolio”) is to achieve long-term capital appreciation while minimizing federal income taxes on returns.
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold or sell shares of the US Small Cap ETF. You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Portfolio, which are not reflected in the table or Example that follows.
year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
|
|
|
Management Fee | | |
| ||
Other Expenses | | |
| ||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | | |
|
* | |
This Example is meant to help you compare the cost of investing in the US Small Cap ETF with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs whether you redeem or hold your shares would be:
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|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
3 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
|||
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|||
|
The US Small Cap ETF pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate was
7
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP’s (the “Advisor”) tax management strategies for the US Small Cap ETF are designed to maximize the after tax value of a shareholder’s investment. Generally, the Advisor buys and sells securities for the Portfolio with the goals of: (i) delaying and minimizing the realization of net capital gains (e.g., selling stocks with capital losses to offset gains, realized or anticipated); and (ii) maximizing the extent to which any realized net capital gains are long-term in nature (i.e., taxable at lower capital gains tax rates).
To achieve the US Small Cap ETF’s investment objective, the Advisor implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions. As further described below, the Portfolio’s design emphasizes long-term drivers of expected returns identified by the Advisor’s research, while balancing risk through broad diversification across companies and sectors. The Advisor’s portfolio management and trading processes further balance those long-term drivers of expected returns with shorter-term drivers of expected returns and trading costs.
The US Small Cap ETF, using a market capitalization weighted approach, is designed to generally purchase a broad and diverse group of securities of U.S. small cap companies. A company’s market capitalization is the number of its shares outstanding times its price per share. Under a market capitalization weighted approach, companies with higher market capitalizations generally represent a larger proportion of the Portfolio than companies with relatively lower market capitalizations. The Portfolio may emphasize certain stocks, including smaller capitalization companies, lower relative price stocks, and/or higher profitability stocks as compared to their representation in the small-cap segment of the U.S. market. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time.
As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the US Small Cap ETF will invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities of small cap U.S. companies. For the purposes of the Portfolio, the Advisor considers small cap companies to be companies whose market capitalizations are generally in the lowest 10% of total market capitalization or companies whose market capitalizations are smaller than the 1,000th largest U.S. company, whichever results in the higher market capitalization break. Total market capitalization is based on the market capitalization of eligible U.S. operating companies listed on a securities exchange in the United States that is deemed appropriate by the Advisor. Under the Advisor’s market capitalization guidelines described above, based on market capitalization data as of December 31, 2022, the market capitalization of a small cap company would be below $7,650 million. This threshold will change due to market conditions.
The Advisor may also increase or reduce the US Small Cap ETF’s exposure to an eligible company, or exclude a company, based on shorter-term considerations, such as a company’s price momentum and investment characteristics. In assessing a company’s investment characteristics, the Advisor considers ratios such as recent changes in assets divided by total assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing a company’s investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time. In addition, the Advisor seeks to reduce trading costs using a flexible trading approach that looks for opportunities to participate in the available market liquidity, while managing turnover and explicit transaction costs.
The US Small Cap ETF may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for U.S. equity securities and indices, to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio.
The US Small Cap ETF may lend its portfolio securities to generate additional income.
The US Small Cap ETF is an actively managed exchange-traded fund and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index and may have a higher degree of portfolio turnover than such index funds.
8
Equity Market Risk: Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, market, political, and issuer-specific conditions and events will cause the value of equity securities, and the Portfolio that owns them, to rise or fall. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices.
Small Company Risk: Securities of small companies are often less liquid than those of large companies and this could make it difficult to sell a small company security at a desired time or price. As a result, small company stocks may fluctuate relatively more in price. In general, smaller capitalization companies are also more vulnerable than larger companies to adverse business or economic developments and they may have more limited resources.
Profitability Investment Risk: High relative profitability stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies.
Value Investment Risk: Value stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies. Value stocks can react differently to political, economic, and industry developments than the market as a whole and other types of stocks. Value stocks also may underperform the market for long periods of time.
Tax-Management Strategy Risk: The tax-management strategies may alter investment decisions and affect portfolio holdings, when compared to those of non-tax managed funds. The Advisor anticipates that performance of the Portfolio may deviate from that of non-tax managed funds. Although the Advisor intends to manage the Portfolio in a manner which considers the effects of the realization of capital gains and taxable dividend income each year, the Portfolio may nonetheless distribute taxable gains and dividends to shareholders.
Market Trading Risk: Active trading markets for the Portfolio’s shares may not be developed or maintained by market makers or authorized participants. Authorized participants are not obligated to make a market in the Portfolio’s shares or to submit purchase or redemption orders for creation units. Trading in shares on an exchange may be halted in certain circumstances. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the listing exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Portfolio will continue to be met.
Premium/Discount Risk: The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Portfolio and the value of your investment may fluctuate. Disruptions to creations and redemptions or the market price of the Portfolio’s holdings, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for shares may widen bid-ask spreads and result in shares trading at a significant premium or discount to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are instruments, such as futures contracts, and options thereon, whose value is derived from that of other assets, rates or indices. The use of derivatives for non-hedging purposes may be considered to carry more risk than other types of investments. When the Portfolio uses derivatives, the Portfolio will be directly exposed to the risks of those derivatives. Derivative instruments are subject to a number of risks including counterparty, liquidity, interest rate, market, credit and management risks, as well as the risk of improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Portfolio could lose more than the principal amount invested.
9
Securities Lending Risk: Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Portfolio may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Portfolio could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. Securities lending also may have certain adverse tax consequences.
Operational Risk: Operational risks include human error, changes in personnel, system changes, faults in communication, and failures in systems, technology, or processes. Various operational events or circumstances are outside the Advisor’s control, including instances at third parties. The Portfolio and the Advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate to address these risks.
Cyber Security Risk: The Portfolio’s and its service providers’ use of internet, technology and information systems may expose the Portfolio to potential risks linked to cyber security breaches of those technological or information systems. Cyber security breaches, amongst other things, could allow an unauthorized party to gain access to proprietary information, customer data, or fund assets, or cause the Portfolio and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality.
The bar chart and table immediately following illustrate the variability of the US Small Cap ETF’s returns and are meant to provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Portfolio. The US Small Cap ETF has adopted the performance of the Tax-Managed U.S. Small Cap Portfolio (the predecessor fund) as the result of a reorganization of the predecessor fund into the US Small Cap ETF, which was consummated after the close of business on June 11, 2021 (the “Reorganization”). Prior to the Reorganization, the US Small Cap ETF had not yet commenced operations. The bar chart shows the changes in the Portfolio’s (and the predecessor fund’s) performance from year to year. The table illustrates how annualized one year, five year and ten year returns, both before and after taxes, compare with those of a broad measure of market performance.
10
January 2013-December 2022
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Periods ending December 31, 2022
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1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years | |||||||||||||||||||
Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF |
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Return Before Taxes | - | % |
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Return After Taxes on Distributions | - | % |
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Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Portfolio Shares | - | % |
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Russell 2000® Index | - | % |
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| | % |
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| | % |
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Investment Advisor/Portfolio Management
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP serves as the investment advisor for the US Small Cap ETF. The following individuals are responsible for leading the day-to-day management of the Portfolio:
• |
Jed S. Fogdall, Global Head of Portfolio Management, Chairman of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since 2021 (predecessor fund 2012). |
||
• |
Joel P. Schneider, Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since 2021 (predecessor fund 2017). |
||
• |
Marc C. Leblond, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since 2021 (predecessor fund 2020). |
||
• |
Joseph F. Hohn, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since 2022. |
11
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The US Small Cap ETF issues (or redeems) shares at NAV only to certain financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the Portfolio’s distributor in large aggregated blocks known as “Creation Units.” A Creation Unit of the Portfolio consists of 30,000 shares. Creation Units are issued (or redeemed) in-kind for securities (and an amount of cash) that the Portfolio specifies each day at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order.
Individual Portfolio shares may only be purchased and sold on NYSE Arca, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). Because Portfolio shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Portfolio shares may trade at a price less than (discount) or greater than (premium) the Portfolio’s NAV. Recent information, including information on the Portfolio’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is available on the Portfolio’s website at https://www.dimensional.com/us-en/funds.
Tax Information
The dividends and distributions you receive from the US Small Cap ETF are taxable and generally will be taxed as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, in which case distributions may be taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn from the plan or account.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the US Small Cap ETF through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Portfolio and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of the Portfolio shares and/or related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the financial intermediary to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
12
The investment objective of the Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF (the “US Targeted Value ETF” or “Portfolio”) is to achieve long-term capital appreciation while minimizing federal income taxes on returns.
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold or sell shares of the US Targeted Value ETF. You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Portfolio, which are not reflected in the table or Example that follows.
year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
|
|
|
Management Fee | | |
| ||
Other Expenses | | |
| ||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | | |
|
* | |
This Example is meant to help you compare the cost of investing in the US Targeted Value ETF with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs whether you redeem or hold your shares would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
3 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
|||
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|||
|
The US Targeted Value ETF pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate was
13
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP’s (the “Advisor”) tax management strategies for the US Targeted Value ETF are designed to maximize the after tax value of a shareholder’s investment. Generally, the Advisor buys and sells securities for the Portfolio with the goals of: (i) delaying and minimizing the realization of net capital gains (e.g., selling stocks with capital losses to offset gains, realized or anticipated); and (ii) maximizing the extent to which any realized net capital gains are long-term in nature (i.e., taxable at lower capital gains tax rates).
To achieve the US Targeted Value ETF’s investment objective, the Advisor implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions. As further described below, the Portfolio’s design emphasizes long-term drivers of expected returns identified by the Advisor’s research, while balancing risk through broad diversification across companies and sectors. The Advisor’s portfolio management and trading processes further balance those long-term drivers of expected returns with shorter-term drivers of expected returns and trading costs.
The US Targeted Value ETF, using a market capitalization weighted approach, is designed to generally purchase a broad and diverse group of readily marketable securities of U.S. small and mid cap companies that the Advisor determines to be lower relative price stocks with higher profitability. A company’s market capitalization is the number of its shares outstanding times its price per share. Under a market capitalization weighted approach, companies with higher market capitalizations generally represent a larger proportion of the Portfolio than companies with relatively lower market capitalizations. The Portfolio may emphasize certain stocks, including smaller capitalization companies, lower relative price stocks, and/or higher profitability stocks as compared to their representation in the small- and mid-cap value segment of the U.S. market. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time.
As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the US Targeted Value ETF will invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities of U.S. companies. The Advisor considers for investment companies whose market capitalizations are generally smaller than the 500th largest U.S. company. As of December 31, 2022, companies smaller than the 500th largest U.S. company fall in the lowest 13% of total U.S. market capitalization. Total market capitalization is based on the market capitalization of eligible U.S. operating companies listed on a securities exchange in the United States that is deemed appropriate by the Advisor. Based on market capitalization data as of December 31, 2022, the market capitalization of a company smaller than the 500th largest U.S. company would be below $10,936 million. This threshold will change due to market conditions.
The Advisor may also increase or reduce the US Targeted Value ETF’s exposure to an eligible company, or exclude a company, based on shorter-term considerations, such as a company’s price momentum and investment characteristics. In assessing a company’s investment characteristics, the Advisor considers ratios such as recent changes in assets divided by total assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing a company’s investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time. In addition, the Advisor seeks to reduce trading costs using a flexible trading approach that looks for opportunities to participate in the available market liquidity, while managing turnover and explicit transaction costs.
The US Targeted Value ETF may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for U.S. equity securities and indices, to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio.
The US Targeted Value ETF may lend its portfolio securities to generate additional income.
The US Targeted Value ETF is an actively managed exchange-traded fund and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index and may have a higher degree of portfolio turnover than such index funds.
14
Equity Market Risk: Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, market, political, and issuer-specific conditions and events will cause the value of equity securities, and the Portfolio that owns them, to rise or fall. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices.
Value Investment Risk: Value stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies. Value stocks can react differently to political, economic, and industry developments than the market as a whole and other types of stocks. Value stocks also may underperform the market for long periods of time.
Profitability Investment Risk: High relative profitability stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies.
Small and Mid-Cap Company Risk: Securities of small and mid-cap companies are often less liquid than those of large companies and this could make it difficult to sell a small or mid-cap company security at a desired time or price. As a result, small and mid-cap company stocks may fluctuate relatively more in price. In general, small and mid-capitalization companies are also more vulnerable than larger companies to adverse business or economic developments and they may have more limited resources.
Tax-Management Strategy Risk: The tax-management strategies may alter investment decisions and affect portfolio holdings, when compared to those of non-tax managed funds. The Advisor anticipates that performance of the Portfolio may deviate from that of non-tax managed funds. Although the Advisor intends to manage the Portfolio in a manner which considers the effects of the realization of capital gains and taxable dividend income each year, the Portfolio may nonetheless distribute taxable gains and dividends to shareholders.
Market Trading Risk: Active trading markets for the Portfolio’s shares may not be developed or maintained by market makers or authorized participants. Authorized participants are not obligated to make a market in the Portfolio’s shares or to submit purchase or redemption orders for creation units. Trading in shares on an exchange may be halted in certain circumstances. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the listing exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Portfolio will continue to be met.
Premium/Discount Risk: The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Portfolio and the value of your investment may fluctuate. Disruptions to creations and redemptions or the market price of the Portfolio’s holdings, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for shares may widen bid-ask spreads and result in shares trading at a significant premium or discount to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are instruments, such as futures contracts, and options thereon, whose value is derived from that of other assets, rates or indices. The use of derivatives for non-hedging purposes may be considered to carry more risk than other types of investments. When the Portfolio uses derivatives, the Portfolio will be directly exposed to the risks of those derivatives. Derivative instruments are subject to a number of risks including counterparty, liquidity, interest rate, market, credit and management risks, as well as the risk of improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Portfolio could lose more than the principal amount invested.
15
Securities Lending Risk: Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Portfolio may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Portfolio could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. Securities lending also may have certain adverse tax consequences.
Operational Risk: Operational risks include human error, changes in personnel, system changes, faults in communication, and failures in systems, technology, or processes. Various operational events or circumstances are outside the Advisor’s control, including instances at third parties. The Portfolio and the Advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate to address these risks.
Cyber Security Risk: The Portfolio’s and its service providers’ use of internet, technology and information systems may expose the Portfolio to potential risks linked to cyber security breaches of those technological or information systems. Cyber security breaches, amongst other things, could allow an unauthorized party to gain access to proprietary information, customer data, or fund assets, or cause the Portfolio and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality.
The bar chart and table immediately following illustrate the variability of the US Targeted Value ETF’s returns and are meant to provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Portfolio. The US Targeted Value ETF has adopted the performance of the Tax-Managed U.S. Targeted Value Portfolio (the predecessor fund) as the result of a reorganization of the predecessor fund into the US Targeted Value ETF, which was consummated after the close of business on June 11, 2021 (the “Reorganization”). Prior to the Reorganization, the US Targeted Value ETF had not yet commenced operations. The bar chart shows the changes in the Portfolio’s (and the predecessor fund’s) performance from year to year. The table illustrates how annualized one year, five year and ten year returns, both before and after taxes, compare with those of a broad measure of market performance.
16
January 2013-December 2022
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Periods ending December 31, 2022
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1 Year | 5 Years | 10 Years | |||||||||||||||||||
Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF |
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Return Before Taxes | - | % |
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Return After Taxes on Distributions | - | % |
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Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Portfolio Shares | - | % |
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Russell 2000® Value Index | - | % |
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| | % |
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| | % |
| ||||||||||
|
Investment Advisor/Portfolio Management
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP serves as the investment advisor for the US Targeted Value ETF. The following individuals are responsible for leading the day-to-day management of the Portfolio:
• |
Jed S. Fogdall, Global Head of Portfolio Management, Chairman of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since 2021 (predecessor fund 2012). |
||
• |
Joel P. Schneider, Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since 2021 (predecessor fund 2015). |
||
• |
Marc C. Leblond, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since 2021 (predecessor fund 2020). |
||
• |
Joseph F. Hohn, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since 2022. |
17
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The US Targeted Value ETF issues (or redeems) shares at NAV only to certain financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the Portfolio’s distributor in large aggregated blocks known as “Creation Units.” A Creation Unit of the Portfolio consists of 50,000 shares. Creation Units are issued (or redeemed) in-kind for securities (and an amount of cash) that the Portfolio specifies each day at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order.
Individual Portfolio shares may only be purchased and sold on NYSE Arca, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). Because Portfolio shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Portfolio shares may trade at a price less than (discount) or greater than (premium) the Portfolio’s NAV. Recent information, including information on the Portfolio’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is available on the Portfolio’s website at https://www.dimensional.com/us-en/funds.
Tax Information
The dividends and distributions you receive from the US Targeted Value ETF are taxable and generally will be taxed as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, in which case distributions may be taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn from the plan or account.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the US Targeted Value ETF through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Portfolio and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of the Portfolio shares and/or related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the financial intermediary to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
18
The investment objective of the Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF (the “US Core Equity 2 ETF” or “Portfolio”) is to achieve long-term capital appreciation while considering federal income tax implications of investment decisions.
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold or sell shares of the US Core Equity 2 ETF. You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Portfolio, which are not reflected in the table or Example that follows.
year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
|
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|
Management Fee |
|
|
|
||
Other Expenses |
|
|
|
||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
|
|
|
This Example is meant to help you compare the cost of investing in the US Core Equity 2 ETF with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs whether you redeem or hold your shares would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
3 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
|||
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|||
|
The US Core Equity 2 ETF pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate was
19
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP’s (the “Advisor”) tax management strategies for the US Core Equity 2 ETF are designed to maximize the after tax value of a shareholder’s investment. Generally, the Advisor buys and sells securities for the Portfolio with the goals of: (i) delaying and minimizing the realization of net capital gains (e.g., selling stocks with capital losses to offset gains, realized or anticipated); and (ii) maximizing the extent to which any realized net capital gains are long-term in nature (i.e., taxable at lower capital gains tax rates).
To achieve the US Core Equity 2 ETF’s investment objective, the Advisor implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions. As further described below, the Portfolio’s design emphasizes long-term drivers of expected returns identified by the Advisor’s research, while balancing risk through broad diversification across companies and sectors. The Advisor’s portfolio management and trading processes further balance those long-term drivers of expected returns with shorter-term drivers of expected returns and trading costs.
The US Core Equity 2 ETF is designed to purchase a broad and diverse group of securities of U.S. companies. The Portfolio invests in companies of all sizes, with increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies as compared to their representation in the U.S. Universe. The Advisor generally defines the U.S. Universe as a market capitalization weighted set (e.g., the larger the company, the greater the proportion of the U.S. Universe it represents) of U.S. operating companies listed on a securities exchange in the United States that is deemed appropriate by the Advisor. The Portfolio’s increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies may be achieved by decreasing the allocation of the Portfolio’s assets to larger capitalization, higher relative price, or lower profitability companies relative to their weight in the U.S. Universe. An equity issuer is considered to have a high relative price (i.e., a growth stock) primarily because it has a high price in relation to its book value. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time.
As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the US Core Equity 2 ETF will invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities of U.S. companies.
The Advisor may also increase or reduce the US Core Equity 2 ETF’s exposure to an eligible company, or exclude a company, based on shorter-term considerations, such as a company’s price momentum and investment characteristics. In assessing a company’s investment characteristics, the Advisor considers ratios such as recent changes in assets divided by total assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing a company’s investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time. In addition, the Advisor seeks to reduce trading costs using a flexible trading approach that looks for opportunities to participate in the available market liquidity, while managing turnover and explicit transaction costs.
The US Core Equity 2 ETF may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for U.S. equity securities and indices, to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio.
The US Core Equity 2 ETF may lend its portfolio securities to generate additional income.
The US Core Equity 2 ETF is an actively managed exchange-traded fund and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index and may have a higher degree of portfolio turnover than such index funds.
20
Equity Market Risk: Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, market, political, and issuer-specific conditions and events will cause the value of equity securities, and the Portfolio that owns them, to rise or fall. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices.
Profitability Investment Risk: High relative profitability stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies.
Value Investment Risk: Value stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies. Value stocks can react differently to political, economic, and industry developments than the market as a whole and other types of stocks. Value stocks also may underperform the market for long periods of time.
Small and Mid-Cap Company Risk: Securities of small and mid-cap companies are often less liquid than those of large companies and this could make it difficult to sell a small or mid-cap company security at a desired time or price. As a result, small and mid-cap company stocks may fluctuate relatively more in price. In general, small and mid-capitalization companies are also more vulnerable than larger companies to adverse business or economic developments and they may have more limited resources.
Tax-Management Strategy Risk: The tax-management strategies may alter investment decisions and affect portfolio holdings, when compared to those of non-tax managed funds. The Advisor anticipates that performance of the Portfolio may deviate from that of non-tax managed funds. Although the Advisor intends to manage the Portfolio in a manner which considers the effects of the realization of capital gains and taxable dividend income each year, the Portfolio may nonetheless distribute taxable gains and dividends to shareholders.
Market Trading Risk: Active trading markets for the Portfolio’s shares may not be developed or maintained by market makers or authorized participants. Authorized participants are not obligated to make a market in the Portfolio’s shares or to submit purchase or redemption orders for creation units. Trading in shares on an exchange may be halted in certain circumstances. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the listing exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Portfolio will continue to be met.
Premium/Discount Risk: The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Portfolio and the value of your investment may fluctuate. Disruptions to creations and redemptions or the market price of the Portfolio’s holdings, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for shares may widen bid-ask spreads and result in shares trading at a significant premium or discount to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are instruments, such as futures contracts, and options thereon, whose value is derived from that of other assets, rates or indices. The use of derivatives for non-hedging purposes may be considered to carry more risk than other types of investments. When the Portfolio uses derivatives, the Portfolio will be directly exposed to the risks of those derivatives. Derivative instruments are subject to a number of risks including counterparty, liquidity, interest rate, market, credit and management risks, as well as the risk of improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Portfolio could lose more than the principal amount invested.
21
Securities Lending Risk: Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Portfolio may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Portfolio could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. Securities lending also may have certain adverse tax consequences.
Operational Risk: Operational risks include human error, changes in personnel, system changes, faults in communication, and failures in systems, technology, or processes. Various operational events or circumstances are outside the Advisor’s control, including instances at third parties. The Portfolio and the Advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate to address these risks.
Cyber Security Risk: The Portfolio’s and its service providers’ use of internet, technology and information systems may expose the Portfolio to potential risks linked to cyber security breaches of those technological or information systems. Cyber security breaches, amongst other things, could allow an unauthorized party to gain access to proprietary information, customer data, or fund assets, or cause the Portfolio and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality.
The bar chart and table immediately following illustrate the variability of the US Core Equity 2 ETF’s returns and are meant to provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Portfolio. The US Core Equity 2 ETF has adopted the performance of the T.A. U.S. Core Equity 2 Portfolio (the predecessor fund) as the result of a reorganization of the predecessor fund into the US Core Equity 2 ETF, which was consummated after the close of business on June 11, 2021 (the “Reorganization”). Prior to the Reorganization, the US Core Equity 2 ETF had not yet commenced operations. The bar chart shows the changes in the Portfolio’s (and the predecessor fund’s) performance from year to year. The table illustrates how annualized one year, five year and ten year returns, both before and after taxes, compare with those of a broad measure of market performance.
22
January 2013-December 2022
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Russell 3000® Index | - | % |
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Investment Advisor/Portfolio Management
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP serves as the investment advisor for the US Core Equity 2 ETF. The following individuals are responsible for leading the day-to-day management of the Portfolio:
• |
Jed S. Fogdall, Global Head of Portfolio Management, Chairman of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since 2021 (predecessor fund 2012). |
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• |
John A. Hertzer, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since 2022. |
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• |
Joseph F. Hohn, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since 2022. |
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• |
Mary T. Phillips, Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since 2022. |
23
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The US Core Equity 2 ETF issues (or redeems) shares at NAV only to certain financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the Portfolio’s distributor in large aggregated blocks known as “Creation Units.” A Creation Unit of the Portfolio consists of 100,000 shares. Creation Units are issued (or redeemed) in-kind for securities (and an amount of cash) that the Portfolio specifies each day at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order.
Individual Portfolio shares may only be purchased and sold on NYSE Arca, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). Because Portfolio shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Portfolio shares may trade at a price less than (discount) or greater than (premium) the Portfolio’s NAV. Recent information, including information on the Portfolio’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is available on the Portfolio’s website at https://www.dimensional.com/us-en/funds.
Tax Information
The dividends and distributions you receive from the US Core Equity 2 ETF are taxable and generally will be taxed as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, in which case distributions may be taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn from the plan or account.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the US Core Equity 2 ETF through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Portfolio and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of the Portfolio shares and/or related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the financial intermediary to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
24
The investment objective of the Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF (the “US Marketwide Value ETF” or “Portfolio”) is to achieve long-term capital appreciation.
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold or sell shares of the US Marketwide Value ETF. You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Portfolio, which are not reflected in the table or Example that follows.
year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
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Management Fee |
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Other Expenses |
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses |
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This Example is meant to help you compare the cost of investing in the US Marketwide Value ETF with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs whether you redeem or hold your shares would be:
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1 Year |
3 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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The pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate was
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP’s (the “Advisor”) tax management strategies for the US Marketwide Value ETF are designed to maximize the after-tax value of a shareholder’s investment. Generally, the Advisor buys and sells securities for the Portfolio with the goals of: (i) delaying and minimizing the realization of net capital gains (e.g., selling stocks with capital losses to offset gains, realized or anticipated); and (ii) maximizing the extent to which any realized net capital gains are long-term in nature (i.e., taxable at lower capital gains tax rates).
To achieve the US Marketwide Value ETF’s investment objective, the Advisor implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions. As
25
further described below, the Portfolio’s design emphasizes long-term drivers of expected returns identified by the Advisor’s research, while balancing risk through broad diversification across companies and sectors. The Advisor’s portfolio management and trading processes further balance those long-term drivers of expected returns with shorter-term drivers of expected returns and trading costs.
The US Marketwide Value ETF is designed to purchase a broad and diverse group of securities of U.S. companies that the Advisor determines to be value stocks. A company’s market capitalization is the number of its shares outstanding times its price per share. Companies with higher market capitalizations generally represent a larger proportion of the Portfolio than companies with relatively lower market capitalizations. The Advisor may overweight certain stocks, including smaller companies, lower relative price stocks, and/or higher profitability stocks within the value segment of the U.S. market. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time.
The Advisor may also increase or reduce the Tax-Managed Value ETF’s exposure to an eligible company, or exclude a company, based on shorter-term considerations, such as a company’s price momentum and investment characteristics. In assessing a company’s investment characteristics, the Advisor considers ratios such as recent changes in assets divided by total assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing a company’s investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time. In addition, the Advisor seeks to reduce trading costs using a flexible trading approach that looks for opportunities to participate in the available market liquidity, while managing turnover and explicit transaction costs.
As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets in securities of U.S. companies. The Advisor considers companies of all market capitalizations for purchase by the Portfolio.
The Portfolio may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for U.S. equity securities and indices, to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio.
The Portfolio may lend its portfolio securities to generate additional income.
The Portfolio is an actively managed exchange traded fund and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index and may have a higher degree of portfolio turnover than such index funds.
Equity Market Risk: Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, market, political, and issuer-specific conditions and events will cause the value of equity securities, and the Portfolio that owns them, to rise or fall. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices.
Value Investment Risk: Value stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies. Value stocks can react differently to political, economic, and industry developments than the market as a whole and other types of stocks. Value stocks also may underperform the market for long periods of time.
26
Profitability Investment Risk: High relative profitability stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies.
Small and Mid-Cap Company Risk: Securities of small and mid-cap companies are often less liquid than those of large companies and this could make it difficult to sell a small or mid-cap company security at a desired time or price. As a result, small and mid-cap company stocks may fluctuate relatively more in price. In general, small and mid-capitalization companies are also more vulnerable than larger companies to adverse business or economic developments and they may have more limited resources.
Tax Management Strategy Risk: The tax-management strategies may alter investment decisions and affect portfolio holdings, when compared to those of non-tax-managed funds. The Advisor anticipates that performance of the Portfolio may deviate from that of non-tax-managed funds. Although the Advisor intends to manage the Portfolio in a manner which considers the effects of the realization of capital gains and taxable dividend income each year, the Portfolio may nonetheless distribute taxable gains and dividends to shareholders.
Market Trading Risk: Active trading markets for the Portfolio’s shares may not be developed or maintained by market makers or authorized participants. Authorized participants are not obligated to make a market in the Portfolio’s shares or to submit purchase or redemption orders for creation units. Trading in shares on an exchange may be halted in certain circumstances. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the listing exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Portfolio will continue to be met.
Premium/Discount Risk: The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Portfolio and the value of your investment may fluctuate. Disruptions to creations and redemptions or the market price of the Portfolio’s holdings, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for shares may widen bid-ask spreads and result in shares trading at a significant premium or discount to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are instruments, such as futures contracts, and options thereon, whose value is derived from that of other assets, rates or indices. The use of derivatives for non-hedging purposes may be considered to carry more risk than other types of investments. When the Portfolio uses derivatives, the Portfolio will be directly exposed to the risks of those derivatives. Derivative instruments are subject to a number of risks including counterparty, liquidity, interest rate, market, credit and management risks, as well as the risk of improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Portfolio could lose more than the principal amount invested.
Securities Lending Risk: Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Portfolio may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Portfolio could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. Securities lending also may have certain adverse tax consequences.
Operational Risk: Operational risks include human error, changes in personnel, system changes, faults in communication, and failures in systems, technology, or processes. Various operational events or circumstances are outside the Advisor’s control, including instances at third parties. The Portfolio and the Advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate to address these risks.
Cyber Security Risk: The Portfolio’s and its service providers’ use of internet, technology and information systems may expose the Portfolio to potential risks linked to cyber security breaches of those technological or information systems. Cyber security breaches, amongst other things, could allow an unauthorized party to gain access to proprietary information, customer data, or fund assets, or cause the Portfolio and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality.
27
The bar chart and table immediately following illustrate the variability of the US Marketwide Value ETF’s returns and are meant to provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Portfolio. The Portfolio has adopted the performance of the Tax-Managed U.S. Marketwide Value Portfolio II (the predecessor fund) as the result of a reorganization of the predecessor fund into the US Marketwide Value ETF, which was consummated after the close of business on May 6, 2022 (the “Reorganization”). Prior to the Reorganization, the Portfolio had not yet commenced operations. The bar chart shows the changes in the Portfolio’s (and the predecessor fund’s) performance from year to year. The table illustrates how annualized one year, five year and ten year returns, both before and after taxes, compare with those of a broad measure of market performance.
January 2013-December 2022
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28
Periods ending December 31, 2022
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Return Before Taxes | - | % |
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Return After Taxes on Distributions | - | % |
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Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Portfolio Shares | - | % |
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Russell 3000® Value Index | - | % |
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Investment Advisor/Portfolio Management
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP serves as the investment advisor for the US Marketwide Value ETF. The following individuals are responsible for leading the day-to-day management of the Portfolio:
• |
Jed S. Fogdall, Global Head of Portfolio Management, Chairman of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since 2022 (predecessor fund 2012). |
||
• |
John A. Hertzer, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio and predecessor fund since 2022. |
||
• |
Joseph F. Hohn, Vice President and Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio and predecessor fund since 2022. |
||
• |
Mary T. Phillips, Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio and predecessor fund since 2022. |
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The US Marketwide Value ETF issues (or redeems) shares at NAV only to certain financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the Portfolio’s distributor in large aggregated blocks known as “Creation Units.” A Creation Unit of the Portfolio consists of 50,000 shares. Creation Units are issued (or redeemed) in-kind for securities (and an amount of cash) that the Portfolio specifies each day at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order.
Individual Portfolio shares may only be purchased and sold on NYSE Arca, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). Because Portfolio shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Portfolio shares may trade at a price less than (discount) or greater than (premium) the Portfolio’s NAV. Recent information, including information on the Portfolio’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is available on the Portfolio’s website at https://www.dimensional.com/us-en/funds.
Tax Information
The dividends and distributions you receive from the US Marketwide Value ETF are taxable and generally will be taxed as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a
29
tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, in which case distributions may be taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn from the plan or account.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the US Marketwide Value ETF through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Portfolio and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of the Portfolio shares and/or related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the financial intermediary to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
30
The investment objective of the Dimensional International Value ETF (the “International Value ETF” or “Portfolio”) is to achieve long-term capital appreciation while minimizing federal income taxes on returns.
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold or sell shares of the International Value ETF. You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Portfolio, which are not reflected in the table or Example that follows.
year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
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Management Fee | | |
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Other Expenses | | |
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | | |
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This Example is meant to help you compare the cost of investing in the International Value ETF with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs whether you redeem or hold your shares would be:
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1 Year |
3 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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The International Value ETF pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate was
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP’s (the “Advisor”) tax management strategies for the International Value ETF are designed to maximize the after tax value of a shareholder’s investment. Generally, the Advisor buys and sells securities for the Portfolio with the goals of: (i) delaying and minimizing the realization of net capital gains (e.g., selling stocks with capital losses to offset gains, realized or anticipated); and (ii) maximizing the extent to which any realized net capital gains are long-term in nature (i.e., taxable at lower capital gains tax rates).
31
To achieve the International Value ETF’s investment objective, the Advisor implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions. As further described below, the Portfolio’s design emphasizes long-term drivers of expected returns identified by the Advisor’s research, while balancing risk through broad diversification across companies and sectors. The Advisor’s portfolio management and trading processes further balance those long-term drivers of expected returns with shorter-term drivers of expected returns and trading costs.
The International Value ETF is designed to generally purchase securities of large non-U.S. companies in countries with developed markets that the Advisor determines to be lower relative price stocks. A company’s market capitalization is the number of its shares outstanding times its price per share. Under a market capitalization weighted approach, companies with higher market capitalizations generally represent a larger proportion of the Portfolio than companies with relatively lower market capitalizations. The Advisor may overweight certain stocks, including smaller companies, lower relative price stocks, and/or higher profitability stocks within the large-cap value segment of developed ex U.S. markets. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time.
The International Value ETF intends to purchase securities of large companies associated with developed market countries that the Advisor has designated as approved markets. The Advisor determines the minimum market capitalization of a large company with respect to each country or region in which the Portfolio invests. Based on market capitalization data as of December 31, 2022, for the Portfolio, the market capitalization of a large company in any country or region in which the Portfolio invests would be $1,325 million or above. This threshold will change due to market conditions.
The Advisor may also increase or reduce the International Value ETF’s exposure to an eligible company, or exclude a company, based on shorter-term considerations, such as a company’s price momentum. In addition, the Advisor seeks to reduce trading costs using a flexible trading approach that looks for opportunities to participate in the available market liquidity, while managing turnover and explicit transaction costs.
The International Value ETF also may gain exposure to companies associated with approved markets by purchasing equity securities in the form of depositary receipts, which may be listed or traded outside the issuer’s domicile country. The Portfolio may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for foreign or U.S. equity securities and indices, to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio. Because many of the Portfolio’s investments may be denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio may enter into foreign currency exchange transactions, including foreign currency forward contracts, in connection with the settlement of foreign securities or to transfer cash balances from one currency to another currency.
The International Value ETF may lend its portfolio securities to generate additional income.
The International Value ETF is an actively managed exchange-traded fund and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index and may have a higher degree of portfolio turnover than such index funds.
Equity Market Risk: Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, market, political, and issuer-specific conditions and events will cause the value of equity securities, and the Portfolio that
32
owns them, to rise or fall. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices.
Value Investment Risk: Value stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies. Value stocks can react differently to political, economic, and industry developments than the market as a whole and other types of stocks. Value stocks also may underperform the market for long periods of time.
Profitability Investment Risk: High relative profitability stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies.
Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Foreign securities prices may decline or fluctuate because of: (a) economic or political actions of foreign governments, and/or (b) less regulated or liquid securities markets. Investors holding these securities may also be exposed to foreign currency risk (the possibility that foreign currency will fluctuate in value against the U.S. dollar or that a foreign government will convert, or be forced to convert, its currency to another currency, changing its value against the U.S. dollar). The International Value ETF does not hedge foreign currency risk.
Depositary receipts are generally subject to the same risks as the foreign securities that they evidence or into which they may be converted. In addition, the underlying issuers of certain depositary receipts, particularly unsponsored or unregistered depositary receipts, are under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications to the holders of such receipts, or to pass through to them any voting rights with respect to the deposited securities. Depositary receipts that are not sponsored by the issuer may be less liquid and there may be less readily available public information about the issuer.
Tax-Management Strategy Risk: The tax-management strategies may alter investment decisions and affect portfolio holdings, when compared to those of non-tax managed funds. The Advisor anticipates that performance of the Portfolio may deviate from that of non-tax managed funds. Although the Advisor intends to manage the Portfolio in a manner which considers the effects of the realization of capital gains and taxable dividend income each year, the Portfolio may nonetheless distribute taxable gains and dividends to shareholders.
Market Trading Risk: Active trading markets for the Portfolio’s shares may not be developed or maintained by market makers or authorized participants. Authorized participants are not obligated to make a market in the Portfolio’s shares or to submit purchase or redemption orders for creation units. Trading in shares on an exchange may be halted in certain circumstances. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the listing exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Portfolio will continue to be met.
Premium/Discount Risk: The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Portfolio and the value of your investment may fluctuate. Disruptions to creations and redemptions or the market price of the Portfolio’s holdings, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for shares may widen bid-ask spreads and result in shares trading at a significant premium or discount to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
International Closed Market Trading Risk: To the extent that the underlying securities held by the Portfolio trade on an exchange that is closed when the securities exchange on which the Portfolio shares list and trade is open, there may be market uncertainty about the stale security pricing (i.e., the last quote from its closed foreign market) resulting in premiums or discounts to NAV that may be greater than those experienced by other ETFs.
Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are instruments, such as futures, and options thereon, and foreign currency forward contracts, whose value is derived from that of other assets, rates or indices. The use of derivatives for non-hedging purposes may be considered to carry more risk than other types of investments. When the International Value ETF uses derivatives, the Portfolio will be directly exposed to the risks of those derivatives. Derivative instruments are subject to a number of risks including counterparty, settlement, liquidity, interest rate,
33
market, credit and management risks, as well as the risk of improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Portfolio could lose more than the principal amount invested.
Securities Lending Risk: Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Portfolio may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Portfolio could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. Securities lending also may have certain adverse tax consequences.
Operational Risk: Operational risks include human error, changes in personnel, system changes, faults in communication, and failures in systems, technology, or processes. Various operational events or circumstances are outside the Advisor’s control, including instances at third parties. The Portfolio and the Advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate to address these risks.
Cyber Security Risk: The Portfolio’s and its service providers’ use of internet, technology and information systems may expose the Portfolio to potential risks linked to cyber security breaches of those technological or information systems. Cyber security breaches, amongst other things, could allow an unauthorized party to gain access to proprietary information, customer data, or fund assets, or cause the Portfolio and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality.
The bar chart and table immediately following illustrate the variability of the International Value ETF’s returns and are meant to provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Portfolio. The International Value ETF has adopted the performance of the Tax-Managed DFA International Value Portfolio (the predecessor fund) as the result of a reorganization of the predecessor fund into the International Value ETF, which was consummated after the close of business on September 10, 2021 (the “Reorganization”). Prior to the Reorganization, the International Value ETF had not yet commenced operations. The bar chart shows the changes in the Portfolio’s (and the predecessor fund’s) performance from year to year. The table illustrates how annualized one year, five year and ten year returns, both before and after taxes, compare with those of a broad measure of market performance.
34
January 2013-December 2022
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Investment Advisor/Portfolio Management
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP serves as the investment advisor for the International Value ETF. Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. and DFA Australia Limited serve as the sub-advisors for the Portfolio. The following individuals are responsible for leading the day-to-day management of the Portfolio:
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Jed S. Fogdall, Global Head of Portfolio Management, Chairman of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since 2021 (predecessor fund 2010). |
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Arun C. Keswani, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since 2021 (predecessor fund 2020). |
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Joseph F. Hohn, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since 2022. |
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Joel P. Schneider, Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since 2022. |
35
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The International Value ETF issues (or redeems) shares at NAV only to certain financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the Portfolio’s distributor in large aggregated blocks known as “Creation Units.” A Creation Unit of the Portfolio consists of 50,000 shares. Creation Units are issued (or redeemed) in-kind for securities (and an amount of cash) that the Portfolio specifies each day at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order.
Individual Portfolio shares may only be purchased and sold on NYSE Arca, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). Because Portfolio shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Portfolio shares may trade at a price less than (discount) or greater than (premium) the Portfolio’s NAV. Recent information, including information on the Portfolio’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is available on the Portfolio’s website at https://www.dimensional.com/us-en/funds.
Tax Information
The dividends and distributions you receive from the International Value ETF are taxable and generally will be taxed as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, in which case distributions may be taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn from the plan or account.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the International Value ETF through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Portfolio and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of the Portfolio shares and/or related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the financial intermediary to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
36
The investment objective of the Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF (the “World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF” or “Portfolio”) is to achieve long-term capital appreciation while considering federal tax implications of investment decisions.
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold or sell shares of the World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF. You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Portfolio, which are not reflected in the table or Example that follows.
year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
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This Example is meant to help you compare the cost of investing in the World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs whether you redeem or hold your shares would be:
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The World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate was
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP’s (the “Advisor”) tax management strategies for the World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF are designed to maximize the after tax value of a shareholder’s investment. Generally, the Advisor buys and sells securities for the Portfolio with the goals of: (i) delaying and minimizing the realization of net capital gains (e.g., selling stocks with capital losses to offset gains, realized or anticipated); and (ii) maximizing the extent to which any realized net capital gains are long-term in nature (i.e., taxable at lower capital gains tax rates).
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To achieve the World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF’s investment objective, the Advisor implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions. As further described below, the Portfolio’s design emphasizes long-term drivers of expected returns identified by the Advisor’s research, while balancing risk through broad diversification across companies and sectors. The Advisor’s portfolio management and trading processes further balance those long-term drivers of expected returns with shorter-term drivers of expected returns and trading costs.
The World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF is designed to purchase a broad and diverse group of securities of non-U.S. companies in countries with developed and emerging markets. The Portfolio invests in companies of all sizes, with increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies as compared to their representation in the Non-U.S. Universe. For purposes of this Portfolio, the Advisor defines the Non-U.S. Universe as a market capitalization weighted set (e.g., the larger the company, the greater the proportion of the Non-U.S. Universe it represents) of non-U.S. companies in developed and emerging markets that have been authorized for investment as approved markets by the Advisor’s Investment Committee. The Portfolio’s increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies may be achieved by decreasing the allocation of the Portfolio’s assets to larger capitalization, higher relative price, or lower profitability companies relative to their weight in the Non-U.S. Universe. An equity issuer is considered to have a high relative price (i.e., a growth stock) primarily because it has a high price in relation to its book value. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time. The Advisor determines company size on a country or region specific basis and based primarily on market capitalization.
The World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF intends to purchase securities of companies associated with developed market and emerging market countries, which may include frontier markets (emerging market countries in an earlier stage of development), that the Advisor has designated as approved markets. As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets in non-U.S. equity securities and/or investments that provide exposure to non-U.S. securities.
The Advisor may also increase or reduce the World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF’s exposure to an eligible company, or exclude a company, based on shorter-term considerations, such as a company’s price momentum and investment characteristics. In assessing a company’s investment characteristics, the Advisor considers ratios such as recent changes in assets divided by total assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing a company’s investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time. In addition, the Advisor seeks to reduce trading costs using a flexible trading approach that looks for opportunities to participate in the available market liquidity, while managing turnover and explicit transaction costs.
The World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF may gain exposure to non-U.S. securities by purchasing equity securities in the form of depositary receipts, which may be listed or traded outside the issuer’s domicile country. The Portfolio may also invest in China A-shares (equity securities of companies listed in China) and variable interest entities (special structures that utilize contractual arrangements to provide exposure to certain Chinese companies). The Portfolio may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for foreign or U.S. equity securities and indices, to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio. Because many of the Portfolio’s investments may be denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio may enter into foreign currency exchange transactions, including foreign currency forward contracts, in connection with the settlement of foreign securities or to transfer cash balances from one currency to another currency.
The World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF may lend its portfolio securities to generate additional income.
The World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF is an actively managed exchange-traded fund and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index and may have a higher degree of portfolio turnover than such index funds.
38
Equity Market Risk: Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, market, political, and issuer-specific conditions and events will cause the value of equity securities, and the Portfolio that owns them, to rise or fall. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices.
Profitability Investment Risk: High relative profitability stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies.
Value Investment Risk: Value stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies. Value stocks can react differently to political, economic, and industry developments than the market as a whole and other types of stocks. Value stocks also may underperform the market for long periods of time.
Small and Mid-Cap Company Risk: Securities of small and mid-cap companies are often less liquid than those of large companies and this could make it difficult to sell a small or mid-cap company security at a desired time or price. As a result, small and mid-cap company stocks may fluctuate relatively more in price. In general, small and mid-capitalization companies are also more vulnerable than larger companies to adverse business or economic developments and they may have more limited resources.
Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Foreign securities prices may decline or fluctuate because of: (a) economic or political actions of foreign governments, and/or (b) less regulated or liquid securities markets. Investors holding these securities may also be exposed to foreign currency risk (the possibility that foreign currency will fluctuate in value against the U.S. dollar or that a foreign government will convert, or be forced to convert, its currency to another currency, changing its value against the U.S. dollar). The World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF does not hedge foreign currency risk.
Depositary receipts are generally subject to the same risks as the foreign securities that they evidence or into which they may be converted. In addition, the underlying issuers of certain depositary receipts, particularly unsponsored or unregistered depositary receipts, are under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications to the holders of such receipts, or to pass through to them any voting rights with respect to the deposited securities. Depositary receipts that are not sponsored by the issuer may be less liquid and there may be less readily available public information about the issuer.
Emerging Markets Risk: Numerous emerging market countries have a history of, and continue to experience serious, and potentially continuing, economic and political problems. Stock markets in many emerging market countries are relatively small, expensive to trade in and generally have higher risks than those in developed markets. Securities in emerging markets also may be less liquid than those in developed markets and foreigners are often limited in their ability to invest in, and withdraw assets from, these markets. Additional restrictions may be imposed under other conditions. Frontier market countries generally have smaller economies or less developed capital markets and, as a result, the risks of investing in emerging market countries are magnified in frontier market countries.
China Investments Risk: There are special risks associated with investments in China and Taiwan, which are considered emerging market countries by the Portfolio. The Chinese government has implemented significant economic reforms in order to liberalize trade policy, promote foreign investment in the economy, reduce government control of the economy and develop market mechanisms. But there can be no assurance that these reforms will continue or that they will be effective. Despite reforms and privatizations of companies in certain
39
sectors, the Chinese government still exercises substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector and may own or control many companies. The Chinese government continues to maintain a major role in economic policy making and investing in China involves risks of losses due to expropriation, nationalization, confiscation of assets and property, and the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and on repatriation of capital invested.
A reduction in spending on Chinese products and services or the institution of additional tariffs or other trade barriers, including as a result of heightened trade tensions between China and the United States may also have an adverse impact on the Chinese economy. In addition, investments in Taiwan could be adversely affected by its political and economic relationship with China. Certain securities issued by companies located or operating in China, such as China A-shares, are also subject to trading restrictions, quota limitations and less market liquidity, which could pose risks to the Portfolio. The Portfolio may also invest in special structures that utilize contractual arrangements to provide exposure to certain Chinese companies, known as variable interest entities (“VIEs”), that operate in sectors in which China restricts and/or prohibits foreign investments. The Chinese government’s acceptance of the VIE structure is evolving. It is uncertain whether Chinese officials and regulators will withdraw their acceptance of the structure or whether Chinese courts or arbitration bodies would decline to enforce the contractual rights of foreign investors, each of which would likely have significant, detrimental, and possibly permanent losses on the value of such investments.
Tax-Management Strategy Risk: The tax-management strategies may alter investment decisions and affect portfolio holdings, when compared to those of non-tax managed funds. The Advisor anticipates that performance of the Portfolio may deviate from that of non-tax managed funds. Although the Advisor intends to manage the Portfolio in a manner which considers the effects of the realization of capital gains and taxable dividend income each year, the Portfolio may nonetheless distribute taxable gains and dividends to shareholders.
Market Trading Risk: Active trading markets for the Portfolio’s shares may not be developed or maintained by market makers or authorized participants. Authorized participants are not obligated to make a market in the Portfolio’s shares or to submit purchase or redemption orders for creation units. Trading in shares on an exchange may be halted in certain circumstances. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the listing exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Portfolio will continue to be met.
Premium/Discount Risk: The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Portfolio and the value of your investment may fluctuate. Disruptions to creations and redemptions or the market price of the Portfolio’s holdings, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for shares may widen bid-ask spreads and result in shares trading at a significant premium or discount to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
International Closed Market Trading Risk: To the extent that the underlying securities held by the Portfolio trade on an exchange that is closed when the securities exchange on which the Portfolio shares list and trade is open, there may be market uncertainty about the stale security pricing (i.e., the last quote from its closed foreign market) resulting in premiums or discounts to NAV that may be greater than those experienced by other ETFs.
Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are instruments, such as futures, and options thereon, and foreign currency forward contracts, whose value is derived from that of other assets, rates or indices. The use of derivatives for non-hedging purposes may be considered to carry more risk than other types of investments. When the World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF uses derivatives, the Portfolio will be directly exposed to the risks of those derivatives. Derivative instruments are subject to a number of risks including counterparty, settlement, liquidity, interest rate, market, credit and management risks, as well as the risk of improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, securities, rate, or index, and the Portfolio could lose more than the principal amount invested.
Securities Lending Risk: Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Portfolio may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Portfolio could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the
40
collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. Securities lending also may have certain adverse tax consequences.
Operational Risk: Operational risks include human error, changes in personnel, system changes, faults in communication, and failures in systems, technology, or processes. Various operational events or circumstances are outside the Advisor’s control, including instances at third parties. The Portfolio and the Advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate to address these risks.
Cyber Security Risk: The Portfolio’s and its service providers’ use of internet, technology and information systems may expose the Portfolio to potential risks linked to cyber security breaches of those technological or information systems. Cyber security breaches, amongst other things, could allow an unauthorized party to gain access to proprietary information, customer data, or fund assets, or cause the Portfolio and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality.
The bar chart and table immediately following illustrate the variability of the World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF’s returns and are meant to provide some indication of the risks of investing in the Portfolio. The World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF has adopted the performance of the T.A. World ex U.S. Core Equity Portfolio (the predecessor fund) as the result of a reorganization of the predecessor fund into the World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF, which was consummated after the close of business on September 10, 2021 (the “Reorganization”). Prior to the Reorganization, the World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF had not yet commenced operations. The bar chart shows the changes in the Portfolio’s (and the predecessor fund’s) performance from year to year. The table illustrates how annualized one year, five year and ten year returns, both before and after taxes, compare with those of a broad measure of market performance.
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January 2013-December 2022
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Investment Advisor/Portfolio Management
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP serves as the investment advisor for the World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF. Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. and DFA Australia Limited serve as the sub-advisors for the Portfolio. The following individuals are responsible for leading the day-to-day management of the Portfolio:
• |
Jed S. Fogdall, Global Head of Portfolio Management, Chairman of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since 2021 (predecessor fund 2010). |
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Allen Pu, Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since 2021 (predecessor fund 2015). |
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Mary T. Phillips, Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since 2021 (predecessor fund 2017). |
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William B. Collins-Dean, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since 2021 (predecessor fund 2019). |
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Joseph F. Hohn, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since 2022. |
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF issues (or redeems) shares at NAV only to certain financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the Portfolio’s distributor in large aggregated blocks known as “Creation Units.” A Creation Unit of the Portfolio consists of 200,000 shares. Creation Units are issued (or redeemed) in-kind for securities (and an amount of cash) that the Portfolio specifies each day at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order.
Individual Portfolio shares may only be purchased and sold on NYSE Arca, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). Because Portfolio shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Portfolio shares may trade at a price less than (discount) or greater than (premium) the Portfolio’s NAV. Recent information, including information on the Portfolio’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is available on the Portfolio’s website at https://www.dimensional.com/us-en/funds.
Tax Information
The dividends and distributions you receive from the World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF are taxable and generally will be taxed as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, in which case distributions may be taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn from the plan or account.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Portfolio and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of the Portfolio shares and/or related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the financial intermediary to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
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Additional Information on Investment Objectives and Policies
Dimensional ETF Trust (the “Trust”) offers a variety of investment portfolios. Each of the investment company’s portfolios has its own investment objective and is the equivalent of a separate exchange-traded fund (“ETF”). Shares of the Dimensional U.S. Equity ETF (the “US Equity ETF”), Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF (the “US Small Cap ETF”), Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF (the “US Targeted Value ETF”), Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF (the “US Core Equity 2 ETF”), Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF (the “US Marketwide Value ETF”), Dimensional International Value ETF (the “International Value ETF”), and Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF (the “World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF”) are offered in this Prospectus. The Portfolios are designed for long-term investors.
INVESTMENT TERMS USED IN THE PROSPECTUS
Below are the definitions of some terms that the Advisor uses to describe the investment strategies for certain Portfolios.
Free Float generally describes the number of publicly traded shares of a company.
Price Momentum generally describes the past performance of a stock relative to other stocks.
Trading Strategies generally refers to the ability to execute purchases and sales of stocks in a cost-effective manner.
Profitability generally measures a company’s profit in relation to its book value or assets.
US Equity ETF
The investment objective of the US Equity ETF is to achieve long-term capital appreciation while minimizing federal income taxes on returns. The Portfolio generally will invest its assets in a broad and diverse group of securities of companies listed on the U.S. national securities exchanges. The US Equity ETF uses a market capitalization weighted approach. See “Market Capitalization Weighted Approach” in this Prospectus.
The Advisor considers companies of all market capitalizations for purchase by the Portfolio. The total market capitalization range used by the Advisor for the US Equity ETF (i.e., all eligible U.S. operating companies listed on a securities exchange in the United States that is deemed appropriate by the Advisor), generally applies at the time of purchase by the Portfolio. The Portfolio is not required to dispose of a security if the security’s issuer is no longer within this total market capitalization range. Securities that do meet the market capitalization range nevertheless may be sold at any time when, in the Advisor’s judgement, circumstances warrant their sale. See “Portfolio Transactions” in this Prospectus. The Advisor may increase or decrease the Portfolio’s exposure to an eligible company, or exclude a company, after considering such factors as free float, price momentum, trading strategies, liquidity, size, relative price, profitability, investment characteristics, and other factors that the Advisor determines to be appropriate. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time. The Advisor may decrease the allocation of the Portfolio’s assets to eligible small capitalization companies that generally have lower profitability and/or higher relative prices.
The Advisor may also increase or reduce the US Equity ETF’s exposure to an eligible company, or exclude a company, based on shorter-term considerations, such as a company’s price momentum. In assessing a company’s investment characteristics, the Advisor considers ratios such as recent changes in assets divided by total assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing a company’s investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time. In addition, the Advisor seeks to reduce trading costs using a flexible trading approach that looks for opportunities to participate in the available market liquidity, while managing turnover and explicit transaction costs.
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The US Equity ETF may invest in ETFs for the purpose of gaining exposure to the U.S. equity markets while maintaining liquidity. In addition to money market instruments and other short-term investments, the Portfolio may invest in affiliated and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds to manage cash pending investment in other securities or to maintain liquidity for the payment of redemptions or other purposes. Investments in ETFs and money market funds may involve a duplication of certain fees and expenses. The Portfolio will look through to the security holdings of any investment companies in which it invests for purposes of compliance with its 80% policy, to the extent that the Portfolio has sufficient information about the holdings of such investment companies.
US Small Cap ETF
The investment objective of the US Small Cap ETF is to achieve long-term capital appreciation while minimizing federal income taxes on returns. The Portfolio provides investors with access to a securities portfolio generally consisting of small U.S. companies traded on a U.S. national securities exchange. Company size will be determined for purposes of the Portfolio solely on the basis of a company’s market capitalization, which will be calculated by multiplying the price of a company’s stock by the number of its shares of outstanding common stock. As of the date of this Prospectus, for this Portfolio, the Advisor considers small cap companies to be all companies whose market capitalizations are generally in the lowest 10% of total market capitalization or companies whose market capitalizations are smaller than the 1,000th largest U.S. company, whichever results in the higher market capitalization break. The Advisor may decrease the allocation of the Portfolio’s assets to eligible small capitalization companies that generally have lower profitability and/or higher relative prices.
The US Small Cap ETF intends to invest in the securities of eligible companies using a market capitalization weighted approach. See “Market Capitalization Weighted Approach.”
The US Small Cap ETF may invest in ETFs for the purpose of gaining exposure to the U.S. equity markets while maintaining liquidity. In addition to money market instruments and other short-term investments, the Portfolio may invest in affiliated and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds to manage cash pending investment in other securities or to maintain liquidity for the payment of redemptions or other purposes. Investments in ETFs and money market funds may involve a duplication of certain fees and expenses. The Portfolio will look through to the security holdings of any investment companies in which it invests for purposes of compliance with its 80% policy, to the extent that the Portfolio has sufficient information about the holdings of such investment companies.
US Targeted Value ETF
The investment objective of the US Targeted Value ETF is to achieve long-term capital appreciation while minimizing federal income taxes on returns.
The US Targeted Value ETF invests its assets in a broad and diverse group of readily marketable securities of U.S. companies that the Advisor determines to be lower relative price stocks with higher profitability at the time of purchase. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value (a “price to book ratio”). In assessing relative price, however, the Advisor may consider additional factors, such as a company’s price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios, as well as economic conditions and developments in the company’s industry. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price or profitability are subject to change from time to time. The Advisor may decrease the allocation of the Portfolio’s assets to eligible small capitalization companies that generally have lower profitability and/or higher relative prices.
The US Targeted Value ETF will purchase securities that are listed on the U.S. national securities exchanges. The Portfolio uses a market capitalization weighted approach. See “Market Capitalization Weighted Approach” in this Prospectus.
On not less than a semi-annual basis, for the US Targeted Value ETF, the Advisor calculates price to book ratios and reviews total market capitalization to determine those companies whose stock may be eligible for
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investment. Generally, the US Targeted Value ETF does not intend to purchase or sell securities based on the prospects for the economy, the securities markets or the individual issuers whose shares are eligible for purchase.
The total market capitalization ranges, and the value criteria used by the Advisor for the US Targeted Value ETF, as described above, generally apply at the time of purchase by the Portfolio. The Tax US Targeted Value ETF is not required to dispose of a security if the security’s issuer is no longer within the total market capitalization range or does not meet current value criteria. Securities that do meet the market capitalization and/or value criteria nevertheless may be sold at any time when, in the Advisor’s judgement, circumstances warrant their sale. See “Portfolio Transactions” in this Prospectus.
The US Targeted Value ETF may invest in ETFs for the purpose of gaining exposure to the U.S. equity markets while maintaining liquidity. In addition to money market instruments and other short-term investments, the Portfolio may invest in affiliated and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds to manage cash pending investment in other securities or to maintain liquidity for the payment of redemptions or other purposes. Investments in ETFs and money market funds may involve a duplication of certain fees and expenses. The Portfolio will look through to the security holdings of any investment companies in which it invests for purposes of compliance with its 80% policy, to the extent that the Portfolio has sufficient information about the holdings of such investment companies.
US Core Equity 2 ETF
The investment objective of the US Core Equity 2 ETF is to achieve long-term capital appreciation while minimizing federal income tax implications of investment decisions. The Portfolio seeks to achieve its investment objective by purchasing a broad and diverse group of securities of U.S. companies with an increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies relative to the U.S. Universe. The Advisor generally defines the U.S. Universe as a market capitalization weighted set of U.S. operating companies listed on a securities exchange in the United States that is deemed appropriate by the Advisor from time to time (U.S. Universe). Market capitalization weighted means that a company’s weighting in the U.S. Universe is proportional to that company’s actual market capitalization compared to the total market capitalization of all eligible companies. The higher the company’s relative market capitalization, the greater its representation. The increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies may be achieved by decreasing the allocation of the Portfolio’s assets to larger capitalization, higher relative price, or lower profitability companies relative to their weight in the U.S. Universe. An equity issuer is considered to have a high relative price (i.e., a growth stock) primarily because it has a high price in relation to its book value. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors, such as price-to-cash-flow or price-to-earnings ratios, as well as economic conditions and developments in the issuer’s industry. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time. In addition, the Advisor may consider such factors as free float, price momentum, trading strategies, liquidity, size, relative price, profitability, and investment characteristics, as well as other factors it determines appropriate in adjusting the representation of eligible companies in the Portfolio. The Advisor may decrease the amount that the Portfolio invests in small capitalization companies that have lower profitability and/or higher relative prices. The Advisor may consider a small capitalization company’s investment characteristics as compared to other eligible companies when making investment decisions and may exclude a small capitalization company with high investment as measured by the company’s recent asset growth. The Portfolio will generally not exclude more than 5% of the eligible small capitalization companies within the U.S. Universe based on such investment characteristics. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing a company’s investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time.
The US Core Equity 2 ETF may invest in ETFs for the purpose of gaining exposure to the U.S. stock market while maintaining liquidity. In addition to money market instruments and other short-term investments, the Portfolio may invest in affiliated and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds to manage cash pending investment in other securities or to maintain liquidity for the payment of redemptions or other purposes. Investments in ETFs and money market funds may involve a duplication of certain fees and expenses. The Portfolio will look through to the security holdings of any investment companies in which it invests for purposes
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of compliance with its 80% policy, to the extent that the Portfolio has sufficient information about the holdings of such investment companies.
US Marketwide Value ETF
The investment objective of the US Marketwide Value ETF is to achieve long-term capital appreciation. Ordinarily, the Portfolio will invest its assets in a broad and diverse group of securities of U.S. companies that the Advisor determines to be value stocks at the time of purchase. The Advisor may overweight certain stocks, including smaller companies, lower relative price stocks, and/or higher profitability stocks within the value segment of the U.S. market. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value (a “price to book ratio”). In assessing relative price, however, the Advisor may consider additional factors, such as a company’s price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios, as well as economic conditions and developments in the company’s industry. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The Advisor may consider a small capitalization company’s investment characteristics as compared to other eligible companies when making investment decisions and may exclude a small capitalization company with high investment as measured by the company’s recent asset growth. The Portfolio will generally not exclude more than 5% of the eligible U.S. small capitalization company universe that the Portfolio invests in based on such investment characteristics. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price, profitability, or investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time. The Advisor may decrease the amount that the Portfolio invests in small capitalization companies that have lower profitability and/or higher relative prices.
The US Marketwide Value ETF will purchase securities of U.S. operating companies listed on securities exchanges in the United States that are deemed appropriate by the Advisor. On not less than a semi-annual basis, the Advisor will calculate price to book ratios and review total market capitalization to determine those companies whose stock may be eligible for investment.
The total market capitalization range, and the value criteria used by the Advisor for the US Marketwide Value ETF, as described above, generally apply at the time of purchase. The Portfolio is not required to dispose of a security if the security’s issuer is no longer within the total market capitalization range or does not meet current value criteria. Securities that do meet the market capitalization and/or value criteria nevertheless may be sold at any time when, in the Advisor’s judgement, circumstances warrant their sale. See “Portfolio Transactions” in this Prospectus.
The US Marketwide Value ETF may invest in ETFs for the purpose of gaining exposure to the U.S. equity markets while maintaining liquidity. In addition to money market instruments and other short- term investments, the Portfolio may invest in affiliated and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds to manage cash pending investment in other securities or to maintain liquidity for the payment of redemptions or other purposes. Investments in ETFs and money market funds may involve a duplication of certain fees and expenses.
International Value ETF
The investment objective of the International Value ETF is to achieve long-term capital appreciation while minimizing federal income taxes on returns. The Portfolio seeks to achieve its investment objective by purchasing the securities of large non-U.S. companies which the Advisor determines to be value stocks at the time of the purchase. The Advisor may overweight certain stocks, including smaller companies, lower relative price stocks, and/or higher profitability stocks within the large-cap value segment of developed ex U.S. markets. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors, such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios, as well as economic conditions and developments in the issuer’s industry. The Advisor may increase or decrease the Portfolio’s exposure to an eligible company, or exclude a company, after considering such factors as free float, price momentum, trading strategies, liquidity, size, relative price, profitability, and other factors that the Advisor determines to be appropriate. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Portfolio may invest in the securities of large companies associated with Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy,
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Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom (collectively, the “Approved Markets”). For a description of the securities approved for investment, see “Approved Markets” in this Prospectus.
Under normal market conditions, the International Value ETF intends to invest at least 40% of its assets in three or more non-U.S. countries by investing in securities of companies associated with such countries.
In the countries or regions authorized for investment, the Advisor first ranks eligible companies listed on selected exchanges based on the companies’ market capitalization. The Advisor then determines the universe of eligible securities by defining the minimum market capitalization of a large company that may be purchased by the International Value ETF with respect to each country or region. Based on market capitalization data as of December 31, 2022, for the Portfolio, the market capitalization of a large company in any country or region in which the Portfolio invests would be $1,325 million or above. This threshold will change due to market conditions. For example, based on market capitalization data as of December 31, 2022, the Advisor would consider a large company in the European Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) to have a market capitalization of at least $6,125 million, a large company in Norway to have a market capitalization of at least $1,765 million, and a large company in Switzerland to have a market capitalization of at least $8,202 million. These thresholds will change due to market conditions.
The International Value ETF does not seek current income as an investment objective. However, many of the companies whose securities will be included in the Portfolio do pay dividends. It is anticipated, therefore, that the Portfolio will receive dividend income.
The International Value ETF may invest in ETFs for the purpose of gaining exposure to the equity markets while maintaining liquidity. In addition to money market instruments and other short-term investments, the Portfolio may invest in affiliated and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds to manage cash pending investment in other securities or to maintain liquidity for the payment of redemptions or other purposes. Investments in ETFs and money market funds may involve a duplication of certain fees and expenses.
World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF
The investment objective of the World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF is to achieve long-term capital appreciation while considering federal tax implications of investment decisions. The Portfolio seeks to achieve its investment objective by purchasing a broad and diverse group of securities of non-U.S. companies with an increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies relative to the Non-U.S. Universe. For purposes of this Portfolio, the Advisor defines the “Non-U.S. Universe” as a market capitalization weighted set of non-U.S. companies in developed and emerging markets, which may include frontier markets, that have been authorized for investment as Approved Markets by the Advisor’s Investment Committee. Market capitalization weighted means that a company’s weighting in the Non-U.S. Universe is proportional to that company’s actual market capitalization compared to the total market capitalization of all eligible companies. The higher the company’s relative market capitalization, the greater its representation. As of the date of this Prospectus, the following markets have been authorized for investment as Approved Markets for the Portfolio and comprise the Non-U.S. Universe: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates. For a description of the securities approved for investment, see “Approved Markets” in this Prospectus.
Under normal market conditions, the World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF intends to invest at least 40% of its assets in three or more non-U.S. countries by investing in securities of companies associated with such countries.
The increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies for the World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF may be achieved by decreasing the allocation of the Portfolio’s assets to larger capitalization, higher relative price or lower profitability companies relative to their weight in the Non-U.S. Universe. An equity issuer is considered to have a high relative price (i.e., a growth stock) primarily because it has a high price in relation to its book value. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value
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stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors, such as price-to-cash-flow or price-to-earnings ratios, as well as economic conditions and developments in the issuer’s industry. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time. In addition, the Advisor may consider such factors as free float, price momentum, trading strategies, liquidity, size, relative price, profitability, and investment characteristics, as well as other factors it determines appropriate in adjusting the representation of eligible companies in the Portfolio. The Advisor may decrease the amount that the Portfolio invests in small capitalization companies that have lower profitability and/or higher relative prices. The Advisor may consider a small capitalization company’s investment characteristics as compared to other eligible companies when making investment decisions and may exclude a small capitalization company with high investment as measured by the company’s recent asset growth. The Portfolio will generally not exclude more than 5% of the eligible small capitalization companies within the Non-U.S. Universe based on such investment characteristics. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing a company’s investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time.
In determining which emerging market countries are eligible markets for the World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF, the Advisor may consider various factors, including, without limitation, the data, analysis, and classification of countries published or disseminated by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (commonly known as the World Bank), the International Finance Corporation, FTSE International, and MSCI. Approved Markets may not include all such emerging markets. In determining whether to approve emerging markets for investment, the Advisor may take into account, among other things, market liquidity, relative availability of investor information, government regulation, including fiscal and foreign exchange repatriation rules and the availability of other access to these markets for the Portfolio.
The World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF may invest in ETFs for the purpose of gaining exposure to the equity markets while maintaining liquidity. In addition to money market instruments and other short-term investments, the Portfolio may invest in affiliated and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds to manage cash pending investment in other securities or to maintain liquidity for the payment of redemptions or other purposes. Investments in ETFs and money market funds may involve a duplication of certain fees and expenses.
The World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF may also invest in China A-shares (equity securities of companies listed in China) that are accessible through the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect program or the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect program (together, “Stock Connect”) and variable interest entities (special structures that utilize contractual arrangements to provide exposure to certain Chinese companies).
Approved Markets
With respect to the International Value ETF and World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF (each an “International Portfolio” and together, the “International Portfolios”), the Advisor will determine in its discretion when and whether to invest in countries that have been authorized as Approved Markets, depending on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, asset growth in the International Portfolio, constraints imposed within Approved Markets, and other characteristics of each country’s markets. The Investment Committee of the Advisor also may authorize other countries for investment in the future, in addition to the Approved Markets listed above. Although the Advisor does not intend to purchase securities not associated with an Approved Market, an International Portfolio may acquire such securities in connection with corporate actions or other reorganizations or transactions with respect to securities that are held by the Portfolio from time to time. Also, an International Portfolio may continue to hold investments in countries that are not currently designated as Approved Markets, but had been authorized for investment in the past, and may reinvest distributions received in connection with such existing investments in such previously Approved Markets.
The International Portfolios invest in securities of Approved Markets (as identified above) listed on bona fide securities exchanges or traded on over-the-counter markets. These exchanges or over-the-counter markets may be either within or outside the issuer’s domicile country. For example, the securities may be listed or traded in the form of European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), or other types of depositary receipts (including non-voting depositary receipts) or may be listed on bona fide securities exchanges in more than one country. An International Portfolio will consider for
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purchase securities that are associated with an Approved Market (“Approved Market Securities”). Approved Market Securities are: (a) securities of companies that are organized under the laws of, or maintain their principal place of business in, an Approved Market; (b) securities for which the principal trading market is in an Approved Market; (c) securities issued or guaranteed by the government of an Approved Market, its agencies or instrumentalities, or the central bank of such country or territory; (d) securities of companies that derive at least 50% of their revenues or profits from goods produced or sold, investments made, or services performed in Approved Markets or have at least 50% of their assets in Approved Markets; (e) securities included in the International Portfolio’s benchmark index, which tracks Approved Markets; or (f) depositary shares of companies associated with Approved Markets under the criteria above. Securities of Approved Markets may include securities of companies that have characteristics and business relationships common to companies in other countries or regions. As a result, the value of the securities of such companies may reflect economic and market forces in such other countries or regions as well as in the Approved Markets. The Advisor, however, will select only those companies that, in its view, have sufficiently strong exposure to economic and market forces in Approved Markets that satisfy the criteria described above. The International Portfolios also may obtain exposure to Approved Market Securities by investing in derivative instruments that derive their value from Approved Markets Securities, or by investing in securities of pooled investment vehicles that invest at least 80% of their assets in Approved Markets Securities.
Market Capitalization Weighted Approach—US Equity ETF, US Small Cap ETF and US Targeted Value ETF
The portfolio structures of US Equity ETF, US Small Cap ETF and US Targeted Value ETF each involve market capitalization weighting in determining individual security weights. Market capitalization weighting means each security is generally purchased based on the issuer’s relative market capitalization. Market capitalization weighting may be modified by the Advisor for a variety of reasons. The Advisor may increase or decrease a Portfolio’s exposure to an eligible company, or exclude a company, after considering such factors as free float, price momentum, trading strategies, liquidity, size, relative price, profitability, investment characteristics, and other factors that the Advisor determines to be appropriate. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The Advisor may consider a small capitalization company’s investment characteristics as compared to other eligible companies when making investment decisions and may exclude a small capitalization company with high investment as measured by the company’s recent asset growth. The Portfolio will generally not exclude more than 5% of the eligible small capitalization companies within the U.S. Universe based on such investment characteristics. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price, profitability, and investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time.
The Advisor may deviate from market capitalization weighting to limit or fix the exposure of a Portfolio to a particular issuer to a maximum proportion of the assets of the Portfolio. The Advisor may exclude the stock of a company that meets applicable market capitalization criterion if the Advisor determines, in its judgment, that the purchase of such stock is inappropriate in light of other conditions. These adjustments will result in a deviation from traditional market capitalization weighting.
Adjustment for free float modifies market capitalization weighting to exclude the share capital of a company that is not freely available for trading in the public equity markets. For example, the following types of shares may be excluded: (i) those held by strategic investors (such as governments, controlling shareholders and management), (ii) treasury shares, or (iii) shares subject to foreign ownership restrictions.
Furthermore, the Advisor may reduce the relative amount of any security held in order to retain sufficient portfolio liquidity. A portion, but generally not in excess of 20% of assets, may be invested in interest bearing obligations, such as money market instruments, thereby causing further deviation from market capitalization weighting. A further deviation may occur due to holdings in securities received in connection with corporate actions.
The Portfolios should not be expected to adhere to their market capitalization weighted approach to the same extent as non-tax-managed portfolios. The tax management strategies used by the Advisor to defer the
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realization of net capital gains or minimize dividend income, from time to time, may cause deviation from the market capitalization weighted approach.
Block purchases of eligible securities may be made at opportune prices, even though such purchases exceed the number of shares that, at the time of purchase, adherence to a market capitalization weighted approach would otherwise require. In addition, securities eligible for purchase or otherwise represented in a Portfolio may be acquired in exchange for the issuance of shares. See “Creations and Redemptions.” While such transactions might cause a deviation from market capitalization weighting, they would ordinarily be made in anticipation of further growth of assets.
Generally, changes in the composition and relative ranking (in terms of market capitalization) of the stocks that are eligible for purchase take place with every trade when the securities markets are open for trading due, primarily, to price changes of such securities. At least semi-annually, the Advisor will identify companies whose stock is eligible for investment by a Portfolio. Additional investments generally will not be made in securities that have changed in value sufficiently to be excluded from the Advisor’s then current market capitalization requirement for eligible portfolio securities. This may result in further deviation from market capitalization weighting. Such deviation could be substantial if a significant amount of holdings of a Portfolio change in value sufficiently to be excluded from the requirement for eligible securities, but not by a sufficient amount to warrant their sale.
TAX MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
Each Portfolio seeks to maximize the after tax value of an investment by managing its portfolio in a manner that will defer the realization of net capital gains where possible and may attempt to reduce dividend income. When selling securities, a Portfolio typically will select the highest cost shares of the specific security in order to minimize the realization of capital gains. In certain cases, the highest cost shares may produce a short-term capital gain. Since short-term capital gains generally are taxed at higher tax rates than long-term capital gains, the highest cost shares with a long-term holding period may be disposed of instead. Each Portfolio, when consistent with all other tax management policies, may sell securities in order to realize capital losses. Realized capital losses can be used to offset realized capital gains, thus reducing capital gains distributions.
The Advisor may attempt to time the purchases and sales of securities to reduce the receipt of dividends when possible. With respect to dividends that are received, the Portfolios may not be eligible to flow through the dividends received deduction attributable to holdings in U.S. equity securities to corporate shareholders if, because of certain timing rules, hedging activities, or debt financing activities at the Portfolio level, the requisite holding period of the dividend paying stock is not met.
Also, the Portfolios may dispose of securities whenever the Advisor determines that disposition is consistent with their tax management strategies or is otherwise in the best interest of a Portfolio. As part of its investment decisions, the Advisor may also consider the effects of holding periods and securities lending, among other factors, that may affect the tax characteristics of the income received.
Although the Advisor intends to manage each Portfolio in a manner which considers the effects of the realization of capital gains and taxable dividend income each year, the Portfolios may nonetheless distribute taxable gains and dividends to shareholders. Of course, realization of capital gains is not entirely within the Advisor’s control. Capital gains distributions may vary considerably from year to year. A Portfolio may be required to distribute taxable realized gains from a prior year, even if the Portfolio has a net realized loss for the year of distribution. There will be no capital gains distributions in years when a Portfolio realizes a net capital loss. Furthermore, the redeeming shareholders may be required to pay taxes on their capital gains, if any, on a redemption of a Portfolio’s shares, whether paid in cash or in kind, if the amount received on redemption is greater than the amount of the shareholder’s tax basis in the shares redeemed.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
In general, securities will not be purchased or sold based on the prospects for the economy, the securities markets, or the individual issuers whose shares are eligible for purchase. Securities that have depreciated in value since their acquisition will not be sold solely because prospects for the issuer are not considered attractive or due
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to an expected or realized decline in securities prices in general. Securities generally will not be sold solely to realize short-term profits, but when circumstances warrant, they may be sold without regard to the length of time held. Securities, including those eligible for purchase, may be disposed of, however, at any time when, in the Advisor’s judgment, circumstances warrant their sale, including, but not limited to, tender offers, mergers, and similar transactions, or bids made for block purchases at opportune prices. Generally, securities will be purchased with the expectation that they will be held for longer than one year and will be held until such time as they are no longer an appropriate holding in light of the investment policies of each Portfolio.
In attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political, or other conditions, each Portfolio may, from time to time, invest its assets in a temporary defensive manner that is inconsistent with the Portfolio’s principal investment strategies. In these circumstances, the Portfolio may invest a portion of its assets in highly liquid debt instruments, index futures contracts, and options thereon, and, with respect to the World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF, freely convertible currencies, which may prevent the Portfolio from achieving its investment objective.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING INVESTMENT RISKS
Because the value of your investment in a Portfolio will fluctuate, there is the risk that you will lose money. An investment in a Portfolio is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The following is a description of principal risks of investing in the Portfolios.
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X |
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|
X |
X |
||||||||||||||||||||||
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|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity Market Risk |
|
|
X |
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|
X |
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|
X |
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X |
X |
||||||||||||||||||||||
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|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Market Trading Risk |
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X |
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X |
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X |
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X |
X |
||||||||||||||||||||||
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|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operational Risk |
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|
X |
|
|
X |
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|
X |
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|
X |
X |
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Premium/Discount Risk |
|
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X |
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|
X |
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|
X |
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X |
X |
||||||||||||||||||||||
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|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Profitability Investment Risk |
|
|
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|
X |
|
|
X |
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|
X |
X |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
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|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Securities Lending Risk |
|
|
X |
|
|
X |
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|
X |
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|
X |
X |
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Small and Mid-Cap Company Risk |
|
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X |
|
|
|
|
X |
|
|
X |
X |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
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|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Small Company Risk |
|
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X |
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|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
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|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tax-Management Strategy Risk |
|
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X |
|
|
X |
|
|
X |
|
|
X |
X |
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Value Investment Risk |
|
|
|
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X |
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X |
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X |
X |
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|
52
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
International Value |
World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 |
|||||||||||||
China Investments Risk |
|
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X |
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X |
||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Cyber Security Risk |
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X |
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X |
||||||||
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||||||||||||||
Depositary Receipts Risk |
|
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X |
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X |
||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Derivatives Risk |
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X |
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X |
||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Emerging Markets Risk |
|
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X |
|||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Equity Market Risk |
|
|
X |
|
|
X |
||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk |
|
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X |
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|
X |
||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
International Closed Market Trading Risk |
|
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X |
|
|
X |
||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Market Trading Risk |
|
|
X |
|
|
X |
||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Operational Risk |
|
|
X |
|
|
X |
||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Premium/Discount Risk |
|
|
X |
|
|
X |
||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Profitability Investment Risk |
|
|
X |
|
|
X |
||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Securities Lending Risk |
|
|
X |
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|
X |
||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Small and Mid-Cap Company Risk |
|
|
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X |
|||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Tax-Management Strategy Risk |
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|
X |
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X |
||||||||
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||||||||||||||
Value Investment Risk |
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|
X |
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|
X |
||||||||
|
China Investments Risk: There are special risks associated with investments in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The Chinese government has implemented significant economic reforms in order to liberalize trade policy, promote foreign investment in the economy, reduce government control of the economy and develop market mechanisms. But there can be no assurance that these reforms will continue or that they will be effective. Despite reforms and privatizations of companies in certain sectors, the Chinese government still exercises substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector and may own or control many companies. The Chinese government continues to maintain a major role in economic policy making and investing in China involves risks of losses due to expropriation, nationalization, confiscation of assets and property, and the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and on repatriation of capital invested. In addition, investments in Taiwan could be adversely affected by its political and economic relationship with China. The Chinese economy is also vulnerable to the long-running disagreements with Hong Kong related to integration.
Investing in China A-shares through Stock Connect is subject to trading, clearance, settlement, and other procedures, which could pose risks to the Portfolio. Trading through the Stock Connect program is subject to daily quotas that limit the maximum daily net purchases on any particular day, each of which may restrict or preclude the Portfolio’s ability to invest in China A-shares through the Stock Connect program. Trading through Stock Connect may require pre-validation of cash or securities prior to acceptance of orders. This requirement may limit the Portfolio’s ability to dispose of its A-shares purchased through Stock Connect in a timely manner.
A primary feature of the Stock Connect program is the application of the home market’s laws and rules applicable to investors in China A-shares. Therefore, the Portfolio’s investments in Stock Connect China A-shares are generally subject to the securities regulations and listing rules of the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”), among other restrictions. Stock Connect can only operate when both PRC and Hong Kong markets are open for trading and when banking services are available in both markets on the corresponding settlement days. As such, the Shanghai and Shenzhen markets may be open at a time when Stock Connect is not trading, with the result that prices of China A-shares may fluctuate at times when the Portfolio is unable to add to or exit its position, which could adversely affect the Portfolio’s performance.
Changes in the operation of the Stock Connect program may restrict or otherwise affect the Portfolio’s investments or returns. Furthermore, any changes in laws, regulations and policies of the China A-shares market or rules in relation to Stock Connect may affect China A-share prices. These risks are heightened generally by the developing state of the PRC’s investment and banking systems and the uncertainty about the precise nature of
53
the rights of equity owners and their ability to enforce such rights under Chinese law. An investment in China A-Shares is also generally subject to the risks identified under “Emerging Markets Risk,” and foreign investment risks such as price controls, expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, and nationalization may be heightened when investing in China. Certain investments in Chinese companies may be made through a special structure known as a VIE. In a VIE structure, foreign investors, such as a Portfolio, will only own stock in a shell company rather than directly in the VIE, which must be owned by Chinese nationals (and/or Chinese companies) to obtain the licenses and/or assets required to operate in certain restricted or prohibited sectors in China. The value of the shell company is derived from its ability to consolidate the VIE into its financials pursuant to contractual arrangements that allow the shell company to exert a degree of control over, and obtain economic benefits arising from, the VIE without formal legal ownership. While VIEs are a longstanding industry practice and are well known by Chinese officials and regulators, historically the structure has not been formally recognized under Chinese law and Chinese regulations regarding the structure are evolving. It is uncertain whether Chinese officials or regulators will withdraw their acceptance of the structure. It is also uncertain whether the contractual arrangements, which may be subject to conflicts of interest between the legal owners of the VIE and foreign investors, would be enforced by Chinese courts or arbitration bodies. Prohibitions of these structures by the Chinese government, or the inability to enforce such contracts, from which the shell company derives its value, would likely cause the VIE-structured holding(s) to suffer significant, detrimental, and possibly permanent losses, and in turn, adversely affect a Portfolio’s returns and net asset value.
Cyber Security Risk: A Portfolio’s and its service providers’ use of internet, technology and information systems may expose the Portfolio to potential risks linked to cyber security breaches of those technological or information systems. Cyber security breaches, amongst other things, could allow an unauthorized party to gain access to proprietary information, customer data, or fund assets, or cause a Portfolio and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality.
Depositary Receipts Risk: Depositary receipts, such as EDRs, GDRs and ADRs, are subject to many of the risks of the underlying securities. For some depositary receipts, the custodian or similar financial institution that holds the issuer’s shares in a trust account is located in the issuer’s home country. In these cases if the issuer’s home country does not have developed financial markets, the Portfolio could be exposed to the credit risk of the custodian or financial institution and greater market risk. In addition, the depository institution may not have physical custody of the underlying securities at all times and may charge fees for various services. The Portfolio may experience delays in receiving its dividend and interest payments or exercising rights as a shareholder. There may be an increased possibility of untimely responses to certain corporate actions of the issuer in an unsponsored depositary receipt program. Accordingly, there may be less information available regarding issuers of securities underlying unsponsored programs and there may not be a correlation between this information and the market value of the depositary receipts.
Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are instruments, such as futures contracts, and options thereon, and foreign currency forward contracts (collectively, “Derivative instruments”), whose value is derived from that of other assets, rates or indices. Derivative instruments can be used for hedging (attempting to reduce risk by offsetting one investment position with another) or non-hedging purposes. Hedging with derivative instruments may increase expenses, and there is no guarantee that a hedging strategy will work. While hedging can reduce or eliminate losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains or cause losses if the market moves in a manner different from that anticipated by a Portfolio or if the cost of the derivative instrument outweighs the benefit of the hedge. The use of derivative instruments for non-hedging purposes may be considered to carry more risk than other types of investments. When a Portfolio uses derivative instruments, the Portfolio will be directly exposed to the risks of those derivatives. Derivative instruments expose a Portfolio to counterparty risk (the risk that the derivative counterparty will not fulfill its contractual obligations), including credit risk of the derivative counterparty, and settlement risk (the risk faced when one party to a transaction has performed its obligations under a contract but has not yet received value from its counterparty). The possible lack of a liquid secondary market for derivative instruments and the resulting inability of a Portfolio to sell or otherwise close a derivatives position could expose the Portfolio to losses and could make derivative instruments more difficult for the Portfolio to value accurately. Some derivative instruments are more sensitive to interest rate changes and market price fluctuations than other securities. A Portfolio could also suffer losses related to its derivatives positions as a result of unanticipated market movements, which losses are potentially unlimited. The Advisor may not be able to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors, which could cause a Portfolio’s derivatives positions to lose value. Valuation of derivative instruments
54
may also be more difficult in times of market turmoil since many investors and market makers may be reluctant to purchase derivative instruments or quote prices for them. Changes in the value of a derivative instrument may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, securities, rate or index, and the Portfolio could lose more than the principal amount invested.
Emerging Markets Risk: Securities of issuers associated with emerging market countries, including, but not limited to, issuers that are organized under the laws of, maintain a principal place of business in, derive significant revenues from, or issue securities backed by the government (or, its agencies or instrumentalities) of emerging market countries may be subject to higher and additional risks than securities of issuers in developed foreign markets. These risks include, but are not limited to (i) social, political and economic instability; (ii) government intervention, including policies or regulations that may restrict a Portfolio’s investment opportunities, including restrictions on investment in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to an emerging market country’s national interests; (iii) less transparent and established taxation policies; (iv) less developed legal systems allowing for enforcement of private property rights and/or redress for injuries to private property; (v) the lack of a capital market structure or market-oriented economy; (vi) higher degree of corruption and fraud; (vii) counterparties and financial institutions with less financial sophistication, creditworthiness and/or resources as those in developed foreign markets; and (viii) the possibility that the process of easing restrictions on foreign investment occurring in some emerging market countries may be slowed or reversed by unanticipated economic, political or social events in such countries, or the countries that exercise a significant influence over those countries. Similar to foreign issuers, emerging market issuers may not be subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and there may be less publicly available financial and other information about such issuers, comparable to U.S. issuers. Stock markets in many emerging market countries are relatively small, expensive to trade in and generally have higher risks than those in developed markets. Securities in emerging markets also may be less liquid than those in developed markets and foreigners are often limited in their ability to invest in, and withdraw assets from, these markets. Additional restrictions may be imposed under other conditions. Frontier market countries generally have smaller economies or less developed capital markets and, as a result, the risks of investing in emerging market countries are magnified in frontier market countries.
Equity Market Risk: Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, market, political, and issuer-specific conditions and events will cause the value of equity securities, and a Portfolio that owns them, to rise or fall. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices. In addition, economies and financial markets throughout the world have become increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one region or country will adversely affect markets or issuers in other regions or countries. Portfolio securities may be negatively impacted by inflation (or expectations for inflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products/services or resources, natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics, terrorism, war, military confrontations, regulatory events and governmental or quasi-governmental actions, among others.
The coronavirus (COVID-10) pandemic has resulted, at times, in market closures, market volatility, liquidity constraints and increased trading costs. Efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 have resulted in global travel restrictions and disruptions of healthcare systems, business operations and supply chains, layoffs, reduced consumer demand, defaults and credit rating downgrades, and other significant economic impacts. The effects of COVID-19 have impacted global economic activity and may heighten pre-existing political, social and economic risks, domestically or globally. The full impact and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic (or other future epidemics or pandemics) are unpredictable and may adversely affect the Portfolio’s performance.
Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Foreign securities prices may decline or fluctuate because of: (a) economic or political actions of foreign governments, and/or (b) less regulated or liquid securities markets. Investors holding these securities may also be exposed to foreign currency risk (the possibility that foreign currency will fluctuate in value against the U.S. dollar or that a foreign government will convert, or be forced to convert, its currency to another currency, changing its value against the U.S. dollar). The International Value ETF and World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF do not hedge foreign currency risk.
Foreign issuers may not be subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and there may be less publicly available financial and other information about such issuers, comparable to U.S. issuers. Certain countries’ legal institutions, financial markets, and services are less developed than those in the U.S. or other major economies. A Portfolio may have greater difficulty voting proxies, exercising shareholder rights,
55
securing dividends and obtaining information regarding corporate actions on a timely basis, pursuing legal remedies, and obtaining judgments with respect to foreign investments in foreign courts than with respect to domestic issuers in U.S. courts.
International Closed Market Trading Risk: To the extent that the underlying securities held by the Portfolio trade on an exchange that is closed when the securities exchange on which the Portfolio shares list and trade is open, there may be market uncertainty about the stale security pricing (i.e., the last quote from its closed foreign market) resulting in premiums or discounts to NAV that may be greater than those experienced by other ETFs.
Market Trading Risk: Although shares of a Portfolio are listed for trading on one or more stock exchanges, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for such shares will develop or be maintained. There are no obligations of market makers to make a market in a Portfolio’s shares or of an authorized participant to submit purchase or redemption orders for Creation Units. Decisions by market makers or authorized participants to reduce their role or step away from these activities in times of market stress could inhibit the effectiveness of the arbitrage process in maintaining the relationship between the underlying value of a Portfolio’s portfolio securities and the Portfolio’s market price. This reduced effectiveness could result in Portfolio shares trading at a premium or discount to its NAV and also greater than normal intraday bid/ask spreads. Additionally, in stressed market conditions, the market for a Portfolio’s shares may become less liquid in response to deteriorating liquidity in the markets for the Portfolio’s portfolio holdings, which may cause a significant variance in the market price of the Portfolio’s shares and their underlying value as well as an increase in the Portfolio’s bid-ask spread.
There can be no assurance that a Portfolio’s shares will continue to trade on a stock exchange or in any market or that the Portfolio’s shares will continue to meet the requirements for listing or trading on any exchange or in any market, or that such requirements will remain unchanged. Secondary market trading in Portfolio shares may be halted by a stock exchange because of market conditions or other reasons. In addition, trading in Portfolio 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.
During a “flash crash,” the market prices of a Portfolio’s shares may decline suddenly and significantly. Such a decline may not reflect the performance of the portfolio securities held by a Portfolio. Flash crashes may cause authorized participants and other market makers to limit or cease trading in a Portfolio’s shares for temporary or longer periods. Shareholders could suffer significant losses to the extent that they sell shares at these temporarily low market prices. Shares of a Portfolio, 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.
Operational Risk: Operational risks include human error, changes in personnel, system changes, faults in communication, and failures in systems, technology, or processes. Various operational events or circumstances are outside the Advisor’s control, including instances at third parties. A Portfolio and the Advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate to address these risks.
Premium/Discount Risk: Shares of a Portfolio may trade at prices other than NAV. Shares of a Portfolio trade on stock exchanges at prices at, above or below their most recent NAV. The NAV of a Portfolio is calculated at the end of each business day and fluctuates with changes in the market value of the Portfolio’s holdings since the most recent calculation. The trading prices of a Portfolio’s shares fluctuate continuously throughout trading hours based on market supply and demand rather than NAV. As a result, the trading prices of a Portfolio’s shares may deviate significantly from NAV during periods of market volatility.
Any of these factors, among others, may lead to a Portfolio’s shares trading at a premium or discount to NAV. Thus, you may pay more (or less) than NAV when you buy shares of a Portfolio in the secondary market, and you may receive less (or more) than NAV when you sell those shares in the secondary market. The Advisor cannot predict whether shares will trade above (premium), below (discount) or at NAV. However, because shares can be created and redeemed in Creation Units at NAV, the Advisor believes that large discounts or premiums to the NAV of a Portfolio are not likely to be sustained over the long-term. While the creation/redemption feature is designed to make it likely that a Portfolio’s shares normally will trade on stock exchanges at prices close to the Portfolio’s next calculated NAV, exchange prices are not expected to correlate exactly with the Portfolio’s NAV due to timing reasons as well as market supply and demand factors. In addition, disruptions to creations and
56
redemptions or extreme market volatility may result in trading prices for shares of a Portfolio that differ significantly from its NAV.
Profitability Investment Risk: High relative profitability stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause a Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies.
Securities Lending Risk: Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, a Portfolio may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. A Portfolio could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. Securities lending also may have certain adverse tax consequences.
Small and Mid-Cap Company Risk: Securities of small and mid-cap companies are often less liquid than those of large companies and this could make it difficult to sell a small or mid-cap company security at a desired time or price. As a result, small and mid-cap company stocks may fluctuate relatively more in price. In general, small and mid-capitalization companies are also more vulnerable than larger companies to adverse business or economic developments and they may have more limited resources.
Small Company Risk: Securities of small companies are often less liquid than those of large companies and this could make it difficult to sell a small company security at a desired time or price. As a result, small company stocks may fluctuate relatively more in price. In general, smaller capitalization companies are also more vulnerable than larger companies to adverse business or economic developments and they may have more limited resources.
Tax-Management Strategy Risk: The tax-management strategies may alter investment decisions and affect portfolio holdings, when compared to those of non-tax managed funds. The Advisor anticipates that performance of the Portfolio may deviate from that of non-tax managed funds. Although the Advisor intends to manage the Portfolio in a manner which considers the effects of the realization of capital gains and taxable dividend income each year, the Portfolio may nonetheless distribute taxable gains and dividends to shareholders.
Value Investment Risk: Value stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies. Value stocks can react differently to political, economic, and industry developments than the market as a whole and other types of stocks. Value stocks also may underperform the market for long periods of time.
Other Information
COMMODITY POOL OPERATOR EXEMPTION
Each Portfolio is operated by a person that has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”) with respect to the Portfolio, and, therefore, such person is not subject to registration or regulation as a pool operator under the CEA with respect to the Portfolio.
Securities Loans
Each Portfolio is authorized to lend securities to qualified brokers, dealers, banks and other financial institutions for the purpose of earning additional income. While a Portfolio may earn additional income from lending securities, such activity is incidental to the investment objective of the Portfolio. The value of securities loaned may not exceed 331/3% of the value of the Portfolio’s total assets, which includes the value of collateral received. To the extent the Portfolio loans a portion of its securities, the Portfolio will receive collateral consisting generally of cash or U.S. government securities. Collateral received will be maintained by marking to market daily and (i) in
57
an amount equal to at least 100% of the current market value of the loaned securities with respect to securities of the U.S. Government or its agencies, (ii) in an amount generally equal to 102% of the current market value of the loaned securities with respect to U.S. securities, and (iii) in an amount generally equal to 105% of the current market value of the loaned securities with respect to foreign securities. Subject to its stated investment policies, a Portfolio will generally invest the cash collateral received for the loaned securities in The DFA Short Term Investment Fund (the “Money Market Series”), an affiliated registered money market fund advised by the Advisor for which the Advisor receives a management fee of 0.05% of the average daily net assets of the Money Market Series. A Portfolio may also invest such collateral in securities of the U.S. Government or its agencies, repurchase agreements collateralized by securities of the U.S. Government or its agencies, and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds. For purposes of this paragraph, agencies include both agency debentures and agency mortgage-backed securities.
In addition, a Portfolio will be able to terminate the loan at any time and will receive reasonable interest on the loan, as well as amounts equal to any dividends, interest or other distributions on the loaned securities. However, dividend income received from loaned securities may not be eligible to be taxed at qualified dividend income rates. See each Portfolio’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) for a further discussion of the tax consequences related to securities lending. A Portfolio will be entitled to recall a loaned security in time to vote proxies or otherwise obtain rights to vote proxies of loaned securities if the Portfolio knows that a material event will occur. In the event of the bankruptcy of the borrower, a Portfolio could experience delay in recovering the loaned securities or only recover cash or a security of equivalent value. See “Principal Risks—Securities Lending Risk” for a discussion of the risks related to securities lending.
Securities Lending Revenue
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the following Portfolios received the following net revenues from a securities lending program, which constituted a percentage of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio (see “Securities Loans”):
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Portfolio |
Net Revenue* |
Percentage |
||||||||||||
Dimensional U.S. Equity ETF |
$ |
|
195,612 |
|
0.00 |
% |
|
|||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF |
$ |
|
550,948 |
|
0.01 |
% |
|
|||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF |
$ |
|
563,596 |
|
0.01 |
% |
|
|||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF |
$ |
|
724,280 |
|
0.00 |
% |
|
|||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF |
|
$ |
|
136,955 |
|
0.00 |
% |
|
||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Dimensional International Value ETF |
$ |
|
634,301 |
|
0.02 |
% |
|
|||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF |
$ |
|
2,569,959 |
|
0.06 |
% |
|
|||||||
|
* |
The amounts included in the table above may differ from the amounts disclosed in the Portfolios’ annual reports due to timing differences, reconciliations, and certain other adjustments. |
Management of the Trust
The Advisor serves as investment advisor to each of the Portfolios. Pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement with each Portfolio, the Advisor is responsible for the management of their respective assets. The Portfolios are managed using a team approach. The investment team includes the Investment Committee of the Advisor, portfolio managers and trading personnel.
The Investment Committee is composed primarily of certain officers and directors of the Advisor who are appointed annually. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Investment Committee has fourteen members. Investment strategies for all Portfolios are set by the Investment Committee, which meets on a regular basis and
58
also as needed to consider investment issues. The Investment Committee also sets and reviews all investment related policies and procedures and approves any changes in regards to approved countries, security types and brokers.
In accordance with the team approach used to manage the Portfolios, the portfolio managers and portfolio traders implement the policies and procedures established by the Investment Committee. The portfolio managers and portfolio traders also make daily investment decisions regarding the Portfolios based on the parameters established by the Investment Committee. The individuals named in a Portfolio’s “INVESTMENT ADVISOR/PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT” section coordinate the efforts of all other portfolio managers or trading personnel with respect to the day to day management of such Portfolio.
Mr. Collins-Dean is a Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor. Mr. Collins-Dean holds an MBA from the University of Chicago and a BS from Wake Forest University. Mr. Collins-Dean joined the Advisor in 2014, has been a portfolio manager since 2016, and has been responsible for the World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF since inception (2021). Prior to inception, Mr. Collins-Dean was responsible for the T.A. World ex U.S. Core Equity Portfolio since 2019.
Mr. Fogdall is Global Head of Portfolio Management, Chairman of the Investment Committee, Vice President, and a Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor. Mr. Fogdall has an MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles and a BS from Purdue University. Mr. Fogdall joined the Advisor as a portfolio manager in 2004 and has been responsible for the US Equity ETF, US Small Cap ETF, US Targeted Value ETF, US Core Equity 2 ETF, International Value ETF and World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF since inception (2021) and the US Marketwide Value ETF since inception (2022). Prior to inception, Mr. Fogdall was responsible for the Tax-Managed DFA International Value Portfolio and T.A. World ex U.S. Core Equity Portfolio since 2010 and the Tax-Managed U.S. Targeted Value Portfolio, Tax-Managed U.S. Equity Portfolio, Tax-Managed U.S. Small Cap Portfolio, T.A. U.S. Core Equity 2 Portfolio and Tax-Managed U.S. Marketwide Value Portfolio II since 2012.
Mr. Hertzer is a Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor. Mr. Hertzer holds an MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles and a BA from Dartmouth College. Mr. Hertzer joined the Advisor in 2013, has been a portfolio manager since 2016, and has been responsible for the US Equity ETF and US Core Equity 2 ETF since 2022 and the US Marketwide Value ETF since inception (2022). Prior to inception, Mr. Hertzer was responsible for the Tax-Managed U.S. Marketwide Value Portfolio II since 2022.
Mr. Hohn is a Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor. Mr. Hohn holds an MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles, an MS from the University of Southern California and a BS from Iowa State University. Mr. Hohn joined the Advisor in 2012, has been a portfolio manager since 2015, and has been responsible for the US Equity ETF, US Small Cap ETF, US Targeted Value ETF, US Core Equity 2 ETF, International Value ETF and World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF since 2022 and the US Marketwide Value ETF since inception (2022). Prior to inception, Mr. Hohn was responsible for the Tax-Managed U.S. Marketwide Value Portfolio II since 2022.
Mr. Keswani is a Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor. Mr. Keswani holds an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Management, an MS from Pennsylvania State University, and a BS from Purdue University. Mr. Keswani joined the Advisor in 2011, has been a portfolio manager since 2013, and has been responsible for the International Value ETF since inception (2021). Prior to inception, Mr. Keswani was responsible for the Tax-Managed DFA International Value Portfolio since 2020.
Mr. Leblond is a Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor. Mr. Leblond holds an MBA from the University of Chicago, and an MS and BS from Columbia University. Mr. Leblond joined the Advisor in 2015, has been a portfolio manager since 2017, and has been responsible for the US Small Cap ETF and US Targeted Value ETF since inception (2021). Prior to inception, Mr. Leblond was responsible for the Tax-Managed U.S. Small Cap Portfolio and Tax-Managed U.S. Targeted Value Portfolio since 2020.
Ms. Phillips is Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, a member of the Investment Committee, Vice President, and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor. Ms. Phillips holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BA from the University of Puget Sound. Ms. Phillips joined the Advisor in 2012, has been a portfolio manager since 2014, and has been responsible for the World ex U.S. Core Equity
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ETF since inception (2021), the US Equity ETF and US Core Equity 2 ETF since 2022 and the US Marketwide Value ETF since inception (2022). Prior to inception, Ms. Phillips was responsible for the T.A. World ex U.S. Core Equity Portfolio since 2017 and Tax-Managed U.S. Marketwide Value Portfolio II since 2022.
Mr. Pu is Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, a member of the Investment Committee, Vice President, and a Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor. Mr. Pu has an MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles, an MS and PhD from Caltech, and a BS from Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art. Mr. Pu joined the Advisor as a portfolio manager in 2006 and has been responsible for the World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF since inception (2021). Prior to inception, Mr. Pu was responsible for the T.A. World ex U.S. Core Equity Portfolio since 2015.
Mr. Schneider is Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, a member of the Investment Committee, Vice President, and a Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor. Mr. Schneider holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, an MS from the University of Minnesota, and a BS from Iowa State University. Mr. Schneider joined the Advisor in 2011, has been a portfolio manager since 2013, and has been responsible for the US Small Cap ETF and US Targeted Value ETF since inception (2021) and the International Value ETF since 2022. Prior to inception, Mr. Schneider was responsible for the Tax-Managed U.S. Targeted Value Portfolio since 2015 and the Tax-Managed U.S. Small Cap Portfolio since 2017.
The Portfolios’ SAI provides information about each portfolio manager’s compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio manager, and the portfolio manager’s ownership of Portfolio shares.
The Advisor and, with respect to the International Portfolios, Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. (“DFAL”) and DFA Australia Limited (“DFA Australia”), provide the Portfolios with a trading department and selects brokers and dealers to effect securities transactions. Securities transactions are placed with a view to obtaining best price and execution. The Advisor may pay compensation, out of the Advisor’s profits and not as an additional charge to a Portfolio, to financial intermediaries to support the sale of Portfolio shares. The Advisor’s address is 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, TX 78746. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) approving the Investment Management Agreements and Sub-Advisory Agreements with respect to the Portfolios is available in the semi-annual report for the Portfolios for the fiscal period ending April 30, 2022.
The Advisor has been engaged in the business of providing investment management services since May 1981. The Advisor is currently organized as a Delaware limited partnership and is controlled and operated by its general partner, Dimensional Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation. The Advisor controls DFAL and DFA Australia. As of January 31, 2023, assets under management for all Dimensional affiliated advisors totaled approximately $626 billion.
The Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration”) provides that by virtue of becoming a shareholder of the Trust, each shareholder shall be held expressly to have agreed to be bound by the provisions of the Declaration. However, shareholders should be aware that they cannot waive their rights under the federal securities laws. The Declaration provides a detailed process for the bringing of derivative actions by shareholders for claims other than federal securities law claims beyond the process otherwise required by law. This derivative actions process is intended to permit legitimate inquiries and claims while avoiding the time, expense, distraction, and other harm that can be caused to a Portfolio or its shareholders as a result of spurious shareholder demands and derivative actions. Prior to bringing a derivative action, a demand by the complaining shareholder must first be made on the Trustees. The Declaration details conditions that must be met with respect to the demand. Following receipt of the demand, the Trustees must be afforded a reasonable amount of time to investigate and consider the demand. The Trustees will be entitled to retain counsel or other advisors in considering the merits of the request and shall require an undertaking by the shareholders making such request to reimburse the Trust for the expense of any such advisors in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring such action. The Trust’s process for bringing derivative suits may be more restrictive than other investment companies. The process for derivative actions for the Trust also may make it more expensive for a shareholder to bring a suit than if the shareholder was not required to follow such a process.
The Declaration also requires that actions by shareholders against a Portfolio be brought only in a certain federal court in Texas, or if not permitted to be brought in federal court, then in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as required by applicable law, or the Superior Court of Delaware, (the “Exclusive Jurisdictions”) and
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that the right to jury trial be waived to the fullest extent permitted by law. Other investment companies may not be subject to similar restrictions. In addition, the designation of Exclusive Jurisdictions may make it more expensive for a shareholder to bring a suit than if the shareholder was permitted to select another jurisdiction. Also, the designation of Exclusive Jurisdictions and the waiver of jury trials limit a shareholder’s ability to litigate a claim in the jurisdiction and in a manner that may be more favorable to the shareholder. A court may choose not to enforce these provisions of the Declaration.
MANAGEMENT FEES
The “Annual Fund Operating Expenses” table describes the fees incurred by each Portfolio (excluding the Portfolios listed below) for the services provided by the Advisor for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022. The “Management Fee” listed in the “Annual Fund Operating Expenses” table for each such Portfolio provides the investment management fee that was payable by the Portfolio to the Advisor.
The following table describes the effective management fee paid to the Advisor by each Portfolio, based on the Portfolio’s average daily net assets on an annualized basis, during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, and the management fee payable by each Portfolio effective as of February 28, 2022 as a result of a decrease in the management fee.
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Portfolio |
Effective |
Management Fee |
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US Small Cap ETF |
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0.27 |
% |
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0.25 |
% |
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US Targeted Value ETF |
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0.28 |
% |
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0.27 |
% |
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International Value ETF |
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0.27 |
% |
|
|
0.25 |
% |
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|
* |
Management fee reflects a management fee reduction that was effective as of February 28, 2022. |
The Advisor, not the International Portfolios, compensates the sub-advisors.
Sub-Advisors
The Advisor has entered into Sub-Advisory Agreements with DFAL and DFA Australia, respectively, with respect to the International Portfolios. Pursuant to the terms of each Sub-Advisory Agreement, DFAL and DFA Australia each have the authority and responsibility to select brokers or dealers to execute securities transactions for the International Portfolios. Each Sub-Advisor’s duties include the maintenance of a trading desk and the determination of the best and most efficient means of executing securities transactions. At least semi-annually, the Advisor will review the holdings of an International Portfolio and review the trading process and the execution of securities transactions. The Advisor is responsible for determining those securities that are eligible for purchase and sale by an International Portfolio and may delegate this task, subject to its own review, to DFAL and DFA Australia. DFAL and DFA Australia maintain and furnish to the Advisor information and reports on securities of companies in certain markets, including recommendations of securities to be added to the securities that are eligible for purchase by an International Portfolio, as well as making recommendations and elections on corporate actions. The Advisor controls DFAL and DFA Australia. DFA Australia has been a U.S. federally registered investment advisor since 1994 and is located at Level 43 Gateway, 1 Macquarie Place, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia. DFAL has been a U.S. federally registered investment advisor since 1991 and is located at 20 Triton Street, Regent’s Place, London NW13BF, United Kingdom.
Manager of Managers Structure
The Advisor and the Trust have received an exemptive order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for a manager of managers structure that allows the Advisor to appoint, remove or change Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisors (defined below), and enter into, amend and terminate sub-advisory agreements with Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisors, without prior shareholder approval, but subject to Board approval. A “Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisor” includes (1) sub-advisors that are wholly-owned by the Advisor (i.e.,
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an indirect or direct “wholly-owned subsidiary” (as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”)) of the Advisor, or (2) a sister company of the Advisor that is an indirect or direct “wholly-owned subsidiary” (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the same company that, indirectly or directly, wholly owns the Advisor (“Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisors”). The Board only will approve a change with respect to sub-advisors if the Trustees conclude that such arrangements would be in the best interests of the shareholders of an International Portfolio. If a new Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisor is hired for an International Portfolio, shareholders will receive information about the new sub-advisor within 90 days of the change. The exemptive order allows greater flexibility for the Advisor to utilize, if desirable, personnel throughout the worldwide organization enabling an International Portfolio to operate more efficiently. The Advisor will not hire unaffiliated sub-advisors without prior shareholder approval and did not request the ability to do so in its application to the SEC for an exemptive order to allow the manager of managers structure.
The use of the manager of managers structure with respect to an International Portfolio is subject to certain conditions set forth in the SEC exemptive order. Under the manager of managers structure, the Advisor has the ultimate responsibility, subject to oversight by the Board, to oversee the Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisors and recommend their hiring, termination and replacement. The Advisor will provide general management services to an International Portfolio, including overall supervisory responsibility for the general management and investment of the Portfolio’s assets. Subject to review and approval of the Board, the Advisor will (a) set an International Portfolio’s overall investment strategies, (b) evaluate, select, and recommend Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisors to manage all or a portion of an International Portfolio’s assets, and (c) implement procedures reasonably designed to ensure that Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisors comply with an International Portfolio’s investment objective, policies and restrictions. Subject to review by the Board, the Advisor will (a) when appropriate, allocate and reallocate an International Portfolio’s assets among multiple Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisors; and (b) monitor and evaluate the performance of Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisors.
FEE WAIVER AND EXPENSE ASSUMPTION AGREEMENTS
Pursuant to a Fee Waiver and/or Expense Assumption Agreement (each, a “Fee Waiver and/or Expense Assumption Agreement”) for the U.S. Equity ETF, US Core Equity 2 ETF, US Marketwide Value ETF and World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF, the Advisor has agreed to waive certain fees and in certain instances, assume certain expenses of the Portfolios, as described below. Each Fee Waiver and/or Expense Assumption Agreement will remain in effect through February 28, 2024, and may only be terminated by the Trust’s Board of Trustees prior to that date. Each Fee Waiver and/or Expense Assumption Agreement shall continue in effect from year to year thereafter unless terminated by the Trust or the Advisor. With respect to each Fee Waiver and/or Expense Assumption Agreement, prior year waived fees and/or assumed expenses can be recaptured only if the expense ratio following such recapture would be less than the expense cap that was in place when such prior year fees were waived and/or expenses assumed, and less than the current expense cap in place for the Portfolio. Each Portfolio is not obligated to reimburse the Advisor for fees previously waived or expenses previously assumed by the Advisor more than thirty-six months before the date of such reimbursement.
US Equity ETF
The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its management fee and assume the ordinary operating expenses of the US Equity ETF (excluding the expenses that the Portfolio incurs indirectly through investment in other investment companies) (“Portfolio Expenses”) to the extent necessary to reduce the expenses of the Portfolio when its total operating expenses exceed 0.22% of the average net assets of the Portfolio on an annualized basis (the “Expense Limitation Amount”). At any time that the Portfolio Expenses of the Portfolio are less than the Expense Limitation Amount for the Portfolio, the Advisor retains the right to recover any fees previously waived and/or any expenses previously assumed to the extent that such recovery will not cause the annualized Portfolio Expenses for the Portfolio to exceed the Expense Limitation Amount.
US Core Equity 2 ETF
The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and assume the ordinary operating expenses of the US Core Equity 2 ETF (excluding the expenses that the Portfolio incurs indirectly through investment in other investment companies) (“Portfolio Expenses”) to the extent necessary to limit the
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Portfolio Expenses of the Portfolio to 0.30% of the average net assets of the Portfolio on an annualized basis (the “Expense Limitation Amount”). At any time that the Portfolio Expenses of the Portfolio are less than the Expense Limitation Amount for the Portfolio, the Advisor retains the right to recover any fees previously waived and/or expenses previously assumed to the extent that such recovery will not cause the annualized Portfolio Expenses for the Portfolio to exceed the Expense Limitation Amount.
US Marketwide Value ETF
The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and to assume the ordinary operating expenses of the US Marketwide Value ETF (excluding the expenses that the Portfolio incurs indirectly through its investment in other investment companies) (“Portfolio Expenses”) to the extent necessary to limit the Portfolio Expenses of the Portfolio to 0.24% of the average net assets of the Portfolio on an annualized basis (the “Expense Limitation Amount”). At any time that the Portfolio’s annualized Portfolio Expenses are less than the Expense Limitation Amount for the Portfolio, the Advisor retains the right to recover any fees previously waived and/or expenses previously assumed to the extent that such recovery will not cause the annualized Portfolio Expenses of the Portfolio to exceed the Expense Limitation Amount.
World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF
The Advisor has agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and to assume the expenses of the World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF (including the expenses that the Portfolio bears as a shareholder of other funds managed by the Advisor but excluding the expenses that the Portfolio incurs indirectly through investment of its securities lending cash collateral in the Money Market Series and its investment in unaffiliated investment companies) (“Portfolio Expenses”) to the extent necessary to limit the Portfolio Expenses of the Portfolio to 0.39% of the average net assets of the Portfolio on an annualized basis (the “Expense Limitation Amount”). At any time that the Portfolio Expenses of the Portfolio are less than the Expense Limitation Amount for the Portfolio, the Advisor retains the right to recover any fees previously waived and/or expenses previously assumed to the extent that such recovery will not cause the annualized Portfolio Expenses for the Portfolio to exceed the Expense Limitation Amount.
Dividends, Capital Gains Distributions and Taxes
Dividends and Distributions. Each Portfolio intends to qualify each year as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). As a regulated investment company, a Portfolio generally pays no federal income tax on the income and gains it distributes. Dividends from net investment income of the Portfolios are distributed quarterly (on a calendar basis) and any net realized capital gains (after any reductions for available capital loss carryforwards) are distributed annually, typically in December. A Portfolio may distribute such income dividends and capital gains more frequently, if necessary, in order to reduce or eliminate federal excise or income taxes on the Portfolio.
Capital gains distributions may vary considerably from year to year as a result of a Portfolio’s normal investment activities and cash flows. During a time of economic volatility, a Portfolio may experience capital losses and unrealized depreciation in value of investments, the effect of which may be to reduce or eliminate capital gains distributions for a period of time. A Portfolio may be required to distribute taxable realized gains from a prior year, even if the Portfolio has a net realized loss for the year of distribution.
Distributions may be reinvested automatically in additional whole shares only if the broker through whom you purchased shares makes such option available.
Annual Statements. Each year, you will receive a statement that shows the tax status of distributions you received the previous calendar year. Distributions declared in October, November, or December to shareholders of record in such month, but paid in January, are taxable as if they were paid in December.
Avoid “Buying A Dividend.” At the time you purchase your Portfolio shares, a Portfolio’s NAV may reflect undistributed income or undistributed capital gains. A subsequent distribution to you of such amounts, although
63
constituting a return of your investment, would be taxable. Buying shares in a Portfolio just before it declares an income dividend or capital gains distribution is sometimes known as “buying a dividend.” In addition, a Portfolio’s NAV may, at any time, reflect net unrealized appreciation, which may result in future taxable distributions to you.
Tax Considerations. In general, if you are a taxable investor, Portfolio distributions are taxable to you as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both. This is true whether you reinvest your distributions in additional Portfolio shares or receive them in cash.
For federal income tax purposes, Portfolio distributions of short-term capital gains are taxable to you at ordinary income rates. Portfolio distributions of long-term capital gains are taxable to you at long-term capital gain rates no matter how long you have owned your shares. A portfolio with a high portfolio turnover rate (a measure of how frequently assets within a portfolio are bought and sold) is more likely to generate short-term capital gains than a portfolio with a low portfolio turnover. A portion of income dividends reported by a Portfolio as qualified dividend income may be eligible for taxation by individual shareholders at long-term capital gain rates provided certain holding period requirements are met.
Compared to other types of investments, derivatives may be less tax efficient. For example, the use of derivatives by a Portfolio may cause the Portfolio to realize higher amounts of ordinary income or short-term capital gain, distributions from which are taxable to individual shareholders at ordinary income tax rates rather than at the more favorable tax rates for long-term capital gains. Changes in government regulation of derivative instruments could affect the character, timing and amount of a Portfolio’s taxable income or gains, and may limit or prevent the Portfolio from using certain types of derivative instruments as a part of its investment strategy. A Portfolio’s use of derivatives also may be limited by the requirements for taxation of the Portfolio as a regulated investment company.
If a Portfolio qualifies to pass through the tax benefits from foreign taxes it pays on its investments, and elects to do so, then any foreign taxes it pays on these investments will be treated as paid by you. You will then be entitled either to deduct your share of these taxes in computing your taxable income, or to claim a foreign tax credit for these taxes against your U.S. federal income tax (subject to limitations for certain shareholders).
Sale of Portfolio Shares. The sale of shares of a Portfolio is a taxable event and may result in a capital gain or loss to you. Currently, any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of Portfolio shares generally is treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year and as short-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for one year or less. Any loss incurred on the sale or exchange of a Portfolio’s shares, held for six months or less, will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of capital gain dividends received with respect to such shares. The ability to deduct capital losses may be limited.
Creation Units. An authorized participant who exchanges equity securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or a loss. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time of purchase (plus any cash received by the authorized participant as part of the issue) and the authorized participant’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered (plus any cash paid by the authorized participant as part of the issue). An authorized participant who exchanges Creation Units for equity securities generally will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the authorized participant’s basis in the Creation Units (plus any cash paid by the authorized participant as part of the redemption) and the aggregate market value of the securities received (plus any cash received by the authorized participant as part of the redemption). The Internal Revenue Service, however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position. Persons exchanging securities should consult their own tax advisor with respect to whether the wash sale rules apply and when a loss might be deductible.
Under current federal tax laws, any capital gain or loss realized upon redemption of Creation Units is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year and as a short-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for one year or less, assuming such Creation Unit is held as a capital asset.
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If a Portfolio redeems Creation Units in cash, it may recognize more capital gains than it will if it redeems Creation Units in-kind.
Medicare Tax. An additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from a Portfolio and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Portfolio shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds a threshold amount. This Medicare tax, if applicable, is reported by you on, and paid with, your federal income tax return.
Backup Withholding. By law, a 24% withholding tax may apply to taxable dividends, capital gains distributions, and redemption proceeds paid to you if you do not provide your proper taxpayer identification number and certain required certifications. You may avoid this withholding requirement by providing and certifying on the account registration form your correct Taxpayer Identification Number and by certifying that you are not subject to backup withholding and are a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien). Withholding is also imposed if the Internal Revenue Service requires it.
State and Local Taxes. In addition to federal taxes, you may be subject to state and local taxes on distributions from a Portfolio and on gains arising on redemption or exchange of a Portfolio’s shares. Distributions of interest income and capital gains realized from certain types of U.S. Government securities may be exempt from state personal income taxes.
Non-U.S. Investors. Non-U.S. investors may be subject to U.S. withholding tax, at either the 30% statutory rate or a lower rate if you are a resident of a country that has a tax treaty with the U.S., and are subject to special U.S. tax certification requirements to avoid backup withholding and claim any treaty benefits. Exemptions from U.S. withholding tax are provided for certain capital gain dividends paid by a Portfolio from net long-term capital gains, if any, interest-related dividends paid by a Portfolio from its qualified net interest income from U.S. sources and short-term capital gain dividends, if such amounts are reported by a Portfolio. However, notwithstanding such exemptions from U.S. withholding at the source, any such dividends and distributions of income and capital gains will be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 24% if you fail to properly certify that you are not a U.S. person. Non-U.S. investors also may be subject to U.S. estate tax.
Other Reporting and Withholding Requirements. Under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”), a 30% withholding tax is imposed on income dividends made by the Portfolio to certain foreign entities, referred to as foreign financial institutions or non-financial foreign entities, that fail to comply (or be deemed compliant) with extensive reporting and withholding requirements designed to inform the U.S. Department of the Treasury of U.S.-owned foreign investment accounts. After December 31, 2018, FATCA withholding also would have applied to certain capital gain distributions, return of capital distributions and the proceeds arising from the sale of Portfolio shares; however, based on proposed regulations issued by the Internal Revenue Service, which may be relied upon currently, such withholding is no longer required unless final regulations provide otherwise (which is not expected). Information about a Portfolio shareholder may be disclosed to the Internal Revenue Service, non-U.S. taxing authorities or other parties as necessary to comply with FATCA or similar laws. Withholding also may be required if a foreign entity that is a shareholder of a Portfolio fails to provide the appropriate certifications or other documentation concerning its status under FATCA.
This discussion of “DIVIDENDS, CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES” is not intended or written to be used as tax advice. Because everyone’s tax situation is unique, you should consult your tax professional about federal, state, local or foreign tax consequences before making an investment in a Portfolio. Prospective investors should also consult the SAI.
Purchase and Sale of Shares
Shares of a Portfolio may be acquired or redeemed directly from the Portfolio only in Creation Units or multiples thereof, as discussed in the “Creations and Redemptions” section of this Prospectus. Only an Authorized Participant (defined below) may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with a Portfolio. An
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“Authorized Participant” is either a “participating party” (i.e., a broker-dealer or other participant in the clearing process through the Continuous Net Settlement System of the National Securities Clearing Corporation) or a Depository Trust Company participant who, in either case, has executed an agreement with the distributor and transfer agent with respect to creations and redemptions of Creation Units. Once created, shares of a Portfolio generally trade in the secondary market in amounts less than a Creation Unit.
Shares of a Portfolio are listed for trading on a national securities exchange during the trading day. Shares can be bought and sold throughout the trading day like shares of other publicly traded companies. However, there can be no guarantee that an active trading market will develop or be maintained, or that a Portfolio’s shares listing will continue or remain unchanged. The Trust does not impose any minimum investment for shares of a Portfolio purchased on an exchange. Shares of the Portfolios trade under the following symbols:
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Portfolio |
Ticker: |
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Dimensional U.S. Equity ETF |
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DFUS |
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Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF |
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DFAS |
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Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF |
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DFAT |
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Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF |
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DFAC |
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Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF |
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DFUV |
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Dimensional International Value ETF |
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DFIV |
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Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF |
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DFAX |
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Buying or selling a Portfolio’s shares on an exchange involves certain costs that may apply to all securities transactions. When buying or selling shares of a Portfolio through a financial intermediary, you may incur a brokerage commission or other charges determined by your financial intermediary. Due to these brokerage costs, if any, frequent trading may detract significantly from investment returns. The commission is frequently a fixed amount and may be a significant proportional cost for investors seeking to buy or sell small amounts of shares. In addition, you may also incur the cost of the “spread” (the difference between the bid price and the ask price). The spread varies over time for shares of a Portfolio based on its trading volume and market liquidity and is generally less if the Portfolio has more trading volume and market liquidity and more if the Portfolio has less trading volume and market liquidity. Because shares of the Portfolios trade at market price rather than NAV, an investor may pay more than NAV when purchasing shares and receive less than NAV when selling Portfolio shares. Authorized Participants may acquire Portfolio shares directly from a Portfolio, and Authorized Participants may tender their shares for redemption directly to a Portfolio, at NAV per share only in Creation Units, and in accordance with the procedures described in the SAI.
Each Portfolio’s primary listing exchange is NYSE Arca, Inc. The Exchange is open for trading Monday through Friday and is closed on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
The Board has not adopted a policy of monitoring for frequent purchases and redemptions of Portfolio shares (“frequent trading”) that appear to attempt to take advantage of potential arbitrage opportunities presented by a lag between a change in the value of a Portfolio’s portfolio securities after the close of the primary markets for the Portfolio’s portfolio securities and the reflection of that change in the Portfolio’s NAV (“market timing”) because each Portfolio sells and redeems its shares directly through transactions that are in-kind and/or for cash, subject to the conditions described below under “Creations and Redemptions.” The Board has not adopted a policy of monitoring for other frequent trading activity because shares of the Portfolios are listed for trading on a national securities exchange.
SHARE PRICE
The trading prices of a Portfolio’s shares in the secondary market will fluctuate continuously throughout trading hours based on the supply of and demand for Portfolio shares and shares of underlying securities held by a Portfolio, economic conditions and other factors, rather than a Portfolio’s NAV, which is calculated at the end of
66
each business day. Portfolio shares will trade on NYSE Arca, Inc. 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 a Portfolio’s shares. The trading prices of a Portfolio’s shares may deviate significantly from the Portfolio’s NAV during periods of market volatility. Given, however, that a Portfolio’s 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.
NYSE Arca, Inc. will disseminate, every fifteen seconds during the regular trading day, an indicative optimized portfolio value (“IOPV”) relating to a Portfolio. The IOPV calculations are estimates of the value of a Portfolio’s NAV per share. 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. The IOPV is based on the current market value of the published basket of portfolio securities and/or cash required to be deposited in exchange for a Creation Unit and does not necessarily reflect the precise composition of a Portfolio’s actual portfolio at a particular point in time. Moreover, the IOPV is generally determined by using current market quotations and/or price quotations obtained from broker-dealers and other market intermediaries and valuations based on current market rates. The IOPV may not be calculated in the same manner as the NAV, which (i) is computed only once a day, (ii) unlike the calculation of the IOPV, takes into account Portfolio expenses, and (iii) may be subject, in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, to fair valuation at different prices than those used in the calculations of the IOPV. The IOPV price is based on quotes and closing prices from the securities’ local market converted into U.S. dollars at the current currency rates and may not reflect events that occur subsequent to the local market’s close. Therefore, the IOPV may not reflect the best possible valuation of a Portfolio’s current portfolio. Neither the Portfolio 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. In the future, the dissemination of the IOPV may be discontinued.
BOOK ENTRY
Shares of the Portfolios are held in book-entry form, which means that no stock certificates are issued. The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee is the record owner of, and holds legal title to, all outstanding shares of the Portfolios.
Investors owning shares of the Portfolios are beneficial owners as shown on the records of DTC or its participants. DTC serves as the securities depository for shares of the Portfolios. DTC participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other institutions that directly or indirectly maintain a custodial relationship with DTC. As a beneficial owner of shares, you are not entitled to receive physical delivery of stock certificates or to have shares registered in your name, and you are not considered a registered owner of shares. Therefore, to exercise any right as an owner of shares, you must rely upon the procedures of DTC and its participants. These procedures are the same as those that apply to any other securities that you hold in book-entry or “street name” form.
NET ASSET VALUE
The NAV per share of each Portfolio is normally calculated once daily after the close of the NYSE (normally, 4:00 p.m. ET) by dividing the total value of the Portfolio’s investments and other assets, less any liabilities, by the total outstanding shares of beneficial interest of the Portfolio. Note: The time at which transactions and shares are priced may be changed in case of an emergency or if the NYSE closes at a time other than 4:00 p.m. ET or in other situations to the extent permitted by the SEC.
The value of shares of each Portfolio will fluctuate in relation to its investment experience. Securities held by the Portfolios will be valued in accordance with applicable laws and procedures approved by the Board, and generally, as described below.
Securities held by the Portfolios (including over-the-counter securities) are valued at, as applicable: (1) the official closing price on the exchange or market where the security is principally traded; or (2) the last reported sale price prior to that day’s close. Securities held by the Portfolios that are listed on Nasdaq are valued at the Nasdaq Official Closing Price (“NOCP”). If there is no last reported sales price or official closing price of the day, the Portfolios value the securities at the mean between the most recent quoted bid and asked prices. Price
67
information on listed securities is taken from the exchange where the security is primarily traded. Generally, options will be valued using the same pricing methods discussed above.
The value of the securities and other assets of a Portfolio for which no market quotations are readily available (including restricted securities), or for which market quotations have become unreliable, are determined in good faith at fair value in accordance with Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act pursuant to procedures approved by the Board of the Trust. Fair value pricing also may be used if events that have a significant effect on the value of an investment (as determined in the discretion of the Advisor) occur before the NAV is calculated. When fair value pricing is used, the prices of securities used by a Portfolio may differ from the quoted or published prices for the same securities on their primary markets or exchanges.
To the extent that the Portfolios hold large numbers of securities, it is likely that it will have a larger number of securities that may be deemed illiquid and therefore must be valued pursuant to fair value pricing procedures approved by the Board than would a fund that holds a smaller number of securities. Portfolios that invest in small capitalization companies are more likely to hold illiquid securities than would a fund that invests in larger capitalization companies.
Valuing securities at fair value involves greater reliance on judgment than valuing securities that have readily available market quotations. There can be no assurance that a Portfolio could obtain the fair value assigned to a security if it were to sell the security at approximately the time at which the Portfolio determines its NAV per share. As a result, the sale or redemption by a Portfolio of its shares at NAV, at a time when a holding or holdings are valued at fair value, may have the effect of diluting or increasing the economic interest of existing shareholders.
For the International Portfolios, the prices of securities traded in foreign currencies will be expressed in U.S. dollars by using the mid-rate prices for the U.S. dollar as quoted by generally recognized reliable sources at 4 p.m. London time. Because the International Portfolios own securities that are primarily traded in foreign markets which may trade on days when the Portfolios do not price their shares, the NAVs of the Portfolios may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or redeem shares.
Certain of the securities holdings of the World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF in Approved Markets may be subject to tax, investment and currency repatriation regulations of the Approved Markets that could have a material effect on the values of the securities. For example, the Portfolio might be subject to different levels of taxation on current income and realized gains depending upon the holding period of the securities. In general, a longer holding period (e.g., 5 years) may result in the imposition of lower tax rates than a shorter holding period (e.g., 1 year). The World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF may also be subject to certain contractual arrangements with investment authorities in an Approved Market which require the Portfolio to maintain minimum holding periods or to limit the extent of repatriation of income and realized gains.
Futures contracts are valued using the settlement price established each day on the exchange on which they are traded. The value of such futures contracts held by a Portfolio is determined each day as of such close. In the absence of prices that are readily available as defined in Rule 2a-5, the futures contract will be valued in good faith at fair value in accordance with procedures approved by the Board.
Each Portfolio generally calculates its NAV per share and accepts purchase and redemption orders of Creation Units on days that the NYSE is open for trading.
Creations and Redemptions
Prior to trading in the secondary market, shares of a Portfolio are “created” at NAV by market makers, large investors and institutions only in block-size Creation Units of the following number of shares or multiples thereof:
68
|
|
|
|||||
Portfolio |
Creation Unit |
||||||
Dimensional U.S. Equity ETF |
|
|
40,000 shares |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF |
|
|
30,000 shares |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF |
|
|
50,000 shares |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF |
|
|
100,000 shares |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF |
|
50,000 shares |
|||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional International Value ETF |
|
|
50,000 shares |
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF |
|
|
200,000 shares |
||||
|
All orders to purchase Creation Units must be placed by or through an “Authorized Participant” that has entered into an authorized participant agreement (an “AP Agreement”) with the Portfolios’ distributor (the “Distributor”).
A creation transaction, which is subject to acceptance by the Distributor or its agents, generally takes place when an Authorized Participant deposits into a Portfolio a designated portfolio of securities (including any portion of such securities for which cash may be substituted) and a specified amount of cash in exchange for a specified number of Creation Units.
Similarly, shares can be redeemed only in Creation Units, generally for a designated portfolio of securities (including any portion of such securities for which cash may be substituted) held by a Portfolio and a specified amount of cash. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares are not redeemable by a Portfolio.
The prices at which creations and redemptions occur are based on the next calculation of NAV after a creation or redemption order is received in an acceptable form under the AP Agreement.
Only an Authorized Participant may create or redeem Creation Units directly with a Portfolio. In the event of a system failure or other interruption, including disruptions at market makers or Authorized Participants, orders to purchase or redeem Creation Units either may not be executed according to a Portfolio’s instructions or may not be executed at all, or a Portfolio may not be able to place or change orders.
When a Portfolio engages in in-kind transactions, the Portfolio intends to comply with the U.S. federal securities laws in accepting securities for deposit and satisfying redemptions with redemption securities by, among other means, assuring that any securities accepted for deposit and any securities used to satisfy redemption requests will be sold in transactions that would be exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”). Further, an Authorized Participant that is not a “qualified institutional buyer,” as such term is defined under Rule 144A of the 1933 Act, will not be able to receive restricted securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A.
Creations and redemptions must be made through a firm that is either a member of the Continuous Net Settlement System of the National Securities Clearing Corporation or a DTC participant and, in either case, has executed an AP Agreement with the Distributor. Information about the procedures regarding creation and redemption of Creation Units (including the cut-off times for receipt of creation and redemption orders) is included in the Portfolios’ SAI.
Because new shares may be created and issued on an ongoing basis, at any point during the life of a Portfolio a “distribution,” as such term is used in the 1933 Act, may be occurring. 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 that could render them statutory underwriters subject to the prospectus delivery and liability provisions of the 1933 Act. Any determination of whether one is an underwriter must take into account all the relevant facts and circumstances of each particular case.
Broker-dealers should also note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are participating in a distribution (as contrasted to ordinary secondary transactions), and thus dealing with shares that are part of an “unsold allotment” within the meaning of Section 4(a)(3)(C) of the 1933 Act, would be unable to take advantage of the prospectus delivery exemption provided by Section 4(a)(3) of the 1933 Act. For delivery of prospectuses to
69
exchange members, the prospectus delivery mechanism of Rule 153 under the 1933 Act is available only with respect to transactions on a national securities exchange.
Premium/Discount Information
Information showing the number of days the market price of a Portfolio’s shares was greater than the Portfolio’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Portfolio’s NAV (i.e., premium or discount) for various time periods is available by visiting the Portfolio’s website at https://us.dimensional.com/etfs.
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings
A description of the Trust’s policies and procedures regarding the release of portfolio holdings information is also available in the Trust’s SAI. Portfolio holdings information is available by visiting a Portfolio’s website at https://us.dimensional.com/etfs.
Delivery of Shareholder Documents
To eliminate duplicate mailings and reduce expenses, certain broker-dealers may deliver a single copy of certain shareholder documents, such as this Prospectus and annual and semi-annual reports, to related shareholders at the same address, even if accounts are registered in different names. This practice is known as “householding.” You may contact your broker-dealer to enroll in householding. Once enrolled, this process will continue indefinitely unless you instruct your broker-dealer otherwise. If you do not want the mailings of these documents to be combined with those of other members of your household, please contact your broker-dealer. At any time you may view current prospectuses and financial reports on a Portfolio’s website at https://us.dimensional.com/etfs.
Distribution
The Distributor or its agents distribute Creation Units for the Portfolios on an agency basis. The Distributor does not maintain a secondary market in shares of the Portfolios.
Financial Highlights
The Dimensional U.S. Equity ETF, Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF, Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF, Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF, Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF, Dimensional International Value ETF, and Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF acquired all of the assets, subject to the liabilities, of the Tax-Managed U.S. Equity Portfolio, Tax-Managed U.S. Small Cap Portfolio, Tax-Managed U.S. Targeted Value Portfolio, T.A. U.S. Core Equity 2 Portfolio, Tax-Managed U.S. Marketwide Value Portfolio II, Tax-Managed DFA International Value Portfolio, and T.A. World ex U.S. Core Equity Portfolio, each a series of DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc. (each, a predecessor fund and collectively, the predecessor funds), respectively, in reorganizations (collectively, the “Reorganizations”) that were consummated after the close of business on June 11, 2021 (for Dimensional U.S. Equity ETF, Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF, Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF, and Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF), September 10, 2021 (for Dimensional International Value ETF and Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF) or May 6, 2022 (for Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF). As a result of the Reorganizations, the Financial Highlights information presented for a Portfolio includes the financial history of the corresponding predecessor fund.
The Financial Highlights table is meant to help you understand each Portfolio’s and predecessor fund’s financial performance for the past five years or, if shorter, the period of that Portfolio’s or predecessor fund’s operations, as indicated by the table. The total returns in the table represent the rate that you would have earned (or lost) on
70
an investment in the Portfolio or predecessor fund, assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. The information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with each Portfolio’s annual financial statements, is included in the Portfolio’s annual report. Further information about each Portfolio’s and predecessor fund’s performance is contained in the Portfolio’s annual report, which is available upon request.
71
Financial Highlights
(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dimensional U.S. Equity ETF |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year |
Year |
Year |
Year |
Year |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period |
|
$ |
|
50.34 |
|
$ |
|
35.43 |
|
|
$ |
|
32.60 |
|
|
$ |
|
29.44 |
|
$ |
|
28.01 |
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations(a) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income (Loss) |
|
0.63 |
|
0.54 |
|
|
0.53 |
|
|
0.52 |
|
0.47 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Gains (Losses) on Securities (Realized and Unrealized) |
|
(8.29 |
) |
|
|
14.91 |
|
|
2.83 |
|
|
3.25 |
|
1.40 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total From Investment Operations |
|
(7.66 |
) |
|
|
15.45 |
|
|
3.36 |
|
|
3.77 |
|
1.87 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less Distributions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income |
|
(0.62 |
) |
|
|
0.54 |
|
|
(0.53 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.56 |
) |
|
|
(0.44 |
) |
|
|||||||||||||||
Net Realized Gains |
— |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
(0.05 |
) |
|
|
— |
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Distributions |
|
(0.62 |
) |
|
|
(0.54 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.53 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.61 |
) |
|
|
(0.44 |
) |
|
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period |
|
$ |
|
42.06 |
|
$ |
|
50.34 |
|
|
$ |
|
35.43 |
|
|
$ |
|
32.60 |
|
$ |
|
29.44 |
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Return at NAV(b) |
|
(15.30 |
)% |
|
|
43.83 |
% |
|
|
|
10.47 |
% |
|
|
|
13.03 |
% |
|
|
6.68 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Return at Market(c) |
|
(15.19 |
)% |
|
|
43.80 |
% |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Assets, End of Year (thousands) |
|
$ |
|
5,474,263 |
|
$ |
|
6,041,240 |
|
|
$ |
|
4,197,993 |
|
|
$ |
|
4,010,197 |
|
$ |
|
3,562,284 |
|||||||||||||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets |
|
0.09 |
% |
|
|
0.17 |
% |
|
|
|
0.22 |
% |
|
|
|
0.22 |
% |
|
|
0.21 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (Excluding Fees Waived, Expenses Reimbursed, Previously Waived Fees Recovered by Advisor and/or Fees Paid Indirectly) |
|
0.09 |
% |
|
|
0.17 |
% |
|
|
|
0.22 |
% |
|
|
|
0.23 |
% |
|
|
0.21 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets |
|
1.39 |
% |
|
|
1.21 |
% |
|
|
|
1.57 |
% |
|
|
|
1.71 |
% |
|
|
1.58 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||
Portfolio Turnover Rate(d) |
|
4 |
% |
|
|
1 |
% |
|
|
|
2 |
% |
|
|
|
2 |
% |
|
|
1 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||
|
(a) |
Computed using average shares outstanding. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) |
Net asset value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at net asset value. This percentage is not an indication of the performance of a shareholder’s investment in the Fund based on market value due to differences between the market price of the shares and the net asset value per share of the Fund. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) |
Market value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the market value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at market value. Market value is determined by the composite closing price. Composite closing security price is defined as the last reported sale price from any primary listing market (e.g., NYSE Arca) or participating regional exchanges or markets. The composite closing price is the last reported sale price from any of the eligible sources, regardless of volume and not an average price and may have occurred on a date prior to the close of the reporting period. Market value may be greater or less than net asset value, depending on the Fund’s closing price on the listing market. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(d) |
Excludes impact of in-kind transactions. |
72
Financial Highlights
(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year |
Year |
Year |
Year |
Year |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period |
|
$ |
|
60.22 |
|
$ |
|
38.59 |
|
|
$ |
|
42.03 |
|
|
$ |
|
42.82 |
|
$ |
|
44.35 |
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations(a) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income (Loss) |
|
0.62 |
|
0.55 |
|
|
0.40 |
|
|
0.41 |
|
0.39 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Gains (Losses) on Securities (Realized and Unrealized) |
|
(6.88 |
) |
|
|
21.53 |
|
|
(2.74 |
) |
|
|
|
0.35 |
|
(0.30 |
) |
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total From Investment Operations |
|
(6.26 |
) |
|
|
22.08 |
|
|
(2.34 |
) |
|
|
|
0.76 |
|
0.09 |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less Distributions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income |
|
(0.57 |
) |
|
|
(0.45 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.39 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.38 |
) |
|
|
(0.38 |
) |
|
|||||||||||||
Net Realized Gains |
|
(1.29 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
(0.71 |
) |
|
|
|
(1.17 |
) |
|
|
(1.24 |
) |
|
|||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Distributions |
|
(1.86 |
) |
|
|
(0.45 |
) |
|
|
|
(1.10 |
) |
|
|
|
(1.55 |
) |
|
|
(1.62 |
) |
|
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period |
|
$ |
|
52.10 |
|
$ |
|
60.22 |
|
|
$ |
|
38.59 |
|
|
$ |
|
42.03 |
|
$ |
|
42.82 |
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Return at NAV(b) |
|
(10.58 |
)% |
|
|
57.38 |
% |
|
|
|
(5.68 |
)% |
|
|
|
2.18 |
% |
|
|
0.12 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Return at Market(c) |
|
(10.55 |
)% |
|
|
57.51 |
% |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Assets, End of Year (thousands) |
|
$ |
|
4,678,114 |
|
$ |
|
4,290,238 |
|
|
$ |
|
2,717,143 |
|
|
$ |
|
3,115,850 |
|
$ |
|
2,985,680 |
|||||||||||||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets |
|
0.28 |
% |
|
|
0.39 |
% |
|
|
|
0.46 |
% |
|
|
|
0.50 |
% |
|
|
0.52 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (Excluding Fees Waived, Expenses Reimbursed, Previously Waived Fees Recovered by Advisor and/or Fees Paid Indirectly) |
|
0.28 |
% |
|
|
0.39 |
% |
|
|
0.46 |
% |
|
|
0.50 |
% |
|
|
0.52 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||||
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets |
|
1.15 |
% |
|
|
1.00 |
% |
|
|
|
1.04 |
% |
|
|
|
0.99 |
% |
|
|
0.86 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||
Portfolio Turnover Rate(d) |
|
9 |
% |
|
|
11 |
% |
|
|
|
12 |
% |
|
|
|
11 |
% |
|
|
12 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||
|
(a) |
Computed using average shares outstanding. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) |
Net asset value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at net asset value. This percentage is not an indication of the performance of a shareholder’s investment in the Fund based on market value due to differences between the market price of the shares and the net asset value per share of the Fund. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) |
Market value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the market value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at market value. Market value is determined by the composite closing price. Composite closing security price is defined as the last reported sale price from any primary listing market (e.g., NYSE Arca) or participating regional exchanges or markets. The composite closing price is the last reported sale price from any of the eligible sources, regardless of volume and not an average price and may have occurred on a date prior to the close of the reporting period. Market value may be greater or less than net asset value, depending on the Fund’s closing price on the listing market. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(d) |
Excludes impact of in-kind transactions. |
73
Financial Highlights
(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year |
Year |
Year |
Year |
Year |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period |
|
$ |
|
46.49 |
|
$ |
|
28.37 |
|
|
$ |
|
34.02 |
|
|
$ |
|
35.17 |
|
$ |
|
37.94 |
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations(a) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income (Loss) |
|
0.68 |
|
0.64 |
|
|
0.45 |
|
|
0.45 |
|
0.41 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Gains (Losses) on Securities (Realized and Unrealized) |
|
(2.13 |
) |
|
|
18.00 |
|
|
(5.03 |
) |
|
|
|
0.05 |
|
(1.33 |
) |
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total From Investment Operations |
|
(1.45 |
) |
|
|
18.64 |
|
|
(4.58 |
) |
|
|
|
0.50 |
|
(0.92 |
) |
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less Distributions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income |
|
(0.69 |
) |
|
|
(0.52 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.43 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.43 |
) |
|
|
(0.40 |
) |
|
|||||||||||||
Net Realized Gains |
|
(0.03 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
(0.64 |
) |
|
|
|
(1.22 |
) |
|
|
(1.45 |
) |
|
|||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Distributions |
|
(0.72 |
) |
|
|
(0.52 |
) |
|
|
|
(1.07 |
) |
|
|
|
(1.65 |
) |
|
|
(1.85 |
) |
|
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period |
|
$ |
|
44.32 |
|
$ |
|
46.49 |
|
|
$ |
|
28.37 |
|
|
$ |
|
34.02 |
|
$ |
|
35.17 |
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Return at NAV(b) |
|
(3.07 |
)% |
|
|
65.98 |
% |
|
|
|
(13.70 |
)% |
|
|
|
1.93 |
% |
|
|
(2.66 |
)% |
|
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Return at Market(c) |
|
(3.05 |
)% |
|
|
66.13 |
% |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Assets, End of Year (thousands) |
|
$ |
|
7,188,295 |
|
$ |
|
6,449,204 |
|
|
$ |
|
3,868,490 |
|
|
$ |
|
4,743,286 |
|
$ |
|
4,603,040 |
|||||||||||||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets |
|
0.29 |
% |
|
|
0.38 |
% |
|
|
|
0.45 |
% |
|
|
|
0.45 |
% |
|
|
0.44 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (Excluding Fees Waived, Expenses Reimbursed, Previously Waived Fees Recovered by Advisor and/or Fees Paid Indirectly) |
|
0.29 |
% |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets |
|
1.52 |
% |
|
|
1.53 |
% |
|
|
|
1.55 |
% |
|
|
|
1.36 |
% |
|
|
1.07 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||
Portfolio Turnover Rate(d) |
|
8 |
% |
|
|
6 |
% |
|
|
|
14 |
% |
|
|
|
24 |
% |
|
|
14 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||
|
(a) |
Computed using average shares outstanding. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) |
Net asset value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at net asset value. This percentage is not an indication of the performance of a shareholder’s investment in the Fund based on market value due to differences between the market price of the shares and the net asset value per share of the Fund. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) |
Market value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the market value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at market value. Market value is determined by the composite closing price. Composite closing security price is defined as the last reported sale price from any primary listing market (e.g., NYSE Arca) or participating regional exchanges or markets. The composite closing price is the last reported sale price from any of the eligible sources, regardless of volume and not an average price and may have occurred on a date prior to the close of the reporting period. Market value may be greater or less than net asset value, depending on the Fund’s closing price on the listing market. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(d) |
Excludes impact of in-kind transactions. |
74
Financial Highlights
(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year |
Year |
Year |
Year |
Year |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period |
|
$ |
|
28.13 |
|
$ |
|
19.42 |
|
|
$ |
|
19.24 |
|
|
$ |
|
17.87 |
|
$ |
|
17.56 |
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations(a) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income (Loss) |
|
0.37 |
|
0.32 |
|
|
0.30 |
|
|
0.30 |
|
0.28 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Gains (Losses) on Securities (Realized and Unrealized) |
|
(3.72 |
) |
|
|
8.67 |
|
|
0.51 |
|
|
1.48 |
|
0.44 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total From Investment Operations |
|
(3.35 |
) |
|
|
8.99 |
|
|
0.81 |
|
|
1.78 |
|
0.72 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less Distributions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income |
|
(3.35 |
) |
|
|
(0.28 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.28 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.31 |
) |
|
|
(0.27 |
) |
|
|||||||||||||
Net Realized Gains |
— |
|
— |
|
|
(0.35 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.10 |
) |
|
|
(0.14 |
) |
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Distributions |
|
(3.35 |
) |
|
|
(0.28 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.63 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.41 |
) |
|
|
(0.41 |
) |
|
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period |
|
$ |
|
24.43 |
|
$ |
|
28.13 |
|
|
$ |
|
19.42 |
|
|
$ |
|
19.24 |
|
$ |
|
17.87 |
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Return at NAV(b) |
|
(11.95 |
)% |
|
|
46.47 |
% |
|
|
|
4.31 |
% |
|
|
|
10.25 |
% |
|
|
4.05 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Return at Market(c) |
|
(12.01 |
)% |
|
|
46.57 |
% |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Assets, End of Year (thousands) |
|
$ |
|
15,437,733 |
|
$ |
|
14,457,938 |
|
|
$ |
|
9,529,122 |
|
|
$ |
|
10,121,793 |
|
$ |
|
9,113,032 |
|||||||||||||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets |
|
0.17 |
% |
|
|
0.21 |
% |
|
|
|
0.24 |
% |
|
|
|
0.25 |
% |
|
|
0.23 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (Excluding Fees Waived, Expenses Reimbursed, Previously Waived Fees Recovered by Advisor and/or Fees Paid Indirectly) |
|
0.17 |
% |
|
|
0.21 |
% |
|
|
0.24 |
% |
|
|
0.25 |
% |
|
|
0.23 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||||
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets |
|
1.43 |
% |
|
|
1.25 |
% |
|
|
|
1.59 |
% |
|
|
|
1.64 |
% |
|
|
1.49 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||
Portfolio Turnover Rate(d) |
|
6 |
% |
|
|
2 |
% |
|
|
|
3 |
% |
|
|
|
6 |
% |
|
|
1 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||
|
(a) |
Computed using average shares outstanding. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) |
Net asset value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at net asset value. This percentage is not an indication of the performance of a shareholder’s investment in the Fund based on market value due to differences between the market price of the shares and the net asset value per share of the Fund. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) |
Market value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the market value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at market value. Market value is determined by the composite closing price. Composite closing security price is defined as the last reported sale price from any primary listing market (e.g., NYSE Arca) or participating regional exchanges or markets. The composite closing price is the last reported sale price from any of the eligible sources, regardless of volume and not an average price and may have occurred on a date prior to the close of the reporting period. Market value may be greater or less than net asset value, depending on the Fund’s closing price on the listing market. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(d) |
Excludes impact of in-kind transactions. |
75
Financial Highlights
(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year |
Year |
Year |
Year |
Year |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period |
|
$ |
|
36.32 |
|
$ |
|
25.06 |
|
$ |
|
28.74 |
|
$ |
|
28.02 |
|
$ |
|
28.30 |
|||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations(a) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income (Loss) |
|
0.64 |
|
0.54 |
|
0.57 |
|
0.60 |
|
0.58 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Gains (Losses) on Securities (Realized and Unrealized) |
|
(2.93 |
) |
|
|
11.26 |
|
(3.22 |
) |
|
|
1.66 |
|
0.63 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total From Investment Operations |
|
(2.29 |
) |
|
|
11.80 |
|
(2.65 |
) |
|
|
2.26 |
|
1.21 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less Distributions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income |
|
(0.59 |
) |
|
|
(0.54 |
) |
|
|
(0.55 |
) |
|
|
(0.56 |
) |
|
|
(0.54 |
) |
|
|||||||||||||||
Net Realized Gains |
|
— |
|
— |
|
(0.48 |
) |
|
|
(0.98 |
) |
|
|
(0.95 |
) |
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Distributions |
|
(0.59 |
) |
|
|
(0.54 |
) |
|
|
(1.03 |
) |
|
|
(1.54 |
) |
|
|
(1.49 |
) |
|
|||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period |
|
$ |
|
33.44 |
|
$ |
|
36.32 |
|
$ |
|
25.06 |
|
$ |
|
28.74 |
|
$ |
|
28.02 |
|||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Return at NAV(b) |
|
(6.28 |
%) |
|
|
47.30 |
% |
|
|
(9.41 |
%) |
|
|
8.82 |
% |
|
|
4.27 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Return at Market(c) |
|
(6.29 |
%) |
|
|
— |
% |
|
|
— |
%) |
|
|
— |
% |
|
|
— |
% |
|
|||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Assets, End of Year (thousands) |
|
$ |
|
7,904,011 |
|
$ |
|
8,320,772 |
|
$ |
|
1,563,787 |
|
$ |
|
1,917,021 |
|
$ |
|
1,841,678 |
|||||||||||||||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets |
|
0.22 |
% |
|
|
0.23 |
% |
|
|
0.24 |
% |
|
|
0.24 |
% |
|
|
0.22 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (Excluding Fees Waived, Expenses Reimbursed, Previously Waived Fees Recovered by Advisor and/or Fees Paid Indirectly) |
|
0.22 |
% |
|
|
0.41 |
% |
|
|
0.44 |
% |
|
|
0.44 |
% |
|
|
0.42 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||||
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets |
|
1.86 |
% |
|
|
1.62 |
% |
|
|
2.18 |
% |
|
|
2.18 |
% |
|
|
1.98 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||||
Portfolio Turnover Rate(d) |
|
3 |
% |
|
|
0 |
% |
|
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|
N/A |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
(a) |
Computed using average shares outstanding. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) |
Net asset value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at net asset value. This percentage is not an indication of the performance of a shareholder’s investment in the Fund based on market value due to differences between the market price of the shares and the net asset value per share of the Fund. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) |
Market value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the market value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at market value. Market value is determined by the composite closing price. Composite closing security price is defined as the last reported sale price from any primary listing market (e.g., NYSE Arca) or participating regional exchanges or markets. The composite closing price is the last reported sale price from any of the eligible sources, regardless of volume and not an average price and may have occurred on a date prior to the close of the reporting period. Market value may be greater or less than net asset value, depending on the Fund’s closing price on the listing market. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(d) |
Excludes impact of in-kind transactions. |
76
Financial Highlights
(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dimensional International Value ETF |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year |
Year |
Year |
Year |
Year |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period |
|
$ |
|
33.76 |
|
$ |
|
11.67 |
|
|
$ |
|
14.61 |
|
|
$ |
|
14.61 |
|
$ |
|
16.39 |
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations(a) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income (Loss) |
|
1.34 |
|
0.78 |
|
|
0.30 |
|
|
0.51 |
|
0.47 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Gains (Losses) on Securities (Realized and Unrealized) |
|
(5.95 |
) |
|
|
22.06 |
|
|
(2.88 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.01 |
) |
|
|
(1.79 |
) |
|
|||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total From Investment Operations |
|
(4.61 |
) |
|
|
22.84 |
|
|
(2.58 |
) |
|
|
|
0.50 |
|
(1.32 |
) |
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less Distributions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income |
|
(1.45 |
) |
|
|
(0.75 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.36 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.50 |
) |
|
|
(0.46 |
) |
|
|||||||||||||
Net Realized Gains |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|
— |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Distributions |
|
(1.45 |
) |
|
|
(0.75 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.36 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.50 |
) |
|
|
(0.46 |
) |
|
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period |
|
$ |
|
27.70 |
|
$ |
|
33.76 |
|
|
$ |
|
11.67 |
|
|
$ |
|
14.61 |
|
$ |
|
14.61 |
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Return at NAV(b) |
|
(13.97 |
)% |
|
|
48.18 |
% |
|
|
|
(17.77 |
)% |
|
|
|
3.52 |
% |
|
|
(8.27 |
)% |
|
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Return at Market(c) |
|
(14.08 |
)% |
|
|
48.68 |
% |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Assets, End of Year (thousands) |
|
$ |
|
3,757,656 |
|
$ |
|
3,616,969 |
|
|
$ |
|
2,392,708 |
|
|
$ |
|
3,821,142 |
|
$ |
|
3,668,647 |
|||||||||||||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets |
|
0.29 |
% |
|
|
0.48 |
% |
|
|
|
0.52 |
% |
|
|
|
0.54 |
% |
|
|
0.53 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets Excluding Fees Waived, Expenses Reimbursed, Previously Waived Fees Recovered by Advisor and/or Fees Paid Indirectly) |
|
0.29 |
% |
|
|
0.48 |
% |
|
|
|
0.52 |
% |
|
|
|
0.55 |
% |
|
|
0.53 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets |
|
4.31 |
% |
|
|
3.34 |
% |
|
|
|
2.34 |
% |
|
|
|
3.58 |
% |
|
|
2.89 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||
Portfolio Turnover Rate(d) |
|
12 |
% |
|
|
14 |
% |
|
|
|
16 |
% |
|
|
|
17 |
% |
|
|
21 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||
|
(a) |
Computed using average shares outstanding. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) |
Net asset value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at net asset value. This percentage is not an indication of the performance of a shareholder’s investment in the Fund based on market value due to differences between the market price of the shares and the net asset value per share of the Fund. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) |
Market value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the market value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at market value. Market value is determined by the composite closing price. Composite closing security price is defined as the last reported sale price from any primary listing market (e.g., NYSE Arca) or participating regional exchanges or markets. The composite closing price is the last reported sale price from any of the eligible sources, regardless of volume and not an average price and may have occurred on a date prior to the close of the reporting period. Market value may be greater or less than net asset value, depending on the Fund’s closing price on the listing market. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(d) |
Excludes impact of in-kind transactions. |
77
Financial Highlights
(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Year |
Year |
Year |
Year |
Year |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period |
|
$ |
|
26.32 |
|
$ |
|
9.91 |
|
|
$ |
|
10.64 |
|
|
$ |
|
10.11 |
|
$ |
|
11.53 |
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income From Investment Operations(a) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income (Loss) |
|
0.76 |
|
0.45 |
|
|
0.22 |
|
|
0.30 |
|
0.29 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Gains (Losses) on Securities (Realized and Unrealized) |
|
(6.69 |
) |
|
|
16.41 |
|
|
(0.72 |
) |
|
|
|
0.53 |
|
(1.44 |
) |
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total From Investment Operations |
|
(5.93 |
) |
|
|
16.86 |
|
|
(0.50 |
) |
|
|
|
0.83 |
|
(1.15 |
) |
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less Distributions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Investment Income |
|
(0.77 |
) |
|
|
(0.45 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.23 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.30 |
) |
|
|
(0.27 |
) |
|
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Distributions |
|
(0.77 |
) |
|
|
(0.45 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.23 |
) |
|
|
|
(0.30 |
) |
|
|
(0.27 |
) |
|
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period |
|
$ |
|
19.62 |
|
$ |
|
26.32 |
|
|
$ |
|
9.91 |
|
|
$ |
|
10.64 |
|
$ |
|
10.11 |
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Return at NAV(b) |
|
(22.87 |
)% |
|
|
35.23 |
% |
|
|
|
(4.69 |
)% |
|
|
|
8.40 |
% |
|
|
(10.19 |
)% |
|
|||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Return at Market(c) |
|
(22.69 |
)% |
|
|
35.23 |
% |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
— |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Assets, End of Year (thousands) |
|
$ |
|
4,312,083 |
|
$ |
|
4,664,404 |
|
|
$ |
|
3,194,338 |
|
|
$ |
|
3,957,333 |
|
$ |
|
3,348,703 |
|||||||||||||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets |
|
0.30 |
% |
|
|
0.36 |
% |
|
|
|
0.36 |
% |
|
|
|
0.37 |
% |
|
|
0.36 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets Excluding Fees Waived, Expenses Reimbursed, Previously Waived Fees Recovered by Advisor and/or Fees Paid Indirectly) |
|
0.30 |
% |
|
|
0.39 |
% |
|
|
|
0.36 |
% |
|
|
|
0.38 |
% |
|
|
0.36 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets |
|
3.28 |
% |
|
|
2.39 |
% |
|
|
|
2.17 |
% |
|
|
|
2.95 |
% |
|
|
2.47 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||
Portfolio Turnover Rate(d) |
|
8 |
% |
|
|
10 |
% |
|
|
|
8 |
% |
|
|
|
8 |
% |
|
|
6 |
% |
|
|||||||||||||
|
(a) |
Computed using average shares outstanding. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) |
Net asset value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at net asset value. This percentage is not an indication of the performance of a shareholder’s investment in the Fund based on market value due to differences between the market price of the shares and the net asset value per share of the Fund. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) |
Market value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the market value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at market value. Market value is determined by the composite closing price. Composite closing security price is defined as the last reported sale price from any primary listing market (e.g., NYSE Arca) or participating regional exchanges or markets. The composite closing price is the last reported sale price from any of the eligible sources, regardless of volume and not an average price and may have occurred on a date prior to the close of the reporting period. Market value may be greater or less than net asset value, depending on the Fund’s closing price on the listing market. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(d) |
Excludes impact of in-kind transactions. |
78
Other Available Information
You can find more information about the Trust and each Portfolio in the Portfolios’ SAI and Annual and Semi-Annual Reports.
Statement of Additional Information.
The SAI, incorporated herein by reference, supplements, and is technically part of, this Prospectus. It includes an expanded discussion of investment practices, risks, and fund operations.
Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders.
These reports focus on Portfolio holdings and performance. The Annual Report also discusses the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Portfolios in their last fiscal year.
How to get these and other materials:
• |
Your investment advisor or broker-dealer—you are a client of an investment advisor or broker-dealer who has invested in a Portfolio on your behalf. |
||
• |
The Trust—Call collect at (512) 306-7400. |
||
• |
Access them on our Web site at http://us.dimensional.com. |
||
• |
Access them on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. |
||
• |
Obtain them, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov. |
Dimensional ETF Trust—Registration No. 811-23580
|
|
|
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP |
|
Prospectus
February 28, 2023
DIMENSIONAL ETF TRUST
|
|
|
|
|
Ticker: |
Exchange: |
|||
Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF |
DFCF |
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
||
|
||||
Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF |
DFSD |
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
||
|
||||
Dimensional Inflation-Protected Securities ETF |
DFIP |
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
||
|
||||
Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF |
DFNM |
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
||
|
This Prospectus describes the shares of the Portfolios which are for long-term investors.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Table of Contents
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8 |
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21 |
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23 |
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25 |
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26 |
i
|
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|
|||||
|
26 |
||||||
|
26 |
||||||
|
26 |
||||||
Additional Information on Investment Objectives and Policies |
|
27 |
|||||
Description of Investments of the Portfolios Other than the Municipal Bond ETF |
|
27 |
|||||
|
28 |
||||||
|
30 |
||||||
|
35 |
||||||
|
35 |
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|
36 |
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36 |
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36 |
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38 |
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39 |
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40 |
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43 |
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44 |
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44 |
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45 |
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46 |
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47 |
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47 |
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47 |
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47 |
||||||
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47 |
||||||
|
47 |
ii
The investment objective of the Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF (the “Core Fixed Income ETF” or “Portfolio”) is to seek to maximize total returns from the universe of eligible investments. Total return is comprised of income and capital appreciation.
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold or sell shares of the Core Fixed Income ETF. You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Portfolio, which are not reflected in the table or Example that follows.
year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
|
|
|
Management Fee | | |
| ||
Other Expenses | | |
| ||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | | |
| ||
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement** | | |
| ||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement | | |
|
* | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
** |
This Example is meant to help you compare the cost of investing in the Core Fixed Income ETF with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. The costs for the Portfolio reflect the net expenses of the Portfolio that result from the contractual expense waiver in the first year only. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs whether you redeem or hold your shares would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
3 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
|||
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|||
|
The Core Fixed Income ETF pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. During the period November 15,
1
2021 to October 31, 2022, the Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate was
The Core Fixed Income ETF will seek to achieve its investment objective through exposure to a broad portfolio of U.S. and foreign investment grade fixed income securities. The Portfolio may invest in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. and foreign governments, their agencies and instrumentalities, including mortgage-backed securities, corporate debt obligations, bank obligations, commercial paper, repurchase agreements, money market funds, securities of domestic or foreign issuers denominated in U.S. dollars but not trading in the United States, and obligations of supranational organizations. The Portfolio may purchase or sell mortgage-backed securities on a delayed delivery or forward commitment basis through the “to-be-announced” (TBA) market. As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Portfolio’s net assets will be invested in fixed income securities considered to be investment grade quality.
The Portfolio will be managed with a view to capturing expected credit premiums and expected term premiums. The term “expected credit premium” means the expected incremental return on investment for holding obligations considered to have greater credit risk than direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury, and “expected term premium” means the expected relative return on investment for holding securities having longer-term maturities as compared to shorter-term maturities. In managing the Portfolio, the Advisor will increase or decrease investment exposure to intermediate-term securities depending on the expected term premium and also increase or decrease investment exposure to non-government securities depending on the expected credit premium.
The Portfolio may invest in fixed income securities considered investment grade at the time of purchase (e.g., rated BBB- or above by S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”) or Fitch Ratings Ltd. (“Fitch”) or Baa3 or above by Moody’s Investor’s Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”)). The Portfolio may invest with an emphasis on debt securities rated in the lower half of the investment grade spectrum (e.g., rated BBB- to A+ by S&P or Fitch or Baa3 to A1 by Moody’s). The Portfolio will not emphasize investments in the lower half of the investment grade spectrum, however, when the Advisor believes the expected credit premium is relatively low. The Portfolio will also invest in higher-rated debt securities. In addition, the Portfolio is authorized to invest more than 25% of its total assets in U.S. Treasury bonds, bills and notes, and obligations of federal agencies and instrumentalities.
The Portfolio primarily invests in securities that mature within twenty years from the date of settlement, but may, as in the case of mortgage-backed securities, invest in securities with longer maturities. Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will generally maintain a weighted average duration of no more than one quarter year greater than, and no less than one year below, the weighted average duration of the Portfolio’s benchmark, the Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, which was approximately 6.17 years as of December 31, 2022. From time to time, the Portfolio may deviate from this duration range when the Advisor determines it to be appropriate under the circumstances. Duration is a measure of the sensitivity of a security’s price to changes in interest rates. The longer a security’s duration, the more sensitive it will be to changes in interest rates.
The Portfolio’s investments may include securities denominated in foreign currencies. The Portfolio intends to hedge foreign currency exposure to attempt to protect against uncertainty in the level of future foreign currency rates. The Portfolio may enter into foreign currency forward contracts to hedge against fluctuations in currency exchange rates or to transfer balances from one currency to another. The Portfolio also may enter into credit default swaps on issuers or indices to buy or sell credit protection to hedge its credit exposure; gain market or issuer exposure without owning the underlying securities; or increase the Portfolio’s total return. The Portfolio may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts, to hedge its currency exposure or to hedge its interest rate exposure or for non-hedging purposes, such as a substitute for direct investment or to increase or decrease market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio.
The Portfolio may lend its portfolio securities to generate additional income.
2
The Portfolio is an actively managed exchange-traded fund and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index and may have a higher degree of portfolio turnover than such index funds.
Market Risk: Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, political, and issuer-specific events will cause the value of securities, and the Portfolio that owns them, to rise or fall.
Interest Rate Risk: Fixed income securities are subject to interest rate risk because the prices of fixed income securities tend to move in the opposite direction of interest rates. When interest rates rise, fixed income security prices fall. During periods of very low or negative interest rates, the Portfolio may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates. When interest rates fall, fixed income security prices rise. In general, fixed income securities with longer maturities are more sensitive to changes in interest rates.
Credit Risk: Credit risk is the risk that the issuer of a security may be unable to make interest payments and/or repay principal when due. A downgrade to an issuer’s credit rating or a perceived change in an issuer’s financial strength may affect a security’s value, and thus, impact the Portfolio’s performance. Government agency obligations have different levels of credit support and, therefore, different degrees of credit risk. Securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government that are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States, such as the Federal Housing Administration and Ginnie Mae, present little credit risk. Other securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities sponsored by the U.S. government, that are supported only by the issuer’s right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, subject to certain limitations, and securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities sponsored by the U.S. government that are sponsored by the credit of the issuing agencies, such as Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, are subject to a greater degree of credit risk. U.S. government agency securities issued or guaranteed by the credit of the agency may still involve a risk of nonpayment of principal and/or interest.
Income Risk: Income risk is the risk that falling interest rates will cause the Portfolio’s income to decline because, among other reasons, the proceeds from maturing short-term securities in its portfolio may be reinvested in lower-yielding securities.
Call Risk: Call risk is the risk that during periods of falling interest rates, an issuer will call or repay a higher-yielding fixed income security before its maturity date, forcing the Portfolio to reinvest in fixed income securities with lower interest rates than the original obligations.
Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Foreign securities prices may decline or fluctuate because of: (a) economic or political actions of foreign governments, and/or (b) less regulated or liquid securities markets. Investors holding these securities may also be exposed to foreign currency risk (the possibility that foreign currency will fluctuate in value against the U.S. dollar or that a foreign government will convert, or be forced to convert, its currency to another currency, changing its value against the U.S. dollar). The Portfolio hedges foreign currency risk.
Foreign Government Debt Risk: The risk that: (a) the governmental entity that controls the repayment of government debt may not be willing or able to repay the principal and/or to pay the interest when it becomes due, due to factors such as political considerations, the relative size of the governmental entity’s debt position in relation to the economy, cash flow problems, insufficient foreign currency reserves, the failure to put in place economic reforms required by the International Monetary Fund or other multilateral agencies, and/or other national economic factors; (b) governments may default on their debt securities, which may require holders of such securities to participate in debt rescheduling; and (c) there is no legal or bankruptcy process by which defaulted government debt may be collected in whole or in part.
3
Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk: Mortgage-backed securities represent interests in “pools” of mortgages and often involve risks that are different from or potentially more significant than risks associated with other types of debt instruments. Mortgage securities differ from typical debt securities in that principal is not paid back at maturity, but rather periodically over the life of the security. The Portfolio may receive unscheduled payments of principal due to voluntary prepayments, refinancings or foreclosures on the underlying mortgage loans. When interest rates decline, borrowers may pay off their mortgages sooner than expected. This can reduce the returns of the Portfolio because it may have to reinvest that money at the lower prevailing interest rates. As a result, mortgage securities may be less effective than some other types of debt securities as a means of securing long-term interest rates and may have less potential for capital appreciation during periods of falling interest rates. Conversely, in a period of rising interest rates, the Portfolio may exhibit additional volatility since rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of fixed rate mortgage-related securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates. As interest rates rise mortgage borrowers are less likely to exercise prepayment options, which may reduce the value of these securities and potentially cause the Portfolio to lose money. This is known as extension risk.
Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are instruments, such as swaps, futures, and options thereon, and foreign currency forward contracts, whose value is derived from that of other assets, rates or indices. Derivatives can be used for hedging (attempting to reduce risk by offsetting one investment position with another) or non-hedging purposes. Hedging with derivatives may increase expenses, and there is no guarantee that a hedging strategy will work. In regard to currency hedging, it is generally not possible to precisely match the foreign currency exposure of such foreign currency forward contracts to the value of the securities involved due to fluctuations in the market values of such securities and cash flows into and out of the Portfolio between the date a foreign currency forward contract is entered into and the date it expires. While hedging can reduce or eliminate losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains or cause losses if the market moves in a manner different from that anticipated by the Portfolio or if the cost of the derivative outweighs the benefit of the hedge. The use of derivatives for non-hedging purposes may be considered to carry more risk than other types of investments. When the Portfolio uses derivatives, the Portfolio will be directly exposed to the risks of those derivatives. Derivative instruments are subject to a number of risks including counterparty, settlement, liquidity, interest rate, market, credit, and management risks, as well as the risk of improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Portfolio could lose more than the principal amount invested. Additional risks are associated with the use of swaps including counterparty and credit risk (the risk that the other party to a swap agreement will not fulfill its contractual obligations, whether because of bankruptcy or other default) and liquidity risk (the possible lack of a secondary market for the swap agreement). Credit risk will increase when the Portfolio is the seller of swaps and counterparty risk will increase when the Portfolio is a buyer of swaps. In addition, where the Portfolio is the seller of swaps, it may be required to liquidate portfolio securities at inopportune times in order to meet payment obligations. Swaps may be illiquid or difficult to value.
Liquidity Risk: Liquidity risk exists when particular portfolio investments are difficult to purchase or sell. To the extent that the Portfolio holds illiquid investments, the Portfolio’s performance may be reduced due to an inability to sell the investments at opportune prices or times. Liquid portfolio investments may become illiquid or less liquid after purchase by the Portfolio due to low trading volume, adverse investor perceptions and/or other market developments. Liquidity risk includes the risk that the Portfolio will experience significant net redemptions at a time when it cannot find willing buyers for its portfolio securities or can only sell its portfolio securities at a material loss or at increased costs. Liquidity risk can be more pronounced in periods of market turmoil or in situations where ownership of shares of the Portfolio are concentrated in one or a few investors.
Market Trading Risk: Active trading markets for the Portfolio’s shares may not be developed or maintained by market makers or authorized participants. Authorized participants are not obligated to make a market in the Portfolio’s shares or to submit purchase or redemption orders for creation units. Trading in shares on an exchange may be halted in certain circumstances. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the listing exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Portfolio will continue to be met.
Premium/Discount Risk: The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Portfolio and the value of your investment may fluctuate. Disruptions to creations and redemptions or the market price of the Portfolio’s holdings, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for shares may widen bid-ask spreads and result in shares trading at a significant premium or discount to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a
4
time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
International Closed Market Trading Risk: To the extent that the underlying securities held by the Portfolio trade on an exchange that is closed when the securities exchange on which the Portfolio shares list and trade is open, there may be market uncertainty about the stale security pricing (i.e., the last quote from its closed foreign market) resulting in premiums or discounts to NAV that may be greater than those experienced by other ETFs.
Securities Lending Risk: Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Portfolio may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Portfolio could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. Securities lending also may have certain adverse tax consequences.
Operational Risk: Operational risks include human error, changes in personnel, system changes, faults in communication, and failures in systems, technology, or processes. Various operational events or circumstances are outside the Advisor’s control, including instances at third parties. The Portfolio and the Advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate to address these risks.
Cyber Security Risk: The Portfolio’s and its service providers’ use of internet, technology and information systems may expose the Portfolio to potential risks linked to cyber security breaches of those technological or information systems. Cyber security breaches, amongst other things, could allow an unauthorized party to gain access to proprietary information, customer data, or fund assets, or cause the Portfolio and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality.
Large Shareholder Risk: Certain shareholders, including other funds or accounts advised by the Advisor, may from time to time own a substantial amount of the Portfolio’s shares. In addition, a third party investor, the Advisor, an authorized participant, a lead market maker, or another entity may invest in the Portfolio and hold its investment for a limited period of time solely to facilitate commencement of the Portfolio or to facilitate the Portfolio achieving a specified size or scale. There can be no assurance that any large shareholder would not redeem its investment, that the size of the Portfolio would be maintained at such levels or that the Portfolio would continue to meet applicable listing requirements. Redemptions by large shareholders could have a significant negative impact on the Portfolio. In addition, transactions by large shareholders may account for a large percentage of the trading volume on the listing exchange and may, therefore, have a material upward or downward effect on the market price of the shares.
5
January 2022-December 2022
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Periods ending December 31, 2022
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Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF |
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Investment Advisor/Portfolio Management
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP serves as the investment advisor for the Core Fixed Income ETF. Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. and DFA Australia Limited serve as the sub-advisors for the Portfolio. The following individuals are responsible for leading the day-to-day management of the Portfolio:
• |
Joseph F. Kolerich, Head of Fixed Income, Americas, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President, and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2021). |
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• |
David A. Plecha, Global Head of Fixed Income Portfolio Management, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President, and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2021). |
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• |
Lovell D. Shao, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2021). |
6
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Core Fixed Income ETF issues (or redeems) shares at NAV only to certain financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the Portfolio’s distributor in large aggregated blocks known as “Creation Units.” A Creation Unit of the Portfolio consists of 50,000 shares. Creation Units are issued (or redeemed) in-kind for securities and an amount of cash that the Portfolio specifies each day at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order. However, the Portfolio also reserves the right to permit or require Creation Units to be issued (or redeemed) entirely or partially for cash.
Individual Portfolio shares may only be purchased and sold on NYSE Arca, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). Because Portfolio shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Portfolio shares may trade at a price less than (discount) or greater than (premium) the Portfolio’s NAV. Recent information, including information on the Portfolio’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is available on the Portfolio’s website at https://www.dimensional.com/us-en/funds.
Tax Information
The dividends and distributions you receive from the Core Fixed Income ETF are taxable and generally will be taxed as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, in which case distributions may be taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn from the plan or account.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the Core Fixed Income ETF through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Portfolio and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of the Portfolio shares and/or related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the financial intermediary to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
7
The investment objective of the Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF (the “Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF” or “Portfolio”) is to maximize total returns from the universe of fixed income securities in which the Portfolio invests. Total return is comprised of income and capital appreciation.
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold or sell shares of the Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF. You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Portfolio, which are not reflected in the table or Example that follows.
year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
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Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement** | | |
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** |
This Example is meant to help you compare the cost of investing in the Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. The costs for the Portfolio reflect the net expenses of the Portfolio that result from the contractual expense waiver in the first year only. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs whether you redeem or hold your shares would be:
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1 Year |
3 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
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$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
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The Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. During the period
8
November 15, 2021 to October 31, 2022, the Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate was
The Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF will seek to achieve its investment objective through exposure to a broad portfolio of U.S. and foreign corporate debt securities with an investment grade rating. In addition, the Portfolio may invest in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. and foreign governments, their agencies and instrumentalities, including mortgage-backed securities, bank obligations, commercial paper, repurchase agreements, money market funds, corporate debt obligations having investment grade ratings, securities of domestic or foreign issuers denominated in U.S. dollars but not trading in the United States, and obligations of supranational organizations. As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Portfolio’s net assets will be invested in fixed income securities considered to be investment grade quality. In addition, the Portfolio is authorized to invest more than 25% of its total assets in U.S. Treasury bonds, bills and notes, and obligations of federal agencies and instrumentalities.
The Portfolio may invest in fixed income securities considered investment grade at the time of purchase (e.g., rated BBB- or above by S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”) or Fitch Ratings Ltd. (“Fitch”) or Baa3 or above by Moody’s Investor’s Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”)). The Portfolio may invest with an emphasis on debt securities rated in the lower half of the investment grade spectrum (e.g., rated BBB- to A+ by S&P or Fitch or Baa3 to A1 by Moody’s). The Portfolio will not emphasize investments in the lower half of the investment grade spectrum, however, when the Advisor believes the expected credit premium (i.e., the expected incremental return on investment for holding obligations considered to have greater credit risk than direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury) is relatively low. The Advisor expects that the Portfolio will primarily invest in the obligations of issuers that are in developed countries.
The Portfolio primarily invests in securities that mature within five years from the date of settlement. Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will generally maintain a weighted average duration of no more than one half year greater than, and no less than one year below, the weighted average duration of the Portfolio’s benchmark, the ICE BofA 1-5 Year US Corporate & Government Index, which was approximately 2.56 years as of December 31, 2022. In making these purchase decisions, if the expected term premium is greater for longer-term securities in the eligible maturity range, the Advisor will focus on investment in the longer-term area, otherwise, the Portfolio will focus its investment in the shorter-term area of the eligible maturity range. Duration is a measure of the sensitivity of a security’s price to changes in interest rates. The longer a security’s duration, the more sensitive it will be to changes in interest rates.
The Portfolio’s investments may include securities denominated in foreign currencies. The Portfolio intends to hedge foreign currency exposure to attempt to protect against uncertainty in the level of future foreign currency rates. The Portfolio may enter into foreign currency forward contracts to hedge against fluctuations in currency exchange rates or to transfer balances from one currency to another. The Portfolio may enter into credit default swaps on issuers or indices to buy or sell credit protection to hedge its credit exposure; gain market or issuer exposure without owning the underlying securities; or increase the Portfolio’s total return. The Portfolio may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts, to hedge its currency exposure or to hedge its interest rate exposure or for non-hedging purposes, such as a substitute for direct investment or to increase or decrease market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio.
The Portfolio may lend its portfolio securities to generate additional income.
The Portfolio is an actively managed exchange-traded fund and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index and may have a higher degree of portfolio turnover than such index funds.
9
Market Risk: Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, political, and issuer-specific events will cause the value of securities, and the Portfolio that owns them, to rise or fall.
Interest Rate Risk: Fixed income securities are subject to interest rate risk because the prices of fixed income securities tend to move in the opposite direction of interest rates. When interest rates rise, fixed income security prices fall. During periods of very low or negative interest rates, the Portfolio may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates. When interest rates fall, fixed income security prices rise. In general, fixed income securities with longer maturities are more sensitive to changes in interest rates.
Credit Risk: Credit risk is the risk that the issuer of a security may be unable to make interest payments and/or repay principal when due. A downgrade to an issuer’s credit rating or a perceived change in an issuer’s financial strength may affect a security’s value, and thus, impact the Portfolio’s performance. Government agency obligations have different levels of credit support and, therefore, different degrees of credit risk. Securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government that are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States, such as the Federal Housing Administration and Ginnie Mae, present little credit risk. Other securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities sponsored by the U.S. government, that are supported only by the issuer’s right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, subject to certain limitations, and securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities sponsored by the U.S. government that are sponsored by the credit of the issuing agencies, such as Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, are subject to a greater degree of credit risk. U.S. government agency securities issued or guaranteed by the credit of the agency may still involve a risk of nonpayment of principal and/or interest.
Income Risk: Income risk is the risk that falling interest rates will cause the Portfolio’s income to decline because, among other reasons, the proceeds from maturing short-term securities in its portfolio may be reinvested in lower-yielding securities.
Call Risk: Call risk is the risk that during periods of falling interest rates, an issuer will call or repay a higher-yielding fixed income security before its maturity date, forcing the Portfolio to reinvest in fixed income securities with lower interest rates than the original obligations.
Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Foreign securities prices may decline or fluctuate because of: (a) economic or political actions of foreign governments, and/or (b) less regulated or liquid securities markets. Investors holding these securities may also be exposed to foreign currency risk (the possibility that foreign currency will fluctuate in value against the U.S. dollar or that a foreign government will convert, or be forced to convert, its currency to another currency, changing its value against the U.S. dollar). The Portfolio hedges foreign currency risk.
Foreign Government Debt Risk: The risk that: (a) the governmental entity that controls the repayment of government debt may not be willing or able to repay the principal and/or to pay the interest when it becomes due, due to factors such as political considerations, the relative size of the governmental entity’s debt position in relation to the economy, cash flow problems, insufficient foreign currency reserves, the failure to put in place economic reforms required by the International Monetary Fund or other multilateral agencies, and/or other national economic factors; (b) governments may default on their debt securities, which may require holders of such securities to participate in debt rescheduling; and (c) there is no legal or bankruptcy process by which defaulted government debt may be collected in whole or in part.
Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk: Mortgage-backed securities represent interests in “pools” of mortgages and often involve risks that are different from or potentially more significant than risks associated with other types of debt instruments. Mortgage securities differ from typical debt securities in that principal is not paid back at
10
maturity, but rather periodically over the life of the security. The Portfolio may receive unscheduled payments of principal due to voluntary prepayments, refinancings or foreclosures on the underlying mortgage loans. When interest rates decline, borrowers may pay off their mortgages sooner than expected. This can reduce the returns of the Portfolio because it may have to reinvest that money at the lower prevailing interest rates. As a result, mortgage securities may be less effective than some other types of debt securities as a means of securing long-term interest rates and may have less potential for capital appreciation during periods of falling interest rates. Conversely, in a period of rising interest rates, the Portfolio may exhibit additional volatility since rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of fixed rate mortgage-related securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates. As interest rates rise mortgage borrowers are less likely to exercise prepayment options, which may reduce the value of these securities and potentially cause the Portfolio to lose money. This is known as extension risk.
Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are instruments, such as swaps and futures contracts, and options thereon, and foreign currency forward contracts, whose value is derived from that of other assets, rates or indices. Derivatives can be used for hedging (attempting to reduce risk by offsetting one investment position with another) or non-hedging purposes. Hedging with derivatives may increase expenses, and there is no guarantee that a hedging strategy will work. In regard to currency hedging, it is generally not possible to precisely match the foreign currency exposure of such foreign currency forward contracts to the value of the securities involved due to fluctuations in the market values of such securities and cash flows into and out of the Portfolio between the date a foreign currency forward contract is entered into and the date it expires. While hedging can reduce or eliminate losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains or cause losses if the market moves in a manner different from that anticipated by the Portfolio or if the cost of the derivative outweighs the benefit of the hedge. The use of derivatives for non-hedging purposes may be considered to carry more risk than other types of investments. When the Portfolio uses derivatives, the Portfolio will be directly exposed to the risks of those derivatives. Derivative instruments are subject to a number of risks including counterparty, settlement, liquidity, interest rate, market, credit, and management risks, as well as the risk of improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Portfolio could lose more than the principal amount invested. Additional risks are associated with the use of swaps including counterparty and credit risk (the risk that the other party to a swap agreement will not fulfill its contractual obligations, whether because of bankruptcy or other default) and liquidity risk (the possible lack of a secondary market for the swap agreement). Credit risk will increase when the Portfolio is the seller of swaps and counterparty risk will increase when the Portfolio is a buyer of swaps. In addition, where the Portfolio is the seller of swaps, it may be required to liquidate portfolio securities at inopportune times in order to meet payment obligations. Swaps may be illiquid or difficult to value.
Liquidity Risk: Liquidity risk exists when particular portfolio investments are difficult to purchase or sell. To the extent that the Portfolio holds illiquid investments, the Portfolio’s performance may be reduced due to an inability to sell the investments at opportune prices or times. Liquid portfolio investments may become illiquid or less liquid after purchase by the Portfolio due to low trading volume, adverse investor perceptions and/or other market developments. Liquidity risk includes the risk that the Portfolio will experience significant net redemptions at a time when it cannot find willing buyers for its portfolio securities or can only sell its portfolio securities at a material loss or at increased costs. Liquidity risk can be more pronounced in periods of market turmoil or in situations where ownership of shares of the Portfolio are concentrated in one or a few investors.
Market Trading Risk: Active trading markets for the Portfolio’s shares may not be developed or maintained by market makers or authorized participants. Authorized participants are not obligated to make a market in the Portfolio’s shares or to submit purchase or redemption orders for creation units. Trading in shares on an exchange may be halted in certain circumstances. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the listing exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Portfolio will continue to be met.
Premium/Discount Risk: The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Portfolio and the value of your investment may fluctuate. Disruptions to creations and redemptions or the market price of the Portfolio’s holdings, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for shares may widen bid-ask spreads and result in shares trading at a significant premium or discount to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
11
International Closed Market Trading Risk: To the extent that the underlying securities held by the Portfolio trade on an exchange that is closed when the securities exchange on which the Portfolio shares list and trade is open, there may be market uncertainty about the stale security pricing (i.e., the last quote from its closed foreign market) resulting in premiums or discounts to NAV that may be greater than those experienced by other ETFs.
Securities Lending Risk: Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Portfolio may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Portfolio could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. Securities lending also may have certain adverse tax consequences.
Operational Risk: Operational risks include human error, changes in personnel, system changes, faults in communication, and failures in systems, technology, or processes. Various operational events or circumstances are outside the Advisor’s control, including instances at third parties. The Portfolio and the Advisor will seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate to address these risks.
Cyber Security Risk: The Portfolio’s and its service providers’ use of internet, technology and information systems may expose the Portfolio to potential risks linked to cyber security breaches of those technological or information systems. Cyber security breaches, amongst other things, could allow an unauthorized party to gain access to proprietary information, customer data, or fund assets, or cause the Portfolio and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality.
Large Shareholder Risk: Certain shareholders, including other funds or accounts advised by the Advisor, may from time to time own a substantial amount of the Portfolio’s shares. In addition, a third party investor, the Advisor, an authorized participant, a lead market maker, or another entity may invest in the Portfolio and hold its investment for a limited period of time solely to facilitate commencement of the Portfolio or to facilitate the Portfolio achieving a specified size or scale. There can be no assurance that any large shareholder would not redeem its investment, that the size of the Portfolio would be maintained at such levels or that the Portfolio would continue to meet applicable listing requirements. Redemptions by large shareholders could have a significant negative impact on the Portfolio. In addition, transactions by large shareholders may account for a large percentage of the trading volume on the listing exchange and may, therefore, have a material upward or downward effect on the market price of the shares.
12
January 2022-December 2022
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Investment Advisor/Portfolio Management
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP serves as the investment advisor for the Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF. Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. and DFA Australia Limited serve as the sub-advisors for the Portfolio. The following individuals are responsible for leading the day-to-day management of the Portfolio:
• |
Lacey N. Huebel, Head of Responsible Investment, North America, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2021). |
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• |
Joseph F. Kolerich, Head of Fixed Income, Americas, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President, and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2021). |
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• |
David A. Plecha, Global Head of Fixed Income Portfolio Management, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President, and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2021). |
13
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF issues (or redeems) shares at NAV only to certain financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the Portfolio’s distributor in large aggregated blocks known as “Creation Units.” A Creation Unit of the Portfolio consists of 50,000 shares. Creation Units are issued (or redeemed) in-kind for securities and an amount of cash that the Portfolio specifies each day at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order. However, the Portfolio also reserves the right to permit or require Creation Units to be issued (or redeemed) entirely or partially for cash.
Individual Portfolio shares may only be purchased and sold on NYSE Arca, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). Because Portfolio shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Portfolio shares may trade at a price less than (discount) or greater than (premium) the Portfolio’s NAV. Recent information, including information on the Portfolio’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is available on the Portfolio’s website at https://www.dimensional.com/us-en/funds.
Tax Information
The dividends and distributions you receive from the Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF are taxable and generally will be taxed as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, in which case distributions may be taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn from the plan or account.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Portfolio and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of the Portfolio shares and/or related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the financial intermediary to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
14
The investment objective of the Dimensional Inflation-Protected Securities ETF (the “Inflation-Protected ETF” or “Portfolio”) is to provide inflation protection and earn current income consistent with inflation-protected securities.
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold or sell shares of the Inflation-Protected ETF. You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Portfolio, which are not reflected in the table or Example that follows.
year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
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Management Fee | | |
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Other Expenses | | |
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | | |
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Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement* | | |
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement | | |
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* | |
This Example is meant to help you compare the cost of investing in the Inflation-Protected ETF with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. The costs for the Portfolio reflect the net expenses of the Portfolio that result from the contractual expense waiver in the first year only. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs whether you redeem or hold your shares would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
3 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
|||
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|||
|
The Inflation-Protected ETF pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. During the period November 15, 2021 to October 31, 2022, the Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate was
15
The Inflation-Protected ETF will seek to achieve its investment objective by investing in a universe of inflation-protected securities that are structured to provide returns linked to the rate of inflation over the long-term. The Portfolio ordinarily invests in inflation-protected securities issued by the U.S. Government and its agencies and instrumentalities and the credit quality of such inflation-protected securities will be that of such applicable U.S. Government, agency or instrumentality issuer.
As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Portfolio’s net assets will be invested in inflation-protected securities. Inflation-protected securities (also known as inflation-indexed securities) are securities whose principal and/or interest payments are adjusted for inflation, unlike conventional debt securities that make fixed principal and interest payments. Inflation-protected securities include Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (“TIPS”), which are securities issued by the U.S. Treasury. The principal value of TIPS is adjusted for inflation (payable at maturity) and the semi-annual interest payments by TIPS equal a fixed percentage of the inflation-adjusted principal amount. These inflation adjustments are based upon the Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers (CPI-U). The original principal value of TIPS is guaranteed. At maturity, TIPS are redeemed at the greater of their inflation-adjusted principal or par amount at original issue. Other types of inflation-protected securities may use other methods to adjust for inflation and other measures of inflation. In addition, inflation-protected securities issued by entities other than the U.S. Treasury may not provide a guarantee of principal value at maturity.
Generally, the Portfolio will purchase inflation-protected securities with maturities between five and twenty years from the date of settlement, although at times, the Portfolio may purchase securities outside of this range. Under normal circumstances, when determining its duration, the Portfolio will consider an average duration similar to its benchmark, the Bloomberg U.S. TIPS Index, which was approximately 6.60 years as of December 31, 2022. Duration is a measure of the sensitivity of a security’s price to changes in interest rates. The longer a security’s duration, the more sensitive it will be to changes in interest rates.
The Portfolio is authorized to invest more than 25% of its total assets in U.S. Treasury bonds, bills and notes and obligations of U.S. government agencies and instrumentalities. The Portfolio may also invest in money market funds. The Portfolio will not shift the maturity of its investments in anticipation of interest rate movements.
The Portfolio may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts, to hedge its interest rate exposure or for non-hedging purposes, such as a substitute for direct investment or to increase or decrease market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio.
The Portfolio may lend its portfolio securities to generate additional income.
The Portfolio is an actively managed exchange-traded fund and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index and may have a higher degree of portfolio turnover than such index funds.
Market Risk: Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, political, and issuer-specific events will cause the value of securities, and the Portfolio that owns them, to rise or fall.
Interest Rate Risk: Fixed income securities are subject to interest rate risk because the prices of fixed income securities tend to move in the opposite direction of interest rates. When interest rates rise, fixed income security prices fall. During periods of very low or negative interest rates, the Portfolio may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates. When interest rates fall, fixed income security prices rise. In general, fixed income securities with longer maturities are more sensitive to changes in interest rates.
16
Inflation-Protected Securities Tax Risk: Any increase in the principal amount of an inflation- protected security may be included for tax purposes in the Portfolio’s gross income, even though no cash attributable to such gross income has been received by the Portfolio. In such event, the Portfolio may be required to make annual gross distributions to shareholders that exceed the cash it has otherwise received. In order to pay such distributions, the Portfolio may be required to raise cash by selling its investments. The sale of such investments could result in capital gains to the Portfolio and additional capital gain distributions to shareholders. In addition, adjustments during the taxable year for deflation to an inflation-indexed bond held by the Portfolio may cause amounts previously distributed to shareholders in the taxable year as income to be characterized as a return of capital.
Inflation-Protected Securities Interest Rate Risk: Inflation-protected securities may react differently from other fixed income securities to changes in interest rates. Because interest rates on inflation-protected securities are adjusted for inflation, the values of these securities are not materially affected by inflation expectations. Therefore, the value of inflation-protected securities are anticipated to change in response to changes in “real” interest rates, which represent nominal (stated) interest rates reduced by the expected impact of inflation. Generally, the value of an inflation-protected security will fall when real interest rates rise and will rise when real interest rates fall.
Credit Risk: Credit risk is the risk that the issuer of a security may be unable to make interest payments and/or repay principal when due. A downgrade to an issuer’s credit rating or a perceived change in an issuer’s financial strength may affect a security’s value, and thus, impact the Portfolio’s performance. Government agency obligations have different levels of credit support and, therefore, different degrees of credit risk. Securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. government that are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States, such as the Federal Housing Administration and Ginnie Mae, present little credit risk. Other securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities sponsored by the U.S. government, that are supported only by the issuer’s right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, subject to certain limitations, and securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities sponsored by the U.S. government that are sponsored by the credit of the issuing agencies, such as Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, are subject to a greater degree of credit risk. U.S. government agency securities issued or guaranteed by the credit of the agency may still involve a risk of nonpayment of principal and/or interest.
Risks of Investing for Inflation Protection: Because the interest and/or principal payments on an inflation-protected security are adjusted periodically for changes in inflation, the income distributed by the Portfolio may be irregular. Although the U.S. Treasury guarantees to pay at maturity at least the original face value of any inflation-protected securities the Treasury issues, other issuers may not offer the same guarantee. Also, inflation-protected securities, including those issued by the U.S. Treasury, are not protected against deflation. As a result, in a period of deflation, the principal and income of inflation-protected securities held by the Portfolio will decline and the Portfolio may suffer a loss during such periods. While inflation-protected securities are expected to be protected from long-term inflationary trends, short-term increases in inflation may lead to a decline in the Portfolio’s value. For example, if interest rates rise due to reasons other than inflation, the Portfolio’s investment in these securities may not be protected to the extent that the increase is not reflected in the securities’ inflation measures. In addition, positive adjustments to principal generally will result in taxable income to the Portfolio at the time of such adjustments (which generally would be distributed by the Portfolio as part of its taxable dividends), even though the principal amount is not paid until maturity. The current market value of inflation-protected securities is not guaranteed and will fluctuate.
Income Risk: Income risk is the risk that falling interest rates will cause the Portfolio’s income to decline because, among other reasons, the proceeds from maturing short-term securities in its portfolio may be reinvested in lower-yielding securities.
Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are instruments, such as futures contracts, and options thereon, whose value is derived from that of other assets, rates or indices. The use of derivatives for non-hedging purposes may be considered to carry more risk than other types of investments. When the Portfolio uses derivatives, the Portfolio will be directly exposed to the risks of those derivatives. Derivative instruments are subject to a number of risks including counterparty, settlement, liquidity, interest rate, market, credit, and management risks, as well as the risk of improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Portfolio could lose more than the principal amount invested.
17
Liquidity Risk: Liquidity risk exists when particular portfolio investments are difficult to purchase or sell. To the extent that the Portfolio holds illiquid investments, the Portfolio’s performance may be reduced due to an inability to sell the investments at opportune prices or times. Liquid portfolio investments may become illiquid or less liquid after purchase by the Portfolio due to low trading volume, adverse investor perceptions and/or other market developments. Liquidity risk includes the risk that the Portfolio will experience significant net redemptions at a time when it cannot find willing buyers for its portfolio securities or can only sell its portfolio securities at a material loss or at increased costs. Liquidity risk can be more pronounced in periods of market turmoil or in situations where ownership of shares of the Portfolio are concentrated in one or a few investors.
Market Trading Risk: Active trading markets for the Portfolio’s shares may not be developed or maintained by market makers or authorized participants. Authorized participants are not obligated to make a market in the Portfolio’s shares or to submit purchase or redemption orders for creation units. Trading in shares on an exchange may be halted in certain circumstances. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the listing exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Portfolio will continue to be met.
Premium/Discount Risk: The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Portfolio and the value of your investment may fluctuate. Disruptions to creations and redemptions or the market price of the Portfolio’s holdings, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for shares may widen bid-ask spreads and result in shares trading at a significant premium or discount to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
Securities Lending Risk: Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Portfolio may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Portfolio could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. Securities lending also may have certain adverse tax consequences.
Operational Risk: Operational risks include human error, changes in personnel, system changes, faults in communication, and failures in systems, technology, or processes. Various operational events or circumstances are outside the Advisor’s control, including instances at third parties. The Portfolio and the Advisor will seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate to address these risks.
Cyber Security Risk: The Portfolio’s and its service providers’ use of internet, technology and information systems may expose the Portfolio to potential risks linked to cyber security breaches of those technological or information systems. Cyber security breaches, amongst other things, could allow an unauthorized party to gain access to proprietary information, customer data, or fund assets, or cause the Portfolio and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality.
Large Shareholder Risk: Certain shareholders, including other funds or accounts advised by the Advisor, may from time to time own a substantial amount of the Portfolio’s shares. In addition, a third party investor, the Advisor, an authorized participant, a lead market maker, or another entity may invest in the Portfolio and hold its investment for a limited period of time solely to facilitate commencement of the Portfolio or to facilitate the Portfolio achieving a specified size or scale. There can be no assurance that any large shareholder would not redeem its investment, that the size of the Portfolio would be maintained at such levels or that the Portfolio would continue to meet applicable listing requirements. Redemptions by large shareholders could have a significant negative impact on the Portfolio. In addition, transactions by large shareholders may account for a large percentage of the trading volume on the listing exchange and may, therefore, have a material upward or downward effect on the market price of the shares.
18
returns, both before and after taxes, compare with those of a broad measure of market performance.
January 2022-December 2022
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Periods ending December 31, 2022
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1 Year | Since | |||||||||||||
Dimensional Inflation-Protected Securities ETF |
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Return Before Taxes |
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Return After Taxes on Distributions |
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Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Portfolio Shares |
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Bloomberg U.S. TIPS Index |
| - | % |
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| - | % |
| ||||||
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Investment Advisor/Portfolio Management
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP serves as the investment advisor for the Inflation-Protected ETF. Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. and DFA Australia Limited serve as the sub-advisors for the Portfolio. The following individuals are responsible for leading the day-to-day management of the Portfolio:
• |
Alan R. Hutchison, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2021). |
19
• |
Joseph F. Kolerich, Head of Fixed Income, Americas, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President, and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2021). |
||
• |
David A. Plecha, Global Head of Fixed Income Portfolio Management, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President, and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2021). |
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Inflation-Protected ETF issues (or redeems) shares at NAV only to certain financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the Portfolio’s distributor in large aggregated blocks known as “Creation Units.” A Creation Unit of the Portfolio consists of 25,000 shares. Creation Units are issued (or redeemed) in-kind for securities and an amount of cash that the Portfolio specifies each day at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order. However, the Portfolio also reserves the right to permit or require Creation Units to be issued (or redeemed) entirely or partially for cash.
Individual Portfolio shares may only be purchased and sold on NYSE Arca, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). Because Portfolio shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Portfolio shares may trade at a price less than (discount) or greater than (premium) the Portfolio’s NAV. Recent information, including information on the Portfolio’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is available on the Portfolio’s website at https://www.dimensional.com/us-en/funds.
Tax Information
The dividends and distributions you receive from the Inflation-Protected ETF are taxable and generally will be taxed as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, in which case distributions may be taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn from the plan or account.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the Inflation-Protected ETF through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Portfolio and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of the Portfolio shares and/or related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the financial intermediary to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
20
The investment objective of the Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF (the “Municipal Bond ETF” or “Portfolio”) is to seek to provide current income that is expected to be exempt from federal personal income tax.
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold or sell shares of the Municipal Bond ETF. You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Portfolio, which are not reflected in the table or Example that follows.
year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
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Management Fee | | |
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Other Expenses | | |
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | | |
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Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement* | | |
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement | | |
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* | |
This Example is meant to help you compare the cost of investing in the Municipal Bond ETF with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. The costs for the Portfolio reflect the net expenses of the Portfolio that result from the contractual expense waiver in the first year only. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs whether you redeem or hold your shares would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year |
3 Years |
5 Years |
10 Years |
|||
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
|||
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The Municipal Bond ETF pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. During the period November 15, 2021 to October 31, 2022, the Portfolio’s portfolio turnover rate was
21
The Municipal Bond ETF will seek to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in a universe of investment grade municipal securities, the interest on which is exempt from regular federal income tax. Municipal securities in which the Portfolio may invest include, among others, revenue bonds, general obligation bonds, industrial development bonds, municipal lease obligations, commercial paper, variable rate demand obligations and other instruments (including participation interests in such securities) issued by or on behalf of the states, territories and possessions of the United States (including the District of Columbia) and their political subdivisions, agencies and instrumentalities. The interest on the municipal securities purchased by the Portfolio, in the opinion of bond counsel for the issuers and under current tax law, is exempt from federal income tax (i.e., excludable from gross income for individuals for federal income tax purposes but not necessarily exempt from state or local taxes). As a fundamental investment policy, under normal market conditions, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets in municipal securities that pay interest exempt from federal income tax. The Portfolio does not currently intend to invest its assets in municipal securities whose interest is subject to the federal alternative minimum tax.
Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will generally maintain a dollar-weighted average duration of no more than one half year greater, and no less than one year below, the average duration of the Portfolio’s benchmark, the S&P Intermediate Term National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index, which was approximately 4.48 years as of December 31, 2022. In making purchase decisions, if the expected term premium is greater for longer-term securities in the eligible maturity range, the Advisor will focus investment in the longer-term area, otherwise, the Portfolio will focus investment in the shorter-term area of the eligible maturity range. If a security has been redeemed by the issuer at a date prior to the stated final maturity date for the purposes of the above duration restriction, the early redemption date shall be considered the maturity date regardless of the stated final maturity. Duration is a measure of the sensitivity of a security’s price to changes in interest rates. The longer a security’s duration, the more sensitive it will be to changes in interest rates.
The fixed income securities in which the Portfolio invests are considered investment grade at the time of purchase (e.g., rated BBB- or above by S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”) or Fitch Ratings Ltd. (“Fitch”) or Baa3 or above by Moody’s Investor’s Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”) or an equivalent rating assigned by another nationally recognized statistical rating organization, or that are unrated but have been determined by the Advisor to be of comparable quality). Municipal securities are often issued to obtain funds for various public purposes, including the construction of a wide range of public facilities, such as bridges, highways, housing, hospitals, mass transportation facilities, schools, streets and public utilities, such as water and sewer works. Municipal securities include municipal leases, certificates of participation, municipal obligation components and municipal custody receipts. The Portfolio may invest more than 25% of its assets in municipal securities issued to finance projects in a particular segment of the bond market including, but not limited to, health care, housing, education, utilities, and transportation. The Portfolio also may invest more than 25% of its assets in industrial development bonds.
The Portfolio may (1) purchase certain municipal securities that are insured, (2) invest in municipal securities secured by mortgages on single-family homes and multi-family projects, (3) invest in pre-refunded municipal securities, (4) purchase tax-exempt municipal securities on a “when-issued” basis, and (5) use fixed income related futures and options contracts, credit default swaps and interest rate swaps to hedge against changes in interest rates. The Portfolio may also invest in money market funds. The Portfolio also may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts, to hedge its interest rate exposure or for non-hedging purposes, such as a substitute for direct investment or to increase or decrease market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows or outflows from the Portfolio.
Although the Portfolio attempts to invest all of its assets in tax-exempt securities, it is possible, although not anticipated, that a portion of its assets may be invested in securities that pay taxable interest, including interest that may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax. These investments could generate taxable income for shareholders.
The Portfolio is an actively managed exchange-traded fund and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index and may have a higher degree of portfolio turnover than such index funds.
22
Market Risk: Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, political, and issuer-specific events will cause the value of securities, and the Portfolio that owns them, to rise or fall.
Interest Rate Risk: Fixed income securities are subject to interest rate risk because the prices of fixed income securities tend to move in the opposite direction of interest rates. When interest rates rise, fixed income security prices fall. During periods of very low or negative interest rates, the Portfolio may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates. When interest rates fall, fixed income security prices rise. In general, fixed income securities with longer maturities are more sensitive to changes in interest rates.
Credit Risk: Credit risk is the risk that the issuer of a security, including a government entity, may be unable to make interest payments and/or repay principal when due. A downgrade to an issuer’s credit rating or a perceived change in an issuer’s financial strength may affect a security’s value, and thus, impact the Portfolio’s performance. The ability of a municipal securities issuer to make payments could be affected by litigation, legislation or other political events or the bankruptcy of the issuer.
Income Risk: Income risk is the risk that falling interest rates will cause the Portfolio’s income to decline because, among other reasons, the proceeds from maturing short-term securities in its portfolio may be reinvested in lower-yielding securities.
Call Risk: Call risk is the risk that during periods of falling interest rates, an issuer will call or repay a higher-yielding fixed income security before its maturity date, forcing the Portfolio to reinvest in fixed income securities with lower interest rates than the original obligations.
Tax Liability Risk: Tax liability risk is the risk that distributions by the Portfolio become taxable to shareholders due to noncompliant conduct by a municipal bond issuer, unfavorable changes in federal or state tax laws, or adverse interpretations of tax laws by the Internal Revenue Service or state tax authorities or other factors. Such adverse interpretations or actions could cause interest from a security to become taxable, possibly retroactively, subjecting, shareholders to increased tax liability. In addition, such adverse interpretations or actions could cause the value of a security, and therefore, the value of the Portfolio’s shares, to decline.
Municipal Securities Risk: The risk of a municipal security generally depends on the financial and credit status of the issuer. Municipal securities can be significantly affected by political, regulatory or economic changes, including changes made in the law after issuance of the securities, as well as uncertainties in the municipal market related to taxation, legislative changes or the rights of municipal security holders, including in connection with an issuer’s insolvency.
Municipal Project-Specific Risk: The Portfolio may be more sensitive to adverse economic, business or political developments if it invests a substantial portion of its assets in municipal securities that finance similar types of projects in a segment of the municipal bond market (such as education, health care, housing, education, utilities or transportation) or industrial development bonds. A change that affects one project in a particular segment of the market, such as proposed legislation on the financing of the project, a shortage of the materials needed for the project, or a declining need for the project, would likely affect all similar projects, thereby increasing market risk.
Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are instruments, such as swaps, futures contracts, and options thereon, whose value is derived from that of other assets, rates or indices. Derivatives can be used for hedging (attempting to reduce risk by offsetting one investment position with another) or non-hedging purposes. Hedging with derivatives may increase expenses, and there is no guarantee that a hedging strategy will work. While hedging can reduce or eliminate losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains or cause losses if the market moves in a manner different
23
from that anticipated by the Portfolio or if the cost of the derivative outweighs the benefit of the hedge. The use of derivatives for non-hedging purposes may be considered to carry more risk than other types of investments. When the Portfolio uses derivatives, the Portfolio will be directly exposed to the risks of those derivatives. Derivative instruments are subject to a number of risks including counterparty, liquidity, interest rate, market, credit and management risks, as well as the risk of improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Portfolio could lose more than the principal amount invested. Additional risks are associated with the use of swaps including counterparty and credit risk (the risk that the other party to a swap agreement will not fulfill its contractual obligations, whether because of bankruptcy or other default) and liquidity risk (the possible lack of a secondary market for the swap agreement). Credit risk increases when the Portfolio is the seller of swaps and counterparty risk increases when the Portfolio is a buyer of swaps. In addition, where the Portfolio is the seller of swaps, it may be required to liquidate portfolio securities at inopportune times in order to meet payment obligations. Swaps may be illiquid or difficult to value. Additionally, payments made or received by the Portfolio under such derivatives may increase the amount of distributions taxable to you as ordinary income, increase or decrease the amount of capital gain distributions to you and/ or decrease the amount available for distribution to you as exempt-interest dividends.
Liquidity Risk: Liquidity risk exists when particular portfolio investments are difficult to purchase or sell. To the extent that the Portfolio holds illiquid investments, the Portfolio’s performance may be reduced due to an inability to sell the investments at opportune prices or times. Liquid portfolio investments may become illiquid or less liquid after purchase by the Portfolio due to low trading volume, adverse investor perceptions and/or other market developments. Liquidity risk includes the risk that the Portfolio will experience significant net redemptions at a time when it cannot find willing buyers for its portfolio securities or can only sell its portfolio securities at a material loss or at increased costs. Liquidity risk can be more pronounced in periods of market turmoil or in situations where ownership of shares of the Portfolio are concentrated in one or a few investors.
Market Trading Risk: Active trading markets for the Portfolio’s shares may not be developed or maintained by market makers or authorized participants. Authorized participants are not obligated to make a market in the Portfolio’s shares or to submit purchase or redemption orders for creation units. Trading in shares on an exchange may be halted in certain circumstances. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the listing exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Portfolio will continue to be met.
Premium/Discount Risk: The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Portfolio and the value of your investment may fluctuate. Disruptions to creations and redemptions or the market price of the Portfolio’s holdings, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for shares may widen bid-ask spreads and result in shares trading at a significant premium or discount to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
Operational Risk: Operational risks include human error, changes in personnel, system changes, faults in communication, and failures in systems, technology, or processes. Various operational events or circumstances are outside the Advisor’s control, including instances at third parties. The Portfolio and the Advisor will seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate to address these risks.
Cyber Security Risk: The Portfolio’s and its service providers’ use of internet, technology and information systems may expose the Portfolio to potential risks linked to cyber security breaches of those technological or information systems. Cyber security breaches, amongst other things, could allow an unauthorized party to gain access to proprietary information, customer data, or fund assets, or cause the Portfolio and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality.
Large Shareholder Risk: Certain shareholders, including other funds or accounts advised by the Advisor, may from time to time own a substantial amount of the Portfolio’s shares. In addition, a third party investor, the Advisor, an authorized participant, a lead market maker, or another entity may invest in the Portfolio and hold its investment for a limited period of time solely to facilitate commencement of the Portfolio or to facilitate the Portfolio achieving a specified size or scale. There can be no assurance that any large shareholder would not redeem its investment, that the size of the Portfolio would be maintained at such levels or that the Portfolio would continue to meet applicable listing requirements. Redemptions by large shareholders could have a
24
significant negative impact on the Portfolio. In addition, transactions by large shareholders may account for a large percentage of the trading volume on the listing exchange and may, therefore, have a material upward or downward effect on the market price of the shares.
January 2022-December 2022
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Periods ending December 31, 2022
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1 Year | Since | |||||||||||||
Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF |
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Return Before Taxes |
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Return After Taxes on Distributions |
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Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Portfolio Shares |
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S&P Intermediate Term National AMT-Free Municipal Bond Index |
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25
Investment Advisor/Portfolio Management
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP serves as the investment advisor for the Municipal Bond ETF. Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. and DFA Australia Limited serve as the sub-advisors for the Portfolio. The following individuals are responsible for leading the day-to-day management of the Portfolio:
• |
Joseph F. Kolerich, Head of Fixed Income, Americas, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President, and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2021). |
||
• |
Travis A. Meldau, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2021). |
||
• |
David A. Plecha, Global Head of Fixed Income Portfolio Management, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President, and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2021). |
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Municipal Bond ETF issues (or redeems) shares at NAV only to certain financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the Portfolio’s distributor in large aggregated blocks known as “Creation Units.” A Creation Unit of the Portfolio consists of 50,000 shares. Creation Units are generally issued (or redeemed) in exchange for cash or in-kind for securities and a specified amount of cash that the Portfolio specifies each day at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order.
Individual Portfolio shares may only be purchased and sold on NYSE Arca, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). Because Portfolio shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Portfolio shares may trade at a price less than (discount) or greater than (premium) the Portfolio’s NAV. Recent information, including information on the Portfolio’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is available on the Portfolio’s website at https://www.dimensional.com/us-en/funds.
Tax Information
The distributions you receive from the Municipal Bond ETF primarily are exempt from regular federal income tax. A portion of these distributions, however, may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax and state and local taxes. The Portfolio may also make distributions that generally are taxable to you as ordinary income or capital gains.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the Municipal Bond ETF through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Portfolio and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of the Portfolio shares and/or related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the financial intermediary to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
26
Additional Information on Investment Objectives and Policies
Dimensional ETF Trust (the “Trust”) offers a variety of investment portfolios. Each of the investment company’s portfolios has its own investment objective and is the equivalent of a separate exchange-traded fund (“ETF”). Shares of the Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF (“Core Fixed Income ETF”), Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF (“Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF”), Dimensional Inflation-Protected Securities ETF (“Inflation- Protected ETF”) and Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF (“Municipal Bond ETF”) (each, a “Portfolio” and collectively, the “Portfolios”) are offered in this Prospectus. The Portfolios are designed for long-term investors.
The investment objective of each Portfolio is as follows:
Core Fixed Income ETF—to seek to maximize total returns from the universe of eligible investments. Total return is comprised of income and capital appreciation.
Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF—to maximize total returns from the universe of fixed income securities in which the Portfolio invests. Total return is comprised of income and capital appreciation.
Inflation-Protected ETF—to provide inflation protection and earn current income consistent with inflation-protected securities.
Municipal Bond ETF—to seek to provide current income that is expected to be exempt from federal personal income tax.
Each Portfolio’s investment objective is non-fundamental, which means it may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Shareholders will be given at least 60 days’ advance notice of any change to a Portfolio’s investment objective.
DESCRIPTION OF INVESTMENTS OF THE PORTFOLIOS OTHER THAN THE MUNICIPAL BOND ETF
The following is a description of the categories of investments that may be acquired by the Portfolios (other than the Municipal Bond ETF):
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Permissible Categories: |
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Core Fixed Income ETF |
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1-11 |
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Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF |
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1-11 |
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Inflation-Protected ETF |
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1,2,6,11 |
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1. U.S. Government Obligations—Debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury that are direct obligations of the U.S. Government, including bills, notes and bonds. These securities may also be purchased on a “when-issued” basis.
2. U.S. Government Agency Obligations—Issued or guaranteed by U.S. government-sponsored instrumentalities and federal agencies, which have different levels of credit support. The U.S. government agency obligations include, but are not limited to, securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government that are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States, such as the Federal Housing Administration and Ginnie Mae, including Ginnie Mae mortgage pass-through securities. Other securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities sponsored by the U.S. Government may be supported only by the issuer’s right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, subject to certain limits, such as securities issued by Federal Home Loan Banks, or are supported only by the credit of such agencies, such as Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, including their mortgage pass-through securities. These securities may also be purchased on a “when-issued” or “to-be-announced” basis, such as mortgage TBAs.
3. Corporate Debt Obligations—Corporate debt securities (e.g., bonds and debentures), which have received an investment grade rating by Moody’s, Fitch or S&P, or an equivalent rating assigned by another NRSRO, or, if unrated, have been determined by the Advisor to be of comparable quality.
4. Bank Obligations—Obligations of U.S. banks and savings and loan associations and dollar-denominated obligations of U.S. subsidiaries and branches of foreign banks, such as certificates of deposit (including
27
marketable variable rate certificates of deposit), time deposits and bankers’ acceptances. Bank certificates of deposit will be acquired only from banks having assets in excess of $1,000,000,000.
5. Commercial Paper—Rated, at the time of purchase, A3 or better by S&P or Prime3 or better by Moody’s, or F3 or better by Fitch, or an equivalent rating assigned by another NRSRO, or, if unrated, issued by a corporation having an outstanding unsecured debt issue rated at least Baa3 by Moody’s or BBB- by S&P or Fitch.
6. Repurchase Agreements—Instruments through which the Portfolios purchase securities (“underlying securities”) from a bank, a registered U.S. government securities dealer, or such other counterparties with creditworthiness and other characteristics deemed appropriate by the Advisor, with an agreement by the seller to repurchase the securities at an agreed price, plus interest at a specified rate. The underlying securities will be limited to U.S. government and agency obligations described in (1) and (2) above. The Portfolios will not enter into a repurchase agreement with a duration of more than seven days if, as a result, more than 10% of the value of the Portfolio’s total assets would be so invested. In addition, a repurchase agreement with a duration of more than seven days will be subject to a Portfolio’s investment restriction on illiquid investments. The Portfolios also will only invest in repurchase agreements with banks, U.S. government securities, dealers, and/or other counterparties, as described above, that are approved by the Investment Committee of the Advisor. The Advisor will monitor the market value of the securities plus any accrued interest thereon so that they will at least equal the repurchase price.
7. Foreign Government and Agency Obligations—Bills, notes, bonds and other debt securities issued or guaranteed by foreign governments, or their authorities, agencies, instrumentalities or political subdivisions.
8. Supranational Organization Obligations—Debt securities of supranational organizations such as the European Investment Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, or the World Bank, which are chartered to promote economic development.
9. Foreign Issuer Obligations—Debt securities of non-U.S. issuers that have received a rating of BBB- or better by S&P or Fitch or Baa3 or better by Moody’s, or an equivalent rating assigned by another NRSRO, or, if unrated, have been determined by the Advisor to be of comparable quality.
10. Eurodollar Obligations—Debt securities of domestic or foreign issuers denominated in U.S. dollars but not trading in the United States.
11. Money Market Funds—The Portfolios may invest in affiliated and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds. Investments in money market funds may involve a duplication of certain fees and expenses.
The categories of investments that may be acquired by each of the Portfolios may include both fixed and floating rate securities. Floating rate securities bear interest at rates that vary with prevailing market rates. Interest rate adjustments are made periodically (e.g., every six months), usually based on a money market index such as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) or the Treasury bill rate.
PORTFOLIO STRATEGIES
In managing each Portfolio, the Advisor places priority on efficiently managing portfolio turnover and keeping trading costs low.
The Portfolios will be managed with a view to capturing expected credit premiums and expected term premiums. The term “expected credit premium” means the expected incremental return on investment for holding obligations considered to have greater credit risk than direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury, and “expected term premium” means the expected relative return on investment for holding securities having longer-term maturities as compared to securities having shorter-term maturities. At times when, in the Advisor’s judgment, eligible foreign securities of the Portfolios, as applicable, do not offer expected term premiums that compare favorably with those offered by eligible U.S. Securities, such Portfolios will be invested primarily in the latter securities. The Advisor believes that expected credit premiums for the Portfolios (excluding the Municipal Bond ETF) are available largely through investment in commercial paper, certificates of deposit and corporate obligations. The Advisor believes that expected credit premiums for the Municipal Bond ETF are available largely through investment in investment grade municipal securities. In addition, in certain circumstances, the Municipal Bond ETF may favor securities issued by states with relatively lower or no income tax, to the extent consistent with its 80% policy. The holding period for assets of the Portfolios will be chosen with a view to maximizing
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anticipated returns, net of trading costs. With respect to the Municipal Bond ETF, the Advisor may also consider potential realized and unrealized capital gains.
Duration, as discussed with respect to a Portfolio’s investment policy regarding duration, is a measure of the sensitivity of a security’s price to changes in interest rates. The longer a security’s duration, the more sensitive it will be to changes in interest rates. For example, when the level of interest rates increases by 0.10%, the price of a fixed income security or a portfolio of fixed income securities having a duration of five years generally will decrease by approximately 0.50%. Conversely, when the level of interest rates decreases by 0.10%, the price of a fixed income security or a portfolio of fixed income securities having a duration of five years generally will increase by approximately 0.50%. In general, greater sensitivity to changes in interest rates typically corresponds to higher volatility and higher risk. Securities are considered investment grade if the issuer has received a rating of BBB- or better by S&P or Fitch or Baa3 or better by Moody’s or an equivalent rating assigned by another NRSRO.
Mortgage-backed securities represent an interest in a pool of mortgage loans that are packaged or “pooled” together for sale to investors. These mortgage loans are originated by banks and other financial institutions to finance purchases of homes and other real estate. Mortgage-backed securities may be issued as fixed-rate or adjustable-rate instruments. As the underlying mortgage loans are paid off, the Core Fixed Income ETF and Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF receive principal and interest payments. The Portfolios may purchase or sell mortgage-backed securities on a delayed delivery or forward commitment basis through the “to-be-announced” (TBA) market. A TBA transaction typically does not designate the actual security to be delivered and only includes an approximate principal amount. With TBA transactions, the specific securities to be delivered must meet specified terms and standards.
In making investment decisions for the Core Fixed Income ETF, the Advisor will increase or decrease exposure to intermediate-term securities depending on the expected term premium and also increase or decrease exposure to non-government securities depending on the expected credit risk premium.
The Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF may engage in frequent trading of portfolio securities and, therefore, are expected to have a high portfolio turnover rate. The rate of portfolio turnover will depend upon market and other conditions; it will not be a limiting factor when management believes that portfolio changes are appropriate. While the Portfolio generally acquires securities in principal transactions and, therefore, do not pay brokerage commissions, the spread between the bid and asked prices of a security may be considered to be a “cost” of trading. Such costs ordinarily increase with trading activity. However, securities ordinarily will be sold when, in the Advisor’s judgment, the monthly return of the Portfolio will be increased as a result of portfolio transactions after taking into account the cost of trading. It is anticipated that short-term instruments will be acquired in the primary and secondary markets. A high portfolio turnover rate may have negative tax consequences to shareholders and may result in increased trading costs.
The Inflation-Protected ETF seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a universe of inflation-protected securities that are structured to provide returns linked to the rate of inflation over the long-term. The Portfolio ordinarily invests in inflation-protected securities issued by the U.S. Government and its agencies and instrumentalities and the credit quality of such inflation-protected securities will be that of such applicable U.S. Government, agency or instrumentality issuer.
Inflation-protected securities (also known as inflation-indexed securities) are securities whose principal and/or interest payments are adjusted for inflation, unlike conventional debt securities that make fixed principal and interest payments. Inflation-protected securities include Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities (“TIPS”), which are securities issued by the U.S. Treasury. The principal value of TIPS is adjusted for inflation (payable at maturity) and the semi-annual interest payments by TIPS equal a fixed percentage of the inflation-adjusted principal amount. These inflation adjustments are based upon the Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers (CPI-U). The original principal value of TIPS is guaranteed. At maturity, TIPS are redeemed at the greater of their inflation-adjusted principal or par amount at original issue. Other types of inflation-protected securities may use other methods to adjust for inflation and other measures of inflation. In addition, inflation-protected securities issued by entities other than the U.S. Treasury may not provide a guarantee of principal value at maturity.
The Municipal Bond ETF may also invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to gain exposure to the municipal bond market pending investment in municipal bonds. The Portfolio may also invest in affiliated and unaffiliated
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registered and unregistered money market funds. Investments in ETFs and money market funds may involve a duplication of certain fees and expenses.
The Municipal Bond ETF may also purchase pre-refunded municipal securities. Pre-refunded municipal securities are tax-exempt bonds that have been redeemed on a call date prior to the final maturity of principal, or “escrowed-to-maturity bonds,” that have been refunded prior to the final maturity of principal and remain outstanding in the municipal market. The payment of principal and interest of the pre-refunded municipal securities held by the Municipal Bond ETF is funded from securities in a designated escrow account that holds U.S. Treasury securities or other obligations of the U.S. Government (including its agencies and instrumentalities). When considering the credit quality of a pre-refunded municipal security, the Advisor will “look through” to the credit quality of the securities held in escrow.
In attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political, or other conditions, the Portfolios may, from time to time, invest its assets in a temporary defensive manner that is inconsistent with the Portfolios’ principal investment strategies. In these circumstances, the Portfolios may be unable to achieve their investment objectives.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING INVESTMENT RISKS
Because the value of your investment in a Portfolio will fluctuate, there is the risk that you will lose money. An investment in a Portfolio is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The following is a description of principal risks of investing in the Portfolios.
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Risk |
Core Fixed |
Short-Duration |
Inflation-Protected |
Municipal Bond |
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Call Risk |
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X |
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Credit Risk |
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X |
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X |
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X |
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X |
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Cyber Security Risk |
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X |
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X |
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X |
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X |
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Derivatives Risk |
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X |
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X |
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X |
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X |
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Foreign Government Debt Risk |
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X |
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X |
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Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk |
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X |
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X |
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Income Risk |
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X |
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X |
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X |
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X |
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Inflation-Protected Securities Interest Rate Risk |
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Inflation-Protected Securities Tax Risk |
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Interest Rate Risk |
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X |
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International Closed Market Trading Risk |
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Large Shareholder Risk |
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Liquidity Risk |
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X |
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Market Risk |
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Market Trading Risk |
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Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk |
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Municipal Project-Specific Risk |
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Municipal Securities Risk |
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Operational Risk |
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Premium/Discount Risk |
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Risks of Investing for Inflation Protection |
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Securities Lending Risk |
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Tax Liability Risk |
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Call Risk: Call risk is the risk that an issuer may exercise its right to redeem a fixed income security earlier than its maturity date. Issuers may call outstanding securities prior to their maturity for a number of reasons (e.g., declining interest rates changes in credit spreads and improvements in the issuer’s credit quality). If an issuer calls a security that the Portfolio has invested in, the Portfolio may not recoup the full amount of its initial investment and may be forced to reinvest in lower-yielding securities, securities with greater credit risks or securities with other, less favorable features.
Credit Risk: Credit risk is the risk that the issuer of a security may be unable to make interest payments and/or repay principal when due. A downgrade to an issuer’s credit rating or a perceived change in an issuer’s financial strength may affect a security’s value, and thus, impact the Portfolio’s performance. Government agency obligations have different levels of credit support and, therefore, different degrees of credit risk. Securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government that are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States, such as the Federal Housing Administration and Ginnie Mae, present little credit risk. Other securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities sponsored by the U.S. Government, that are supported only by the issuer’s right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, subject to certain limitations, and securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities sponsored by the U.S. Government that are sponsored by the credit of the issuing agencies, such as Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, are subject to a greater degree of credit risk. U.S. government agency securities issued or guaranteed by the credit of the agency may still involve a risk of nonpayment of principal and/or interest. Credit risk is greater for fixed income securities with ratings below investment grade (e.g., BB+ or below by S&P or Fitch, or Ba1 or below by Moody’s). Fixed income securities that are below investment grade involve high credit risk and are considered speculative. Below investment grade fixed income securities may also fluctuate in value more than higher quality fixed income securities and, during periods of market volatility, may be more difficult to sell at the time and price the Portfolio desires.
Credit Risk (Municipal Bond ETF): Credit risk is the risk that the issuer of a security, including a governmental entity, may be unable to make interest payments and/or repay principal when due. A downgrade to an issuer’s credit rating or a perceived change in an issuer’s financial strength may affect a security’s value, and thus, impact the Portfolio’s performance. The ability of a municipal securities issuer to make payments could be affected by litigation, legislation or other political events or the bankruptcy of the issuer. Credit risk is greater for fixed income securities with ratings below investment grade (e.g., BB+ or below by S&P or Fitch, or Ba1 or below by Moody’s). Fixed income securities that are below investment grade involve high credit risk and are considered speculative. Below investment grade fixed income securities may also fluctuate in value more than higher quality fixed income securities and, during periods of market volatility, may be more difficult to sell at the time and price the Portfolio desires.
Cyber Security Risk: The Portfolio’s and its service providers’ use of internet, technology and information systems may expose the Portfolio to potential risks linked to cyber security breaches of those technological or information systems. Cyber security breaches, amongst other things, could allow an unauthorized party to gain access to proprietary information, customer data, or fund assets, or cause the Portfolio and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality.
Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are instruments, such as swaps, futures contracts, and options thereon, and foreign currency forward contracts, whose value is derived from that of other assets, rates or indices. Derivatives can be used for hedging (attempting to reduce risk by offsetting one investment position with another) or non-hedging purposes. Hedging with derivatives may increase expenses, and there is no guarantee that a hedging strategy will work. While hedging can reduce or eliminate losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains or cause losses if the market moves in a manner different from that anticipated by the Portfolio or if the cost of the derivative outweighs the benefit of the hedge. The use of derivatives for non-hedging purposes may be considered to carry more risk than other types of investments. When the Portfolio uses derivatives, the Portfolio will be directly exposed to the risks of those derivatives. Derivatives expose the Portfolio to counterparty risk (the risk that the derivative counterparty will not fulfill its contractual obligations), including credit risk of the derivative counterparty, and settlement risk (the risk faced when one party to a transaction has performed its obligations under a contract but has not get received value from its counterparty). The possible lack of a liquid secondary market for derivatives and the resulting inability of the Portfolio to sell or otherwise close a derivatives position could expose the Portfolio to losses and could make derivatives more difficult for the Portfolio to value accurately. Some derivatives are more sensitive to interest rate changes and market price fluctuations than other securities. The Portfolio could also suffer losses related to its derivatives positions as a result of unanticipated
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market movements, which losses are potentially unlimited. The Advisor may not be able to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors, which could cause the Portfolio’s derivatives positions to lose value. Valuation of derivatives may also be more difficult in times of market turmoil since many investors and market makers may be reluctant to purchase derivatives or quote prices for them. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Portfolio could lose more than the principal amount invested. Additional risks are associated with the use of swaps including counterparty and credit risk (the risk that the other party to a swap agreement will not fulfill its contractual obligations, whether because of bankruptcy or other default) and liquidity risk (the possible lack of a secondary market for the swap agreement). Credit risk increases when the Portfolio is the seller of swaps and counterparty risk increases when the Portfolio is a buyer of swaps. In addition, where the Portfolio is the seller of swaps, it may be required to liquidate portfolio securities at inopportune times in order to meet payment obligations. Swaps may be illiquid or difficult to value.
Foreign Government Debt Risk: The risk that: (a) the governmental entity that controls the repayment of government debt may not be willing or able to repay the principal and/or to pay the interest when it becomes due, due to factors such as political considerations, the relative size of the governmental entity’s debt position in relation to the economy, cash flow problems, insufficient foreign currency reserves, the failure to put in place economic reforms required by the International Monetary Fund or other multilateral agencies, and/or other national economic factors; (b) governments may default on their debt securities, which may require holders of such securities to participate in debt rescheduling; and (c) there is no legal or bankruptcy process by which defaulted government debt may be collected in whole or in part.
Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Foreign securities prices may decline or fluctuate because of: (a) economic or political actions of foreign governments, and/or (b) less regulated or liquid securities markets. Investors holding these securities may also be exposed to foreign currency risk (the possibility that foreign currency will fluctuate in value against the U.S. dollar or that a foreign government will convert, or be forced to convert, its currency to another currency, changing its value against the U.S. dollar).
Foreign issuers may not be subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and there may be less publicly available financial and other information about such issuers, comparable to U.S. issuers. Certain countries’ legal institutions, financial markets, and services are less developed than those in the U.S. or other major economies. The Portfolio may have greater difficulty voting proxies, exercising shareholder rights, securing dividends and obtaining information regarding corporate actions on a timely basis, pursuing legal remedies, and obtaining judgments with respect to foreign investments in foreign courts than with respect to domestic issuers in U.S. courts.
Income Risk: Income risk is the risk that falling interest rates will cause the Portfolio’s income to decline because, among other reasons, the proceeds from maturing short-term securities in its portfolio may be reinvested in lower-yielding securities.
Inflation-Protected Securities Interest Rate Risk: Inflation-protected securities may react differently from other fixed income securities to changes in interest rates. Because interest rates on inflation-protected securities are adjusted for inflation, the values of these securities are not materially affected by inflation expectations. Therefore, the value of inflation-protected securities are anticipated to change in response to changes in “real” interest rates, which represent nominal (stated) interest rates reduced by the expected impact of inflation. Generally, the value of an inflation-protected security will fall when real interest rates rise and will rise when real interest rates fall.
Inflation-Protected Securities Tax Risk: Any increase in the principal amount of an inflation-protected security may be included for tax purposes in the Portfolio’s gross income, even though no cash attributable to such gross income has been received by the Portfolio. In such event, the Portfolio may be required to make annual gross distributions to shareholders that exceed the cash it has otherwise received. In order to pay such distributions, the Portfolio may be required to raise cash by selling its investments. The sale of such investments could result in capital gains to the Portfolio and additional capital gain distributions to shareholders. In addition, adjustments during the taxable year for deflation to an inflation-indexed bond held by the Portfolio may cause amounts previously distributed to shareholders in the taxable year as income to be characterized as a return of capital.
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Interest Rate Risk: Fixed income securities are subject to interest rate risk because the prices of fixed income securities tend to move in the opposite direction of interest rates. When interest rates rise, fixed income security prices fall. During periods of very low or negative interest rates, the Portfolio may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates. When interest rates fall, fixed income security prices rise. In general, fixed income securities with longer maturities are more sensitive to changes in interest rates.
International Closed Market Trading Risk: To the extent that the underlying securities held by the Portfolio trade on an exchange that is closed when the securities exchange on which the Portfolio shares list and trade is open, there may be market uncertainty about the stale security pricing (i.e., the last quote from its closed foreign market) resulting in premiums or discounts to NAV that may be greater than those experienced by other ETFs.
Large Shareholder Risk: Certain large shareholders, including other funds or accounts advised by the Advisor, may from time to time own a substantial amount of the Portfolio’s shares. In addition, a third party investor, the Advisor, an authorized participant, a lead market maker, or another entity may invest in the Portfolio and hold its investment for a limited period of time solely to facilitate commencement of the Portfolio or to facilitate the Portfolio’s achieving a specified size or scale. There can be no assurance that any large shareholder would not redeem its investment. Dispositions of a large number of shares by these shareholders may adversely affect the Portfolio’s liquidity and net assets to the extent such transactions are executed directly with the Portfolio in the form of redemptions through an authorized participant, rather than executed in the secondary market. These redemptions may also force the Portfolio to sell portfolio securities when it might not otherwise do so, which may negatively impact the Portfolio’s NAV and increase the Portfolio’s brokerage costs. To the extent these large shareholders transact in shares on the secondary market, such transactions may account for a large percentage of the trading volume on listing exchange and may, therefore, have a material upward or downward effect on the market price of the shares.
Liquidity Risk: Liquidity risk exists when particular portfolio investments are difficult to purchase or sell. To the extent that the Portfolio holds illiquid investments, the Portfolio’s performance may be reduced due to an inability to sell the investments at opportune prices or times. Liquid portfolio investments may become illiquid or less liquid after purchase by the Portfolio due to low trading volume, adverse investor perceptions and/or other market developments. Liquidity risk includes the risk that the Portfolio will experience significant net redemptions at a time when it cannot find willing buyers for its portfolio securities or can only sell its portfolio securities at a material loss or at increased costs. Liquidity risk can be more pronounced in periods of market turmoil or in situations where ownership of shares of the Portfolio are concentrated in one or a few investors.
Market Risk: Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, political, and issuer-specific events will cause the value of securities, and the Portfolio that owns them, to rise or fall.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted, at times, in market closures, market volatility, liquidity constraints and increased trading costs. Efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 have resulted in global travel restrictions and disruptions of healthcare systems, business operations and supply chains, layoffs, reduced consumer demand, defaults and credit rating downgrades, and other significant economic impacts. The effects of COVID-19 have impacted global economic activity and may heighten pre-existing political, social and economic risks, domestically or globally. The full impact and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic (or other future epidemics or pandemics) are unpredictable and may adversely affect the Portfolio’s performance.
Market Trading Risk: Although shares of the Portfolio are listed for trading on one or more stock exchanges, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for such shares will develop or be maintained. There are no obligations of market makers to make a market in the Portfolio’s shares or of an authorized participant to submit purchase or redemption orders for Creation Units. Decisions by market makers or authorized participants to reduce their role or step away from these activities in times of market stress could inhibit the effectiveness of the arbitrage process in maintaining the relationship between the underlying value of the Portfolio’s portfolio securities and the Portfolio’s market price. This reduced effectiveness could result in Portfolio shares trading at a premium or discount to its NAV and also greater than normal intraday bid/ask spreads. Additionally, in stressed market conditions, the market for the Portfolio’s shares may become less liquid in response to deteriorating liquidity in the markets for the Portfolio’s portfolio holdings, which may cause a significant variance in the market price of the Portfolio’s shares and their underlying value as well as an increase in the Portfolio’s bid-ask spread.
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There can be no assurance that the Portfolio’s shares will continue to trade on a stock exchange or in any market or that the Portfolio’s shares will continue to meet the requirements for listing or trading on any exchange or in any market, or that such requirements will remain unchanged. Secondary market trading in Portfolio shares may be halted by a stock exchange because of market conditions or other reasons. In addition, trading in Portfolio 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.
During a “flash crash,” the market prices of the Portfolio’s shares may decline suddenly and significantly. Such a decline may not reflect the performance of the portfolio securities held by the Portfolio. Flash crashes may cause authorized participants and other market makers to limit or cease trading in the Portfolio’s shares for temporary or longer periods. Shareholders could suffer significant losses to the extent that they sell shares at these temporarily low market prices. Shares of the Portfolio, 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.
Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk: Mortgage-backed securities represent interests in “pools” of mortgages and often involve risks that are different from or potentially more significant than risks associated with other types of debt instruments. Mortgage securities differ from typical debt securities in that principal is not paid back at maturity, but rather periodically over the life of the security. The Portfolio may receive unscheduled payments of principal due to voluntary prepayments, refinancings or foreclosures on the underlying mortgage loans. When interest rates decline, borrowers may pay off their mortgages sooner than expected. This can reduce the returns of the Portfolio because it may have to reinvest that money at the lower prevailing interest rates. As a result, mortgage securities may be less effective than some other types of debt securities as a means of securing long-term interest rates and may have less potential for capital appreciation during periods of falling interest rates. Conversely, in a period of rising interest rates, the Portfolio may exhibit additional volatility since rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of fixed rate mortgage-related securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates. As interest rates rise mortgage borrowers are less likely to exercise prepayment options, which may reduce the value of these securities and potentially cause the Portfolio to lose money. This is known as extension risk.
Municipal Project-Specific Risk: The risk that the Portfolio may be more sensitive to adverse economic, business or political developments if it invests a substantial portion of its assets in municipal securities that finance similar types of projects in a segment of the municipal bond market (such as education, health care, housing, education, utilities or transportation) or industrial development bonds. A change that affects one project in a particular segment of the market, such as proposed legislation on the financing of the project, a shortage of the materials needed for the project, or a declining need for the project, would likely affect all similar projects, thereby increasing market risk.
Municipal Securities Risk: The risk of a municipal security generally depends on the financial and credit status of the issuer. Municipal securities can be significantly affected by political, regulatory or economic changes, including changes made in the law after issuance of the securities, as well as uncertainties in the municipal market related to taxation, legislative changes or the rights of municipal security holders, including in connection with an issuer’s insolvency.
Operational Risk: Operational risks include human error, changes in personnel, system changes, faults in communication, and failures in systems, technology, or processes. Various operational events or circumstances are outside the Advisor’s control, including instances at third parties. The Portfolio and the Advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate to address these risks.
Premium/Discount Risk: Shares of the Portfolio may trade at prices other than NAV. Shares of the Portfolio trade on stock exchanges at prices at, above or below their most recent NAV. The NAV of the Portfolio is calculated at the end of each business day and fluctuates with changes in the market value of the Portfolio’s holdings since the most recent calculation. The trading prices of the Portfolio’s shares fluctuate continuously throughout trading hours based on market supply and demand rather than NAV. As a result, the trading prices of the Portfolio’s shares may deviate significantly from NAV during periods of market volatility.
34
Any of these factors, among others, may lead to the Portfolio’s shares trading at a premium or discount to NAV. Thus, you may pay more (or less) than NAV when you buy shares of the Portfolio in the secondary market, and you may receive less (or more) than NAV when you sell those shares in the secondary market. The Advisor cannot predict whether shares will trade above (premium), below (discount) or at NAV. However, because shares can be created and redeemed in Creation Units at NAV, the Advisor believes that large discounts or premiums to the NAV of the Portfolio are not likely to be sustained over the long-term. While the creation/redemption feature is designed to make it likely that the Portfolio’s shares normally will trade on stock exchanges at prices close to the Portfolio’s next calculated NAV, exchange prices are not expected to correlate exactly with the Portfolio’s NAV due to timing reasons as well as market supply and demand factors. In addition, disruptions to creations and redemptions or extreme market volatility may result in trading prices for shares of the Portfolio that differ significantly from its NAV.
Risks of Investing for Inflation Protection: Because the interest and/or principal payments on an inflation-protected security are adjusted periodically for changes in inflation, the income distributed by the Portfolio may be irregular. Although the U.S. Treasury guarantees to pay at maturity at least the original face value of any inflation-protected securities the Treasury issues, other issuers may not offer the same guarantee. Also, inflation-protected securities, including those issued by the U.S. Treasury, are not protected against deflation. As a result, in a period of deflation, the inflation-protected securities held by the Portfolio may not pay any income and the Portfolio may suffer a loss during such periods. While inflation-protected securities are expected to be protected from long-term inflationary trends, short-term increases in inflation may lead to a decline in the Portfolio’s value. If interest rates rise due to reasons other than inflation, the Portfolio’s investment in these securities may not be protected to the extent that the increase is not reflected in the securities’ inflation measures. In addition, positive adjustments to principal generally will result in taxable income to the Portfolio at the time of such adjustments (which generally would be distributed by the Portfolio as part of its taxable dividends), even though the principal amount is not paid until maturity. The current market value of inflation-protected securities is not guaranteed and will fluctuate.
Securities Lending Risk: Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Portfolio may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Portfolio could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. Securities lending also may have certain adverse tax consequences.
Tax Liability Risk: Tax liability risk is the risk that distributions by the Portfolio become taxable to shareholders due to noncompliant conduct by a municipal bond issuer, unfavorable changes in federal or state tax laws, or adverse interpretations of tax laws by the Internal Revenue Service or state tax authorities or other factors. Such adverse interpretations or actions could cause interest from a security to become taxable, possibly retroactively, subjecting, shareholders to increased tax liability. In addition, such adverse interpretations or actions could cause the value of a security, and therefore, the value of the Portfolio’s shares, to decline. Additionally, if the Portfolio’s use of derivative instruments for hedging and non-hedging purposes cause the Portfolio to invest less than 50% of its assets in municipal securities in any quarter, which the Portfolio does not anticipate, the Portfolio may fail to qualify to pay exempt-interest dividends to its shareholders, resulting in the distributions by the Portfolio becoming taxable to shareholders as ordinary income.
Other Information
COMMODITY POOL OPERATOR EXEMPTION
Each Portfolio is operated by a person that has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”) with respect to the Portfolio, and, therefore, such person is not subject to registration or regulation as a pool operator under the CEA with respect to the Portfolio.
35
Securities Loans
Each Portfolio that is authorized to lend securities may lend such securities to qualified brokers, dealers, banks and other financial institutions for the purpose of earning additional income. While a Portfolio may earn additional income from lending securities, such activity is incidental to the investment objective of the Portfolio. The value of securities loaned may not exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the Portfolio’s total assets, which includes the value of collateral received. To the extent the Portfolio loans a portion of its securities, the Portfolio will receive collateral consisting generally of cash or U.S. government securities. Collateral received will be maintained by marking to market daily and (i) in an amount equal to at least 100% of the current market value of the loaned securities with respect to securities of the U.S. Government or its agencies, (ii) in an amount generally equal to 102% of the current market value of the loaned securities with respect to U.S. securities, and (iii) in an amount generally equal to 105% of the current market value of the loaned securities with respect to foreign securities. Subject to its stated investment policies, a Portfolio will generally invest the cash collateral received for the loaned securities in The DFA Short Term Investment Fund (the “Money Market Series”), an affiliated registered money market fund advised by the Advisor for which the Advisor receives a management fee of 0.05% of the average daily net assets of the Money Market Series. A Portfolio may also invest such collateral in securities of the U.S. Government or its agencies, repurchase agreements collateralized by securities of the U.S. Government or its agencies, and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds. For purposes of this paragraph, agencies include both agency debentures and agency mortgage-backed securities.
In addition, a Portfolio will be able to terminate the loan at any time and will receive reasonable interest on the loan, as well as amounts equal to any dividends, interest or other distributions on the loaned securities. However, dividend income received from loaned securities may not be eligible to be taxed at qualified dividend income rates. See each Portfolio’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) for a further discussion of the tax consequences related to securities lending. A Portfolio will be entitled to recall a loaned security in time to vote proxies or otherwise obtain rights to vote proxies of loaned securities if the Portfolio knows that a material event will occur. In the event of the bankruptcy of the borrower, a Portfolio could experience delay in recovering the loaned securities or only recover cash or a security of equivalent value. See “Principal Risks—Securities Lending Risk” for a discussion of the risks related to securities lending.
Securities Lending Revenue
During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the following Portfolios received the following net revenues from a securities lending program (see “SECURITIES LOANS”), which constituted a percentage of the average daily net assets of the Portfolio:
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Portfolio |
Net Revenue* |
Percentage |
||||||||||||
Core Fixed Income ETF |
|
$ |
|
31,664 |
|
0.00 |
% |
|
||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF |
|
$ |
|
25,810 |
|
0.00 |
% |
|
||||||
|
* |
The amounts included in the table above may differ from the amounts disclosed in the Portfolios’ annual reports due to timing differences, reconciliations, and certain other adjustments. |
Management of the Trust
The Advisor serves as investment advisor to each of the Portfolios. Pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement with each Portfolio, the Advisor is responsible for the management of their respective assets. The Portfolios are managed using a team approach. The investment team includes the Investment Committee of the Advisor, portfolio managers and trading personnel.
The Investment Committee is composed primarily of certain officers and directors of the Advisor who are appointed annually. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Investment Committee has fourteen members.
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Investment strategies for all Portfolios are set by the Investment Committee, which meets on a regular basis and also as needed to consider investment issues. The Investment Committee also sets and reviews all investment related policies and procedures and approves any changes in regards to approved countries, security types and brokers.
In accordance with the team approach used to manage the Portfolios, the portfolio managers and portfolio traders implement the policies and procedures established by the Investment Committee. The portfolio managers and portfolio traders also make daily investment decisions regarding the Portfolios based on the parameters established by the Investment Committee. The individuals named in a Portfolio’s “INVESTMENT ADVISOR/PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT” section coordinate the efforts of all other portfolio managers or trading personnel with respect to the day to day management of such Portfolio.
Ms. Huebel is Head of Responsible Investment, North America, and a Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor. Ms. Huebel holds an MS from Kansas State University, an MA from the University of California-Santa Barbara, and a BS from Texas State University. Ms. Huebel joined the Advisor in 2012, has been a portfolio manager since 2015, and has been responsible for the Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF since its inception.
Mr. Hutchison is a Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor. Mr. Hutchison holds an MBA from Drake University and a BBA from Texas Tech University. Mr. Hutchison joined the Advisor in 2006, has been a portfolio manager since 2013, and has been responsible for the Inflation-Protected ETF since its inception.
Mr. Kolerich is Head of Fixed Income, Americas, a member of the Investment Committee, Vice President, and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor. Mr. Kolerich has an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BS from Northern Illinois University. Mr. Kolerich joined the Advisor as a portfolio manager in 2001 and has been responsible for each Portfolio since its inception.
Mr. Meldau is a Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor. Mr. Meldau holds an MBA from Wake Forest University and a BSBA from Appalachian State University. Mr. Meldau joined the Advisor in 2011, has been a portfolio manager since 2011, and has been responsible for the Municipal Bond ETF since its inception.
Mr. Plecha is Global Head of Fixed Income Portfolio Management, a member of the Investment Committee, Vice President, and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor. Mr. Plecha received his BS from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1983 and his MBA from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1987. Mr. Plecha has been a portfolio manager since 1989 and has been responsible for each Portfolio since its inception.
Mr. Shao is a Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor. Mr. Shao holds an MA from the University of California at Los Angeles and a BS from Columbia University. Mr. Shao joined the Advisor in 2006, has been a portfolio manager since 2011, and has been responsible for the Core Fixed Income ETF since its inception.
The Portfolios’ SAI provides information about each portfolio manager’s compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio manager, and the portfolio manager’s ownership of Portfolio shares.
The Advisor, Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. (“DFAL”) and DFA Australia Limited (“DFA Australia”), provide the Portfolios with a trading department and selects brokers and dealers to effect securities transactions. Securities transactions are placed with a view to obtaining best price and execution. The Advisor may pay compensation, out of the Advisor’s profits and not as an additional charge to a Portfolio, to financial intermediaries to support the sale of Portfolio shares. The Advisor’s address is 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, TX 78746. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) approving the Investment Management Agreements and Sub-Advisory Agreements with respect to the Portfolios is available in the semi-annual report for the Portfolios for the fiscal period ending April 30, 2022.
The Advisor has been engaged in the business of providing investment management services since May 1981. The Advisor is currently organized as a Delaware limited partnership and is controlled and operated by its general partner, Dimensional Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation. The Advisor controls DFAL and DFA
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Australia. As of January 31, 2023, assets under management for all Dimensional affiliated advisors totaled approximately $626 billion.
The Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration”) provides that by virtue of becoming a shareholder of the Trust, each shareholder shall be held expressly to have agreed to be bound by the provisions of the Declaration. However, shareholders should be aware that they cannot waive their rights under the federal securities laws. The Declaration provides a detailed process for the bringing of derivative actions by shareholders for claims other than federal securities law claims beyond the process otherwise required by law. This derivative actions process is intended to permit legitimate inquiries and claims while avoiding the time, expense, distraction, and other harm that can be caused to a Portfolio or its shareholders as a result of spurious shareholder demands and derivative actions. Prior to bringing a derivative action, a demand by the complaining shareholder must first be made on the Trustees. The Declaration details conditions that must be met with respect to the demand. Following receipt of the demand, the Trustees must be afforded a reasonable amount of time to investigate and consider the demand. The Trustees will be entitled to retain counsel or other advisors in considering the merits of the request and shall require an undertaking by the shareholders making such request to reimburse the Trust for the expense of any such advisors in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring such action. The Trust’s process for bringing derivative suits may be more restrictive than other investment companies. The process for derivative actions for the Trust also may make it more expensive for a shareholder to bring a suit than if the shareholder was not required to follow such a process.
The Declaration also requires that actions by shareholders against a Portfolio be brought only in a certain federal court in Texas, or if not permitted to be brought in federal court, then in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as required by applicable law, or the Superior Court of Delaware, (the “Exclusive Jurisdictions”) and that the right to jury trial be waived to the fullest extent permitted by law. Other investment companies may not be subject to similar restrictions. In addition, the designation of Exclusive Jurisdictions may make it more expensive for a shareholder to bring a suit than if the shareholder was permitted to select another jurisdiction. Also, the designation of Exclusive Jurisdictions and the waiver of jury trials limit a shareholder’s ability to litigate a claim in the jurisdiction and in a manner that may be more favorable to the shareholder. A court may choose not to enforce these provisions of the Declaration.
MANAGEMENT FEES
The “Annual Fund Operating Expenses” table describes the fees incurred by the Inflation-Protected ETF and Municipal Bond ETF for the services provided by the Advisor for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022. The “Management Fee” listed in the “Annual Fund Operating Expenses” table for the Inflation-Protected ETF and Municipal Bond ETF provides the investment management fee that was payable by the respective Portfolio to the Advisor. The Advisor, not the Portfolios, compensates the sub-advisors.
The following table describes the management fee paid to the Advisor by the Core Fixed Income ETF and Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF effective as of February 28, 2023 as a result of a decrease in the management fee:
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
Portfolio |
Previous |
Management Fee |
||||||||||||
Core Fixed Income ETF |
|
0.17 |
% |
|
|
0.16 |
% |
|
||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF |
|
0.16 |
% |
|
|
0.15 |
% |
|
||||||
|
Sub-Advisors
The Advisor has entered into Sub-Advisory Agreements with DFAL and DFA Australia, respectively, with respect to each Portfolio. Pursuant to the terms of each Sub-Advisory Agreement, DFAL and DFA Australia each have the authority and responsibility to select brokers or dealers to execute securities transactions for the Portfolio. Each Sub-Advisor’s duties include the maintenance of a trading desk and the determination of the best and most efficient means of executing securities transactions. At least semi-annually, the Advisor will review the holdings of a Portfolio and review the trading process and the execution of securities transactions. The Advisor is responsible for determining those securities that are eligible for purchase and sale by a Portfolio and may delegate this task,
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subject to its own review, to DFAL and DFA Australia. DFAL and DFA Australia maintain and furnish to the Advisor information and reports on securities of companies in certain markets, including recommendations of securities to be added to the securities that are eligible for purchase by a Portfolio, as well as making recommendations and elections on corporate actions. The Advisor controls DFAL and DFA Australia. DFA Australia has been a U.S. federally registered investment advisor since 1994 and is located at Level 43 Gateway, 1 Macquarie Place, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia. DFAL has been a U.S. federally registered investment advisor since 1991 and is located at 20 Triton Street, Regent’s Place, London NW13BF, United Kingdom.
Manager of Managers Structure
The Advisor and the Trust have received an exemptive order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for a manager of managers structure that allows the Advisor to appoint, remove or change Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisors (defined below), and enter into, amend and terminate sub-advisory agreements with Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisors, without prior shareholder approval, but subject to Board approval. A “Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisor” includes (1) sub-advisors that are wholly-owned by the Advisor (i.e., an indirect or direct “wholly-owned subsidiary” (as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”)) of the Advisor, or (2) a sister company of the Advisor that is an indirect or direct “wholly-owned subsidiary” (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the same company that, indirectly or directly, wholly owns the Advisor (“Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisors”). The Board only will approve a change with respect to sub-advisors if the Trustees conclude that such arrangements would be in the best interests of the shareholders of a Portfolio. If a new Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisor is hired for a Portfolio, shareholders will receive information about the new sub-advisor within 90 days of the change. The exemptive order allows greater flexibility for the Advisor to utilize, if desirable, personnel throughout the worldwide organization enabling a Portfolio to operate more efficiently. The Advisor will not hire unaffiliated sub-advisors without prior shareholder approval and did not request the ability to do so in its application to the SEC for an exemptive order to allow the manager of managers structure.
The use of the manager of managers structure with respect to a Portfolio is subject to certain conditions set forth in the SEC exemptive order. Under the manager of managers structure, the Advisor has the ultimate responsibility, subject to oversight by the Board, to oversee the Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisors and recommend their hiring, termination and replacement. The Advisor will provide general management services to a Portfolio, including overall supervisory responsibility for the general management and investment of the Portfolio’s assets. Subject to review and approval of the Board, the Advisor will (a) set a Portfolio’s overall investment strategies, (b) evaluate, select, and recommend Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisors to manage all or a portion of a Portfolio’s assets, and (c) implement procedures reasonably designed to ensure that Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisors comply with a Portfolio’s investment objective, policies and restrictions. Subject to review by the Board, the Advisor will (a) when appropriate, allocate and reallocate a Portfolio’s assets among multiple Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisors; and (b) monitor and evaluate the performance of Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisors.
FEE WAIVER AND EXPENSE ASSUMPTION AGREEMENTS
Pursuant to a Fee Waiver and/or Expense Assumption Agreement for each Portfolio, the Advisor has agreed to waive certain fees and in certain instances, assume certain expenses of the Portfolio, as described below. The Fee Waiver and/or Expense Assumption Agreement will remain in effect through February 28, 2024, and may only be terminated by the Trust’s Board of Trustees prior to that date. The Fee Waiver and/or Expense Assumption Agreement shall continue in effect from year to year thereafter unless terminated by the Trust or the Advisor. With respect to each Fee Waiver and/or Expense Assumption Agreement, prior year waived fees and/or assumed expenses can be recaptured only if the expense ratio following such recapture would be less than the expense cap that was in place when such prior year fees were waived and/or expenses assumed, and less than the current expense cap in place for the Portfolio. The Portfolio is not obligated to reimburse the Advisor for fees previously waived or expenses previously assumed by the Advisor more than thirty-six months before the date of such reimbursement.
The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and assume the ordinary operating expenses of each of the Portfolios (excluding the expenses that the Portfolio incurs indirectly through
39
its investment in other investment companies) (“Portfolio Expenses”) to the extent necessary to limit the Portfolio Expenses of each Portfolio, on an annualized basis, to the rates listed below as a percentage of the respective Portfolio’s average net assets (the “Expense Limitation Amount”). At any time that the Portfolio Expenses of a Portfolio are less than the Expense Limitation Amount for the Portfolio, the Advisor retains the right to recover any fees previously waived and/or expenses previously assumed to the extent that such recovery will not cause the annualized Portfolio Expenses for such Portfolio to exceed the applicable Expense Limitation Amount identified below.
|
|
|
|||||
Portfolio |
Expense Limitation |
||||||
Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF |
0.17 |
% |
|
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF |
0.16 |
% |
|
||||
|
|||||||
Dimensional Inflation-Protected Securities ETF |
|
|
0.11 |
% |
|
||
|
|||||||
Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF |
0.17 |
% |
|
||||
|
Dividends, Capital Gains Distributions and Taxes
Dividends and Distributions. Each Portfolio intends to qualify each year as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). As a regulated investment company, a Portfolio generally pays no federal income tax on the income and gains it distributes. Dividends from net investment income are distributed monthly by the Portfolios. Any net realized capital gains (after any reductions for available capital loss carryforwards) are distributed annually, typically in December. A Portfolio may distribute such income dividends and capital gains more frequently, if necessary, in order to reduce or eliminate federal excise or income taxes on the Portfolio.
Capital gains distributions may vary considerably from year to year as a result of a Portfolio’s normal investment activities and cash flows. During a time of economic volatility, a Portfolio may experience capital losses and unrealized depreciation in value of investments, the effect of which may be to reduce or eliminate capital gains distributions for a period of time. A Portfolio may be required to distribute taxable realized gains from a prior year, even if the Portfolio has a net realized loss for the year of distribution.
Distributions may be reinvested automatically in additional whole shares only if the broker through whom you purchased shares makes such option available.
Annual Statements. Each year, you will receive a statement that shows the tax status of distributions you received the previous calendar year. Distributions declared in October, November, or December to shareholders of record in such month, but paid in January, are taxable as if they were paid in December.
Avoid “Buying A Dividend.” At the time you purchase your Portfolio shares, a Portfolio’s NAV may reflect undistributed income or undistributed capital gains. A subsequent distribution to you of such amounts, although constituting a return of your investment, would be taxable. Buying shares in a Portfolio just before it declares an income dividend or capital gains distribution is sometimes known as “buying a dividend.” In addition, a Portfolio’s NAV may, at any time, reflect net unrealized appreciation, which may result in future taxable distributions to you.
Tax Considerations. This discussion of “Tax Considerations” should be read in conjunction with the remaining subsections below containing additional information. In general, if you are a taxable investor, Portfolio distributions are taxable to you as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both. This is true whether you reinvest your distributions in additional Portfolio shares or receive them in cash.
For federal income tax purposes, Portfolio distributions of short-term capital gains are taxable to you at ordinary income rates. Portfolio distributions of long-term capital gains are taxable to you at long-term capital gain rates no matter how long you have owned your shares. A portfolio with a high portfolio turnover rate (a measure of how frequently assets within a portfolio are bought and sold) is more likely to generate short-term capital gains
40
than a portfolio with a low portfolio turnover. A portion of income dividends reported by a Portfolio as qualified dividend income may be eligible for taxation by individual shareholders at long-term capital gain rates provided certain holding period requirements are met.
Compared to other types of investments, derivatives may be less tax efficient. For example, the use of derivatives by a Portfolio may cause the Portfolio to realize higher amounts of ordinary income or short-term capital gain, distributions from which are taxable to individual shareholders at ordinary income tax rates rather than at the more favorable tax rates for long-term capital gains. Changes in government regulation of derivative instruments could affect the character, timing and amount of a Portfolio’s taxable income or gains, and may limit or prevent the Portfolio from using certain types of derivative instruments as a part of its investment strategy. A Portfolio’s use of derivatives also may be limited by the requirements for taxation of the Portfolio as a regulated investment company.
Sale of Portfolio Shares. The sale of shares of a Portfolio is a taxable event and may result in a capital gain or loss to you. Currently, any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of Portfolio shares generally is treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year and as short-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for one year or less. Any loss incurred on the sale or exchange of a Portfolio’s shares, held for six months or less, will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of capital gain dividends received with respect to such shares. The ability to deduct capital losses may be limited.
Creation Units. An authorized participant who exchanges securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or a loss. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time of purchase (plus any cash received by the authorized participant as part of the issue) and the authorized participant’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered (plus any cash paid by the authorized participant as part of the issue). An authorized participant who exchanges Creation Units for securities generally will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the authorized participant’s basis in the Creation Units (plus any cash paid by the authorized participant as part of the redemption) and the aggregate market value of the securities received (plus any cash received by the authorized participant as part of the redemption). The Internal Revenue Service, however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position. Persons exchanging securities should consult their own tax advisor with respect to whether the wash sale rules apply and when a loss might be deductible.
Under current federal tax laws, any capital gain or loss realized upon redemption of Creation Units is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year and as a short-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for one year or less, assuming such Creation Unit is held as a capital asset.
If a Portfolio redeems Creation Units in cash, it may recognize more capital gains than it will if it redeems Creation Units in-kind.
Medicare Tax. An additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from a Portfolio and net gains from taxable dispositions of Portfolio shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds a threshold amount. Net investment income does not include exempt-interest dividends. This Medicare tax, if applicable, is reported by you on, and paid with, your federal income tax return.
Backup Withholding. By law, a 24% withholding tax may apply to taxable dividends, capital gains distributions, and redemption proceeds paid to you if you do not provide your proper taxpayer identification number and certain required certifications. You may avoid this withholding requirement by providing and certifying on the account registration form your correct Taxpayer Identification Number and by certifying that you are not subject to backup withholding and are a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien). Withholding is also imposed if the Internal Revenue Service requires it.
State and Local Taxes. In addition to federal taxes, you may be subject to state and local taxes on distributions from a Portfolio and on gains arising on redemption or exchange of a Portfolio’s shares. Distributions of interest
41
income and capital gains realized from certain types of U.S. Government securities may be exempt from state personal income taxes.
Non-U.S. Investors. Non-U.S. investors may be subject to U.S. withholding tax, at either the 30% statutory rate or a lower rate if you are a resident of a country that has a tax treaty with the U.S., and are subject to special U.S. tax certification requirements to avoid backup withholding and claim any treaty benefits. Exemptions from U.S. withholding tax are provided for certain capital gain dividends paid by a Portfolio from net long-term capital gains, exempt-interest dividends, if any, interest-related dividends paid by a Portfolio from its qualified net interest income from U.S. sources and short-term capital gain dividends, if such amounts are reported by a Portfolio. However, notwithstanding such exemptions from U.S. withholding at the source, any such dividends and distributions of income and capital gains will be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 24% if you fail to properly certify that you are not a U.S. person. Non-U.S. investors also may be subject to U.S. estate tax.
Other Reporting and Withholding Requirements. Under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”), a 30% withholding tax is imposed on income dividends made by the Portfolio to certain foreign entities, referred to as foreign financial institutions or non-financial foreign entities, that fail to comply (or be deemed compliant) with extensive reporting and withholding requirements designed to inform the U.S. Department of the Treasury of U.S.-owned foreign investment accounts. After December 31, 2018, FATCA withholding also would have applied to certain capital gain distributions, return of capital distributions and the proceeds arising from the sale of Portfolio shares; however, based on proposed regulations issued by the Internal Revenue Service, which may be relied upon currently, such withholding is no longer required unless final regulations provide otherwise (which is not expected). Information about a Portfolio shareholder may be disclosed to the Internal Revenue Service, non-U.S. taxing authorities or other parties as necessary to comply with FATCA or similar laws. Withholding also may be required if a foreign entity that is a shareholder of a Portfolio fails to provide the appropriate certifications or other documentation concerning its status under FATCA.
Special Tax Considerations for the Municipal Bond ETF
Exempt-Interest Dividends. In the case of the Municipal Bond ETF, most portfolio distributions will consist of exempt-interest dividends (dividends paid from interest earned on municipal securities). In general, exempt-interest dividends are exempt from regular federal income tax. Exempt-interest dividends from interest earned on municipal securities of a state, or its political subdivisions, generally are exempt from that state’s personal income tax. Most states, however, do not grant tax-free treatment to interest from municipal securities of other states.
Because of these tax exemptions, the Municipal Bond ETF may not be suitable investments for retirement plans and other tax-exempt investors. Corporate shareholders should note that these dividends may be fully taxable in states that impose corporate franchise taxes, corporate income taxes, or both, and they should consult with their tax advisors about the taxability of this income before investing in the Municipal Bond ETF. In addition, many states require that the portion of the Portfolio’s income that is exempt from taxation be specifically designated.
Exempt-interest dividends are taken into account when determining the taxable portion of your social security or railroad retirement benefits. In addition, the Municipal Bond ETF does not currently intend to invest its assets in municipal securities whose interest is subject to the federal alternative minimum tax.
While the Municipal Bond ETF endeavors to purchase only bona fide tax-exempt securities, there are risks that: (a) a security issued as tax-exempt may be reclassified by the Internal Revenue Service or a state tax authority as taxable and/or (b) future legislative, administrative or court actions could adversely impact the qualification of income from a tax-exempt security as tax-free. Such reclassifications or actions could cause interest from a security to become taxable, possibly retroactively, subjecting you to increased tax liability. In addition, such reclassifications or actions could cause the value of a security, and therefore, the value of the Municipal Bond ETF’s shares, to decline.
Taxable Income Dividends. Although the Municipal Bond ETF attempts to invest all of its assets in tax-exempt securities, it is possible, although not anticipated, that a portion of its assets may be invested in securities that pay taxable interest. These investments could generate taxable income for shareholders. The Municipal Bond ETF may also distribute any market discount and net short-term capital gains from the sale of its portfolio
42
securities. If you are a taxable investor, Portfolio distributions from this income are taxable to you as ordinary income, and generally will not be treated as qualified dividend income subject to reduced rates of taxation for individuals. Distributions of ordinary income are taxable whether you reinvest your distributions in additional Portfolio shares or receive them in cash.
Capital Gain Distributions. The Municipal Bond ETF also may realize net long-term capital gains from the sale of portfolio securities. Portfolio distributions of long-term capital gains are taxable to you as long-term capital gains no matter how long you have owned your shares.
This discussion of “DIVIDENDS, CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES” is not intended or written to be used as tax advice. Because everyone’s tax situation is unique, you should consult your tax professional about federal, state, local or foreign tax consequences before making an investment in a Portfolio. Prospective investors should also consult the SAI.
Purchase and Sale of Shares
Shares of a Portfolio may be acquired or redeemed directly from the Portfolio only in Creation Units or multiples thereof, as discussed in the “Creations and Redemptions” section of this Prospectus. Only an Authorized Participant (defined below) may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with a Portfolio. An “Authorized Participant” is either a “participating party” (i.e., a broker-dealer or other participant in the clearing process through the Continuous Net Settlement System of the National Securities Clearing Corporation) or a Depository Trust Company participant who, in either case, has executed an agreement with the distributor and transfer agent with respect to creations and redemptions of Creation Units. Once created, shares of a Portfolio generally trade in the secondary market in amounts less than a Creation Unit.
Shares of a Portfolio are listed for trading on a national securities exchange during the trading day. Shares can be bought and sold throughout the trading day like shares of other publicly traded companies. However, there can be no guarantee that an active trading market will develop or be maintained, or that a Portfolio’s shares listing will continue or remain unchanged. The Trust does not impose any minimum investment for shares of a Portfolio purchased on an exchange. Shares of the Portfolios trade under the following symbols:
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|
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|||||
Portfolio |
Ticker: |
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Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF |
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DFCF |
||||
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|||||||
Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF |
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|
DFSD |
||||
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|||||||
Dimensional Inflation-Protected Securities ETF |
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DFIP |
||||
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|||||||
Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF |
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DFNM |
||||
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Buying or selling a Portfolio’s shares on an exchange involves certain costs that may apply to all securities transactions. When buying or selling shares of a Portfolio through a financial intermediary, you may incur a brokerage commission or other charges determined by your financial intermediary. Due to these brokerage costs, if any, frequent trading may detract significantly from investment returns. The commission is frequently a fixed amount and may be a significant proportional cost for investors seeking to buy or sell small amounts of shares. In addition, you may also incur the cost of the “spread” (the difference between the bid price and the ask price). The spread varies over time for shares of a Portfolio based on its trading volume and market liquidity and is generally less if the Portfolio has more trading volume and market liquidity and more if the Portfolio has less trading volume and market liquidity. Because shares of the Portfolios trade at market price rather than NAV, an investor may pay more than NAV when purchasing shares and receive less than NAV when selling Portfolio shares. Authorized Participants may acquire Portfolio shares directly from a Portfolio, and Authorized Participants may tender their shares for redemption directly to a Portfolio, at NAV per share only in Creation Units, and in accordance with the procedures described in the SAI.
Each Portfolio’s primary listing exchange is NYSE Arca, Inc. The Exchange is open for trading Monday through Friday and is closed on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day,
43
Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
The Board has not adopted a policy of monitoring for frequent purchases and redemptions of Portfolio shares (“frequent trading”) that appear to attempt to take advantage of potential arbitrage opportunities presented by a lag between a change in the value of a Portfolio’s portfolio securities after the close of the primary markets for the Portfolio’s portfolio securities and the reflection of that change in the Portfolio’s NAV (“market timing”) because each Portfolio sells and redeems its shares directly through transactions that are in-kind and/or for cash, subject to the conditions described below under ”Creations and Redemptions.” The Board has not adopted a policy of monitoring for other frequent trading activity because shares of the Portfolios are listed for trading on a national securities exchange.
SHARE PRICE
The trading prices of a Portfolio’s shares in the secondary market will fluctuate continuously throughout trading hours based on the supply of and demand for Portfolio shares and shares of underlying securities held by a Portfolio, economic conditions and other factors, rather than a Portfolio’s NAV, which is calculated at the end of each business day. Portfolio shares will trade on NYSE Arca, Inc. 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 a Portfolio’s shares. The trading prices of a Portfolio’s shares may deviate significantly from the Portfolio’s NAV during periods of market volatility. Given, however, that a Portfolio’s 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.
NYSE Arca, Inc. will disseminate, every fifteen seconds during the regular trading day, an indicative optimized portfolio value (“IOPV”) relating to a Portfolio. The IOPV calculations are estimates of the value of a Portfolio’s NAV per share. 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. The IOPV is based on the current market value of the published basket of portfolio securities and/or cash required to be deposited in exchange for a Creation Unit and does not necessarily reflect the precise composition of a Portfolio’s actual portfolio at a particular point in time. Moreover, the IOPV is generally determined by using current market quotations and/or price quotations obtained from broker-dealers and other market intermediaries and valuations based on current market rates. The IOPV may not be calculated in the same manner as the NAV, which (i) is computed only once a day, (ii) unlike the calculation of the IOPV, takes into account Portfolio expenses, and (iii) may be subject, in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, to fair valuation at different prices than those used in the calculations of the IOPV. The IOPV price is based on quotes and closing prices from the securities’ local market converted into U.S. dollars at the current currency rates and may not reflect events that occur subsequent to the local market’s close. Therefore, the IOPV may not reflect the best possible valuation of a Portfolio’s current portfolio. Neither the Portfolio 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. In the future, the dissemination of the IOPV may be discontinued.
BOOK ENTRY
Shares of the Portfolios are held in book-entry form, which means that no stock certificates are issued. The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee is the record owner of, and holds legal title to, all outstanding shares of the Portfolios.
Investors owning shares of the Portfolios are beneficial owners as shown on the records of DTC or its participants. DTC serves as the securities depository for shares of the Portfolios. DTC participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other institutions that directly or indirectly maintain a custodial relationship with DTC. As a beneficial owner of shares, you are not entitled to receive physical delivery of stock certificates or to have shares registered in your name, and you are not considered a registered owner of shares. Therefore, to exercise any right as an owner of shares, you must rely upon the procedures of DTC and its participants. These procedures are the same as those that apply to any other securities that you hold in book-entry or “street name” form.
44
NET ASSET VALUE
The NAV per share of each Portfolio is normally calculated once daily after the close of the NYSE (normally, 4:00 p.m. ET) by dividing the total value of the Portfolio’s investments and other assets, less any liabilities, by the total outstanding shares of beneficial interest of the Portfolio. Note: The time at which transactions and shares are priced may be changed in case of an emergency or if the NYSE closes at a time other than 4:00 p.m. ET or in other situations to the extent permitted by the SEC.
The value of shares of each Portfolio will fluctuate in relation to its investment experience. Securities held by the Portfolios will be valued in accordance with applicable laws and procedures approved by the Board, and generally, as described below.
Debt securities will be valued on the basis of prices provided by one or more pricing services or other reasonably reliable sources including broker/dealers that typically handle the purchase and sale of such securities using data reflecting the earlier closing of the principal markets for those securities. Securities which are traded over-the-counter and on a stock exchange generally will be valued according to the broadest and most representative market, and it is expected that for bonds and other fixed income securities, this ordinarily will be the over-the-counter market. Net asset value includes interest on fixed income securities which is accrued daily. Generally, securities issued by open-end investment companies are valued using their respective net asset values or public offering prices, as appropriate, for purchase orders placed at the close of the NYSE.
The value of the securities and other assets of a Portfolio for which no market quotations are readily available (including restricted securities), or for which market quotations have become unreliable, are determined in good faith at fair value in accordance with Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act pursuant to procedures approved by the Board of the Trust. Fair value pricing also may be used if events that have a significant effect on the value of an investment (as determined in the discretion of the Advisor) occur before the net asset value is calculated. When fair value pricing is used, the prices of securities used by a Portfolio may differ from the quoted or published prices for the same securities on their primary markets or exchanges.
Valuing securities at fair value involves greater reliance on judgment than valuing securities that have readily available market quotations. There can be no assurance that a Portfolio could obtain the fair value assigned to a security if it were to sell the security at approximately the time at which the Portfolio determines its net asset value per share. As a result, the sale or redemption by a Portfolio of its shares at net asset value, at a time when a holding or holdings are valued at fair value, may have the effect of diluting or increasing the economic interest of existing shareholders.
The net asset values per share of the Core Fixed Income ETF and Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF are expressed in U.S. dollars by translating the net assets of each Portfolio using the mean of the most recent bid and asked prices for the dollar as quoted by generally recognized reliable sources. Since these Portfolios own securities that are primarily traded in foreign markets which may trade on days when the Portfolio does not price its shares, the net asset values of these Portfolios may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or redeem shares.
Futures contracts are valued using the settlement price established each day on the exchange on which they are traded. The value of such futures contracts held by the Portfolio is determined each day as of such close. In the absence of prices that are readily available as defined in Rule 2a-5, the futures contract will be valued in good faith at fair value in accordance with procedures approved by the Board.
Swap agreements will be valued at the price provided by an independent third-party pricing service or source. If a price is not readily available as defined in Rule 2a-5, the swap agreement will be valued in good faith at fair value in accordance with procedures approved by the Board.
Each Portfolio generally calculates its NAV per share and accepts purchase and redemption orders of Creation Units on days that the NYSE is open for trading.
45
Creations and Redemptions
Prior to trading in the secondary market, shares of a Portfolio are “created” at NAV by market makers, large investors and institutions only in block-size Creation Units of 50,000 shares (with respect to the Core Fixed Income, Short-Duration Fixed Income and Municipal Bond ETFs) or multiples thereof and 25,000 shares (with respect to the Inflation-Protected ETF) or multiples thereof. All orders to purchase Creation Units must be placed by or through an “Authorized Participant” that has entered into an authorized participant agreement (an “AP Agreement”) with the Portfolios’ distributor (the “Distributor”).
A creation transaction, which is subject to acceptance by the Distributor or its agents, generally takes place when an Authorized Participant deposits into a Portfolio a designated portfolio of securities and a specified amount of cash in exchange for a specified number of Creation Units. Similarly, shares can be redeemed only in Creation Units, generally for a designated portfolio of securities held by a Portfolio and a specified amount of cash. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares are not redeemable by a Portfolio. Creation Units are generally issued (or redeemed) by the Municipal Bond ETF in exchange for cash or in-kind for securities and a specified amount of cash. For each Portfolio, the Trust reserves the right to permit or require that creations and redemptions of Shares be effected entirely in cash, in-kind or a combination thereof. Creation Unit transactions conducted in exchange for cash only may cause a Portfolio to recognize capital gains and to pay out higher annual capital gain distributions to shareholders than if such transactions had been conducted in-kind. Conducting Creation Unit transactions in cash may also cause a Portfolio’s shares to trade in the secondary market at wider bid-ask spreads or greater premiums or discounts to the Portfolio’s NAV.
The prices at which creations and redemptions occur are based on the next calculation of NAV after a creation or redemption order is received in an acceptable form under the AP Agreement.
Only an Authorized Participant may create or redeem Creation Units directly with a Portfolio. In the event of a system failure or other interruption, including disruptions at market makers or Authorized Participants, orders to purchase or redeem Creation Units either may not be executed according to a Portfolio’s instructions or may not be executed at all, or a Portfolio may not be able to place or change orders.
When a Portfolio engages in in-kind transactions, the Portfolio intends to comply with the U.S. federal securities laws in accepting securities for deposit and satisfying redemptions with redemption securities by, among other means, assuring that any securities accepted for deposit and any securities used to satisfy redemption requests will be sold in transactions that would be exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”). Further, an Authorized Participant that is not a “qualified institutional buyer,” as such term is defined under Rule 144A of the 1933 Act, will not be able to receive restricted securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A.
Creations and redemptions must be made through a firm that is either a member of the Continuous Net Settlement System of the National Securities Clearing Corporation or a DTC participant and, in either case, has executed an AP Agreement with the Distributor. Information about the procedures regarding creation and redemption of Creation Units (including the cut-off times for receipt of creation and redemption orders) is included in the Portfolios’ SAI.
Because new shares may be created and issued on an ongoing basis, at any point during the life of a Portfolio a “distribution,” as such term is used in the 1933 Act, may be occurring. 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 that could render them statutory underwriters subject to the prospectus delivery and liability provisions of the 1933 Act. Any determination of whether one is an underwriter must take into account all the relevant facts and circumstances of each particular case.
Broker-dealers should also note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are participating in a distribution (as contrasted to ordinary secondary transactions), and thus dealing with shares that are part of an “unsold allotment” within the meaning of Section 4(a)(3)(C) of the 1933 Act, would be unable to take advantage of the prospectus delivery exemption provided by Section 4(a)(3) of the 1933 Act. For delivery of prospectuses to
46
exchange members, the prospectus delivery mechanism of Rule 153 under the 1933 Act is available only with respect to transactions on a national securities exchange.
Premium/Discount Information
Information showing the number of days the market price of a Portfolio’s shares was greater than the Portfolio’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Portfolio’s NAV (i.e., premium or discount) for various time periods is available by visiting the Portfolio’s website at https://us.dimensional.com/etfs.
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings
A description of the Trust’s policies and procedures regarding the release of portfolio holdings information is also available in the Trust’s SAI. Portfolio holdings information is available by visiting a Portfolio’s website at https://us.dimensional.com/etfs.
Delivery of Shareholder Documents
To eliminate duplicate mailings and reduce expenses, certain broker-dealers may deliver a single copy of certain shareholder documents, such as this Prospectus and annual and semi-annual reports, to related shareholders at the same address, even if accounts are registered in different names. This practice is known as “householding.” You may contact your broker-dealer to enroll in householding. Once enrolled, this process will continue indefinitely unless you instruct your broker-dealer otherwise. If you do not want the mailings of these documents to be combined with those of other members of your household, please contact your broker-dealer. At any time you may view current prospectuses and financial reports on a Portfolio’s website at https://us.dimensional.com/etfs.
Distribution
The Distributor or its agents distribute Creation Units for the Portfolios on an agency basis. The Distributor does not maintain a secondary market in shares of the Portfolios.
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE (12B-1) FEES
The Board has adopted a distribution plan, sometimes known as a Rule 12b-1 plan, that allows a Portfolio to pay distribution fees of up to 0.25% per year, to those who sell and distribute Portfolio shares and provide other services to shareholders. However, the Board has determined not to authorize payment of a Rule 12b-1 plan fee at this time. Because these fees are paid out of a Portfolio’s assets on an ongoing basis, to the extent that a fee is authorized, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.
Financial Highlights
The Financial Highlights table is meant to help you understand each Portfolio’s financial performance for the past 5 years or, if shorter, the period of that Portfolio’s operations, as indicated by the table. The total returns in the table represent the rate that you would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Portfolio, assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, whose report, along with the Portfolios’ financial statements, is included in the annual report. Further information about the Portfolios’ performance is contained in the annual report, which is available upon request.
47
DIMENSIONAL ETF TRUST
Financial Highlights
(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
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|
|
|||||
Dimensional |
|||||||
Period |
|||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period |
|
$ |
|
50.03 |
|||
|
|||||||
Income From Investment Operations(a) |
|
||||||
Net investment Income (Loss) |
|
1.28 |
|||||
Net Gains (Losses) on Securities (Realized and Unrealized) |
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(10.06 |
) |
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|||
|
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Total from Investment Operations |
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(8.78 |
) |
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|||
|
|||||||
Less Distributions: |
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||||||
Net investment Income |
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(0.84 |
) |
|
|||
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|||||||
Total Distributions |
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(0.84 |
) |
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|||
|
|||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period |
|
$ |
|
40.41 |
|||
|
|||||||
Total Return at NAV(b)(c) |
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(17.67 |
)% |
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|||
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Total Return at Market(c)(d) |
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(17.46 |
)% |
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|||
|
|||||||
Net Assets, End of Year (thousands) |
|
$ |
|
1,375,916 |
|||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets(e) |
|
0.19 |
% |
|
|||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (Excluding Fees Waived, Expenses Reimbursed, Previously Waived Fees Recovered by Advisor and/or Fees Paid Indirectly)(e) |
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0.20 |
% |
|
|||
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets(e) |
|
3.05 |
% |
|
|||
Portfolio Turnover Rate(c)(f) |
|
75 |
% |
|
|||
|
(a) |
Computed using average shares outstanding. |
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(b) |
Net asset value (“NAV”) total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at net asset value. This percentage is not an indication of the performance of a shareholder’s investment in the Fund based on market value due to differences between the market price of the shares and the net asset value per share of the Fund. |
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(c) |
Not annualized for periods less than one year. |
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(d) |
Market value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the market value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at market value. Market value is determined by the composite closing price. Composite closing security price is defined as the last reported sale price from any primary listing market (e.g., NYSE Arca) or participating regional exchanges or markets. The composite closing price is the last reported sale price from any of the eligible sources, regardless of volume and not an average price and may have occurred on a date prior to the close of the reporting period. Market value may be greater or less than net asset value, depending on the Fund’s closing price on the listing market. |
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(e) |
Annualized for periods less than one year. |
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(f) |
Excludes impact of in-kind transactions. |
48
DIMENSIONAL ETF TRUST
Financial Highlights
(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
|
|
|
|||||
Dimensional |
|||||||
Period |
|||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period |
|
$ |
|
50.02 |
|||
|
|||||||
Income From Investment Operations(a) |
|
||||||
Net investment Income (Loss) |
|
0.85 |
|||||
Net Gains (Losses) on Securities (Realized and Unrealized) |
|
(4.67 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total from Investment Operations |
|
(3.82 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Less Distributions: |
|
||||||
Net investment Income |
|
(0.73 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total Distributions |
|
(0.73 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period |
|
$ |
|
45.47 |
|||
|
|||||||
Total Return at NAV(b)(c) |
|
(7.68 |
)% |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total Return at Market(c)(d) |
|
(7.26 |
)% |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net Assets, End of Year (thousands) |
|
$ |
|
813,942 |
|||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets(e) |
|
0.18 |
% |
|
|||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (Excluding Fees Waived, Expenses Reimbursed, Previously Waived Fees Recovered by Advisor and/or Fees Paid Indirectly)(e) |
|
0.19 |
% |
|
|||
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets(e) |
|
1.88 |
% |
|
|||
Portfolio Turnover Rate(c)(f) |
|
32 |
% |
|
|||
|
(a) |
Computed using average shares outstanding. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) |
Net asset value (“NAV”) total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at net asset value. This percentage is not an indication of the performance of a shareholder’s investment in the Fund based on market value due to differences between the market price of the shares and the net asset value per share of the Fund. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) |
Not annualized for periods less than one year. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(d) |
Market value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the market value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at market value. Market value is determined by the composite closing price. Composite closing security price is defined as the last reported sale price from any primary listing market (e.g., NYSE Arca) or participating regional exchanges or markets. The composite closing price is the last reported sale price from any of the eligible sources, regardless of volume and not an average price and may have occurred on a date prior to the close of the reporting period. Market value may be greater or less than net asset value, depending on the Fund’s closing price on the listing market. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(e) |
Annualized for periods less than one year. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(f) |
Excludes impact of in-kind transactions. |
49
DIMENSIONAL ETF TRUST
Financial Highlights
(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
|
|
|
|||||
Dimensional |
|||||||
Period |
|||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period |
|
$ |
|
50.02 |
|||
|
|||||||
Income From Investment Operations(a) |
|
||||||
Net investment Income (Loss) |
|
2.95 |
|||||
Net Gains (Losses) on Securities (Realized and Unrealized) |
|
(9.50 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total from Investment Operations |
|
(6.55 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Less Distributions: |
|
||||||
Net investment Income |
|
(2.43 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total Distributions |
|
(2.43 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period |
|
$ |
|
41.04 |
|||
|
|||||||
Total Return at NAV(b)(c) |
|
(13.40 |
)% |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total Return at Market(c)(d) |
|
(13.30 |
)% |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net Assets, End of Year (thousands) |
|
$ |
|
262,663 |
|||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets(e) |
|
0.11 |
% |
|
|||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (Excluding Fees Waived, Expenses Reimbursed, Previously Waived Fees Recovered by Advisor and/or Fees Paid Indirectly)(e) |
|
0.14 |
% |
|
|||
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets(e) |
|
6.84 |
% |
|
|||
Portfolio Turnover Rate(c)(f) |
|
20 |
% |
|
|||
|
(a) |
Computed using average shares outstanding. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) |
Net asset value (“NAV”) total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at net asset value. This percentage is not an indication of the performance of a shareholder’s investment in the Fund based on market value due to differences between the market price of the shares and the net asset value per share of the Fund. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) |
Not annualized for periods less than one year. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(d) |
Market value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the market value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at market value. Market value is determined by the composite closing price. Composite closing security price is defined as the last reported sale price from any primary listing market (e.g., NYSE Arca) or participating regional exchanges or markets. The composite closing price is the last reported sale price from any of the eligible sources, regardless of volume and not an average price and may have occurred on a date prior to the close of the reporting period. Market value may be greater or less than net asset value, depending on the Fund’s closing price on the listing market. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(e) |
Annualized for periods less than one year. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(f) |
Excludes impact of in-kind transactions. |
50
DIMENSIONAL ETF TRUST
Financial Highlights
(For a share outstanding throughout each period)
|
|
|
|||||
Dimensional |
|||||||
Period |
|||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period |
|
$ |
|
50.12 |
|||
|
|||||||
Income From Investment Operations(a) |
|
||||||
Net investment Income (Loss) |
|
0.74 |
|||||
Net Gains (Losses) on Securities (Realized and Unrealized) |
|
(3.94 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total from Investment Operations |
|
(3.20 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Less Distributions: |
|
||||||
Net investment Income |
|
(0.41 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total Distributions |
|
(0.41 |
) |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period |
|
$ |
|
46.51 |
|||
|
|||||||
Total Return at NAV(b)(c) |
|
(6.38 |
)% |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Total Return at Market(c)(d) |
|
(6.39 |
)% |
|
|||
|
|||||||
Net Assets, End of Year (thousands) |
|
$ |
|
588,409 |
|||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets(e) |
|
0.18 |
% |
|
|||
Ratio of Expenses to Average Net Assets (Excluding Fees Waived, Expenses Reimbursed, Previously Waived Fees Recovered by Advisor and/or Fees Paid Indirectly)(e) |
|
0.19 |
% |
|
|||
Ratio of Net Investment Income to Average Net Assets(e) |
|
1.62 |
% |
|
|||
Portfolio Turnover Rate(c)(f) |
|
7 |
% |
|
|||
|
(a) |
Computed using average shares outstanding. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(b) |
Net asset value (“NAV”) total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at net asset value. This percentage is not an indication of the performance of a shareholder’s investment in the Fund based on market value due to differences between the market price of the shares and the net asset value per share of the Fund. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(c) |
Not annualized for periods less than one year. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(d) |
Market value total return is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the market value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period, if any, and redemption on the last day of the period at market value. Market value is determined by the composite closing price. Composite closing security price is defined as the last reported sale price from any primary listing market (e.g., NYSE Arca) or participating regional exchanges or markets. The composite closing price is the last reported sale price from any of the eligible sources, regardless of volume and not an average price and may have occurred on a date prior to the close of the reporting period. Market value may be greater or less than net asset value, depending on the Fund’s closing price on the listing market. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(e) |
Annualized for periods less than one year. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(f) |
Excludes impact of in-kind transactions. |
51
Other Available Information
You can find more information about the Trust and each Portfolio in the Portfolios’ SAI and Annual and Semi-Annual Reports.
Statement of Additional Information.
The SAI, incorporated herein by reference, supplements, and is technically part of, this Prospectus. It includes an expanded discussion of investment practices, risks, and fund operations.
Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders.
These reports focus on Portfolio holdings and performance. The Annual Report also discusses the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Portfolios in their last fiscal year.
How to get these and other materials:
• |
Your investment advisor or broker-dealer—you are a client of an investment advisor or broker-dealer who has invested in a Portfolio on your behalf. |
||
• |
The Trust—Call collect at (512) 306-7400. |
||
• |
Access them on our Web site at http://us.dimensional.com. |
||
• |
Access them on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. |
||
• |
Obtain them, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov. |
Dimensional ETF Trust—Registration No. 811-23580
|
|
|
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP |
|
Prospectus
February 28, 2023
DIMENSIONAL ETF TRUST
|
|
|
|
|
Ticker: |
Exchange: |
|||
Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF |
DFSU |
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
||
|
||||
Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF |
DFSI |
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
||
|
||||
Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF |
DFSE |
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
||
|
||||
Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF |
DFSB |
NYSE Arca, Inc. |
||
|
This Prospectus describes the shares of the Portfolios which are for long-term investors.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
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Additional Information on Investment Objectives and Policies |
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Applying the Portfolios’ Sustainability Impact Considerations |
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Portfolio Transactions—Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF |
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ii
The investment objective of the Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF (the “US Sustainability ETF” or “Portfolio”) is to achieve long-term capital appreciation.
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold or sell shares of the US Sustainability ETF. You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Portfolio, which are not reflected in the table or Example that follows.
year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
|
|
|
Management Fee | | |
| ||
Other Expenses* | | |
| ||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | | |
| ||
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement** | | |
| ||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement | | |
|
* | | ||
** | |
This Example is meant to help you compare the cost of investing in the US Sustainability ETF with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. The costs for the Portfolio reflect the net expenses of the Portfolio that result from the contractual expense waiver in the first year only. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs whether you redeem or hold your shares would be:
|
|
|
1 Year |
3 Years |
|
$ |
$ |
|
|
The US Sustainability ETF pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. Because the Portfolio is new, information about portfolio turnover rate is not yet available.
1
To achieve the US Sustainability ETF’s investment objective, the Advisor implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions. As further described below, the Portfolio’s design emphasizes long-term drivers of expected returns identified by the Advisor’s research, while balancing risk through broad diversification across companies and sectors. The Advisor’s portfolio management and trading processes further balance those long-term drivers of expected returns with shorter-term drivers of expected returns and trading costs.
The Portfolio is designed to purchase a broad and diverse group of securities of U.S. companies. The Portfolio invests in companies of all sizes, with increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies as compared to their representation in the U.S. Universe, while adjusting the composition of the Portfolio based on sustainability impact considerations. The Advisor generally defines the U.S. Universe as a market capitalization weighted set (e.g., the larger the company, the greater the proportion of the U.S. Universe it represents) of U.S. operating companies listed on a securities exchange in the United States that is deemed appropriate by the Advisor. The Portfolio’s increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies may be achieved by decreasing the allocation of the Portfolio’s assets to larger capitalization, higher relative price, or lower profitability companies relative to their weight in the U.S. Universe. An equity issuer is considered to have a high relative price (i.e., a growth stock) primarily because it has a high price in relation to its book value. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time.
As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities of U.S. companies. The percentage by which the Portfolio’s allocation to securities of the largest U.S. high relative price companies is reduced will change due to market movements, sustainability impact considerations and other factors. Additionally, the representation of securities in the Portfolio as compared to their representation in the U.S. Universe may be impacted by the Portfolio’s sustainability impact considerations.
The Advisor may also increase or reduce the Portfolio’s exposure to an eligible company, or exclude a company, based on shorter-term considerations, such as a company’s price momentum and investment characteristics. In assessing a company’s investment characteristics, the Advisor considers ratios such as recent changes in assets divided by total assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing a company’s investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time. In addition, the Advisor seeks to reduce trading costs using a flexible trading approach that looks for opportunities to participate in the available market liquidity, while managing turnover and explicit transaction costs.
The Portfolio also may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for U.S. equity securities and indices, to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio. The above-referenced investments are not subject to, although they may incorporate, the Portfolio’s sustainability impact considerations.
The Portfolio may lend its portfolio securities to generate additional income.
The Advisor intends to take into account the impact that companies may have on the environment and other sustainability considerations when making investment decisions for the Portfolio. Relative to a portfolio without these considerations, the Portfolio will exclude or underweight securities of companies that, according to the Portfolio’s sustainability impact considerations, may be less sustainable as compared either to other companies in the Portfolio’s investment universe or other companies with similar business lines. Similarly, relative to a portfolio without sustainability impact considerations, the Portfolio will overweight securities of companies that, according to the Portfolio’s sustainability impact considerations, may be more sustainable as compared either to other companies in the Portfolio’s investment universe or other companies with similar business lines. In considering sustainability impact and other factors that the Advisor believes may be important to investors, the Advisor will
2
consider greenhouse gas emissions intensity, fossil fuel reserves, coal, land use, water use, factory farming activities, biodiversity, involvement in toxic spills or releases, operational waste, tobacco, palm oil, cluster munitions manufacturing, landmine manufacturing, civilian firearms manufacturing, the ownership or operation of private prisons and/or immigrant detention facilities, child labor, and severe environmental, social, or governance controversies, among other factors. In particular, the Portfolio will exclude companies the Advisor considers to have high greenhouse gas emissions intensity or fossil fuel reserves relative to other issuers. The Advisor may engage third party service providers to provide research and/or ratings information relating to the Portfolio’s sustainability impact considerations with respect to securities in the portfolio, where information is available from such providers.
The Portfolio may periodically modify, add, or remove certain sustainability impact considerations. (See “Additional Information on Investment Objectives and Policies—Applying the Portfolios’ Sustainability Impact Considerations” in the Prospectus.)
The Portfolio is an actively managed exchange traded fund and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index and may have a higher degree of portfolio turnover than such index funds.
Equity Market Risk: Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, market, political, and issuer-specific conditions and events will cause the value of equity securities, and the portfolio that owns them, to rise or fall. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices.
Profitability Investment Risk: High relative profitability stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies.
Value Investment Risk: Value stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies. Value stocks can react differently to political, economic, and industry developments than the market as a whole and other types of stocks. Value stocks also may underperform the market for long periods of time.
Small and Mid-Cap Company Risk: Securities of small and mid-cap companies are often less liquid than those of large companies and this could make it difficult to sell a small or mid- cap company security at a desired time or price. As a result, small and mid-cap company stocks may fluctuate relatively more in price. In general, small and mid-capitalization companies are also more vulnerable than larger companies to adverse business or economic developments and they may have more limited resources.
Sustainability Impact Consideration Investment Risk: The Portfolio’s sustainability impact considerations may limit the number of investment opportunities available to the Portfolio, and as a result, at times, the Portfolio may underperform funds that are not subject to such sustainability impact considerations. For example, the Portfolio may decline to purchase, or underweight its investment in, certain securities due to sustainability impact considerations when other investment considerations would suggest that a more significant investment in such securities would be advantageous. The Portfolio may also overweight its investment in certain securities due to sustainability impact considerations when other investment considerations would suggest that a lesser investment in such securities would be advantageous. In addition, the Portfolio may sell or retain certain securities due to sustainability impact considerations when it is otherwise disadvantageous to do so. The sustainability impact considerations may also cause the Portfolio’s industry allocation to deviate from that of funds without these
3
considerations and of conventional benchmarks. The Advisor may also not be able to assess the sustainability impact of each company eligible for purchase by the Portfolio. For example, the Advisor may not be able to determine an overall sustainability impact score for each company based on the sustainability considerations because the third party service providers may not have data on the entire universe of companies considered by the Advisor for the Portfolio, or may not have information with respect to each factor considered as a sustainability impact consideration. Furthermore, “sustainability” is not uniformly defined, and there are significant differences in interpretations of what it means for a company to meet sustainability criteria. The Advisor’s assessment of a company’s sustainability impact may differ from assessments made by other funds, managers, or investors. As a result, there is no guarantee that the Portfolio’s investments will reflect the sustainability considerations of any particular investor.
Market Trading Risk: Active trading markets for the Portfolio’s shares may not be developed or maintained by market makers or authorized participants. Authorized participants are not obligated to make a market in the Portfolio’s shares or to submit purchase or redemption orders for creation units. Trading in shares on an exchange may be halted in certain circumstances. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the listing exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Portfolio will continue to be met.
Premium/Discount Risk: The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Portfolio and the value of your investment may fluctuate. Disruptions to creations and redemptions or the market price of the Portfolio’s holdings, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for shares may widen bid-ask spreads and result in shares trading at a significant premium or discount to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are instruments, such as futures contracts, and options thereon, whose value is derived from that of other assets, rates or indices. The use of derivatives for non-hedging purposes may be considered to carry more risk than other types of investments. When the Portfolio uses derivatives, the Portfolio will be directly exposed to the risks of those derivatives. Derivative instruments are subject to a number of risks including counterparty, liquidity, interest rate, market, credit and management risks, as well as the risk of improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Portfolio could lose more than the principal amount invested.
Securities Lending Risk: Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Portfolio may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Portfolio could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. Securities lending also may have certain adverse tax consequences.
Operational Risk: Operational risks include human error, changes in personnel, system changes, faults in communication, and failures in systems, technology, or processes. Various operational events or circumstances are outside the Advisor’s control, including instances at third parties. The Portfolio and the Advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate to address these risks.
Cyber Security Risk: The Portfolio’s and its service providers’ use of internet, technology and information systems may expose the Portfolio to potential risks linked to cyber security breaches of those technological or information systems. Cyber security breaches, amongst other things, could allow an unauthorized party to gain access to proprietary information, customer data, or fund assets, or cause the Portfolio and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality.
Large Shareholder Risk: Certain shareholders, including other funds or accounts advised by the Advisor, may from time to time own a substantial amount of the Portfolio’s shares. In addition, a third party investor, the Advisor, an authorized participant, a lead market maker, or another entity may invest in the Portfolio and hold its investment for a limited period of time solely to facilitate commencement of the Portfolio or to facilitate the Portfolio achieving a specified size or scale. There can be no assurance that any large shareholder would not redeem its investment, that the size of the Portfolio would be maintained at such levels or that the Portfolio would continue to meet applicable listing requirements. Redemptions by large shareholders could have a
4
significant negative impact on the Portfolio. In addition, transactions by large shareholders may account for a large percentage of the trading volume on the listing exchange and may, therefore, have a material upward or downward effect on the market price of the shares.
Investment Advisor/Portfolio Management
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP serves as the investment advisor for the US Sustainability ETF. The following individuals are responsible for leading the day-to-day management of the Portfolio:
• |
Jed S. Fogdall, Global Head of Portfolio Management, Chairman of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
||
• |
John A. Hertzer, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
||
• |
Joseph F. Hohn, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
||
• |
Mary T. Phillips, Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The US Sustainability ETF issues (or redeems) shares at NAV only to certain financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the Portfolio’s distributor in large aggregated blocks known as “Creation Units.” A Creation Unit of the Portfolio consists of 50,000 shares. Creation Units are issued (or redeemed) in-kind for securities (and an amount of cash) that the Portfolio specifies each day at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order.
Individual Portfolio shares may only be purchased and sold on NYSE Arca, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). Because Portfolio shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Portfolio shares may trade at a price less than (discount) or greater than (premium) the Portfolio’s NAV. Recent information, including information on the Portfolio’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is available on the Portfolio’s website at https://www.dimensional.com/us-en/funds.
Tax Information
The dividends and distributions you receive from the US Sustainability ETF are taxable and generally will be taxed as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, in which case distributions may be taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn from the plan or account.
5
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the US Sustainability ETF through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Portfolio and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of the Portfolio shares and/or related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the financial intermediary to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
6
The investment objective of the Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF (the “International Sustainability ETF” or “Portfolio”) is to achieve long-term capital appreciation.
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold or sell shares of the International Sustainability ETF. You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Portfolio, which are not reflected in the table or Example that follows.
year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
|
|
|
Management Fee | | |
| ||
Other Expenses* | | |
| ||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | | |
| ||
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement** | | |
| ||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement | | |
|
* | | ||
** | |
This Example is meant to help you compare the cost of investing in the International Sustainability ETF with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. The costs for the Portfolio reflect the net expenses of the Portfolio that result from the contractual expense waiver in the first year only. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs whether you redeem or hold your shares would be:
|
|
|
1 Year |
3 Years |
|
$ |
$ |
|
|
The International Sustainability ETF pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. Because the Portfolio is new, information about portfolio turnover rate is not yet available.
7
To achieve the International Sustainability ETF’s investment objective, the Advisor implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions. As further described below, the Portfolio’s design emphasizes long-term drivers of expected returns identified by the Advisor’s research, while balancing risk through broad diversification across companies and sectors. The Advisor’s portfolio management and trading processes further balance those long-term drivers of expected returns with shorter-term drivers of expected returns and trading costs.
The Portfolio is designed to purchase a broad and diverse group of securities of non-U.S. companies in developed markets. The Portfolio invests in companies of all sizes, with increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies as compared to their representation in the International Universe, while adjusting the composition of the Portfolio based on sustainability impact considerations. For purposes of this Portfolio, the Advisor defines the International Universe as a market capitalization weighted set (e.g., the larger the company, the greater the proportion of the International Universe it represents) of non-U.S. companies in developed markets that have been authorized as approved markets for investment by the Advisor’s Investment Committee. The Portfolio’s increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies may be achieved by decreasing the allocation of the Portfolio’s assets to larger capitalization, higher relative price, or lower profitability companies relative to their weight in the International Universe. An equity issuer is considered to have a high relative price (i.e., a growth stock) primarily because it has a high price in relation to its book value. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time.
The Portfolio intends to purchase securities of companies associated with developed market countries that the Advisor has designated as approved markets. As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities. The Advisor determines company size on a country or region specific basis and based primarily on market capitalization. The percentage by which the Portfolio’s allocation to securities of the largest high relative price companies is reduced will change due to market movements, sustainability impact considerations and other factors. Additionally, the representation of securities in the Portfolio as compared to their representation in developed non-U.S. markets may be impacted by the Portfolio’s sustainability impact considerations.
The Advisor may also increase or reduce the Portfolio’s exposure to an eligible company, or exclude a company, based on shorter-term considerations, such as a company’s price momentum and investment characteristics. In assessing a company’s investment characteristics, the Advisor considers ratios such as recent changes in assets divided by total assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing a company’s investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time. In addition, the Advisor seeks to reduce trading costs using a flexible trading approach that looks for opportunities to participate in the available market liquidity, while managing turnover and explicit transaction costs.
The Portfolio may gain exposure to companies associated with approved markets by purchasing equity securities in the form of depositary receipts, which may be listed or traded outside the issuer’s domicile country. The Portfolio may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for foreign or U.S. equity securities and indices, to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio. Because many of the Portfolio’s investments may be denominated in foreign currencies, the Portfolio may enter into foreign currency exchange transactions, including foreign currency forward contracts, in connection with the settlement of foreign securities or to transfer cash balances from one currency to another currency. The above-referenced investments are not subject to, although they may incorporate, the Portfolio’s sustainability impact considerations.
The Portfolio may lend its portfolio securities to generate additional income.
8
The Advisor intends to take into account the impact that companies may have on the environment and other sustainability considerations when making investment decisions for the Portfolio. Relative to a portfolio without these considerations, the Portfolio will exclude or underweight securities of companies that, according to the Portfolio’s sustainability impact considerations, may be less sustainable as compared either to other companies in the Portfolio’s investment universe or other companies with similar business lines. Similarly, relative to a portfolio without sustainability impact considerations, the Portfolio will overweight securities of companies that, according to the Portfolio’s sustainability impact considerations, may be more sustainable as compared either to other companies in the Portfolio’s investment universe or other companies with similar business lines. In considering sustainability impact and other factors that the Advisor believes may be important to investors, the Advisor will consider greenhouse gas emissions intensity, fossil fuel reserves, coal, land use, water use, factory farming activities, biodiversity, involvement in toxic spills or releases, operational waste, tobacco, palm oil, cluster munitions manufacturing, landmine manufacturing, civilian firearms manufacturing, the ownership or operation of private prisons and/or immigrant detention facilities, child labor, and severe environmental, social, or governance controversies, among other factors. In particular, the Portfolio will exclude companies the Advisor considers to have high greenhouse gas emissions intensity or fossil fuel reserves relative to other issuers. The Advisor may engage third party service providers to provide research and/or ratings information relating to the Portfolio’s sustainability impact considerations with respect to securities in the portfolio, where information is available from such providers.
The Portfolio may periodically modify, add, or remove certain sustainability impact considerations. (See “Additional Information on Investment Objectives and Policies—Applying the Portfolios’ Sustainability Impact Considerations” in the Prospectus.)
The Portfolio is an actively managed exchange traded fund and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index and may have a higher degree of portfolio turnover than such index funds.
Equity Market Risk: Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, market, political, and issuer-specific conditions and events will cause the value of equity securities, and the portfolio that owns them, to rise or fall. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices.
Profitability Investment Risk: High relative profitability stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies.
Value Investment Risk: Value stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies. Value stocks can react differently to political, economic, and industry developments than the market as a whole and other types of stocks. Value stocks also may underperform the market for long periods of time.
Small and Mid-Cap Company Risk: Securities of small and mid-cap companies are often less liquid than those of large companies and this could make it difficult to sell a small or mid- cap company security at a desired time or price. As a result, small and mid-cap company stocks may fluctuate relatively more in price. In general, small and mid-capitalization companies are also more vulnerable than larger companies to adverse business or economic developments and they may have more limited resources.
9
Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Foreign securities prices may decline or fluctuate because of: (a) economic or political actions of foreign governments, and/or (b) less regulated or liquid securities markets. Investors holding these securities may also be exposed to foreign currency risk (the possibility that foreign currency will fluctuate in value against the U.S. dollar or that a foreign government will convert, or be forced to convert, its currency to another currency, changing its value against the U.S. dollar). The Portfolio does not hedge foreign currency risk. Depositary receipts are generally subject to the same risks as the foreign securities that they evidence or into which they may be converted. In addition, the underlying issuers of certain depositary receipts, particularly unsponsored or unregistered depositary receipts, are under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications to the holders of such receipts, or to pass through to them any voting rights with respect to the deposited securities. Depositary receipts that are not sponsored by the issuer may be less liquid and there may be less readily available public information about the issuer. The Portfolio does not hedge foreign currency risk.
Sustainability Impact Consideration Investment Risk: The Portfolio’s sustainability impact considerations may limit the number of investment opportunities available to the Portfolio, and as a result, at times, the Portfolio may underperform funds that are not subject to such sustainability impact considerations. For example, the Portfolio may decline to purchase, or underweight its investment in, certain securities due to sustainability impact considerations when other investment considerations would suggest that a more significant investment in such securities would be advantageous. The Portfolio may also overweight its investment in certain securities due to sustainability impact considerations when other investment considerations would suggest that a lesser investment in such securities would be advantageous. In addition, the Portfolio may sell or retain certain securities due to sustainability impact considerations when it is otherwise disadvantageous to do so. The sustainability impact considerations may also cause the Portfolio’s industry allocation to deviate from that of funds without these considerations and of conventional benchmarks. The Advisor may also not be able to assess the sustainability impact of each company eligible for purchase by the Portfolio. For example, the Advisor may not be able to determine an overall sustainability impact score for each company based on the sustainability considerations because the third party service providers may not have data on the entire universe of companies considered by the Advisor for the Portfolio, or may not have information with respect to each factor considered as a sustainability impact consideration. Furthermore, “sustainability” is not uniformly defined, and there are significant differences in interpretations of what it means for a company to meet sustainability criteria. The Advisor’s assessment of a company’s sustainability impact may differ from assessments made by other funds, managers, or investors. As a result, there is no guarantee that the Portfolio’s investments will reflect the sustainability considerations of any particular investor.
Market Trading Risk: Active trading markets for the Portfolio’s shares may not be developed or maintained by market makers or authorized participants. Authorized participants are not obligated to make a market in the Portfolio’s shares or to submit purchase or redemption orders for creation units. Trading in shares on an exchange may be halted in certain circumstances. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the listing exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Portfolio will continue to be met.
Premium/Discount Risk: The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Portfolio and the value of your investment may fluctuate. Disruptions to creations and redemptions or the market price of the Portfolio’s holdings, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for shares may widen bid-ask spreads and result in shares trading at a significant premium or discount to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
International Closed Market Trading Risk: To the extent that the underlying securities held by the Portfolio trade on an exchange that is closed when the securities exchange on which the Portfolio shares list and trade is open, there may be market uncertainty about the stale security pricing (i.e., the last quote from its closed foreign market) resulting in premiums or discounts to NAV that may be greater than those experienced by other ETFs.
Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are instruments, such as futures, and options thereon, and foreign currency forward contracts, whose value is derived from that of other assets, rates or indices. The use of derivatives for non-hedging purposes may be considered to carry more risk than other types of investments. When the Portfolio uses derivatives, the Portfolio will be directly exposed to the risks of those derivatives. Derivative instruments are subject to a number of risks including counterparty, settlement, liquidity, interest rate, market, credit and
10
management risks, as well as the risk of improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Portfolio could lose more than the principal amount invested.
Securities Lending Risk: Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Portfolio may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Portfolio could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. Securities lending also may have certain adverse tax consequences.
Operational Risk: Operational risks include human error, changes in personnel, system changes, faults in communication, and failures in systems, technology, or processes. Various operational events or circumstances are outside the Advisor’s control, including instances at third parties. The Portfolio and the Advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate to address these risks.
Cyber Security Risk: The Portfolio’s and its service providers’ use of internet, technology and information systems may expose the Portfolio to potential risks linked to cyber security breaches of those technological or information systems. Cyber security breaches, amongst other things, could allow an unauthorized party to gain access to proprietary information, customer data, or fund assets, or cause the Portfolio and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality.
Large Shareholder Risk: Certain shareholders, including other funds or accounts advised by the Advisor, may from time to time own a substantial amount of the Portfolio’s shares. In addition, a third party investor, the Advisor, an authorized participant, a lead market maker, or another entity may invest in the Portfolio and hold its investment for a limited period of time solely to facilitate commencement of the Portfolio or to facilitate the Portfolio achieving a specified size or scale. There can be no assurance that any large shareholder would not redeem its investment, that the size of the Portfolio would be maintained at such levels or that the Portfolio would continue to meet applicable listing requirements. Redemptions by large shareholders could have a significant negative impact on the Portfolio. In addition, transactions by large shareholders may account for a large percentage of the trading volume on the listing exchange and may, therefore, have a material upward or downward effect on the market price of the shares.
Investment Advisor/Portfolio Management
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP serves as the investment advisor for the International Sustainability ETF. Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. and DFA Australia Limited serve as the sub-advisors for the Portfolio. The following individuals are responsible for leading the day-to-day management of the Portfolio:
• |
William B. Collins-Dean, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
||
• |
Jed S. Fogdall, Global Head of Portfolio Management, Chairman of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
||
• |
Joseph F. Hohn, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
11
• |
Mary T. Phillips, Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
||
• |
Allen Pu, Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The International Sustainability ETF issues (or redeems) shares at NAV only to certain financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the Portfolio’s distributor in large aggregated blocks known as “Creation Units.” A Creation Unit of the Portfolio consists of 100,000 shares. Creation Units are issued (or redeemed) in-kind for securities (and an amount of cash) that the Portfolio specifies each day at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order.
Individual Portfolio shares may only be purchased and sold on NYSE Arca, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). Because Portfolio shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Portfolio shares may trade at a price less than (discount) or greater than (premium) the Portfolio’s NAV. Recent information, including information on the Portfolio’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is available on the Portfolio’s website at https://www.dimensional.com/us-en/funds.
Tax Information
The dividends and distributions you receive from the International Sustainability ETF are taxable and generally will be taxed as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, in which case distributions may be taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn from the plan or account.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the International Sustainability ETF through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Portfolio and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of the Portfolio shares and/or related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the financial intermediary to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
12
The investment objective of the Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF (the “Emerging Markets Sustainability ETF” or “Portfolio”) is to achieve long-term capital appreciation.
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold or sell shares of the Emerging Markets Sustainability ETF. You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Portfolio, which are not reflected in the table or Example that follows.
year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
|
|
|
Management Fee | | |
| ||
Other Expenses* | | |
| ||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | | |
| ||
Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement** | | |
| ||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and/or Expense Reimbursement | | |
|
* | | ||
** | |
This Example is meant to help you compare the cost of investing in the Emerging Markets Sustainability ETF with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. The costs for the Portfolio reflect the net expenses of the Portfolio that result from the contractual expense waiver in the first year only. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs whether you redeem or hold your shares would be:
|
|
|
1 Year |
3 Years |
|
$ |
$ |
|
|
The Emerging Markets Sustainability ETF pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in
13
Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. Because the Portfolio is new, information about portfolio turnover rate is not yet available.
To achieve the Emerging Markets Sustainability ETF’s investment objective, the Advisor implements an integrated investment approach that combines research, portfolio design, portfolio management, and trading functions. As further described below, the Portfolio’s design emphasizes long-term drivers of expected returns identified by the Advisor’s research, while balancing risk through broad diversification across companies and sectors. The Advisor’s portfolio management and trading processes further balance those long-term drivers of expected returns with shorter-term drivers of expected returns and trading costs.
The Portfolio is designed to purchase a broad and diverse group of securities associated with emerging markets. The Portfolio invests in companies of all sizes, with increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies as compared to their representation in the Emerging Markets Universe, while adjusting the composition of the Portfolio based on sustainability impact considerations. For purposes of this Portfolio, the Advisor defines the Emerging Markets Universe as a market capitalization weighted set (e.g., the larger the company, the greater the proportion of the Emerging Markets Universe it represents) of companies in emerging markets, which may include frontier markets (emerging market countries in an earlier stage of development), authorized for investment by the Advisor’s Investment Committee (“Approved Markets”). The Portfolio’s increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies may be achieved by decreasing the allocation of the Portfolio’s assets to larger capitalization, higher relative price, or lower profitability companies relative to their weight in the Emerging Markets Universe. An equity issuer is considered to have a high relative price (i.e., a growth stock) primarily because it has a high price in relation to its book value. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time.
The Advisor may also increase or reduce the Portfolio’s exposure to an eligible company, or exclude a company, based on shorter-term considerations, such as a company’s price momentum and investment characteristics. In assessing a company’s investment characteristics, the Advisor considers ratios such as recent changes in assets divided by total assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing a company’s investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time. In addition, the Advisor seeks to reduce trading costs using a flexible trading approach that looks for opportunities to participate in the available market liquidity, while managing turnover and explicit transaction costs.
As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will invest at least 80% of its net assets in emerging markets equity investments that are defined in the Prospectus as Approved Markets securities. The Portfolio may gain exposure to companies associated with Approved Markets by purchasing equity securities in the form of depositary receipts, which may be listed or traded outside the issuer’s domicile country. The Portfolio may also invest in China A-shares (equity securities of companies listed in China) and variable interest entities (special structures that utilize contractual arrangements to provide exposure to certain Chinese companies).
The Portfolio may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for Approved Markets or other equity market securities and indices, including those of the United States, to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio. The above-referenced investments are not subject to, although they may incorporate, the Portfolio’s sustainability impact considerations.
The Portfolio may lend its portfolio securities to generate additional income.
The Advisor intends to take into account the impact that companies may have on the environment and other sustainability considerations when making investment decisions for the Portfolio. Relative to a portfolio without
14
these considerations, the Portfolio will exclude or underweight securities of companies that, according to the Portfolio’s sustainability impact considerations, may be less sustainable as compared either to other companies in the Portfolio’s investment universe or other companies with similar business lines. Similarly, relative to a portfolio without sustainability impact considerations, the Portfolio will overweight securities of companies that, according to the Portfolio’s sustainability impact considerations, may be more sustainable as compared either to other companies in the Portfolio’s investment universe or other companies with similar business lines. In considering sustainability impact and other factors that the Advisor believes may be important to investors, the Advisor will consider greenhouse gas emissions intensity, fossil fuel reserves, coal, land use, water use, factory farming activities, biodiversity, involvement in toxic spills or releases, operational waste, tobacco, palm oil, cluster munitions manufacturing, landmine manufacturing, civilian firearms manufacturing, the ownership or operation of private prisons and/or immigrant detention facilities, child labor, and severe environmental, social, or governance controversies, among other factors. In particular, the Portfolio will exclude companies the Advisor considers to have high greenhouse gas emissions intensity or fossil fuel reserves relative to other issuers. The Advisor may engage third party service providers to provide research and/or ratings information relating to the Portfolio’s sustainability impact considerations with respect to securities in the portfolio, where information is available from such providers.
The Portfolio may periodically modify, add, or remove certain sustainability impact considerations. (See “Additional Information on Investment Objectives and Policies—Applying the Portfolios’ Sustainability Impact Considerations” in the Prospectus.)
The Portfolio is an actively managed exchange traded fund and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index and may have a higher degree of portfolio turnover than such index funds.
Equity Market Risk: Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, market, political, and issuer-specific conditions and events will cause the value of equity securities, and the portfolio that owns them, to rise or fall. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices.
Sustainability Impact Consideration Investment Risk: The Portfolio’s sustainability impact considerations may limit the number of investment opportunities available to the Portfolio, and as a result, at times, the Portfolio may underperform funds that are not subject to such sustainability impact considerations. For example, the Portfolio may decline to purchase, or underweight its investment in, certain securities due to sustainability impact considerations when other investment considerations would suggest that a more significant investment in such securities would be advantageous. The Portfolio may also overweight its investment in certain securities due to sustainability impact considerations when other investment considerations would suggest that a lesser investment in such securities would be advantageous. In addition, the Portfolio may sell or retain certain securities due to sustainability impact considerations when it is otherwise disadvantageous to do so. The sustainability impact considerations may also cause the Portfolio’s industry allocations to deviate from that of funds without these considerations and of conventional benchmarks. The Advisor may also not be able to assess the sustainability impact of each company eligible for purchase by the Portfolio. For example, the Advisor may not be able to determine an overall sustainability impact score for each company based on the sustainability considerations because the third party service providers may not have data on the entire universe of companies considered by the Advisor for the Portfolio, or may not have information with respect to each factor considered as a sustainability impact consideration. Furthermore, “sustainability” is not uniformly defined, and there are significant differences in interpretations of what it means for a company to meet sustainability criteria. The Advisor’s assessment of a company’s sustainability impact may differ from assessments made by other funds,
15
managers, or investors. As a result, there is no guarantee that the Portfolio’s investments will reflect the sustainability considerations of any particular investor.
Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Foreign securities prices may decline or fluctuate because of: (a) economic or political actions of foreign governments, and/or (b) less regulated or liquid securities markets. Investors holding these securities may also be exposed to foreign currency risk (the possibility that foreign currency will fluctuate in value against the U.S. dollar or that a foreign government will convert, or be forced to convert, its currency to another currency, changing its value against the U.S. dollar). The Portfolio does not hedge foreign currency risk. Depositary receipts are generally subject to the same risks as the foreign securities that they evidence or into which they may be converted. In addition, the underlying issuers of certain depositary receipts, particularly unsponsored or unregistered depositary receipts, are under no obligation to distribute shareholder communications to the holders of such receipts, or to pass through to them any voting rights with respect to the deposited securities. Depositary receipts that are not sponsored by the issuer may be less liquid and there may be less readily available public information about the issuer. The Portfolio does not hedge foreign currency risk.
Small and Mid-Cap Company Risk: Securities of small and mid-cap companies are often less liquid than those of large companies and this could make it difficult to sell a small or mid-cap company security at a desired time or price. As a result, small and mid-cap company stocks may fluctuate relatively more in price. In general, small and mid-capitalization companies are also more vulnerable than larger companies to adverse business or economic developments and they may have more limited resources.
Emerging Markets Risk: Numerous emerging market countries have a history of, and continue to experience serious, and potentially continuing, economic and political problems. Stock markets in many emerging market countries are relatively small, expensive to trade in and generally have higher risks than those in developed markets. Securities in emerging markets also may be less liquid than those in developed markets and foreigners are often limited in their ability to invest in, and withdraw assets from, these markets. Additional restrictions may be imposed under other conditions. Frontier market countries generally have smaller economies or less developed capital markets and, as a result, the risks of investing in emerging market countries are magnified in frontier market countries.
China Investments Risk: There are special risks associated with investments in China and Taiwan, which are considered emerging market countries by the Portfolio. The Chinese government has implemented significant economic reforms in order to liberalize trade policy, promote foreign investment in the economy, reduce government control of the economy and develop market mechanisms. But there can be no assurance that these reforms will continue or that they will be effective. Despite reforms and privatizations of companies in certain sectors, the Chinese government still exercises substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector and may own or control many companies. The Chinese government continues to maintain a major role in economic policy making and investing in China involves risks of losses due to expropriation, nationalization, confiscation of assets and property, and the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and on repatriation of capital invested. A reduction in spending on Chinese products and services or the institution of additional tariffs or other trade barriers, including as a result of heightened trade tensions between China and the United States may also have an adverse impact on the Chinese economy. In addition, investments in Taiwan could be adversely affected by its political and economic relationship with China. Certain securities issued by companies located or operating in China, such as China A-shares, are also subject to trading restrictions, quota limitations and less market liquidity, which could pose risks to the Portfolio. The Portfolio may also invest in special structures that utilize contractual arrangements to provide exposure to certain Chinese companies, known as variable interest entities (“VIEs”), that operate in sectors in which China restricts and/or prohibits foreign investments. The Chinese government’s acceptance of the VIE structure is evolving. It is uncertain whether Chinese officials and regulators will withdraw their acceptance of the structure or whether Chinese courts or arbitration bodies would decline to enforce the contractual rights of foreign investors, each of which would likely have significant, detrimental, and possibly permanent losses on the value of such investments.
Profitability Investment Risk: High relative profitability stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies.
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Value Investment Risk: Value stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies. Value stocks can react differently to political, economic, and industry developments than the market as a whole and other types of stocks. Value stocks also may underperform the market for long periods of time.
Market Trading Risk: Active trading markets for the Portfolio’s shares may not be developed or maintained by market makers or authorized participants. Authorized participants are not obligated to make a market in the Portfolio’s shares or to submit purchase or redemption orders for creation units. Trading in shares on an exchange may be halted in certain circumstances. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the listing exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Portfolio will continue to be met.
Premium/Discount Risk: The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Portfolio and the value of your investment may fluctuate. Disruptions to creations and redemptions or the market price of the Portfolio’s holdings, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for shares may widen bid-ask spreads and result in shares trading at a significant premium or discount to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
International Closed Market Trading Risk: To the extent that the underlying securities held by the Portfolio trade on an exchange that is closed when the securities exchange on which the Portfolio shares list and trade is open, there may be market uncertainty about the stale security pricing (i.e., the last quote from its closed foreign market) resulting in premiums or discounts to NAV that may be greater than those experienced by other ETFs.
Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are instruments, such as futures, and options thereon, whose value is derived from that of other assets, rates or indices. The use of derivatives for non-hedging purposes may be considered to carry more risk than other types of investments. When the Portfolio uses derivatives, the Portfolio will be directly exposed to the risks of those derivatives. Derivative instruments are subject to a number of risks including counterparty, settlement, liquidity, interest rate, market, credit and management risks, as well as the risk of improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Portfolio could lose more than the principal amount invested.
Securities Lending Risk: Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Portfolio may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Portfolio could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. Securities lending also may have certain adverse tax consequences.
Operational Risk: Operational risks include human error, changes in personnel, system changes, faults in communication, and failures in systems, technology, or processes. Various operational events or circumstances are outside the Advisor’s control, including instances at third parties. The Portfolio and the Advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate to address these risks.
Cyber Security Risk: The Portfolio’s and its service providers’ use of internet, technology and information systems may expose the Portfolio to potential risks linked to cyber security breaches of those technological or information systems. Cyber security breaches, among other things, could allow an unauthorized party to gain access to proprietary information, customer data, or fund assets, or cause the Portfolio and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality.
Large Shareholder Risk: Certain shareholders, including other funds or accounts advised by the Advisor, may from time to time own a substantial amount of the Portfolio’s shares. In addition, a third party investor, the Advisor, an authorized participant, a lead market maker, or another entity may invest in the Portfolio and hold its investment for a limited period of time solely to facilitate commencement of the Portfolio or to facilitate the Portfolio achieving a specified size or scale. There can be no assurance that any large shareholder would not redeem its investment, that the size of the Portfolio would be maintained at such levels or that the Portfolio would continue to meet applicable listing requirements. Redemptions by large shareholders could have a
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significant negative impact on the Portfolio. In addition, transactions by large shareholders may account for a large percentage of the trading volume on the listing exchange and may, therefore, have a material upward or downward effect on the market price of the shares.
Investment Advisor/Portfolio Management
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP serves as the investment advisor for the Emerging Markets Sustainability ETF. Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. and DFA Australia Limited serve as the sub-advisors for the Portfolio. The following individuals are responsible for leading the day-to-day management of the Portfolio:
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William B. Collins-Dean, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
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Jed S. Fogdall, Global Head of Portfolio Management, Chairman of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
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Joseph F. Hohn, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
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Mary T. Phillips, Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
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Allen Pu, Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Emerging Markets Sustainability ETF issues (or redeems) shares at NAV only to certain financial institutions that have entered into agreements with Portfolio’s distributor in large aggregated blocks known as “Creation Units.” A Creation Unit of the Portfolio consists of 100,000 shares. Creation Units are issued (or redeemed) in-kind for securities (and an amount of cash) that the Portfolio specifies each day at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order.
Individual Portfolio shares may only be purchased and sold on NYSE Arca, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). Because Portfolio shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Portfolio shares may trade at a price less than (discount) or greater than (premium) the Portfolio’s NAV. Recent information, including information on the Portfolio’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is available on the Portfolio’s website at https://www.dimensional.com/us-en/funds.
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Tax Information
The dividends and distributions you receive from the Emerging Markets Sustainability ETF are taxable and generally will be taxed as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, in which case distributions may be taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn from the plan or account.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the Emerging Markets Sustainability ETF through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Portfolio and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of the Portfolio shares and/or related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the financial intermediary to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
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The investment objective of the Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF (the “Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF” or “Portfolio”) is to seek to maximize total returns from the universe of debt securities in which the Portfolio invests. Total return is comprised of income and capital appreciation.
This table describes the fees and expenses you may pay if you buy, hold or sell shares of the Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF. You may also incur usual and customary brokerage commissions when buying or selling shares of the Portfolio, which are not reflected in the table or Example that follows.
year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
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This Example is meant to help you compare the cost of investing in the Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Portfolio’s operating expenses remain the same. The costs for the Portfolio reflect the net expenses of the Portfolio that result from the contractual expense waiver in the first year only. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs whether you redeem or hold your shares would be:
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1 Year |
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The Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Portfolio shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in
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Annual Fund Operating Expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolio’s performance. Because the Portfolio is new, information about portfolio turnover rate is not yet available.
The Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF invests in a broad portfolio of investment grade debt securities (e.g., rated BBB- or above by S&P Global Ratings (“S&P”) or Fitch Ratings Ltd. (“Fitch”) or Baa3 or above by Moody’s Investor’s Service, Inc. (“Moody’s”)) of U.S. and non-U.S. corporate and government issuers, including mortgage-backed securities, while excluding or underweighting securities of corporate and certain non-sovereign government issuers based upon the Portfolio’s sustainability impact considerations. The Portfolio may purchase or sell mortgage-backed securities on a delayed delivery or forward commitment basis through the “to-be-announced” (TBA) market. At times, the Portfolio may invest a majority of its net assets in securities of U.S. and non-U.S. government issuers. The Advisor expects that the Portfolio will primarily invest in the obligations of issuers that are in developed countries.
The Portfolio will be managed with a view to capturing expected credit premiums and expected term premiums. The term “expected credit premium” means the expected incremental return on investment for holding obligations considered to have greater credit risk than direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury, and “expected term premium” means the expected relative return on investment for holding securities having longer-term maturities as compared to shorter-term maturities. In managing the Portfolio, the Advisor will increase or decrease investment exposure to intermediate-term securities depending on the expected term premium and also increase or decrease investment exposure to non-government securities depending on the expected credit premium.
The Portfolio will primarily invest in securities that mature within twenty years from the date of settlement, but may, as in the case of mortgage-backed securities, invest in securities with longer maturities. Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio will generally maintain a weighted average duration of no more than one half year greater than, and no less than one year below, the weighted average duration of the Portfolio’s benchmark, currently anticipated to be the Bloomberg Global Aggregate Bond Index (Hedged to USD), which was approximately 6.69 years as of December 31, 2022. From time to time, the Portfolio may deviate from this duration range when the Advisor determines it to be appropriate under the circumstances. Duration is a measure of the sensitivity of a security’s price to changes in interest rates. The longer a security’s duration, the more sensitive it will be to changes in interest rates. The Portfolio intends to invest its assets to gain exposure to at least three different countries, including the United States. Under normal circumstances, the Portfolio invests at least 30% of its net assets in non-U.S. issuers. As of the date of the Prospectus, the Portfolio invests approximately 48% of its net assets in U.S. issuers. This percentage will change due to market conditions. An issuer may be considered to be of a country if it is organized under the laws of, maintains its principal place of business in, has at least 50% of its assets or derives at least 50% of its operating income in, or is a government, government agency, instrumentality or central bank of, that country.
As a non-fundamental policy, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the Portfolio’s net assets will be invested in fixed income securities considered to be investment grade quality. The Portfolio may invest in obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. and foreign governments, their agencies and instrumentalities, including mortgage-backed securities, bank obligations, commercial paper, repurchase agreements, money market funds, obligations of other domestic and foreign issuers, securities of domestic or foreign issuers denominated in U.S. dollars but not trading in the United States, and obligations of supranational organizations. In addition, the Portfolio is authorized to invest more than 25% of its total assets in U.S. Treasury bonds, bills and notes, and obligations of federal agencies and its instrumentalities.
The Portfolio’s investments may include foreign securities denominated in foreign currencies. The Portfolio intends to hedge foreign currency exposure to attempt to protect against uncertainty in the level of future foreign currency rates. The Portfolio may enter into foreign currency forward contracts to hedge against fluctuations in currency exchange rates or to transfer balances from one currency to another. The Portfolio also may enter into credit default swaps on issuers or indices to buy or sell credit protection to hedge its credit exposure; gain market or issuer exposure without owning the underlying securities; or increase the Portfolio’s
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total return. The Portfolio also may use derivatives, such as futures contracts and options on futures contracts, for hedging purposes such as hedging its interest rate or currency exposure or for non-hedging purposes as a substitute for direct investment or to increase or decrease market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio.
The Portfolio may lend its portfolio securities to generate additional income.
The Advisor intends to take into account the impact that companies may have on the environment and other sustainability considerations when making investment decisions for the Portfolio. Relative to a portfolio without these considerations, the Portfolio will exclude or underweight securities of companies that, according to the Portfolio’s sustainability impact considerations, may be less sustainable as compared either to other companies in the Portfolio’s investment universe or other companies with similar business lines. Similarly, relative to a portfolio without sustainability impact considerations, the Portfolio will overweight securities of companies that, according to the Portfolio’s sustainability impact considerations, may be more sustainable as compared either to other companies in the Portfolio’s investment universe or other companies with similar business lines. In considering sustainability impact and other factors that the Advisor believes may be important to investors, the Advisor will consider greenhouse gas emissions intensity, fossil fuel reserves, coal, land use, water use, factory farming activities, biodiversity, involvement in toxic spills or releases, operational waste, tobacco, palm oil, cluster munitions manufacturing, landmine manufacturing, civilian firearms manufacturing, the ownership or operation of private prisons and/or immigrant detention facilities, child labor, and severe environmental, social, or governance controversies, among other factors. In particular, the Portfolio will exclude companies the Advisor considers to have high greenhouse gas emissions intensity or fossil fuel reserves relative to other issuers. The Advisor may engage third party service providers to provide research and/or ratings information relating to the Portfolio’s sustainability impact considerations with respect to securities in the portfolio, where information is available from such providers. In addition to excluding or underweighting securities of corporate issuers based upon the Portfolio’s sustainability impact considerations, the Portfolio also will generally exclude or underweight securities of supranational organizations and certain non-sovereign governmental agencies (both U.S. and non-U.S.) that may be less sustainable as compared to other similar issuers, based upon the Portfolio’s sustainability impact considerations. The Portfolio’s investments in securities of U.S. and non-U.S. sovereign issuers are not subject to the sustainability impact considerations identified above. The Advisor, however, considers securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and certain U.S. agencies and instrumentalities that are not subject to the sustainability impact considerations identified above to be consistent with the Portfolio’s strategy of investing in sustainable investments.
The Portfolio may periodically modify, add, or remove certain sustainability impact considerations. (See “Additional Information on Investment Objectives and Policies—Applying the Portfolios’ Sustainability Impact Considerations” in the Prospectus.)
The Portfolio is an actively managed exchange traded fund and does not seek to replicate the performance of a specific index and may have a higher degree of portfolio turnover than such index funds.
Market Risk: Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, political, and issuer specific events will cause the value of securities, and the portfolio that owns them, to rise or fall.
Sustainability Impact Consideration Investment Risk: The Portfolio’s sustainability impact considerations may limit the number of investment opportunities available to the Portfolio, and as a result, at times, the Portfolio may underperform funds that are not subject to such special investment considerations. For example, the Portfolio may decline to purchase, or underweight its investment in, certain securities due to sustainability impact
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considerations when other investment considerations would suggest that a more significant investment in such securities would be advantageous. The Portfolio may also overweight its investment in certain securities due to sustainability impact considerations when other investment considerations would suggest that a lesser investment in such securities would be advantageous. In addition, the Portfolio may sell or retain certain securities due to sustainability impact considerations when it is otherwise disadvantageous to do so. The sustainability impact considerations may cause the Portfolio’s industry allocations to deviate from that of funds without these considerations and of conventional benchmarks. The Advisor may also not be able to assess the sustainability impact of each company eligible for purchase by the Portfolio. For example, the Advisor may not be able to determine an overall sustainability impact score for each company based on the sustainability considerations because the third party service providers may not have data on the entire universe of companies considered by the Advisor for the Portfolio, or may not have information with respect to each factor considered as a sustainability impact consideration. Furthermore, “sustainability” is not uniformly defined, and there are significant differences in interpretations of what it means for a company to meet sustainability criteria. The Advisor’s assessment of a company’s sustainability impact may differ from assessments made by other funds, managers, or investors. As a result, there is no guarantee that the Portfolio’s investments will reflect the sustainability considerations of any particular investor.
Income Risk: Income risk is the risk that falling interest rates will cause the Portfolio’s income to decline because, among other reasons, the proceeds from maturing short-term securities in its portfolio may be reinvested in lower-yielding securities.
Call Risk: Call risk is the risk that during periods of falling interest rates, an issuer will call or repay a higher yielding fixed income security before its maturity date, forcing the Portfolio to reinvest in fixed income securities with lower interest rates than the original obligations.
Interest Rate Risk: Fixed income securities are subject to interest rate risk because the prices of fixed income securities tend to move in the opposite direction of interest rates. When interest rates rise, fixed income security prices fall. During periods of very low or negative interest rates, the Portfolio may be subject to a greater risk of rising interest rates. When interest rates fall, fixed income security prices rise. In general, fixed income securities with longer maturities are more sensitive to changes in interest rates.
Credit Risk: Credit risk is the risk that the issuer of a security may be unable to make interest payments and/or repay principal when due. A downgrade to an issuer’s credit rating or a perceived change in an issuer’s financial strength may affect a security’s value, and thus, impact the Portfolio’s performance. Government agency obligations have different levels of credit support and, therefore, different degrees of credit risk. Securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government that are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States, such as the Federal Housing Administration and Ginnie Mae, present little credit risk. Other securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities sponsored by the U.S. Government, that are supported only by the issuer’s right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, subject to certain limitations, and securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities sponsored by the U.S. Government that are sponsored by the credit of the issuing agencies, such as Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, are subject to a greater degree of credit risk. U.S. government agency securities issued or guaranteed by the credit of the agency may still involve a risk of non-payment of principal and/or interest.
Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Foreign securities prices may decline or fluctuate because of: (a) economic or political actions of foreign governments, and/or (b) less regulated or liquid securities markets. Investors holding these securities may also be exposed to foreign currency risk (the possibility that foreign currency will fluctuate in value against the U.S. dollar or that a foreign government will convert, or be forced to convert, its currency to another currency, changing its value against the U.S. dollar). The Portfolio hedges foreign currency risk.
Foreign Government Debt Risk: The risk that: (a) the governmental entity that controls the repayment of government debt may not be willing or able to repay the principal and/or to pay the interest when it becomes due, due to factors such as political considerations, the relative size of the governmental entity’s debt position in relation to the economy, cash flow problems, insufficient foreign currency reserves, the failure to put in place economic reforms required by the International Monetary Fund or other multilateral agencies, and/or other national economic factors; (b) governments may default on their debt securities, which may require holders of
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such securities to participate in debt rescheduling; and (c) there is no legal or bankruptcy process by which defaulted government debt may be collected in whole or in part.
Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk: Mortgage-backed securities represent interests in “pools” of mortgages and often involve risks that are different from or potentially more significant than risks associated with other types of debt instruments. Mortgage securities differ from typical debt securities in that principal is not paid back at maturity, but rather periodically over the life of the security. The Portfolio may receive unscheduled payments of principal due to voluntary prepayments, refinancings or foreclosures on the underlying mortgage loans. When interest rates decline, borrowers may pay off their mortgages sooner than expected. This can reduce the returns of the Portfolio because it may have to reinvest that money at the lower prevailing interest rates. As a result, mortgage securities may be less effective than some other types of debt securities as a means of securing long-term interest rates and may have less potential for capital appreciation during periods of falling interest rates. Conversely, in a period of rising interest rates, the Portfolio may exhibit additional volatility since rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of fixed rate mortgage-related securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates. As interest rates rise mortgage borrowers are less likely to exercise prepayment options, which may reduce the value of these securities and potentially cause the Portfolio to lose money. This is known as extension risk.
Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are instruments, such as futures, and options thereon, foreign currency forward contracts and swaps, whose value is derived from that of other assets, rates or indices. Derivatives can be used for hedging (attempting to reduce risk by offsetting one investment position with another) or non-hedging purposes. Hedging with derivatives may increase expenses, and there is no guarantee that a hedging strategy will work. While hedging can reduce or eliminate losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains or cause losses if the market moves in a manner different from that anticipated by the Portfolio or if the cost of the derivative outweighs the benefit of the hedge. In regard to currency hedging, it is generally not possible to precisely match the foreign currency exposure of such foreign currency forward contracts to the value of the securities involved due to fluctuations in the market values of such securities and cash flows into and out of the Portfolio between the date a foreign currency forward contract is entered into and the date it expires. The use of derivatives for non-hedging purposes may be considered to carry more risk than other types of investments. When the Portfolio uses derivatives, the Portfolio will be directly exposed to the risks of those derivatives. Derivative instruments are subject to a number of risks including counterparty, settlement, liquidity, interest rate, market, credit and management risks, as well as the risk of improper valuation. Changes in the value of a derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index, and the Portfolio could lose more than the principal amount invested. Additional risks are associated with the use of credit default swaps including counterparty and credit risk (the risk that the other party to a swap agreement will not fulfill its contractual obligations, whether because of bankruptcy or other default) and liquidity risk (the possible lack of a secondary market for the swap agreement). Credit risk increases when the Portfolio is the seller of credit default swaps and counterparty risk increases when the Portfolio is a buyer of credit default swaps. In addition, where the Portfolio is the seller of credit default swaps, it may be required to liquidate portfolio securities at inopportune times in order to meet payment obligations. Credit default swaps may be illiquid or difficult to value.
Liquidity Risk: Liquidity risk exists when particular portfolio investments are difficult to purchase or sell. To the extent that the Portfolio holds illiquid investments, the Portfolio’s performance may be reduced due to an inability to sell the investments at opportune prices or times. Liquid portfolio investments may become illiquid or less liquid after purchase by the Portfolio due to low trading volume, adverse investor perceptions and/or other market developments. Liquidity risk includes the risk that the Portfolio will experience significant net redemptions at a time when it cannot find willing buyers for its portfolio securities or can only sell its portfolio securities at a material loss or at increased costs. Liquidity risk can be more pronounced in periods of market turmoil or in situations where ownership of shares of the Portfolio are concentrated in one or a few investors.
Market Trading Risk: Active trading markets for the Portfolio’s shares may not be developed or maintained by market makers or authorized participants. Authorized participants are not obligated to make a market in the Portfolio’s shares or to submit purchase or redemption orders for creation units. Trading in shares on an exchange may be halted in certain circumstances. There can be no assurance that the requirements of the listing exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Portfolio will continue to be met.
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Premium/Discount Risk: The net asset value (“NAV”) of the Portfolio and the value of your investment may fluctuate. Disruptions to creations and redemptions or the market price of the Portfolio’s holdings, the existence of extreme market volatility or potential lack of an active trading market for shares may widen bid-ask spreads and result in shares trading at a significant premium or discount to NAV. If a shareholder purchases shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses.
International Closed Market Trading Risk: To the extent that the underlying securities held by the Portfolio trade on an exchange that is closed when the securities exchange on which the Portfolio shares list and trade is open, there may be market uncertainty about the stale security pricing (i.e., the last quote from its closed foreign market) resulting in premiums or discounts to NAV that may be greater than those experienced by other ETFs.
Securities Lending Risk: Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Portfolio may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Portfolio could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. Securities lending also may have certain adverse tax consequences.
Operational Risk: Operational risks include human error, changes in personnel, system changes, faults in communication, and failures in systems, technology, or processes. Various operational events or circumstances are outside the Advisor’s control, including instances at third parties. The Portfolio and the Advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate to address these risks.
Cyber Security Risk: The Portfolio’s and its service providers’ use of internet, technology and information systems may expose the Portfolio to potential risks linked to cyber security breaches of those technological or information systems. Cyber security breaches, amongst other things, could allow an unauthorized party to gain access to proprietary information, customer data, or fund assets, or cause the Portfolio and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality.
Large Shareholder Risk: Certain shareholders, including other funds or accounts advised by the Advisor, may from time to time own a substantial amount of the Portfolio’s shares. In addition, a third party investor, the Advisor, an authorized participant, a lead market maker, or another entity may invest in the Portfolio and hold its investment for a limited period of time solely to facilitate commencement of the Portfolio or to facilitate the Portfolio achieving a specified size or scale. There can be no assurance that any large shareholder would not redeem its investment, that the size of the Portfolio would be maintained at such levels or that the Portfolio would continue to meet applicable listing requirements. Redemptions by large shareholders could have a significant negative impact on the Portfolio. In addition, transactions by large shareholders may account for a large percentage of the trading volume on the listing exchange and may, therefore, have a material upward or downward effect on the market price of the shares.
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Investment Advisor/Portfolio Management
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP serves as the investment advisor for the Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF. Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. and DFA Australia Limited serve as the sub-advisors for the Portfolio. The following individuals are responsible for leading the day-to-day management of the Portfolio:
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Lacey N. Huebel, Head of Responsible Investment, North America, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
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Joseph F. Kolerich, Head of Fixed Income, Americas, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
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David A. Plecha, Global Head of Fixed Income Portfolio Management, member of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor, has been a portfolio manager of the Portfolio since inception (2022). |
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF issues (or redeems) shares at NAV only to certain financial institutions that have entered into agreements with the Portfolio’s distributor in large aggregated blocks known as “Creation Units.” A Creation Unit of the Portfolio consists of 50,000 shares. Creation Units are issued (or redeemed) in-kind for securities (and an amount of cash) that the Portfolio specifies each day at the NAV next determined after receipt of an order. However, the Portfolio also reserves the right to permit or require Creation Units to be issued (or redeemed) entirely or partially for cash.
Individual Portfolio shares may only be purchased and sold on NYSE Arca, Inc., other national securities exchanges, electronic crossing networks and other alternative trading systems through your broker-dealer at market prices. An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the “bid-ask spread”). Because Portfolio shares trade at market prices rather than at NAV, Portfolio shares may trade at a price less than (discount) or greater than (premium) the Portfolio’s NAV. Recent information, including information on the Portfolio’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads, is available on the Portfolio’s website at https://www.dimensional.com/us-en/funds.
Tax Information
The dividends and distributions you receive from the Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF are taxable and generally will be taxed as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account, in which case distributions may be taxed as ordinary income when withdrawn from the plan or account.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase the Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Portfolio and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of the Portfolio shares and/or related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the financial intermediary to recommend the Portfolio over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
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Additional Information on Investment Objectives and Policies
Dimensional ETF Trust (the “Trust”) offers a variety of investment portfolios. Each of the investment company’s portfolios has its own investment objective and is the equivalent of a separate exchange-traded fund (“ETF”). Shares of the Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF (the “US Sustainability ETF”), Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF (the “International Sustainability ETF”), Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF (the “Emerging Markets Sustainability ETF”) (each, an “Equity Portfolio” and collectively, the “Equity Portfolios”), and Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF (the “Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF”) are offered in this Prospectus. The Portfolios are designed for long-term investors.
The investment objective of each Portfolio (excluding the Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF) is to achieve long-term capital appreciation. The investment objective of the Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF is to seek to maximize total returns from the universe of debt securities in which the Portfolio invests. Total return is comprised of income and capital appreciation.
Each Portfolio’s investment objective is non-fundamental, which means it may be changed by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Shareholders will be given at least 60 days’ advance notice of any change to a Portfolio’s investment objective.
Investment Terms Used in the Prospectus
Below are the definitions of some terms that the Advisor uses to describe the investment strategies for certain Equity Portfolios.
Free Float generally describes the number of publicly traded shares of a company.
Price Momentum generally describes the past performance of a stock relative to other stocks.
Trading Strategies generally refers to the ability to execute purchases and sales of stocks in a cost-effective manner.
Profitability generally measures a company’s profit in relation to its book value or assets.
US Sustainability ETF
The US Sustainability ETF seeks to achieve its investment objective by purchasing a broad and diverse group of securities of U.S. companies. The Portfolio invests in companies of all sizes, with increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies relative to the U.S. Universe, while, relative to a portfolio without the sustainability impact considerations, excluding or underweighting securities of companies that, according to the Portfolio’s sustainability impact considerations, may be less sustainable and overweighting securities of companies that may be more sustainable. (See “Applying the Sustainability Portfolios’ Sustainability Impact Considerations” in this Prospectus). The Advisor generally defines the “U.S. Universe” as a market capitalization weighted set of U.S. operating companies listed on a securities exchange in the United States that is deemed appropriate by the Advisor. Market capitalization weighted means that a company’s weighting in the U.S. Universe is proportional to that company’s actual market capitalization compared to the total market capitalization of all eligible companies. The higher the company’s relative market capitalization, the greater its representation. The increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies may be achieved by decreasing the allocation of the Portfolio’s assets to larger capitalization, higher relative price, or lower profitability companies relative to their weight in the U.S. Universe. An equity issuer is considered to have a high relative price (i.e., a growth stock) primarily because it has a high price in relation to its book value. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors, such as price-to-cash-flow or price-to-earnings ratios, as well as economic conditions and developments in the issuer’s industry. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time. The Advisor
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may also adjust the representation in the Portfolio of an eligible company, or exclude a company, after considering such factors as free float, price momentum, trading strategies, liquidity, size, relative price, profitability, investment characteristics, and other factors that the Advisor determines to be appropriate. The Advisor may decrease the amount that the Portfolio invests in small capitalization companies that have lower profitability and/or higher relative prices. The Advisor may consider a small capitalization company’s investment characteristics as compared to other eligible companies when making investment decisions and may exclude a small capitalization company with high investment as measured by the company’s recent asset growth. The Portfolio will generally not exclude more than 5% of the eligible small capitalization companies within the U.S. Universe based on such investment characteristics. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing a company’s investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time. The implementation and management of the Advisor’s “Sustainability” portfolios, including without limitation, the Portfolio is protected by U.S. Patent Nos. 7,596,525 B1 and 7,599,874 B1.
The US Sustainability ETF may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for U.S. equity securities and indices, to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio. The Portfolio does not intend to sell futures contracts to establish short positions in individual securities or to use derivatives for purposes of speculation or leveraging investment returns. The above-referenced investments are not subject to, though they may incorporate, the Portfolio’s sustainability impact considerations.
The US Sustainability ETF may invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for the purpose of gaining exposure to the U.S. stock market while maintaining liquidity. In addition to money market instruments and other short-term investments, the Portfolio may invest in affiliated and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds to manage the Portfolio’s cash pending investment in other securities or to maintain liquidity for the payment of redemptions or other purposes. Investments in ETFs and money market funds may involve a duplication of certain fees and expenses. The above-referenced investments are not subject to, although they may incorporate, the Portfolio’s sustainability impact considerations.
International Sustainability ETF
The International Sustainability ETF seeks to achieve its investment objective by purchasing a broad and diverse group of securities of non-U.S. companies. The Portfolio invests in companies of all sizes, with increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies relative to the International Universe, while, relative to a portfolio without sustainability impact considerations, excluding or underweighting securities of companies that, according to the Portfolio’s sustainability impact considerations, may be less sustainable and overweighting securities of companies that may be more sustainable. (See “Applying the Sustainability Portfolios’ Sustainability Impact Considerations” in this Prospectus). For purposes of this Portfolio, the Advisor defines the “International Universe” as a market capitalization weighted set of non-U.S. companies in developed markets that have been authorized for investment by the Advisor’s Investment Committee. Market capitalization weighted means that a company’s weighting in the International Universe is proportional to that company’s actual market capitalization compared to the total market capitalization of all eligible companies. The higher the company’s relative market capitalization, the greater its representation. As of the date of this Prospectus, the following markets have been authorized for investment for the Portfolio and comprise the International Universe: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom (collectively, the “Approved Markets”). The Advisor will determine, in its discretion, when and whether to invest in countries that have been authorized as Approved Markets, depending on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, asset growth in the Portfolio, constraints imposed in Approved Markets, and other characteristics of each country’s markets. The Investment Committee of the Advisor also may authorize other markets for investment in the future, in addition to the Approved Markets identified above, or may remove one or more markets from the list of Approved Markets. Although the Advisor does not intend to purchase securities not associated with an Approved Market, the Portfolio may acquire such securities in connection with corporate actions or other reorganizations or transactions with respect to securities that are held by the Portfolio from time to time. Also, the Portfolio may continue to hold investments in countries that are not currently designated as Approved Markets, but had been authorized for investment in the past, and may reinvest distributions received in connection with such existing investments in such previously Approved Markets. (For a description of the securities approved for investment,
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see “Approved Markets”). The implementation and management of the Advisor’s “Sustainability” portfolios, including without limitation, the Portfolio is protected by U.S. Patent Nos. 7,596,525 B1, 7,599,874 B1 and, 8,438,092 B2.
Under normal market conditions, the International Sustainability ETF intends to invest at least 40% of its assets in three or more non-U.S. countries by investing in securities of companies associated with such countries.
The increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies for the International Sustainability ETF may be achieved by decreasing the allocation of the Portfolio’s assets to larger capitalization, higher relative price, or lower profitability companies relative to their weight in the International Universe. An equity issuer is considered to have a high relative price (i.e., a growth stock) primarily because it has a high price in relation to its book value. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors, such as price-to-cash-flow or price-to-earnings ratios, as well as economic conditions and developments in the issuer’s industry. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time. The Advisor may also adjust the representation in the Portfolio of an eligible company, or exclude a company, after considering such factors as free float, price momentum, trading strategies, liquidity, size, relative price, profitability, investment characteristics, and other factors that the Advisor determines to be appropriate. The Advisor may decrease the amount that the Portfolio invests in small capitalization companies that have lower profitability and/or higher relative prices. The Advisor may consider a small capitalization company’s investment characteristics as compared to other eligible companies when making investment decisions and may exclude a small capitalization company with high investment as measured by the company’s recent asset growth. The Portfolio will generally not exclude more than 5% of the eligible small capitalization company universe within each eligible country based on such investment characteristics. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing a company’s investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time.
The International Sustainability ETF may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for foreign or U.S. equity securities and indices, to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio. The Portfolio does not intend to sell futures contracts to establish short positions in individual securities or to use derivatives for purposes of speculation or leveraging investment returns. The above-referenced investments are not subject to, although they may incorporate, the Portfolio’s sustainability impact considerations.
The International Sustainability ETF may invest in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) for the purpose of gaining exposure to the equity markets while maintaining liquidity. In addition to money market instruments and other short-term investments, the Portfolio may invest in affiliated and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds to manage cash pending investment in other securities or to maintain liquidity for the payment of redemptions or other purposes. Investments in ETFs and money market funds may involve a duplication of certain fees and expenses. The above-referenced investments are not subject to, although they may incorporate, the Portfolio’s sustainability impact considerations.
Emerging Markets Sustainability ETF
The Emerging Markets Sustainability ETF seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in companies associated with emerging markets, which may include frontier markets (emerging market countries in an earlier stage of development), authorized for investment by the Advisor’s Investment Committee (“Approved Markets”). The Portfolio invests its assets primarily in Approved Markets equity securities listed on bona fide securities exchanges. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Portfolio invests in the following countries that are designated as Approved Markets: Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates. The Advisor will determine, in its discretion, when and whether to invest in countries that have been authorized as Approved Markets, depending on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, asset growth in the Portfolio, constraints imposed in Approved Markets, and other characteristics of each country’s markets. The Investment Committee of the Advisor may designate other countries as Approved Markets for investment in the future, in addition to the countries identified above, or the
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Investment Committee may remove one or more countries from the list of Approved Markets. Although the Advisor does not intend to purchase securities not associated with an Approved Market, the Portfolio may acquire such securities in connection with corporate actions or other reorganizations or transactions with respect to securities that are held by the Portfolio from time to time. In addition, the Portfolio may continue to hold investments in countries that are not currently designated as Approved Markets, but had been authorized for investment in the past, and may reinvest distributions received in connection with such existing investments in such previously Approved Markets. (For a description of the securities approved for investment, see “Approved Markets”). The implementation and management of the Advisor’s “Sustainability” portfolios, including, without limitation, the Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF, is protected by U.S. Patent Nos. 7,596,525 B1, 7,599,874 B1 and 8,438,092 B2.
The Emerging Markets Sustainability ETF will seek to purchase a broad and diverse group of securities associated with emerging markets. The Portfolio invests in companies of all sizes, with increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies as compared to their representation in the Emerging Markets Universe, while adjusting the composition of the Portfolio based on sustainability impact considerations (See “Applying the Sustainability Portfolios’ Sustainability Impact Considerations” in this Prospectus). For purposes of this Portfolio, the Advisor defines the Emerging Markets Universe as a market capitalization weighted set of companies in Approved Markets. Market capitalization weighted means that a company’s weighting in the Emerging Markets Universe is proportional to that company’s actual market capitalization compared to the total market capitalization of all eligible companies. The higher the company’s relative market capitalization, the greater its representation. The Portfolio’s increased exposure to smaller capitalization, lower relative price, and higher profitability companies may be achieved by decreasing the allocation of the Portfolio’s assets to larger capitalization, higher relative price, or lower profitability companies relative to their weight in the Emerging Markets Universe. An equity issuer is considered to have a high relative price (i.e., a growth stock) primarily because it has a high price in relation to its book value. An equity issuer is considered to have a low relative price (i.e., a value stock) primarily because it has a low price in relation to its book value. In assessing relative price, the Advisor may consider additional factors such as price to cash flow or price to earnings ratios. An equity issuer is considered to have high profitability because it has high earnings or profits from operations in relation to its book value or assets. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing relative price and profitability are subject to change from time to time. The Advisor may also adjust the representation in the Portfolio of an eligible company, or exclude a company, after considering such factors as free float, price momentum, trading strategies, liquidity, size, relative price, profitability, investment characteristics, and other factors that the Advisor determines to be appropriate. The Advisor may decrease the amount that the Portfolio invests in small capitalization companies that have lower profitability and/or higher relative prices. The Advisor may consider a small capitalization company’s investment characteristics as compared to other eligible companies when making investment decisions and may exclude a small capitalization company with high investment as measured by the company’s recent asset growth. The Portfolio will generally not exclude more than 5% of the eligible small capitalization company universe within each eligible country based on such investment characteristics. The criteria the Advisor uses for assessing a company’s investment characteristics are subject to change from time to time.
In determining which countries are eligible markets for the Emerging Markets Sustainability ETF, the Advisor may consider various factors, including, without limitation, the data, analysis, and classification of countries published or disseminated by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (commonly known as the World Bank), the International Finance Corporation, FTSE International and MSCI. Approved Markets may not include all such emerging markets. In determining whether to approve markets for investment, the Advisor may take into account, among other things, market liquidity, relative availability of investor information, government regulation, including fiscal and foreign exchange repatriation rules and the availability of other access to these markets for the Portfolio.
Pending the investment of new capital in Approved Markets securities, the Emerging Markets Sustainability ETF will typically invest in money market instruments or other highly liquid debt instruments including those denominated in U.S. dollars (including, without limitation, repurchase agreements). In addition, the Portfolio may, for liquidity, or for temporary defensive purposes during periods in which market or economic or political conditions warrant, purchase highly liquid debt instruments or hold freely convertible currencies, although the Portfolio does not expect the aggregate of all such amounts to exceed 20% of its net assets under normal circumstances.
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The Emerging Markets Sustainability ETF does not seek current income as an investment objective, and investments will not be based upon an issuer’s dividend payment policy or record. However, many of the companies whose securities will be included in the Portfolio do pay dividends. It is anticipated, therefore, that the Portfolio will receive dividend income.
In addition to money market instruments and other short-term investments, the Emerging Markets Sustainability ETF may invest in affiliated and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds to manage cash pending investment in other securities or to maintain liquidity for the payment of redemptions or other purposes. Investments in money market funds may involve a duplication of certain fees and expenses. The Portfolio may also purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for Approved Markets or other equity market securities and indices, including those of the United States, to increase or decrease equity market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio. The Portfolio does not intend to sell futures contracts to establish short positions in individual securities or to use derivatives for purposes of speculation or leveraging investment returns. The above-referenced investments are not subject to, although they may incorporate, the Portfolio’s sustainability impact considerations.
The Emerging Markets Sustainability ETF may also invest in China A-shares (equity securities of companies listed in China) that are accessible through the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect program or the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect program (together, “Stock Connect”) and variable interest entities (special structures that utilize contractual arrangements to provide exposure to certain Chinese companies).
APPROVED MARKETS
The International Sustainability ETF and Emerging Markets Sustainability ETF, (each an “International Portfolio” and collectively, the “International Portfolios”) each invests in securities of Approved Markets as identified above for each International Portfolio. The Approved Markets securities invested in by each International Portfolio will be listed on bona fide securities exchanges or traded on the over-the-counter markets. These exchanges or over-the-counter markets may be either within or outside the issuer’s domicile country. For example, the securities may be listed or traded in the form of European Depositary Receipts (“EDRs”), Global Depositary Receipts (“GDRs”), American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”), or other types of depositary receipts (including non-voting depositary receipts) or may be listed on bona fide securities exchanges in more than one country. Approved Market securities are defined as securities that are associated with an Approved Market (“Approved Market Securities”). Approved Market Securities are: (a) securities of companies that are organized under the laws of, or maintain their principal place of business in, an Approved Market; (b) securities for which the principal trading market is in an Approved Market; (c) securities issued or guaranteed by the government of an Approved Market country, its agencies or instrumentalities, or the central bank of such country; (d) securities of companies that derive at least 50% of their revenues or profits from goods produced or sold, investments made, or services performed in Approved Markets or have at least 50% of their assets in Approved Markets; (e) securities included in the International Portfolio’s benchmark index, which tracks Approved Markets; or (f) depositary shares of companies associated with Approved Markets under the criteria above. Securities of Approved Markets may include securities of companies that have characteristics and business relationships common to companies in other countries. As a result, the value of the securities of such companies may reflect economic and market forces in such other countries as well as in the Approved Markets. The Advisor, however, will select only those companies that, in its view, have sufficiently strong exposure to economic and market forces in Approved Markets that satisfy the criteria described above. The International Portfolios also may obtain exposure to Approved Market Securities by investing in derivative instruments that derive their value from Approved Market Securities, or by investing in securities of pooled investment vehicles that invest at least 80% of their assets in Approved Market Securities.
Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF
The following is a description of the categories of investments that may be acquired by the Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF:
1. U.S. Government Obligations—Debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury that are direct obligations of the U.S. Government, including bills, notes and bonds. These securities may also be purchased on a “when-issued” basis.
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2. U.S. Government Agency Obligations—Issued or guaranteed by U.S. government-sponsored instrumentalities and federal agencies, which have different levels of credit support. The U.S. government agency obligations include, but are not limited to, securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government that are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States, such as the Federal Housing Administration and Ginnie Mae, including Ginnie Mae mortgage pass-through securities. Other securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities sponsored by the U.S. Government may be supported only by the issuer’s right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, subject to certain limits, such as securities issued by Federal Home Loan Banks, or are supported only by the credit of such agencies, such as Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, including their mortgage pass-through securities. These securities may also be purchased on a “when-issued” or “to-be- announced” basis, such as mortgage TBAs.
3. Corporate Debt Obligations—Corporate debt securities (e.g., bonds and debentures), which have received an investment grade rating by Moody’s, Fitch or S&P, or an equivalent rating assigned by another nationally recognized statistical rating organization (“NRSRO”), or, if unrated, have been determined by the Advisor to be of comparable quality.
4. Bank Obligations—Obligations of U.S. banks and savings and loan associations and dollar-denominated obligations of U.S. subsidiaries and branches of foreign banks, such as certificates of deposit (including marketable variable rate certificates of deposit), time deposits and bankers’ acceptances. Bank certificates of deposit will be acquired only from banks having assets in excess of $1,000,000,000.
5. Commercial Paper—Rated, at the time of purchase, A3 or better by S&P or Prime3 or better by Moody’s, or F3 or better by Fitch, or an equivalent rating assigned by another NRSRO, or, if unrated, issued by a corporation having an outstanding unsecured debt issue rated at least Baa3 by Moody’s or BBB- by S&P or Fitch.
6. Repurchase Agreements—Instruments through which the Portfolio purchases securities (“underlying securities”) from a bank, a registered U.S. government securities dealer, or other such counterparties with creditworthiness and other characteristics deemed appropriate by the Advisor, with an agreement by the seller to repurchase the securities at an agreed price, plus interest at a specified rate. The underlying securities will be limited to U.S. government and agency obligations described in (1) and (2) above. The Portfolio will not enter into a repurchase agreement with a duration of more than seven days if, as a result, more than 10% of the value of its total assets would be so invested. In addition, a repurchase agreement with a duration of more than seven days will be subject to the Portfolio’s investment restriction on illiquid investments. The Portfolio also will only invest in repurchase agreements with banks, U.S. government securities dealers, and/or other counterparties, as described above, that are approved by the Investment Committee of the Advisor. The Advisor will monitor the market value of the securities plus any accrued interest thereon so that they will at least equal the repurchase price.
7. Foreign Government and Agency Obligations—Bills, notes, bonds, and other debt securities issued or guaranteed by foreign governments, or their authorities, agencies, instrumentalities or political subdivisions.
8. Supranational Organization Obligations—Debt securities of supranational organizations such as the European Investment Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank or the World Bank, which are chartered to promote economic development.
9. Foreign Issuer Obligations—Debt securities of non-U.S. issuers that have received a rating of BBB- or better by S&P or Fitch or Baa3 or better by Moody’s, or an equivalent rating assigned by another NRSRO, or, if unrated, have been determined by the Advisor to be of comparable quality.
10. Eurodollar Obligations—Debt securities of domestic or foreign issuers denominated in U.S. dollars but not trading in the United States.
11. Money Market Funds—The Portfolio may invest in affiliated and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds. The securities purchased by the money market funds are not subject to the social issue screens or sustainability impact considerations that have been identified in this Prospectus. Investments in money market funds may also involve a duplication of certain fees and expenses and are not a principal investment of the Portfolio.
The Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF’s investments in securities of U.S. and non-U.S. sovereign issuers are not subject to the sustainability impact considerations identified below. The Advisor, however, considers securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and certain U.S. agencies and instrumentalities that are not subject to the
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sustainability impact considerations identified below to be consistent with the Portfolio’s strategy of investing in sustainable investments. The implementation and management of the Advisor’s “Sustainability” portfolios, including, without limitation, the Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF, is protected by U.S. Patent Nos. 7,596,525 B1, 7,599,874 B1 and 8,438,092 B2.
The categories of fixed income securities that may be acquired by the Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF may include both fixed and floating rate securities. Floating rate securities bear interest at rates that vary with prevailing market rates. Interest rate adjustments are made periodically (e.g., every six months), usually based on a money market index such as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) or the Treasury bill rate.
Duration, as discussed with respect to the Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF’s investment policy regarding duration, is a measure of the sensitivity of a security’s price to changes in interest rates. The longer a security’s duration, the more sensitive it will be to changes in interest rates. For example, when the level of interest rates increases by 0.10%, the price of a fixed income security or a portfolio of fixed income securities having a duration of five years generally will decrease by approximately 0.50%. Conversely, when the level of interest rates decreases by 0.10%, the price of a fixed income security or a portfolio of fixed income securities having a duration of five years generally will increase by approximately 0.50%. In general, greater sensitivity to changes in interest rates typically corresponds to higher volatility and higher risk.
APPLYING THE PORTFOLIOS’ SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT CONSIDERATIONS
The Advisor intends to take into account the impact that companies have on the environment and other sustainability considerations when making investment decisions for the Portfolios. Relative to a portfolio without these considerations, a Portfolio will generally exclude or have less weight in securities of companies that, according to the Portfolios’ sustainability impact considerations, may be less sustainable as compared either to other companies in the Portfolios’ investment universe or other companies with similar business lines. Similarly, relative to a portfolio without sustainability impact considerations, the Portfolios will generally have a higher weight in securities of companies that, according to the Portfolios’ sustainability impact considerations, may be more sustainable as compared either to other companies in the Portfolios’ investment universe or other companies with similar business lines. As of the date of this Prospectus, MSCI ESG Research LLC and Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. have been engaged by the Advisor as the Portfolios’ primary providers of research and/or ratings information relating to the sustainability impact considerations with respect to corporate securities in the portfolios, where information is available from such providers. The Trust or Advisor may also change or engage additional independent third party service providers from time to time.
Selected examples of the types of considerations that are expected to be used to evaluate companies’ impact on the environment and other sustainability considerations are as follows:
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Greenhouse gas emissions intensity or fossil fuel reserves: The greenhouse gas emissions intensity consideration looks at a company’s greenhouse gas emissions scaled by sales. Greenhouse gases included are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), and nitrogen trifluoride (NF3). |
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Land use and biodiversity: This consideration looks to the severity of controversies related to a firms’ use or management of natural resources. |
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Cluster munitions or landmine manufacturing: This consideration takes into account the firm’s involvement in the manufacture of cluster munitions, landmines, or the essential components of these products. |
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Civilian firearms manufacturing: This consideration relates to companies that earn revenue from the production and/or manufacturing of civilian firearms. |
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Toxic spills and releases: Factors affecting this evaluation include, but are not limited to, a history of involvement in land or air emissions-related litigation, widespread or egregious impacts due to hazardous emissions or waste, criticism by non-governmental organizations and/or other third parties. |
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Operational waste: This consideration relates to controversies involving the impact of the firm’s non-hazardous operational waste. |
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Water use: This consideration relates to the firm’s water management practices. |
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Tobacco: This consideration relates to companies with meaningful revenue related to tobacco products. |
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Palm oil: This consideration relates to companies with meaningful revenue related to the farming and/or processing of palm oil. |
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Coal: This consideration relates to companies that have coal reserves. |
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Private prisons and/or immigrant detention facilities: This consideration relates to companies that own or operate private prisons and/or immigrant detention facilities. |
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Child labor: This consideration relates to companies that have had major recent child labor controversies in their own operations or supply chain. |
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Factory farming: This consideration relates to companies that are believed to be using particular intensive methods of livestock rearing. |
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Severe environmental, social or governance controversies: This consideration looks at companies involved in severe and material environmental, social or governance controversies relating to one or more of the Portfolios’ sustainability considerations listed above. |
The sustainability impact considerations listed above are examples of factors that the Advisor believes may indicate whether or not a company, as compared to other companies with similar business lines, promotes sustainability by pursuing economic growth and development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the needs of future generations. The Portfolios may periodically modify, add, or remove their sustainability impact considerations.
For each Portfolio, based on the research and ratings information, the Advisor will determine an overall impact score for the company and will consider the overall impact score of the issuer relative to other issuers when determining whether a security should: (i) be excluded from a Portfolio’s securities holdings; (ii) have its weight decreased within the Portfolios; (iii) be held with no adjustment to its weight within the Portfolios; or (iv) have its weight increased within the Portfolios. The Advisor may also exclude, decrease or increase the weight of specific companies due to any specific factor.
As described above, the Advisor will endeavor to consider the sustainability impact of each company when constructing a Portfolio’s investment portfolio. However, the Advisor may not be able to assess the sustainability impact of each company eligible for purchase by a Portfolio. For example, the Advisor may not be able to determine an overall sustainability impact score for each company based on the sustainability considerations described above because the third party service providers may not have data on the entire universe of companies considered by the Advisor for the Portfolios, or may not have information with respect to each factor listed above as a sustainability impact consideration. The sustainability impact of a company may change while the Portfolios are holding the company’s securities due to actions taken by the company or new information that becomes available concerning the company, and such information may impact the Portfolios’ decision to buy securities in the future of such company but will not necessarily result in changes to current holdings of such company. For instance, if negative information about a company becomes available, while future investment decisions should reflect that information, the Portfolios may continue to hold the securities it already owns in the short or long term, so that the composition of the Portfolios may not, at all times, reflect the most current sustainability impact considerations. The Portfolios’ exposure to companies, industries and sectors of the market may be affected by sustainability impact data obtained that may not be completely accurate with respect to any company or by a given sustainability factor that may not be as relevant as assumed in the overall score. Further, in addition to excluding or underweighting securities of corporate issuers based upon the sustainability impact considerations, the Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF also will generally exclude or underweight securities of supranational organizations and certain non-sovereign governmental agencies (both U.S. and non-U.S.) that may be less sustainable as compared to other similar issuers, based upon the sustainability impact considerations. The Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF’s investments in securities of U.S. and non-U.S. sovereign issuers are not subject to the sustainability impact considerations. The Advisor, however, considers securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and certain U.S. agencies and instrumentalities that are not subject to the sustainability impact considerations to be consistent with the Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF’s strategy of investing in sustainable investments.
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Because the Advisor takes into account sustainability impact considerations when constructing the investment portfolio, a Portfolio may not invest in, or may deviate in its exposure to, certain types of companies, industries, and segments of the designated markets in which similar portfolios without sustainability impact considerations invest.
Each Portfolios’ sustainability impact considerations are designed to meet the investing needs of shareholders; the exclusion, purchase, or sale of specific securities in a Portfolio should not be construed as reflecting a judgment by the Advisor or the Board of Trustees of the Trust relating to any sustainability issue.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS—EQUITY PORTFOLIOS
In general, securities will not be purchased or sold based on the prospects for the economy, the securities markets, or the individual issuers whose shares are eligible for purchase. Securities that have depreciated in value since their acquisition will not be sold solely because prospects for the issuer are not considered attractive or due to an expected or realized decline in securities prices in general. Securities generally will not be sold solely to realize short-term profits, but when circumstances warrant, they may be sold without regard to the length of time held. Securities, including those eligible for purchase, may be disposed of, however, at any time when, in the Advisor’s judgment, circumstances warrant their sale, including, but not limited to, tender offers, mergers, and similar transactions, or bids made for block purchases at opportune prices. Generally, securities will be purchased with the expectation that they will be held for longer than one year and will be held until such time as they are no longer an appropriate holding in light of the investment policies of each Portfolio.
In attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political, or other considerations, the Portfolios may, from time to time, invest their assets in a temporary defensive manner that is inconsistent with the Portfolios’ principal investment strategies. In these circumstances, the Portfolios may be unable to achieve their investment objectives.
PORTFOLIO STRATEGIES—GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY FIXED INCOME ETF
In managing the Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF, the Advisor places priority on efficiently managing portfolio turnover and keeping trading costs low. The Portfolio will be managed with a view to capturing expected credit premiums and expected term premiums. The term “expected credit premium” means the expected incremental return on investment for holding obligations considered to have greater credit risk than direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury, and “expected term premium” means the expected relative return on investment for holding securities having longer-term maturities as compared to securities having shorter-term maturities. At times when, in the Advisor’s judgment, eligible foreign securities do not offer expected term premiums that compare favorably with those offered by eligible U.S. securities, the Portfolio will be invested primarily in the latter securities. The Advisor believes that expected credit premiums are available largely through investment in commercial paper, certificates of deposit and corporate obligations. The holding period for assets of the Portfolio will be chosen with a view to maximizing anticipated returns, net of trading costs.
In attempting to respond to adverse market, economic, political, or other conditions, the Portfolio may, from time to time, invest its assets in a temporary defensive manner that is inconsistent with the Portfolio’s principal investment strategies. In these circumstances, the Portfolio may be unable to achieve its investment objective.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING INVESTMENT RISKS
Because the value of your investment in a Portfolio will fluctuate, there is the risk that you will lose money. An investment in a Portfolio is not a deposit of a bank and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The following is a description of principal risks of investing in the Portfolios.
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Call Risk: Call risk is the risk that an issuer may exercise its right to redeem a fixed income security earlier than its maturity date. Issuers may call outstanding securities prior to their maturity for a number of reasons (e.g., declining interest rates changes in credit spreads and improvements in the issuer’s credit quality). If an issuer calls a security that the Portfolio has invested in, the Portfolio may not recoup the full amount of its initial investment and may be forced to reinvest in lower-yielding securities, securities with greater credit risks or securities with other, less favorable features.
China Investments Risk: There are special risks associated with investments in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The Chinese government has implemented significant economic reforms in order to liberalize trade policy, promote foreign investment in the economy, reduce government control of the economy and develop market mechanisms. But there can be no assurance that these reforms will continue or that they will be effective. Despite reforms and privatizations of companies in certain sectors, the Chinese government still exercises substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector and may own or control many companies. The Chinese government continues to maintain a major role in economic policy making and investing in China involves risks of losses due to expropriation, nationalization, confiscation of assets and property, and the imposition of restrictions on foreign investments and on repatriation of capital invested. In addition, investments in Taiwan could be adversely affected by its political and economic relationship with China. The Chinese economy is also vulnerable to the long-running disagreements with Hong Kong related to integration.
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Investing in China A-shares through Stock Connect is subject to trading, clearance, settlement, and other procedures, which could pose risks to the Portfolio. Trading through the Stock Connect program is subject to daily quotas that limit the maximum daily net purchases on any particular day, each of which may restrict or preclude the Portfolio’s ability to invest in China A-shares through the Stock Connect program. Trading through Stock Connect may require pre-validation of cash or securities prior to acceptance of orders. This requirement may limit the Portfolio’s ability to dispose of its A-shares purchased through Stock Connect in a timely manner.
A primary feature of the Stock Connect program is the application of the home market’s laws and rules applicable to investors in China A-shares. Therefore, the Portfolio’s investments in Stock Connect China A-shares are generally subject to the securities regulations and listing rules of the People’s Republic of China (“PRC”), among other restrictions. Stock Connect can only operate when both PRC and Hong Kong markets are open for trading and when banking services are available in both markets on the corresponding settlement days. As such, the Shanghai and Shenzhen markets may be open at a time when Stock Connect is not trading, with the result that prices of China A-shares may fluctuate at times when the Portfolio is unable to add to or exit its position, which could adversely affect the Portfolio’s performance.
Changes in the operation of the Stock Connect program may restrict or otherwise affect the Portfolio’s investments or returns. Furthermore, any changes in laws, regulations and policies of the China A-shares market or rules in relation to Stock Connect may affect China A-share prices. These risks are heightened generally by the developing state of the PRC’s investment and banking systems and the uncertainty about the precise nature of the rights of equity owners and their ability to enforce such rights under Chinese law. An investment in China A-Shares is also generally subject to the risks identified under “Emerging Markets Risk,” and foreign investment risks such as price controls, expropriation of assets, confiscatory taxation, and nationalization may be heightened when investing in China. Certain investments in Chinese companies may be made through a special structure known as a VIE. In a VIE structure, foreign investors, such as the Portfolio, will only own stock in a shell company rather than directly in the VIE, which must be owned by Chinese nationals (and/or Chinese companies) to obtain the licenses and/or assets required to operate in certain restricted or prohibited sectors in China. The value of the shell company is derived from its ability to consolidate the VIE into its financials pursuant to contractual arrangements that allow the shell company to exert a degree of control over, and obtain economic benefits arising from, the VIE without formal legal ownership. While VIEs are a longstanding industry practice and are well known by Chinese officials and regulators, historically the structure has not been formally recognized under Chinese law and Chinese regulations regarding the structure are evolving. It is uncertain whether Chinese officials or regulators will withdraw their acceptance of the structure. It is also uncertain whether the contractual arrangements, which may be subject to conflicts of interest between the legal owners of the VIE and foreign investors, would be enforced by Chinese courts or arbitration bodies. Prohibitions of these structures by the Chinese government, or the inability to enforce such contracts, from which the shell company derives its value, would likely cause the VIE-structured holding(s) to suffer significant, detrimental, and possibly permanent losses, and in turn, adversely affect the Portfolio’s returns and net asset value.
Credit Risk: Credit risk is the risk that the issuer of a security may be unable to make interest payments and/or repay principal when due. A downgrade to an issuer’s credit rating or a perceived change in an issuer’s financial strength may affect a security’s value, and thus, impact the Portfolio’s performance. Government agency obligations have different levels of credit support and, therefore, different degrees of credit risk. Securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities of the U.S. Government that are supported by the full faith and credit of the United States, such as the Federal Housing Administration and Ginnie Mae, present little credit risk. Other securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities sponsored by the U.S. Government, that are supported only by the issuer’s right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury, subject to certain limitations, and securities issued by agencies and instrumentalities sponsored by the U.S. Government that are sponsored by the credit of the issuing agencies, such as Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, are subject to a greater degree of credit risk. U.S. government agency securities issued or guaranteed by the credit of the agency may still involve a risk of non-payment of principal and/or interest.
Cyber Security Risk: The Portfolio’s and its service providers’ use of internet, technology and information systems may expose the Portfolio to potential risks linked to cyber security breaches of those technological or information systems. Cyber security breaches, amongst other things, could allow an unauthorized party to gain access to proprietary information, customer data, or fund assets, or cause the Portfolio and/or its service providers to suffer data corruption or lose operational functionality.
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Depositary Receipts Risk: Depositary receipts, such as EDRs, GDRs and ADRs, are subject to many of the risks of the underlying securities. For some depositary receipts, the custodian or similar financial institution that holds the issuer’s shares in a trust account is located in the issuer’s home country. In these cases if the issuer’s home country does not have developed financial markets, the Portfolio could be exposed to the credit risk of the custodian or financial institution and greater market risk. In addition, the depository institution may not have physical custody of the underlying securities at all times and may charge fees for various services. The Portfolio may experience delays in receiving its dividend and interest payments or exercising rights as a shareholder. There may be an increased possibility of untimely responses to certain corporate actions of the issuer in an unsponsored depositary receipt program. Accordingly, there may be less information available regarding issuers of securities underlying unsponsored programs and there may not be a correlation between this information and the market value of the depositary receipts.
Derivatives Risk: Derivatives are instruments, such as futures contracts, and options thereon, foreign currency forward contracts, and swaps (collectively, “derivative instruments”), whose value is derived from that of other assets, rates or indices. Derivative instruments can be used for hedging (attempting to reduce risk by offsetting one investment position with another) or non-hedging purposes. Hedging with derivative instruments may increase expenses, and there is no guarantee that a hedging strategy will work. While hedging can reduce or eliminate losses, it can also reduce or eliminate gains or cause losses if the market moves in a manner different from that anticipated by the Portfolio or if the cost of the derivative instrument outweighs the benefit of the hedge. The use of derivative instruments for non-hedging purposes may be considered to carry more risk than other types of investments. When the Portfolio uses derivative instruments, the Portfolio will be directly exposed to the risks of those derivatives. Derivative instruments expose the Portfolio to counterparty risk (the risk that the derivative counterparty will not fulfill its contractual obligations), including credit risk of the derivative counterparty, and settlement risk (the risk faced when one party to a transaction has performed its obligations under a contract but has not yet received value from its counterparty). The possible lack of a liquid secondary market for derivative instruments and the resulting inability of the Portfolio to sell or otherwise close a derivatives position could expose the Portfolio to losses and could make derivative instruments more difficult for the Portfolio to value accurately. Some derivative instruments are more sensitive to interest rate changes and market price fluctuations than other securities. The Portfolio could also suffer losses related to its derivatives positions as a result of unanticipated market movements, which losses are potentially unlimited. The Advisor may not be able to predict correctly the direction of securities prices, interest rates, currency exchange rates and other economic factors, which could cause the Portfolio’s derivatives positions to lose value. Valuation of derivative instruments may also be more difficult in times of market turmoil since many investors and market makers may be reluctant to purchase derivative instruments or quote prices for them. Changes in the value of a derivative instrument may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, securities, rate or index, and the Portfolio could lose more than the principal amount invested. Additional risks are associated with the use of swaps including counterparty and credit risk (the risk that the other party to a swap agreement will not fulfill its contractual obligations, whether because of bankruptcy or other default) and liquidity risk (the possible lack of a secondary market for the swap agreement). Credit risk increases when the Portfolio is the seller of credit default swaps and counterparty risk increases when the Portfolio is a buyer of credit default swaps. In addition, where the Portfolio is the seller of credit default swaps, it may be required to liquidate portfolio securities at inopportune times in order to meet payment obligations. Credit default swaps may be illiquid or difficult to value.
Emerging Markets Risk: Securities of issuers associated with emerging market countries, including, but not limited to, issuers that are organized under the laws of, maintain a principal place of business in, derive significant revenues from, or issue securities backed by the government (or, its agencies or instrumentalities) of emerging market countries may be subject to higher and additional risks than securities of issuers in developed foreign markets. These risks include, but are not limited to (i) social, political and economic instability; (ii) government intervention, including policies or regulations that may restrict the Portfolio’s investment opportunities, including restrictions on investment in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to an emerging market country’s national interests; (iii) less transparent and established taxation policies; (iv) less developed legal systems allowing for enforcement of private property rights and/or redress for injuries to private property; (v) the lack of a capital market structure or market-oriented economy; (vi) higher degree of corruption and fraud; (vii) counterparties and financial institutions with less financial sophistication, creditworthiness and/or resources as those in developed foreign markets; and (viii) the possibility that the process of easing restrictions on foreign investment occurring in some emerging market countries may be slowed or reversed by unanticipated economic, political or social events in such countries, or the countries that exercise a significant influence over those
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countries. Similar to foreign issuers, emerging market issuers may not be subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and there may be less publicly available financial and other information about such issuers, comparable to U.S. issuers. Stock markets in many emerging market countries are relatively small, expensive to trade in and generally have higher risks than those in developed markets. Securities in emerging markets also may be less liquid than those in developed markets and foreigners are often limited in their ability to invest in, and withdraw assets from, these markets. Additional restrictions may be imposed under other conditions. Frontier market countries generally have smaller economies or less developed capital markets and, as a result, the risks of investing in emerging market countries are magnified in frontier market countries.
Equity Market Risk: Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, market, political, and issuer-specific conditions and events will cause the value of equity securities, and the Portfolio that owns them, to rise or fall. Stock markets tend to move in cycles, with periods of rising prices and periods of falling prices. In addition, economies and financial markets throughout the world have become increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one region or country will adversely affect markets or issuers in other regions or countries. Portfolio securities may be negatively impacted by inflation (or expectations for inflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products/services or resources, natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics, terrorism, war, military confrontations, regulatory events and governmental or quasi-governmental actions, among others.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted, at times, in market closures, market volatility, liquidity constraints and increased trading costs. Efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 have resulted in global travel restrictions and disruptions of healthcare systems, business operations and supply chains, layoffs, reduced consumer demand, defaults and credit rating downgrades, and other significant economic impacts. The effects of COVID-19 have impacted global economic activity and may heighten pre-existing political, social and economic risks, domestically or globally. The full impact and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic (or other future epidemics or pandemics) are unpredictable and may adversely affect the Portfolio’s performance.
Foreign Government Debt Risk: The risk that: (a) the governmental entity that controls the repayment of government debt may not be willing or able to repay the principal and/or to pay the interest when it becomes due, due to factors such as political considerations, the relative size of the governmental entity’s debt position in relation to the economy, cash flow problems, insufficient foreign currency reserves, the failure to put in place economic reforms required by the International Monetary Fund or other multilateral agencies, and/or other national economic factors; (b) governments may default on their debt securities, which may require holders of such securities to participate in debt rescheduling; and (c) there is no legal or bankruptcy process by which defaulted government debt may be collected in whole or in part.
Foreign Securities and Currencies Risk: Foreign securities prices may decline or fluctuate because of: (a) economic or political actions of foreign governments, and/or (b) less regulated or liquid securities markets. Investors holding these securities may also be exposed to foreign currency risk (the possibility that foreign currency will fluctuate in value against the U.S. dollar or that a foreign government will convert, or be forced to convert, its currency to another currency, changing its value against the U.S. dollar).
Foreign issuers may not be subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and there may be less publicly available financial and other information about such issuers, comparable to U.S. issuers. Certain countries’ legal institutions, financial markets, and services are less developed than those in the U.S. or other major economies. The Portfolio may have greater difficulty voting proxies, exercising shareholder rights, securing dividends and obtaining information regarding corporate actions on a timely basis, pursuing legal remedies, and obtaining judgments with respect to foreign investments in foreign courts than with respect to domestic issuers in U.S. courts.
Income Risk: Income risk is the risk that falling interest rates will cause the Portfolio’s income to decline because, among other reasons, the proceeds from maturing short-term securities in its portfolio may be reinvested in lower-yielding securities.
Interest Rate Risk: Fixed income securities are subject to interest rate risk because the prices of fixed income securities tend to move in the opposite direction of interest rates. When interest rates rise, fixed income security prices fall. During periods of very low or negative interest rates, the Portfolio may be subject to a greater risk of
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rising interest rates. When interest rates fall, fixed income security prices rise. In general, fixed income securities with longer maturities are more sensitive to changes in interest rates.
International Closed Market Trading Risk: To the extent that the underlying securities held by the Portfolio trade on an exchange that is closed when the securities exchange on which the Portfolio shares list and trade is open, there may be market uncertainty about the stale security pricing (i.e., the last quote from its closed foreign market) resulting in premiums or discounts to NAV that may be greater than those experienced by other ETFs.
Large Shareholder Risk: Certain shareholders, including other funds or accounts advised by the Advisor, may from time to time own a substantial amount of the Portfolio’s shares. In addition, a third party investor, the Advisor, an authorized participant, a lead market maker, or another entity may invest in the Portfolio and hold its investment for a limited period of time solely to facilitate commencement of the Portfolio or to facilitate the Portfolio’s achieving a specified size or scale. There can be no assurance that any large shareholder would not redeem its investment. Dispositions of a large number of shares by these shareholders may adversely affect the Portfolio’s liquidity and net assets to the extent such transactions are executed directly with the Portfolio in the form of redemptions through an authorized participant, rather than executed in the secondary market. These redemptions may also force the Portfolio to sell portfolio securities when it might not otherwise do so, which may negatively impact the Portfolio’s NAV and increase the Portfolio’s brokerage costs. To the extent these large shareholders transact in shares on the secondary market, such transactions may account for a large percentage of the trading volume on listing exchange and may, therefore, have a material upward or downward effect on the market price of the shares.
Liquidity Risk: Liquidity risk exists when particular portfolio investments are difficult to purchase or sell. To the extent that the Portfolio holds illiquid investments, the Portfolio’s performance may be reduced due to an inability to sell the investments at opportune prices or times. Liquid portfolio investments may become illiquid or less liquid after purchase by the Portfolio due to low trading volume, adverse investor perceptions and/or other market developments. Liquidity risk includes the risk that the Portfolio will experience significant net redemptions at a time when it cannot find willing buyers for its portfolio securities or can only sell its portfolio securities at a material loss or at increased costs. Liquidity risk can be more pronounced in periods of market turmoil or in situations where ownership of shares of the Portfolio are concentrated in one or a few investors.
Market Risk: Even a long-term investment approach cannot guarantee a profit. Economic, political, and issuer- specific events will cause the value of securities, and the Portfolio that owns them, to rise or fall.
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted, at times, in market closures, market volatility, liquidity constraints and increased trading costs. Efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 have resulted in global travel restrictions and disruptions of healthcare systems, business operations and supply chains, layoffs, reduced consumer demand, defaults and credit rating downgrades, and other significant economic impacts. The effects of COVID-19 have impacted global economic activity and may heighten pre-existing political, social and economic risks, domestically or globally. The full impact and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic (or other future epidemics or pandemics) are unpredictable and may adversely affect the Portfolio’s performance.
Market Trading Risk: Although shares of the Portfolio are listed for trading on one or more stock exchanges, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for such shares will develop or be maintained. There are no obligations of market makers to make a market in the Portfolio’s shares or of an authorized participant to submit purchase or redemption orders for Creation Units. Decisions by market makers or authorized participants to reduce their role or step away from these activities in times of market stress could inhibit the effectiveness of the arbitrage process in maintaining the relationship between the underlying value of the Portfolio’s portfolio securities and the Portfolio’s market price. This reduced effectiveness could result in Portfolio shares trading at a premium or discount to its NAV and also greater than normal intraday bid/ask spreads. Additionally, in stressed market conditions, the market for the Portfolio’s shares may become less liquid in response to deteriorating liquidity in the markets for the Portfolio’s portfolio holdings, which may cause a significant variance in the market price of the Portfolio’s shares and their underlying value as well as an increase in the Portfolio’s bid-ask spread.
There can be no assurance that the Portfolio’s shares will continue to trade on a stock exchange or in any market or that the Portfolio’s shares will continue to meet the requirements for listing or trading on any exchange or in any market, or that such requirements will remain unchanged. Secondary market trading in Portfolio shares may
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be halted by a stock exchange because of market conditions or other reasons. In addition, trading in Portfolio 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.
During a “flash crash,” the market prices of the Portfolio’s shares may decline suddenly and significantly. Such a decline may not reflect the performance of the portfolio securities held by the Portfolio. Flash crashes may cause authorized participants and other market makers to limit or cease trading in the Portfolio’s shares for temporary or longer periods. Shareholders could suffer significant losses to the extent that they sell shares at these temporarily low market prices. Shares of the Portfolio, 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.
Mortgage-Backed Securities Risk: Mortgage-backed securities represent interests in “pools” of mortgages and often involve risks that are different from or potentially more significant than risks associated with other types of debt instruments. Mortgage securities differ from typical debt securities in that principal is not paid back at maturity, but rather periodically over the life of the security. The Portfolio may receive unscheduled payments of principal due to voluntary prepayments, refinancings or foreclosures on the underlying mortgage loans. When interest rates decline, borrowers may pay off their mortgages sooner than expected. This can reduce the returns of the Portfolio because it may have to reinvest that money at the lower prevailing interest rates. As a result, mortgage securities may be less effective than some other types of debt securities as a means of securing long-term interest rates and may have less potential for capital appreciation during periods of falling interest rates. Conversely, in a period of rising interest rates, the Portfolio may exhibit additional volatility since rising interest rates tend to extend the duration of fixed rate mortgage-related securities, making them more sensitive to changes in interest rates. As interest rates rise mortgage borrowers are less likely to exercise prepayment options, which may reduce the value of these securities and potentially cause the Portfolio to lose money. This is known as extension risk.
Operational Risk: Operational risks include human error, changes in personnel, system changes, faults in communication, and failures in systems, technology, or processes. Various operational events or circumstances are outside the Advisor’s control, including instances at third parties. The Portfolio and the Advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures. However, these measures do not address every possible risk and may be inadequate to address these risks.
Premium/Discount Risk: Shares of the Portfolio may trade at prices other than NAV. Shares of the Portfolio trade on stock exchanges at prices at, above or below their most recent NAV. The NAV of the Portfolio is calculated at the end of each business day and fluctuates with changes in the market value of the Portfolio’s holdings since the most recent calculation. The trading prices of the Portfolio’s shares fluctuate continuously throughout trading hours based on market supply and demand rather than NAV. As a result, the trading prices of the Portfolio’s shares may deviate significantly from NAV during periods of market volatility.
Any of these factors, among others, may lead to the Portfolio’s shares trading at a premium or discount to NAV. Thus, you may pay more (or less) than NAV when you buy shares of the Portfolio in the secondary market, and you may receive less (or more) than NAV when you sell those shares in the secondary market. The Advisor cannot predict whether shares will trade above (premium), below (discount) or at NAV. However, because shares can be created and redeemed in Creation Units at NAV, the Advisor believes that large discounts or premiums to the NAV of the Portfolio are not likely to be sustained over the long-term. While the creation/redemption feature is designed to make it likely that the Portfolio’s shares normally will trade on stock exchanges at prices close to the Portfolio’s next calculated NAV, exchange prices are not expected to correlate exactly with the Portfolio’s NAV due to timing reasons as well as market supply and demand factors. In addition, disruptions to creations and redemptions or extreme market volatility may result in trading prices for shares of the Portfolio that differ significantly from its NAV.
Profitability Investment Risk: High relative profitability stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies.
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Securities Lending Risk: Securities lending involves the risk that the borrower may fail to return the securities in a timely manner or at all. As a result, the Portfolio may lose money and there may be a delay in recovering the loaned securities. The Portfolio could also lose money if it does not recover the securities and/or the value of the collateral falls, including the value of investments made with cash collateral. Securities lending also may have certain adverse tax consequences.
Small and Mid-Cap Company Risk: Securities of small and mid-cap companies are often less liquid than those of large companies and this could make it difficult to sell a small or mid-cap company security at a desired time or price. As a result, small and mid-cap company stocks may fluctuate relatively more in price. In general, small and mid-capitalization companies are also more vulnerable than larger companies to adverse business or economic developments and they may have more limited resources.
Sustainability Impact Consideration Investment Risk: The Portfolio’s sustainability impact considerations may limit the number of investment opportunities available to the Portfolio, and as a result, at times, the Portfolio may underperform funds that are not subject to such sustainability impact considerations. For example, the Portfolio may decline to purchase, or underweight its investment in, certain securities due to sustainability impact considerations when other investment considerations would suggest that a more significant investment in such securities would be advantageous. The Portfolio may also overweight its investment in certain securities due to sustainability impact considerations when other investment considerations would suggest that a lesser investment in such securities would be advantageous. In addition, the Portfolio may sell or retain certain securities due to sustainability impact considerations when it is otherwise disadvantageous to do so. The sustainability impact considerations may also cause the Portfolio’s industry allocation to deviate from that of funds without these considerations and of conventional benchmarks. The Advisor may also not be able to assess the sustainability impact of each company eligible for purchase by the Portfolio. For example, the Advisor may not be able to determine an overall sustainability impact score for each company based on the sustainability considerations because the third party service providers may not have data on the entire universe of companies considered by the Advisor for the Portfolio, or may not have information with respect to each factor considered as a sustainability impact consideration. Furthermore, “sustainability” is not uniformly defined, and there are significant differences in interpretations of what it means for a company to meet sustainability criteria. The Advisor’s assessment of a company’s sustainability impact may differ from assessments made by other funds, managers, or investors. As a result, there is no guarantee that the Portfolio’s investments will reflect the sustainability considerations of any particular investor.
Value Investment Risk: Value stocks may perform differently from the market as a whole and an investment strategy purchasing these securities may cause the Portfolio to at times underperform equity funds that use other investment strategies. Value stocks can react differently to political, economic, and industry developments than the market as a whole and other types of stocks. Value stocks also may underperform the market for long periods of time.
Other Information
COMMODITY POOL OPERATOR EXEMPTION
Each Portfolio is operated by a person that has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”) with respect to the Portfolio, and, therefore, such person is not subject to registration or regulation as a pool operator under the CEA with respect to the Portfolio.
Securities Loans
Each Portfolio is authorized to lend securities to qualified brokers, dealers, banks and other financial institutions for the purpose of earning additional income. While a Portfolio may earn additional income from lending securities, such activity is incidental to the investment objective of the Portfolio. The value of securities loaned may not exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the Portfolio’s total assets, which includes the value of collateral received. To the extent the Portfolio loans a portion of its securities, the Portfolio will receive collateral consisting
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generally of cash or U.S. government securities. Collateral received will be maintained by marking to market daily and (i) in an amount equal to at least 100% of the current market value of the loaned securities with respect to securities of the U.S. Government or its agencies, (ii) in an amount generally equal to 102% of the current market value of the loaned securities with respect to U.S. securities, and (iii) in an amount generally equal to 105% of the current market value of the loaned securities with respect to foreign securities. Subject to its stated investment policies, a Portfolio will generally invest the cash collateral received for the loaned securities in The DFA Short Term Investment Fund (the “Money Market Series”), an affiliated registered money market fund advised by the Advisor for which the Advisor receives a management fee of 0.05% of the average daily net assets of the Money Market Series. The securities purchased by the Money Market Series are not subject to the sustainability impact considerations that have been identified in this Prospectus. A Portfolio may also invest such collateral in securities of the U.S. Government or its agencies, repurchase agreements collateralized by securities of the U.S. Government or its agencies, and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds. For purposes of this paragraph, agencies include both agency debentures and agency mortgage-backed securities.
In addition, a Portfolio will be able to terminate the loan at any time and will receive reasonable interest on the loan, as well as amounts equal to any dividends, interest or other distributions on the loaned securities. However, dividend income received from loaned securities may not be eligible to be taxed at qualified dividend income rates. See each Portfolio’s Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) for a further discussion of the tax consequences related to securities lending. A Portfolio will be entitled to recall a loaned security in time to vote proxies or otherwise obtain rights to vote proxies of loaned securities if the Portfolio knows that a material event will occur. In the event of the bankruptcy of the borrower, a Portfolio could experience delay in recovering the loaned securities or only recover cash or a security of equivalent value. (See “Principal Risks—Securities Lending Risk” for a discussion of the risks related to securities lending).
Management of the Trust
The Advisor serves as investment advisor to each of the Portfolios. Pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement with each Portfolio, the Advisor is responsible for the management of their respective assets. The Portfolios are managed using a team approach. The investment team includes the Investment Committee of the Advisor, portfolio managers and trading personnel.
The Investment Committee is composed primarily of certain officers and directors of the Advisor who are appointed annually. As of the date of this Prospectus, the Investment Committee has fourteen members. Investment strategies for all Portfolios are set by the Investment Committee, which meets on a regular basis and also as needed to consider investment issues. The Investment Committee also sets and reviews all investment related policies and procedures and approves any changes in regards to approved countries, security types and brokers.
In accordance with the team approach used to manage the Portfolios, the portfolio managers and portfolio traders implement the policies and procedures established by the Investment Committee. The portfolio managers and portfolio traders also make daily investment decisions regarding the Portfolios based on the parameters established by the Investment Committee. The individuals named in a Portfolio’s “INVESTMENT ADVISOR/PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT” section coordinate the efforts of all other portfolio managers or trading personnel with respect to the day to day management of such Portfolio.
Mr. Collins-Dean is Vice President and a Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor. Mr. Collins-Dean holds an MBA from the University of Chicago and a BS from Wake Forest University. Mr. Collins-Dean joined the Advisor in 2014, has been a portfolio manager since 2016, and has been responsible for the International Sustainability and Emerging Markets Sustainability ETFs since inception (2022).
Mr. Fogdall is Global Head of Portfolio Management, Chairman of the Investment Committee, Vice President and a Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor. Mr. Fogdall has an MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles and a BS from Purdue University. Mr. Fogdall joined the Advisor as a portfolio manager in 2004 and has been responsible for the US Sustainability, International Sustainability and Emerging Markets Sustainability ETFs since inception (2022).
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Mr. Hertzer is a Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor. Mr. Hertzer holds an MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles and a BA from Dartmouth College. Mr. Hertzer joined the Advisor in 2013, has been a portfolio manager since 2016, and has been responsible for the US Sustainability ETF since inception (2022).
Mr. Hohn is Vice President and a Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor. Mr. Hohn holds an MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles, an MS from the University of Southern California and a BS from Iowa State University. Mr. Hohn joined the Advisor in 2012, has been a portfolio manager since 2015, and has been responsible for the US Sustainability, International Sustainability and Emerging Markets Sustainability ETFs since inception (2022).
Ms. Huebel is Head of Responsible Investment, North America, and a Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor. Ms. Huebel holds an MS from Kansas State University, an MA from the University of California-Santa Barbara, and a BS from Texas State University. Ms. Huebel joined the Advisor in 2012, has been a portfolio manager since 2015, and has been responsible for the Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF since inception (2022).
Mr. Kolerich is Head of Fixed Income, Americas, a member of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor. Mr. Kolerich has an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BS from Northern Illinois University. Mr. Kolerich joined the Advisor as a portfolio manager in 2001 and has been responsible for the Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF since inception (2022).
Ms. Phillips is Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, a member of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor. Ms. Phillips holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BA from the University of Puget Sound. Ms. Phillips joined the Advisor in 2012, has been a portfolio manager since 2014, and has been responsible for the US Sustainability, International Sustainability and Emerging Markets Sustainability ETFs since inception (2022).
Mr. Plecha is Global Head of Fixed Income Portfolio Management, a member of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor. Mr. Plecha received his BS from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1983 and his MBA from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1987. Mr. Plecha has been a portfolio manager since 1989 and has been responsible for the Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF since inception (2022).
Mr. Pu is Deputy Head of Portfolio Management, North America, a member of the Investment Committee, Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of the Advisor. Mr. Pu has an MBA from the University of California, Los Angeles, an MS and PhD from Caltech, and a BS from Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art. Mr. Pu joined the Advisor as a portfolio manager in 2006 and has been responsible for International Sustainability and Emerging Markets Sustainability ETFs since inception (2022).
The Portfolios’ SAI provides information about each portfolio manager’s compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio manager, and the portfolio manager’s ownership of Portfolio shares.
The Advisor, and with respect to the International Portfolios and Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF, Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. (“DFAL”) and DFA Australia Limited (“DFA Australia”), provide the Portfolios with a trading department and selects brokers and dealers to effect securities transactions. Securities transactions are placed with a view to obtaining best price and execution. The Advisor may pay compensation, out of the Advisor’s profits and not as an additional charge to a Portfolio, to financial intermediaries to support the sale of Portfolio shares. The Advisor’s address is 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, TX 78746. A discussion regarding the basis for the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) approving the Investment Management Agreements and Sub-Advisory Agreements with respect to the Portfolios will be available in a future semi-annual report for the Portfolios.
The Advisor has been engaged in the business of providing investment management services since May 1981. The Advisor is currently organized as a Delaware limited partnership and is controlled and operated by its general partner, Dimensional Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation. The Advisor controls DFAL and DFA
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Australia. As of January 31, 2023, assets under management for all Dimensional affiliated advisors totaled approximately $626 billion.
The Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration”) provides that by virtue of becoming a shareholder of the Trust, each shareholder shall be held expressly to have agreed to be bound by the provisions of the Declaration. However, shareholders should be aware that they cannot waive their rights under the federal securities laws. The Declaration provides a detailed process for the bringing of derivative actions by shareholders for claims other than federal securities law claims beyond the process otherwise required by law. This derivative actions process is intended to permit legitimate inquiries and claims while avoiding the time, expense, distraction, and other harm that can be caused to a Portfolio or its shareholders as a result of spurious shareholder demands and derivative actions. Prior to bringing a derivative action, a demand by the complaining shareholder must first be made on the Trustees. The Declaration details conditions that must be met with respect to the demand. Following receipt of the demand, the Trustees must be afforded a reasonable amount of time to investigate and consider the demand. The Trustees will be entitled to retain counsel or other advisors in considering the merits of the request and shall require an undertaking by the shareholders making such request to reimburse the Trust for the expense of any such advisors in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring such action. The Trust’s process for bringing derivative suits may be more restrictive than other investment companies. The process for derivative actions for the Trust also may make it more expensive for a shareholder to bring a suit than if the shareholder was not required to follow such a process.
The Declaration also requires that actions by shareholders against a Portfolio be brought only in a certain federal court in Texas, or if not permitted to be brought in federal court, then in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as required by applicable law, or the Superior Court of Delaware, (the “Exclusive Jurisdictions”) and that the right to jury trial be waived to the fullest extent permitted by law. Other investment companies may not be subject to similar restrictions. In addition, the designation of Exclusive Jurisdictions may make it more expensive for a shareholder to bring a suit than if the shareholder was permitted to select another jurisdiction. Also, the designation of Exclusive Jurisdictions and the waiver of jury trials limit a shareholder’s ability to litigate a claim in the jurisdiction and in a manner that may be more favorable to the shareholder. A court may choose not to enforce these provisions of the Declaration.
MANAGEMENT FEES
The “Annual Fund Operating Expenses“ table describes the anticipated fees to be incurred by each Portfolio for the services provided by the Advisor for the first full fiscal year. The Advisor, not the International Portfolios and Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF, will compensate the sub-advisors.
Sub-Advisors
The Advisor has entered into Sub-Advisory Agreements with DFAL and DFA Australia, respectively, with respect to the International Portfolios and Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF. Pursuant to the terms of each Sub-Advisory Agreement, DFAL and DFA Australia each have the authority and responsibility to select brokers or dealers to execute securities transactions for the Portfolios. Each Sub-Advisor’s duties include the maintenance of a trading desk and the determination of the best and most efficient means of executing securities transactions. At least semi-annually, the Advisor will review the holdings of each Portfolio and review the trading process and the execution of securities transactions. The Advisor is responsible for determining those securities that are eligible for purchase and sale by each Portfolio and may delegate this task, subject to its own review, to DFAL and DFA Australia. DFAL and DFA Australia maintain and furnish to the Advisor information and reports on securities of companies in certain markets, including recommendations of securities to be added to the securities that are eligible for purchase by a Portfolio, as well as making recommendations and elections on corporate actions. The Advisor controls DFAL and DFA Australia. DFA Australia has been a U.S. federally registered investment advisor since 1994 and is located at Level 43 Gateway, 1 Macquarie Place, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia. DFAL has been a U.S. federally registered investment advisor since 1991 and is located at 20 Triton Street, Regent’s Place, London NW13BF, United Kingdom.
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Manager of Managers Structure
The Advisor and the Trust have received an exemptive order from the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for a manager of managers structure that allows the Advisor to appoint, remove or change Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisors (defined below), and enter into, amend and terminate sub-advisory agreements with Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisors, without prior shareholder approval, but subject to Board approval. A “Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisor” includes (1) sub-advisors that are wholly-owned by the Advisor (i.e., an indirect or direct “wholly-owned subsidiary” (as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”)) of the Advisor, or (2) a sister company of the Advisor that is an indirect or direct “wholly-owned subsidiary” (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the same company that, indirectly or directly, wholly owns the Advisor (“Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisors”). The Board only will approve a change with respect to sub-advisors if the Trustees conclude that such arrangements would be in the best interests of the shareholders of a Portfolio. If a new Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisor is hired for a Portfolio, shareholders will receive information about the new sub-advisor within 90 days of the change. The exemptive order allows greater flexibility for the Advisor to utilize, if desirable, personnel throughout the worldwide organization enabling a Portfolio to operate more efficiently. The Advisor will not hire unaffiliated sub-advisors without prior shareholder approval and did not request the ability to do so in its application to the SEC for an exemptive order to allow the manager of managers structure.
The use of the manager of managers structure with respect to a Portfolio is subject to certain conditions set forth in the SEC exemptive order. Under the manager of managers structure, the Advisor has the ultimate responsibility, subject to oversight by the Board, to oversee the Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisors and recommend their hiring, termination and replacement. The Advisor will provide general management services to a Portfolio, including overall supervisory responsibility for the general management and investment of the Portfolio’s assets. Subject to review and approval of the Board, the Advisor will (a) set a Portfolio’s overall investment strategies, (b) evaluate, select, and recommend Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisors to manage all or a portion of a Portfolio’s assets, and (c) implement procedures reasonably designed to ensure that Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisors comply with a Portfolio’s investment objective, policies and restrictions. Subject to review by the Board, the Advisor will (a) when appropriate, allocate and reallocate a Portfolio’s assets among multiple Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisors; and (b) monitor and evaluate the performance of Dimensional Wholly-Owned Sub-advisors.
FEE WAIVER AND EXPENSE ASSUMPTION AGREEMENTS
Pursuant to a Fee Waiver and/or Expense Assumption Agreement for each Portfolio, the Advisor has agreed to waive certain fees and in certain instances, assume certain expenses of the Portfolio, as described below. The Fee Waiver and/or Expense Assumption Agreement will remain in effect through February 28, 2024, and may only be terminated by the Trust’s Board of Trustees prior to that date. The Fee Waiver and/or Expense Assumption Agreement shall continue in effect from year to year thereafter unless terminated by the Trust or the Advisor. With respect to each Fee Waiver and/or Expense Assumption Agreement, prior year waived fees and/or assumed expenses can be recaptured only if the expense ratio following such recapture would be less than the expense cap that was in place when such prior year fees were waived and/or expenses assumed, and less than the current expense cap in place for the Portfolio. A Portfolio is not obligated to reimburse the Advisor for fees previously waived or expenses previously assumed by the Advisor more than thirty-six months before the date of such reimbursement.
The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and assume the ordinary operating expenses of each of the Portfolios (excluding the expenses that the Portfolio incurs indirectly through its investment in other investment companies) (“Portfolio Expenses”) to the extent necessary to limit the Portfolio Expenses of each Portfolio, on an annualized basis, to the rates listed below as a percentage of the respective Portfolio’s average net assets (the “Expense Limitation Amount”). At any time that the Portfolio Expenses of a Portfolio are less than the Expense Limitation Amount for the Portfolio, the Advisor retains the right to recover any fees previously waived and/or expenses previously assumed to the extent that such recovery will not cause the annualized Portfolio Expenses for such Portfolio to exceed the applicable Expense Limitation Amount identified below.
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|
|
|
|||||
Portfolio |
Expense Limitation |
||||||
US Sustainability ETF |
|
|
0.18 |
% |
|
||
|
|||||||
International Sustainability ETF |
|
|
0.24 |
% |
|
||
|
|||||||
Emerging Markets Sustainability ETF |
|
|
0.41 |
% |
|
||
|
|||||||
Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF |
|
|
0.24 |
% |
|
||
|
Dividends, Capital Gains Distributions and Taxes
Dividends and Distributions. Each Portfolio intends to qualify each year as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). As a regulated investment company, a Portfolio generally pays no federal income tax on the income and gains it distributes. Dividends from net investment income are distributed quarterly by the Equity Portfolios (on a calendar basis). Dividends from net investment income are distributed monthly by the Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF. Any net realized capital gains of the Portfolios (after any reductions for available capital loss carryforwards) are distributed annually, typically in December. A Portfolio may distribute such income dividends and capital gains more frequently, if necessary, in order to reduce or eliminate federal excise or income taxes on the Portfolio.
Capital gains distributions may vary considerably from year to year as a result of a Portfolio’s normal investment activities and cash flows. During a time of economic volatility, a Portfolio may experience capital losses and unrealized depreciation in value of investments, the effect of which may be to reduce or eliminate capital gains distributions for a period of time. A Portfolio may be required to distribute taxable realized gains from a prior year, even if the Portfolio has a net realized loss for the year of distribution.
Distributions may be reinvested automatically in additional whole shares only if the broker through whom you purchased shares makes such option available.
Annual Statements. Each year, you will receive a statement that shows the tax status of distributions you received the previous calendar year. Distributions declared in October, November or December to shareholders of record in such month, but paid in January, are taxable as if they were paid in December.
Avoid “Buying A Dividend.” At the time you purchase your Portfolio shares, a Portfolio’s NAV may reflect undistributed income or undistributed capital gains. A subsequent distribution to you of such amounts, although constituting a return of your investment, would be taxable. Buying shares in a Portfolio just before it declares an income dividend or capital gains distribution is sometimes known as “buying a dividend.” In addition, a Portfolio’s NAV may, at any time, reflect net unrealized appreciation, which may result in future taxable distributions to you.
Tax Considerations. In general, if you are a taxable investor, Portfolio distributions are taxable to you as ordinary income, capital gains, or some combination of both. This is true whether you reinvest your distributions in additional Portfolio shares or receive them in cash.
For federal income tax purposes, Portfolio distributions of short-term capital gains are taxable to you at ordinary income rates. Portfolio distributions of long-term capital gains are taxable to you at long-term capital gain rates no matter how long you have owned your shares. A portfolio with a high portfolio turnover rate (a measure of how frequently assets within a portfolio are bought and sold) is more likely to generate short-term capital gains than a portfolio with a low portfolio turnover. A portion of income dividends reported by a Portfolio as qualified dividend income may be eligible for taxation by individual shareholders at long-term capital gain rates provided certain holding period requirements are met.
Compared to other types of investments, derivatives may be less tax efficient. For example, the use of derivatives by a Portfolio may cause the Portfolio to realize higher amounts of ordinary income or short-term capital gain, distributions from which are taxable to individual shareholders at ordinary income tax rates rather than at the
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more favorable tax rates for long-term capital gains. Changes in government regulation of derivative instruments could affect the character, timing and amount of a Portfolio’s taxable income or gains, and may limit or prevent the Portfolio from using certain types of derivative instruments as a part of its investment strategy. A Portfolio’s use of derivatives also may be limited by the requirements for taxation of the Portfolio as a regulated investment company.
If a Portfolio qualifies to pass through the tax benefits from foreign taxes it pays on its investments, and elects to do so, then any foreign taxes it pays on these investments will be treated as paid by you. You will then be entitled either to deduct your share of these taxes in computing your taxable income, or to claim a foreign tax credit for these taxes against your U.S. federal income tax (subject to limitations for certain shareholders).
Sale of Portfolio Shares. The sale of shares of a Portfolio is a taxable event and may result in a capital gain or loss to you. Currently, any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of Portfolio shares generally is treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year and as short-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for one year or less. Any loss incurred on the sale or exchange of a Portfolio’s shares, held for six months or less, will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of capital gain dividends received with respect to such shares. The ability to deduct capital losses may be limited.
Creation Units. An authorized participant who exchanges securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or a loss. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time of purchase (plus any cash received by the authorized participant as part of the issue) and the authorized participant’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered (plus any cash paid by the authorized participant as part of the issue). An authorized participant who exchanges Creation Units for securities generally will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the authorized participant’s basis in the Creation Units (plus any cash paid by the authorized participant as part of the redemption) and the aggregate market value of the securities received (plus any cash received by the authorized participant as part of the redemption). The Internal Revenue Service, however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position. Persons exchanging securities should consult their own tax advisor with respect to whether the wash sale rules apply and when a loss might be deductible.
Under current federal tax laws, any capital gain or loss realized upon redemption of Creation Units is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year and as a short-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for one year or less, assuming such Creation Unit is held as a capital asset.
If a Portfolio redeems Creation Units in cash, it may recognize more capital gains than it will if it redeems Creation Units in-kind.
Medicare Tax. An additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from a Portfolio and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of Portfolio shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds a threshold amount. Net investment income does not include exempt-interest dividends. This Medicare tax, if applicable, is reported by you on, and paid with, your federal income tax return.
Backup Withholding. By law, a 24% withholding tax may apply to taxable dividends, capital gains distributions, and redemption proceeds paid to you if you do not provide your proper taxpayer identification number and certain required certifications. You may avoid this withholding requirement by providing and certifying on the account registration form your correct Taxpayer Identification Number and by certifying that you are not subject to backup withholding and are a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien). Withholding is also imposed if the Internal Revenue Service requires it.
State and Local Taxes. In addition to federal taxes, you may be subject to state and local taxes on distributions from a Portfolio and on gains arising on redemption or exchange of a Portfolio’s shares. Distributions of interest income and capital gains realized from certain types of U.S. Government securities may be exempt from state personal income taxes.
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Non-U.S. Investors. Non-U.S. investors may be subject to U.S. withholding tax, at either the 30% statutory rate or a lower rate if you are a resident of a country that has a tax treaty with the U.S., and are subject to special U.S. tax certification requirements to avoid backup withholding and claim any treaty benefits. Exemptions from U.S. withholding tax are provided for certain capital gain dividends paid by a Portfolio from net long-term capital gains, exempt-interest dividends, if any, interest-related dividends paid by a Portfolio from its qualified net interest income from U.S. sources and short-term capital gain dividends, if such amounts are reported by a Portfolio. However, notwithstanding such exemptions from U.S. withholding at the source, any such dividends and distributions of income and capital gains will be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 24% if you fail to properly certify that you are not a U.S. person. Non-U.S. investors also may be subject to U.S. estate tax.
Other Reporting and Withholding Requirements. Under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”), a 30% withholding tax is imposed on income dividends made by the Portfolio to certain foreign entities, referred to as foreign financial institutions or non-financial foreign entities, that fail to comply (or be deemed compliant) with extensive reporting and withholding requirements designed to inform the U.S. Department of the Treasury of U.S. owned foreign investment accounts. After December 31, 2018, FATCA withholding also would have applied to certain capital gain distributions, return of capital distributions and the proceeds arising from the sale of Portfolio shares; however, based on proposed regulations issued by the Internal Revenue Service, which may be relied upon currently, such withholding is no longer required unless final regulations provide otherwise (which is not expected). Information about a Portfolio shareholder may be disclosed to the Internal Revenue Service, non-U.S. taxing authorities or other parties as necessary to comply with FATCA or similar laws. Withholding also may be required if a foreign entity that is a shareholder of a Portfolio fails to provide the appropriate certifications or other documentation concerning its status under FATCA.
This discussion of “DIVIDENDS, CAPITAL GAINS DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES” is not intended or written to be used as tax advice. Because everyone’s tax situation is unique, you should consult your tax professional about federal, state, local or foreign tax consequences before making an investment in a Portfolio. Prospective investors should also consult the SAI.
Electronic Shareholder Information
In order to conserve natural resources, which the Advisor understands is an important consideration of the shareholders of the Portfolios, shareholders, when opening an account through a financial intermediary or brokerage account that provides electronic delivery, are encouraged to consent to the acceptance of all shareholder information about the Portfolio(s) in which the shareholders invest, through electronic delivery. Shareholder information includes prospectuses, statements of additional information, annual and semi-annual reports, confirmations and statements. Additionally, the Portfolios’ Web site address is https://us.dimensional.com/etfs. The current Prospectus of the Portfolios is available for viewing and printing on the Web site. An interruption in transmissions over the Internet generally or a problem in the transmission of the Portfolios’ Web site in particular could result in a delay or interruption in the ability of shareholders to access the Web site.
Purchase and Sale of Shares
Shares of a Portfolio may be acquired or redeemed directly from the Portfolio only in Creation Units or multiples thereof, as discussed in the “Creations and Redemptions” section of this Prospectus. Only an Authorized Participant (defined below) may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with a Portfolio. An “Authorized Participant” is either a “participating party” (i.e., a broker-dealer or other participant in the clearing process through the Continuous Net Settlement System of the National Securities Clearing Corporation) or a Depository Trust Company participant who, in either case, has executed an agreement with the distributor and transfer agent with respect to creations and redemptions of Creation Units. Once created, shares of a Portfolio generally trade in the secondary market in amounts less than a Creation Unit.
Shares of a Portfolio are listed for trading on a national securities exchange during the trading day. Shares can be bought and sold throughout the trading day like shares of other publicly traded companies. However, there can be no guarantee that an active trading market will develop or be maintained, or that a Portfolio’s shares listing
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will continue or remain unchanged. The Trust does not impose any minimum investment for shares of a Portfolio purchased on an exchange. Shares of the Portfolios trade under the following symbols:
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US Sustainability ETF |
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DFSU |
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DFSI |
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Emerging Markets Sustainability ETF |
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DFSE |
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Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF |
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DFSB |
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Buying or selling a Portfolio’s shares on an exchange involves certain costs that may apply to all securities transactions. When buying or selling shares of a Portfolio through a financial intermediary, you may incur a brokerage commission or other charges determined by your financial intermediary. Due to these brokerage costs, if any, frequent trading may detract significantly from investment returns. The commission is frequently a fixed amount and may be a significant proportional cost for investors seeking to buy or sell small amounts of shares. In addition, you may also incur the cost of the “spread” (the difference between the bid price and the ask price). The spread varies over time for shares of a Portfolio based on its trading volume and market liquidity and is generally less if the Portfolio has more trading volume and market liquidity and more if the Portfolio has less trading volume and market liquidity. Because shares of the Portfolios trade at market price rather than NAV, an investor may pay more than NAV when purchasing shares and receive less than NAV when selling Portfolio shares. Authorized Participants may acquire Portfolio shares directly from a Portfolio, and Authorized Participants may tender their shares for redemption directly to a Portfolio, at NAV per share only in Creation Units, and in accordance with the procedures described in the SAI.
Each Portfolio’s primary listing exchange is NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “Exchange”). The Exchange is open for trading Monday through Friday and is closed on the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
The Board has not adopted a policy of monitoring for frequent purchases and redemptions of Portfolio shares (“frequent trading”) that appear to attempt to take advantage of potential arbitrage opportunities presented by a lag between a change in the value of a Portfolio’s portfolio securities after the close of the primary markets for the Portfolio’s portfolio securities and the reflection of that change in the Portfolio’s NAV (“market timing”) because each Portfolio sells and redeems its shares directly through transactions that are in-kind and/or for cash, subject to the conditions described below under “Creations and Redemptions.” The Board has not adopted a policy of monitoring for other frequent trading activity because shares of the Portfolios are listed for trading on a national securities exchange.
SHARE PRICE
The trading prices of a Portfolio’s shares in the secondary market will fluctuate continuously throughout trading hours based on the supply of and demand for Portfolio shares and shares of underlying securities held by a Portfolio, economic conditions and other factors, rather than a Portfolio’s NAV, which is calculated at the end of each business day. Portfolio 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 a Portfolio’s shares. The trading prices of a Portfolio’s shares may deviate significantly from the Portfolio’s NAV during periods of market volatility. Given, however, that a Portfolio’s 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.
The Exchange will disseminate, every fifteen seconds during the regular trading day, an indicative optimized portfolio value (“IOPV”) relating to a Portfolio. The IOPV calculations are estimates of the value of a Portfolio’s NAV per share. 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. The IOPV is based on the current market value of the published basket of portfolio securities and/or cash required to be deposited in exchange for a Creation Unit and does not necessarily reflect the precise composition of a Portfolio’s actual portfolio at a particular point in time. Moreover, the IOPV is generally determined by using current market quotations and/or price quotations
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obtained from broker-dealers and other market intermediaries and valuations based on current market rates. The IOPV may not be calculated in the same manner as the NAV, which (i) is computed only once a day, (ii) unlike the calculation of the IOPV, takes into account Portfolio expenses, and (iii) may be subject, in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, to fair valuation at different prices than those used in the calculations of the IOPV. The IOPV price is based on quotes and closing prices from the securities’ local market converted into U.S. dollars at the current currency rates and may not reflect events that occur subsequent to the local market’s close. Therefore, the IOPV may not reflect the best possible valuation of a Portfolio’s current portfolio. Neither the Portfolio 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. In the future, the dissemination of the IOPV may be discontinued.
BOOK ENTRY
Shares of the Portfolios are held in book-entry form, which means that no stock certificates are issued. The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) or its nominee is the record owner of, and holds legal title to, all outstanding shares of the Portfolios.
Investors owning shares of the Portfolios are beneficial owners as shown on the records of DTC or its participants. DTC serves as the securities depository for shares of the Portfolios. DTC participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other institutions that directly or indirectly maintain a custodial relationship with DTC. As a beneficial owner of shares, you are not entitled to receive physical delivery of stock certificates or to have shares registered in your name, and you are not considered a registered owner of shares. Therefore, to exercise any right as an owner of shares, you must rely upon the procedures of DTC and its participants. These procedures are the same as those that apply to any other securities that you hold in book-entry or “street name” form.
NET ASSET VALUE
The NAV per share of each Portfolio is normally calculated once daily after the close of the Exchange on which the Portfolio is listed for trading (normally, 4:00 p.m. ET) by dividing the total value of the Portfolio’s investments and other assets, less any liabilities, by the total outstanding shares of beneficial interest of the Portfolio. Note: The time at which transactions and shares are priced may be changed in case of an emergency or if the Exchange on which the Portfolio is listed for trading closes at a time other than 4:00 p.m. ET or in other situations to the extent permitted by the SEC.
The value of shares of each Portfolio will fluctuate in relation to its investment experience. Securities held by the Portfolios will be valued in accordance with applicable laws and procedures approved by the Board, and generally, as described below.
Debt securities will be valued on the basis of prices provided by one or more pricing services or other reasonably reliable sources including broker/dealers that typically handle the purchase and sale of such securities using data reflecting the earlier closing of the principal markets for those securities. Securities which are traded over-the- counter and on a stock exchange generally will be valued according to the broadest and most representative market, and it is expected that for bonds and other fixed income securities, this ordinarily will be the over-the- counter market. Net asset value includes interest on fixed income securities which is accrued daily. Generally, securities issued by open-end investment companies are valued using their respective net asset values or public offering prices, as appropriate, for purchase orders placed at the close of the NYSE.
Securities held by the Portfolios (including over-the-counter securities) are valued at, as applicable: (1) the official closing price on the exchange or market where the security is principally traded; or (2) the last reported sale price prior to that day’s close. Securities held by the Portfolios that are listed on Nasdaq are valued at the Nasdaq Official Closing Price (“NOCP”). If there is no last reported sales price or official closing price of the day, the Portfolios value the securities at the mean between the most recent quoted bid and asked prices. Price information on listed securities is taken from the exchange where the security is primarily traded. Generally, options will be valued using the same pricing methods discussed above.
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The value of the securities and other assets of a Portfolio for which no market quotations are readily available (including restricted securities), or for which market quotations have become unreliable, are determined in good faith at fair value in accordance with Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act pursuant to procedures approved by the Board of the Trust. Fair value pricing also may be used if events that have a significant effect on the value of an investment (as determined in the discretion of the Advisor) occur before the NAV is calculated. When fair value pricing is used, the prices of securities used by a Portfolio may differ from the quoted or published prices for the same securities on their primary markets or exchanges.
To the extent that the Portfolios hold large numbers of securities, it is likely that it will have a larger number of securities that may be deemed illiquid and therefore must be valued pursuant to fair value pricing procedures approved by the Board than would a fund that holds a smaller number of securities. Portfolios that invest in small capitalization companies are more likely to hold illiquid securities than would a fund that invests in larger capitalization companies.
Valuing securities at fair value involves greater reliance on judgment than valuing securities that have readily available market quotations. There can be no assurance that a Portfolio could obtain the fair value assigned to a security if it were to sell the security at approximately the time at which the Portfolio determines its NAV per share. As a result, the sale or redemption by a Portfolio of its shares at NAV, at a time when a holding or holdings are valued at fair value, may have the effect of diluting or increasing the economic interest of existing shareholders.
For the International Portfolios and Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF, the prices of securities traded in foreign currencies will be expressed in U.S. dollars by using the mid-rate prices for the U.S. dollar as quoted by generally recognized reliable sources at 4 p.m. London time. Because the International Portfolios own securities that are primarily traded in foreign markets which may trade on days when the Portfolios do not price their shares, the NAVs of the Portfolios may change on days when shareholders will not be able to purchase or redeem shares.
Certain of the securities holdings of the Emerging Markets Sustainability ETF in Approved Markets may be subject to tax, investment and currency repatriation regulations of the Approved Markets that could have a material effect on the values of the securities. For example, a Portfolio might be subject to different levels of taxation on current income and realized gains depending upon the holding period of the securities. In general, a longer holding period (e.g., 5 years) may result in the imposition of lower tax rates than a shorter holding period (e.g., 1 year). The Emerging Markets Sustainability ETF may also be subject to certain contractual arrangements with investment authorities in an Approved Market which require a Portfolio to maintain minimum holding periods or to limit the extent of repatriation of income and realized gains.
Futures contracts are valued using the settlement price established each day on the exchange on which they are traded. The value of such futures contracts held by a Portfolio is determined each day as of such close. In the absence of prices that are readily available as defined in Rule 2a-5, the futures contract will be valued in good faith at fair value in accordance with procedures approved by the Board.
Swap agreements will be valued at the price provided by an independent third-party pricing service or source. If a price is not readily available as defined in Rule 2a-5, the swap agreement will be valued in good faith at fair value in accordance with procedures approved by the Board.
Each Portfolio generally calculates its NAV per share and accepts purchase and redemption orders of Creation Units on days that the Exchange on which the Portfolio is listed for trading is open for trading.
Creations and Redemptions
Prior to trading in the secondary market, shares of a Portfolio are “created” at NAV by market makers, large investors and institutions only in block-size Creation Units of the following number of shares, or multiples thereof:
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Creation Unit |
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US Sustainability ETF |
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50,000 shares |
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International Sustainability ETF |
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100,000 shares |
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Emerging Markets Sustainability ETF |
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100,000 shares |
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Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF |
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50,000 shares |
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All orders to purchase Creation Units must be placed by or through an “Authorized Participant” that has entered into an authorized participant agreement (an “AP Agreement”) with the Portfolios’ distributor (the “Distributor”).
A creation transaction for an Equity Portfolio, which is subject to acceptance by the Distributor or its agents, generally takes place when an Authorized Participant deposits into an Equity Portfolio a designated portfolio of securities (including any portion of such securities for which cash may be substituted) and a specified amount of cash in exchange for a specified number of Creation Units. Similarly, shares can be redeemed only in Creation Units, generally for a designated portfolio of securities (including any portion of such securities for which cash may be substituted) held by an Equity Portfolio and a specified amount of cash. A creation transaction for the Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF, which is subject to acceptance by the Distributor or its agents, generally takes place when an Authorized Participant deposits into the Portfolio a designated portfolio of securities (including any portion of such securities for which cash may be substituted) and a specified amount of cash in exchange for a specified number of Creation Units. Similarly, shares can be redeemed only in Creation Units, generally for a designated portfolio of securities (including any portion of such securities for which cash may be substituted) held by the Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF and a specified amount of cash. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, shares are not redeemable by a Portfolio.
For the Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF, the Trust reserves the right to permit or require that creations and redemptions of Shares be effected entirely in cash, in-kind or a combination thereof. Creation Unit transactions conducted in exchange for cash only may cause the Portfolio to recognize capital gains and to pay out higher annual capital gain distributions to shareholders than if such transactions had been conducted in-kind. Conducting Creation Unit transactions in cash may also cause the Portfolio’s shares to trade in the secondary market at wider bid-ask spreads or greater premiums or discounts to the Portfolio’s NAV.
The prices at which creations and redemptions occur are based on the next calculation of NAV after a creation or redemption order is received in an acceptable form under the AP Agreement.
Only an Authorized Participant may create or redeem Creation Units directly with a Portfolio. In the event of a system failure or other interruption, including disruptions at market makers or Authorized Participants, orders to purchase or redeem Creation Units either may not be executed according to a Portfolio’s instructions or may not be executed at all, or a Portfolio may not be able to place or change orders.
When a Portfolio engages in in-kind transactions, the Portfolio intends to comply with the U.S. federal securities laws in accepting securities for deposit and satisfying redemptions with redemption securities by, among other means, assuring that any securities accepted for deposit and any securities used to satisfy redemption requests will be sold in transactions that would be exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”). Further, an Authorized Participant that is not a “qualified institutional buyer,” as such term is defined under Rule 144A of the 1933 Act, will not be able to receive restricted securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A.
Creations and redemptions must be made through a firm that is either a member of the Continuous Net Settlement System of the National Securities Clearing Corporation or a DTC participant and, in either case, has executed an AP Agreement with the Distributor. Information about the procedures regarding creation and redemption of Creation Units (including the cut-off times for receipt of creation and redemption orders) is included in the Portfolios’ SAI.
Because new shares may be created and issued on an ongoing basis, at any point during the life of a Portfolio a “distribution,” as such term is used in the 1933 Act, may be occurring. 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 that could render them statutory underwriters subject to the prospectus
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delivery and liability provisions of the 1933 Act. Any determination of whether one is an underwriter must take into account all the relevant facts and circumstances of each particular case.
Broker-dealers should also note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are participating in a distribution (as contrasted to ordinary secondary transactions), and thus dealing with shares that are part of an “unsold allotment” within the meaning of Section 4(a)(3)(C) of the 1933 Act, would be unable to take advantage of the prospectus delivery exemption provided by Section 4(a)(3) of the 1933 Act. For delivery of prospectuses to exchange members, the prospectus delivery mechanism of Rule 153 under the 1933 Act is available only with respect to transactions on a national securities exchange.
Premium/Discount Information
Information showing the number of days the market price of a Portfolio’s shares was greater than the Portfolio’s NAV and the number of days it was less than the Portfolio’s NAV (i.e., premium or discount) for various time periods is available by visiting the Portfolio’s website at https://us.dimensional.com/etfs.
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings
A description of the Trust’s policies and procedures regarding the release of portfolio holdings information is also available in the Trust’s SAI. Portfolio holdings information is available by visiting a Portfolio’s website at https://us.dimensional.com/etfs.
Delivery of Shareholder Documents
To eliminate duplicate mailings and reduce expenses, certain broker-dealers may deliver a single copy of certain shareholder documents, such as this Prospectus and annual and semi-annual reports, to related shareholders at the same address, even if accounts are registered in different names. This practice is known as “householding.” You may contact your broker-dealer to enroll in householding. Once enrolled, this process will continue indefinitely unless you instruct your broker-dealer otherwise. If you do not want the mailings of these documents to be combined with those of other members of your household, please contact your broker-dealer. At any time you may view current prospectuses and financial reports on a Portfolio’s website at https://us.dimensional.com/etfs.
Distribution
The Distributor or its agents distribute Creation Units for the Portfolios on an agency basis. The Distributor does not maintain a secondary market in shares of the Portfolios.
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE (12B-1) FEES
The Board has adopted a distribution plan, sometimes known as a Rule 12b-1 plan, that allows a Portfolio to pay distribution fees of up to 0.25% per year, to those who sell and distribute Portfolio shares and provide other services to shareholders. However, the Board has determined not to authorize payment of a Rule 12b-1 plan fee at this time. Because these fees are paid out of a Portfolio’s assets on an ongoing basis, to the extent that a fee is authorized, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales charges.
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Other Available Information
You can find more information about the Trust and each Portfolio in the Portfolios’ SAI and Annual and Semi-Annual Reports, when available.
Statement of Additional Information.
The SAI, incorporated herein by reference, supplements, and is technically part of, this Prospectus. It includes an expanded discussion of investment practices, risks, and fund operations.
Annual and Semi-Annual Reports to Shareholders.
These reports focus on Portfolio holdings and performance. The Annual Report also discusses the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Portfolios in their last fiscal year.
How to get these and other materials:
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Your investment advisor or broker-dealer—you are a client of an investment advisor or broker-dealer who has invested in a Portfolio on your behalf. |
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The Trust—Call collect at (512) 306-7400. |
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Access them on our Web site at http://us.dimensional.com. |
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Access them on the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s Internet site at http://www.sec.gov. |
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Obtain them, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov. |
Dimensional ETF Trust—Registration No. 811-23580
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Dimensional Fund Advisors LP |
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dimensional ETF TRust
6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin,
Texas 78746
Telephone: (512) 306-7400
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
February 28, 2023
Dimensional ETF Trust (the “Trust”) is an open-end management investment company that offers thirty series of shares. This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) relates to the following portfolios (each, a “Portfolio” and collectively, the “Portfolios”):
Portfolio: | Exchange: | Ticker: |
Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF | NYSE Arca, Inc. | DFAU |
Dimensional US High Profitability ETF | NYSE Arca, Inc. | DUHP |
Dimensional US Large Cap Value ETF | NYSE Arca, Inc. | DFLV |
Dimensional US Real Estate ETF | NYSE Arca, Inc. | DFAR |
Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF | NYSE Arca, Inc. | DFSV |
Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF | NYSE Arca, Inc. | DFAI |
Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF | Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. | DFIC |
Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF | Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. | DISV |
Dimensional International Small Cap ETF | Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. | DFIS |
Dimensional International High Profitability ETF | Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. | DIHP |
Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF | NYSE Arca, Inc. | DFAE |
Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF | NYSE Arca, Inc. | DEHP |
Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF | NYSE Arca, Inc. | DFEV |
Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF | NYSE Arca, Inc. | DFEM |
Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF | NYSE Arca, Inc. | DFGR |
This SAI is not a Prospectus but should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus of the Portfolios, dated February 28, 2023, as amended from time to time. The audited financial statements and financial highlights of the Portfolios (excluding the Dimensional US Large Cap Value ETF and Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF) are incorporated by reference from the Portfolios’ annual reports to shareholders. A free copy of the Prospectus and annual report can be obtained by contacting your investment representative, writing to the Trust at the above address or by calling the above telephone number.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
General information
The Trust is a Delaware statutory trust organized on June 16, 2020. The Trust is an open-end management investment company, registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Each Portfolio offers, issues and redeems shares (“Shares”) at net asset value (“NAV”) only in large aggregations of Shares (each a “Creation Unit”). Creation Units typically are a specified number of Shares. Generally, a Creation Unit will consist of the following number of Shares or multiples thereof:
Portfolio | Creation Unit |
Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF | 50,000 Shares |
Dimensional US High Profitability ETF | 50,000 Shares |
Dimensional US Large Cap Value ETF | 50,000 Shares |
Dimensional US Real Estate ETF | 50,000 Shares |
Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF | 50,000 Shares |
Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF | 100,000 Shares |
Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF | 100,000 Shares |
Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF | 50,000 Shares |
Dimensional International Small Cap ETF | 100,000 Shares |
Dimensional International High Profitability ETF | 50,000 Shares |
Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF | 100,000 Shares |
Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF | 50,000 Shares |
Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF | 100,000 Shares |
Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF | 100,000 Shares |
Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF | 50,000 Shares |
In the event of liquidation of a Portfolio, the Trust may lower the number of Shares in a Creation Unit. In its discretion, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (the “Advisor” or “Dimensional”) reserves the right to increase or decrease the number of a Portfolio’s Shares that constitute a Creation Unit. The Board of Trustees reserves the right to declare a split or a consolidation in the number of Shares outstanding of a Portfolio, and to make a corresponding change in the number of Shares constituting a Creation Unit. Each Portfolio may issue Creation Units of its Shares to Authorized Participants (as defined in the “Creation and Redemption of Creation Units” section of this SAI) in exchange for a designated basket of portfolio investments (including cash in lieu of any portion of such investments), together with the deposit of a specified cash payment and applicable fees as described below. Shares of the Portfolios are listed and trade on NYSE Arca, Inc. (“NYSE”), except for the shares of the Dimensional International Core Equity 2, Dimensional International Small Cap Value, Dimensional International Small Cap and Dimensional International High Profitability ETFs, which are listed and trade on Cboe BZX Exchange, Inc. (“Cboe” and together with NYSE, the “Exchange”), each a national securities exchange. Shares of the Portfolios are traded in the secondary market and elsewhere at market prices that may be at, above or below a Portfolio’s NAV. Shares are redeemable only in Creation Units by Authorized Participants in exchange for a designated basket of portfolio investments (including cash in lieu of any portion of such investments) together with a specified amount of cash and applicable fees as described below.
The Trust reserves the right to permit or require that creations and redemptions of Shares be effected entirely in cash, in-kind or a combination thereof. Fees imposed by a Portfolio in connection with creations and redemptions of Shares (“Transaction Fees”) and other costs associated with creations or redemptions that include cash may be higher than Transaction Fees and other costs associated with in-kind creations or redemptions. In all cases, conditions with respect to creations and redemptions of Shares and fees will be limited in accordance with the requirements of SEC rules and regulations applicable to management investment companies offering redeemable securities. See the “Creation and Redemption of Creation Units” section of this SAI for more information.
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Each Portfolio is a separate series of the Trust, and each Share of a Portfolio represents an equal proportionate interest in the Portfolio. All consideration received by the Trust for a Portfolio’s Shares and all assets of a Portfolio belong solely to that Portfolio and would be subject to liabilities related thereto.
Exchange Listing and Trading
There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of Shares of a Portfolio will continue to be met. The Exchange will consider the suspension of trading in, and will commence delisting proceedings of, the Shares of a Portfolio under any of the following circumstances: (i) if the Exchange becomes aware that the Portfolio is no longer eligible to operate in reliance on Rule 6c-11 under the 1940 Act; (ii) if the Portfolio no longer complies with the requirements set forth in the relevant listing standards of the Exchange; (iii) with respect to NYSE listed Portfolios, if following the initial 12-month period beginning upon the commencement of trading of the Portfolio, there are fewer than 50 beneficial holders of the Shares; (iv) with respect to Cboe listed Portfolios, if following the initial 12-month period beginning upon the commencement of trading of the Portfolio, there are fewer than 50 beneficial holders of the Shares for at least 30 consecutive trading days; or (v) any other event shall occur or condition shall exist that, in the opinion of the Exchange, makes further dealings on the Exchange inadvisable. The Exchange will remove the Shares of a Portfolio from listing and trading upon termination of the Portfolio.
As is the case with other stocks traded on the Exchange, brokers’ commissions on transactions will be based on negotiated commission rates at customary levels. Negotiated commission rates only apply to investors who will buy and sell Shares of a Portfolio in secondary market transactions through brokers on the Exchange and does not apply to investors such as market makers, large investors and institutions who wish to deal in Creation Units directly with the Portfolio.
The Trust reserves the right to adjust the price levels of the Shares in the future to help maintain convenient trading ranges for investors. Any adjustments would be accomplished through stock splits or reverse stock splits, which would have no effect on the net assets of a Portfolio.
Continuous Offering
The method by which Creation Units are created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Units are issued and sold by a Portfolio on an ongoing basis, at any point a “distribution,” as such term is used in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 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 that could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus delivery requirement and liability provisions of the 1933 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 Portfolios’ distributor, breaks them down into constituent Shares and sells such Shares directly to customers or if it chooses to couple the creation 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 1933 Act must take into account all of 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, generally are required to deliver a prospectus. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(a)(3) of the 1933 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 a Portfolio are reminded that, pursuant to Rule 153 under the 1933 Act, a prospectus delivery obligation under Section 5(b)(2) of the 1933 Act owed to an exchange member in connection with a sale on the Exchange generally is satisfied by the fact that the prospectus is available at the Exchange upon request. The prospectus delivery mechanism provided in Rule 153 is available only with respect to transactions on an exchange.
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The Advisor or its affiliates may purchase shares of a Portfolio through a broker-dealer to “seed” a Portfolio as it is launched, or may purchase shares of a Portfolio from other broker-dealers that have previously provided “seed” capital for a Portfolio when it was launched, or otherwise in secondary market transactions.
Portfolio CHARACTERISTICS, POLICIES and Investment process
Dimensional serves as investment advisor to each of the Portfolios. The Advisor is organized as a Delaware limited partnership and is controlled and operated by its general partner, Dimensional Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation.
The following information supplements the information set forth in the Prospectus. Unless otherwise indicated, the following information applies to each Portfolio. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this SAI have the meaning assigned to them in the Prospectus. Each of the Portfolios is diversified under the federal securities laws and regulations.
Because the structure of the Portfolios is based on the relative market capitalizations of eligible holdings, it is possible that the Portfolios might include at least 5% of the outstanding voting securities of one or more issuers. In such circumstances, a Portfolio and the issuer would be deemed affiliated persons and certain requirements under the federal securities laws and regulations regulating dealings between investment companies and their affiliates might become applicable.
Each of the Portfolios has adopted a non-fundamental policy as required by Rule 35d-1 under the 1940 Act that, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the value of the Portfolio’s net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, will be invested in a specific type of investment. For purposes of each 80% policy, the value of the derivatives in which each Portfolio invests will be calculated in the same way that the values of derivatives are calculated when calculating a Portfolio’s NAV. Derivative instruments are valued at market price (not notional value) and may be fair valued, for purposes of calculating a Portfolio’s NAV. Additionally, if a Portfolio changes its 80% investment policy, the Portfolio will notify shareholders at least 60 days before the change, and will change the name of the Portfolio. For more information on each Portfolio’s specific 80% policy, see the “PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES” section in its Prospectus.
With respect to each Portfolio (except the Dimensional US Real Estate ETF), the Advisor has adopted a process that monitors environmental, social, and governance news and large share price movements of eligible portfolio companies to identify issuers whose future financial data may be negatively impacted to a significant degree by environmental, social, or governance factors. The Advisor may use third party tools to assist in filtering news focused on environmental, social and governance issues. Companies that are identified through this process are escalated to the members of the Advisor’s portfolio management team for further evaluation. After review, if the portfolio management team determines that an issuer’s future financial data is likely to be significantly impacted, the issuer may be underweighted, temporarily excluded from further investment, or divested from a Portfolio.
BROKERAGE Transactions
The following table reports brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolios for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2022 and October 31, 2021.
FISCAL YEAR ENDED 2022 |
FISCAL YEAR ENDED 2021 | |||
Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF1 | $18,220 | $4,131 | ||
Dimensional US High Profitability ETF2 | $1,395 | N/A | ||
Dimensional US Large Cap Value ETF* | N/A | N/A | ||
Dimensional US Real Estate ETF2 | $1,974 | N/A | ||
Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF2 | $15,184 | N/A | ||
Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF1 | $78,054 | $16,679 | ||
Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF3 | $43,224 | N/A |
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Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF3 | $13,749 | N/A | ||
Dimensional International Small Cap ETF3 | $8,295 | N/A | ||
Dimensional International High Profitability ETF3 | $8,858 | N/A | ||
Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF4 | $704,898 | $163,932 | ||
Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF5 | $39,767 | N/A | ||
Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF5 | $99,995 | N/A | ||
Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF5 | $356,752 | N/A | ||
Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF* | N/A | N/A |
1 | The Portfolio commenced operations on November 17, 2020. | |
2 | The Portfolio commenced operations on February 23, 2022. | |
3 | The Portfolio commenced operations on March 23, 2022. | |
4 | The Portfolio commenced operations on December 1, 2020. | |
5 | The Portfolio commenced operations on April 26, 2022. | |
* | The Portfolio had not commenced operations as of October 31, 2022. |
Portfolio transactions will be placed with a view to receiving the best price and execution. The Advisor will seek to acquire and dispose of securities in a manner which would cause as little fluctuation in the market prices of securities being purchased or sold as possible in light of the size of the transactions being effected, and brokers will be selected with this goal in view. The Advisor monitors the performance of brokers which effect transactions for the Portfolios to determine the effect that the brokers’ trading has on the market prices of the securities in which the Portfolios invest. The Advisor also checks the rate of commission being paid by the Portfolios to their brokers to ascertain that the rates are competitive with those charged by other brokers for similar services. Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. and DFA Australia Limited also may perform these services for the Portfolios that they sub-advise.
Subject to the duty to seek to obtain best price and execution, transactions may be placed with brokers that have assisted in the sale of Portfolio shares. The Advisor, however, pursuant to policies and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, is prohibited from selecting brokers and dealers to effect a Portfolio’s portfolio securities transactions based (in whole or in part) on a broker’s or dealer’s promotion or sale of shares issued by a Portfolio or any other registered investment companies.
Companies eligible for purchase by the Portfolios may be thinly traded securities. The Advisor believes that it needs maximum flexibility to effect trades on a best execution basis. As deemed appropriate, the Advisor places buy and sell orders for the Portfolios with various brokerage firms that may act as principal or agent. The Advisor may also make use of direct market access and algorithmic, program or electronic trading methods. The Advisor may extensively use electronic trading systems as such systems can provide the ability to customize the orders placed and can assist in the Advisor’s execution strategies.
Transactions also may be placed with brokers who provide the Advisor or the sub-advisors with investment research, such as: reports concerning individual issuers; general economic or industry reports or research data compilations; compilations of securities prices, earnings, dividends, and similar data; computerized databases; quotation services; trade analytics; ancillary brokerage services; and services of economic or other consultants. The investment management agreements permit the Advisor knowingly to pay commissions on these transactions that are greater than another broker, dealer or exchange member might charge if the Advisor, in good faith, determines that the commissions paid are reasonable in relation to the research or brokerage services provided by the broker or dealer when viewed in terms of either a particular transaction or the Advisor’s overall responsibilities to the accounts under its management. Research services furnished by brokers through whom securities transactions are effected may be used by the Advisor in servicing all of its accounts and not all such services may be used by the Advisor with respect to the Portfolios.
During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the Portfolios and the Advisor did not through an agreement or understanding with a broker, or otherwise through an internal allocation procedure, direct any Portfolio’s brokerage transactions to a broker because of research services provided.
The Portfolios may purchase securities of their regular brokers or dealers (as defined in Rule 10b-1 of the 1940 Act). The table below lists the regular brokers or dealers of each Portfolio whose securities (or securities of
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the broker’s or dealer’s parent company) were acquired by the Portfolio during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, as well as the value of such securities held by the Portfolio as of October 31, 2022.
Portfolio | Broker or Dealer | Value of Securities | |
Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF | Goldman Sachs | $7,638,476 | |
Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF | Citigroup | $5,084,636 | |
Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF | Jefferies | $646,667 | |
Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF | Virtu Financial, Inc. | $194,214 | |
Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF | Royal Bank of Canada | $17,049,579 | |
Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF | Societe Generale | $4,302,396 | |
Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF | Instinet | $2,562,388 | |
Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF | Credit Suisse | $787,268 | |
Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF | Royal Bank of Canada | $10,900,766 | |
Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF | Instinet | $2,286,187 | |
Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF | Societe Generale | $1,704,849 | |
Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF | Credit Suisse | $1,441,670 |
To the extent creation or redemption transactions are conducted on a cash or “cash in lieu” basis, a Portfolio may contemporaneously transact with broker-dealers for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities in connection with such transactions. Such orders may be placed with an Authorized Participant in its capacity as broker-dealer, a broker-dealer that is affiliated with the Authorized Participant, or a third-party broker-dealer.
Specifically, following a Portfolio’s receipt of a creation or redemption order, to the extent such purchases or redemptions consist of a cash portion, the Portfolio may enter an order with the Authorized Participant, its affiliated broker-dealer or a third-party broker-dealer to purchase or sell the portfolio securities, as applicable. The executing broker-dealer will be required to guarantee that the Portfolio will achieve execution of its order at a price at least as favorable to the Portfolio as the Portfolio’s valuation of the portfolio securities used for purposes of calculating the NAV applied to the creation or redemption transaction giving rise to the order (the “Price Guarantee”). Whether the execution of the order is at a price at least as favorable to the Portfolio will depend on the results achieved by the executing firm and will vary depending on market activity, timing and a variety of other factors.
An Authorized Participant is required to deposit an amount with a Portfolio in order to ensure that the execution of the order on the terms noted above will be honored on orders arising from creation transactions executed by an Authorized Participant or its affiliate as broker-dealer. If the broker-dealer executing the order achieves executions in market transactions at a price equal to or more favorable than a Portfolio’s valuation of the portfolio securities, the Portfolio receives the benefit of the favorable executions and the deposit is returned to the Authorized Participant. If, however, the broker-dealer executing the order is unable to achieve a price at least equal to a Portfolio’s valuation of the securities, the Portfolio retains the portion of the deposit equal to the full amount of the execution shortfall (including any taxes, brokerage commissions or other costs) and may require the Authorized Participant to deposit any additional amount required to cover the full amount of the actual execution transaction.
An Authorized Participant agrees to pay the shortfall amount in order to ensure that a guarantee on execution will be honored for brokerage orders arising from redemption transactions executed by an Authorized Participant or its affiliate as broker-dealer. If the broker-dealer executing the order achieves executions in market transactions at a price equal to or more favorable than a Portfolio’s valuation of the portfolio securities, the Portfolio receives the benefit of the favorable executions. If, however, the broker-dealer is unable to achieve executions in market transactions at a price at least equal to the Portfolio’s valuation of the securities, the Portfolio will be entitled to the portion of the offset equal to the full amount of the execution shortfall (including any taxes, brokerage commissions or other costs).
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INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
Each of the Portfolios has adopted certain limitations which may not be changed with respect to any Portfolio without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio. A “majority” is defined as the lesser of: (1) at least 67% of the voting securities of the Portfolio (to be affected by the proposed change) present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio are present or represented by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of such Portfolio.
The Portfolios will not:
1) | borrow money, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, or any rules, exemptions or interpretations thereunder that may be adopted, granted or issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”); | |
2) | make loans, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, or any rules, exemptions or interpretations thereunder that may be adopted, granted or issued by the SEC; provided that in no event shall the Portfolio be permitted to make a loan to a natural person; | |
3) | purchase or sell real estate, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments, and provided that this restriction does not prevent the Portfolio from: (i) purchasing or selling securities or instruments secured by real estate or interests therein, securities or instruments representing interests in real estate or securities or instruments of issuers that invest, deal or otherwise engage in transactions in real estate or interests therein; and (ii) purchasing or selling real estate mortgage loans; | |
4) | purchase or sell physical commodities, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments, and provided that this limitation does not prevent the Portfolio from (i) purchasing or selling securities of companies that purchase or sell commodities or that invest in commodities; (ii) engaging in any transaction involving currencies, options, forwards, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, swaps, hybrid instruments or other derivatives; or (iii) investing in securities, or transacting in other instruments, that are linked to or secured by physical or other commodities; | |
5) | purchase the securities of any one issuer, if immediately after such investment, the Portfolio would not qualify as a “diversified company” as that term is defined by the 1940 Act, as amended, and as modified or interpreted by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time; | |
6) | engage in the business of underwriting securities issued by others; | |
7) | concentrate (invest more than 25% of its net assets) in securities of issuers in a particular industry (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or securities of other investment companies), except that each of the Dimensional US Real Estate ETF and Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF shall invest more than 25% of its total assets in securities of companies in the real estate industry; or | |
8) | issue senior securities (as such term is defined in Section 18(f) of the 1940 Act), except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act. |
With respect to the investment limitation described in (1) above, the Portfolios will maintain asset coverage of at least 300% (as described in the 1940 Act), inclusive of any amounts borrowed, with respect to any borrowings made by a Portfolio. Under the 1940 Act, an open-end investment company may borrow up to 33⅓% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) from banks, and may borrow up to an additional 5% of its total assets, for temporary purposes, from any other person. The Portfolios do not currently intend to borrow money for investment purposes.
Although the investment limitation described in (2) above prohibits loans, each Portfolio is authorized to lend portfolio securities under the conditions and restrictions described in the Portfolios’ Prospectus. Investment
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limitation (2) above also does not, among other things, prevent the Portfolios from engaging in repurchase agreements, acquiring debt or loan instruments in the future or participating in an interfund lending order granted by the SEC.
In applying the investment limitation described in (7) above, a Portfolio will consider the investments of other investment companies in which the Portfolio invests to the extent it has sufficient information about the holdings of such investment companies.
With respect to the investment limitation described in (8) above, a Portfolio will not issue senior securities, except that the Portfolio may borrow money as described above. A Portfolio may also borrow money for temporary purposes, but not in excess of 5% of the Portfolio’s total assets. Further, a transaction or agreement that otherwise might be deemed to create leverage, such as a forward or futures contract, option, swap or when-issued security, delayed delivery or forward commitment transaction, will not be considered a senior security to the extent such investments are purchased and held in compliance with the requirements of the 1940 Act and rules thereunder.
Pursuant to Rule 22e-4 under the 1940 Act (the “Liquidity Rule”), a Portfolio may not acquire any “illiquid investment” if, immediately after the acquisition, the Portfolio would have invested more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments that are assets. Illiquid investments are investments that the Portfolio reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment, as determined pursuant to the Trust’s liquidity risk management program (the “Liquidity Program”). As required by the Liquidity Rule, the Trust has implemented the Liquidity Program, and the Board, including a majority of the disinterested Trustees, has appointed a liquidity risk management program administrator (the “Liquidity Program Administrator”) to administer such program. The Liquidity Program Administrator’s responsibilities include, among others, determining the liquidity classification of a Portfolio’s investments, if applicable, and monitoring compliance with the 15% limit on illiquid investments.
Pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, the Portfolios may purchase certain unregistered (i.e. restricted) securities upon a determination that a liquid institutional market exists for the securities. If it is determined that a liquid market does exist, the securities will not be subject to the 15% limitation on illiquid investments. Among other considerations, the Advisor may consider the number of dealers making a market in such securities when determining whether a liquid market exists. After purchase, the Portfolios will continue to monitor the liquidity of Rule 144A securities.
Notwithstanding any of the above investment limitations, each of the Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market, Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability, Dimensional Emerging Markets Value, Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 and Dimensional Global Real Estate ETFs may establish subsidiaries or other similar vehicles for the purpose of conducting its investment operations in Approved Markets, if such subsidiaries or vehicles are required by local laws or regulations governing foreign investors, or whose use is otherwise considered by the Portfolio to be advisable. A Portfolio would “look through” any such vehicle or subsidiary to determine compliance with its investment restrictions.
The investment limitations described above do not prohibit a Portfolio from purchasing or selling futures contracts and options on futures contracts, to the extent otherwise permitted under a Portfolio’s investment strategies. Except with respect to a Portfolio’s limitation on borrowing, illiquid investments, or otherwise indicated, with respect to the investment limitations described above, all limitations applicable to the Portfolios’ investments apply only at the time that a transaction is undertaken.
FUTURES CONTRACTS
Each Portfolio may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for equity securities and indices to increase or decrease market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio. The Portfolios, however, do not intend to sell futures contracts to establish short positions in individual securities.
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Futures contracts provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of defined securities at a specified future time and at a specified price. Futures contracts that are standardized as to maturity date and underlying financial instrument are traded on national futures exchanges. Each Portfolio will be required to make a margin deposit in cash or government securities with a futures commission merchant (an “FCM”) to initiate and maintain positions in futures contracts. Minimal initial margin requirements are established by the futures exchanges and FCMs may establish margin requirements which are higher than the exchange requirements. A Portfolio also will incur brokerage costs in connection with entering into futures contracts. After a futures contract position is opened, the value of the contract is marked-to-market daily. If the futures contract price changes to the extent that the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, payment of additional “variation” margin to be held by the FCM will be required. Conversely, a reduction in the required margin would result in excess margin that can be refunded to the custodial accounts of the Portfolio. Variation margin payments may be made to and from the futures broker for as long as the contract remains open. Each Portfolio expects to earn income on its margin deposits.
At any time prior to the expiration of a futures contract, a Portfolio may elect to close the position by taking an opposite position, which will operate to terminate its existing position in the contract. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into (or through a linked exchange). No secondary market for such contracts exists. Although a Portfolio may enter into futures contracts only if there is an active market for such contracts, there is no assurance that an active market will exist for any particular futures contract at any specific time. Most futures exchanges limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day. Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular contract, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond that limit or trading may be suspended for specified periods during the day. It is possible that futures contract prices could move to the daily limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of futures positions at an advantageous price and subjecting a Portfolio to substantial losses. In such event, and in the event of adverse price movements, the Portfolio would be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin. In such situations, if the Portfolio had insufficient cash, it might have to sell securities to meet daily variation margin requirements at a time when it would be disadvantageous to do so. In addition, if the transaction is entered into for hedging purposes, in such circumstances a Portfolio may realize a loss on a futures contract or option that is not offset by an increase in the value of the hedged position. Losses incurred in futures transactions and the costs of these transactions will affect the performance of the Portfolio.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
The Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF, Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF, Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF, Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF, Dimensional International Small Cap ETF, Dimensional International High Profitability ETF, Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF, Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF, Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF and Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF (the “International Portfolios”) may enter into foreign currency exchange transactions in order to attempt to protect against uncertainty in the level of future foreign currency exchange rates. The Portfolios will conduct their foreign currency exchange transactions either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market, or by entering into forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies. A foreign currency forward contract involves an obligation to exchange two currencies at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days (usually less than one year) from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a fixed rate set at the time of the contract. These contracts are traded in the interbank market conducted directly between traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. A forward contract generally has no deposit requirement, and no commissions are charged at any stage for trades. Although foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee for conversion, they do realize a profit based on the difference (the spread) between the price at which they are buying and selling various currencies.
The International Portfolios may enter into a foreign currency exchange transaction in connection with the purchase or sale of foreign equity securities, typically to “lock in” the value of the transaction with respect to a different currency. In addition, a Portfolio may, from time to time, enter into a forward contract to transfer balances from one currency to another currency.
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At the maturity of a forward currency contract, an International Portfolio may either exchange the currencies specified at the maturity of a forward contract or, prior to maturity, the Portfolio may enter into a closing transaction involving the purchase or sale of an offsetting contract. Closing transactions with respect to forward contracts may be effected with a counterparty other than the counterparty to the original forward contract.
Forward currency contracts are highly volatile, and a relatively small price movement in a forward currency contract may result in substantial losses to an International Portfolio. To the extent a Portfolio engages in forward currency contracts to generate current income, the Portfolio will be subject to these risks which the Portfolio might otherwise avoid (e.g., through use of hedging transactions).
The use of foreign currency exchange transactions may not benefit an International Portfolio if exchange rates move in an unexpected manner. In addition, these techniques could result in a loss if the counterparty to a transaction does not perform as promised, including because of the counterparty’s bankruptcy or insolvency. These transactions also involve settlement risk, which is the risk faced when one party to a transaction has performed its obligations under a contract but has not yet received value from its counterparty.
SWAPS
The Portfolios also may enter into equity swaps, including total return swaps and dynamic portfolio total return swaps (“DTRS”). In a standard swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns, differentials in rates of return or some other amount earned or realized on a predetermined asset (or group of assets) which may be adjusted for transaction costs, interest payments, dividends paid on the reference asset or other factors. The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties are generally calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” for example, the increase or decrease in value of a particular dollar amount invested in the asset. The Portfolios may use equity swaps to invest in a market without owning or taking physical custody of securities, including in circumstances where direct investment may be restricted or is otherwise deemed impractical or disadvantageous.
Equity total return swaps can create long or short economic exposure to an underlying equity security, or to a basket of securities. Equity swap contracts may be structured in different ways. For example, under an equity total return swap contract, one party may agree to make payments to another based on the total economic performance of a notional amount of the underlying security or securities (including dividends and changes in market value) during a specified period, in return for periodic payments based on the application of a fixed or variable interest rate to the same notional amount. The purchaser of a long total return swap is paid the amount of any increase in value and pays the amount of any decrease in value, while the purchaser of a short total return swap is paid the amount of any decrease and pays the amount of any increase.
The Portfolios may enter into swaps, including DTRS, in order to access a specific equity market without purchasing or selling the underlying securities represented in the DTRS. DTRS are designed to replicate the performance of an underlying reference asset such as a portfolio of equities or ETFs. For example, the issuer of the DTRS agreement may agree to pay a Portfolio an amount equal to the performance of the underlying equities in a given period netted against a floating rate plus a spread or a fixed rate in the same period paid to the issuer by the Portfolio. The reference rate for the floating rate is typically based on an official interbank benchmark rate. The cash flows in a DTRS may be exchanged at maturity or periodically at each reset (e.g., monthly or quarterly). No notional amounts are exchanged at the start or at the maturity of the DTRS. In addition, pursuant to the terms of a DTRS, the underlying equities can be traded in the course of the day thereby changing the composition of the underlying equity portfolio, which provides a Portfolio with the ability to vary the market exposure obtained through investment in the DTRS. DTRS are subject to transaction costs, financing costs and other fees which will be borne by the Portfolio in connection with its investments in these instruments.
The swaps in which the Portfolios invest involve greater risks than if the Portfolio had invested in the reference assets directly, since, in addition to general market risks, these instruments are subject to counterparty risk, valuation risk, illiquidity risk and interest rate risk, among other risks. Adverse changes in market values, interest rates and currency exchange rates, or in the creditworthiness of swap counterparties and the issuers of the underlying assets may negatively affect the investment performance of a Portfolio and the investment performance of the Portfolio may be less favorable than it would have been if these investment techniques were not used. Swaps carry
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counterparty risks that cannot be fully anticipated. A Portfolio’s ability to realize a profit from swaps transactions will depend on the ability of the financial institutions with which it enters into the transactions to meet their obligations to the Portfolio. If a counterparty’s creditworthiness declines, the value of the agreement would be likely to decline, potentially resulting in losses to a Portfolio. If a default occurs by the other party to such transaction, the Portfolio will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction, which may be limited by applicable law in the case of a counterparty’s insolvency. In addition, the Portfolios may experience difficulty in valuing the swap or in determining the amounts owed to or by the counterparty, regardless of whether the counterparty has defaulted. Some swap agreements entail complex terms and may require a greater degree of subjectivity in their valuation. Under certain circumstances, suitable transactions may not be available to a Portfolio, or the Portfolio may be unable to close out its position under such transactions at the same time, or at the same price, as if it had purchased comparable publicly traded securities. Moreover, participants in the swap markets are not required to make continuous markets in the swap contracts they trade. Participants could refuse to quote prices for swap contracts or quote prices with an unusually wide spread between the price at which they are prepared to buy and the price at which they are prepared to sell. The Advisor, under the supervision of the Board of Trustees, is responsible for determining and monitoring the liquidity of the Portfolios’ swaps transactions in accordance with the Trust’s Liquidity Program.
As described above, some types of swap agreements, including DTRS, are negotiated bilaterally with a swap dealer and traded OTC between the two parties (“uncleared swaps”), while other swaps are transacted through an FCM and cleared through a clearinghouse that serves as a central counterparty (“cleared swaps”), and may be traded on swap execution facilities (“exchanges”). Parties to uncleared swaps face greater counterparty credit risk than those engaging in cleared swaps since performance of uncleared swap obligations is the responsibility only of the swap counterparty rather than a clearing house, as is the case with cleared swaps. As a result, the Portfolio bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default, insolvency or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty beyond any collateral received. In such an event, as noted above, a Portfolio will have contractual remedies pursuant to the swap agreements, but bankruptcy and insolvency laws could affect the Portfolio’s rights as a creditor.
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) and implementing rules adopted by the CFTC currently require the clearing and exchange-trading of the most common types of credit default index swaps and interest rate swaps, and it is expected that additional categories of swaps will in the future be designated as subject to mandatory clearing and trade execution requirements. Central clearing is intended to reduce counterparty credit risk and increase liquidity, but central clearing does not eliminate these risks completely. There is also a risk of loss by a Portfolio of the initial and variation margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of the FCM with which the Portfolio has an open position, or the central counterparty in a swap contract. The assets of the Portfolio may not be fully protected in the event of the bankruptcy of the FCM or central counterparty because the Portfolio might be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of all available funds and margin segregated on behalf of an FCM’s customers. If an FCM does not provide accurate reporting, the Portfolio is also subject to the risk that the FCM could use the Portfolio’s assets, which are held in an omnibus account with assets belonging to the FCM’s other customers, to satisfy its own financial obligations or the payment obligations of another customer to the central counterparty. Credit risk of cleared swap participants is concentrated in a few clearinghouses, and the consequences of insolvency of a clearinghouse are not clear.
The Advisor and the Trust do not consider a Portfolio’s obligations under swap contracts senior securities and, accordingly, the Portfolios will not treat them as being subject to the Portfolios’ borrowing or senior securities restrictions to the extent such investments are purchased and held in compliance with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder. To the extent that a Portfolio cannot dispose of a swap in the ordinary course of business within seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment, the Portfolio will treat the swap as illiquid and subject to its overall limit on illiquid investments of 15% of the Portfolio’s net assets.
The Dodd-Frank Act and related regulatory developments imposed comprehensive regulatory requirements on swaps and swap market participants. The regulatory framework includes: (1) registration and regulation of swap dealers and major swap participants; (2) requiring central clearing and execution of standardized swaps; (3) imposing margin requirements on swap transactions; (4) regulating and monitoring swap transactions through position limits and large trader reporting requirements; and (5) imposing record keeping and centralized and public
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reporting requirements, on an anonymous basis, for most swaps. The CFTC is responsible for the regulation of most swaps. The SEC has jurisdiction over a small segment of the market referred to as “security-based swaps,” which includes swaps on single securities or credits, or narrow-based indices of securities or credits.
The regulation of cleared and uncleared swaps, as well as other derivatives, is a rapidly changing area of law and is subject to modification by government and judicial action. In addition, the SEC, CFTC and the exchanges are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of a market emergency, including, for example, the implementation or reduction of speculative position limits, the implementation of higher margin requirements, the establishment of daily price limits and the suspension of trading. It is not possible to predict fully the effects of current or future regulation. The requirements, even if not directly applicable to the Portfolios, may increase the cost of the Portfolios’ investments and cost of doing business. It is possible that developments in the swaps market, including potential government regulation, could adversely affect a Portfolio’s ability to terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements.
PARTICIPATORY NOTES
The Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market, Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability, Dimensional Emerging Markets Value, Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 and Dimensional Global Real Estate ETFs (the “Emerging Market Portfolios”) may invest in equity access products and instruments that have economic characteristics similar to equity securities, such as participation notes (also known as participatory notes) or other structured instruments that may be developed from time to time (collectively, “structured instruments”). Structured instruments are notes that are issued by banks, broker-dealers or their affiliates and are designed to offer a return linked to a particular underlying equity security, basket of securities, or market. The local branch or broker-dealer will usually place the local market equity securities in a special purpose vehicle, which will issue instruments that reflect the performance of the underlying equity securities. The performance of the special purpose vehicle generally carries the unsecured guarantee of the sponsoring bank or broker-dealer. This guarantee does not extend to the performance or value of the underlying local market equity securities. For purposes of each Portfolio’s fundamental industry concentration policy, the Portfolio applies the restriction by reference to the industry of the issuer of the underlying equity securities and not the industry of the issuer of a structured instrument.
If the structured instrument were held to maturity, the issuer would pay to the purchaser the underlying instrument’s value at maturity with any necessary adjustments. The holder of a structured instrument that is linked to a particular underlying equity security, basket of securities, or market may be entitled to receive dividends paid in connection with that underlying security or instrument, but typically does not receive voting rights as it would if it directly owned the underlying security or instrument. Structured instruments have transaction costs. In addition, there can be no assurance that there will be a trading market for a structured instrument or that the trading price of a structured instrument will equal the underlying value of the security, instrument or market that it seeks to replicate. Unlike a direct investment in equity securities, structured instruments typically involve a term or expiration date, potentially increasing a Portfolio’s turnover rate, transaction costs and tax liability.
Due to transfer restrictions, the secondary markets on which a structured instrument is traded may be less liquid than the market for other securities, or may be completely illiquid, which may expose a Portfolio to risks of mispricing or improper valuation. Structured instruments typically constitute general unsecured contractual obligations of the banks, broker-dealers or their relevant affiliates that issue them, which subjects the Portfolios to counterparty risk (and this risk may be amplified if a Portfolio purchases structured instruments from only a small number of issuers). Structured instruments also have the same risks associated with a direct investment in the underlying securities, instruments or markets that they seek to replicate.
EXCLUSION FROM COMMODITY POOL OPERATOR STATUS
The Advisor has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”) with respect to the Portfolios described in this SAI, and, therefore, is not subject to registration or regulation as a pools operator under the CEA with respect to such Portfolios. The CFTC has neither reviewed nor approved the Advisor’s reliance on these exclusions, the investment strategies of the Portfolios, or this SAI.
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The terms of the commodity pool operator (“CPO”) exclusion require that each Portfolio, among other things, adhere to certain limits on its investments in “commodity interests.” Commodity interests include commodity futures, commodity options and swaps, which in turn include non-deliverable foreign currency forward contracts. Generally, the exclusion from CPO regulation on which the Advisor relies requires each Portfolio to meet one of the following tests for its commodity interest positions, other than positions entered into for bona fide hedging purposes (as defined in the rules of the CFTC): either (1) the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish positions in commodity interests may not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of the portfolio of the Portfolio (after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions); or (2) the aggregate net notional value of the Portfolio’s commodity interest positions, determined at the time the most recent such position was established, may not exceed 100% of the liquidation value of the Portfolio’s portfolio (after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions). In addition to meeting one of these trading limitations, each Portfolio may not be marketed as a commodity pool or otherwise as a vehicle for trading in the commodity futures, commodity options or swaps markets. If, in the future, a Portfolio can no longer satisfy these requirements, the Advisor would withdraw its notice claiming an exclusion from the definition of a CPO, and the Advisor would be subject to registration and regulation as a CPO with respect to the Portfolio, in accordance with CFTC rules that apply to CPOs of registered investment companies. Generally, these rules allow for substituted compliance with CFTC disclosure and shareholder reporting requirements, based on the Advisor’s compliance with comparable SEC requirements. However, as a result of CFTC regulation with respect to a Portfolio, the Portfolio may incur additional compliance and other expenses.
FOREIGN ISSUERS
The International Portfolios may acquire and sell securities issued in foreign countries. There are substantial risks associated with investing in the securities issued by governments and companies located in, or having substantial operations in, foreign countries, which are in addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments. In many foreign countries there is less government supervision and regulation of stock exchanges, brokers, and listed companies than in the U.S., which may result in greater potential for fraud or market manipulation. There is also the risk of substantially more government involvement in the economy in foreign countries, as well as, the possible arbitrary and unpredictable enforcement of securities regulations and other laws, which may limit the ability of a Portfolio to invest in foreign issuers.
Significantly, there is the possibility of cessation of trading on foreign exchanges, expropriation, nationalization of assets, confiscatory or punitive taxation, withholding and other foreign taxes on income or other amounts, foreign exchange controls (which may include suspension of the ability to transfer currency from a given country), restrictions on removal of assets, political or social instability, military action or unrest, or diplomatic developments. There is no assurance that the Advisor will be able to anticipate these potential events. In addition, the value of securities denominated in foreign currencies and of dividends and interest paid with respect to such securities will fluctuate based on the relative strength of the U.S. dollar. Foreign issuers may not be subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and there may be less publicly available financial and other information about such issuers, comparable to U.S. issuers. Certain countries’ legal institutions, financial markets, and services are less developed than those in the U.S. or other major economies. A Portfolio may have greater difficulty voting proxies, exercising shareholder rights, securing dividends and obtaining information regarding corporate actions on a timely basis, pursuing legal remedies, and obtaining judgments with respect to foreign investments in foreign courts than with respect to domestic issuers in U.S. courts. The costs associated with foreign investments, including withholding taxes, brokerage commissions, and custodial costs, are generally higher than with U.S. investments. To the extent that a Portfolio invests a significant portion of its assets in a specific geographic region or country, the Portfolio will have more exposure to economic risks related to such region or country than a fund whose investments are more geographically diversified. In addition, economies of some emerging market countries may be based on only a few industries and may be highly vulnerable to changes in local or global trade conditions. Foreign markets also have substantially less volume than the U.S. markets and securities of some foreign issuers are less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. issuers. A Portfolio, therefore, may encounter difficulty in obtaining market quotations for purposes of valuing its portfolio and calculating its NAV.
It is also possible that the U.S., other nations or other governmental entities (including supranational entities) could impose sanctions against issuers in various sectors of certain foreign countries. This could limit a
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Portfolio’s investment opportunities in such countries, impairing the Portfolio’s ability to invest in accordance with its investment strategy and/or to meet its investment objective. In addition, an imposition of sanctions upon such issuers could result in an immediate freeze of the issuers’ securities, impairing the ability of a Portfolio to buy, sell, receive or deliver those securities. Further, current sanctions or the threat of potential sanctions may also impair the value or liquidity of affected securities and negatively impact a Portfolio.
Emerging markets
Securities of issuers associated with emerging market countries, including, but not limited to, issuers that are organized under the laws of, maintain a principal place of business in, derive significant revenues from, or issue securities backed by the government (or, its agencies or instrumentalities) of emerging market countries may be subject to higher and additional risks than securities of issuers in developed foreign markets. These risks include, but are not limited to (i) social, political and economic instability; (ii) government intervention, including policies or regulations that may restrict the Emerging Market Portfolios’ investment opportunities, including restrictions on investment in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to an emerging market country’s national interests; (iii) less transparent and established taxation policies; (iv) less developed legal systems which may limit the rights and remedies available to a Portfolio against an issuer and with respect to the enforcement of private property rights and/or redress for injuries to private property; (v) the lack of a capital market structure or market-oriented economy which could limit reliable access to capital; (vi) higher degree of corruption and fraud and potential for market manipulation; (vii) counterparties and financial institutions with less financial sophistication, creditworthiness and/or resources as those in developed foreign markets; (viii) the possibility that the process of easing restrictions on foreign investment occurring in some emerging market countries may be slowed or reversed by unanticipated economic, political or social events in such countries, or the countries that exercise a significant influence over those countries; and (ix) differences in regulatory, accounting, auditing, and financial reporting and recordkeeping standards that could impede the Advisor’s ability to evaluate issuers.
In addition, many emerging market countries have experienced substantial, and during some periods, extremely high rates of inflation, for many years. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had, and may continue to have, negative effects on the economies and securities markets of these countries. Moreover, the economies of some emerging market countries may differ unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, currency depreciation, debt burden, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position.
A Portfolio may have limited access to, or there may be a limited number of, potential counterparties that trade in the securities of emerging market issuers. Potential counterparties may not possess, adopt or implement creditworthiness standards, financial reporting standards or legal and contractual protections similar to those in developed foreign markets. Currency and other hedging techniques may not be available or may be limited. The local taxation of income and capital gains accruing to nonresidents varies among emerging market countries and may be comparatively high. Emerging market countries typically have less well-defined tax laws and procedures and such laws may permit retroactive taxation so that a Portfolio could in the future become subject to local tax liabilities that had not been anticipated in conducting its investment activities or valuing its assets. Custodial services and other investment-related costs in emerging market countries are often more expensive, compared to developed foreign markets and the U.S., which can reduce a Portfolio’s income from investments in securities or debt instruments of emerging market country issuers.
Some emerging market currencies may not be internationally traded or may be subject to strict controls on foreign investment by local governments, resulting in undervalued or overvalued currencies and associated difficulties with the valuation of assets, including a Portfolio’s securities, denominated in that currency. Some emerging market governments restrict currency conversions and/or set limits on repatriation of invested capital. Future restrictive exchange controls could prevent or restrict a company’s ability to make dividend or interest payments in the original currency of the obligation (usually U.S. dollars). In addition, even though the currencies of some emerging market countries may be convertible into U.S. dollars, the conversion rates may be different than the actual market values and may be adverse to a Portfolio’s shareholders.
Investments in Chinese companies may be made through a special structure known as a variable interest entity (“VIE”). In a VIE structure, foreign investors, such as the Emerging Market Portfolios, will only own stock in
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a shell company rather than directly in the Chinese company, known as the VIE. The VIE must be owned by Chinese nationals (and/or Chinese companies), which are typically the VIE’s founders, to obtain the licenses and/or assets required to operate in certain restricted and/or prohibited sectors in China. The value of the shell company is therefore derived from its ability to consolidate the VIE into its financials pursuant to contractual arrangements that allow the shell company to exert a degree of control over, and obtain economic benefits arising from, the VIE without formal legal ownership. The shell company is typically set up in an offshore jurisdiction, such as the Cayman Islands, and enters into the service and other contracts with the VIE through a wholly foreign-owned enterprise based in China. The VIE structure is designed to provide foreign investors with exposure to Chinese companies that operate in certain sectors in which China restricts and/or prohibits foreign investments, such as internet, media, education and telecommunications.
While VIEs are a longstanding industry practice that is well known to Chinese officials and regulators, historically they have not been formally recognized under Chinese law and regulations regarding the structure are evolving. For example, in late December 2021, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) released draft rules that would permit the use of VIE structures, provided they abide by Chinese laws and register with the CSRC. The new draft rules, however, may cause Chinese companies to undergo greater scrutiny and may make the process to create and/or operate VIEs more difficult and costly.
It is uncertain whether Chinese officials or regulators will withdraw their acceptance of the VIE structure, generally, or with respect to certain industries, or limit VIEs’ ability to pass through economic and governance rights to foreign individuals and entities. The contractual arrangements with the VIE also may not be as effective in providing operational control as direct equity ownership. The Chinese equity owner(s) of a VIE could decide to breach the contractual arrangements and may have conflicting interests and fiduciary duties as compared to foreign investors in the shell company. Further, any breach or dispute under these contracts will likely fall under Chinese jurisdiction and law. Prohibitions of these structures by the Chinese government, or the inability to enforce such contracts through Chinese courts and/or arbitration bodies, would likely cause the VIE-structured holding(s) to suffer significant, detrimental, and possibly permanent losses, and in turn, adversely affect the Portfolio’s returns and net asset value.
In addition, foreign companies with securities listed on U.S. securities exchanges, including those that utilize VIE structures, may be delisted if they do not meet the requirements of the listing exchange, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board or the U.S. government, which could significantly decrease the liquidity and value of such investments.
GENERAL MARKET AND GEOPOLITICAL RISKS
The value of a Portfolio’s securities changes daily due to economic and other events that affect market prices generally, as well as those that affect particular regions, countries, industries, or issuers. Economies and financial markets throughout the world have become increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one region or country will adversely affect markets or issuers in other regions or countries. Portfolio securities may be negatively impacted by inflation (or expectations for inflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products/services or resources, natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics, terrorism, war, military confrontations, regulatory events and governmental or quasi-governmental actions, among others. Natural and environmental disasters, including weather-related phenomena, also can adversely affect individual issuers, sectors, industries, markets, currencies, countries, or regions. The occurrence of global events similar to those in recent years (e.g., natural disasters, virus epidemics, social and political discord, and terrorist attacks around the world) may result in market volatility and have long term effects on both the U.S. and global economies and financial markets. The risks associated with such events may be greater in developing or emerging market countries, many of which have less developed political, financial, healthcare, and/or emergency management systems. Negative global events also can disrupt the operations and processes of any of the service providers for a Portfolio. Similarly, negative global events, in some cases, could constitute a force majeure event under contracts with service providers or contracts entered into with counterparties for certain transactions.
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POLITICAL, UNITED KINGDOM AND EUROPEAN MARKET RELATED RISKS
Portfolios that have significant exposure to certain countries can be expected to be impacted by the political and economic conditions within such countries. There is continuing uncertainty regarding the ramifications of the United Kingdom’s (UK) vote to exit the European Union (EU) in June 2016 (Brexit). On January 31, 2020 the UK officially withdrew from the EU and on May 1, 2021, the UK and EU formally entered into the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (Agreement). While the Agreement is viewed as a positive step towards finalizing the framework of the future relationship between the EU and UK, many aspects of the relationship are still under negotiation and it is unclear when these negotiations will be complete. For example, the Agreement is limited with respect to its treatment of the trade of services. As the outcomes of these negotiations remain unclear, the effects on the UK, EU and the broader global economy cannot be determined at this time. Brexit may cause greater market volatility and illiquidity, currency fluctuations, deterioration in economic activity, a decrease in business confidence, and increased likelihood of a recession in the UK. While it is not possible to determine the precise impact these events may have on a Portfolio, during this period and beyond, the impact on the UK, EU countries, other countries or parties that transact with the UK and EU, and the broader global economy could be significant and could adversely affect the value and liquidity of a Portfolio’s investments. In addition, if one or more other countries were to exit the EU or abandon the use of the euro as a currency, the value of investments tied to those countries or the euro could decline significantly and unpredictably.
CASH Management Practices
The Portfolios engage in cash management practices in order to earn income on uncommitted cash balances. Generally, cash is uncommitted pending investment in other securities, payment of redemptions, or in other circumstances where the Advisor believes liquidity is necessary or desirable. For example, a Portfolio may make cash investments for temporary defensive purposes during periods in which market, economic, or political conditions warrant. In addition, a Portfolio may enter into arrangements with its custodian whereby it may earn a credit on its cash balances maintained in its non-interest bearing U.S. Dollar custody cash account to be applied against fund service fees payable to the custodian or the custodian’s subsidiaries for fund services provided.
The Portfolios may invest cash in the following permissible investments:
Portfolios | Permissible Cash Investments* |
Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF Dimensional US High Profitability ETF Dimensional US Large Cap Value ETF Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF Dimensional US Real Estate ETF |
Short-term repurchase agreements; fixed income securities, such as money market instruments; index futures contracts and options thereon; affiliated and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds** |
Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF Dimensional International Small Cap ETF Dimensional International High Profitability ETF Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF |
Short-term repurchase agreements; fixed income securities, such as money market instruments; freely convertible currencies; index futures contracts and options thereon; affiliated and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds** |
* | With respect to fixed income instruments, except in connection with corporate actions, the Portfolios will invest in fixed income instruments that at the time of purchase have an investment grade rating by a rating agency or are deemed to be investment grade by the Advisor. |
** | Investments in money market mutual funds may involve duplication of certain fees and expenses. |
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Interfund Borrowing and Lending
The DFA Fund Complex (defined below) has received exemptive relief from the SEC which permits the registered investment companies to participate in an interfund lending program among portfolios and series managed by the Advisor (the “Portfolios/Series”) (portfolios that operate as feeder portfolios do not participate in the program). The interfund lending program allows the participating Portfolios/Series to borrow money from and loan money to each other for temporary or emergency purposes. The program is subject to a number of conditions designed to ensure fair and equitable treatment of the participating Portfolios/Series, including the following: (1) no Portfolio/Series may borrow money through the program unless it receives a more favorable interest rate than a rate approximating the lowest interest rate at which bank loans would be available to any of the participating Portfolios/Series under a loan agreement; and (2) no Portfolio/Series may lend money through the program unless it receives a more favorable return than that available from an investment in overnight repurchase agreements or the yield of any money market fund in which the Portfolio/Series could invest. In addition, a Portfolio/Series may participate in the program only if and to the extent that such participation is consistent with its investment objectives, policies and limitations. Interfund loans and borrowings have a maximum duration of seven days and loans may be called on one business day’s notice.
A participating Portfolio/Series may not lend to another Portfolio/Series under the interfund lending program if the interfund loan would cause its aggregate outstanding interfund loans to exceed 15% of its current net assets at the time of the loan. Interfund loans by a Portfolio/Series to any one Portfolio/Series may not exceed 5% of net assets of the lending Portfolio/Series.
The restrictions discussed above and the other conditions of the SEC exemptive order permitting interfund lending are designed to minimize the risks associated with interfund lending for both the lending Portfolio/Series and the borrowing Portfolio/Series. However, no borrowing or lending activity is without risk. If a Portfolio/Series borrows money from another Portfolio/Series, there is a risk that the interfund loan could be called on one business day’s notice or not renewed, in which case the Portfolio/Series may have to borrow from a bank at higher rates if an interfund loan were not available from another Portfolio/Series. A delay in repayment to a lending Portfolio/Series could result in a lost opportunity or additional lending costs, and interfund loans are subject to the risk that the borrowing Portfolio/Series could be unable to repay the loan when due.
When-Issued Securities, Delayed Delivery, and Forward Commitment Transactions
Each Portfolio may purchase eligible securities or sell securities it is entitled to receive on a when-issued basis. When purchasing securities on a when-issued basis, the price or yield is agreed to at the time of purchase, but the payment and settlement dates are not fixed until the securities are issued. It is possible that the securities will never be issued and the commitment cancelled. In addition, each Portfolio may purchase or sell eligible securities for delayed delivery or on a forward commitment basis where the Portfolio contracts to purchase or sell such securities at a fixed price at a future date beyond the normal settlement time. Each Portfolio may renegotiate a commitment or sell a security it has committed to purchase prior to the settlement date, if deemed advisable.
While the payment obligation and, if applicable, interest rate are set at the time a Portfolio enters into a when-issued, delayed delivery, to-be-announced or forward commitment transaction, no interest or dividends accrue to the purchaser prior to the settlement date. In addition, the value of a security purchased or sold is subject to market fluctuations and may be worth more or less on the settlement date than the price a Portfolio committed to pay or receive for the security. A Portfolio will lose money if the value of a purchased security falls below the purchase price and a Portfolio will not benefit from the gain if a security sold appreciates above the sales price during the commitment period.
Exchange traded funds
The Portfolios may invest in exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and similarly structured pooled investments for the purpose of gaining exposure to the equity markets while maintaining liquidity. An ETF is an investment company classified as an open-end investment company or unit investment trust that is traded similar to a publicly traded company. ETFs in which the Portfolios invest are passively managed and attempt to track or replicate a
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desired index, such as a sector, market or global segment. The risks and costs of investing in ETFs are comparable to investing in a publicly traded company. The goal of a passively managed ETF is to correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of its underlying index. The risk of not correlating to the index is an additional risk to the investors of such ETFs. When a Portfolio invests in an ETF, shareholders of the Portfolio bear their proportionate share of the underlying ETF’s fees and expenses.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATES
Generally, securities will be purchased by the Portfolios with the expectation that they will be held for longer than one year. In addition, variations in turnover rates occur because securities are sold when, in the Advisor’s judgment, the return will be increased as a result of portfolio transactions after taking into account the cost of trading.
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
Trustees
Organization of the Board
The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) is responsible for establishing the Trust’s policies and for overseeing the management of the Trust. The Board elects the officers of the Trust, who, along with third party service providers, are responsible for administering the day-to-day operations of the Trust. The Board of the Trust is comprised of two interested Trustees and eight disinterested Trustees. Gerard K. O’Reilly, an interested Trustee, is Chairman of the Board. The disinterested Trustees of the Board designated Douglas W. Diamond as the lead disinterested Trustee. As the lead disinterested Trustee, Mr. Diamond, among other duties: acts as a principal contact for management for communications to the disinterested Trustees in between regular Board meetings; assists in the coordination and preparation of quarterly Board meeting agendas; raises and discusses issues with counsel to the disinterested Trustees; raises issues and discusses ideas with management on behalf of the disinterested Trustees in between regular meetings of the Board; and chairs executive sessions and separate meetings of the disinterested Trustees (other than Committee meetings, which are chaired by the respective Committee Chairperson). David G. Booth serves as Chairman Emeritus to the Board. The Board has designated David G. Booth, a former Chairman of the Trust, to serve as Chairman Emeritus to the Board in recognition of his years of service to both the Trust and Advisor. The Chairman Emeritus, which is a non-voting position, provides advice and counsel to the Trustees in connection with the Trustees’ management of the business and affairs of the Trust. The Board believes the existing Board structure for the Trust is appropriate because it provides the disinterested Trustees with adequate influence over the governance of the Board and the Trust, while also providing the Board with the invaluable insight of the interested Trustees, who, as both officers of the Trust and the Advisor, participate in the day-to-day management of the Trust’s affairs, including risk management.
The agenda for each quarterly meeting of the Board is provided prior to the meeting to the lead disinterested Trustee in order to provide an opportunity to contact Trust management and/or the disinterested Trustees’ independent counsel regarding agenda items. In addition, the disinterested Trustees regularly communicate with Mr. O’Reilly and Mr. Butler regarding items of interest to them in between regularly scheduled meetings of the Board. The Board of the Trust meets in person at least four times each year and by telephone at other times. At each in-person meeting, the disinterested Trustees meet in executive session with their independent counsel to discuss matters outside the presence of management.
The Board has four standing committees. The Audit Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee (the “Nominating Committee”), and Mutual Funds-ETF Relations Committee are composed entirely of disinterested Trustees. As described below, through these Committees, the disinterested Trustees have direct oversight of the Trust’s accounting and financial reporting policies, the selection and nomination of candidates to the Board, and the operation and expense allocations of the portfolios of the Trust. The Investment Strategy Committee (the “Strategy Committee”) assists the Board in carrying out its fiduciary duties with respect to the oversight of the Trust and the performance of its series.
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The Board’s Audit Committee is comprised of Reena Aggarwal, George M. Constantinides, Francis A. Longstaff, Abbie J. Smith, and Ingrid M. Werner. The Audit Committee for the Board oversees the Trust’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices, the Trust’s internal controls, the Trust’s financial statements and the independent audits thereof, and performs other oversight functions as requested by the Board. The Audit Committee for the Board recommends the appointment of the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm and also acts as a liaison between the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm and the full Board. There were three Audit Committee meetings held for the Trust during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022.
The Board’s Nominating Committee is comprised of Reena Aggarwal, George M. Constantinides, Douglas W. Diamond, Francis A. Longstaff and Heather E. Tookes. The Nominating Committee for the Board makes recommendations for nominations of disinterested and interested members on the Board to the disinterested Board members and to the full Board. The Nominating Committee works closely with the other disinterested Trustees to evaluate a candidate’s qualification for Board membership and the independence of such candidate from the Advisor and other principal service providers. The Nominating Committee also periodically reviews the Board governance practices, policies, procedures, and operations; reviews the membership of each committee of the Board; reviews and makes recommendations regarding the disinterested Trustees’ compensation; oversees the annual self-assessment of the Board and each committee; considers and recommends to the Board, the selection of “independent legal counsel” (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act); and monitors and considers corporate governance issues that may arise from time to time. There were three Nominating Committee meetings held for the Trust during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022.
The Strategy Committee is comprised of Gerard K. O’Reilly, Douglas W. Diamond, Darrell Duffie, and Heather E. Tookes. At the request of the Board or the Advisor, the Strategy Committee (i) reviews the design of possible new series of the Trust, (ii) reviews performance of existing series of the Trust, and discusses and recommends possible enhancements to the series’ investment strategies, (iii) reviews proposals by the Advisor to modify or enhance the investment strategies or policies of each series, and (iv) considers issues relating to investment services for each series of the Trust. There were four Strategy Committee meetings held for the Trust during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022.
The Mutual Funds-ETF Relations Committee is comprised of George M. Constantinides, Darrell Duffie, and Ingrid M. Werner. At the request of the Board, the Mutual Funds-ETF Relations Committee (i) reviews any newly-proposed expenses to be borne by the Portfolios or changes to the existing expense allocations among the ETFs in the Dimensional ETF Trust (“Dimensional ETFs”), portfolios in the DFA mutual fund complex (“Fund Complex”), and the Advisor, (ii) considers any conflicts of interest that may arise in the operations of the Dimensional ETFs and the portfolios in the Fund Complex, (iii) reviews and considers relevant information relating to the operations of the Dimensional ETFs, and (iv) considers asset flows and performance differences between the similarly managed mutual funds and the ETFs in the DFA Fund Complex (defined below). There were two Mutual Funds-ETF Relations Committee meetings held for the Trust during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022.
The Board of the Trust, including all of the disinterested Trustees, oversees and approves the contracts of the third party service providers that provide advisory, administrative, custodial and other services to the Trust.
Board Oversight of Risk Management
The Board, as a whole, considers risk management issues as part of its general oversight responsibilities throughout the year at regular board meetings, through regular reports that have been developed by Trust management and the Advisor. These reports address certain investment, valuation, liquidity and compliance matters. The Board also may receive special written reports or presentations on a variety of risk issues, either upon the Board’s request or upon the initiative of the Advisor. In addition, the Audit Committee of the Board meets regularly with management of the Advisor to review reports on the Advisor’s examinations of functions and processes that affect the Trust.
With respect to investment risk, the Board receives regular written reports describing and analyzing the investment performance of the Trust’s series. The Board discusses these reports and the portfolios’ performance and investment risks with management of the Advisor at the Board’s regular meetings. The Investment Committee of
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the Advisor meets regularly to discuss a variety of issues, including the impact that the investment in particular securities or instruments, such as derivatives, may have on the series. To the extent that the Investment Committee of the Advisor decides to materially change an investment strategy or policy of a series and such change could have a significant impact on the series’ risk profile, the Advisor will present such change to the Board for approval.
With respect to valuation, the Advisor and the Trust’s administrative and accounting agent provide regular written reports to the Board that enable the Board to review the Advisor’s fair valuation process. Such reports also include information concerning illiquid and any worthless securities held by each series. In addition, the Trust’s Audit Committee reviews valuation procedures and pricing results with the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm in connection with such Committee’s review of the results of the audit of each series’ year-end financial statements.
With respect to liquidity risk, the Board oversees the Trust’s liquidity risk through, among other things, receiving periodic reporting and presentations by investment and other personnel of the Advisor. Additionally, as required by the Liquidity Rule, the Board, including a majority of the disinterested Trustees, approved the Trust’s Liquidity Program, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Trust’s liquidity risk, and appointed the Liquidity Program Administrator that is responsible for administering the Liquidity Program. The Board also reviews, no less frequently than annually, a written report prepared by the Liquidity Program Administrator that addresses, among other items, the operation of the Liquidity Program and assesses its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation.
With respect to compliance risks, the Board receives regular compliance reports prepared by the Advisor’s compliance group and meets regularly with the Trust’s Global Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) to discuss compliance issues, including compliance risks. As required under SEC rules, the disinterested Trustees meet in executive session with the CCO, and the Trust’s CCO prepares and presents an annual written compliance report to the Board. The Trust’s Board adopts compliance policies and procedures for the Trust and receives information about the compliance procedures in place for the Trust’s service providers. The compliance policies and procedures are specifically designed to detect and prevent violations of the federal securities laws.
The Advisor periodically provides information to the Board relevant to enterprise risk management describing the way in which certain risks are managed at the complex-wide level by the Advisor. Such presentations include areas such as counter-party risk, material fund vendor or service provider risk, investment risk, reputational risk, personnel risk and business continuity risk.
Trustee Qualifications
When a vacancy occurs on the Board, the Nominating Committee of the Board evaluates a candidate’s qualification for Board membership and the independence of such candidate from the Advisor and other principal service providers. While the Nominating Committee believes that there are no specific minimum qualifications for a candidate to possess or any specific educational background, qualities, skills, or prior business and professional experience that are necessary, in considering a candidate’s qualifications, the Nominating Committee may consider the following factors, among others, which may change over time or have different weight: (1) whether or not the person is willing to serve and willing and able to commit the time necessary for the performance of the duties of a Board member; (2) the candidate’s judgment, skill, diversity, and experience with investment companies and other organizations of comparable purpose, complexity and size; (3) the business activities of the Trust, including any new marketing or investment initiatives, and whether the candidate possesses relevant experience in these areas; (4) whether the person’s business background or other business activities would be incompatible with the Trust’s and the Advisor’s business purposes; (5) the interplay of the candidate’s experience with the experience of other Board members and how the candidate and his or her academic or business experience will be perceived by the Trust’s shareholders; and (6) the extent to which the candidate would be a desirable addition to the Board and any committees thereof.
While the Nominating Committee is solely responsible for the selection and recommendation to the Board of disinterested Board candidates, the Nominating Committee will consider nominees recommended by Qualifying Fund Shareholders if a vacancy occurs among Board members. A Qualifying Fund Shareholder is a shareholder, or group of shareholders, that: (i) owns of record, or beneficially through a financial intermediary, 5% or more of the
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Trust’s outstanding shares, and (ii) has owned such shares for 12 months or more prior to submitting the recommendation to the Nominating Committee. Such recommendations shall be directed to the Secretary of the Trust at 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, Texas 78746. The Qualifying Fund Shareholder’s letter should include: (i) the name and address of the Qualifying Fund Shareholder making the recommendation; (ii) the number of shares of the Trust that are owned of record and beneficially by such Qualifying Fund Shareholder, and the length of time that such shares have been so owned by the Qualifying Fund Shareholder; (iii) a description of all arrangements and understandings between such Qualifying Fund Shareholder and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the recommendation is being made; (iv) the name and address of the nominee; and (v) the nominee’s resume or curriculum vitae. The Qualifying Fund Shareholder’s letter must be accompanied by a written consent of the individual to stand for election if nominated for the Board and to serve if elected by shareholders. The Nominating Committee also may seek such additional information about the nominee as the Nominating Committee considers appropriate, including information relating to such nominee that is required to be disclosed in solicitations or proxies for the election of Board members.
The Nominating Committee of the Board believes that it is in the best interests of the Trust and its shareholders to obtain highly-qualified individuals to serve as members of the Board. The Trust’s Board believes that each Trustee currently serving on the Board has the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills to allow the Board to effectively oversee the management of the Trust and protect the interests of shareholders. The Board noted that each Trustee had professional experience in areas of importance for investment companies. The Board considered that each disinterested Trustee held an academic position in the areas of finance or accounting. Reena Aggarwal, George M. Constantinides, Douglas W. Diamond, Darrell Duffie, Francis A. Longstaff, Heather E. Tookes, and Ingrid M. Werner are each Professors of Finance, while Abbie J. Smith is a Professor of Accounting. The Board also noted that Reena Aggarwal, Darrell Duffie, Abbie J. Smith, Heather E. Tookes, and Ingrid M. Werner each had experience serving as a director or trustee on the boards of operating companies and/or other investment companies. In addition, the Board considered that Gerard K. O’Reilly and David P. Butler contributed valuable experience due to their positions with the Advisor.
Certain biographical information for each disinterested Trustee and each interested Trustee of the Trust is set forth in the tables below, including a description of each Trustee’s experience as a Trustee of the Trust and as a director or trustee of other funds, as well as other recent professional experience.
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Disinterested Trustees
Name, Address and Year of Birth |
Position | Term of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years | Portfolios within the DFA Fund Complex2 Overseen |
Other Directorships of Public Companies Held During Past 5 Years |
Reena Aggarwal c/o Dimensional Fund Advisors LP 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One Austin, TX 78746 1957 |
Trustee | Since 2021 | Robert E. McDonough Professor of Finance (since 2003) and Professor of Finance (since 2000), McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University and Director, Georgetown Center for Financial Markets and Policy (since 2010). Formerly, Vice Provost of Faculty, Georgetown University (2016-2020). | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | Director, Cohen & Steers (asset management firm) (since 2017) and Director, Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending (private business development company) (since 2019). Formerly, Director, New York Life Investment Management IndexIQ (2008-2021) (22 funds); formerly, Director, REAN Cloud (technology) (2015-2018); formerly, Director, FBR & Co. (investment banking) (2011-2017); and formerly, Director, Brightwood Capital Advisors, L.P. (private equity) (2013-2020). |
George M. Constantinides University of Chicago Booth School of Business 5807 S. Woodlawn Avenue Chicago, IL 60637 1947 |
Trustee | Since 2020 | Leo Melamed Professor of Finance, University of Chicago Booth School of Business (since 1978). | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | None |
Douglas W. Diamond c/o Dimensional Fund Advisors LP 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One Austin, TX 78746 1953 |
Trustee | Since 2020 | Merton H. Miller Distinguished Service Professor of Finance, University of Chicago Booth School of Business (since 1979). Formerly, Visiting Scholar, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond (1990-2019). | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | None |
Darrell Duffie c/o Dimensional Fund Advisors LP 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One Austin, TX 78746 1954 |
Trustee | Since 2020 | Adams Distinguished Professor of Management and Professor of Finance, Stanford University (since 1984) and Director, TNB Inc. (bank) (since 2020). | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | Formerly, Director, Moody’s Corporation (financial information and information technology) (2008- 2018). |
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Name, Address and Year of Birth |
Position | Term of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years | Portfolios within the DFA Fund Complex2 Overseen |
Other Directorships of Public Companies Held During Past 5 Years |
Francis A. Longstaff c/o Dimensional Fund Advisors LP 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One Austin, TX 78746 1956 |
Trustee | Since 2021 | Allstate Professor of Insurance and Finance, UCLA, Anderson School of Management (since 1992); Consultant, NERA Economic Consulting (since 2018); Consultant, Charles River Associates (economic consulting firm) (since 2013); Consultant, Simplex Holdings, Inc. (technology firm) (since 1998); and Expert Witness, Analysis Group (economic consulting firm) (since 2012). | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | None |
Abbie J. Smith University of Chicago Booth School of Business 5807 S. Woodlawn Avenue Chicago, IL 60637 1953 |
Trustee | Since 2020 | Boris and Irene Stern Distinguished Service Professor of Accounting and James S. Ely, III Faculty Fellow, University of Chicago Booth School of Business (since 1980). | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | Director, (since 2000) and formerly, Audit Committee Chair (2019-2022) and Lead Director (2014-2017), HNI Corporation (office furniture); Director, Ryder System Inc. (transportation, logistics and supply-chain management) (since 2003); and Trustee and Audit Committee member (since 2022), UBS Funds (3 investment companies within the fund complex) (12 portfolios) (since 2009). |
Heather E. Tookes Yale School of Management 165 Whitney Avenue New Haven, CT 06511 1974 |
Trustee | Since 2021 | Deputy Dean for Faculty (since 2022) and Professor of Finance (since 2004), Yale School of Management. | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | Director, Payoneer Inc. (digital payments) (since 2021); Director, Ariel Investments LLC (investment adviser) (since 2017); Director, Charles River Associates (economic consulting firm) (since 2022); and Director, Community Foundation of Greater New Haven (community foundation and grant-making) (since 2022). Formerly, Director, KCG Holdings (trading company) (January 2017-July 2017). |
Ingrid M. Werner c/o Dimensional Fund Advisors LP 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One Austin, TX 78746 |
Trustee | Since 2020 | Martin and Andrew Murrer Professor of Finance, Fisher College of Business, The Ohio State University (since 1998). Adjunct Member, the Prize Committee for the Swedish Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel (annual award for significant scientific research | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | Director, Fourth Swedish AP Fund (pension fund asset management) (since 2017). |
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Name, Address and Year of Birth |
Position | Term of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years | Portfolios within the DFA Fund Complex2 Overseen |
Other Directorships of Public Companies Held During Past 5 Years |
1961 | contribution) (since 2018). Member, Scientific Board, Leibniz Institute for Financial Research (institute supporting academic research in finance) (since 2020). Chair, Economic Advisory Committee, FINRA (since 2017). Chairman, Scientific Advisory Board, Swedish House of Finance (institute supporting academic research in finance) (since 2014). Member, Scientific Board, Danish Finance Institute (institute supporting academic research in finance) (since 2017). Fellow, Center for Analytical Finance (academic research) (since 2015). Formerly, President, Western Finance Association (global association of academic researchers and practitioners in finance) (2018-2019); formerly, Member, Academic Board, Mistra Financial Systems (organization funding academic research on environment, governance and climate/sustainability in finance) (2016-2021); formerly, Director, American Finance Association (global association of academic researchers and practitioners in finance) (2019-2022); formerly, Associate Editor, Journal of Finance (2016-2022). | ||||
Interested Trustees
The following interested Trustees are described as such because each is deemed to be an “interested person,” as that term is defined under the 1940 Act, due to his position with the Advisor.
Name, Address and Year of Birth |
Position | Term of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years | Portfolios within the DFA Fund Complex2 Overseen |
Other Directorships of Public Companies Held During Past 5 Years |
David P. Butler c/o Dimensional Fund Advisors LP 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, TX 78746 1964 |
Trustee Co-Chief Executive Officer |
Trustee since 2021 Co-Chief Executive Officer since 2020 |
Co-Chief Executive Officer of Dimensional Emerging Markets Value Fund (“DEM”), DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc. (“DFAIDG”), Dimensional Investment Group Inc. (“DIG”), The DFA Investment Trust Company (“DFAITC”), Dimensional Holdings Inc., Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, Dimensional Investment LLC, and DFA Securities LLC (collectively with DEM, DFAIDG, DIG and DFAITC, the “DFA Entities”) (since 2017), DFA Canada LLC (since 2018), Dimensional Holdings LLC (since 2017), and the Trust (since 2020); Chief Executive Officer of Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC (since 2018), Director (since 2017) of Dimensional Holdings Inc., Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC, Dimensional Japan Ltd., Dimensional Advisors Ltd., and DFA Australia Limited; Director and Co-Chief Executive Officer (since 2017) of Dimensional Cayman Commodity Fund I Ltd.; Head of Global Financial Advisor Services for Dimensional Investment LLC (since 2017). Formerly, Director (2017-2021) of Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | None |
Gerard K. O’Reilly c/o Dimensional Fund Advisors LP 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, |
Chairman and Trustee
Co-Chief |
Chairman and Trustee since 2021
Co-Chief |
Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of the DFA Entities (since 2017) and the Trust (since 2020); Co-Chief Executive Officer of DFA Canada LLC (since 2018); Chief Investment Officer of Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | None |
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Austin, TX 78746 1976 |
Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer | Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer since 2020 | (since 2017); Director and Chief Investment Officer (since 2017) and Vice President (since 2014) of DFA Australia Limited; Chief Investment Officer (since 2018) and Vice President (since 2016) of Dimensional Japan Ltd.; Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Dimensional Holdings, LLC (since 2017); Director, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer (since 2017) of Dimensional Cayman Commodity Fund I Ltd.; Director of Dimensional Funds plc (since 2014), Dimensional Fund II plc (since 2014), Dimensional Holdings Inc. (since 2017), Dimensional Advisors Ltd. (since 2017), and Dimensional Ireland Limited (since 2018). Formerly, Director of Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. (2018-2021). | ||
1 | Each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term until his or her successor is elected and qualified. |
2 | Each Trustee is a director or trustee of each of the five registered investment companies within the DFA Fund Complex, which include: the Trust, DEM; DFAIDG; DIG; and DFAITC. Each disinterested Trustee also serves on the Independent Review Committee of the Dimensional Funds, mutual funds registered in the provinces of Canada and managed by the Advisor’s affiliate, Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC. |
Information relating to each Trustee’s ownership (including the ownership of his or her immediate family) in the Portfolios and in all five registered investment companies in the DFA Fund Complex as of December 31, 2022 is set forth in the chart below.
Name | Dollar Range of Portfolio Shares Owned | Aggregate Dollar Range of Shares Owned in All Funds Overseen by Trustee in Family of Investment Companies | |
Disinterested Trustees: | |||
Reena Aggarwal | None | None Directly; Over $100,000 in Simulated Funds* | |
George M. Constantinides | None | None Directly; Over $100,000 in Simulated Funds* | |
Douglas W. Diamond | None | None Directly; Over $100,000 in Simulated Funds* | |
Darrell Duffie | None | $10,001-$50,000 | |
Francis A. Longstaff | None | None | |
Abbie J. Smith | None | None Directly; Over $100,000 in Simulated Funds* | |
Heather E. Tookes | None | None | |
Ingrid M. Werner | Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 |
Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF | $50,001-$100,000 | ||
Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF | $10,001-$50,000 | ||
Interested Trustees: | |||
David P. Butler | Dimensional US High Profitability ETF | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 |
Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF |
Over $100,000
| ||
Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF | Over $100,000 | ||
Dimensional International High Profitability ETF | Over $100,000 | ||
Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF | $50,001-$100,000 | ||
Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF | $1-$10,000 | ||
Gerard K. O’Reilly | Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 |
Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF | Over $100,000 | ||
Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF | Over $100,000 | ||
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* | As discussed below, the compensation to certain of the disinterested Trustees may be in amounts that correspond to a hypothetical investment in a cross-section of the DFA Funds. Thus, the disinterested Trustees who are so compensated experience the same investment returns that are experienced by shareholders of the DFA Funds although the disinterested Trustees do not directly own shares of the DFA Funds. |
Set forth below is a table listing, for each Trustee entitled to receive compensation, the compensation received from the Trust during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, and the total compensation received from all five registered investment companies for which the Advisor served as investment advisor during the same fiscal year. The table also provides the compensation paid by the Trust to the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022.
Name and Position | Aggregate Compensation from the Trust** | Pension or Retirement Benefits as Part of Expenses | Estimated Annual Benefits upon Retirement | Total | ||||
Reena Aggarwal Trustee | $29,266 | N/A | N/A | $355,000 | ||||
George M. Constantinides Trustee | $29,266 | N/A | N/A | $385,000 | ||||
Douglas W. Diamond Lead Disinterested Trustee | $40,814 | N/A | N/A | $545,000 | ||||
Darrell Duffie Trustee | $29,266 | N/A | N/A | $385,000 | ||||
Francis A. Longstaff Trustee | $29,266 | N/A | N/A | $355,000 | ||||
Abbie J. Smith Trustee | $31,070 | N/A | N/A | $410,000 | ||||
Heather E. Tookes Trustee | $29,266 | N/A | N/A | $355,000 | ||||
Ingrid M. Werner Trustee | $29,266 | N/A | N/A | $385,000 | ||||
Randy C. Olson Chief Compliance Officer | $19,914 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
* | Under a deferred compensation plan (the “Plan”) adopted effective January 1, 2002, the disinterested Trustees may defer receipt of all or a portion of the compensation for serving as members of the five Boards of Directors/Trustees of the investment companies in the DFA Fund Complex (the “DFA Funds”). Amounts deferred under the Plan are treated as though equivalent dollar amounts had been invested in shares of a cross-section of the DFA Funds (the “Reference Funds” or “Simulated Funds”). The amounts ultimately received by the disinterested Trustees under the Plan will be directly linked to the investment performance of the Reference Funds. Deferral of fees in accordance with the Plan will have a negligible effect on a fund’s assets, liabilities, and net income per share, and will not obligate a fund to retain the services of any disinterested Trustee or to pay any particular level of compensation to the disinterested Trustee. The total amount of deferred compensation accrued by the disinterested Trustees from the DFA Fund Complex who participated in the Plan during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 is as follows: $177,500 (Ms. Aggarwal). A disinterested Trustee’s deferred compensation will be distributed at the earlier of: (a) January in the year after the disinterested Trustee’s resignation from the Boards of Directors/Trustees of the DFA Funds, or death or disability; or (b) five years following the first deferral, in such amounts as the disinterested Trustee has specified. The obligations of the DFA Funds to make payments under the Plan will be unsecured general obligations of the DFA Funds, payable out of the general assets and property of the DFA Funds. |
| |
† | The term DFA Fund Complex refers to the five registered investment companies for which the Advisor performs advisory and administrative services and for which the individuals listed above serve as directors/trustees on the Boards of Directors/Trustees of such companies. |
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** | Pursuant to a contractual arrangement, the Advisor arranges for the provision of Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) services with respect to the Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF, Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF and Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF (the “Core Equity Market Portfolios”), and is liable and responsible for, and administers, payments to the CCO, the disinterested Trustees and counsel to the disinterested Trustees. The Advisor receives a fee of up to 0.0044% of a Core Equity Market Portfolio’s average daily net assets for providing such services and paying such expenses. The Advisor provides CCO services to the Trust. |
Officers
Below is the name, year of birth, information regarding positions with the Trust and the principal occupation for each officer of the Trust. The address of each officer is 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, TX 78746. Each of the officers listed below holds the same office (except as otherwise noted) in the DFA Entities.
Name and Year of Birth |
Position | Term of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years |
Valerie A. Brown 1967 |
Vice President and Assistant Secretary | Since 2020 |
Vice President and Assistant Secretary of ● all the DFA Entities (since 2001) ● DFA Australia Limited (since 2002) ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. (since 2002) ● Dimensional Cayman Commodity Fund I Ltd. (since 2010) ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. (since 2012) ● Dimensional Hong Kong Limited (since 2012) ● the Trust (since 2020) Director, Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since 2003) of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC |
Ryan P. Buechner 1982 |
Vice President and Assistant Secretary | Since 2020 |
Vice President and Assistant Secretary of ● DFAIDG, DIG, DFAITC and DEM (since 2019) ● the Trust (since 2020) Vice President (since January 2018) of ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP ● Dimensional Investment LLC ● DFA Securities LLC |
Stephen A. Clark 1972 |
Executive Vice President | Since 2020 |
Executive Vice President of ● all the DFA Entities (since 2017) ● the Trust (since 2020) Director and Vice President (since 2016) of ● Dimensional Japan Ltd. Chairman (since 2018) of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC President and Director (since 2016) of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC Vice President (since 2008) and Director (since 2016) of ● DFA Australia Limited Director (since 2016) of ● Dimensional Advisors Ltd. ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. ● Dimensional Hong Kong Limited Vice President of ● Dimensional Advisors Ltd. (since 2016) ● Dimensional Hong Kong Limited (since 2016) ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. (since 2019)
Formerly, Director (2016-2021) of |
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Name and Year of Birth |
Position | Term of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years |
● Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. Formerly, Vice President (2004 – 2017) of ● all the DFA Entities Formerly, Vice President (2010 – 2016) of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC Formerly, Vice President (2016-2019) of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. Formerly, Interim Chief Executive Officer (2019-2020) of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. Formerly, Head of Institutional, North America (2012 – 2013) and Head of Global Institutional Services (2014-2018) for ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP | |||
Lisa M. Dallmer 1972 |
Chief Operating Officer | Since June 2021 |
Chief Operating Officer (since June 2021) of ● the DFA Fund Complex Executive Vice President (since January 2020) of ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP ● Dimensional Investment LLC ● DFA Securities LLC Chief Operating Officer (since December 2019) of ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP ● Dimensional Investment LLC ● DFA Securities LLC Vice President (since 2020) of ● DFA Australia Limited ● Dimensional Advisors Ltd. ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. ● Dimensional Ireland Limited ● Dimensional Japan Ltd.
Formerly, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer (June 2020-June 2021) of ● the DFA Fund Complex Formerly, Senior Vice President, Business Operations (March 2019 – October 2019) at ● Delphix Inc. Formerly, Chief Operating Officer Global Technology & Operations, Managing Director (2014 – 2018) of ● BlackRock Inc. |
Bernard J. Grzelak 1971 |
Vice President | Since June 2021 |
Vice President (since June 2021) of ● the DFA Fund Complex Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (since September 2020) of ● DFA Australia Limited ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC ● DFA Securities LLC ● Dimensional Advisors Ltd. ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. ● Dimensional Hong Kong Limited ● Dimensional Investment LLC |
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Name
and Year of Birth |
Position | Term
of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years |
Vice President (since March 2021) of ● Dimensional Ireland Limited
Formerly, Partner (2008 – 2020), Chief Operating Officer, Global Funds and Risk (2018 – 2020), Chief Operations Officer (2016 – 2018), and Director of Fund Administration (2003 – 2016) of Lord Abbett & Co. LLC Formerly, Chief Financial Officer (2017 - 2020) and Treasurer (2003 – 2017) of ● Lord Abbett Family of Funds | |||
Eric Hall 1978 |
Vice President and Assistant Treasurer | Since June 2021 |
Vice President and Assistant Treasurer (since June 2021) of ● the DFA Fund Complex
Formerly, Data Integrity Team Lead (December 2019 – April 2021) of ● Clearwater Analytics Formerly, Assistant Vice President and Assistant Treasurer (March 2015 – November 2019) at ● INVESCO, U.S. (formerly, OppenheimerFunds, Inc.) |
Jeff J. Jeon 1973 |
Vice President | Since 2020 |
Vice President (since 2004) of ● all the DFA Entities Vice President (since 2020) of ● the Trust Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since 2010) of ● Dimensional Cayman Commodity Fund I Ltd.
Formerly, Assistant Secretary (2017-2019) of ● all the DFA Entities |
Joy Lopez 1971 |
Vice President and Assistant Treasurer | Since 2020 |
Vice President of ● all the DFA Entities (since 2015) ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. (since 2015) ● the Trust (since 2020) ● DFA Australia Limited (since 2020) ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC (since 2020) ● Dimensional Ireland Limited (since 2020) Assistant Treasurer of ● DFAIDG, DIG, DFAITC and DEM (since 2017) ● the Trust (since 2020) |
Kenneth M. Manell 1972 |
Vice President | Since 2020 |
Vice President of ● all the DFA Entities (since 2010) ● Dimensional Cayman Commodity Fund I Ltd. (since 2010) ● the Trust (since 2020) |
Jan Miller 1963 |
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer | Since June 2021 |
Vice President (since January 2023) of ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP ● Dimensional Investments LLC ● DFA Securities LLC Vice President (since April 2022) of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer (since June 2021) of ● the DFA Fund Complex
Formerly, Director (May 2019 – January 2021) at ● INVESCO, U.S. (formerly, OppenheimerFunds, Inc.) Formerly, Vice President and Assistant Treasurer (September 2012 – May 2019) at ● OppenheimerFunds, Inc. |
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Name
and Year of Birth |
Position | Term
of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years |
Catherine L. Newell 1964 |
President and General Counsel | Since 2020 |
President of ● DFAIDG, DIG, DFAITC and DEM (since 2017) ● the Trust (since 2020) General Counsel of ● all the DFA Entities (since 2001) ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (since 2006) ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. (since 2006) ● Dimensional Investment LLC (since 2009) ● DFA Canada LLC (since 2009) ● the Trust (since 2020) Executive Vice President (since 2017) of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. ● DFA Securities LLC ● Dimensional Investment LLC Secretary of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (since 2006) ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. (since 2006) ● DFA Securities LLC(since 2006) ● Dimensional Investment LLC(since 2009) Vice President (since 1997) and Secretary (since 2002) of ● DFA Australia Limited ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. Vice President and Secretary of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC (since 2003) ● DFA Canada LLC (since 2009) ● Dimensional Cayman Commodity Fund I Ltd. (since 2010) ● Dimensional Japan Ltd. (since 2012) ● Dimensional Advisors Ltd (since 2014) ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. (since 2012) Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since 2012) of ● Dimensional Hong Kong Limited Director of ● Dimensional Australia Limited (since 2007) ● Dimensional Funds plc (since 2002) ● Dimensional Funds II plc (since 2006) ● Director of Dimensional Japan Ltd. (since 2012) ● Dimensional Advisors Ltd. (since 2012) ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. (since 2012) ● Dimensional Hong Kong Limited (since 2012) ● Dimensional Ireland Limited (since 2018)
Formerly, Vice President and Secretary (2010 – 2014) of ● Dimensional SmartNest (US) LLC Formerly, Vice President (1997 – 2017) and Secretary (2000 – 2017) of ● DFAIDG, DIG, DFAITC and DEM Formerly, Vice President of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (1997 – 2017) ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. (2006 – 2017) ● DFA Securities LLC (1997 – 2017) ● Dimensional Investment LLC (2009 – 2017) Formerly, Director (2002-2021) of |
● Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. |
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Name and Year of Birth |
Position | Term of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years |
Selwyn J. Notelovitz 1961 |
Vice President | Since September 2021 |
Vice President (since September 2021) of ● the DFA Fund Complex Vice President (since December 2012) and Chief Compliance Officer (since July 2020) of ● DFA Securities LLC ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. ● Dimensional Investment LLC Chief Compliance Officer (since July 2020) of ● DFA Australia Limited ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC
Formerly, Deputy Chief Compliance Officer (2013-2020) of ● the DFA Fund Complex ● DFA Securities LLC ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. ● Dimensional Investment LLC Formerly, Vice President (2013-2020) of ● the DFA Fund Complex Formerly, Director (2019-2021) of ● Dimensional Ireland Limited |
Carolyn L. O 1974 |
Vice President and Secretary | Since 2020 |
Vice President and Secretary of ● DFAIDG, DIG, DFAITC and DEM (since 2010 and 2017, respectively) ● the Trust (since 2020) Vice President (since 2010) and Assistant Secretary (since 2016) of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. ● Dimensional Investment LLC Vice President of ● DFA Securities LLC (since 2010) ● Dimensional Cayman Commodity Fund I Ltd. (since 2010) ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC (since 2016) Assistant Secretary (since 2016) of ● DFA Securities LLC |
Randy C. Olson 1980 |
Chief Compliance Officer | Since 2020 |
Chief Compliance Officer (since 2020) of ● the DFA Fund Complex Vice President (since 2016) of ● DFA Securities LLC ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. ● Dimensional Investment LLC
Formerly, Vice President – Senior Compliance Officer of ● Dimensional Investment Advisors LP (January 2020 – August 2020 and July 2014 – March 2017) Formerly, Vice President – Head of Compliance & Operations Asia Ex-Japan of ● Dimensional Investment Advisors LP (April 2017 – January 2020) |
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Name
and Year of Birth |
Position | Term
of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years |
James J. Taylor 1983 |
Vice President and Assistant Treasurer | Since 2020 |
Vice President and Assistant Treasurer (since 2020) of ● the DFA Fund Complex Vice President of ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. (since 2016) ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP(since 2016) ● Dimensional Investment LLC(since 2016) ● DFA Securities LLC(since 2016) ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC (since 2020) |
1 | Each officer holds office for an indefinite term at the pleasure of the Board and until his or her successor is elected and qualified. |
As of January 31, 2023, the Trustees and officers as a group owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Portfolios.
SERVICES TO THE Trust
Administrative Services
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“CFSO”), 4400 Easton Commons, Suite 200, Columbus, Ohio 43219, serves as the accounting and administration services and dividend disbursing agent for each Portfolio. The services provided by CFSO are subject to supervision by the executive officers and the Board of Trustees of the Trust, and include day-to-day keeping and maintenance of certain records, preparation of financial and regulatory reports, fund accounting and tax services, and dividend disbursing agency services. For the administrative and accounting services provided by CFSO, CFSO receives reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket costs and compensation in the form of transaction fees and asset-based fees which are aggregated and paid monthly.
Under the unitary fee structure in place for the Core Equity Market Portfolios, fees for administrative services are paid by the Advisor from its management fee.
Custodian
Citibank, N.A. (the “Custodian”), 111 Wall Street, New York, NY, 10005, serves as the custodian for the Portfolios.
The Custodian maintains a separate account or accounts for a Portfolio; receives, holds, and releases portfolio securities on account of the Portfolio; makes receipts and disbursements of money on behalf of the Portfolio; and collects and receives income and other payments and distributions on account of the Portfolio’s portfolio securities. The Custodian is authorized to appoint certain foreign custodians or foreign custody managers for the International Portfolios’ investments outside the U.S. Under the unitary fee structure in place for the Core Equity Market Portfolios, fees for custody services are paid by the Advisor from its management fee.
Transfer Agent
Citibank, N.A., 111 Wall Street, New York, NY, 10005, serves as the transfer agent for the Portfolios.
Distributor
DFA Securities LLC (“DFAS” or the “Distributor”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Advisor, acts as the principal underwriter in the continuous public offering of the Trust’s shares. DFAS is registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. The principal business address of DFAS is 6300 Bee Cave Road, Austin, Texas 78746.
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Shares are continuously offered for sale by the Trust through the Distributor or its agent only in Creation Units, as described in the Prospectus and below in the “Creation and Redemption of Creation Units” section of this SAI. Portfolio shares in amounts less than Creation Units are generally not distributed by the Distributor or its agent. The Distributor or its agent will arrange for the delivery of the Prospectus and, upon request, this SAI to persons purchasing Creation Units and will maintain records of both orders placed with it or its agents and confirmations of acceptance furnished by it or its agents.
The Distributor may enter into agreements with securities dealers (“Soliciting Dealers”) who will solicit purchases of Creation Units of Portfolio shares. Such Soliciting Dealers may also be Authorized Participants, Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) participants and/or investor services organizations.
The Distributor may be entitled to payments from the Trust under the Rule 12b-1 plan. Except as noted, the Distributor received no other compensation from the Trust for acting as underwriter. In accordance with the Rule 12b-1 plan, each Portfolio is authorized to pay Rule 12b-1 fees to the Distributor of up to 0.25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets per year for any activities primarily intended to result in the sale of Creation Units of the Portfolio or the provision of investor services, including but not limited to: (i) marketing and promotional services, including advertising; (ii) facilitating communications with beneficial owners of Shares of the Portfolios; (iii) wholesaling services; and (iv) such other services and obligations as may be set forth in the Distribution Agreement with the Distributor. The 12b-1 Plan is a compensation plan. Thus, to the extent that the fee is authorized, it is payable regardless of the distribution-related expenses actually incurred and so the amount of distribution fees paid by the shares during any year may be more than actual expenses incurred pursuant to the 12b-1 Plan. A Portfolio will not pay more than the maximum amount allowed under the 12b-1 Plan.
The Rule 12b-1 plan is intended to permit the financing of a broad array of distribution-related activities and services, as well as shareholder services, for the benefit of investors. These activities and services are intended to make the Shares an attractive investment alternative, which may lead to increased assets, investment opportunities and diversification. No fees are currently paid by any Portfolio under the Rule 12b-1 plan and there are no current plans to impose such fees. In the event such fees were to be charged, over time they would increase the cost of an investment in a Portfolio. If fees were charged under the Plan, the Trustees would receive and review at the end of each quarter a written report provided by the Distributor of the amounts expended under the Plan and the purpose for which such expenditures were made.
The Rule 12b-1 plan will remain in effect for a period of one year and is renewable from year to year with respect to a Portfolio, so long as its continuance is approved at least annually in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act. The Rule 12b-1 plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of fees paid by any Portfolio unless such amendment is approved by a 1940 Act majority vote of the outstanding Shares and by a vote of the majority of those Disinterested Trustees who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Rule 12b-1 plan or in any agreements related thereto (“Rule 12b-1 Trustees”). The Rule 12b-1 plan is terminable with respect to a Portfolio at any time by a vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees or by a 1940 Act majority vote of the outstanding Shares.
Legal Counsel
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP serves as legal counsel to the Trust. Its address is 2600 One Commerce Square, Philadelphia, PA 19103-7098.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) is the independent registered public accounting firm to the Trust and audits the annual financial statements of the Trust. PwC’s address is Two Commerce Square, Suite 1800, 2001 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-7042.
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Investment Management
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, located at 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, TX 78746, serves as investment advisor to the Portfolios. Pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement with each Portfolio, the Advisor is responsible for the management of its respective assets.
Pursuant to Sub-Advisory Agreements with the Advisor, DFA Australia Limited (“DFA Australia”), Level 43 Gateway, 1 Macquarie Place, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia, has the authority and responsibility to select brokers and dealers to execute securities transactions for the International Portfolios (each a “DFA Australia Sub-Advised Fund”). DFA Australia’s duties include the maintenance of a trading desk for each DFA Australia Sub-Advised Fund and the determination of the best and most efficient means of executing securities transactions. On at least a semi-annual basis, the Advisor reviews the holdings of each DFA Australia Sub-Advised Fund, and reviews the trading process and the execution of securities transactions. The Advisor is responsible for determining those securities which are eligible for purchase and sale by a DFA Australia Sub-Advised Fund and may delegate this task, subject to its own review, to DFA Australia. DFA Australia maintains and furnishes to the Advisor information and reports on securities of international companies, including its recommendations of securities to be added to the securities that are eligible for purchase by a DFA Australia Sub-Advised Fund as well as making recommendations and elections on corporate actions. In rendering investment management services to the Advisor with respect to each DFA Australia Sub-Advised Fund, DFA Australia expects to use the resources of certain participating affiliates of DFA Australia. Such participating affiliates are providing such services to DFA Australia pursuant to conditions provided in no-action relief granted by the staff of the SEC allowing registered investment advisers to use portfolio management, research and trading resources of advisory affiliates subject to the supervision of a registered adviser.
Pursuant to Sub-Advisory Agreements with the Advisor, Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. (” DFAL”), 20 Triton Street, Regent’s Place, London, NW13BF, United Kingdom, a company that is organized under the laws of England, has the authority and responsibility to select brokers or dealers to execute securities transactions for the International Portfolios (each a “DFAL Sub-Advised Fund”). DFAL’s duties include the maintenance of a trading desk for each DFAL Sub-Advised Fund and the determination of the best and most efficient means of executing securities transactions. On at least a semi-annual basis, the Advisor reviews the holdings of each DFAL Sub-Advised Fund and reviews the trading process and the execution of securities transactions. The Advisor is responsible for determining those securities which are eligible for purchase and sale by each DFAL Sub-Advised Fund and may delegate this task, subject to its own review, to DFAL. DFAL maintains and furnishes to the Advisor information and reports on securities of United Kingdom and European equity market companies, including its recommendations of securities to be added to the securities that are eligible for purchase by each DFAL Sub-Advised Fund as well as making recommendations and elections on corporate actions.
Payments by the Advisor to Certain Third Parties Not Affiliated with the Advisor
The Advisor and its advisory affiliates have entered into arrangements with certain unaffiliated third parties pursuant to which the Advisor or its advisory affiliates make payments from their own assets or provide services to such unaffiliated third parties as further described below. Certain of the unaffiliated third parties who have entered into such arrangements with the Advisor or its advisory affiliates are affiliated with independent financial advisors (“FAs”) whose clients may invest in the Portfolios or mutual funds advised by the Advisor (“DFA Advised Funds”). Generally, the Advisor does not consider the existence of such arrangements with an affiliate, by itself, to be determinative in assessing whether an FA is independent.
Training and Education Related Benefits Provided by the Advisor
From time to time, the Advisor or its affiliates provide certain non-advisory services (such as data collection and analysis or other consulting services) to financial intermediaries (“Intermediaries”) that may be involved in the distribution of DFA Advised Funds and may recommend the purchase of such DFA Advised Funds for their clients. Intermediaries may include, without limitation, FAs, broker-dealers, institutional investment consultants, and plan service providers (such as recordkeepers). The Advisor or its affiliates also may provide services to Intermediaries, including: (i) personnel and outside consultants for purposes of continuing education, internal strategic planning and, for FAs, practice management; (ii) analysis, including historical market analysis and
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risk/return analysis; (iii) continuing education to investment advisers (some of whom may be dual registered investment advisers/broker-dealers); and (iv) other services.
The Advisor regularly provides educational speakers and facilities for conferences or events for Intermediaries, customers or clients of the Intermediaries, or such customers’ or clients’ service providers, and also may sponsor such events. For its sponsored events, the Advisor typically pays any associated food, beverage, and facilities-related expenses and speakers’ fees. The Advisor has consulting arrangements with certain speakers, who may be affiliated with a client of the Advisor. The Advisor or its affiliates sometimes pay a fee to attend, speak at or assist in sponsoring conferences or events organized by others, and on occasion, pay travel accommodations of certain participants attending such conferences or events. The Advisor’s sponsorship of conferences or events organized by others from time to time includes direct payments to vendors on behalf of, and/or reimbursement of expenses incurred by, the organizers of such events. Also, from time to time, the Advisor makes direct payments to vendors on behalf of, and/or reimbursement of expenses incurred by, Intermediaries in connection with the Intermediaries hosting educational, training, customer appreciation, or other events for such Intermediaries and/or their customers. Personnel of the Advisor may or may not be present at any of the conferences or events hosted by third parties described above. The Advisor generally will promote its participation in or sponsorship of such conferences or events in marketing or advertising materials. At the request of a client or potential client, the Advisor or its affiliates may also refer such client to one or more Intermediaries.
The provision of these services, arrangements and payments described above by the Advisor present conflicts of interest because they provide incentives for Intermediaries, customers or clients of Intermediaries, or such customers’ or clients’ service providers to recommend, or otherwise make available, the Advisor’s strategies or DFA Advised Funds to their clients in order to receive or continue to benefit from these arrangements from the Advisor or its affiliates. However, the provision of these services, arrangements and payments by the Advisor or its affiliates is not dependent on the amount of DFA Advised Funds or strategies sold or recommended by such Intermediaries, customers or clients of Intermediaries, or such customers’ or clients’ service providers.
Consultation Referral Fees Paid by the Advisor
From time to time, consultants of the Advisor are paid a commission for client referrals. Such commissions typically are calculated based on a flat fee, percentage of total fees received by the Advisor as a result of such referrals, or other means agreed to between the Advisor and the consultants.
Payments to Intermediaries by the Advisor
Additionally, the Advisor or its advisory affiliates may enter into arrangements with, and/or make payments from their own assets to, certain Intermediaries to enable access to DFA Advised Funds on platforms and through programs or products made available by such Intermediaries or to assist such Intermediaries to upgrade existing technology systems, or implement new technology systems, platforms, programs, or products in order to improve the methods through which the Intermediaries provide services to the Advisor and its advisory affiliates, and/or their clients. The Advisor or its advisory affiliates may also make payments to Intermediaries related to marketing activities and presentations, educational training programs, conferences, data provision services, or making shares of the DFA Advised Funds available to their customers generally and in certain investment programs. The Advisor may make payments to Intermediaries and other financial service providers for data regarding DFA Advised Funds, such as statistical information regarding sales of shares of DFA Advised Funds through Intermediaries. Such arrangements or payments may establish contractual obligations on the part of such Intermediaries to provide DFA Advised Funds, the Advisor, or their clients with certain exclusive or preferred access to the use of the subject technology or programs or preferable placement or inclusion with such Intermediaries’ platforms, programs or products. Payments of this type are sometimes referred to as revenue-sharing payments. Any payments made pursuant to such arrangements may vary in any year and may be different for different Intermediaries. In certain cases, the payments described here may be subject to certain minimum payment levels, be a fixed amount, and/or depend on assets invested in a particular fund through such Intermediary.
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The services, arrangements, and payments described above, which may be significant to the Intermediaries, present conflicts of interest because they provide incentives for Intermediaries, customers or clients of Intermediaries, or such customers’ or clients’ service providers, to recommend, or otherwise make available, DFA Advised Funds to their clients in order to receive or continue to benefit from these arrangements from the Advisor or its affiliates.
As of January 31, 2023, the Intermediaries receiving such payments include: Betterment Holdings, Inc., Charles Schwab & Co. Inc., Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company, Transamerica Retirement Solutions, LLC, UBS Financial Services Inc. and LPL Financial LLC. Any additions, modifications, or deletions to this list of financial intermediaries that have occurred since the date of this SAI are not included in this list. Please contact your salesperson, advisor, broker or other investment professional for more information regarding any such payments or financial incentives his or her intermediary firm may receive.
Any payments described above made by the Advisor, or an affiliate of the Advisor, will be made from their own assets and not from the assets of the Portfolios. As a result, such payments are not reflected in the fees and expenses listed in the fees and expenses sections of the Portfolios’ prospectuses.
Data Services Purchased by the Advisor
The Advisor purchases certain data services and products used by the Advisor for sales, distribution, and research purposes. In limited circumstances, a data vendor or its affiliate also provides investment consulting services, and such vendor or affiliated entity may refer one or more of its consulting clients to DFA Advised Funds. Any investment consulting services and referrals are unrelated to the Advisor’s process for the review and purchase of certain data services.
MANAGEMENT FEES
David G. Booth, as a director and officer of the Advisor and shareholder of the Advisor’s general partner, and Rex A. Sinquefield, as a shareholder of the Advisor’s general partner, acting together, could be deemed controlling persons of the Advisor. Mr. Booth also serves as Chairman Emeritus of the Trust. For the services it provides as investment advisor to each Portfolio, the Advisor is paid a monthly fee calculated as a percentage of average net assets of the Portfolio.
For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2022 and October 31, 2021, the Portfolios paid management fees as set forth in the following table (the dollar amount is shown prior to any fee waivers by the Advisor).
Portfolio | Fiscal Year Ended 2022 (000) |
Fiscal Year Ended 2021 (000) | ||
Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF(a) | $2,412 | $839 | ||
Dimensional US High Profitability ETF(b) | $745 | N/A | ||
Dimensional US Large Cap Value ETF(b) | N/A | N/A | ||
Dimensional US Real Estate ETF(b) | $1611 | N/A | ||
Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF(b) | $5592 | N/A | ||
Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF(a) | $2,656 | $608 | ||
Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF(b) | $7283 | N/A | ||
Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF(b) | $5644 | N/A | ||
Dimensional International Small Cap ETF(b) | $2715 | N/A | ||
Dimensional International High Profitability ETF(b) | $4126 | N/A | ||
Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF(a) | $3,360 | $697 | ||
Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF(b) | $487 | N/A | ||
Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF(b) | $2548 | N/A | ||
Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF(b) | $721 | N/A | ||
Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF(b) | N/A | N/A |
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1 | $143 after waiver |
2 | $554 after waiver |
3 | $723 after waiver |
4 | $541 after waiver |
5 | $248 after waiver |
6 | $409 after waiver |
7 | $15 after waiver |
8 | $229 after waiver |
(a) | The Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF and Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF commenced operations on November 17, 2020. The Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF commenced operations on December 1, 2020. Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement for each Portfolio, the Advisor is responsible for substantially all ordinary fund operating expenses, except for (i) the Portfolio’s management fee; (ii) payments under the Portfolio’s 12b-1 plan (if any); (iii) brokerage expenses (including any costs incidental to transactions in portfolio securities, instruments and other investments; (iv) taxes; (v) interest expenses (including borrowing costs and dividend expenses on securities sold short and overdraft charges); (vi) litigation expenses (including litigation to which the Trust or Portfolio may be a party and indemnification of the Trustees and officers with respect thereto); (vii) Trustees’ fees and expenses; (viii) legal expenses of counsel to the Independent Trustees; (ix) Chief Compliance Officer compensation; (x) acquired fund fees and expenses (if any); and (xi) other non-routine or extraordinary expenses. |
(b) | The Dimensional US High Profitability ETF, Dimensional US Real Estate ETF, and Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF commenced operations on February 23, 2022. The Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF, Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF, Dimensional International Small Cap ETF, and Dimensional International High Profitability ETF commenced operations on March 23, 2022. The Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF, Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF, and Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF commenced operations on April 26, 2022. Pursuant to a Fee Waiver and/or Expense Assumption Agreement for each of these Portfolios, the Advisor has agreed to waive certain fees and in certain instances, assume certain expenses of the Portfolio, as described below. The Fee Waiver and/or Expense Assumption Agreement will remain in effect through February 28, 2024, and may only be terminated by the Trust’s Board of Trustees prior to that date. The Fee Waiver and/or Expense Assumption Agreement shall continue in effect from year to year thereafter unless terminated by the Trust or the Advisor. With respect to each Fee Waiver and/or Expense Assumption Agreement, prior year waived fees and/or assumed expenses can be recaptured only if the expense ratio following such recapture would be less than the expense cap that was in place when such prior year fees were waived and/or expenses assumed, and less than the current expense cap in place for a Portfolio. A Portfolio is not obligated to reimburse the Advisor for fees previously waived or expenses previously assumed by the Advisor more than thirty-six months before the date of such reimbursement. |
The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and assume the ordinary operating expenses of each of the Portfolios (excluding the expenses that the Portfolio incurs indirectly through its investment in other investment companies) (“Portfolio Expenses”) to the extent necessary to limit the Portfolio Expenses of each Portfolio, on an annualized basis, to the rates listed below as a percentage of the respective Portfolio’s average net assets (the “Expense Limitation Amount”). At any time that the Portfolio Expenses of a Portfolio are less than the Expense Limitation Amount for the Portfolio, the Advisor retains the right to recover any fees previously waived and/or expenses previously assumed to the extent that such recovery will not cause the annualized Portfolio Expenses for such Portfolio to exceed the applicable Expense Limitation Amount identified below. |
Portfolio | Expense Limitation Amount | ||
Dimensional US High Profitability ETF | 0.22% | ||
Dimensional US Large Cap Value ETF | 0.22% | ||
Dimensional US Real Estate ETF | 0.19% | ||
Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF | 0.31% | ||
Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF | 0.23% |
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Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF | 0.42% | ||
Dimensional International Small Cap ETF | 0.39% | ||
Dimensional International High Profitability ETF | 0.29% | ||
Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF | 0.41% | ||
Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF | 0.43% | ||
Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF | 0.39% | ||
Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF | 0.22%* |
* Prior to February 28, 2023, the Expense Limitation Amount in the Fee Waiver and/or Expense Assumption Agreement was 0.24% of the average net assets of the Portfolio on an annualized basis.
Because the Dimensional US Large Cap Value ETF and Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF had not commenced operations as of the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the Portfolios did not pay any management fees for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2022 and October 31, 2021.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
In accordance with the team approach used to manage the Portfolios, the portfolio managers and portfolio traders implement the policies and procedures established by the Investment Committee. The portfolio managers and portfolio traders also make daily investment decisions regarding the Portfolios based on the parameters established by the Investment Committee. The individuals named below are the portfolio managers that coordinate the efforts of all other portfolio managers or trading personnel with respect to the day-to-day management of the Portfolios indicated.
Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF, Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF and Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF | Jed S. Fogdall, Joseph F. Hohn and Allen Pu |
Dimensional US High Profitability ETF, Dimensional US Large Cap Value ETF and Dimensional US Real Estate ETF | Jed S. Fogdall, John A. Hertzer, Joseph F. Hohn and Mary T. Phillips |
Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF | Jed S. Fogdall, Joseph F. Hohn, Joel P. Schneider and Marc C. Leblond |
Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF and Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF | William B. Collins-Dean, Jed S. Fogdall, Joseph F. Hohn and Mary T. Phillips |
Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF, Dimensional International Small Cap ETF and Dimensional International High Profitability ETF |
Jed S. Fogdall, Joseph F. Hohn, Arun C. Keswani and Joel P. Schneider |
Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF and Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF |
Jed S. Fogdall, Joseph F. Hohn, Allen Pu and Ethan Wren |
Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF | Jed S. Fogdall, Joseph F. Hohn, Allen Pu, Mary T. Phillips and William B. Collins-Dean |
Other Managed Accounts
In addition to the Portfolios, each portfolio manager manages (i) other U.S. registered investment companies advised or sub-advised by the Advisor, (ii) other pooled investment vehicles that are not U.S. registered mutual funds or ETFs and (iii) other accounts managed for organizations and individuals. The following table sets forth information regarding the total accounts for which each portfolio manager has the primary responsibility for coordinating the day-to-day management responsibilities.
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Name of Portfolio Manager | Number of Accounts Managed and Total Assets by Category as of October 31, 2022 |
William B. Collins-Dean | ● 21 U.S. registered mutual funds with $79,580 million in total assets under management. ● 0 unregistered pooled investment vehicles. ● 6 other accounts with $2,697 million in total assets under management. |
Jed S. Fogdall | ● 119 U.S. registered mutual funds with $394,030 million in total assets under management. ● 28 unregistered pooled investment vehicles with $19,831 million in total assets under management, of which 1 account with $194 million in assets may be subject to a performance fee. ● 415 other accounts with $23,171 million in total assets under management, of which 4 accounts with $1,687 million in assets may be subject to a performance fee. |
John A. Hertzer | ● 24 U.S. registered mutual funds with $149,424 million in total assets under management. ● 3 unregistered pooled investment vehicles with $3,822 million in total assets under management. ● 6 other accounts with $7,885 million in total assets under management. |
Joseph F. Hohn | ● 21 U.S. registered mutual funds with $73,294 million in total assets under management. ● 7 unregistered pooled investment vehicles with $1,074 million in total assets under management. ● 0 other accounts. |
Arun C. Keswani | ● 24 U.S. registered mutual funds with $55,193 million in total assets under management. ● 0 unregistered pooled investment vehicles. ● 7 other accounts with $1,971 million in total assets under management, of which 2 accounts with $853 million in assets may be subject to a performance fee. |
Marc C. Leblond | ● 14 U.S. registered mutual funds with $61,819 million in total assets under management. ● 3 unregistered pooled investment vehicles with $2,663 million in total assets under management, of which 1 account with $194 million in assets may be subject to a performance fee. ● 14 other accounts with $3,606 million in total assets under management. |
Mary T. Phillips | ● 65 U.S. registered mutual funds with $241,973 million in total assets under management. ● 4 unregistered pooled investment vehicles with $2,499 million in total assets under management. ● 0 other accounts. |
Allen Pu | ● 51 U.S. registered mutual funds with $116,725 million in total assets under management. ● 15 unregistered pooled investment vehicles with $12,763 million in total assets under management. ● 0 other accounts. |
Joel P. Schneider | ● 42 U.S. registered mutual funds with $128,442 million in total assets under management. ● 0 unregistered pooled investment vehicles. ● 2 other accounts with $323 million in total assets under management. |
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Name of Portfolio Manager | Number of Accounts Managed and Total Assets by Category as of October 31, 2022 |
Ethan Wren | ● 8 U.S. registered mutual funds with $18,053 million in total assets under management. ● 0 unregistered pooled investment vehicles. ● 6 other accounts with $3,373 million in total assets under management, of which 2 accounts with $834 million in assets may be subject to a performance fee. |
Description of Compensation Structure
Portfolio managers receive a base salary and bonus. Compensation of a portfolio manager is determined at the discretion of the Advisor and is based on a portfolio manager’s experience, responsibilities, the perception of the quality of his or her work efforts and other subjective factors. The compensation of portfolio managers is not directly based upon the performance of the Portfolios or other accounts that the portfolio managers manage. The Advisor reviews the compensation of each portfolio manager annually and may make modifications in compensation as its Compensation Committee deems necessary to reflect changes in the market. Each portfolio manager’s compensation consists of the following:
● | Base salary. Each portfolio manager is paid a base salary. The Advisor considers the factors described above to determine each portfolio manager’s base salary.
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● | Semi-Annual Bonus. Each portfolio manager may receive a semi-annual bonus. The amount of the bonus paid to each portfolio manager is based upon the factors described above. |
Portfolio managers may be awarded the right to purchase restricted shares of the stock of the Advisor, as determined from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Advisor or its delegates. Portfolio managers also participate in benefit and retirement plans and other programs available generally to all employees.
In addition, portfolio managers may be given the option of participating in the Advisor’s Long Term Incentive Plan. The level of participation for eligible employees may be dependent on overall level of compensation, among other considerations. Participation in this program is not based on or related to the performance of any individual strategies or any particular client accounts.
Potential Conflicts of Interest
Actual or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager has the primary day-to-day responsibilities with respect to more than one Portfolio and other accounts. Other accounts include registered mutual funds and ETFs (other than the Portfolios), other unregistered pooled investment vehicles, and other accounts managed for organizations and individuals (“Accounts”). An Account may have similar investment objectives to a Portfolio, or may purchase, sell or hold securities that are eligible to be purchased, sold or held by a Portfolio. Actual or apparent conflicts of interest include:
● | Time Management. The management of multiple Portfolios and/or Accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of each Portfolio and/or Accounts. The Advisor seeks to manage such competing interests for the time and attention of portfolio managers by having portfolio managers focus on a particular investment discipline. Most Accounts managed by a portfolio manager are managed using the same investment approaches that are used in connection with the management of the Portfolios. | |
● | Investment Opportunities. It is possible that at times identical securities will be held by more than one Portfolio and/or Account. However, positions in the same security may vary and the length of time that any Portfolio or Account may choose to hold its investment in the same security may likewise vary. If a portfolio manager identifies a limited investment opportunity that may be suitable for more than one Portfolio or Account, a Portfolio may not be able to take full advantage of that opportunity due to an allocation of filled purchase or sale orders across all eligible Portfolios and Accounts. To |
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deal with these situations, the Advisor has adopted procedures for allocating portfolio transactions across multiple Portfolios and Accounts. | ||
● | Broker Selection. With respect to securities transactions for the Portfolios, the Advisor determines which broker to use to execute each order, consistent with its duty to seek best execution of the transaction. However, with respect to certain Accounts (such as separate accounts), the Advisor may be limited by the client with respect to the selection of brokers or may be instructed to direct trades through a particular broker. In these cases, the Advisor or its affiliates may place separate, non-simultaneous, transactions for a Portfolio and another Account that may temporarily affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the detriment of the Portfolio or the Account. | |
● | Performance-Based Fees. For some Accounts, the Advisor may be compensated based on the profitability of the Account, such as by a performance-based management fee. These incentive compensation structures may create a conflict of interest for the Advisor with regard to Accounts where the Advisor is paid based on a percentage of assets because the portfolio manager may have an incentive to allocate securities preferentially to the Accounts where the Advisor might share in investment gains. | |
● | Investment in an Account. A portfolio manager or his/her relatives may invest in an Account that he or she manages and a conflict may arise where he or she may therefore have an incentive to treat the Account in which the portfolio manager or his/her relatives invest preferentially as compared to other Accounts for which he or she has portfolio management responsibilities. |
The Advisor and the Trust have adopted certain compliance procedures that are reasonably designed to address these types of conflicts. However, there is no guarantee that such procedures will detect each and every situation in which a conflict arises.
Investments in Each Portfolio
Information relating to each portfolio manager’s ownership (including the ownership of his or her immediate family) in the Portfolios contained in this SAI that he or she manages as of October 31, 2022 is set forth in the chart below.
Portfolio | Portfolio Manager(s) | Dollar
Range of Portfolio Shares Owned |
Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF | Jed S. Fogdall Joseph F. Hohn Allen Pu |
None None None |
Dimensional US High Profitability ETF | Jed S. Fogdall John A. Hertzer Joseph F. Hohn Mary T. Phillips |
None None None None |
Dimensional US Large Cap Value ETF | Jed S. Fogdall John A. Hertzer Joseph F. Hohn Mary T. Phillips |
None None None None |
Dimensional US Real Estate ETF* | Jed S. Fogdall John A. Hertzer Joseph F. Hohn Mary T. Phillips |
None None None None |
Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF | Jed S. Fogdall Joseph F. Hohn Joel P. Schneider Marc C. Leblond |
None None None $1 - $10,000 |
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Portfolio | Portfolio Manager(s) | Dollar
Range of Portfolio Shares Owned |
Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF | Jed S. Fogdall Joseph F. Hohn Allen Pu |
None None None |
Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF | William B. Collins-Dean Jed S. Fogdall Joseph F. Hohn Mary T. Phillips |
None None None None |
Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF | Jed S. Fogdall Joseph F. Hohn Arun C. Keswani Joel P. Schneider |
None None None None |
Dimensional International Small Cap ETF | Jed S. Fogdall Joseph F. Hohn Arun C. Keswani Joel P. Schneider |
None None None None |
Dimensional International High Profitability ETF | Jed S. Fogdall Joseph F. Hohn Arun C. Keswani Joel P. Schneider |
None None None None |
Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF | Jed S. Fogdall Joseph F. Hohn Allen Pu |
None None None |
Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF | Jed S. Fogdall Joseph F. Hohn Allen Pu Ethan Wren |
None None None None |
Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF | Jed S. Fogdall Joseph F. Hohn Allen Pu Ethan Wren |
None None None None |
Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF | Jed S. Fogdall Joseph F. Hohn Allen Pu Mary T. Phillips William B. Collins-Dean |
None None None None None |
Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF* | William B. Collins-Dean Jed S. Fogdall Joseph F. Hohn Mary T. Phillips |
None None None None |
* | The Portfolio had not commenced operations of October 31, 2022. Accordingly, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Portfolio as of October 31, 2022. |
code of ethics
The Trust, the Advisor, DFA Australia, DFAL and DFAS have adopted a Code of Ethics, under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act, for certain access persons of the Portfolios. The Code of Ethics is designed to ensure that access persons act in the interest of the Portfolios and their shareholders with respect to any personal trading of securities. Under the Code of Ethics, access persons are generally prohibited from knowingly buying or selling securities (except for mutual funds, U.S. government securities and money market instruments) which are being purchased, sold or considered for purchase or sale by a Portfolio unless their proposed purchases are approved in advance. The Code of Ethics also contains certain reporting requirements and securities trading clearance procedures.
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SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS
The Trust currently has authorized and allocated to each Portfolio an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest with no par value. The Trustees of the Trust may, at any time and from time to time, by resolution, authorize the establishment and division of additional shares of the Trust into an unlimited number of series and the division of any series (including the Portfolios) into two or more classes. When issued in accordance with the Trust’s registration statement, governing instruments and applicable law (all as may be amended from time to time), all of the Trust’s shares are fully paid and non-assessable. Shares do not have preemptive rights.
Each Share issued by a Portfolio has a pro rata interest in the assets of the Portfolio. 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. However, matters affecting only one particular Portfolio or class can be voted on only by shareholders in such Portfolio or class. The shares of the Trust are not entitled to cumulative voting, meaning that holders of more than 50% of the Trust’s shares may elect the entire Board. All shareholders are entitled to receive dividend and/or capital gains when and as declared by the Trustees from time to time and as discussed in the Prospectus.
The Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration”) provides that by virtue of becoming a shareholder of the Trust, each shareholder shall be held expressly to have agreed to be bound by the provisions of the Declaration. In addition, the Declaration provides a detailed process for the bringing of derivative actions by shareholders in order to permit legitimate inquiries and claims while avoiding the time, expense, distraction, and other harm that can be caused to a Portfolio or its shareholders as a result of spurious shareholder demands and derivative actions. Prior to bringing a derivative action, a demand by the complaining shareholder must first be made on the Trustees. The Declaration details conditions that must be met with respect to the demand. Following receipt of the demand, the Trustees must be afforded a reasonable amount of time to investigate and consider the demand. The Trustees will be entitled to retain counsel or other advisors in considering the merits of the request and shall require an undertaking by the shareholders making such request to reimburse the Trust for the expense of any such advisors in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring such action.
The Declaration also requires that actions by shareholders against a Portfolio be brought only in a certain federal court in Texas, or if not permitted to be brought in federal court, then in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as required by applicable law, or the Superior Court of Delaware, and that the right to jury trial be waived to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Book Entry Only System. The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the relevant information included in the Prospectus. DTC Acts as securities depository for Shares. Shares of the Portfolios are represented by securities registered in the name of DTC or its nominee and deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC.
DTC, a limited-purpose trust company, was created to hold securities of its participants (the “DTC Participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among the DTC Participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the DTC Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own DTC. More specifically, DTC is owned by a number of its DTC Participants and by the NYSE, NYSE MKT and FINRA. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant, either directly or indirectly (the “Indirect Participants”).
Beneficial ownership of Shares is limited to DTC Participants, Indirect Participants and persons holding interests through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in Shares (owners of such beneficial interests are referred to herein as “Beneficial Owners”) is shown on, and the transfer of ownership is effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to DTC Participants) and on the records of DTC Participants (with respect to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners that are not DTC Participants). Beneficial Owners will receive from or through the DTC Participant a written confirmation relating to their purchase and sale of Shares. No Beneficial Owner shall have the right to receive a certificate representing such Shares.
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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 a Portfolio held by each DTC Participant. The Trust shall inquire of each such DTC Participant as to the number of Beneficial Owners holding Shares, directly or indirectly, through such DTC Participant. The Trust shall provide each such DTC Participant with copies of such notice, statement or other communication, in such form, number and at such place as such DTC Participant may reasonably request, in order that such notice, statement or communication may be transmitted by such DTC Participant, directly or indirectly, to such Beneficial Owners. In addition, the Trust shall pay to each such DTC Participant a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement for the expenses attendant to such transmittal, all subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
Portfolio distributions shall be made to DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., as the registered holder of all Portfolio Shares. DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any such distributions, shall immediately credit DTC Participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in Shares of a Portfolio as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. Payments by DTC Participants to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners of Shares held through such DTC Participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in a “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such DTC Participants.
The Trust has no responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or notices to Beneficial Owners, or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in such Shares, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests, or for any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and the DTC Participants or the relationship between such DTC Participants and the Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners owning through such DTC Participants. DTC may decide to discontinue providing its service with respect to Shares at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Trust and discharging its responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law. Under such circumstances, the Trust shall take action to find a replacement for DTC to perform its functions at a comparable cost.
PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
Although the Trust does not have information concerning the beneficial ownership of shares held in the names of the DTC participants, as of January 31, 2023, the following DTC participants owned of record 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Portfolios, as set forth below:
DIMENSIONAL US CORE EQUITY MARKET ETF
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc. | 28.55% | |
200 S 108th Ave. | ||
Omaha, NE 68154-2631 | ||
National Financial Services, LLC | 21.57% | |
245 Summer St. | ||
Boston, MA 02210-1133 | ||
Charles Schwab & Co, Inc. | 20.08% | |
211 Main St. | ||
San Francisco, CA 94105-1905 | ||
Charles Schwab Retail | 19.69% | |
211 Main St. | ||
San Francisco, CA 94105-1905 |
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DIMENSIONAL US HIGH PROFITABILITY ETF | ||
Charles Schwab & Co, Inc. 1 | 29.73% | |
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc. 1 | 22.15% | |
National Financial Services, LLC1 | 18.89% | |
Charles Schwab Retail1 | 17.50% | |
DIMENSIONAL US LARGE CAP VALUE ETF | ||
National Financial Services, LLC1 | 31.78% | |
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc. 1 | 26.03% | |
Charles Schwab & Co, Inc. 1 | 24.53% | |
Charles Schwab Retail1 | 10.14% | |
DIMENSIONAL US REAL ESTATE ETF | ||
Charles Schwab & Co, Inc. 1 | 25.38% | |
National Financial Services, LLC1 | 22.65% | |
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc. 1 | 21.34% | |
Charles Schwab Retail1 | 18.19% | |
DIMENSIONAL US SMALL CAP VALUE ETF | ||
Charles Schwab & Co, Inc. 1 | 25.24% | |
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc. 1 | 19.49% | |
Charles Schwab Retail1 | 17.91% | |
National Financial Services, LLC1 | 17.25% | |
DIMENSIONAL INTERNATIONAL CORE EQUITY MARKET ETF | ||
Charles Schwab & Co, Inc. 1 | 26.23% | |
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc. 1 | 23.55% | |
National Financial Services, LLC1 | 21.09% | |
Charles Schwab Retail1 | 15.11% | |
DIMENSIONAL INTERNATIONAL CORE EQUITY 2 ETF | ||
Charles Schwab & Co, Inc. 1 | 28.80% | |
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc. 1 | 23.24% |
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National Financial Services, LLC1 | 19.70% | |
Charles Schwab Retail1 | 15.52% | |
DIMENSIONAL INTERNATIONAL SMALL CAP VALUE ETF | ||
Charles Schwab & Co, Inc. 1 | 32.71% | |
Charles Schwab Retail1 | 22.38% | |
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc. 1 | 17.72% | |
National Financial Services, LLC1 | 16.41% | |
DIMENSIONAL INTERNATIONAL SMALL CAP ETF | ||
Charles Schwab & Co, Inc. 1 | 32.17% | |
National Financial Services, LLC1 | 28.99% | |
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc. 1 | 20.12% | |
Charles Schwab Retail1 | 10.23% | |
DIMENSIONAL INTERNATIONAL HIGH PROFITABILITY ETF | ||
Charles Schwab & Co, Inc. 1 | 38.64% | |
Charles Schwab Retail1 | 21.40% | |
National Financial Services, LLC1 | 16.36% | |
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc. 1 | 13.72% | |
DIMENSIONAL EMERGING CORE EQUITY MARKET ETF | ||
National Financial Services, LLC1 | 24.92% | |
Charles Schwab & Co, Inc. 1 | 24.02% | |
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc. 1 | 20.67% | |
Charles Schwab Retail1 | 10.63% | |
DIMENSIONAL EMERGING MARKETS HIGH PROFITABILITY ETF | ||
The Northern Trust Company | 41.60% | |
50 S. La Salle St. | ||
Chicago, IL 60603-1008 | ||
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc. 1 | 19.77% | |
The Bank of New York Mellon | 10.93% | |
12 Gill St., Suite 2600 | ||
Woburn, MA 01801-1729 | ||
Charles Schwab & Co, Inc. 1 | 6.21% |
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DIMENSIONAL EMERGING MARKETS VALUE ETF | ||
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc. 1 | 23.64% | |
Charles Schwab & Co, Inc. 1 | 22.57% | |
Charles Schwab Retail1 | 17.95% | |
National Financial Services, LLC1 | 13.35% | |
DIMENSIONAL EMERGING MARKETS CORE EQUITY 2 ETF | ||
Charles Schwab & Co, Inc. 1 | 31.79% | |
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc. 1 | 20.78% | |
National Financial Services, LLC1 | 18.09% | |
Charles Schwab Retail1 | 15.28% | |
DIMENSIONAL GLOBAL REAL ESTATE ETF | ||
Charles Schwab & Co, Inc. 1 | 39.18% | |
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc. 1 | 22.87% | |
Charles Schwab Retail1 | 20.21% | |
National Financial Services, LLC1 | 14.46% |
1 See address for shareholder previously noted above in list.
To the best knowledge of the Trust, no other DTC participant held of record more than 5% of the outstanding shares of a Portfolio.
Following the creation of the initial Creation Unit(s) of shares of a Portfolio and immediately prior to the commencement of trading in the Portfolio’s shares, a holder of shares, including the Advisor, may be a “control person” of the Portfolio, as defined in the 1940 Act. A Portfolio cannot predict the length of time for which one or more shareholders may remain a control person of the Portfolio.
CREATION AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS
General
Each Portfolio issues Shares only in Creation Units on a continuous basis through the Distributor or its agent, without a sales load, at its NAV next determined after receipt, on any Business Day (as defined below), of an order received by the Transfer Agent in proper form. On days when the Exchange closes earlier than normal, the Portfolios may require orders to be placed earlier in the day. A “Business Day” with respect to each Portfolio is any day on which the Exchange on which the Portfolio is listed for trading is open for business. As of the date of this SAI, the Exchanges observes the following holidays: New Year’s Day (NYSE only), Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Thanksgiving early close (Cboe only) and Christmas Day. Although it is expected that the same holidays will be observed in the future, the Exchanges may modify their holiday schedule or hours of operation at any time.
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Each Portfolio effects creations and redemptions only to and from broker-dealers and large institutional investors that have entered into authorized participant agreements, as described further below. Each Portfolio may issue and redeem Creation Units of its Shares in exchange for a designated basket of portfolio investments (including any portion of such investments for which cash may be substituted), together with an amount of cash and any applicable fees, as described below, or Shares may be offered and redeemed partially or solely for cash. For each Portfolio, the Trust reserves the right to permit or require that creations and redemptions of Shares be effected entirely in cash, in-kind or a combination thereof.
To the extent the Portfolios engage in in-kind transactions, the Portfolios intend to comply with the U.S. federal securities laws in accepting securities for deposit and satisfying redemptions with redemption securities by, among other means, assuring that any securities accepted for deposit and any securities used to satisfy redemption requests will be sold in transactions that would be exempt from registration under the 1933 Act. Further, an Authorized Participant (as defined below under “Procedures for Creation of Creation Units”) that is not a “qualified institutional buyer,” as such term is defined under Rule 144A of the 1933 Act, will not be able to receive securities that are restricted securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A.
The Portfolios may utilize custom creation or redemption baskets consistent with Rule 6c-11. Custom orders may be required to be received by the Transfer Agent by 3:00 p.m., Eastern Time, to be effectuated based on the Portfolio’s NAV on that Business Day. A custom order may be placed when, for example, an Authorized Participant cannot transact in an instrument in the in-kind creation or redemption basket and therefore has additional cash included in lieu of such instrument. The Trust has adopted policies and procedures that govern the construction and acceptance of baskets, including heightened requirements for certain types of custom baskets. These policies and procedures provide detailed parameters for the construction and acceptance of custom baskets that are in the best interests of a Portfolio and its shareholders, including the process for any revisions to, or deviations from, those parameters, and specify the titles or roles of the employees of the Advisor who are required to review each custom basket for compliance with the parameters.
Persons placing or effectuating custom orders should be mindful of time deadlines imposed by intermediaries, which may impact the successful processing of such orders.
Creations
Deposit of Investments/Delivery of Cash. The consideration for purchase of Creation Units of a Portfolio may consist of the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of investments (including cash in lieu of any portion of such investments) determined by the Portfolio (“Deposit Securities”) and generally a specified amount of cash (the “Cash Component”), computed as described below, together with applicable creation transaction fees (as described below). Together, the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component constitute the “Fund Deposit,” applicable to creation requests received in proper form, subject to amendment or correction as described below.
The Cash Component, also commonly referred to as the balancing amount, is an amount equal to the difference between (i) the NAV of Portfolio Shares (per Creation Unit); and (ii) the “Deposit Amount,” which is the amount equal to the market value of the Deposit Securities and/or cash in lieu of all or a portion of the Deposit Securities. The Cash Component serves the function of compensating for any differences between the NAV per Creation Unit and the Deposit Amount. If the Cash Component is a positive number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit exceeds the Deposit Amount), the Authorized Participant will deliver the Cash Component. If the Cash Component is a negative number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit is less than the Deposit Amount), the Authorized Participant will receive the Cash Component. Payment of any tax, stamp duty or other similar fees and expenses payable upon transfer of beneficial ownership of the Deposit Securities are the sole responsibility of the Authorized Participant purchasing the Creation Unit.
Creation Units may also be sold partially or solely for cash. When partial or full cash purchases of Creation Units are available or specified for a Portfolio, such purchases will be effected in essentially the same manner as in-kind purchases of Creation Units. In the case of a partial or full cash purchase, the Authorized Participant must pay the cash equivalent of the Deposit Securities it would have otherwise delivered in an in-kind purchase, in addition to the same Cash Component required to be paid by an in-kind purchaser. In addition, to offset brokerage and other
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costs associated with using cash to purchase the requisite Deposit Securities, the Authorized Participant must pay the Transaction Fees required by each Portfolio. If the Authorized Participant acts as a broker for the Portfolio in connection with the purchase of Deposit Securities, the Authorized Participant will also be required to pay certain brokerage commissions, taxes, and transaction and market impact costs.
The Custodian, through the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”), makes available on each Business Day, prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time), the list of the names and the required quantities of each Deposit Security and the amount of the Cash Component to be included in the current Fund Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day and subject to possible amendment or correction) for the Portfolios.
The Portfolios reserve the right to accept a nonconforming (i.e., custom) Fund Deposit. In addition, the composition of the Fund Deposit may change as, among other things, corporate actions, investment rebalancing, and investment decisions by the Advisor are implemented for a Portfolio. The composition of the Fund Deposit may also change in response to adjustments to the weighting or composition of the component securities constituting a Portfolio’s investment portfolio. All questions as to the composition of the in-kind creation basket to be included in the Fund Deposit and the validity, form, eligibility, and acceptance for deposit of any instrument shall be determined by the Trust, and the Trust’s determination shall be final and binding.
Procedures for Creation of Creation Units. To be eligible to place orders with the Distributor to create a Creation Unit of a Portfolio, 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”); or (ii) a DTC Participant (see “Book Entry Only System”), and, in each case, must have executed an authorized participant agreement with the Distributor with respect to creations and redemptions of Creation Units (“Participant Agreement”) (discussed further below). A Participating Party and DTC Participant are collectively referred to as “Authorized Participants.” Investors should contact the Distributor for a list of current Authorized Participants. All Shares of the Portfolios, however created, will be entered on the records of DTC in the name of Cede & Co. for the account of a DTC Participant.
Placement of Creation Orders. All orders to create Creation Units must be placed for one or more Creation Unit sized aggregations of a specified number of Shares. All standard orders to create Creation Units, whether through the Clearing Process (through a Participating Party) or outside the Clearing Process (through a DTC Participant), must be received by the Transfer Agent no later than the order cut-off time designated by the Trust (“Closing Time”) on the date such order is placed in order for the creation of Creation Units to be effected based on the NAV of Shares of the Portfolio as next determined on such date after receipt of the order in proper form. With certain exceptions, the Closing Time for a Portfolio usually is the closing time of the regular trading session on the Exchange —i.e., ordinarily 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Subject to the provisions of the applicable Participant Agreement, in the case of custom orders, the order must generally be received by the Transfer Agent no later than 3:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the date such order is placed. The date on which an order to create Creation Units (or an order to redeem Creation Units as discussed below) is placed is referred to as the “Transmittal Date.” Orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the Distributor and the Transfer Agent as described below in this SAI and pursuant to procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement. Severe economic or market disruptions or changes, or telephone or other communication systems failure, may impede the ability to reach the Distributor, Transfer Agent or Authorized Participant.
Investors other than Authorized Participants are responsible for making arrangements for a creation request to be made through an Authorized Participant. Orders to create Creation Units of a Portfolio shall be placed with an Authorized Participant, as applicable, in the form required by such Authorized Participant. The Authorized Participant must make available on or before the prescribed settlement date, by means satisfactory to a Portfolio, immediately available or same day funds estimated by the Portfolio to be sufficient to pay the Cash Component next determined after acceptance of the purchase order, together with the applicable purchase transaction fees. Those placing orders should ascertain the applicable deadline for cash transfers by contacting the operations department of the broker or depositary institution effectuating the transfer of the Cash Component. In addition, the Authorized Participant may request the investor to make certain representations or enter into agreements with respect to the order, i.e., to provide for payments of cash, when required. Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not have executed a Participant Agreement and, therefore, orders to create Creation Units of a Portfolio have to
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be placed by the investor’s broker through an Authorized Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. At any given time there may be only a limited number of broker-dealers that have executed a Participant Agreement. Those placing orders for Creation Units through the Clearing Process should afford sufficient time to permit proper submission of the order to the Transfer Agent prior to the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date.
Orders for creation that are effected outside the Clearing Process are likely to require transmittal by the DTC Participant earlier on the Transmittal Date than orders effected using the Clearing Process. Those persons placing orders outside the Clearing Process should ascertain the deadlines applicable to DTC and the Federal Reserve Bank wire system by contacting the broker or depository institution effecting such transfer of the Fund Deposit.
An order to create Creation Units is deemed received on the Transmittal Date if (i) such order is received by the Transfer Agent not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date and (ii) all other procedures with respect to creation orders are properly followed. The delivery of Creation Units so created will generally occur no later than the second Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Transfer Agent (“T+2”). However, the Trust reserves the right to settle Creation Unit transactions on a basis other than T+2 if necessary or appropriate under the circumstances. Additionally, the International Portfolios reserve the right to settle Creation Unit transactions on a basis other than T+2 to accommodate non-U.S. market holiday schedules or to account for different treatment among non-U.S. and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and ex-dividend dates or if necessary or appropriate under the circumstances.
If the Cash Component and the Deposit Securities are not received by the applicable deadline specified by the Transfer Agent on the Settlement Date, the creation order may be canceled. Upon written notice to the Transfer Agent, such cancelled order may be resubmitted the following Business Day using a newly constituted Fund Deposit as specified by the Portfolio.
Acceptance of Orders for Creation Units. Subject to the conditions that (i) an irrevocable purchase order has been submitted by the Authorized Participant (either on its own or another investor’s behalf) and (ii) arrangements satisfactory to a Portfolio are in place for payment of the Cash Component and any other cash amounts which may be due, the Portfolio will accept the order, subject to the Portfolio’s right (and the right of the Distributor and the Transfer Agent) to reject any order until acceptance, as set forth below.
Once an order has been accepted, upon the next determination of the NAV of a Portfolio’s Shares, the Portfolio will confirm the issuance of a Creation Unit, against receipt of payment, at such NAV. The Transfer Agent will then transmit a confirmation of acceptance to the Authorized Participant that placed the order.
A Portfolio reserves the right (to the extent consistent with the provisions of Rule 6c-11 under the 1940 Act and the SEC’s positions thereunder) to reject or revoke a creation order for any reason, including if: (a) the order is not in proper form; (b) the Deposit Securities delivered do not conform to the identity and number of shares specified, as described above; (c) the investor(s), upon obtaining the Shares ordered, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding Shares of the Portfolio; (d) the acceptance of the Fund Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (e) deemed appropriate, in the Portfolio’s sole discretion, on certain days that are holidays in non-U.S. markets, while not observed holidays in the U.S. equity market, in order to protect Portfolio shareholders from any dilutive costs that may be associated with the purchase of Deposit Securities in connection with creation orders on such days; or (f) in the event that circumstances outside the control of the Portfolio, the Distributor, the Transfer Agent or the Advisor make it for all practical purposes impossible to process creation orders. 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 Portfolio, Advisor, the Distributor, Transfer Agent, DTC, NSCC or any other participant in the creation process, and similar extraordinary events. The Transfer Agent shall notify a prospective creator of a Creation Unit and/or the Authorized Participant acting on behalf of the creator of a Creation Unit of the rejection of the order of such person. The Portfolios, Custodian, sub-custodian, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Fund Deposits nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give such notification.
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Issuance of Creation Units. Except as provided herein, a Creation Unit will not be issued until the transfer of good title to the applicable Portfolio of the Deposit Securities and the payment of the Cash Component and applicable creation transaction fees have been completed. When the Custodian or applicable sub-custodian has confirmed that the securities included in the Fund Deposit (or the cash value thereof) have been delivered to the account of the Custodian or relevant sub-custodian(s), the Transfer Agent and the Advisor shall be notified of such delivery and the applicable Portfolio will issue and cause the delivery of the Creation Unit.
A Portfolio may issue Creation Units to such Authorized Participant, notwithstanding the fact that the corresponding Fund Deposits have not been received in part or in whole, in reliance on the undertaking of the Authorized Participant to deliver the missing Deposit Securities as soon as possible, which undertaking shall be secured by such Authorized Participant’s delivery and maintenance of collateral having a value at least equal to 105%, and up to 115%, of the value of the missing Deposit Securities, which percentage the Advisor may change at any time, in its sole discretion, of the value of the missing Deposit Securities. The Trust may use such cash deposit at any time to buy Deposit Securities for the Portfolio. The only collateral that is acceptable to a Portfolio is cash in U.S. dollars. Such cash collateral generally must be delivered no later than 2 p.m., Eastern Time, on the next Business Day after the Transmittal Date (for the International Portfolios) or 2 p.m., Eastern Time, on the prescribed settlement date (for the Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF, Dimensional US High Profitability ETF, Dimensional US Real Estate ETF and Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF (the “US Portfolios”)) or such other time as designated by the Custodian. The Portfolio may buy the missing Deposit Securities at any time, and the Authorized Participant will be subject to liability for any shortfall between the cost to the Portfolio of purchasing such securities and the value of the cash collateral including, without limitation, liability for related brokerage, borrowings and other charges.
In certain cases, Authorized Participants may create and redeem Creation Units on the same trade date and in these instances, a Portfolio reserves the right to settle these transactions on a net basis or require a representation from the Authorized Participants that the creation and redemption transactions are for separate beneficial owners. All questions as to the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by the Portfolio and the Portfolio’s determination shall be final and binding.
Creation Transaction Fee. A standard creation transaction fee is imposed to offset the transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance of Creation Units. The standard creation transaction fee is charged to the Authorized Participant on the day such Authorized Participant creates a Creation Unit, and is the same, regardless of the number of Creation Units purchased by the Authorized Participant on the applicable Business Day. From time to time and for such periods as the Advisor may deem appropriate, the Advisor may increase, decrease or otherwise modify the creation transaction fee to an amount that, in its judgment, is necessary or appropriate to recoup for the Portfolio the costs it may incur as a result of such purchases, or to otherwise eliminate or reduce so far as practicable any dilution of the value of the Shares. The Authorized Participant may also be required to cover certain brokerage, tax, foreign exchange, execution, market impact and other costs and expenses related to the execution of trades resulting from such transaction (up to the maximum amount shown below). Authorized Participants will also bear the costs of transferring the Deposit Securities to a Portfolio. Investors who use the services of a broker or other financial intermediary to acquire Portfolio shares may be charged a fee for such services.
The following table sets forth each Portfolio’s standard creation transaction fees and maximum additional charge (as described above):
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Portfolio | Standard
Creation Transaction Fee |
Maximum
Additional Charge for Creations* |
Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF | $800 | 3% |
Dimensional US High Profitability ETF | $100 | 3% |
Dimensional US Large Cap Value ETF | $100 | 3% |
Dimensional US Real Estate ETF | $100 | 3% |
Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF | $400 | 3% |
Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF | $6,000 | 7% |
Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF | $6,000 | 7% |
Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF | $2,500 | 7% |
Dimensional International Small Cap ETF | $5,000 | 7% |
Dimensional International High Profitability ETF | $1,500 | 7% |
Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF | $9,000 | 7% |
Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF | $2,500 | 7% |
Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF | $4,000 | 7% |
Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF | $9,000 | 7% |
Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF | $1,000 | 7% |
* As a percentage of the NAV per Creation Unit.
If a purchase consists of a cash portion and the Portfolio places a brokerage transaction to purchase portfolio securities with the Authorized Participant or its affiliated broker-dealer, the Authorized Participant (or its affiliated broker-dealer) may be required, in its capacity as broker-dealer with respect to that transaction, to cover certain brokerage, tax, foreign exchange, execution, and price movement costs through a Price Guarantee, as described in the Brokerage Transactions section of this SAI.
Redemptions
Redemption of Creation Units. Shares may be redeemed only in Creation Units at their NAV next determined after receipt of a redemption request in proper form by the Transfer Agent and only on a Business Day. The Portfolios will not redeem Shares in amounts less than Creation Units. Beneficial owners must accumulate enough Shares in the secondary market to constitute a Creation Unit in order to have such Shares redeemed by a Portfolio. 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 Portfolio Shares to constitute a redeemable Creation Unit.
When in-kind redemptions are available or specified for a Portfolio, the redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit generally consist of a designated portfolio of investments including cash in lieu of all or a portion of such investments (“Fund Instruments”) plus or minus the Cash Component, as next determined after a receipt of a request in proper form, together with the applicable redemption transaction fees (as described below) and, if applicable, any operational processing and brokerage costs, transfer fees or stamp taxes. The Fund Instruments together with the Cash Component comprise the “Fund Redemption.” The Cash Component, also commonly referred to as the balancing amount, included in the Fund Redemption is a compensating cash payment equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the NAV attributable to a Creation Unit and (ii) the aggregate market value of the Fund Instruments (i.e., securities or other instruments in the in-kind redemption basket) and/or the cash in-lieu of all or a portion of the Fund Instruments. In the event that the Fund Instruments and the cash in lieu have a value greater than the NAV of the Portfolio Shares, the Cash Component is required to be paid by the redeeming shareholder. If the NAV
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attributable to a Creation Unit exceeds the market value of the Fund Instruments and the cash in-lieu amount, if any, the Portfolio pays the Cash Component to the redeeming shareholder.
Creation Units may also be redeemed partially or solely for cash. A Portfolio may pay out the proceeds of redemptions of Creation Unit solely in cash or through any combination of cash or securities. In addition, an investor may request a redemption in cash that the Portfolio 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 Portfolio next determined after the redemption request is received in proper form (minus applicable redemption transaction fees and an additional charge for requested cash redemptions specified below, to offset the brokerage and other transaction costs associated with the disposition of Fund Instruments). Proceeds will be paid to the Authorized Participant redeeming Shares on behalf of the redeeming investor as soon as practicable after the date of redemption. If the Authorized Participant acts as a broker for the Portfolio in connection with the sale of Fund Instruments, the Authorized Participant will also be required to pay certain brokerage commissions, taxes, and transaction and market impact costs.
The Custodian, through the NSCC, makes available prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time) on each Business Day, the identity of the Fund Instruments and Cash Component that will be applicable (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day and subject to possible amendment or correction) to redemption requests received in proper form on that day. Fund Instruments received on redemption may not be identical to Deposit Securities that are applicable to creations of Creation Units.
The Portfolios reserve the right to deliver a nonconforming (i.e., custom) Fund Redemption. All questions as to the composition of the in-kind redemption basket to be included in the Fund Redemption shall be determined by the Trust, in accordance with applicable law, and the Trust’s determination shall be final and binding. The Portfolios reserve the right to make redemption payments in cash, in-kind or a combination of each.
Deliveries of Fund Redemptions will generally be made within two Business Days (“T+2”) or, for the Emerging Market Portfolios, three Business Days (“T+3”). However, the Portfolios reserve the right to settle redemption transactions on a basis other than T+2 or T+3, as applicable, if necessary or appropriate under the circumstances and consistent with applicable law. Delayed settlement may occur due to a number of different reasons, including, without limitation, settlement cycles for the underlying securities, unscheduled market closings, an effort to link distribution to dividend record dates and ex-dates and newly announced holidays. For example, the redemption settlement process may be extended beyond T+2 or T+3 because of the occurrence of a holiday in a non-U.S. market that is not a holiday observed in the U.S. equity market. Additionally, each Portfolio reserves the right to settle redemption transactions on a basis other than T+2 if necessary or appropriate under the circumstances; provided, however, that the Portfolios will deliver the foreign investment(s) as soon as practicable, and in no event later than 15 days after the receipt of a redemption request.
Because the portfolio securities of a Portfolio may trade on exchange(s) on days that the Exchange is closed or are otherwise not Business Days for the Portfolio, investors may not be able purchase or sell shares of the Portfolio on the Exchange on days when the NAV of the Portfolio could be significantly affected by events in the relevant non-U.S. markets. The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed (i) for any period during which the Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (ii) for any period during which trading on the Exchange is suspended or restricted; (iii) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the Shares of a Portfolio or determination of a Portfolio’s NAV is not reasonably practicable; or (iv) in such other circumstances as is permitted by the SEC.
If an Authorized Participant has submitted a redemption request in proper form but is unable to transfer all or part of the Creation Unit to be redeemed to a Portfolio, at or prior to 2 p.m., Eastern Time, on the next Business Day after the Transmittal Date (for the International Portfolios) or 2 p.m., Eastern Time, on the prescribed settlement date (for the US Portfolios), the Transfer Agent may accept the redemption request in reliance on the undertaking by the Authorized Participant to deliver the missing Shares as soon as possible. Such undertaking shall be secured by the Authorized Participant’s delivery and maintenance of collateral consisting of cash, in U.S. dollars in immediately available funds, having a value at least equal to 105%, and up to 115%, of the value of the missing Shares, which percentage the Trust may change at any time, in its sole discretion, of the value of the missing Shares. Such cash collateral must be delivered no later than 2 p.m. Eastern Time on the next Business Day after the
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Transmittal Date (for the International Portfolios) or 2 p.m., Eastern Time, on the prescribed settlement date (for the US Portfolios) and shall be held by the Custodian and marked-to-market daily. The fees of the Custodian and any sub-custodians in respect of the delivery, maintenance and redelivery of the cash collateral shall be payable by the Authorized Participant. The Portfolio may purchase missing Portfolio Shares or acquire the Fund Instruments and the Cash Component underlying such Shares, and the Authorized Participant will be subject to liability for any shortfall between the cost of the Portfolio acquiring such Shares, the Fund Instruments or Cash Component and the value of the cash collateral including, without limitation, liability for related brokerage and other charges.
Placement of Redemption Orders. Investors other than Authorized Participants are responsible for making arrangements for an order to redeem to be made through an Authorized Participant. An order to redeem Creation Units is deemed received by the Trust on the Transmittal Date if: (i) such order is received by the Transfer Agent not later than the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date; and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement and this Statement of Additional Information are properly followed. If the Transfer Agent does not receive the Shares through DTC by 2 p.m., Eastern Time, on the prescribed settlement date, the redemption request may be deemed rejected. Investors should be aware that the deadline for the transfers of shares through the DTC may be significantly earlier than the close of business on the Exchange.
An order to redeem Creation Units made in proper form but received by the Trust after the Closing Time, will be deemed received on the next Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date and will be effected at the NAV next determined on such next Business Day. On days when the Exchange closes earlier than normal, orders to redeem Creation Units may need to be placed earlier in the day.
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Redemption Transaction Fee. A standard redemption transaction fee is imposed to offset transfer and other transaction costs that may be incurred by a Portfolio. The standard redemption transaction fee is charged to the Authorized Participant on the day such Authorized Participant redeems a Creation Unit, and is the same regardless of the number of Creation Units redeemed by an Authorized Participant on the applicable Business Day. From time to time and for such periods as the Advisor may deem appropriate, the Advisor may increase, decrease or otherwise modify the redemption transaction fee to an amount that, in its judgment, is necessary or appropriate to recoup for the Portfolio the costs it may incur as a result of such redemption, or to otherwise eliminate or reduce so far as practicable any dilution of the value of the Shares. The Authorized Participant may also be required to cover certain brokerage, tax, foreign exchange, execution, market impact and other costs and expenses related to the execution of trades resulting from such transaction (up to the maximum amount shown below). Authorized Participants will also bear the costs of transferring the Fund Instruments from a Portfolio to their account on their order. Investors who use the services of a broker or other financial intermediary to dispose of Portfolio shares may be charged a fee for such services.
The following table sets forth each Portfolio’s standard redemption transaction fees and maximum additional charge (as described above):
Portfolio | Standard Redemption Transaction Fee | Maximum
Additional Charge for Redemptions* |
Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF | $800 | 2% |
Dimensional US High Profitability ETF | $100 | 2% |
Dimensional US Large Cap Value ETF | $100 | 2% |
Dimensional US Real Estate ETF | $100 | 2% |
Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF | $400 | 2% |
Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF | $6,000 | 2% |
Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF | $6,000 | 2% |
Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF | $2,500 | 2% |
Dimensional International Small Cap ETF | $5,000 | 2% |
Dimensional International High Profitability ETF | $1,500 | 2% |
Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF | $9,000 | 2% |
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Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF | $2,500 | 2% |
Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF | $4,000 | 2% |
Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF | $9,000 | 2% |
Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF | $1,000 | 2% |
* As a percentage of the NAV per Creation Unit, inclusive of the standard redemption transaction fee.
If a redemption consists of a cash portion and a Portfolio places a brokerage transaction to sell portfolio securities with the Authorized Participant or its affiliated broker-dealer, the Authorized Participant (or its affiliated broker-dealer) may be required, in its capacity as broker-dealer with respect to that transaction, to cover certain brokerage, tax, foreign exchange, execution, and price movement costs through a Price Guarantee, as described in the Brokerage Transactions section of this SAI.
TAXATION OF THE PORTFOLIOS and their shareholders
The following is a summary of some of the federal income tax consequences of investing in a Portfolio (sometimes referred to as “the Portfolio”). Unless you are invested in the Portfolio through a qualified retirement plan, you should consider the tax implications of investing and consult your own tax advisor. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of the tax treatment of the Portfolio or its shareholders, and the discussion here and in the Prospectus is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning.
This “TAXATION OF THE PORTFOLIOS AND THEIR SHAREHOLDERS” section is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and applicable regulations in effect on the date of this SAI. Future legislative, regulatory or administrative changes, including provisions of current law that sunset and thereafter no longer apply, or court decisions may significantly change the tax rules applicable to the Portfolio and its shareholders. Any of these changes or court decisions may have a retroactive effect.
This is for general information only and not tax advice and does not purport to deal with all federal tax consequences applicable to all categories of investors, some of which may be subject to special rules. You should consult your own tax advisor regarding your particular circumstances before making an investment in the Portfolio.
Taxation of the Portfolio
The Portfolio has elected and intends to qualify (or, if newly organized, intends to elect and qualify) each year as a regulated investment company (sometimes referred to as a “regulated investment company,” “RIC” or “portfolio”) under Subchapter M of the Code. If the Portfolio qualifies, the Portfolio will not be subject to federal income tax on the portion of its investment company taxable income (that is, generally, taxable interest, dividends, net short-term capital gains, and other taxable ordinary income, net of expenses, without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) and net capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses) that it distributes.
Qualification as a regulated investment company. In order to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company, the Portfolio must satisfy the following requirements:
• | Distribution Requirement — the Portfolio must distribute an amount equal to the sum of at least 90% of its investment company taxable income and 90% of its net tax-exempt income, if any, for the tax year (including, for purposes of satisfying this distribution requirement, certain distributions made by the Portfolio after the close of its taxable year that are treated as made during such taxable year). |
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• | Income Requirement — the Portfolio must derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, certain payments with respect to securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived from its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies and net income derived from qualified publicly traded partnerships (“QPTPs”). | |
• | Asset Diversification Test — the Portfolio must satisfy the following asset diversification test at the close of each quarter of the Portfolio’s tax year: (1) at least 50% of the value of the Portfolio’s assets must consist of cash and cash items, U.S. Government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and securities of other issuers (as to which the Portfolio has not invested more than 5% of the value of the Portfolio’s total assets in securities of an issuer and as to which the Portfolio does not hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer); and (2) no more than 25% of the value of the Portfolio’s total assets may be invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities or securities of other regulated investment companies) or of two or more issuers which the Portfolio controls and which are engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses, or, collectively, in the securities of one or more QPTPs. |
In some circumstances, the character and timing of income realized by the Portfolio for purposes of the Income Requirement or the identification of the issuer for purposes of the Asset Diversification Test is uncertain under current law with respect to a particular investment, and an adverse determination or future guidance by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) with respect to such type of investment may adversely affect the Portfolio’s ability to satisfy these requirements. See “Tax Treatment of Portfolio Transactions” below with respect to the application of these requirements to certain types of investments. In other circumstances, the Portfolio may be required to sell portfolio holdings in order to meet the Income Requirement, Distribution Requirement, or Asset Diversification Test which may have a negative impact on the Portfolio’s income and performance.
The Portfolio may use “equalization accounting” (in lieu of making some cash distributions) in determining the portion of its income and gains that has been distributed. If the Portfolio uses equalization accounting, it will allocate a portion of its undistributed investment company taxable income and net capital gain to redemptions of Portfolio shares and will correspondingly reduce the amount of such income and gains that it distributes in cash. If the IRS determines that the Portfolio’s allocation is improper and that the Portfolio has under-distributed its income and gain for any taxable year, the Portfolio may be liable for federal income and/or excise tax. If, as a result of such adjustment, the Portfolio fails to satisfy the Distribution Requirement, the Portfolio will not qualify that year as a regulated investment company, the effect of which is described in the following paragraph.
If for any taxable year the Portfolio does not qualify as a regulated investment company, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) would be subject to tax at the corporate income tax rate without any deduction for dividends paid, and the dividends would be taxable to the shareholders as ordinary income (or possibly as qualified dividend income) to the extent of the Portfolio’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. Failure to qualify as a regulated investment company would thus have a negative impact on the Portfolio’s income and performance. Subject to savings provisions for certain inadvertent failures to satisfy the Income Requirement or Asset Diversification Test which, in general, are limited to those due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, it is possible that the Portfolio will not qualify as a regulated investment company in any given tax year. Even if such savings provisions apply, the Portfolio may be subject to a monetary sanction of $50,000 or more. Moreover, the Board reserves the right not to maintain the qualification of the Portfolio as a regulated investment company if it determines such a course of action to be beneficial to shareholders.
Portfolio turnover. For investors that hold their Portfolio shares in a taxable account, a high portfolio turnover rate may result in higher taxes. This is because a portfolio with a high turnover rate is likely to accelerate the recognition of capital gains and more of such gains are likely to be taxable as short-term rather than long-term capital gains in contrast to a comparable portfolio with a low turnover rate. Any such higher taxes would reduce the Portfolio’s after-tax performance. See “Taxation of Portfolio Distributions – Distributions of capital gains” below. For non-U.S. investors, any such acceleration of the recognition of capital gains that results in more short-term and less long-term capital gains being recognized by the Portfolio may cause such investors to be subject to increased U.S. withholding taxes. See “Non-U.S. Investors –Capital gain dividends and short-term capital gain dividends” below.
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Capital loss carryovers. The capital losses of the Portfolio, if any, do not flow through to shareholders. Rather, the Portfolio may use its capital losses, subject to applicable limitations, to offset its capital gains without being required to pay taxes on or distribute such gains that are offset by the losses. If the Portfolio has a “net capital loss” (that is, capital losses in excess of capital gains), the excess (if any) of the Portfolio’s net short-term capital losses over its net long-term capital gains is treated as a short-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Portfolio’s next taxable year, and the excess (if any) of the Portfolio’s net long-term capital losses over its net short-term capital gains is treated as a long-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Portfolio’s next taxable year. Any such net capital losses of the Portfolio that are not used to offset capital gains may be carried forward indefinitely to reduce any future capital gains realized by the Portfolio in succeeding taxable years. The amount of capital losses that can be carried forward and used in any single year is subject to an annual limitation if there is a more than 50% “change in ownership” of the Portfolio. An ownership change generally results when shareholders owning 5% or more of the Portfolio increase their aggregate holdings by more than 50% over a three-year look-back period. An ownership change could result in capital loss carryovers being used at a slower rate, thereby reducing the Portfolio’s ability to offset capital gains with those losses. An increase in the amount of taxable gains distributed to the Portfolio’s shareholders could result from an ownership change. The Portfolio undertakes no obligation to avoid or prevent an ownership change, which can occur in the normal course of shareholder purchases and sales or as a result of engaging in a tax-free reorganization with another portfolio. Moreover, because of circumstances beyond the Portfolio’s control, there can be no assurance that the Portfolio will not experience, or has not already experienced, an ownership change.
Deferral of late year losses. The Portfolio may elect to treat part or all of any “qualified late year loss” as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year in determining the Portfolio’s taxable income, net capital gain, net short-term capital gain, and earnings and profits. The effect of this election is to treat any such “qualified late year loss” as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year in characterizing Portfolio distributions for any calendar year (see “Taxation of Portfolio Distributions – Distributions of capital gains” below). A “qualified late year loss” includes:
• | any net capital loss incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year, or, if there is no such loss, any net long-term capital loss or any net short-term capital loss incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year (“post-October capital losses”), and | |
• | the sum of (1) the excess, if any, of (a) specified losses incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year, over (b) specified gains incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year and (2) the excess, if any, of (a) ordinary losses incurred after December 31 of the current taxable year, over (b) the ordinary income incurred after December 31 of the current taxable year. |
The terms “specified losses” and “specified gains” mean ordinary losses and gains from the sale, exchange, or other disposition of property (including the termination of a position with respect to such property), foreign currency losses and gains, and losses and gains resulting from holding stock in a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) for which a mark-to-market election is in effect. The terms “ordinary losses” and “ordinary income” mean other ordinary losses and income that are not described in the preceding sentence. Since the Portfolio has a fiscal year ending in October, the amount of qualified late-year losses (if any) is computed without regard to any items of income, gain, or loss that are (a) post-October capital losses, (b) specified losses, and (c) specified gains.
Undistributed capital gains. The Portfolio may retain or distribute its net capital gain for each taxable year. The Portfolio currently intends to distribute net capital gains. If the Portfolio elects to retain its net capital gain, the Portfolio will be taxed thereon (except to the extent of any available capital loss carryovers) at the corporate income tax rate. If the Portfolio elects to retain its net capital gain, it is expected that the Portfolio also will elect to have shareholders treated as if each received a distribution of its pro rata share of such gain, with the result that each shareholder will be required to report its pro rata share of such gain on its tax return as long-term capital gain, will receive a refundable tax credit for its pro rata share of tax paid by the Portfolio on the gain, and will increase the tax basis for its shares by an amount equal to the deemed distribution less the tax credit.
Excise tax distribution requirements. To avoid a 4% nondeductible federal excise tax, the Portfolio must distribute by December 31 of each year an amount equal to at least: (1) 98% of its ordinary income for the calendar year, (2) 98.2% of capital gain net income (that is, the excess of the gains from sales or exchanges of capital assets over the losses from such sales or exchanges) for the one-year period ended on October 31 of such calendar year,
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and (3) any prior year undistributed ordinary income and capital gain net income. The Portfolio may elect to defer to the following year any net ordinary loss incurred for the portion of the calendar year which is after the beginning of the Portfolio’s taxable year. Also, the Portfolio will defer any “specified gain” or “specified loss” which would be properly taken into account for the portion of the calendar year after October 31. Any net ordinary loss, specified gain, or specified loss deferred shall be treated as arising on January 1 of the following calendar year. Generally, the Portfolio intends to make sufficient distributions prior to the end of each calendar year to avoid any material liability for federal income and excise tax, but can give no assurances that all or a portion of such liability will be avoided. In addition, under certain circumstances, temporary timing or permanent differences in the realization of income and expense for book and tax purposes can result in the Portfolio having to pay an excise tax.
Foreign income tax. Investment income received by the Portfolio from sources within foreign countries may be subject to foreign income tax withheld at the source and the amount of tax withheld generally will be treated as an expense of the Portfolio. Any foreign withholding taxes could reduce the Portfolio’s distributions. The United States has entered into tax treaties with many foreign countries which entitle the Portfolio to a reduced rate of, or exemption from, tax on such income. Some countries require the filing of a tax reclaim or other forms to receive the benefit of the reduced tax rate; whether or when the Portfolio will receive the tax reclaim is within the control of the individual country. Information required on these forms may not be available such as shareholder information; therefore, the Portfolio may not receive the reduced treaty rates or potential reclaims. Other countries have conflicting and changing instructions and restrictive timing requirements which may cause the Portfolio not to receive the reduced treaty rates or potential reclaims. Other countries may subject capital gains realized by the Portfolio on sale or disposition of securities of that country to taxation. It is impossible to determine the effective rate of foreign tax in advance since the amount of the Portfolio’s assets to be invested in various countries is not known. Under certain circumstances, the Portfolio may elect to pass-through foreign tax credits, although it reserves the right not to do so. In some instances it may be more costly to pursue tax reclaims than the value of the benefits received by the Portfolio. If the Portfolio makes such an election and obtains a refund of foreign taxes paid by the Portfolio in a prior year, the Portfolio may be eligible to reduce the amount of foreign taxes reported by the Portfolio to its shareholders, generally by the amount of the foreign taxes refunded, for the year in which the refund is received. See “Taxation of Portfolio Distributions – Pass-through of foreign tax credits” below.
Purchase of shares. As a result of tax requirements, the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio has the right to reject an order to purchase shares if the purchaser (or group of purchasers acting in concert with each other) would, upon obtaining the shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding shares of the Portfolio and if, pursuant to Sections 351 and 362 of the Code, the Portfolio would have a basis in the deposit securities different from the market value of such securities on the date of deposit. The Trust also has the right to require information necessary to determine beneficial share ownership for purposes of the 80% determination.
Taxation of Portfolio Distributions
Distributions of net investment income. The Portfolio receives ordinary income generally in the form of dividends and/or interest on its investments. The Portfolio may also recognize ordinary income from other sources, including, but not limited to, certain gains on foreign currency-related transactions. This income, less expenses incurred in the operation of the Portfolio, constitutes the Portfolio’s net investment income from which dividends may be paid. If you are a taxable investor, distributions of net investment income generally are taxable as ordinary income to the extent of the Portfolio’s earnings and profits. In the case of a Portfolio whose strategy includes investing in stocks of corporations, a portion of the income dividends paid by the Portfolio may be qualified dividends eligible to be taxed at reduced rates.
Distributions of capital gains. The Portfolio may realize a capital gain or loss in connection with sales or other dispositions of its portfolio securities. Distributions derived from the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss will be taxable to you as ordinary income. Distributions from the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss will be taxable to you as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long you have held your shares in the Portfolio. Any net capital gain of the Portfolio generally will be distributed once each year, and may be distributed more frequently, if necessary, to reduce or eliminate federal excise or income taxes on the Portfolio.
Returns of capital. Distributions by the Portfolio that are not paid from earnings and profits will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of (and in reduction of) the shareholder’s tax basis in his shares; any excess will be
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treated as gain from the sale of his shares. Thus, the portion of a distribution that constitutes a return of capital will decrease the shareholder’s tax basis in his Portfolio shares (but not below zero), and will result in an increase in the amount of gain (or decrease in the amount of loss) that will be recognized by the shareholder for tax purposes on the later sale of such Portfolio shares. Return of capital distributions can occur for a number of reasons including, among others, the Portfolio over-estimates the income to be received from certain investments such as those classified as partnerships or equity real estate investment trusts (“REITs”).
Qualified dividend income for individuals. Amounts reported by the Portfolio as derived from qualified dividend income will be taxed in the hands of individuals and other noncorporate shareholders at the rates applicable to long-term capital gain. “Qualified dividend income” means dividends paid to the Portfolio (a) by domestic corporations, (b) by foreign corporations that are either (i) incorporated in a possession of the United States, or (ii) are eligible for benefits under certain income tax treaties with the United States that include an exchange of information program, or (c) with respect to stock of a foreign corporation that is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. Both the Portfolio and the investor must meet certain holding period requirements to qualify Portfolio dividends for this treatment. Specifically, the Portfolio must hold the stock for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the stock becomes ex-dividend. Similarly, investors must hold their Portfolio shares for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the Portfolio distribution goes ex-dividend. Income derived from investments in derivatives, fixed-income securities, U.S. REITs, PFICs, and income received “in lieu of” dividends in a securities lending transaction generally is not eligible for treatment as qualified dividend income.
Dividends-received deduction for corporations. For corporate shareholders, a portion of the dividends paid by the Portfolio may qualify for the 50% corporate dividends-received deduction. The portion of dividends paid by the Portfolio that so qualifies will be reported by the Portfolio each year and cannot exceed the gross amount of dividends received by the Portfolio from domestic (U.S.) corporations. The availability of the dividends-received deduction is subject to certain holding period and debt financing restrictions that apply to both the Portfolio and the investor. Specifically, the amount that the Portfolio may report as eligible for the dividends-received deduction will be reduced or eliminated if the shares on which the dividends earned by the Portfolio were debt-financed or held by the Portfolio for less than a minimum period of time, generally 46 days during a 91-day period beginning 45 days before the stock becomes ex-dividend. Similarly, if your Portfolio shares are debt-financed or held by you for less than a 46-day period then the dividends-received deduction for Portfolio dividends on your shares may also be reduced or eliminated. Income derived by the Portfolio from investments in derivatives, fixed-income and foreign securities generally is not eligible for this treatment.
Qualified REIT dividends. Under 2017 legislation commonly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act “qualified REIT dividends” (i.e., ordinary REIT dividends other than capital gain dividends and portions of REIT dividends designated as qualified dividend income) are treated as eligible for a 20% deduction by noncorporate taxpayers. This deduction, if allowed in full, equates to a maximum effective tax rate of 29.6% (37% top rate applied to income after 20% deduction). A Portfolio may choose to report the special character of “qualified REIT dividends” provided both the Portfolio and the shareholder meet certain holding period requirements. The amount of a RIC’s dividends eligible for the 20% deduction for a taxable year is limited to the excess of the RIC’s qualified REIT dividends for the taxable year over allocable expenses. A noncorporate shareholder receiving such dividends would treat them as eligible for the 20% deduction, provided the shareholder meets certain holding period requirements for its shares in the RIC (i.e., generally, Portfolio shares must be held by the shareholder for more than 45 days during the 91-day period beginning on the date on which the shares become ex-dividend with respect to such dividend).
Impact of realized but undistributed income and gains, and net unrealized appreciation of portfolio securities. At the time of your purchase of shares, the Portfolio’s NAV may reflect undistributed income, undistributed capital gains, or net unrealized appreciation of portfolio securities held by the Portfolio. A subsequent distribution of such amounts, although constituting a return of your investment, would be taxable, and would be taxed as ordinary income (some portion of which may be taxed as qualified dividend income), capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account. The Portfolio may be able to reduce the amount of such distributions from capital gains by utilizing its capital loss carryovers, if any.
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Pass-through of foreign tax credits. If at the end of the fiscal year, more than 50% in value of the total assets of the Portfolio are invested in securities of foreign corporations, the Portfolio may elect to pass through to its shareholders their pro rata share of foreign income taxes paid by the Portfolio. If this election is made, the Portfolio may report more taxable income to you than it actually distributes. You will then be entitled either to deduct your share of these taxes in computing your taxable income or to claim a foreign tax credit for these taxes against your U.S. federal income tax (subject to limitations for certain shareholders). The Portfolio will provide the information necessary to claim this deduction or credit if it makes this election. No deduction for foreign tax may be claimed by a noncorporate shareholder who does not itemize deductions or who is subject to the alternative minimum tax. The Portfolio reserves the right not to pass through the amount of foreign income taxes paid by the Portfolio. Additionally, any foreign tax withheld on payments made “in lieu of” dividends or interest will not qualify for the pass-through of foreign tax credits. See “Tax Treatment of Portfolio Transactions – Securities lending” below.
U.S. Government securities. To the extent the Portfolio invests in certain U.S. Government obligations, dividends paid by the Portfolio that are derived from interest on these obligations should be exempt from state and local personal income taxes, subject in some states to minimum investment or reporting requirements that must be met by the Portfolio. The income on portfolio investments in certain securities, such as repurchase agreements, commercial paper and federal agency-backed obligations (e.g., Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) or Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) securities), generally does not qualify for tax-free treatment. The rules on exclusion of this income are different for corporate shareholders.
Information on the amount and tax character of distributions. You will be informed of the amount and character of distributions and the tax status of such distributions for federal income tax purposes shortly after the close of each calendar year. If you have not held Portfolio shares for a full year, the Portfolio may report and distribute, as ordinary income, qualified dividends, or capital gains, and in the case of non-U.S. shareholders the Portfolio may further report and distribute as interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends, a percentage of income that is not equal to the actual amount of such income earned during the period of your investment in the Portfolio. Taxable distributions declared by the Portfolio in October, November, or December to shareholders of record in such month, but paid in January, are taxable as if they were paid in December.
Medicare tax. A 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on net investment income earned by certain individuals, estates and trusts. “Net investment income,” for these purposes, means investment income, including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from the Portfolio and net gains from taxable dispositions of Portfolio shares, reduced by the deductions properly allocable to such income. In the case of an individual, the tax will be imposed on the lesser of (1) the shareholder’s net investment income or (2) the amount by which the shareholder’s modified adjusted gross income exceeds $250,000 (if the shareholder is married and filing jointly or a surviving spouse), $125,000 (if the shareholder is married and filing separately) or $200,000 (in any other case). This Medicare tax, if applicable, is reported by you on, and paid with, your federal income tax return.
Sales and Exchanges of Portfolio Shares
In general. If you are a taxable investor, sales and exchanges of Portfolio shares are taxable transactions for federal and state income tax purposes. If you sell your Portfolio shares, the IRS requires you to report any gain or loss on your sale. If you held your shares as a capital asset, the gain or loss that you realize will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term or short-term, generally depending on how long you have held your shares. Capital losses in any year are deductible only to the extent of capital gains plus, in the case of a noncorporate taxpayer, $3,000 of ordinary income.
Taxes on Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units. An Authorized Participant who exchanges securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or a loss. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time of purchase (plus any cash received by the Authorized Participant as part of the issue) and the Authorized Participant’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered (plus any cash paid by the Authorized Participant as part of the issue). An Authorized Participant who exchanges Creation Units for securities generally will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the Authorized Participant’s basis in the Creation Units (plus any cash paid by the Authorized Participant as part of the redemption) and the aggregate market value of the securities received (plus any cash received by the Authorized Participant as part of the redemption). The IRS, however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units
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cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position. Persons exchanging securities should consult their own tax advisor with respect to whether wash sale rules apply and when a loss might be deductible.
Under current federal tax laws, any capital gain or loss realized upon redemption of Creation Units is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year and as a short-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for one year or less, assuming such Creation Units are held as a capital asset.
If the Portfolio redeems Creation Units in cash, it may recognize more capital gains than it will if it
redeems Creation Units in-kind.
Tax basis information. A shareholder’s cost basis information will be provided on the sale of any of the shareholder’s shares, subject to certain exceptions for exempt recipients. Please contact the broker (or other nominee) that holds your shares with respect to reporting of cost basis and available elections for your account.
Wash sales. All or a portion of any loss that you realize on a sale of your Portfolio shares will be disallowed to the extent that you buy other shares in the Portfolio (through reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within 30 days before or after your share redemption. Any loss disallowed under these rules will be added to your tax basis in the new shares.
Sales at a loss within six months of purchase. Any loss incurred on a sale of shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any long-term capital gain distributed to you on those shares.
Tax shelter reporting. Under Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to the Portfolio’s shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder (or certain greater amounts over a combination of years), the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
Tax Treatment of Portfolio Transactions
Set forth below is a general description of the tax treatment of certain types of securities, investment techniques and transactions that may apply to a portfolio and, in turn, affect the amount, character and timing of dividends and distributions payable by the portfolio to its shareholders. This section should be read in conjunction with the discussion in the Prospectus under “Principal Investment Strategies” and “Principal Risks” for a detailed description of the various types of securities and investment techniques that apply to the Portfolio.
In general. In general, gain or loss recognized by a portfolio on the sale or other disposition of portfolio investments will be a capital gain or loss. Such capital gain and loss may be long-term or short-term depending, in general, upon the length of time a particular investment position is maintained and, in some cases, upon the nature of the transaction. Property held for more than one year generally will be eligible for long-term capital gain or loss treatment. The application of certain rules described below may serve to alter the manner in which the holding period for a security is determined or may otherwise affect the characterization as long-term or short-term, and also the timing of the realization and/or character, of certain gains or losses.
Certain fixed-income investments. Gain recognized on the disposition of a debt obligation purchased by a portfolio at a market discount (generally, at a price less than its principal amount) will be treated as ordinary income to the extent of the portion of the market discount that accrued during the period of time the portfolio held the debt obligation unless the portfolio made a current inclusion election to accrue market discount into income as it accrues. If a portfolio purchases a debt obligation (such as a zero coupon security or pay-in-kind security) that was originally issued at a discount, the portfolio generally is required to include in gross income each year the portion of the original issue discount that accrues during such year. Therefore, a portfolio’s investment in such securities may cause the portfolio to recognize income and make distributions before it receives any cash payments on the
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securities. To generate cash to satisfy those distribution requirements, a portfolio may have to sell portfolio securities that it otherwise might have continued to hold or to use cash flows from other sources such as the sale of portfolio shares.
Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or in default present tax issues for a portfolio. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as whether and to what extent a portfolio should recognize market discount on a debt obligation, when a portfolio may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent a portfolio may take deductions for bad debts or worthless securities and how a portfolio should allocate payments received on obligations in default between principal and income. These and other related issues will be addressed by a portfolio in order to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a regulated investment company.
Options, futures, forward contracts, swap agreements and hedging transactions. In general, option premiums received by a portfolio are not immediately included in the income of the portfolio. Instead, the premiums are recognized when the option contract expires, the option is exercised by the holder, or the portfolio transfers or otherwise terminates the option (e.g., through a closing transaction). If an option written by a portfolio is exercised and the portfolio sells or delivers the underlying stock, the portfolio generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to (a) sum of the strike price and the option premium received by the portfolio minus (b) the portfolio’s basis in the stock. Such gain or loss generally will be short-term or long-term depending upon the holding period of the underlying stock. If securities are purchased by a portfolio pursuant to the exercise of a put option written by it, the portfolio generally will subtract the premium received from its cost basis in the securities purchased. The gain or loss with respect to any termination of a portfolio’s obligation under an option other than through the exercise of the option and related sale or delivery of the underlying stock generally will be short-term gain or loss depending on whether the premium income received by the portfolio is greater or less than the amount paid by the portfolio (if any) in terminating the transaction. Thus, for example, if an option written by a portfolio expires unexercised, the portfolio generally will recognize short-term gain equal to the premium received.
The tax treatment of certain futures contracts entered into by a portfolio as well as listed non-equity options written or purchased by the portfolio on U.S. exchanges (including options on futures contracts, broad-based equity indices and debt securities) may be governed by section 1256 of the Code (“section 1256 contracts”). Gains or losses on section 1256 contracts generally are considered 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gains or losses (“60/40”), although certain foreign currency gains and losses from such contracts may be treated as ordinary in character. Also, any section 1256 contracts held by a portfolio at the end of each taxable year (and, for purposes of the 4% excise tax, on certain other dates as prescribed under the Code) are “marked to market” with the result that unrealized gains or losses are treated as though they were realized and the resulting gain or loss is treated as ordinary or 60/40 gain or loss, as applicable. Section 1256 contracts do not include any interest rate swap, currency swap, basis swap, interest rate cap, interest rate floor, commodity swap, equity swap, equity index swap, credit default swap, or similar agreement.
In addition to the special rules described above in respect of options and futures transactions, a portfolio’s transactions in other derivative instruments (including options, forward contracts and swap agreements) as well as its other hedging, short sale, or similar transactions, may be subject to one or more special tax rules (including the constructive sale, notional principal contract, straddle, wash sale and short sale rules). These rules may affect whether gains and losses recognized by a portfolio are treated as ordinary or capital or as short-term or long-term, accelerate the recognition of income or gains to the portfolio, defer losses to the portfolio, and cause adjustments in the holding periods of the portfolio’s securities. These rules, therefore, could affect the amount, timing and/or character of distributions. Moreover, because the tax rules applicable to derivative financial instruments are in some cases uncertain under current law, an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to these rules (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may affect whether a portfolio has made sufficient distributions and otherwise satisfied the relevant requirements to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company and avoid a portfolio-level tax.
Certain of a portfolio’s investments in derivatives and foreign currency-denominated instruments, and the portfolio’s transactions in foreign currencies and hedging activities, may produce a difference between its book income and its taxable income. If a portfolio’s book income is less than the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income (if any), the portfolio could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a
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regulated investment company. If a portfolio’s book income exceeds the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income (if any), the distribution of any such excess will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the portfolio’s remaining earnings and profits (including current earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt income, reduced by related deductions), (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.
Foreign currency transactions. A portfolio’s transactions in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated debt obligations and certain foreign currency options, futures contracts and forward contracts (and similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned. This treatment could increase or decrease a portfolio’s ordinary income distributions, and may cause some or all of the portfolio’s previously distributed income to be classified as a return of capital. In certain cases, a portfolio may make an election to treat such gain or loss as capital.
PFIC securities. The Portfolio may invest in securities of foreign entities that could be deemed for tax purposes to be PFICs. In general, a PFIC is any foreign corporation if 75% or more of its gross income for its taxable year is passive income, or 50% or more of its average assets (by value) are held for the production of passive income. When investing in PFIC securities, the Portfolio intends to mark-to-market these securities and recognize any unrealized gains as ordinary income at the end of its fiscal year. Deductions for losses are allowable only to the extent of any current or previously recognized gains. These gains (reduced by allowable losses) are treated as ordinary income that the Portfolio is required to distribute, even though it has not sold or received dividends from these securities. You should also be aware that the designation of a foreign security as a PFIC security will cause its income dividends to fall outside of the definition of qualified foreign corporation dividends. These dividends generally will not qualify for the reduced rate of taxation on qualified dividends when distributed to you by the Portfolio. Due to various complexities in identifying PFICs, the Portfolio can give no assurances that it will be able to identify portfolio securities in foreign corporations that are PFICs in time for the Portfolio to make a mark-to-market election. If the Portfolio is unable to identify an investment as a PFIC and thus does not make a mark-to-market election, the Portfolio may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a portion of any “excess distribution” or gain from the disposition of such shares even if such income is distributed as a taxable dividend by the Portfolio to its shareholders. Additional charges in the nature of interest may be imposed on the Portfolio in respect of deferred taxes arising from such distributions or gains. Any such taxes or interest charges could in turn reduce the Portfolio’s distributions paid.
Investments in non-U.S. REITs. While non-U.S. REITs often use complex acquisition structures that seek to minimize taxation in the source country, an investment by a Portfolio in a non-U.S. REIT may subject the Portfolio, directly or indirectly, to corporate taxes, withholding taxes, transfer taxes and other indirect taxes in the country in which the real estate acquired by the non-U.S. REIT is located. The Portfolio’s pro rata share of any such taxes will reduce the Portfolio’s return on its investment. A Portfolio’s investment in a non-U.S. REIT may be considered an investment in a PFIC, as discussed above in “PFIC securities.” Additionally, foreign withholding taxes on distributions from the non-U.S. REIT may be reduced or eliminated under certain tax treaties, as discussed above in “Taxation of the Portfolio ¾ Foreign income tax.” Also, the Portfolio in certain limited circumstances may be required to file an income tax return in the source country and pay tax on any gain realized from its investment in the non-U.S. REIT under rules similar to those in the United States which tax foreign persons on gain realized from dispositions of interests in U.S. real estate.
Investments in U.S. REITs. A U.S. REIT is not subject to federal income tax on the income and gains it distributes to shareholders. Dividends paid by a U.S. REIT, other than capital gain distributions, will be taxable as ordinary income up to the amount of the U.S. REIT’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. Capital gain dividends paid by a U.S. REIT to a Portfolio will be treated as long-term capital gains by the Portfolio and, in turn, may be distributed by the Portfolio as a capital gain distribution. Because of certain noncash expenses, such as property depreciation, an equity U.S. REIT’s cash flow may exceed its taxable income. The equity U.S. REIT, and in turn a Portfolio, may distribute this excess cash in the form of a return of capital distribution. However, if a U.S. REIT is operated in a manner that fails to qualify as a REIT, an investment in the U.S. REIT would become subject to double taxation, meaning the taxable income of the U.S. REIT would be subject to federal income tax at the corporate income tax rate without any deduction for dividends paid to shareholders and the dividends would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income (or possibly as qualified dividend income) to the extent of the U.S.
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REIT’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. Also, see “Tax Treatment of Portfolio Transactions ¾ Investment in taxable mortgage pools (excess inclusion income)” and “Non-U.S. Investors ¾ Investment in U.S. real property” with respect to certain other tax aspects of investing in U.S. REITs.
Investment in taxable mortgage pools (excess inclusion income). Under a Notice issued by the IRS, the Code and Treasury regulations to be issued, a portion of a portfolio’s income from a U.S. REIT that is attributable to the REIT’s residual interest in a real estate mortgage investment conduit (“REMIC”) or equity interests in a “taxable mortgage pool” (referred to in the Code as an excess inclusion) will be subject to federal income tax in all events. The excess inclusion income of a regulated investment company, such as a Portfolio, will be allocated to shareholders of the regulated investment company in proportion to the dividends received by such shareholders, with the same consequences as if the shareholders held the related REMIC residual interest or, if applicable, taxable mortgage pool directly. In general, excess inclusion income allocated to shareholders (i) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions), (ii) will constitute unrelated business taxable income (“UBTI”) to entities (including qualified pension plans, individual retirement accounts, 401(k) plans, Keogh plans or other tax-exempt entities) subject to tax on UBTI, thereby potentially requiring such an entity that is allocated excess inclusion income, and otherwise might not be required to file a tax return, to file a tax return and pay tax on such income, and (iii) in the case of a foreign stockholder, will not qualify for any reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax. In addition, if at any time during any taxable year a “disqualified organization” (which generally includes certain cooperatives, governmental entities, and tax-exempt organizations not subject to UBTI) is a record holder of a share in a regulated investment company, then the regulated investment company will be subject to a tax equal to that portion of its excess inclusion income for the taxable year that is allocable to the disqualified organization, multiplied by the corporate income tax rate. The Notice imposes certain reporting requirements upon regulated investment companies that have excess inclusion income. There can be no assurance that a Portfolio will not allocate to shareholders excess inclusion income. These rules are potentially applicable to a Portfolio with respect to any income it receives from the equity interests of certain mortgage pooling vehicles, either directly or, as is more likely, through an investment in a U.S. REIT. It is unlikely that these rules will apply to a portfolio that has a non-REIT strategy.
Investments in partnerships and qualified publicly traded partnerships (“QPTP”). For purposes of the Income Requirement, income derived by a portfolio from a partnership that is not a QPTP will be treated as qualifying income only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership that would be qualifying income if realized directly by the portfolio. While the rules are not entirely clear with respect to a portfolio investing in a partnership outside a master-feeder structure, for purposes of testing whether a portfolio satisfies the Asset Diversification Test, the portfolio generally is treated as owning a pro rata share of the underlying assets of a partnership. See “Taxation of the Portfolio — Qualification as a regulated investment company.” In contrast, different rules apply to a partnership that is a QPTP. A QPTP is a partnership (a) the interests in which are traded on an established securities market, (b) that is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, and (c) that derives less than 90% of its income from sources that satisfy the Income Requirement (e.g., because it invests in commodities). All of the net income derived by a portfolio from an interest in a QPTP will be treated as qualifying income but the portfolio may not invest more than 25% of its total assets in one or more QPTPs. However, there can be no assurance that a partnership classified as a QPTP in one year will qualify as a QPTP in the next year. Any such failure to annually qualify as a QPTP might, in turn, cause a portfolio to fail to qualify as a regulated investment company. Although, in general, the passive loss rules of the Code do not apply to RICs, such rules do apply to a portfolio with respect to items attributable to an interest in a QPTP. Portfolio investments in partnerships, including in QPTPs, may result in the portfolio’s being subject to state, local or foreign income, franchise or withholding tax liabilities.
Securities lending. While securities are loaned out by a portfolio, the portfolio generally will receive from the borrower amounts equal to any dividends or interest paid on the borrowed securities. For federal income tax purposes, payments made “in lieu of” dividends are not considered dividend income. These distributions will neither qualify for the reduced rate of taxation for individuals on qualified dividends nor the 50% dividends-received deduction for corporations. Also, any foreign tax withheld on payments made “in lieu of” dividends or interest will not qualify for the pass-through of foreign tax credits to shareholders.
Investments in convertible securities. Convertible debt is ordinarily treated as a “single property” consisting of a pure debt interest until conversion, after which the investment becomes an equity interest. If the
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security is issued at a premium (i.e., for cash in excess of the face amount payable on retirement), the creditor-holder may amortize the premium over the life of the bond. If the security is issued for cash at a price below its face amount, the creditor-holder must accrue original issue discount in income over the life of the debt. The creditor-holder’s exercise of the conversion privilege is treated as a nontaxable event. Mandatorily convertible debt (e.g., an exchange traded note or ETN issued in the form of an unsecured obligation that pays a return based on the performance of a specified market index, exchange currency, or commodity) is often, but not always, treated as a contract to buy or sell the reference property rather than debt. Similarly, convertible preferred stock with a mandatory conversion feature is ordinarily, but not always, treated as equity rather than debt. Dividends received generally are qualified dividend income and eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction. In general, conversion of preferred stock for common stock of the same corporation is tax-free. Conversion of preferred stock for cash is a taxable redemption. Any redemption premium for preferred stock that is redeemable by the issuing company might be required to be amortized under original issue discount principles.
Investments in securities of uncertain tax character. A portfolio may invest in securities the U.S. federal income tax treatment of which may not be clear or may be subject to recharacterization by the IRS. To the extent the tax treatment of such securities or the income from such securities differs from the tax treatment expected by a portfolio, it could affect the timing or character of income recognized by the fund, requiring the portfolio to purchase or sell securities, or otherwise change its portfolio, in order to comply with the tax rules applicable to regulated investment companies under the Code.
Backup Withholding
By law, a withholding of tax may apply to your taxable dividends and sales proceeds unless you:
• | provide your correct social security or taxpayer identification number, | |
• | certify that this number is correct, | |
• | certify that you are not subject to backup withholding, and | |
• | certify that you are a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien). |
Withholding also is imposed if the IRS requires it. When withholding is required, the amount will be 24% of any distributions or proceeds paid. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS. Certain payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding and information reporting. The special U.S. tax certification requirements applicable to non-U.S. investors to avoid backup withholding are described under the “Non-U.S. Investors” heading below.
Non-U.S. Investors
Non-U.S. investors (shareholders who, as to the United States, are nonresident alien individuals, foreign trusts or estates, foreign corporations, or foreign partnerships) may be subject to U.S. withholding and estate tax and are subject to special U.S. tax certification requirements. Non-U.S. investors should consult their tax advisors about the applicability of U.S. tax withholding and the use of the appropriate forms to certify their status.
In general. The United States imposes a withholding tax at the 30% statutory rate (or at a lower rate if you are a resident of a country that has a tax treaty with the U.S.) on U.S. source dividends, including on income dividends paid to you by the Portfolio. Exemptions from this U.S. withholding tax are provided for capital gain dividends paid by the Portfolio from its net long-term capital gains, interest-related dividends paid by the Portfolio from its qualified net interest income from U.S. sources and short-term capital gain dividends. However, notwithstanding such exemptions from U.S. withholding at the source, any dividends and distributions of income and capital gains, including the proceeds from the sale of your Portfolio shares, will be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 24% if you fail to properly certify that you are not a U.S. person.
Capital gain dividends and short-term capital gain dividends. In general, (i) a capital gain dividend reported by the Portfolio to shareholders as paid from its net long-term capital gains or (ii) a short-term capital gain dividend reported by the Portfolio to shareholders as paid from its net short-term capital gains, other than long- or short-term capital gains realized on the disposition of certain U.S. real property interests, are not subject to U.S.
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withholding tax unless you are a nonresident alien individual present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the calendar year.
Interest-related dividends. Dividends reported by the Portfolio to shareholders as interest-related dividends and paid from its qualified net interest income from U.S. sources are not subject to U.S. withholding tax. “Qualified interest income” includes, in general, U.S. source (1) bank deposit interest, (2) short-term original discount, (3) interest (including original issue discount, market discount, or acquisition discount) on an obligation which is in registered form, unless it is earned on an obligation issued by a corporation or partnership in which the Portfolio is a 10-percent shareholder or is contingent interest, and (4) any interest-related dividend from another regulated investment company. On any payment date, the amount of an income dividend that is reported by the Portfolio to shareholders as an interest-related dividend may be more or less than the amount that is so qualified. This is because the reporting of interest-related dividends is based on an estimate of the Portfolio’s qualified net interest income for its entire fiscal year, which can only be determined with exactness at fiscal year-end. As a consequence, the Portfolio may over withhold a small amount of U.S. tax from a dividend payment. In this case, the non-U.S. investor’s only recourse may be to either forgo recovery of the excess withholding or to file a United States nonresident income tax return to recover the excess withholding.
Further limitations on tax reporting for interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends for non-U.S. investors. It may not be practical in every case for the Portfolio to report to shareholders, and the Portfolio reserves the right in these cases to not report, small amounts of interest-related dividends or short-term capital gain dividends. Additionally, the Portfolio’s reporting of interest-related dividends or short-term capital gain dividends may not be passed through to shareholders by intermediaries who have assumed tax reporting responsibilities for this income in managed or omnibus accounts due to systems limitations or operational constraints.
Net investment income from dividends on stock and foreign source interest income continue to be subject to withholding tax; foreign tax credits. Ordinary dividends paid by the Portfolio to non-U.S. investors on the income earned on portfolio investments in (i) the stock of domestic and foreign corporations, and (ii) the debt of foreign issuers continue to be subject to U.S. withholding tax. Foreign shareholders may be subject to U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30% on the income resulting from an election to pass-through foreign tax credits to shareholders, but may not be able to claim a credit or deduction with respect to the withholding tax for the foreign tax treated as having been paid by them.
Income effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. If the income from the Portfolio is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a foreign shareholder, then ordinary income dividends, capital gain dividends and any gains realized upon the sale of shares of the Portfolio will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. citizens or domestic corporations and require the filing of a nonresident U.S. income tax return.
Investment in U.S. real property. The Portfolio may invest in equity securities of corporations that invest in U.S. real property, including U.S. REITs. The sale of a U.S. real property interest (“USRPI”) by the Portfolio or by a U.S. REIT or U.S. real property holding corporation in which the Portfolio invests may trigger special tax consequences to the Portfolio’s non-U.S. shareholders. The Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 (“FIRPTA”) makes non-U.S. persons subject to U.S. tax on disposition of a USRPI as if he or she were a U.S. person. Such gain is sometimes referred to as FIRPTA gain. The Code provides a look-through rule for distributions of FIRPTA gain by a RIC received from a U.S. REIT or another RIC classified as a U.S. real property holding corporation or realized by the RIC on a sale of a USRPI (other than a domestically controlled U.S. REIT or RIC that is classified as a qualified investment entity) if all of the following requirements are met: • The RIC is classified as a qualified investment entity. A RIC is classified as a “qualified investment entity” with respect to a distribution to a non-U.S. person which is attributable directly or indirectly to a sale or exchange of a USRPI if, in general, 50% or more of the RIC’s assets consist of interests in U.S. REITs and U.S. real property holding corporations, and • You are a non-U.S. shareholder that owns more than 5% of a class of Portfolio shares at any time during the one-year period ending on the date of the distribution. • If these conditions are met, such Portfolio distributions to you are treated as gain from the disposition of a USRPI, causing the distributions to be subject to U.S. withholding tax at the corporate income tax rate (unless reduced by future regulations), and requiring that you file a nonresident U.S. income tax return. • In addition, even if you do not own more than 5% of a class of Portfolio shares, but the Portfolio is a qualified investment entity, such Portfolio distributions to you will be taxable as ordinary dividends rather than
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as a capital gain dividend (a distribution of long-term capital gains) or a short-term capital gain dividend subject to withholding at the 30% or lower treaty withholding rate. 56 FIRPTA “wash sale” rule. If the Portfolio is a domestically controlled qualified investment entity and a non-U.S. shareholder of the Portfolio (i) disposes of his interest in the Portfolio during the 30-day period preceding the Portfolio distribution that would have been treated as FIRPTA gain under the look-through rule described above, (ii) acquires an identical stock interest during the 61-day period beginning the first day of such 30-day period preceding the distribution, and (iii) does not in fact receive the distribution in a manner that subjects the non-U.S. shareholder to tax under FIRPTA, then the non-U.S. shareholder is required to pay U.S. tax on an amount equal to the amount of the distribution that was not taxed under FIRPTA as a result of the disposition. These rules also apply to substitute dividend payments and other similar arrangements; the portion of the substitute dividend or similar payment treated as FIRPTA gain equals the portion of the RIC distribution such payment is in lieu of that otherwise would have been treated as FIRPTA gain.
Gain on sale of Portfolio shares as FIRPTA gain. In addition, a sale or redemption of Portfolio shares will be FIRPTA gain only if –
● | As a non-U.S. shareholder, you own more than 5% of a class of shares in the Portfolio; | |
● | The Portfolio is not domestically controlled (50% or more in value of the Portfolio has been owned directly or indirectly by non-U.S. shareholders during the 5-year period ending on the date of disposition); and | |
● | 50% or more of the Portfolio’s assets consist of: (1) more-than 5% interests in publicly traded companies that are United States Real Property Holding Corporations (“USRPHC”), (2) interests in non-publicly traded companies that are USRPHCs, and (3) interests in U.S. REITs that are not controlled by U.S. shareholders where the REIT shares are either not publicly traded or are publicly traded and the Portfolio owns more than 10%. |
In the unlikely event that the Portfolio meets the requirements described above, the gain will be taxed as income “effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business.” As a result, the non-U.S. shareholder will be required to pay U.S. income tax on such gain and file a nonresident U.S. income tax return. Because the Portfolio expects to invest less than 50% of its assets at all times, directly or indirectly, in U.S. real property interests, the Portfolio expects that neither gain on the sale or redemption of Portfolio shares nor Portfolio dividends and distributions will be subject to FIRPTA reporting and tax withholding.
U.S. estate tax. Transfers by gift of shares of the Portfolio by a foreign shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual will not be subject to U.S. federal gift tax. An individual who, at the time of death, is a non-U.S. shareholder will nevertheless be subject to U.S. federal estate tax with respect to Portfolio shares at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens and residents, unless a treaty exemption applies. If a treaty exemption is available, a decedent’s estate may nonetheless need to file a U.S. estate tax return to claim the exemption in order to obtain a U.S. federal transfer certificate. The transfer certificate will identify the property (i.e., Portfolio shares) as to which the U.S. federal estate tax lien has been released. In the absence of a treaty, there is a $13,000 statutory estate tax credit (equivalent to U.S. situs assets with a value of $60,000). For estates with U.S. situs assets of not more than $60,000, an affidavit from an appropriate individual evidencing that decedent’s U.S. situs assets are below this threshold amount may be sufficient to transfer Portfolio shares.
U.S. tax certification rules. Special U.S. tax certification requirements may apply to non-U.S. shareholders both to avoid U.S. backup withholding imposed at a rate of 24% and to obtain the benefits of any treaty between the United States and the shareholder’s country of residence. In general, if you are a non-U.S. shareholder, you must provide a Form W-8BEN (or other applicable Form W-8) to establish that you are not a U.S. person, to claim that you are the beneficial owner of the income and, if applicable, to claim a reduced rate of, or exemption from, withholding as a resident of a country with which the United States has an income tax treaty. A Form W-8BEN provided without a U.S. taxpayer identification number will remain in effect for a period beginning on the date signed and ending on the last day of the third succeeding calendar year unless an earlier change of circumstances makes the information on the form incorrect. Certain payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding.
The tax consequences to a non-U.S. shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of an applicable tax treaty may be different from those described herein. Non-U.S. shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors
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with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Portfolio, including the applicability of foreign tax.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”). Under FATCA, a 30% withholding tax is imposed on the income dividends made by the Portfolio to certain foreign entities, referred to as foreign financial institutions (“FFI”) or non-financial foreign entities (“NFFE”). After December 31, 2018, FATCA withholding also would have applied to certain capital gain distributions, return of capital distributions, and the proceeds arising from the sale of Portfolio shares; however, based on proposed regulations issued by the IRS, which can be relied upon currently, such withholding is no longer required unless final regulations provide otherwise (which is not expected). The FATCA withholding tax generally can be avoided: (a) by an FFI, if it reports certain direct and indirect ownership of foreign financial accounts held by U.S. persons with the FFI and (b) by an NFFE, if it: (i) certifies that it has no substantial U.S. persons as owners or (ii) if it does have such owners, reporting information relating to them. The U.S. Treasury has negotiated intergovernmental agreements (“IGA”) with certain countries and is in various stages of negotiations with a number of other foreign countries with respect to one or more alternative approaches to implement FATCA; an entity in one of those countries may be required to comply with the terms of an IGA instead of U.S. Treasury regulations.
An FFI can avoid FATCA withholding if it is deemed compliant or by becoming a “participating FFI,” which requires the FFI to enter into a U.S. tax compliance agreement with the IRS under section 1471(b) of the Code (“FFI agreement”) under which it agrees to verify, report and disclose certain of its U.S. accountholders and meet certain other specified requirements. The FFI will either report the specified information about the U.S. accounts to the IRS, or, to the government of the FFI’s country of residence (pursuant to the terms and conditions of applicable law and an applicable IGA entered into between the U.S. and the FFI’s country of residence), which will, in turn, report the specified information to the IRS. An FFI that is resident in a country that has entered into an IGA with the U.S. to implement FATCA will be exempt from FATCA withholding provided that the FFI shareholder and the applicable foreign government comply with the terms of such agreement.
An NFFE that is the beneficial owner of a payment from the Portfolio can avoid the FATCA withholding tax generally by certifying that it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or by providing the name, address and taxpayer identification number of each substantial U.S. owner. The NFFE will report the information to the Portfolio or other applicable withholding agent, which will, in turn, report the information to the IRS.
Such foreign shareholders also may fall into certain exempt, excepted or deemed compliant categories as established by U.S. Treasury regulations, IGAs, and other guidance regarding FATCA. An FFI or NFFE that invests in the Portfolio will need to provide documentation properly certifying the entity’s status under FATCA in order to avoid FATCA withholding. Non-U.S. investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the impact of these requirements on their investment in the Portfolio. The requirements imposed by FATCA are different from, and in addition to, the U.S. tax certification rules to avoid backup withholding described above. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of these requirements to their own situation.
Effect of Future Legislation; Local Tax Considerations
The foregoing general discussion of U.S. federal income tax consequences is based on the Code and the regulations issued thereunder as in effect on the date of this SAI. Future legislative or administrative changes, including provisions of current law that sunset and thereafter no longer apply, or court decisions may significantly change the conclusions expressed herein, and any such changes or decisions may have a retroactive effect with respect to the transactions contemplated herein. Rules of state and local taxation of ordinary income, qualified dividend income and capital gain dividends may differ from the rules for U.S. federal income taxation described above. Distributions may also be subject to additional state, local and foreign taxes depending on each shareholder’s particular situation. Non-U.S. shareholders may be subject to U.S. tax rules that differ significantly from those summarized above. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors as to the consequences of these and other state and local tax rules affecting investment in the Portfolio.
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PROXY VOTING POLICIES
The Board of Trustees of the Trust has delegated the authority to vote proxies for the portfolio securities held by the Portfolios to the Advisor in accordance with the Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (the “Voting Policies”) and Proxy Voting Guidelines (“Voting Guidelines”) adopted by the Advisor. A concise summary of the Voting Guidelines is provided in an Appendix to this SAI.
The Investment Committee at the Advisor is generally responsible for overseeing the Advisor’s proxy voting process. The Investment Committee has formed the Investment Stewardship Committee (the “Committee”) composed of certain officers, directors and other personnel of the Advisor and has delegated to its members authority to (i) oversee the voting of proxies and third-party proxy service providers, (ii) make determinations as to how to vote certain specific proxies, (iii) verify ongoing compliance with the Voting Policies, (iv) receive reports on the review of the third-party proxy service providers, and (v) review the Voting Policies from time to time and recommend changes to the Investment Committee. The Committee may designate one or more of its members to oversee specific, ongoing compliance with respect to the Voting Policies and may designate personnel of the Advisor to vote proxies on behalf of the Portfolios, such as authorized traders of the Advisor.
The Advisor seeks to vote (or refrains from voting) proxies for the Portfolios in a manner that the Advisor determines is in the best interests of the Portfolios and which seeks to maximize the value of the Portfolios’ investments, subject to the standards of legal and regulatory regimes, applicable to the Advisor or the Portfolios, and any particular investment or voting guidelines of specific funds or accounts. Generally, the Advisor analyzes proxy statements on behalf of the Portfolios and instructs the vote (or refrains from voting) in accordance with the Voting Policies, Voting Guidelines or procedures. Most proxies the Advisor receives are instructed to be voted in accordance with the Voting Guidelines, and when proxies are voted consistently with such guidelines or procedures, the Advisor considers such votes not to be affected by conflicts of interest. However, the Voting Policies do address the procedures to be followed if a potential or actual conflict of interest arises between the interests of the Portfolios, and the interests of the Advisor or its affiliates. If a Committee member has actual knowledge of a conflict of interest and recommends a vote contrary to the Voting Guidelines or procedures (or in the case where the Voting Guidelines or procedures do not prescribe a particular vote and the proposed vote is contrary to the recommendation of third-party proxy service providers), the Committee member will bring the vote to the Committee which will (a) determine how the vote should be cast keeping in mind the principle of preserving shareholder value, or (b) determine to abstain from voting, unless abstaining would be materially adverse to the interest of the Portfolios. To the extent the Committee makes a determination regarding how to vote or to abstain for a proxy on behalf of a Portfolio in the circumstances described in this paragraph, the Advisor will report annually on such determinations to the Board of Trustees of the Trust. To avoid certain potential conflicts of interest, the Advisor generally will employ mirror voting, if possible, when a Portfolio invests in another portfolio (an “Acquired Fund”) in reliance on any one of Sections 12(d)(1)(E), 12(d)(1)(F) or 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act, related rules thereunder (including Rule 12d1-1 or Rule 12d1-4 under the 1940 Act), or pursuant to an SEC exemptive order thereunder, unless otherwise required by applicable law or regulation. Mirror voting means that the Advisor will vote the shares in the same proportion as the vote of all of the other holders of the Acquired Fund’s shares. With respect to instances when a Portfolio invests in an Acquired Fund in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act, related rules thereunder (including Rule 12d1-1 or Rule 12d1-4), or pursuant to an SEC exemptive order thereunder, and there are no other unaffiliated shareholders also invested in the Acquired Fund, the Advisor will vote in accordance with the recommendation of such Acquired Fund’s board of trustees or directors, unless otherwise required by applicable law or regulation. With respect to instances when a Portfolio invests in an Acquired Fund in reliance on Sections 12(d)(1)(E) or 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act and there are no other unaffiliated shareholders also invested in the Acquired Fund, the Advisor will employ pass-through voting, unless otherwise required by applicable law or regulation. In “pass-through voting,” the investing Portfolio will solicit voting instructions from its shareholders as to how to vote on the Acquired Fund’s proposals.
The Advisor will usually instruct voting of proxies in accordance with the Voting Guidelines. The Voting Guidelines provide a framework for analysis and decision making, however, the Voting Guidelines do not address all potential issues. In order to be able to address all the relevant facts and circumstances related to a proxy vote, the Advisor reserves the right to instruct votes that deviate from the Voting Guidelines if, after a review of the matter, the Advisor believes that the best interests of a Portfolio would be served by, or applicable legal and fiduciary standards require, such a vote. In such a circumstance, the analysis will be documented in writing and periodically
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presented to the Committee for review. To the extent that the Voting Guidelines do not cover potential voting issues, the Advisor may consider the spirit of the Guidelines and applicable legal standards and instruct the vote on such issues in a manner that the Advisor believes would be in the best interests of a Portfolio.
In some cases, the Advisor may determine that it is in the best interests of a Portfolio to refrain from exercising proxy voting rights. The Advisor may determine that voting is not in the best interest of a Portfolio and refrain from voting if the costs, including the opportunity costs, of voting would, in the view of the Advisor, exceed the expected benefits of voting. For securities on loan, the Advisor will balance the revenue-producing value of loans against the difficult-to-assess value of casting votes. It is the Advisor’s belief that the expected value of casting a vote generally will be less than the securities lending income, either because the votes will not have significant economic consequences or because the outcome of the vote would not be affected by the Advisor recalling loaned securities for voting. The Advisor does intend to recall securities on loan if based upon information in the Advisor’s possession, it determines that voting the securities is likely to materially affect the value of a Portfolio’s investment and that it is in the Portfolio’s best interests to do so. In cases where the Advisor does not receive a solicitation or enough information within a sufficient time (as reasonably determined by the Advisor) prior to the proxy-voting deadline, the Advisor or its service provider may be unable to vote.
With respect to non-U.S. securities, it may be both difficult and costly to vote proxies due to local regulations, customs, and other requirements or restrictions. The Advisor does not intend to vote proxies of non-U.S. companies if the Advisor determines that the expected economic costs from voting outweigh the anticipated economic benefit to a Portfolio associated with voting. The Advisor intends to make its determination on whether to vote proxies of non-U.S. companies on a portfolio-by-portfolio basis. In doing so, the Advisor evaluates market requirements and impediments to voting proxies of companies in a country. The Advisor periodically reviews voting logistics, including costs and other voting difficulties, on a portfolio by portfolio and country by country basis, in order to determine if there have been any material changes that would affect the Advisor’s determinations and procedures. In the event the Advisor is made aware of and believes an issue to be voted is likely to materially affect the economic value of a Portfolio that its vote is reasonably likely to be determinative of the outcome of the contest, and the expected benefits of voting the proxies exceed the costs, the Advisor will make reasonable efforts to vote such proxies.
The Advisor may take social or sustainability issues into account when voting proxies for portfolios that do not consider social or sustainability issues in their design, such as the Portfolios, if the Advisor believes that doing so is in the best interest of the portfolio and is otherwise consistent with applicable law and the Advisor’s duties, such as where material environmental or social risks may have economic ramifications for shareholders.
The Advisor has retained certain third-party proxy voting service providers (“Proxy Service Firms”) to provide information on shareholder meeting dates and proxy materials; translate proxy materials printed in a foreign language; provide research on proxy proposals; operationally process votes in accordance with the Voting Guidelines on behalf of the Portfolios; and provide reports concerning the proxies voted (“Proxy Voting Services”). Although the Advisor retains third-party service providers for Proxy Voting Services, the Advisor remains responsible for proxy voting decisions and making such decisions in accordance with its fiduciary duties. The Advisor has designed Voting Policies to prudently select, oversee and evaluate Proxy Service Firms consistent with the Advisor’s fiduciary duties, including with respect to the matters described below, which Proxy Service Firms have been engaged to provide Proxy Voting Services to support the Advisor’s voting in accordance with the Voting Policies. Prior to the selection of a new Proxy Service Firm and annually thereafter or more frequently if deemed necessary by the Advisor, the Committee will consider whether the Proxy Service Firm (i) has the capacity and competency to timely and adequately analyze proxy issues and provide the Proxy Voting Services the Proxy Service Firm has been engaged to provide and (ii) can make its recommendations in an impartial manner and in the best interests of the Advisor’s clients, and consistent with the Advisor’s Voting Policies and fiduciary duties.
In the event that the Voting Guidelines are not implemented precisely as the Advisor intends because of the actions or omissions of any third party service providers, custodians or sub-custodians or other agents or any such persons experience any irregularities (e.g., misvotes or missed votes), then such instances will not necessarily be deemed by the Advisor as a breach of the Voting Policies.
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Information regarding how each of the Portfolios voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the 12 month period ended June 30 of each year is available, no later than August 31 of each year, without charge, (i) on the Advisor’s website at http://us.dimensional.com/about-us/investment-stewardship and (ii) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings
On each Business Day, prior to the opening of regular trading on its primary listing exchange, each Portfolio discloses on its website the portfolio holdings that will form the basis of the Portfolio’s next NAV per share calculation as required by Rule 6c-11. In addition, portfolio holdings information may also be made available to certain entities, including Trust service providers and institutional market participants, as described below.
Basket Composition Files
The Portfolios may make available through the facilities of the NSCC or through posting on a Portfolio’s publicly available website, prior to the opening of trading on each business day, a basket composition file, which includes the security names and share quantities to deliver in exchange for Shares, together with estimates and actual cash components.
Authorized Participants and Institutional Market Participants
The Advisor may provide certain information concerning a Portfolio’s portfolio holdings to certain entities (defined below) in a format not available to other current or prospective Portfolio shareholders in connection with the dissemination of information necessary for transactions in Creation Units, as contemplated by Rule 6c-11 under the 1940 Act. The “entities” referred to are generally limited to NSCC members and subscribers to various fee-based subscription services, including Authorized Participants and other institutional market participants and entities that
provide information services. This information may or may not reflect the pro rata composition of a Portfolio’s portfolio holdings.
Third-Party Service Providers
Certain portfolio holdings information may be disclosed to third-party service providers to the Trust (e.g., the Trust’s auditors, legal counsel, administrator, custodian, transfer agent) subject to appropriates confidentiality agreements with such service providers, as may be necessary to conduct business in the ordinary course in a manner consistent with applicable policies, agreements with the Portfolios, the terms of the current registration statements and federal securities laws and regulations thereunder. From time to time, and in the ordinary course of business, such information may also be disclosed, subject to appropriate confidentiality agreements, to other entities that provide services to the Portfolios, including pricing information vendors, and third parties that deliver analytical, statistical or consulting services to a Portfolio. The information is generally provided to such service providers after it has been disseminated to the NSCC.
Additional Communications
In addition to the daily posting of portfolio holdings discussed above, the Portfolios may also directly provide such portfolio holdings, or information derived from such portfolio holdings, to parties who specifically request it, provided that: (i) the availability of the Portfolios’ portfolio holdings is disclosed in the Portfolios’ registration statement, as required by applicable law, as well as on the Portfolios’ website; (ii) the Advisor determines that such disclosure is in the best interests of Portfolio shareholders; (iii) such information is made equally available to anyone requesting it; and (iv) it is determined that the disclosure does not present the risk of such information being used to trade against the Portfolios as the holdings information for the Portfolios is publicly disclosed on the Portfolios’ website daily, and no party is receiving an advantage over another.
The Portfolios do not selectively disclose non-public holdings information to third parties other than those disclosed above. If the Portfolios do selectively disclose holdings information the following procedures will be followed. The Head of the Global Client Group and the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (“Designated Persons”) or a delegate of the same, respectively, together may authorize the selective disclosure of non-public holdings
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information of the Portfolios to those entities (each a “Recipient”) who (1) specifically request the non-public holdings information for a purpose which the Designated Persons determine is consistent with a Portfolio’s legitimate business purpose, (2) the Designated Persons determine that such disclosure is in the best interest of the Portfolio’s shareholders and (3) in making such disclosure, no conflict exists between the Portfolio’s shareholders and those of the Advisor or the Trust’s principal underwriter. Prior to receiving non-public holdings information, a Recipient will execute a use and non-disclosure agreement and abide by its trading restrictions. The Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer or a delegate of the same will review and approve any delegates named by Designated Persons and will maintain list of the same.
SECURITIES LENDING
The Board of the Portfolios has approved their participation in a securities lending program. Under the securities lending program, Citibank, N.A. serves as the securities lending agent for the Portfolios.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the income earned by the Portfolios, as well as the fees and/or compensation paid by the Portfolios (in dollars) pursuant to a securities lending agency/authorization agreement between the Portfolios and Citibank, N.A. (the “Securities Lending Agent”), were as follows:
Fees and/or compensation for securities lending activities and related services: | ||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio* | Gross income from securities lending activities |
Fees paid split |
Fees paid for any cash collateral management service (including fees deducted from a pooled cash collateral reinvestment vehicle) not included in the revenue split |
Administrative fees not included in the revenue split |
Indemnification fees not included in the revenue split |
Rebate (paid to borrower) |
Other fees not included in the revenue split |
Aggregate fees/ compensation for securities lending activities |
Net income from securities lending activities | |||||||||
Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF | $590,967 | $8,455 | $15,529 | -- | -- | $485,645 | -- | $509,629 | $81,338 | |||||||||
Dimensional US High Profitability ETF | $99,890 | $860 | $823 | -- | -- | $89,750 | -- | $91,432 | $8,458 | |||||||||
Dimensional US Large Cap Value ETF** | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | |||||||||
Dimensional US Real Estate ETF | $24,122 | $204 | $345 | -- | -- | $21,549 | -- | $22,097 | $2,025 | |||||||||
Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF | $221,398 | $1,639 | $4,268 | -- | -- | $198,709 | -- | $204,616 | $16,782 | |||||||||
Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF | $505,849 | $16,443 | $15,588 | -- | -- | $318,629 | -- | $350,659 | $155,190 | |||||||||
Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF | $360,860 | $12,988 | $6,525 | -- | -- | $215,053 | -- | $234,566 | $126,294 | |||||||||
Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF | $97,597 | $3,912 | $1,526 | -- | -- | $53,623 | -- | $59,061 | $38,536 | |||||||||
Dimensional International Small Cap ETF | $106,287 | $6,440 | $1,246 | -- | -- | $36,544 | -- | $44,229 | $62,058 |
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Fees and/or compensation for securities lending activities and related services: | ||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio* | Gross income from securities lending activities |
Fees paid split |
Fees paid for any cash collateral management service (including fees deducted from a pooled cash collateral reinvestment vehicle) not included in the revenue split |
Administrative fees not included in the revenue split |
Indemnification fees not included in the revenue split |
Rebate (paid to borrower) |
Other fees not included in the revenue split |
Aggregate fees/ compensation for securities lending activities |
Net income from securities lending activities | |||||||||
Dimensional International High Profitability ETF | $126,983 | $2,774 | $2,291 | -- | -- | $94,979 | -- | $100,044 | $26,939 | |||||||||
Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF | $901,622 | $90,863 | $4,985 | -- | -- | $127,812 | -- | $223,660 | $677,962 | |||||||||
Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF | $6,493 | $433 | $126 | -- | -- | $2,408 | -- | $2,967 | $3,525 | |||||||||
Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF | $11,132 | $629 | $153 | -- | -- | $5,283 | -- | $6,065 | $5,067 | |||||||||
Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF | $134,335 | $10,013 | $1,410 | -- | -- | $40,731 | -- | $52,154 | $82,181 | |||||||||
Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF** | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
* The amounts included in the table above may differ from the amounts disclosed in the Portfolios’ annual reports due to timing differences, reconciliations, and certain other adjustments.
** The Portfolio had not commenced operations of October 31, 2022. Accordingly, the Portfolio did not participate in the securities lending program for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the Securities Lending Agent provided the following services for the Portfolios in connection with securities lending activities: (i) entering into loans with approved entities subject to guidelines or restrictions provided by the Portfolios; (ii) receiving and holding collateral from borrowers, and facilitating the investment and reinvestment of cash collateral; (iii) monitoring daily the value of the loaned securities and collateral, including receiving and delivering additional collateral as necessary from/to borrowers; (iv) negotiating loan terms; (v) selecting securities to be loaned subject to guidelines or restrictions provided by the Portfolios; (vi) recordkeeping and account servicing; (vii) monitoring dividend/distribution activity relating to loaned securities; and (viii) arranging for return of loaned securities to the Portfolios at loan termination.
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) is the independent registered public accounting firm to the Trust and audits the annual financial statements of the Trust. PwC’s address is Two Commerce Square, Suite 1800, 2001 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-7042. The audited financial statements and financial highlights of the Portfolios (excluding the Dimensional US Large Cap Value ETF and Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF) for the year period ended October 31, 2022, as set forth in the Trust’s annual report to shareholders, including the report of PwC, are incorporated by reference into this SAI.
A shareholder may obtain a copy of the annual reports upon request and without charge, by contacting the Trust at the address or telephone number appearing on the cover of this SAI.
PERFORMANCE DATA
The Portfolios may compare their investment performance to appropriate market and peer fund indices and investments for which reliable performance data is available. Such indices are generally unmanaged and are prepared by entities and organizations which track the performance of investment companies or investment advisors. Unmanaged indices often do not reflect deductions for administrative and management costs and expenses. The performance of the Portfolios may also be compared in publications to averages, performance rankings, or other information prepared by recognized investment company statistical services. Any performance information, whether related to the Portfolios or to the Advisor, should be considered in light of a Portfolio’s investment objectives and policies, characteristics and the quality of the portfolio and market conditions during the time period indicated and should not be considered to be representative of what may be achieved in the future.
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Exhibit A
Proxy Voting Guidelines
General Approach to Corporate Governance and Proxy Voting
When voting proxies, Dimensional1 seeks to act in the best interests of the funds and accounts Dimensional manages and consistent with applicable legal and fiduciary standards. Dimensional seeks to maximize shareholder value subject to the standards of legal and regulatory regimes (applicable to the Advisor or the client), listing requirements, corporate governance and stewardship codes, and any particular investment or voting guidelines of specific funds or accounts. Dimensional will evaluate management and shareholder proposals on a case-by-case basis, in the circumstances explained below.
Dimensional expects the members of a portfolio company’s board to act in the interests of their shareholders. Each portfolio company’s board should implement policies and adopt practices that align the interests of the board and management with those of its shareholders. Since a board’s main responsibility is to oversee management and to manage and mitigate risk, it is important that board members have the experience and skills to carry out that responsibility.
This document outlines Dimensional’s global approach to key proxy voting issues and highlights particular considerations in specific markets.
Global Evaluation Framework
Dimensional’s Global Evaluation Framework sets out Dimensional’s general expectations for all portfolio companies. When implementing the principles contained in Dimensional’s Global Evaluation Framework in a given market, in addition to the relevant legal and regulatory requirements, Dimensional will consider local market practices. Additionally, for portfolio companies in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, and Australia, Dimensional will apply the market-specific considerations contained in the relevant subsection in these Guidelines.
Uncontested Director Elections
Dimensional may vote against individual directors, committee members, or the full board of a portfolio company, such as in the following situations:
1. There are problematic audit-related practices;
2. There are problematic compensation practices or persistent pay for performance misalignment;
3. There are problematic anti-takeover provisions;
4. There have been material failures of governance, risk oversight, or fiduciary responsibilities;
5. The board has failed to adequately respond to shareholder concerns;
6. The board has demonstrated a lack of accountability to shareholders;
7. There is an ineffective board refreshment process2;
Additionally, for portfolios and accounts that consider sustainability issues in their design or have made an affirmative election or provided instruction that Dimensional should prioritize such issues as part of voting,
1 | “Dimensional” refers to any of Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd., DFA Australia Limited, Dimensional Ireland Limited, Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. or Dimensional Japan Ltd. |
2 | As used in these guidelines “board refreshment process” means the method for reviewing and establishing the composition of the board of the portfolio company (e.g., assessments or self-evaluation, succession planning, approach for searches for board members, criteria for qualification of board members). |
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Dimensional may vote against directors, committee members, or the full board of portfolio companies in sectors which have not disclosed targets to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
If a director is a member of multiple boards of various portfolio companies, and one of those boards has one of the issues listed in 1-7 above, Dimensional may vote against that director with respect to the board of the portfolio company with the issue as well as any other portfolio company boards.
Dimensional also considers the following when voting on directors of portfolio companies:
1. Board and committee independence;
2. Director attendance: Dimensional generally expects directors to attend at least 75% of board and committee meetings;
3. Director capacity to serve;
4. Board composition.
Board Refreshment
An effective board refreshment process for a portfolio company can include the alignment of directors’ skills with business needs, assessment of individual director performance and feedback, and a search process for new directors that appropriately incorporates qualification criteria. Dimensional believes information about a portfolio company’s assessment and refreshment process should be disclosed and should generally include:
● | The processes and procedures by which the company identifies the key competencies that directors should possess in order to ensure the board is able to appropriately oversee the risks and opportunities associated with the company’s strategy and operations; | |
● | How the performance of individual directors and the board as a whole is assessed; | |
● | The alignment between the skills and expertise of each board member and the key competencies identified in the board assessment process; | |
● | Board refreshment mechanisms; | |
● | Director recruitment policies and procedures; and | |
● | The extent to which diversity considerations are incorporated into board assessment and refreshment practices and director recruitment policies. |
In evaluating a portfolio company’s refreshment process, Dimensional may consider, among other information:
● | Whether the company’s board assessment process meets market best practices in terms of objectiveness, rigor, disclosure, and other criteria; | |
● | Whether the company has any mechanisms to encourage board refreshment; and | |
● | Whether the company has board entrenchment devices, such as a classified board or plurality vote standard. |
An additional consideration that may lead Dimensional to scrutinize the effectiveness of a portfolio company’s board refreshment process is a lack of gender, racial, or ethnic diversity on the board. In jurisdictions where gender, racial, or ethnic representation on a board is not mandated by law, Dimensional may consider whether a portfolio company seeks to follow market best practices as the portfolio company nominates new directors and assesses the performance of existing directors who have the diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and skill-sets needed to effectively oversee management and manage risk.
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If Dimensional believes that a portfolio company’s board assessment and refreshment process is not sufficiently rigorous, or if the portfolio company fails to disclose adequate information for Dimensional to assess the rigor of the process, Dimensional may vote against members of the Nominating Committee, or other relevant directors.
Bundled/Slate Director Elections
Dimensional generally opposes bundled director elections at portfolio companies; however, in markets where individual director elections are not an established practice, bundled elections are acceptable as long as the full list of candidates is disclosed in a timely manner.
Contested Director Elections
In the case of contested board elections at portfolio companies, Dimensional takes a case-by-case approach. With the goal of maximizing shareholder value, Dimensional considers the qualifications of the nominees, the likelihood that each side can accomplish their stated plans, the portfolio company’s corporate governance practices, and the incumbent board’s history of responsiveness to shareholders.
Board Size
Dimensional believes that portfolio company boards are responsible for determining an appropriate size of the board of directors within the confines of relevant corporate governance codes and best practice standards. However, Dimensional will generally oppose proposals to alter board structure or size in the context of a fight for control of the portfolio company or the board.
Auditors
Dimensional will typically support the ratification of auditors unless there are concerns with the auditor’s independence, the accuracy of the auditor’s report, the level of non-audit fees, or if lack of disclosure makes it difficult for us to assess these factors.
In addition to voting against the ratification of the auditors, Dimensional may also vote against or withhold votes from audit committee members at portfolio companies in instances of fraud, material weakness, or significant financial restatements.
Anti-Takeover Provisions
Dimensional believes that the market for corporate control, which often results in acquisitions which increase shareholder value, should be able to function without undue restrictions. Takeover defenses such as shareholder rights plans (poison pills) can lead to entrenchment of management and reduced accountability at the board level. Dimensional will generally vote against the adoption of anti-takeover provisions. Dimensional may vote against directors at portfolio companies that adopt or maintain anti-takeover provisions without shareholder approval post-initial public offering (“IPO”) or adopted such structures prior to, or in connection with, an IPO. Dimensional may vote against such directors not just at the portfolio company that adopted the anti-takeover provision, but at all other portfolio company boards they serve on.
Related-Party Transactions
Related-party transactions have played a significant role in several high-profile corporate scandals and failures. Dimensional believes related-party transactions should be minimized. When such transactions are determined to be fair to the portfolio company and its shareholders in accordance with the company’s policies and governing law, they should be thoroughly disclosed in public filings.
Amendments to Articles of Association/Incorporation
Dimensional expects the details of proposed amendments to articles of association or incorporation, or similar portfolio company documents, to be clearly disclosed. Dimensional will typically support such
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amendments that are routine in nature or are required or prompted by regulatory changes. Dimensional may vote against amendments that negatively impact shareholder rights or diminish board oversight.
Equity Plans
Dimensional supports the adoption of equity plans that align the interests of the portfolio company board, management, and company employees with those of shareholders.
Dimensional will evaluate equity plans on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the potential dilution to shareholders, the portfolio company’s historical use of equity, and the particular plan features.
Executive Remuneration
Dimensional supports remuneration for executives that is clearly linked to the portfolio company’s performance. Remuneration should be designed to attract, retain and appropriately motivate and serve as a means to align the interests of executives with those of shareholders.
Dimensional expects portfolio companies to structure executive compensation in a manner that does not insulate management from the consequences of failures of risk oversight and management. Dimensional typically supports clawback provisions in executive compensation plans as a way to mitigate risk of excessive risk taking by executives at portfolio companies.
Dimensional supports remuneration plan metrics that are quantifiable and clearly tied to company strategy and the creation of shareholder value. The use of standard financial metrics, for example, metrics based on generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) or international financial reporting standards, when determining executive pay is generally considered by Dimensional to be preferable. The use of non-standard metrics, including those involving large non-GAAP adjustments, result in less transparency for investors and may lead to artificially high executive pay. In evaluating a company’s executive compensation, Dimensional considers whether the company is disclosing what each metric is intended to capture, how performance is measured, what targets have been set, and performance against those targets. While environmental and social (E&S) issues may be material for shareholder value, Dimensional believes linking E&S metrics to executive pay in a quantifiable and transparent manner can present particular challenges. Dimensional will seek to focus on the rigor of E&S metrics and will seek to scrutinize payouts made under these metrics, particularly when there has been underperformance against other metrics tied to financial performance or shareholder value.
To the extent that remuneration is clearly excessive and not aligned with the portfolio company’s performance or other factors, Dimensional would not support such remuneration. Additionally, Dimensional expects portfolio companies to strive to follow local market practices with regards to the specific elements of remuneration and the overall structure of the remuneration plan.
Therefore, Dimensional reviews proposals seeking approval of a portfolio company’s executive remuneration plan closely, taking into account the quantum of pay, company performance, and the structure of the plan.
Director Remuneration
Dimensional will generally support director remuneration at portfolio companies that is reasonable in both size and composition relative to industry and market norms.
Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
Dimensional’s primary consideration in evaluating mergers and acquisitions is maximizing shareholder value. Given that Dimensional believes market prices reflect future expected cash flows, an important
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consideration is the price reaction to the announcement, and the extent to which the deal represents a premium to the pre-announcement price. Dimensional will also consider the strategic rationale, potential conflicts of interest, and the possibility of competing offers.
Dimensional may vote against deals where there are concerns with the acquisition process or where there appear to be significant conflicts of interest.
Capitalization
Dimensional will vote case-by-case on proposals related to portfolio company share issuances, taking into account the purpose for which the shares will be used, the risk to shareholders of not approving the request, and the dilution to existing shareholders.
Unequal Voting Rights
Dimensional opposes the creation of share structures that provide for unequal voting rights, including dual class stock with unequal voting rights or mechanisms such as loyalty shares that may skew economic ownership and voting rights within the same class of shares, and will generally vote against proposals to create or continue such structures. On a case-by-case basis, Dimensional may also vote against directors at portfolio companies that adopt or maintain such structures without shareholder approval post-IPO or adopted such structures prior to, or in connection with, an IPO.
Say on Climate
Dimensional will generally vote against management and shareholder proposals to introduce say on climate votes, which propose that companies’ climate transition plans are put to a recurring advisory shareholder vote. Dimensional believes that strategic planning, including mitigation of climate change risks and oversight of opportunities presented by climate change is the responsibility of the portfolio company board and should not be delegated or transferred to shareholders. If a company’s climate transition plan is put to a shareholder vote then Dimensional will generally vote against the plan, regardless of the level of detail contained in the plan, to indicate our opposition to the delegation of oversight implied by such votes If Dimensional observes that a portfolio company board is failing to adequately guard shareholder value through strategic planning, Dimensional may vote against directors.
Shareholder Proposals
Dimensional’s goal when voting on shareholder proposals to portfolio companies is to support those proposals that protect or enhance shareholder value through improved board accountability, improved policies and procedures, or improved disclosure.
When evaluating shareholder proposals, Dimensional will consider whether the proposal addresses a material issue to the portfolio company, the portfolio company’s current handling of the issue (both on an absolute basis and relative to market practices), the company’s compliance with regulatory requirements, and the potential cost to the company of implementing the proposal. Dimensional may apply additional considerations when voting on sustainability or social shareholder proposals on behalf of portfolios and accounts that incorporate sustainability or social considerations in their portfolio design or have made an affirmative election or provided instruction that Dimensional should prioritize sustainability or social issues as part of voting.
Virtual Meetings
Dimensional does not oppose the use of virtual-only meetings if shareholders are provided with the same rights and opportunities as available during a physical meeting, including:
● | The ability to see and hear company representatives; | |
● | The ability to ask questions of company representatives; and |
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● | The ability to see or hear questions submitted to company representatives by other shareholders, including those questions not answered by company representatives. |
Disclosure of Vote Results
Dimensional expects detailed disclosure of voting results. In cases where vote results have not been disclosed within a reasonable time frame, Dimensional may vote against individual directors, committee members, or the full board of a portfolio company.
Voting Guidelines for Environmental and Social Issues3
Dimensional believes that portfolio company boards are responsible for addressing material environmental & social (E&S) issues within their duties. If a portfolio company is unresponsive to material E&S risks which may have economic ramifications for shareholders, Dimensional may vote against directors individually, committee members, or the entire board. Dimensional may communicate with portfolio companies to better understand the alignment of the interests of boards and management with those of shareholders on these topics.
Dimensional evaluates shareholder proposals on environmental or social issues consistent with its general approach to shareholder proposals, paying particular attention to the portfolio company’s current handling of the issue, current disclosures, the financial materiality of the issue, market practices, and regulatory requirements. Dimensional may vote for proposals requesting disclosure of specific environmental and social data, such as information about board oversight, risk management policies and procedures, or performance against a specific metric, if Dimensional believes that the portfolio company’s current disclosure is inadequate to allow shareholders to effectively assess the portfolio company’s handling of a material issue.
Evaluating Disclosure of Material Environmental or Social Risks
Dimensional generally believes that information about the oversight and mitigation of material environmental or social risks should be disclosed by portfolio companies. Dimensional generally expects the disclosure regarding oversight and mitigation to include:
● | A description of material risks. | |
● | A description of the process for identifying and prioritizing such risks and how frequently it occurs. | |
● | The policies and procedures governing the handling of each material risk. | |
● | A description of the management-level roles/groups involved in oversight and mitigation of each material risk. | |
● | A description of the metrics used to assess the effectiveness of mitigating each material risk, and the frequency at which performance against these metrics is assessed. | |
● | A description of how the board is informed of material risks and the progress against relevant metrics. |
In certain instances where Dimensional determines that disclosure by a portfolio company is insufficient for a shareholder to be able to adequately assess the relevant risks facing a portfolio company, Dimensional may, on a case-by-case basis, vote against individual directors, committee members, or the entire board, or may vote in favor of related shareholder proposals consistent with Dimensional’s general approach to such proposals.
3 | For considerations in connection with ERISA-covered clients, see the Policy and its references to requirements under ERISA. |
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Political and Lobbying Activities
Dimensional expects boards of portfolio companies to exercise oversight of political and lobbying-related expenditures and ensure that such spending is in line with shareholder interests.
In evaluating a portfolio company’s policies related to political and lobbying expenditure, Dimensional expects the following practices:
● | The board to adopt policies and procedures to oversee political and lobbying expenditures; | |
● | The details of the board oversight, including the policies and procedures governing such expenditures, to be disclosed publicly; and | |
● | That board oversight of political and lobbying activities, such as spending, should include ensuring that the portfolio company’s publicly stated positions are in alignment with its related activities and spending. |
Human Capital Management
Dimensional expects boards of portfolio companies to exercise oversight of human capital management issues. Dimensional expects portfolio companies to disclose sufficient information for shareholders to understand the policies, procedures, and personnel a company has in place to address issues related to human capital management. This disclosure should include the company’s human capital management goals in key areas, such as compensation, employee health and wellness, employee training and development, and workforce composition, as well as the metrics by which the company assesses performance against these goals.
Climate Change
Dimensional expects boards of portfolio companies to exercise oversight of climate change risks that may have a material impact on the company. Climate change risks may include physical risks of climate change from changing weather patterns and/or transitional risks of climate change from changes in regulation or consumer preferences. Dimensional expects portfolio companies to disclose information on their handling of these risks, to the extent those risks may have a material impact on the company. Disclosure should include:
● | The specific risks identified | |
● | The potential impact these risks could have on the company’s business, operations, or strategy | |
● | Whether the risks are overseen by a specific committee or the full board | |
● | The frequency with which the board or responsible board committee receives updates on the risks and the types of information reviewed | |
● | The management-level roles/groups responsible for managing these risks | |
● | The metrics used to assess the handling of these risks, how they are calculated, and the reason for their selection, particularly when the metrics recommended by a recognized third-party framework, such as Task Force for Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) or Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), are not being used | |
● | Targets used by the company to manage climate-related risks and performance against those targets |
Human Rights
Dimensional expects portfolio company boards to exercise oversight of human rights issues that could pose a material risk to the business, including forced labor, child labor, privacy, freedom of expression, and land and water rights. Dimensional expects portfolio companies to disclose information on their handling of these risks, to the extent those risks may have a material impact on the company. Disclosure should include:
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● | The specific risks identified | |
● | The potential impact these risks could have on the company’s business, operations, or strategy | |
● | Whether the risks are overseen by a specific committee or the full board | |
● | The frequency with which the board or responsible board committee receives updates on the risks and the types of information reviewed | |
● | Details on how the company monitors human rights throughout the organization and supply chain, including the scope and frequency of audits and how instances of non-compliance are resolved | |
● | The policies governing human rights throughout the organization and supply chain and the extent to which the policy aligns with recognized global frameworks such as the UN’s Guiding Principles on Human Rights and the OECD’s Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises | |
● | Details of violations of the policy and corrective action taken |
Cybersecurity
Dimensional expects portfolio company boards to exercise oversight of cybersecurity issues that could pose a material risk to the business. Dimensional expects portfolio companies to disclose information on their handling of these risks, to the extent those risks may have a material impact on the company. Disclosure should include:
● | Policies and procedures to manage cybersecurity risk and identify cybersecurity incidents | |
● | The role of management in implementing cybersecurity policies and procedures | |
● | The role of the board in overseeing cybersecurity risk and the process by which the board is informed of incidents. | |
● | Material cybersecurity incidents and remedial actions taken. |
Evaluation Framework for U.S. Listed Companies
Director Elections:
Uncontested Director Elections
Shareholders elect the board of a portfolio company to represent their interests and oversee management and expect boards to adopt policies and practices that align the interests of the board and management with those of shareholders and limit the potential for conflicts of interest.
One of the most important measures aimed at ensuring that portfolio company shareholders’ interests are represented is an independent board of directors, made up of individuals with the diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and skill-sets needed to effectively oversee management and manage risk. Dimensional expects portfolio company boards to be majority independent and key committees to be fully independent.
Dimensional believes shareholders should have a say in who represents their interests and portfolio companies should be responsive to shareholder concerns. Dimensional may vote against or withhold votes from individual directors, committee members, or the full board, and may also vote against such directors when they serve on other portfolio company boards, in the following situations:
● | The continued service of directors who failed to receive the support of a majority of shareholders (regardless of whether the company uses a majority or plurality vote standard). | |
● | Failure to adequately respond to majority-supported shareholder proposals. |
Contested Director Elections
In the case of contested board elections at portfolio companies, Dimensional takes a case-by-case approach. With the goal of maximizing shareholder value, Dimensional considers the qualifications of the nominees, the likelihood that each side can accomplish their stated plans, the portfolio company’s corporate
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governance practices, the incumbent board’s history of responsiveness to shareholders, and the market’s reaction to the contest.
Board Structure and Composition:
Age and Term Limits
Dimensional believes it is the responsibility of a portfolio company’s nominating committee to ensure that the company’s board of directors is composed of individuals with the skills needed to effectively oversee management and will generally oppose proposals seeking to impose age or term limits for directors.
That said, portfolio companies should clearly disclose their director evaluation and board refreshment policies in their proxy. Lack of healthy turnover on the board of a portfolio company or lack of observable diversity on a portfolio company board may lead Dimensional to scrutinize the rigor of a portfolio company’s board refreshment process.
CEO/Chair
Dimensional believes that the portfolio company boards are responsible for determining whether the separation of roles is appropriate and adequately protects the interests of shareholders.
At portfolio companies with a combined CEO/Chair, Dimensional expects the board to appoint a lead independent director with specific responsibilities, including the setting of meeting agendas, to seek to ensure the board is able to act independently.
Recent environmental, social, and governance controversies resulting from inadequate board oversight may be taken into account when voting on shareholder proposals seeking the separation of the roles of CEO and Chair at a portfolio company.
Governance Practices:
Classified Boards
Dimensional believes director votes are an important mechanism to increase board accountability to shareholders. Dimensional therefore advocates for boards at portfolio companies to give shareholders the right to vote on the entire slate of directors on an annual basis.
Dimensional will generally support proposals to declassify existing boards at portfolio companies and will generally oppose efforts by portfolio companies to adopt classified board structures, in which only part of the board is elected each year.
Dimensional will generally vote against or withhold votes from incumbent directors at portfolio companies that adopt a classified board without shareholder approval. Dimensional may also vote against or withhold votes from directors at portfolio companies that adopt classified boards prior to or in connection with an IPO, unless accompanied by a reasonable sunset provision.
Dual Classes of Stock
Dual class share structures are generally seen as detrimental to shareholder rights, as they are accompanied by unequal voting rights. Dimensional believes in the principle of one share, one vote.
Dimensional opposes the creation of dual-class share structures with unequal voting rights at portfolio companies and will generally vote against proposals to create or continue dual-class capital structures.
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Dimensional will generally vote against or withhold votes from directors at portfolio companies that adopt a dual-class structure without shareholder approval after the company’s IPO. Dimensional will generally vote against or withhold votes from directors for implementation of a dual-class structure prior to or in connection with an IPO, unless accompanied by a reasonable sunset provision.
Supermajority Vote Requirements
Dimensional believes that the affirmative vote of a majority of shareholders of a portfolio company should be sufficient to approve items such as bylaw amendments and mergers. Dimensional will generally vote against proposals seeking to implement a supermajority vote requirement and for shareholder proposals seeking the adoption of a majority vote standard.
Dimensional will generally vote against or withhold votes from incumbent directors at portfolio companies that adopt a supermajority vote requirement without shareholder approval. Dimensional may also vote against or withhold votes from directors at portfolio companies that adopt supermajority vote requirements prior to or in connection with an IPO, unless accompanied by a reasonable sunset provision.
Shareholder Rights Plans (Poison Pills)
Dimensional generally opposes poison pills. As a result, Dimensional may vote against the adoption of a pill and all directors at a portfolio company that put a pill in place without first obtaining shareholder approval. Votes against (or withheld votes from) directors may extend beyond the portfolio company that adopted the pill, to all boards the directors serve on. In considering a poison pill for approval, Dimensional may take into account the existence of ‘qualified offer’ and other shareholder-friendly provisions.
For pills designed to protect net operating losses, Dimensional may take into consideration a variety of factors, including but not limited to the size of the available operating losses and the likelihood that they will be utilized to offset gains.
Cumulative Voting
Under cumulative voting, each shareholder is entitled to the number of his or her shares multiplied by the number of directors to be elected. Shareholders have the flexibility to allocate their votes among directors in the proportion they see fit, including casting all their votes for one director. This is particularly impactful in the election of dissident candidates to the board in the event of a proxy contest.
Dimensional will typically support proposals that provide for cumulative voting and against proposals to eliminate cumulative voting unless the portfolio company has demonstrated that there are adequate safeguards in place, such as proxy access and majority voting.
Majority Voting
For the election of directors, portfolio companies may adopt either a majority or plurality vote standard. In a plurality vote standard, the directors with the most votes are elected. If the number of directors up for election is equal to the number of board seats, each director only needs to receive one vote in order to be elected. In a majority vote standard, in order to be elected, a director must receive the support of a majority of shares voted or present at the meeting.
Dimensional supports a majority (rather than plurality) voting standard for uncontested director elections at portfolio companies. The majority vote standard should be accompanied by a director resignation policy to address failed elections.
To account for contested director elections, portfolio companies with a majority vote standard should include a carve-out for plurality voting in situations where there are more nominees than seats.
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Right to Call Meetings and Act by Written Consent
Dimensional will generally support the right of shareholders to call special meetings of a portfolio company board (if they own 25% of shares outstanding) and take action by written consent.
Proxy Access
Dimensional will typically support management and shareholder proposals for proxy access that allow a shareholder (or group of shareholders) holding three percent of voting power for three years to nominate up to 25 percent of a portfolio company board. Dimensional will typically vote against proposals that are more restrictive than these guidelines.
Amend Bylaws/Charters
Dimensional believes that shareholders should have the right to amend a portfolio company’s bylaws. Dimensional will generally vote against or withhold votes from incumbent directors at portfolio companies that place substantial restrictions on shareholders’ ability to amend bylaws through excessive ownership requirements for submitting proposals or restrictions on the types of issues that can be amended.
Exclusive Forum
Dimensional is generally supportive of management proposals at portfolio companies to adopt an exclusive forum for shareholder litigation.
Indemnification and Exculpation of Directors and Officers
Dimensional intends to evaluate proposals seeking to enact or expand indemnification or exculpation provisions on a case-by-case basis considering board rationale and specific provisions being proposed.
Advance Notice Provisions
Portfolio company bylaw amendments known as “advance notice provisions” set out the steps shareholders must follow when submitting an item for inclusion on the agenda of a shareholder meeting. These provisions may serve as an entrenchment device that can result in reduced accountability at the board level in cases where they impose onerous requirements on shareholders wishing to submit a nominee for the board of directors. When evaluating advanced notice provisions, whether for the submission of a shareholder candidate or the submission of other permissible proposals, Dimensional generally does not support provisions that:
● | Require shareholder-nominated candidates to disclose information that is not required for new board-nominated candidates | |
● | Impose unduly burdensome disclosure requirements on shareholder proponents | |
● | Significantly limit the time period shareholders have to submit proposals or nominees |
Dimensional may vote against or withhold votes from directors who adopt such provisions without shareholder approval.
Executive and Director Compensation:
Stock-Based Compensation Plans
Dimensional supports the adoption of equity plans that align the interests of portfolio company board, management, and company employees with those of shareholders.
Dimensional will evaluate equity compensation plans on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the potential dilution to shareholders, the portfolio company’s historical use of equity, and the particular plan features.
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Dimensional will typically vote against plans that have features that have a negative impact on shareholders of portfolio companies. Such features include single-trigger or discretionary vesting, an overly broad definition of change in control, a lack of minimum vesting periods for grants, evergreen provisions, and the ability to reprice shares without shareholder approval.
Dimensional may also vote against equity plans if problematic equity grant practices have contributed to a pay for performance misalignment at the portfolio company.
Employee Stock Purchase Plans
Dimensional will generally support qualified employee stock purchase plans (as defined by Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code), provided that the purchase price is no less than 85 percent of market value, the number of shares reserved for the plan is no more than ten percent of outstanding shares, and the offering period is no more than 27 months.
Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation (Say on Pay)
Dimensional supports reasonable compensation for executives that is clearly linked to the portfolio company’s performance. Compensation should serve as a means to align the interests of executives with those of shareholders. To the extent that compensation is excessive, it represents a transfer to management of shareholder wealth. Therefore, Dimensional reviews proposals seeking approval of a portfolio company’s executive compensation plan closely, taking into account the quantum of pay, company performance, and the structure of the plan.
Certain practices, such as:
● | multi-year guaranteed bonuses | |
● | excessive severance agreements (particularly those that vest without involuntary job loss or diminution of duties or those with excise-tax gross-ups) | |
● | single, or the same, metrics used for both short-term and long-term executive compensation plans |
may encourage excessive risk-taking by executives at portfolio companies and are generally opposed by Dimensional.
At portfolio companies that have a history of problematic pay practices or excessive compensation, Dimensional will consider the company’s responsiveness to shareholders’ concerns and may vote against or withhold votes from members of the compensation committee if these concerns have not been addressed.
Frequency of Say on Pay
Executive compensation in the United States is typically composed of three parts: 1) base salary; 2) cash bonuses based on annual performance (short-term incentive awards); 3) and equity awards based on performance over a multi-year period (long-term incentive awards).
Dimensional supports triennial say on pay because it allows for a longer-term assessment of whether compensation was adequately linked to portfolio company performance. This is particularly important in situations where a company makes significant changes to their long-term incentive awards, as the effectiveness of such changes in aligning pay and performance cannot be determined in a single year.
If there are serious concerns about a portfolio company’s compensation plan in a year where the plan is not on the ballot, Dimensional may vote against or withhold votes from members of the Compensation Committee.
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Executive Severance Agreements (Golden Parachutes)
Dimensional analyzes golden parachute proposals on a case-by-case basis.
Dimensional expects payments to be reasonable on both an absolute basis and relative to the value of the transaction. Dimensional will typically vote against agreements with cash severance of more than 3x salary and bonus.
Dimensional expects vesting of equity to be contingent on both a change in control and a subsequent involuntary termination of the employee (“double-trigger change in control”).
Corporate Actions:
Reincorporation
Dimensional will evaluate reincorporation proposals on a case-by-case basis.
Dimensional may vote against reincorporations if the move would result in a substantial diminution of shareholder rights at the portfolio company.
Capitalization:
Increase Authorized Shares
Dimensional will vote case-by-case on proposals seeking to increase common or preferred stock of a portfolio company, taking into account the purpose for which the shares will be used and the risk to shareholders of not approving the request.
Dimensional will typically vote against requests for common or preferred stock issuances that are excessively dilutive relative to common market practice.
Dimensional will typically vote against proposals at portfolio companies with multiple share classes to increase the number of shares of the class with superior voting rights.
Blank Check Preferred Stock
Blank check preferred stock is stock that can be issued at the discretion of the board, with the voting, conversion, distribution, and other rights determined by the board at the time of issue. Therefore, blank check preferred stock can potentially serve as means to entrench management and prevent takeovers at portfolio companies.
To mitigate concerns regarding what Dimensional believes is the inappropriate use of blank check preferred stock, Dimensional expects portfolio companies seeking approval for blank preferred stock to clearly state that the shares will not be used for anti-takeover purposes.
Share Repurchases
Dimensional will generally support open-market share repurchase plans that allow all shareholders to participate on equal terms. Portfolio companies that use metrics such as earnings per share (EPS) in their executive compensation plans should ensure that the impact of such repurchases are taken into account when determining payouts.
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Shareholder Proposals:
Dimensional’s goal when voting on shareholder proposals is to support those proposals that protect or enhance shareholder value through improved board accountability, improved policies and procedures, or improved disclosure.
When evaluating shareholder proposals, Dimensional will consider whether the proposal addresses a material issue to the portfolio company, the portfolio company’s current handling of the issue (both on an absolute basis and relative to market practices), the company’s compliance with regulatory requirements, and the potential cost to the company of implementing the proposal.
In instances where a shareholder proposal is excluded from the meeting agenda but the SEC has declined to state a view on whether such proposal can be excluded, , Dimensional expects the portfolio company to provide shareholders with substantive disclosure concerning this exclusion. If substantive disclosure is lacking, Dimensional may vote against or withhold votes from certain directors on a case-by-case basis.
Evaluation Framework for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) Listed Companies
Continental Europe:
Director Election Guidelines
● | Portfolio company boards should be majority independent (excluding shareholder or employee representatives as provided by law); however, lower levels of board independence may be acceptable in controlled companies and in those markets where local best practice indicates that at least one-third of the board be independent. | |
● | A majority of audit and remuneration committee members (excluding shareholder or employee representatives as provided by law) should be independent; the committees overall should be at least one-third independent. | |
● | Executives should generally not serve on audit and remuneration committees. | |
● | The CEO and board chair roles should generally be separate, |
Remuneration Guidelines
Dimensional expects annual remuneration reports published by portfolio companies pursuant to the Shareholder Rights Directive II to disclose, at a minimum:
● | The amount paid to executives; |
● | Alignment between pay and performance; |
● | The targets used for variable incentive plans and the ex-post levels achieved; and |
● | The rationale for any discretion applied. |
Other Market Specific Guidelines for Continental Europe
● | In Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands, Dimensional will generally vote against the appointment of a former CEO as chairman of the board of directors or supervisory board of a portfolio company. |
United Kingdom & Ireland:
Dimensional expects portfolio companies to follow the requirements of the UK Corporate Governance Code with regards to board and committee composition. When evaluating portfolio company boards Dimensional will also consider the recommendations of the FTSE Women Leaders and Parker Reviews with regards to female and minority representation on the board.
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Dimensional also expects companies to align their remuneration with the requirements of the UK Corporate Governance Code and to consider best practices such as those set forth in the Investment Association Principles of Remuneration.
South Africa:
Dimensional expects portfolio companies to follow the recommendations of the King Report on Corporate Governance (King Code IV) with regards to board and committee composition.
Turkey:
Dimensional expects the board of directors of a portfolio company to be at least one-third independent; at minimum two directors should be independent.
Dimensional expects the board of a portfolio company to establish an independent audit committee.
Dimensional expects the board of a portfolio company to establish a board committee with responsibility for compensation and nominating matters. This committee should be chaired by an independent director.
Framework for Evaluating Australia-Listed Companies
Uncontested Director Elections
Shareholders elect the board of a portfolio company to represent their interests and oversee management and expect portfolio company boards to adopt policies and practices that align the interests of the board and management with those of shareholders and limit the potential for conflicts of interest.
One of the most important measures aimed at ensuring that portfolio company shareholders’ interests are represented is an independent board of directors, made up of individuals with the diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and skill-sets needed to effectively oversee management and manage risk. Dimensional expects portfolio company boards to be majority independent.
Dimensional believes that key audit and remuneration committees should be composed of independent directors. Dimensional will generally vote against executive directors of the portfolio company who serve on the audit committee or who serve on the remuneration committee if the remuneration committee is not majority independent.
Dimensional will consider the ASX Corporate Governance Council Principles and Recommendations (the “ASX Principles and Recommendations”) with regards to female representation on the board when voting on directors.
CEO/Chair
Dimensional expects portfolio companies to follow the ASX Corporate Governance Council Principles and Recommendations and generally separate the CEO and board chair roles, with the board chair being an independent director.
Auditors
Australian law does not require the annual ratification of auditors; therefore, concerns with a portfolio company’s audit practices will be reflected in votes against members of the audit committee.
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Dimensional may vote against audit committee members at a portfolio company if there are concerns with the auditor’s independence, the accuracy of the auditor’s report, the level of non-audit fees, or if lack of disclosure makes it difficult to assess these factors.
Dimensional may also vote against audit committee members in instances of fraud or material failures in oversight of audit functions.
Share Issuances
Dimensional will evaluate requests for share issuances on a case-by-case basis, taking into account factors such as the impact on current shareholders and the rationale for the request.
When voting on approval of prior share distributions, Dimensional will generally support prior issuances that conform to the dilution guidelines set out in ASX Listing Rule 7.1.
Share Repurchase
Dimensional will evaluate requests for share repurchases on a case-by-case basis, taking into account factors such as the impact on current shareholders, the rationale for the request, and the portfolio company’s history of repurchases. Dimensional expects repurchases to be made in arms-length transactions using independent third parties.
Dimensional may vote against portfolio company plans that do not include limitations on the company’s ability to use the plan to repurchase shares from third parties at a premium and limitations on the use of share purchases as an anti-takeover device.
Constitution Amendments
Dimensional will evaluate requests for amendments to a portfolio company’s constitution on a case-by-case basis. The primary consideration will be the impact on the rights of shareholders.
Non-Executive Director Compensation
Dimensional will support non-executive director remuneration at portfolio companies that is reasonable in both size and composition relative to industry and market norms.
Dimensional will generally vote against components of non-executive director remuneration that are likely to impair a director’s independence, such as options or performance-based remuneration.
Equity Plans
Dimensional supports the adoption of equity plans that align the interests of the portfolio company board, management, and company employees with those of shareholders.
Companies should clearly disclose components of the plan, including vesting periods and performance hurdles.
Dimensional may vote against plans that are exceedingly dilutive to existing shareholders. Plans that permit retesting or repricing will generally be viewed unfavorably.
Framework for Evaluating Japan-Listed Securities
Uncontested Director Elections
Shareholders elect the board of a portfolio company to represent their interests and oversee management and expect portfolio company boards to adopt policies and practices that align the interests of the board and management with those of shareholders and limit the potential for conflicts of interest.
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One of the most important measures aimed at ensuring that portfolio company shareholders’ interests are represented is an independent board of directors, made up of individuals with the diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and skill sets needed to effectively oversee management and manage risk. With respect to gender diversity, Dimensional may consider local market practice, including requirements under the Japan Corporate Governance Code, and may vote against directors if the board does not meet established market norms.
At portfolio companies with a three-committee structure, Dimensional expects at least one-third of the board to be outsiders. Ideally, the board should be majority independent. At portfolio companies with a three-committee structure that have a controlling shareholder, at least two directors and at least one-third of the board should be independent outsiders.
At portfolio companies with an audit committee structure, Dimensional expects at least one-third of the board to be outsiders. Ideally, the audit committee should be entirely independent; at minimum, any outside directors who serve on the committee should be independent. At portfolio companies with an audit committee structure that have a controlling shareholder, at least two directors and at least one-third of the board should be independent outsiders.
At portfolio companies with a statutory auditor structure, Dimensional expects at least two directors and at least one-third of the board to be outsiders. At portfolio companies with a statutory auditor structure that have a controlling shareholder, at least two directors and at least one-third of the board should be independent outsiders.
Statutory Auditors
Statutory auditors are responsible for effectively overseeing management and ensuring that decisions made are in the best interest of shareholders. Dimensional may vote against statutory auditors who are remiss in their responsibilities.
When voting on outside statutory auditors, Dimensional expects nominees to be independent and to have the capacity to fulfill the requirements of their role as evidenced by attendance at meetings of the board of directors or board of statutory auditors.
Director and Statutory Auditor Compensation
Dimensional will support compensation for portfolio company directors and statutory auditors that is reasonable in both size and composition relative to industry and market norms.
When requesting an increase to the level of director fees, Dimensional expects portfolio companies to provide a specific reason for the increase. Dimensional will generally support an increase of director fees if it is in conjunction with the introduction of performance-based compensation, or where the ceiling for performance-based compensation is being increased. Dimensional will generally not support an increase in director fees if there is evidence that the directors have been remiss in effectively overseeing management or ensuring that decisions made are in the best interest of shareholders.
Dimensional will typically support an increase to the statutory auditor compensation ceiling unless there is evidence that the statutory auditors have been remiss in effectively overseeing management or ensuring that decisions made are in the best interest of shareholders.
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Dimensional will generally support the granting of annual bonuses to portfolio company directors and statutory auditors unless there is evidence the board or the statutory auditors have been remiss in effectively overseeing management or ensuring that decisions made are in the best interest of shareholders.
Dimensional generally supports the granting of retirement benefits to portfolio company insiders, so long as the individual payments, and aggregate amount of such payments, is disclosed.
Dimensional will generally vote against the granting of retirement bonuses if there is evidence the portfolio company board or statutory auditors have been remiss in effectively overseeing management or ensuring that decisions made are in the best interest of shareholders.
Equity Based Compensation
Dimensional supports the adoption of equity plans that align the interests of the portfolio company board, management, and company employees with those of shareholders.
Dimensional will typically support stock option plans to portfolio company executives and employees if total dilution from the proposed plans and previous plans does not exceed 5 percent for mature companies or 10 percent for growth companies.
Dimensional will generally vote against stock plans if upper limit of options that can be issued per year is not disclosed.
For deep-discounted stock option plans, Dimensional typically expects portfolio companies to disclose specific performance hurdles.
Capital Allocation
Dimensional will typically support well-justified dividend payouts that do not negatively impact the portfolio company’s overall financial health.
Share Repurchase
Dimensional is typically supportive of portfolio company boards having discretion over share repurchases absent concerns with the company’s balance sheet management, capital efficiency, buyback and dividend payout history, board composition, or shareholding structure.
Dimensional will typically support proposed repurchases that do not have a negative impact on shareholder value.
For repurchases of more than 10 percent of issue share capital, Dimensional expects the company to provide a robust explanation for the request.
Cross-Shareholding
Dimensional generally believes that portfolio companies should not allocate significant portions of their net assets to investments in companies for non-investment purposes. For example, in order to strengthen relationships with customers, suppliers, or borrowers. Such cross-shareholding, whether unilateral or reciprocal, can compromise director independence, entrench management, and reduce director accountability to uninterested shareholders. Dimensional may vote against certain directors at companies with excessive cross-shareholdings.
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Shareholder Rights Plans (Poison Pills)
Dimensional believes the market for corporate control, which can result in acquisitions that are accretive to shareholders, should be able to function without undue restrictions. Takeover defenses such as poison pills can lead to entrenchment and reduced accountability at the board level.
Indemnification and Limitations on Liability
Dimensional generally supports limitations on liability for directors and statutory auditors in ordinary circumstances.
Limit Legal Liability of External Auditors
Dimensional generally opposes limitations on the liability of external auditors.
Increase in Authorized Capital
Dimensional will typically support requests for increases of less than 100 percent of currently authorized capital, so long as the increase does not leave the portfolio company with less than 30 percent of the proposed authorized capital outstanding.
For increases that exceed these guidelines, Dimensional expects portfolio companies to provide a robust explanation for the increase.
Dimensional will generally not support requests for increases that will be used as an anti-takeover device.
Expansion of Business Activities
For well performing portfolio companies seeking to expand their business into enterprises related to their core business, Dimensional will typically support management requests to amend the company’s articles to expand the company’s business activities.
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DIMENSIONAL ETF TRUST
6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin,
Texas 78746
Telephone: (512) 306-7400
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
February 28, 2023
Dimensional ETF Trust (the “Trust”) is an open-end management investment company that offers thirty series of shares. This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) relates to the following portfolios (each, a “Portfolio” and collectively, the “Portfolios”):
Portfolio: | Exchange: | Ticker: |
Dimensional U.S. Equity ETF | NYSE Arca, Inc. | DFUS |
Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF | NYSE Arca, Inc. | DFAS |
Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF | NYSE Arca, Inc. | DFAT |
Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF | NYSE Arca, Inc. | DFAC |
Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF | NYSE Arca, Inc. | DFUV |
Dimensional International Value ETF | NYSE Arca, Inc. | DFIV |
Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF | NYSE Arca, Inc. | DFAX |
This SAI is not a Prospectus but should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus of the Portfolios, dated February 28, 2023, as amended from time to time. The Portfolios were organized for the purpose of acquiring the assets and liabilities of a corresponding predecessor fund (as defined below). The audited financial statements and financial highlights of the Portfolios are incorporated by reference from the Portfolios’ annual reports to shareholders. A free copy of the Prospectus or annual report for a Portfolio can be obtained by contacting your investment representative, writing to the Trust at the above address or by calling the above telephone number.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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GENERAL INFORMATION
The Trust is a Delaware statutory trust organized on June 16, 2020. The Trust is an open-end management investment company, registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Each Portfolio offers, issues and redeems shares (“Shares”) at net asset value (“NAV”) only in large aggregations of Shares (each a “Creation Unit”). Creation Units typically are a specified number of Shares. Generally, a Creation Unit will consist of the following number of Shares or multiples thereof:
Portfolio | Creation Unit |
Dimensional U.S. Equity ETF | 40,000 shares |
Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF | 30,000 shares |
Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF | 50,000 shares |
Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF | 100,000 shares |
Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF | 50,000 shares |
Dimensional International Value ETF | 50,000 shares |
Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF | 200,000 shares |
In the event of liquidation of a Portfolio, the Trust may lower the number of Shares in a Creation Unit. In its discretion, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (the “Advisor” or “Dimensional”) reserves the right to increase or decrease the number of a Portfolio’s Shares that constitute a Creation Unit. The Board of Trustees reserves the right to declare a split or a consolidation in the number of Shares outstanding of a Portfolio, and to make a corresponding change in the number of Shares constituting a Creation Unit. Each Portfolio may issue Creation Units of its Shares to Authorized Participants (as defined in the “Creation and Redemption of Creation Units” section of this SAI) in exchange for a designated basket of portfolio investments (including cash in lieu of any portion of such investments), together with the deposit of a specified cash payment and applicable fees as described below. Shares of the Portfolios are listed and trade on NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “Exchange” or “NYSE Arca”), a national securities exchange. Shares of the Portfolios are traded in the secondary market and elsewhere at market prices that may be at, above or below a Portfolio’s NAV. Shares are redeemable only in Creation Units by Authorized Participants in exchange for a designated basket of portfolio investments (including cash in lieu of any portion of such investments) together with a specified amount of cash and applicable fees as described below.
The Trust reserves the right to permit or require that creations and redemptions of Shares be effected entirely in cash, in-kind or a combination thereof. Fees imposed by a Portfolio in connection with creations and redemptions of Shares (“Transaction Fees”) and other costs associated with creations or redemptions that include cash may be higher than Transaction Fees and other costs associated with in-kind creations or redemptions. In all cases, conditions with respect to creations and redemptions of Shares and fees will be limited in accordance with the requirements of SEC rules and regulations applicable to management investment companies offering redeemable securities. See the “Creation and Redemption of Creation Units” section of this SAI for more information.
Each Portfolio is a separate series of the Trust, and each Share of a Portfolio represents an equal proportionate interest in the Portfolio. All consideration received by the Trust for a Portfolio’s Shares and all assets of a Portfolio belong solely to that Portfolio and would be subject to liabilities related thereto.
Each Portfolio assumed the assets and liabilities of its predecessor fund (the predecessor fund) in connection with a reorganization (each a “Reorganization,” and collectively, the “Reorganizations”) as shown below:
Portfolio | Predecessor Fund |
Dimensional U.S. Equity ETF | Tax-Managed U.S. Equity Portfolio |
Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF | Tax-Managed U.S. Small Cap Portfolio |
Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF | Tax-Managed U.S. Targeted Value Portfolio |
Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF | T.A. U.S. Core Equity 2 Portfolio |
Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF | Tax-Managed U.S. Marketwide Value Portfolio II |
Dimensional International Value ETF | Tax-Managed DFA International Value Portfolio |
Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF | T.A. World ex U.S. Core Equity Portfolio |
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The Reorganizations of the Dimensional U.S. Equity ETF, Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF, Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF, Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF and Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF (each a “Domestic Portfolio” and collectively, the “Domestic Portfolios”) were consummated after the close of business on June 11, 2021 (with respect to the Dimensional U.S. Equity ETF, Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF, Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF and Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF) and May 6, 2022 (with respect to the Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF). The Reorganizations of the Dimensional International Value ETF and Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF (each an “International Portfolio” and together, the “International Portfolios”) were consummated after the close of business on September 10, 2021. All historical financial information and other information contained in this SAI relating to a Portfolio for periods ending on or prior to the closing of its Reorganization is that of its predecessor fund.
EXCHANGE LISTING AND TRADING
There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of Shares of a Portfolio will continue to be met. The Exchange will consider the suspension of trading in, and will commence delisting proceedings of, the Shares of a Portfolio under any of the following circumstances: (i) if the Exchange becomes aware that the Portfolio is no longer eligible to operate in reliance on Rule 6c-11 under the 1940 Act; (ii) if the Portfolio no longer complies with the requirements set forth in the relevant listing standards of the Exchange; (iii) if following the initial 12-month period beginning upon the commencement of trading of the Portfolio, there are fewer than 50 beneficial holders of the Shares; or (iv) any other event shall occur or condition shall exist that, in the opinion of the Exchange, makes further dealings on the Exchange inadvisable. The Exchange will remove the Shares of a Portfolio from listing and trading upon termination of the Portfolio.
As is the case with other stocks traded on the Exchange, brokers’ commissions on transactions will be based on negotiated commission rates at customary levels. Negotiated commission rates only apply to investors who will buy and sell Shares of a Portfolio in secondary market transactions through brokers on the Exchange and does not apply to investors such as market makers, large investors and institutions who wish to deal in Creation Units directly with the Portfolio.
The Trust reserves the right to adjust the price levels of the Shares in the future to help maintain convenient trading ranges for investors. Any adjustments would be accomplished through stock splits or reverse stock splits, which would have no effect on the net assets of a Portfolio.
Continuous Offering
The method by which Creation Units are created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Units are issued and sold by a Portfolio on an ongoing basis, at any point a “distribution,” as such term is used in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 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 that could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus delivery requirement and liability provisions of the 1933 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 Portfolios’ distributor, breaks them down into constituent Shares and sells such Shares directly to customers or if it chooses to couple the creation 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 1933 Act must take into account all of 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, generally are required to deliver a prospectus. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(a)(3) of the 1933 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 a Portfolio are
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reminded that, pursuant to Rule 153 under the 1933 Act, a prospectus delivery obligation under Section 5(b)(2) of the 1933 Act owed to an exchange member in connection with a sale on the Exchange generally is satisfied by the fact that the prospectus is available at the Exchange upon request. The prospectus delivery mechanism provided in Rule 153 is available only with respect to transactions on an exchange.
The Advisor or its affiliates may purchase shares of a Portfolio through a broker-dealer to “seed” a Portfolio as it is launched, or may purchase shares of a Portfolio from other broker-dealers that have previously provided “seed” capital for a Portfolio when it was launched, or otherwise in secondary market transactions.
PORTFOLIO CHARACTERISTICS, POLICIES AND INVESTMENT PROCESS
Dimensional serves as investment advisor to each of the Portfolios. The Advisor is organized as a Delaware limited partnership and is controlled and operated by its general partner, Dimensional Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation.
The following information supplements the information set forth in the Prospectus. Unless otherwise indicated, the following information applies to each Portfolio. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this SAI have the meaning assigned to them in the Prospectus. Each of the Portfolios is diversified under the federal securities laws and regulations.
Because the structure of the Portfolios is based on the relative market capitalizations of eligible holdings, it is possible that the Portfolios might include at least 5% of the outstanding voting securities of one or more issuers. In such circumstances, a Portfolio and the issuer would be deemed affiliated persons and certain requirements under the federal securities laws and regulations regulating dealings between investment companies and their affiliates might become applicable.
Each of the Portfolios (except Dimensional International Value ETF) has adopted a non-fundamental policy as required by Rule 35d-1 under the 1940 Act that, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the value of the Portfolio’s net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, will be invested in a specific type of investment. If a Portfolio changes its 80% non-fundamental policy, the Portfolio will notify shareholders at least 60 days before the change, and will change the name of the Portfolio. For purposes of each 80% policy, the value of the derivatives in which each such Portfolio invests will be calculated in the same way that the values of derivatives are calculated when calculating a Portfolio’s NAV. Derivative instruments are valued at market price (not notional value) and may be fair valued, for purposes of calculating a Portfolio’s NAV. For more information on each such Portfolio’s specific 80% policy, see the “PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES” section in its Prospectus.
The Advisor has adopted a process that monitors environmental, social, and governance news and large share price movements of eligible portfolio companies to identify issuers whose future financial data may be negatively impacted to a significant degree by environmental, social, or governance factors. The Advisor may use third party tools to assist in filtering news focused on environmental, social and governance issues. Companies that are identified through this process are escalated to the members of the Advisor’s portfolio management team for further evaluation. After review, if the portfolio management team determines that an issuer’s future financial data is likely to be significantly impacted, the issuer may be underweighted, temporarily excluded from further investment, or divested from a Portfolio.
BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS
The following table reports brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolios for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2022, October 31, 2021 and October 31, 2020.
Fiscal Year Ended 2022 | Fiscal Year Ended 2021 | Fiscal Year Ended 2020 | ||||
Dimensional U.S. Equity ETF | $43,403 | $10,353 | $38,050 | |||
Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF | $161,436 | $185,723 | $347,538 | |||
Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF | $208,260 | $163,029 | $247,952 | |||
Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF | $200,522 | $47,188 | $179,293 | |||
Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF | $56,778 | $28,104 | $182,955 | |||
Dimensional International Value ETF | $246,304 | $267,988 | $439,995 | |||
Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF | $422,463 | $427,037 | $344,515 |
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The substantial increases or decreases in the amount of brokerage commissions paid by certain Portfolios from year to year indicated in the foregoing table resulted primarily from asset changes that required increases or decreases in the amount of securities that were bought and sold by the Portfolio.
Portfolio transactions will be placed with a view to receiving the best price and execution. The Advisor will seek to acquire and dispose of securities in a manner which would cause as little fluctuation in the market prices of securities being purchased or sold as possible in light of the size of the transactions being effected, and brokers will be selected with this goal in view. The Advisor monitors the performance of brokers which effect transactions for the Portfolios to determine the effect that the brokers’ trading has on the market prices of the securities in which the Portfolios invest. The Advisor also checks the rate of commission being paid by the Portfolios to their brokers to ascertain that the rates are competitive with those charged by other brokers for similar services. Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. and DFA Australia Limited also may perform these services for the Portfolios that they sub-advise.
Subject to the duty to seek to obtain best price and execution, transactions may be placed with brokers that have assisted in the sale of Portfolio shares. The Advisor, however, pursuant to policies and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, is prohibited from selecting brokers and dealers to effect a Portfolio’s portfolio securities transactions based (in whole or in part) on a broker’s or dealer’s promotion or sale of shares issued by a Portfolio or any other registered investment companies.
Companies eligible for purchase by the Portfolios may be thinly traded securities. The Advisor believes that it needs maximum flexibility to effect trades on a best execution basis. As deemed appropriate, the Advisor places buy and sell orders for the Portfolios with various brokerage firms that may act as principal or agent. The Advisor may also make use of direct market access and algorithmic, program or electronic trading methods. The Advisor may extensively use electronic trading systems as such systems can provide the ability to customize the orders placed and can assist in the Advisor’s execution strategies.
Transactions also may be placed with brokers who provide the Advisor or the sub-advisors with investment research, such as: reports concerning individual issuers; general economic or industry reports or research data compilations; compilations of securities prices, earnings, dividends, and similar data; computerized databases; quotation services; trade analytics; ancillary brokerage services; and services of economic or other consultants. The investment management agreements permit the Advisor knowingly to pay commissions on these transactions that are greater than another broker, dealer or exchange member might charge if the Advisor, in good faith, determines that the commissions paid are reasonable in relation to the research or brokerage services provided by the broker or dealer when viewed in terms of either a particular transaction or the Advisor’s overall responsibilities to the accounts under its management. Research services furnished by brokers through whom securities transactions are effected may be used by the Advisor in servicing all of its accounts and not all such services may be used by the Advisor with respect to the Portfolios.
During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the Portfolios and the Advisor did not through an agreement or understanding with a broker, or otherwise through an internal allocation procedure, direct any Portfolio’s brokerage transactions to a broker because of research services provided.
The Portfolios may purchase securities of their regular brokers or dealers (as defined in Rule 10b-1 of the 1940 Act). The table below lists the regular brokers or dealers of each Portfolio whose securities (or securities of the broker’s or dealer’s parent company) were acquired by the Portfolio during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, as well as the value of such securities held by the Portfolio as of October 31, 2022.
Portfolio | Broker or Dealer | Value of Securities | ||
Dimensional U.S. Equity ETF | Goldman Sachs | $17,142,473 | ||
Dimensional U.S. Equity ETF | Citigroup | $12,517,258 | ||
Dimensional U.S. Equity ETF | Jefferies | $821,332 | ||
Dimensional U.S. Equity ETF | Virtu Financial, Inc. | $155,384 | ||
Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF | Jefferies | $5,763,056 | ||
Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF | Virtu Financial, Inc. | $1,922,017 |
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Portfolio | Broker or Dealer | Value of Securities | ||
Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF | Jefferies | $18,423,045 | ||
Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF | Goldman Sachs | $30,602,479 | ||
Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF | Citigroup | $22,528,771 | ||
Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF | Jefferies | $5,881,116 | ||
Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF | Virtu Financial, Inc. | $1,567,965 | ||
Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF | Goldman Sachs | $70,332,406 | ||
Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF | Citigroup | $66,794,402 | ||
Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF | Jefferies | $395,130 | ||
Dimensional International Value ETF | Societe Generale | $18,479,675 | ||
Dimensional International Value ETF | Instinet | $5,793,680 | ||
Dimensional International Value ETF | Credit Suisse | $3,352,921 | ||
Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF | Royal Bank of Canada | $24,070,128 | ||
Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF | Societe Generale | $3,051,632 | ||
Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF | Instinet | $2,841,778 | ||
Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF | Credit Suisse | $1,085,645 |
To the extent creation or redemption transactions are conducted on a cash or “cash in lieu” basis, a Portfolio may contemporaneously transact with broker-dealers for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities in connection with such transactions. Such orders may be placed with an Authorized Participant in its capacity as broker-dealer, a broker-dealer that is affiliated with the Authorized Participant, or a third-party broker-dealer.
Specifically, following a Portfolio’s receipt of a creation or redemption order, to the extent such purchases or redemptions consist of a cash portion, the Portfolio may enter an order with the Authorized Participant, its affiliated broker-dealer or a third-party broker-dealer to purchase or sell the portfolio securities, as applicable. The executing broker-dealer will be required to guarantee that the Portfolio will achieve execution of its order at a price at least as favorable to the Portfolio as the Portfolio’s valuation of the portfolio securities used for purposes of calculating the NAV applied to the creation or redemption transaction giving rise to the order (the “Price Guarantee”). Whether the execution of the order is at a price at least as favorable to the Portfolio will depend on the results achieved by the executing firm and will vary depending on market activity, timing and a variety of other factors.
An Authorized Participant is required to deposit an amount with a Portfolio in order to ensure that the execution of the order on the terms noted above will be honored on orders arising from creation transactions executed by an Authorized Participant or its affiliate as broker-dealer. If the broker-dealer executing the order achieves executions in market transactions at a price equal to or more favorable than a Portfolio’s valuation of the portfolio securities, the Portfolio receives the benefit of the favorable executions and the deposit is returned to the Authorized Participant. If, however, the broker-dealer executing the order is unable to achieve a price at least equal to a Portfolio’s valuation of the securities, the Portfolio retains the portion of the deposit equal to the full amount of the execution shortfall (including any taxes, brokerage commissions or other costs) and may require the Authorized Participant to deposit any additional amount required to cover the full amount of the actual execution transaction.
An Authorized Participant agrees to pay the shortfall amount in order to ensure that a guarantee on execution will be honored for brokerage orders arising from redemption transactions executed by an Authorized Participant or its affiliate as broker-dealer. If the broker-dealer executing the order achieves executions in market transactions at a price equal to or more favorable than a Portfolio’s valuation of the portfolio securities, the Portfolio receives the benefit of the favorable executions. If, however, the broker-dealer is unable to achieve executions in market transactions at a price at least equal to the Portfolio’s
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valuation of the securities, the Portfolio will be entitled to the portion of the offset equal to the full amount of the execution shortfall (including any taxes, brokerage commissions or other costs).
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
Each of the Portfolios has adopted certain limitations which may not be changed with respect to any Portfolio without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio. A “majority” is defined as the lesser of: (1) at least 67% of the voting securities of the Portfolio (to be affected by the proposed change) present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio are present or represented by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of such Portfolio.
The Portfolios will not:
(1) | borrow money, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, or any rules, exemptions or interpretations thereunder that may be adopted, granted or issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”); |
(2) | make loans, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, or any rules, exemptions or interpretations thereunder that may be adopted, granted or issued by the SEC; provided that in no event shall a Portfolio be permitted to make a loan to a natural person; |
(3) | purchase or sell real estate, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments, and provided that this restriction does not prevent a Portfolio from: (i) purchasing or selling securities or instruments secured by real estate or interests therein, securities or instruments representing interests in real estate or securities or instruments of issuers that invest, deal or otherwise engage in transactions in real estate or interests therein; and (ii) purchasing or selling real estate mortgage loans; |
(4) | purchase or sell physical commodities, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments, and provided that this limitation does not prevent a Portfolio from (i) purchasing or selling securities of companies that purchase or sell commodities or that invest in commodities; (ii) engaging in any transaction involving currencies, options, forwards, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, swaps, hybrid instruments or other derivatives; or (iii) investing in securities, or transacting in other instruments, that are linked to or secured by physical or other commodities; |
(5) | purchase the securities of any one issuer, if immediately after such investment, a Portfolio would not qualify as a “diversified company” as that term is defined by the 1940 Act, as amended, and as modified or interpreted by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time; |
(6) | engage in the business of underwriting securities issued by others; or |
(7) | issue senior securities (as such term is defined in Section 18(f) of the 1940 Act), except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. |
The Portfolios, except the Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF and Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF, will not:
(8) | acquire any securities of companies within one industry if, as a result of such acquisition, more than 25% of the value of the Portfolio’s total assets would be invested in securities of companies within such industry. |
The Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF and Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF will not:
(9) | concentrate (invest more than 25% of its net assets) in securities of issuers in a particular industry (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or securities of other investment companies). |
The Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF will not:
(10) | sell securities short. |
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With respect to the investment limitation described in (1) above, each Portfolio will maintain asset coverage of at least 300% (as described in the 1940 Act), inclusive of any amounts borrowed, with respect to any borrowings made by such Portfolio. Under the 1940 Act, an open-end investment company may borrow up to 33⅓% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) from banks, and may borrow up to an additional 5% of its total assets, for temporary purposes, from any other person. The Portfolios do not currently intend to borrow money for investment purposes.
Although the investment limitation described in (2) above prohibits loans, the Portfolios are authorized to lend portfolio securities under the conditions and restrictions described in the Portfolios’ Prospectus. Investment limitation (2) above also does not, among other things, prevent a Portfolio from engaging in repurchase agreements, acquiring debt or loan instruments in the future or participating in an interfund lending order granted by the SEC.
With respect to the investment limitation described in (7) above, the Portfolios will not issue senior securities, except that each Portfolio may borrow money as described above. Each Portfolio may also borrow money for temporary purposes, but not in excess of 5% of such Portfolio’s total assets. Further, a transaction or agreement that otherwise might be deemed to create leverage, such as a forward or futures contract, option, swap or when-issued security, delayed delivery or forward commitment transaction, will not be considered a senior security to the extent such investments are purchased and held in compliance with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder.
In applying the investment limitations described in (8) and (9) above, each Portfolio will consider the investments of other investment companies in which the Portfolio invests, if applicable, to the extent it has sufficient information about the holdings of such investment companies.
Pursuant to Rule 22e-4 under the 1940 Act (the “Liquidity Rule”), a Portfolio may not acquire any “illiquid investment” if, immediately after the acquisition, the Portfolio would have invested more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments that are assets. Illiquid investments are investments that the Portfolio reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment, as determined pursuant to the Trust’s liquidity risk management program (the “Liquidity Program”). As required by the Liquidity Rule, the Trust has implemented the Liquidity Program, and the Board, including a majority of the disinterested Trustees, has appointed a liquidity risk management program administrator (the “Liquidity Program Administrator”) to administer such program. The Liquidity Program Administrator’s responsibilities include, among others, determining the liquidity classification of a Portfolio’s investments, if applicable, and monitoring compliance with the 15% limit on illiquid investments.
Pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, the Portfolios may purchase certain unregistered (i.e. restricted) securities upon a determination that a liquid institutional market exists for the securities. If it is determined that a liquid market does exist, the securities will not be subject to the 15% limitation on illiquid investments. Among other considerations, the Advisor may consider the number of dealers making a market in such securities when determining whether a liquid market exists. After purchase, the Portfolios will continue to monitor the liquidity of Rule 144A securities.
The investment limitations described above do not prohibit the Portfolios from purchasing or selling futures contracts and options on futures contracts, to the extent otherwise permitted under the Portfolios’ investment strategies. Except with respect to a Portfolio’s limitation on borrowing, illiquid investments, or as otherwise indicated, with respect to the investment limitations described above, all limitations applicable to the Portfolios’ investments apply only at the time that a transaction is undertaken.
Notwithstanding any of the above investment limitations, the Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF may establish subsidiaries or other similar vehicles for the purpose of conducting its investment operations in Approved Markets, if such subsidiaries or vehicles are required by local laws or regulations governing foreign investors, or whose use is otherwise considered by the Portfolio to be advisable. The Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF would “look through” any such vehicle or subsidiary to determine compliance with its investment restrictions.
FUTURES CONTRACTS
Each Portfolio may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for equity securities and indices to increase or decrease market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio. The Portfolios, however, do not intend to sell futures contracts to establish short positions in individual securities.
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Futures contracts provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of defined securities at a specified future time and at a specified price. Futures contracts that are standardized as to maturity date and underlying financial instrument are traded on national futures exchanges. Each Portfolio will be required to make a margin deposit in cash or government securities with a futures commission merchant (an “FCM”) to initiate and maintain positions in futures contracts. Minimal initial margin requirements are established by the futures exchanges and FCMs may establish margin requirements which are higher than the exchange requirements. A Portfolio also will incur brokerage costs in connection with entering into futures contracts. After a futures contract position is opened, the value of the contract is marked-to-market daily. If the futures contract price changes to the extent that the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, payment of additional “variation” margin to be held by the FCM will be required. Conversely, a reduction in the required margin would result in excess margin that can be refunded to the custodial accounts of the Portfolio. Variation margin payments may be made to and from the futures broker for as long as the contract remains open. Each Portfolio expects to earn income on its margin deposits.
At any time prior to the expiration of a futures contract, a Portfolio may elect to close the position by taking an opposite position, which will operate to terminate its existing position in the contract. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into (or through a linked exchange). No secondary market for such contracts exists. Although a Portfolio may enter into futures contracts only if there is an active market for such contracts, there is no assurance that an active market will exist for any particular futures contract at any specific time. Most futures exchanges limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day. Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular contract, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond that limit or trading may be suspended for specified periods during the day. It is possible that futures contract prices could move to the daily limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of futures positions at an advantageous price and subjecting a Portfolio to substantial losses. In such event, and in the event of adverse price movements, the Portfolio would be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin. In such situations, if the Portfolio had insufficient cash, it might have to sell securities to meet daily variation margin requirements at a time when it would be disadvantageous to do so. In addition, if the transaction is entered into for hedging purposes, in such circumstances a Portfolio may realize a loss on a futures contract or option that is not offset by an increase in the value of the hedged position. Losses incurred in futures transactions and the costs of these transactions will affect the performance of the Portfolio.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
The International Portfolios may each enter into foreign currency exchange transactions in order to attempt to protect against uncertainty in the level of future foreign currency exchange rates. An International Portfolio will conduct its foreign currency exchange transactions either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market, or by entering into forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies. A foreign currency forward contract involves an obligation to exchange two currencies at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days (usually less than one year) from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a fixed rate set at the time of the contract. These contracts are traded in the interbank market conducted directly between traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. A forward contract generally has no deposit requirement, and no commissions are charged at any stage for trades. Although foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee for conversion, they do realize a profit based on the difference (the spread) between the price at which they are buying and selling various currencies.
The International Portfolios may enter into a foreign currency exchange transaction in connection with the purchase or sale of foreign equity securities, typically to “lock in” the value of the transaction with respect to a different currency. In addition, an International Portfolio may, from time to time, enter into a forward contract to transfer balances from one currency to another currency.
At the maturity of a forward currency contract, an International Portfolio may either exchange the currencies specified at the maturity of a forward contract or, prior to maturity, the Portfolio may enter into a closing transaction involving the purchase or sale of an offsetting contract. Closing transactions with respect to forward contracts may be effected with a counterparty other than the counterparty to the original forward contract.
Forward currency contracts are highly volatile, and a relatively small price movement in a forward currency contract may result in substantial losses to an International Portfolio. To the extent an International Portfolio engages in forward
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currency contracts to generate current income, the Portfolio will be subject to these risks which the Portfolio might otherwise avoid (e.g., through use of hedging transactions).
The use of foreign currency exchange transactions may not benefit an International Portfolio if exchange rates move in an unexpected manner. In addition, these techniques could result in a loss if the counterparty to a transaction does not perform as promised, including because of the counterparty’s bankruptcy or insolvency. These transactions also involve settlement risk, which is the risk faced when one party to a transaction has performed its obligations under a contract but has not yet received value from its counterparty.
SWAPS
The Portfolios also may enter into equity swaps, including total return swaps and dynamic portfolio total return swaps (“DTRS”). In a standard swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns, differentials in rates of return or some other amount earned or realized on a predetermined asset (or group of assets) which may be adjusted for transaction costs, interest payments, dividends paid on the reference asset or other factors. The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties are generally calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” for example, the increase or decrease in value of a particular dollar amount invested in the asset. The Portfolios may use equity swaps to invest in a market without owning or taking physical custody of securities, including in circumstances where direct investment may be restricted or is otherwise deemed impractical or disadvantageous.
Equity total return swaps can create long or short economic exposure to an underlying equity security, or to a basket of securities. Equity swap contracts may be structured in different ways. For example, under an equity total return swap contract, one party may agree to make payments to another based on the total economic performance of a notional amount of the underlying security or securities (including dividends and changes in market value) during a specified period, in return for periodic payments based on the application of a fixed or variable interest rate to the same notional amount. The purchaser of a long total return swap is paid the amount of any increase in value and pays the amount of any decrease in value, while the purchaser of a short total return swap is paid the amount of any decrease and pays the amount of any increase.
The Portfolios may enter into swaps, including DTRS, in order to access a specific equity market without purchasing or selling the underlying securities represented in the DTRS. DTRS are designed to replicate the performance of an underlying reference asset such as a portfolio of equities or ETFs. For example, the issuer of the DTRS agreement may agree to pay a Portfolio an amount equal to the performance of the underlying equities in a given period netted against a floating rate plus a spread or a fixed rate in the same period paid to the issuer by the Portfolio. The reference rate for the floating rate is typically based on an official interbank benchmark rate. The cash flows in a DTRS may be exchanged at maturity or periodically at each reset (e.g., monthly or quarterly). No notional amounts are exchanged at the start or at the maturity of the DTRS. In addition, pursuant to the terms of a DTRS, the underlying equities can be traded in the course of the day thereby changing the composition of the underlying equity portfolio, which provides a Portfolio with the ability to vary the market exposure obtained through investment in the DTRS. DTRS are subject to transaction costs, financing costs and other fees which will be borne by the Portfolio in connection with its investments in these instruments.
The swaps in which the Portfolios invest involve greater risks than if the Portfolio had invested in the reference assets directly, since, in addition to general market risks, these instruments are subject to counterparty risk, valuation risk, illiquidity risk and interest rate risk, among other risks. Adverse changes in market values, interest rates and currency exchange rates, or in the creditworthiness of swap counterparties and the issuers of the underlying assets may negatively affect the investment performance of a Portfolio and the investment performance of the Portfolio may be less favorable than it would have been if these investment techniques were not used. Swaps carry counterparty risks that cannot be fully anticipated. A Portfolio’s ability to realize a profit from swaps transactions will depend on the ability of the financial institutions with which it enters into the transactions to meet their obligations to the Portfolio. If a counterparty’s creditworthiness declines, the value of the agreement would be likely to decline, potentially resulting in losses to a Portfolio. If a default occurs by the other party to such transaction, the Portfolio will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction, which may be limited by applicable law in the case of a counterparty’s insolvency. In addition, the Portfolios may experience difficulty in valuing the swap or in determining the amounts owed to or by the counterparty, regardless of whether the counterparty has defaulted. Some swap agreements entail complex terms and may require a greater degree of subjectivity in their valuation. Under certain circumstances, suitable transactions may not be available to a Portfolio, or the Portfolio may be unable to close out its position under such transactions at the same time, or at the same price, as if it had purchased comparable publicly traded securities. Moreover, participants in the swap markets are
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not required to make continuous markets in the swap contracts they trade. Participants could refuse to quote prices for swap contracts or quote prices with an unusually wide spread between the price at which they are prepared to buy and the price at which they are prepared to sell. The Advisor, under the supervision of the Board of Trustees, is responsible for determining and monitoring the liquidity of the Portfolios’ swaps transactions in accordance with the Trust’s Liquidity Program.
As described above, some types of swap agreements, including DTRS, are negotiated bilaterally with a swap dealer and traded OTC between the two parties (“uncleared swaps”), while other swaps are transacted through an FCM and cleared through a clearinghouse that serves as a central counterparty (“cleared swaps”), and may be traded on swap execution facilities (“exchanges”). Parties to uncleared swaps face greater counterparty credit risk than those engaging in cleared swaps since performance of uncleared swap obligations is the responsibility only of the swap counterparty rather than a clearing house, as is the case with cleared swaps. As a result, the Portfolio bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default, insolvency or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty beyond any collateral received. In such an event, as noted above, a Portfolio will have contractual remedies pursuant to the swap agreements, but bankruptcy and insolvency laws could affect the Portfolio’s rights as a creditor.
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) and implementing rules adopted by the CFTC currently require the clearing and exchange-trading of the most common types of credit default index swaps and interest rate swaps, and it is expected that additional categories of swaps will in the future be designated as subject to mandatory clearing and trade execution requirements. Central clearing is intended to reduce counterparty credit risk and increase liquidity, but central clearing does not eliminate these risks completely. There is also a risk of loss by a Portfolio of the initial and variation margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of the FCM with which the Portfolio has an open position, or the central counterparty in a swap contract. The assets of the Portfolio may not be fully protected in the event of the bankruptcy of the FCM or central counterparty because the Portfolio might be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of all available funds and margin segregated on behalf of an FCM’s customers. If an FCM does not provide accurate reporting, the Portfolio is also subject to the risk that the FCM could use the Portfolio’s assets, which are held in an omnibus account with assets belonging to the FCM’s other customers, to satisfy its own financial obligations or the payment obligations of another customer to the central counterparty. Credit risk of cleared swap participants is concentrated in a few clearinghouses, and the consequences of insolvency of a clearinghouse are not clear.
The Advisor and the Trust do not consider a Portfolio’s obligations under swap contracts senior securities and, accordingly, the Portfolios will not treat them as being subject to the Portfolios’ borrowing or senior securities restrictions to the extent such investments are purchased and held in compliance with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder. To the extent that a Portfolio cannot dispose of a swap in the ordinary course of business within seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment, the Portfolio will treat the swap as illiquid and subject to its overall limit on illiquid investments of 15% of the Portfolio’s net assets.
The Dodd-Frank Act and related regulatory developments imposed comprehensive regulatory requirements on swaps and swap market participants. The regulatory framework includes: (1) registration and regulation of swap dealers and major swap participants; (2) requiring central clearing and execution of standardized swaps; (3) imposing margin requirements on swap transactions; (4) regulating and monitoring swap transactions through position limits and large trader reporting requirements; and (5) imposing record keeping and centralized and public reporting requirements, on an anonymous basis, for most swaps. The CFTC is responsible for the regulation of most swaps. The SEC has jurisdiction over a small segment of the market referred to as “security-based swaps,” which includes swaps on single securities or credits, or narrow-based indices of securities or credits.
The regulation of cleared and uncleared swaps, as well as other derivatives, is a rapidly changing area of law and is subject to modification by government and judicial action. In addition, the SEC, CFTC and the exchanges are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of a market emergency, including, for example, the implementation or reduction of speculative position limits, the implementation of higher margin requirements, the establishment of daily price limits and the suspension of trading. It is not possible to predict fully the effects of current or future regulation. The requirements, even if not directly applicable to the Portfolios, may increase the cost of the Portfolios’ investments and cost of doing business. It is possible that developments in the swaps market, including potential government regulation, could adversely affect a Portfolio’s ability to terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements.
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PARTICIPATORY NOTES
The Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF may invest in equity access products and instruments that have economic characteristics similar to equity securities, such as participation notes (also known as participatory notes) or other structured instruments that may be developed from time to time (collectively, “structured instruments”).
Structured instruments are notes that are issued by banks, broker-dealers or their affiliates and are designed to offer a return linked to a particular underlying equity security, basket of securities, or market. The local branch or broker-dealer will usually place the local market equity securities in a special purpose vehicle, which will issue instruments that reflect the performance of the underlying equity securities. The performance of the special purpose vehicle generally carries the unsecured guarantee of the sponsoring bank or broker-dealer. This guarantee does not extend to the performance or value of the underlying local market equity securities. For purposes of the Portfolio’s fundamental industry concentration policy, the Portfolio applies the restriction by reference to the industry of the issuer of the underlying equity securities and not the industry of the issuer of a structured instrument.
If the structured instrument were held to maturity, the issuer would pay to the purchaser the underlying instrument’s value at maturity with any necessary adjustments. The holder of a structured instrument that is linked to a particular underlying equity security, basket of securities, or market may be entitled to receive dividends paid in connection with that underlying security or instrument, but typically does not receive voting rights as it would if it directly owned the underlying security or instrument. Structured instruments have transaction costs. In addition, there can be no assurance that there will be a trading market for a structured instrument or that the trading price of a structured instrument will equal the underlying value of the security, instrument or market that it seeks to replicate.
Unlike a direct investment in equity securities, structured instruments typically involve a term or expiration date, potentially increasing the Portfolio’s turnover rate, transaction costs and tax liability. Due to transfer restrictions, the secondary markets on which a structured instrument is traded may be less liquid than the market for other securities, or may be completely illiquid, which may expose the Portfolio to risks of mispricing or improper valuation. Structured instruments typically constitute general unsecured contractual obligations of the banks, broker-dealers or their relevant affiliates that issue them, which subjects the Portfolio to counterparty risk (and this risk may be amplified if the Portfolio purchases structured instruments from only a small number of issuers). Structured instruments also have the same risks associated with a direct investment in the underlying securities, instruments or markets that they seek to replicate.
EXCLUSION FROM COMMODITY POOL OPERATOR STATUS
The Advisor has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”) with respect to the Portfolios described in this SAI, and, therefore, is not subject to registration or regulation as a pool operator under the CEA with respect to such Portfolios. The CFTC has neither reviewed nor approved the Advisor’s reliance on these exclusions, the investment strategies of the Portfolios, or this SAI.
The terms of the commodity pool operator (“CPO”) exclusion require that each Portfolio, among other things, adhere to certain limits on its investments in “commodity interests.” Commodity interests include commodity futures, commodity options and swaps, which in turn include non-deliverable foreign currency forward contracts. Generally, the exclusion from CPO regulation on which the Advisor relies requires each Portfolio to meet one of the following tests for its commodity interest positions, other than positions entered into for bona fide hedging purposes (as defined in the rules of the CFTC): either (1) the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish positions in commodity interests may not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of the portfolio of the Portfolio (after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions); or (2) the aggregate net notional value of the Portfolio’s commodity interest positions, determined at the time the most recent such position was established, may not exceed 100% of the liquidation value of the Portfolio’s portfolio (after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions). In addition to meeting one of these trading limitations, each Portfolio may not be marketed as a commodity pool or otherwise as a vehicle for trading in the commodity futures, commodity options or swaps markets. If, in the future, a Portfolio can no longer satisfy these requirements, the Advisor would withdraw its notice claiming an exclusion from the definition of a CPO, and the Advisor would be subject to registration and regulation as a CPO with respect to the Portfolio, in accordance with CFTC rules that apply to CPOs of registered investment companies. Generally, these rules allow for substituted compliance with CFTC disclosure and shareholder reporting requirements, based on the Advisor’s compliance with comparable SEC
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requirements. However, as a result of CFTC regulation with respect to a Portfolio, the Portfolio may incur additional compliance and other expenses.
FOREIGN ISSUERS
The International Portfolios may acquire and sell securities issued in foreign countries. There are substantial risks associated with investing in the securities issued by governments and companies located in, or having substantial operations in, foreign countries, which are in addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments. In many foreign countries there is less government supervision and regulation of stock exchanges, brokers, and listed companies than in the U.S., which may result in greater potential for fraud or market manipulation. There is also the risk of substantially more government involvement in the economy in foreign countries, as well as, the possible arbitrary and unpredictable enforcement of securities regulations and other laws, which may limit the ability of an International Portfolio to invest in foreign issuers.
Significantly, there is the possibility of cessation of trading on foreign exchanges, expropriation, nationalization of assets, confiscatory or punitive taxation, withholding and other foreign taxes on income or other amounts, foreign exchange controls (which may include suspension of the ability to transfer currency from a given country), restrictions on removal of assets, political or social instability, military action or unrest, or diplomatic developments. There is no assurance that the Advisor will be able to anticipate these potential events. In addition, the value of securities denominated in foreign currencies and of dividends and interest paid with respect to such securities will fluctuate based on the relative strength of the U.S. dollar. Foreign issuers may not be subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and there may be less publicly available financial and other information about such issuers, comparable to U.S. issuers. Certain countries’ legal institutions, financial markets, and services are less developed than those in the U.S. or other major economies. An International Portfolio may have greater difficulty voting proxies, exercising shareholder rights, securing dividends and obtaining information regarding corporate actions on a timely basis, pursuing legal remedies, and obtaining judgments with respect to foreign investments in foreign courts than with respect to domestic issuers in U.S. courts. The costs associated with foreign investments, including withholding taxes, brokerage commissions, and custodial costs, are generally higher than with U.S. investments. To the extent that an International Portfolio invests a significant portion of its assets in a specific geographic region or country, the Portfolio will have more exposure to economic risks related to such region or country than a fund whose investments are more geographically diversified. In addition, economies of some emerging market countries may be based on only a few industries and may be highly vulnerable to changes in local or global trade conditions. Foreign markets also have substantially less volume than the U.S. markets and securities of some foreign issuers are less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. issuers. An International Portfolio, therefore, may encounter difficulty in obtaining market quotations for purposes of valuing its portfolio and calculating its NAV.
It is also possible that the U.S., other nations or other governmental entities (including supranational entities) could impose sanctions against issuers in various sectors of certain foreign countries. This could limit an International Portfolio’s investment opportunities in such countries, impairing the Portfolio’s ability to invest in accordance with its investment strategy and/or to meet its investment objective. In addition, an imposition of sanctions upon such issuers could result in an immediate freeze of the issuers’ securities, impairing the ability of an International Portfolio to buy, sell, receive or deliver those securities. Further, current sanctions or the threat of potential sanctions may also impair the value or liquidity of affected securities and negatively impact an International Portfolio.
Emerging markets
Securities of issuers associated with emerging market countries, including, but not limited to, issuers that are organized under the laws of, maintain a principal place of business in, derive significant revenues from, or issue securities backed by the government (or, its agencies or instrumentalities) of emerging market countries may be subject to higher and additional risks than securities of issuers in developed foreign markets. These risks include, but are not limited to (i) social, political and economic instability; (ii) government intervention, including policies or regulations that may restrict an International Portfolio’s investment opportunities, including restrictions on investment in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to an emerging market country’s national interests; (iii) less transparent and established taxation policies; (iv) less developed legal systems which may limit the rights and remedies available to a Portfolio against an issuer and with respect to the enforcement of private property rights and/or redress for injuries to private property; (v) the lack of a capital market structure or market-oriented economy which could limit reliable access to capital; (vi) higher degree of corruption and fraud and potential for market manipulation; (vii) counterparties and financial institutions with less financial sophistication, creditworthiness and/or resources as those in developed foreign markets; (viii) the possibility that the process of easing restrictions on foreign investment occurring in some emerging market countries may be slowed or reversed by unanticipated
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economic, political or social events in such countries, or the countries that exercise a significant influence over those countries; and (ix) differences in regulatory, accounting, auditing, and financial reporting and recordkeeping standards that could impede the Advisor’s ability to evaluate issuers.
In addition, many emerging market countries have experienced substantial, and during some periods, extremely high rates of inflation, for many years. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had, and may continue to have, negative effects on the economies and securities markets of these countries. Moreover, the economies of some emerging market countries may differ unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, currency depreciation, debt burden, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position.
An International Portfolio may have limited access to, or there may be a limited number of, potential counterparties that trade in the securities of emerging market issuers. Potential counterparties may not possess, adopt or implement creditworthiness standards, financial reporting standards or legal and contractual protections similar to those in developed foreign markets. Currency and other hedging techniques may not be available or may be limited. The local taxation of income and capital gains accruing to nonresidents varies among emerging market countries and may be comparatively high. Emerging market countries typically have less well-defined tax laws and procedures and such laws may permit retroactive taxation so that an International Portfolio could in the future become subject to local tax liabilities that had not been anticipated in conducting its investment activities or valuing its assets. Custodial services and other investment-related costs in emerging market countries are often more expensive, compared to developed foreign markets and the U.S., which can reduce an International Portfolio’s income from investments in securities or debt instruments of emerging market country issuers.
Some emerging market currencies may not be internationally traded or may be subject to strict controls on foreign investment by local governments, resulting in undervalued or overvalued currencies and associated difficulties with the valuation of assets, including an International Portfolio’s securities, denominated in that currency. Some emerging market governments restrict currency conversions and/or set limits on repatriation of invested capital. Future restrictive exchange controls could prevent or restrict a company’s ability to make dividend or interest payments in the original currency of the obligation (usually U.S. dollars). In addition, even though the currencies of some emerging market countries may be convertible into U.S. dollars, the conversion rates may be different than the actual market values and may be adverse to an International Portfolio’s shareholders.
Investments in Chinese companies may be made through a special structure known as a variable interest entity (“VIE”). In a VIE structure, foreign investors, such as an International Portfolio, will only own stock in a shell company rather than directly in the Chinese company, known as the VIE. The VIE must be owned by Chinese nationals (and/or Chinese companies), which are typically the VIE’s founders, to obtain the licenses and/or assets required to operate in certain restricted and/or prohibited sectors in China. The value of the shell company is therefore derived from its ability to consolidate the VIE into its financials pursuant to contractual arrangements that allow the shell company to exert a degree of control over, and obtain economic benefits arising from, the VIE without formal legal ownership. The shell company is typically set up in an offshore jurisdiction, such as the Cayman Islands, and enters into the service and other contracts with the VIE through a wholly foreign-owned enterprise based in China. The VIE structure is designed to provide foreign investors with exposure to Chinese companies that operate in certain sectors in which China restricts and/or prohibits foreign investments, such as internet, media, education and telecommunications.
While VIEs are a longstanding industry practice that is well known to Chinese officials and regulators, historically they have not been formally recognized under Chinese law and regulations regarding the structure are evolving. For example, in late December 2021, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) released draft rules that would permit the use of VIE structures, provided they abide by Chinese laws and register with the CSRC. The new draft rules, however, may cause Chinese companies to undergo greater scrutiny and may make the process to create and/or operate VIEs more difficult and costly.
It is uncertain whether Chinese officials or regulators will withdraw their acceptance of the VIE structure, generally, or with respect to certain industries, or limit VIEs’ ability to pass through economic and governance rights to foreign individuals and entities. The contractual arrangements with the VIE also may not be as effective in providing operational control as direct equity ownership. The Chinese equity owner(s) of a VIE could decide to breach the contractual arrangements and may have conflicting interests and fiduciary duties as compared to foreign investors in the shell company. Further, any breach or dispute under these contracts will likely fall under Chinese jurisdiction and law. Prohibitions of these structures by the Chinese government, or the inability to enforce such contracts through Chinese courts and/or arbitration
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bodies, would likely cause the VIE-structured holding(s) to suffer significant, detrimental, and possibly permanent losses, and in turn, adversely affect an International Portfolio’s returns and net asset value.
In addition, foreign companies with securities listed on U.S. securities exchanges, including those that utilize VIE structures, may be delisted if they do not meet the requirements of the listing exchange, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board or the U.S. government, which could significantly decrease the liquidity and value of such investments.
GENERAL MARKET AND GEOPOLITICAL RISKS
The value of a Portfolio’s securities changes daily due to economic and other events that affect market prices generally, as well as those that affect particular regions, countries, industries, or issuers. Economies and financial markets throughout the world have become increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one region or country will adversely affect markets or issuers in other regions or countries. Portfolio securities may be negatively impacted by inflation (or expectations for inflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products/services or resources, natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics, terrorism, war, military confrontations, regulatory events and governmental or quasi-governmental actions, among others. Natural and environmental disasters, including weather-related phenomena, also can adversely affect individual issuers, sectors, industries, markets, currencies, countries, or regions. The occurrence of global events similar to those in recent years (e.g., natural disasters, virus epidemics, social and political discord, and terrorist attacks around the world) may result in market volatility and have long term effects on both the U.S. and global economies and financial markets. The risks associated with such events may be greater in developing or emerging market countries, many of which have less developed political, financial, healthcare, and/or emergency management systems. Negative global events also can disrupt the operations and processes of any of the service providers for a Portfolio. Similarly, negative global events, in some cases, could constitute a force majeure event under contracts with service providers or contracts entered into with counterparties for certain transactions.
POLITICAL, UNITED KINGDOM AND EUROPEAN MARKET RELATED RISKS
Portfolios that have significant exposure to certain countries can be expected to be impacted by the political and economic conditions within such countries. There is continuing uncertainty regarding the ramifications of the United Kingdom’s (UK) vote to exit the European Union (EU) in June 2016 (Brexit). On January 31, 2020, the UK officially withdrew from the EU and on May 1, 2021, the UK and EU formally entered into the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (Agreement). While the Agreement is viewed as a positive step towards finalizing the framework of the future relationship between the EU and UK, many aspects of the relationship are still under negotiation and it is unclear when these negotiations will be complete. For example, the Agreement is limited with respect to its treatment of the trade of services. As the outcomes of these negotiations remain unclear, the effects on the UK, EU and the broader global economy cannot be determined at this time. Brexit may cause greater market volatility and illiquidity, currency fluctuations, deterioration in economic activity, a decrease in business confidence, and increased likelihood of a recession in the UK. While it is not possible to determine the precise impact these events may have on a Portfolio, during this period and beyond, the impact on the UK, EU countries, other countries or parties that transact with the UK and EU, and the broader global economy could be significant and could adversely affect the value and liquidity of a Portfolio’s investments. In addition, if one or more other countries were to exit the EU or abandon the use of the euro as a currency, the value of investments tied to those countries or the euro could decline significantly and unpredictably.
CASH MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
The Portfolios engage in cash management practices in order to earn income on uncommitted cash balances. Generally, cash is uncommitted pending investment in other securities, payment of redemptions or in other circumstances where the Advisor believes liquidity is necessary or desirable. For example, a Portfolio may make cash investments for temporary defensive purposes during periods in which market, economic, or political conditions warrant. In addition, each Portfolio may enter into arrangements with its custodian whereby it may earn a credit on its cash balances maintained in its non-interest bearing U.S. Dollar custody cash account to be applied against fund service fees payable to the custodian or the custodian’s subsidiaries for fund services provided.
Each Portfolio may invest cash in short-term repurchase agreements. In addition, each Portfolio may invest a portion of its assets in fixed income securities, such as money market instruments, shares of affiliated and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market mutual funds, index futures contracts and options thereon, and with respect to the International
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Portfolios, freely convertible currencies. Investments in money market mutual funds may involve a duplication of certain fees and expenses.
INTERFUND BORROWING AND LENDING
The DFA Fund Complex (defined below) has received exemptive relief from the SEC which permits the registered investment companies to participate in an interfund lending program among portfolios and series managed by the Advisor (the “Portfolios/Series”) (portfolios that operate as feeder portfolios do not participate in the program). The interfund lending program allows the participating Portfolios/Series to borrow money from and loan money to each other for temporary or emergency purposes. The program is subject to a number of conditions designed to ensure fair and equitable treatment of the participating Portfolios/Series, including the following: (1) no Portfolio/Series may borrow money through the program unless it receives a more favorable interest rate than a rate approximating the lowest interest rate at which bank loans would be available to any of the participating Portfolios/Series under a loan agreement; and (2) no Portfolio/Series may lend money through the program unless it receives a more favorable return than that available from an investment in overnight repurchase agreements or the yield of any money market fund in which the Portfolio/Series could invest. In addition, a Portfolio/Series may participate in the program only if and to the extent that such participation is consistent with its investment objectives, policies and limitations. Interfund loans and borrowings have a maximum duration of seven days and loans may be called on one business day’s notice.
A participating Portfolio/Series may not lend to another Portfolio/Series under the interfund lending program if the interfund loan would cause its aggregate outstanding interfund loans to exceed 15% of its current net assets at the time of the loan. Interfund loans by a Portfolio/Series to any one Portfolio/Series may not exceed 5% of net assets of the lending Portfolio/Series.
The restrictions discussed above and the other conditions of the SEC exemptive order permitting interfund lending are designed to minimize the risks associated with interfund lending for both the lending Portfolio/Series and the borrowing Portfolio/Series. However, no borrowing or lending activity is without risk. If a Portfolio/Series borrows money from another Portfolio/Series, there is a risk that the interfund loan could be called on one business day’s notice or not renewed, in which case the Portfolio/Series may have to borrow from a bank at higher rates if an interfund loan were not available from another Portfolio/Series. A delay in repayment to a lending Portfolio/Series could result in a lost opportunity or additional lending costs, and interfund loans are subject to the risk that the borrowing Portfolio/Series could be unable to repay the loan when due.
WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES, DELAYED DELIVERY, AND FORWARD COMMITMENT TRANSACTIONS
Each Portfolio may purchase eligible securities or sell securities it is entitled to receive on a when-issued basis. When purchasing securities on a when-issued basis, the price or yield is agreed to at the time of purchase, but the payment and settlement dates are not fixed until the securities are issued. It is possible that the securities will never be issued and the commitment cancelled. In addition, each Portfolio may purchase or sell eligible securities for delayed delivery or on a forward commitment basis where the Portfolio contracts to purchase or sell such securities at a fixed price at a future date beyond the normal settlement time. Each Portfolio may renegotiate a commitment or sell a security it has committed to purchase prior to the settlement date, if deemed advisable.
While the payment obligation and, if applicable, interest rate are set at the time a Portfolio enters into a when-issued, delayed delivery, to-be-announced, or forward commitment transaction, no interest or dividends accrue to the purchaser prior to the settlement date. In addition, the value of a security purchased or sold is subject to market fluctuations and may be worth more or less on the settlement date than the price a Portfolio committed to pay or receive for the security. A Portfolio will lose money if the value of a purchased security falls below the purchase price and a Portfolio will not benefit from the gain if a security sold appreciates above the sales price during the commitment period.
EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS
The Portfolios may invest in exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and similarly structured pooled investments for the purpose of gaining exposure to the equity markets while maintaining liquidity. An ETF is an investment company classified as an open-end investment company or unit investment trust that is traded similar to a publicly traded company. ETFs in which the Portfolios invest are passively managed and attempt to track or replicate a desired index, such as a sector, market
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or global segment. The risks and costs of investing in ETFs are comparable to investing in a publicly traded company. The goal of a passively managed ETF is to correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of its underlying index. The risk of not correlating to the index is an additional risk to the investors of such ETFs. When a Portfolio invests in an ETF, shareholders of the Portfolio bear their proportionate share of the underlying ETF’s fees and expenses.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATES
Generally, securities will be purchased by the Portfolios with the expectation that they will be held for longer than one year. In addition, variations in turnover rates occur because securities are sold when, in the Advisor’s judgment, the return will be increased as a result of portfolio transactions after taking into account the cost of trading.
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
Trustees
Organization of the Board
The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) is responsible for establishing the Trust’s policies and for overseeing the management of the Trust. The Board elects the officers of the Trust, who, along with third party service providers, are responsible for administering the day-to-day operations of the Trust. The Board of the Trust is comprised of two interested Trustees and eight disinterested Trustees. Gerard K. O’Reilly, an interested Trustee, is Chairman of the Board. The disinterested Trustees of the Board designated Douglas W. Diamond as the lead disinterested Trustee. As the lead disinterested Trustee, Mr. Diamond, among other duties: acts as a principal contact for management for communications to the disinterested Trustees in between regular Board meetings; assists in the coordination and preparation of quarterly Board meeting agendas; raises and discusses issues with counsel to the disinterested Trustees; raises issues and discusses ideas with management on behalf of the disinterested Trustees in between regular meetings of the Board; and chairs executive sessions and separate meetings of the disinterested Trustees (other than Committee meetings, which are chaired by the respective Committee Chairperson). David G. Booth serves as Chairman Emeritus to the Board. The Board has designated David G. Booth, a former Chairman of the Trust, to serve as Chairman Emeritus to the Board in recognition of his years of service to both the Trust and Advisor. The Chairman Emeritus, which is a non-voting position, provides advice and counsel to the Trustees in connection with the Trustees’ management of the business and affairs of the Trust. The Board believes the existing Board structure for the Trust is appropriate because it provides the disinterested Trustees with adequate influence over the governance of the Board and the Trust, while also providing the Board with the invaluable insight of the interested Trustees, who, as both officers of the Trust and the Advisor, participate in the day-to-day management of the Trust’s affairs, including risk management.
The agenda for each quarterly meeting of the Board is provided prior to the meeting to the lead disinterested Trustee in order to provide an opportunity to contact Trust management and/or the disinterested Trustees’ independent counsel regarding agenda items. In addition, the disinterested Trustees regularly communicate with Mr. O’Reilly and Mr. Butler regarding items of interest to them in between regularly scheduled meetings of the Board. The Board of the Trust meets in person at least four times each year and by telephone at other times. At each in-person meeting, the disinterested Trustees meet in executive session with their independent counsel to discuss matters outside the presence of management.
The Board has four standing committees. The Audit Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee (the “Nominating Committee”), and Mutual Funds-ETF Relations Committee are composed entirely of disinterested Trustees. As described below, through these Committees, the disinterested Trustees have direct oversight of the Trust’s accounting and financial reporting policies, the selection and nomination of candidates to the Board, and the operation and expense allocations of the portfolios of the Trust. The Investment Strategy Committee (the “Strategy Committee”) assists the Board in carrying out its fiduciary duties with respect to the oversight of the Trust and the performance of its series.
The Board’s Audit Committee is comprised of Reena Aggarwal, George M. Constantinides, Francis A. Longstaff, Abbie J. Smith, and Ingrid M. Werner. The Audit Committee for the Board oversees the Trust’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices, the Trust’s internal controls, the Trust’s financial statements and the independent audits thereof, and performs other oversight functions as requested by the Board. The Audit Committee for the Board recommends the appointment of the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm and also acts as a liaison between the Trust’s
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independent registered public accounting firm and the full Board. There were three Audit Committee meetings held for the Trust during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022.
The Board’s Nominating Committee is comprised of Reena Aggarwal, George M. Constantinides, Douglas W. Diamond, Francis A. Longstaff and Heather E. Tookes. The Nominating Committee for the Board makes recommendations for nominations of disinterested and interested members on the Board to the disinterested Board members and to the full Board. The Nominating Committee works closely with the other disinterested Trustees to evaluate a candidate’s qualification for Board membership and the independence of such candidate from the Advisor and other principal service providers. The Nominating Committee also periodically reviews the Board governance practices, policies, procedures, and operations; reviews the membership of each committee of the Board; reviews and makes recommendations regarding the disinterested Trustees’ compensation; oversees the annual self-assessment of the Board and each committee; considers and recommends to the Board, the selection of “independent legal counsel” (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act); and monitors and considers corporate governance issues that may arise from time to time. There were three Nominating Committee meetings held for the Trust during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022.
The Strategy Committee is comprised of Gerard K. O’Reilly, Douglas W. Diamond, Darrell Duffie, and Heather E. Tookes. At the request of the Board or the Advisor, the Strategy Committee (i) reviews the design of possible new series of the Trust, (ii) reviews performance of existing series of the Trust, and discusses and recommends possible enhancements to the series’ investment strategies, (iii) reviews proposals by the Advisor to modify or enhance the investment strategies or policies of each series, and (iv) considers issues relating to investment services for each series of the Trust. There were four Strategy Committee meetings held for the Trust during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022.
The Mutual Funds-ETF Relations Committee is comprised of George M. Constantinides, Darrell Duffie, and Ingrid M. Werner. At the request of the Board, the Mutual Funds-ETF Relations Committee (i) reviews any newly-proposed expenses to be borne by the Portfolios or changes to the existing expense allocations among the ETFs in the Dimensional ETF Trust (“Dimensional ETFs”), portfolios in the DFA mutual fund complex (“Fund Complex”), and the Advisor, (ii) considers any conflicts of interest that may arise in the operations of the Dimensional ETFs and the portfolios in the Fund Complex, (iii) reviews and considers relevant information relating to the operations of the Dimensional ETFs, and (iv) considers asset flows and performance differences between the similarly managed mutual funds and the ETFs in the DFA Fund Complex (defined below). There were two Mutual Funds-ETF Relations Committee meetings held for the Trust during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022.
The Board of the Trust, including all of the disinterested Trustees, oversees and approves the contracts of the third party service providers that provide advisory, administrative, custodial and other services to the Trust.
Board Oversight of Risk Management
The Board, as a whole, considers risk management issues as part of its general oversight responsibilities throughout the year at regular board meetings, through regular reports that have been developed by Trust management and the Advisor. These reports address certain investment, valuation, liquidity and compliance matters. The Board also may receive special written reports or presentations on a variety of risk issues, either upon the Board’s request or upon the initiative of the Advisor. In addition, the Audit Committee of the Board meets regularly with management of the Advisor to review reports on the Advisor’s examinations of functions and processes that affect the Trust.
With respect to investment risk, the Board receives regular written reports describing and analyzing the investment performance of the Trust’s series. The Board discusses these reports and the portfolios’ performance and investment risks with management of the Advisor at the Board’s regular meetings. The Investment Committee of the Advisor meets regularly to discuss a variety of issues, including the impact that the investment in particular securities or instruments, such as derivatives, may have on the series. To the extent that the Investment Committee of the Advisor decides to materially change an investment strategy or policy of a series and such change could have a significant impact on the series’ risk profile, the Advisor will present such change to the Board for their approval.
With respect to valuation, the Advisor and the Trust’s administrative and accounting agent provide regular written reports to the Board that enable the Board to review the Advisor’s fair valuation process. Such reports also include information concerning illiquid and any worthless securities held by each series. In addition, the Trust’s Audit Committee reviews valuation procedures and pricing results with the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm in connection with such Committee’s review of the results of the audit of each series’ year-end financial statements.
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With respect to liquidity risk, the Board oversees the Trust’s liquidity risk through, among other things, receiving periodic reporting and presentations by investment and other personnel of the Advisor. Additionally, as required by the Liquidity Rule, the Board, including a majority of the disinterested Trustees, approved the Trust’s Liquidity Program, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Trust’s liquidity risk, and appointed the Liquidity Program Administrator that is responsible for administering the Liquidity Program. The Board also reviews, no less frequently than annually, a written report prepared by the Liquidity Program Administrator that addresses, among other items, the operation of the Liquidity Program and assesses its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation.
With respect to compliance risks, the Board receives regular compliance reports prepared by the Advisor’s compliance group and meets regularly with the Trust’s Global Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) to discuss compliance issues, including compliance risks. As required under SEC rules, the disinterested Trustees meet in executive session with the CCO, and the Trust’s CCO prepares and presents an annual written compliance report to the Board. The Trust’s Board adopts compliance policies and procedures for the Trust and receives information about the compliance procedures in place for the Trust’s service providers. The compliance policies and procedures are specifically designed to detect and prevent violations of the federal securities laws.
The Advisor periodically provides information to the Board relevant to enterprise risk management describing the way in which certain risks are managed at the complex-wide level by the Advisor. Such presentations include areas such as counter-party risk, material fund vendor or service provider risk, investment risk, reputational risk, personnel risk and business continuity risk.
Trustee Qualifications
When a vacancy occurs on the Board, the Nominating Committee of the Board evaluates a candidate’s qualification for Board membership and the independence of such candidate from the Advisor and other principal service providers. While the Nominating Committee believes that there are no specific minimum qualifications for a candidate to possess or any specific educational background, qualities, skills, or prior business and professional experience that are necessary, in considering a candidate’s qualifications, the Nominating Committee may consider the following factors, among others, which may change over time or have different weight: (1) whether or not the person is willing to serve and willing and able to commit the time necessary for the performance of the duties of a Board member; (2) the candidate’s judgment, skill, diversity, and experience with investment companies and other organizations of comparable purpose, complexity and size; (3) the business activities of the Trust, including any new marketing or investment initiatives, and whether the candidate possesses relevant experience in these areas; (4) whether the person’s business background or other business activities would be incompatible with the Trust’s and the Advisor’s business purposes; (5) the interplay of the candidate’s experience with the experience of other Board members and how the candidate and his or her academic or business experience will be perceived by the Trust’s shareholders; and (6) the extent to which the candidate would be a desirable addition to the Board and any committees thereof.
While the Nominating Committee is solely responsible for the selection and recommendation to the Board of disinterested Board candidates, the Nominating Committee will consider nominees recommended by Qualifying Fund Shareholders if a vacancy occurs among Board members. A Qualifying Fund Shareholder is a shareholder, or group of shareholders, that: (i) owns of record, or beneficially through a financial intermediary, 5% or more of the Trust’s outstanding shares, and (ii) has owned such shares for 12 months or more prior to submitting the recommendation to the Nominating Committee. Such recommendations shall be directed to the Secretary of the Trust at 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, Texas 78746. The Qualifying Fund Shareholder’s letter should include: (i) the name and address of the Qualifying Fund Shareholder making the recommendation; (ii) the number of shares of the Trust that are owned of record and beneficially by such Qualifying Fund Shareholder, and the length of time that such shares have been so owned by the Qualifying Fund Shareholder; (iii) a description of all arrangements and understandings between such Qualifying Fund Shareholder and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the recommendation is being made; (iv) the name and address of the nominee; and (v) the nominee’s resume or curriculum vitae. The Qualifying Fund Shareholder’s letter must be accompanied by a written consent of the individual to stand for election if nominated for the Board and to serve if elected by shareholders. The Nominating Committee also may seek such additional information about the nominee as the Nominating Committee considers appropriate, including information relating to such nominee that is required to be disclosed in solicitations or proxies for the election of Board members.
The Nominating Committee of the Board believes that it is in the best interests of the Trust and its shareholders to obtain highly-qualified individuals to serve as members of the Board. The Trust’s Board believes that each Trustee currently
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serving on the Board has the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills to allow the Board to effectively oversee the management of the Trust and protect the interests of shareholders. The Board noted that each Trustee had professional experience in areas of importance for investment companies. The Board considered that each disinterested Trustee held an academic position in the areas of finance or accounting. Reena Aggarwal, George M. Constantinides, Douglas W. Diamond, Darrell Duffie, Francis A. Longstaff, Heather E. Tookes, and Ingrid M. Werner are each Professors of Finance, while Abbie J. Smith is a Professor of Accounting. The Board also noted that Reena Aggarwal, Darrell Duffie, Abbie J. Smith, Heather E. Tookes, and Ingrid M. Werner each had experience serving as a director or trustee on the boards of operating companies and/or other investment companies. In addition, the Board considered that Gerard K. O’Reilly and David P. Butler contributed valuable experience due to their positions with the Advisor.
Certain biographical information for each disinterested Trustee and each interested Trustee of the Trust is set forth in the tables below, including a description of each Trustee’s experience as a Trustee of the Trust and as a director or trustee of other funds, as well as other recent professional experience.
Disinterested Trustees
Name,
Address and Year of Birth |
Position | Term
of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years | Portfolios within the DFA Fund Complex2 Overseen |
Other Directorships of Public Companies Held During Past 5 Years |
Reena Aggarwal
1957 |
Trustee | Since 2021 | Robert E. McDonough Professor of Finance (since 2003) and Professor of Finance (since 2000), McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University and Director, Georgetown Center for Financial Markets and Policy (since 2010). Formerly, Vice Provost of Faculty, Georgetown University (2016-2020). | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | Director, Cohen & Steers (asset management firm) (since 2017) and Director, Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending (private business development company) (since 2019). Formerly, Director, New York Life Investment Management IndexIQ (2008-2021) (22 funds); formerly, Director, REAN Cloud (technology) (2015-2018); formerly, Director, FBR & Co. (investment banking) (2011-2017); and formerly, Director, Brightwood Capital Advisors, L.P. (private equity) (2013-2020). |
George M. Constantinides
1947 |
Trustee | Since 2020 | Leo Melamed Professor of Finance, University of Chicago Booth School of Business (since 1978). | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | None |
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Name,
Address and Year of Birth |
Position | Term
of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years | Portfolios within the DFA Fund Complex2 Overseen |
Other Directorships of Public Companies Held During Past 5 Years |
Douglas
W. Diamond
1953 |
Trustee | Since 2020 | Merton H. Miller Distinguished Service Professor of Finance, University of Chicago Booth School of Business (since 1979). Formerly, Visiting Scholar, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond (1990-2019). | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | None |
Darrell
Duffie
1954 |
Trustee | Since 2020 | Adams Distinguished Professor of Management and Professor of Finance, Stanford University (since 1984) and Director, TNB Inc. (bank) (since 2020). | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | Formerly, Director, Moody’s Corporation (financial information and information technology) (2008-2018). |
Francis
A. Longstaff
1956 |
Trustee | Since 2021 | Allstate Professor of Insurance and Finance, UCLA, Anderson School of Management (since 1992); Consultant, NERA Economic Consulting (since 2018); Consultant, Charles River Associates (economic consulting firm) (since 2013); Consultant, Simplex Holdings, Inc. (technology firm) (since 1998); and Expert Witness, Analysis Group (economic consulting firm) (since 2012). | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | None |
Abbie
J. Smith
1953 |
Trustee | Since 2020 | Boris and Irene Stern Distinguished Service Professor of Accounting and James S. Ely, III Faculty Fellow, University of Chicago Booth School of Business (since 1980). | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | Director, (since 2000) and formerly, Audit Committee Chair (2019-2022) and Lead Director (2014-2017), HNI Corporation (office furniture); Director, Ryder System Inc. (transportation, logistics and supply-chain management) (since 2003); and Trustee and Audit Committee member (since 2022), UBS Funds (3 investment companies within the fund complex) (12 portfolios) (since 2009). |
20 |
Name,
Address and Year of Birth |
Position | Term
of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years | Portfolios within the DFA Fund Complex2 Overseen |
Other Directorships of Public Companies Held During Past 5 Years |
Heather E. Tookes
1974 |
Trustee | Since 2021 | Deputy Dean for Faculty (since 2022) and Professor of Finance (since 2004), Yale School of Management. | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | Director, Payoneer Inc. (digital payments) (since 2021); Director, Ariel Investments LLC (investment adviser) (since 2017); Director, Charles River Associates (economic consulting firm) (since 2022); and Director, Community Foundation of Greater New Haven (community foundation and grant-making) (since 2022). Formerly, Director, KCG Holdings (trading company) (January 2017-July 2017). |
Ingrid M. Werner
1961 |
Trustee | Since 2020 | Martin and Andrew Murrer Professor of Finance, Fisher College of Business, The Ohio State University (since 1998). Adjunct Member, the Prize Committee for the Swedish Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel (annual award for significant scientific research contribution) (since 2018). Member, Scientific Board, Leibniz Institute for Financial Research (institute supporting academic research in finance) (since 2020). Chair, Economic Advisory Committee, FINRA (since 2017). Chairman, Scientific Advisory Board, Swedish House of Finance (institute supporting academic research in finance) (since 2014). Member, Scientific Board, Danish Finance Institute (institute supporting academic research in finance) (since 2017). Fellow, Center for Analytical Finance (academic research) (since 2015). Formerly, President, Western Finance Association (global association of academic researchers and practitioners in finance) (2018-2019); formerly, Member, Academic Board, Mistra Financial Systems (organization funding academic research on environment, governance and climate/sustainability in finance) (2016-2021); formerly, Director, American Finance Association (global association of academic researchers and practitioners in finance) (2019-2022); formerly, Associate Editor, Journal of Finance (2016-2022). | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | Director, Fourth Swedish AP Fund (pension fund asset management) (since 2017). |
21 |
Interested Trustees
The following interested Trustees are described as such because each is deemed to be an “interested person,” as that term is defined under the 1940 Act, due to his position with the Advisor.
Name,
Address and Year of Birth |
Position | Term
of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years | Portfolios within the DFA Fund Complex2 Overseen |
Other
Directorships of Public Companies Held During Past 5 Years |
David P. Butler
1964 |
Trustee
Co-Chief Executive Officer
|
Trustee since 2021
Co-Chief Executive Officer since 2020
|
Co-Chief Executive Officer of Dimensional Emerging Markets Value Fund (“DEM”), DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc. (“DFAIDG”), Dimensional Investment Group Inc. (“DIG”), The DFA Investment Trust Company (“DFAITC”), Dimensional Holdings Inc., Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, Dimensional Investment LLC, and DFA Securities LLC (collectively with DEM, DFAIDG, DIG and DFAITC, the “DFA Entities”) (since 2017), DFA Canada LLC (since 2018), Dimensional Holdings LLC (since 2017), and the Trust (since 2020); Chief Executive Officer of Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC (since 2018), Director (since 2017) of Dimensional Holdings Inc., Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC, Dimensional Japan Ltd., Dimensional Advisors Ltd., and DFA Australia Limited; Director and Co-Chief Executive Officer (since 2017) of Dimensional Cayman Commodity Fund I Ltd.; Head of Global Financial Advisor Services for Dimensional Investment LLC (since 2017). Formerly, Director (2017-2021) of Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | None |
Gerard K. O’Reilly
1976
|
Chairman and Trustee
Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer
|
Chairman and Trustee since 2021
Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer since 2020
|
Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of the DFA Entities (since 2017) and the Trust (since 2020); Co-Chief Executive Officer of DFA Canada LLC (since 2018); Chief Investment Officer of Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC (since 2017); Director and Chief Investment Officer (since 2017) and Vice President (since 2014) of DFA Australia Limited; Chief Investment Officer (since 2018) and Vice President (since 2016) of Dimensional Japan Ltd.; Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Dimensional Holdings, LLC (since 2017); Director, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer (since 2017) of Dimensional Cayman Commodity Fund I Ltd.; Director of Dimensional Funds plc (since 2014), Dimensional Fund II plc (since 2014), Dimensional Holdings Inc. (since 2017), Dimensional Advisors Ltd. (since 2017), and Dimensional Ireland Limited (since 2018). Formerly, Director of Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. (2018-2021). | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | None |
1 | Each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term until his or her successor is elected and qualified. |
2 | Each Trustee is a director or trustee of each of the five registered investment companies within the DFA Fund Complex, which include: the Trust, DEM; DFAIDG; DIG; and DFAITC. Each disinterested Trustee also serves on the Independent Review Committee of the Dimensional Funds, mutual funds registered in the provinces of Canada and managed by the Advisor’s affiliate, Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC. |
Information relating to each Trustee’s ownership (including the ownership of his or her immediate family) in each Portfolio of the Trust in this SAI and in all five registered investment companies in the DFA Fund Complex as of December 31, 2022 is set forth in the chart below.
22 |
Name | Dollar Range of Portfolio Shares Owned | Aggregate Dollar Range of Shares Owned in All Funds Overseen by Trustee in Family of Investment Companies | |
Disinterested Trustees: | |||
Reena Aggarwal | None | None Directly; Over $100,000 in Simulated Funds* | |
George M. Constantinides | None | None Directly; Over $100,000 in Simulated Funds* | |
Douglas W. Diamond | None | None Directly; Over $100,000 in Simulated Funds* | |
Darrell Duffie | Dimensional U.S. Equity ETF | $1 - $10,000 | $10,001 - $50,000 |
Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF | $10,001 - $50,000 | ||
Francis A. Longstaff | None | None | |
Abbie J. Smith | None | None Directly; Over $100,000 in Simulated Funds* | |
Heather E. Tookes | None | None | |
Ingrid M. Werner | None | Over $100,000 | |
Interested Trustees: | |||
David P. Butler | Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF | Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 |
Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF | Over $100,000 | ||
Dimensional International Value ETF | Over $100,000 | ||
Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF | Over $100,000 | ||
Gerard K. O’Reilly | None | Over $100,000 |
* | As discussed below, the compensation to certain of the disinterested Trustees may be in amounts that correspond to a hypothetical investment in a cross-section of the DFA Funds. Thus, the disinterested Trustees who are so compensated experience the same investment returns that are experienced by shareholders of the DFA Funds although the disinterested Trustees do not directly own shares of the DFA Funds. |
Set forth below is a table listing, for each Trustee entitled to receive compensation, the compensation received from the Trust during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, and the total compensation received from all five registered investment companies for which the Advisor served as investment advisor during that same fiscal period. The table also provides the compensation paid by the Trust to the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022.
Name and Position | Aggregate Compensation from the Trust | Pension or Retirement Benefits as Part of Expenses | Estimated Annual Benefits upon Retirement | Total Compensation from the Trust and DFA Fund Complex Paid to Trustees*,† | ||||
Reena Aggarwal Trustee | $29,266 | N/A | N/A | $355,000 | ||||
George M. Constantinides Trustee | $29,266 | N/A | N/A | $385,000 | ||||
Douglas W. Diamond Lead Disinterested Trustee | $40,814 | N/A | N/A | $545,000 | ||||
Darrell Duffie Trustee | $29,266 | N/A | N/A | $385,000 | ||||
Francis A. Longstaff Trustee | $29,266 | N/A | N/A | $355,000 |
23 |
Name and Position | Aggregate Compensation from the Trust | Pension or Retirement Benefits as Part of Expenses | Estimated Annual Benefits upon Retirement | Total Compensation from the Trust and DFA Fund Complex Paid to Trustees*,† | ||||
Abbie J. Smith Trustee | $31,070 | N/A | N/A | $410,000 | ||||
Heather E. Tookes Trustee | $29,266 | N/A | N/A | $355,000 | ||||
Ingrid M. Werner Trustee | $29,266 | N/A | N/A | $385,000 | ||||
Randy C. Olson Chief Compliance Officer | $19,914 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
* | Under a deferred compensation plan (the “Plan”) adopted effective January 1, 2002, the disinterested Trustees may defer receipt of all or a portion of the compensation for serving as members of the five Boards of Directors/Trustees of the investment companies in the DFA Fund Complex (the “DFA Funds”). Amounts deferred under the Plan are treated as though equivalent dollar amounts had been invested in shares of a cross-section of the DFA Funds (the “Reference Funds” or “Simulated Funds”). The amounts ultimately received by the disinterested Trustees under the Plan will be directly linked to the investment performance of the Reference Funds. Deferral of fees in accordance with the Plan will have a negligible effect on a fund’s assets, liabilities, and net income per share, and will not obligate a fund to retain the services of any disinterested Trustee or to pay any particular level of compensation to the disinterested Trustee. The total amount of deferred compensation accrued by the disinterested Trustees from the DFA Fund Complex who participated in the Plan during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 is as follows: $177,500 (Ms. Aggarwal). A disinterested Trustee’s deferred compensation will be distributed at the earlier of: (a) January in the year after the disinterested Trustee’s resignation from the Boards of Directors/Trustees of the DFA Funds, or death or disability; or (b) five years following the first deferral, in such amounts as the disinterested Trustee has specified. The obligations of the DFA Funds to make payments under the Plan will be unsecured general obligations of the DFA Funds, payable out of the general assets and property of the DFA Funds. |
† | The term DFA Fund Complex refers to the five registered investment companies for which the Advisor performs advisory and administrative services and for which the individuals listed above serve as directors/trustees on the Boards of Directors/Trustees of such companies. |
Officers
Below is the name, year of birth, information regarding positions with the Trust and the principal occupation for each officer of the Trust. The address of each officer is 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, TX 78746. Each of the officers listed below holds the same office (except as otherwise noted) in the DFA Entities.
Name and Year of Birth |
Position | Term of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years |
Valerie A. Brown
|
Vice President and Assistant Secretary | Since 2020 |
Vice President and Assistant Secretary of ● all the DFA Entities (since 2001) ● DFA Australia Limited (since 2002) ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. (since 2002) ● Dimensional Cayman Commodity Fund I Ltd. (since 2010) ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. (since 2012) ● Dimensional Hong Kong Limited (since 2012) ● the Trust (since 2020) Director, Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since 2003) of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC |
24 |
Name and Year of Birth |
Position | Term of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years |
Ryan P. Buechner 1982 |
Vice President and Assistant Secretary | Since 2020 |
Vice President and Assistant Secretary of ● DFAIDG, DIG, DFAITC and DEM (since 2019) ● the Trust (since 2020) Vice President (since January 2018) of ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP ● Dimensional Investment LLC ● DFA Securities LLC |
Stephen A. Clark 1972 |
Executive Vice President | Since 2020 |
Executive Vice President of ● all the DFA Entities (since 2017) ● the Trust (since 2020) Director and Vice President (since 2016) of ● Dimensional Japan Ltd. Chairman (since 2018) of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC President and Director (since 2016) of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC Vice President (since 2008) and Director (since 2016) of ● DFA Australia Limited Director (since 2016) of ● Dimensional Advisors Ltd. ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. ● Dimensional Hong Kong Limited Vice President of ● Dimensional Advisors Ltd. (since 2016) ● Dimensional Hong Kong Limited (since 2016) ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. (since 2019)
Formerly, Director (2016 – 2021) of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. Formerly, Vice President (2004 – 2017) of ● all the DFA Entities Formerly, Vice President (2010 – 2016) of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC Formerly, Vice President (2016 – 2019) of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. Formerly, Interim Chief Executive Officer (2019 – 2020) of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. Formerly, Head of Institutional, North America (2012 – 2013) and Head of Global Institutional Services (2014-2018) for ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP |
Lisa M. Dallmer 1972 |
Chief Operating Officer | Since June 2021 |
Chief Operating Officer (since June 2021) of ● the DFA Fund Complex Executive Vice President (since January 2020) of ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP ● Dimensional Investment LLC ● DFA Securities LLC Chief Operating Officer (since December 2019) of ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP ● Dimensional Investment LLC ● DFA Securities LLC Vice President (since 2020) of ● DFA Australia Limited ● Dimensional Advisors Ltd. ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC |
25 |
Name and Year of Birth |
Position | Term of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years |
● Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. ● Dimensional Ireland Limited ● Dimensional Japan Ltd.
Formerly, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer (June 2020 – June 2021) of ● the DFA Fund Complex Formerly, Senior Vice President, Business Operations (March 2019 – October 2019) at ● Delphix Inc. Formerly, Chief Operating Officer Global Technology & Operations, Managing Director (2014 – 2018) of ● BlackRock Inc. | |||
Bernard J. Grzelak 1971 |
Vice President | Since June 2021 |
Vice President (since June 2021) of ● the DFA Fund Complex Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (since September 2020) of ● DFA Australia Limited ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC ● DFA Securities LLC ● Dimensional Advisors Ltd. ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. ● Dimensional Hong Kong Limited ● Dimensional Investment LLC Vice President (since March 2021) of ● Dimensional Ireland Limited
Formerly, Partner (2008 – 2020), Chief Operating Officer, Global Funds and Risk (2018 – 2020), Chief Operations Officer (2016 – 2018), and Director of Fund Administration (2003 – 2016) of Lord Abbett & Co. LLC Formerly, Chief Financial Officer (2017 - 2020) and Treasurer (2003 – 2017) of ● Lord Abbett Family of Funds |
Eric Hall 1978 |
Vice President and Assistant Treasurer | Since June 2021 |
Vice President and Assistant Treasurer (since June 2021) of ● the DFA Fund Complex
Formerly, Data Integrity Team Lead (December 2019 – April 2021) of ● Clearwater Analytics Formerly, Assistant Vice President and Assistant Treasurer (March 2015 – November 2019) at ● INVESCO, U.S. (formerly, OppenheimerFunds, Inc.) |
Jeff J. Jeon 1973 |
Vice President | Since 2020 |
Vice President (since 2004) of ● all the DFA Entities Vice President (since 2020) of ● the Trust Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since 2010) of ● Dimensional Cayman Commodity Fund I Ltd.
Formerly, Assistant Secretary (2017 – 2019) of ● all the DFA Entities |
Joy Lopez 1971 |
Vice President and Assistant Treasurer | Since 2020 |
Vice President of ● all the DFA Entities (since 2015) ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. (since 2015) ● the Trust (since 2020) ● DFA Australia Limited (since 2020) |
26 |
Name and Year of Birth |
Position | Term of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years |
● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC (since 2020) ● Dimensional Ireland Limited (since 2020) Assistant Treasurer of ● DFAIDG, DIG, DFAITC and DEM (since 2017) ● the Trust (since 2020) | |||
Kenneth M. Manell 1972 |
Vice President | Since 2020 |
Vice President of ● all the DFA Entities (since 2010) ● Dimensional Cayman Commodity Fund I Ltd. (since 2010) ● the Trust (since 2020) |
Jan Miller 1963 |
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer | Since June 2021 |
Vice President (since January 2023) of ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP ● Dimensional Investments LLC ● DFA Securities LLC Vice President (since April 2022) of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer (since June 2021) of ● the DFA Fund Complex
Formerly, Director (May 2019 – January 2021) at ● INVESCO, U.S. (formerly, OppenheimerFunds, Inc.) Formerly, Vice President and Assistant Treasurer (September 2012 – May 2019) at ● OppenheimerFunds, Inc. |
Catherine L. Newell 1964 |
President and General Counsel | Since 2020 |
President of ● DFAIDG, DIG, DFAITC and DEM (since 2017) ● the Trust (since 2020) General Counsel of ● all the DFA Entities (since 2001) ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (since 2006) ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. (since 2006) ● Dimensional Investment LLC (since 2009) ● DFA Canada LLC (since 2009) ● the Trust (since 2020) Executive Vice President (since 2017) of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. ● DFA Securities LLC ● Dimensional Investment LLC Secretary of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (since 2006) ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. (since 2006) ● DFA Securities LLC (since 2006) ● Dimensional Investment LLC (since 2009) Vice President (since 1997) and Secretary (since 2002) of ● DFA Australia Limited ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. Vice President and Secretary of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC (since 2003) ● DFA Canada LLC (since 2009) ● Dimensional Cayman Commodity Fund I Ltd. (since 2010) ● Dimensional Japan Ltd. (since 2012) ● Dimensional Advisors Ltd (since 2014) ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. (since 2012) Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since 2012) of ● Dimensional Hong Kong Limited |
27 |
Name and Year of Birth |
Position | Term of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years |
Director of ● Dimensional Australia Limited (since 2007) ● Dimensional Funds plc (since 2002) ● Dimensional Funds II plc (since 2006) ● Director of Dimensional Japan Ltd. (since 2012) ● Dimensional Advisors Ltd. (since 2012) ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. (since 2012) ● Dimensional Hong Kong Limited (since 2012) ● Dimensional Ireland Limited (since 2018)
Formerly, Vice President and Secretary (2010 – 2014) of ● Dimensional SmartNest (US) LLC Formerly, Vice President (1997 – 2017) and Secretary (2000 – 2017) of ● DFAIDG, DIG, DFAITC and DEM Formerly, Vice President of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (1997 – 2017) ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. (2006 – 2017) ● DFA Securities LLC (1997 – 2017) ● Dimensional Investment LLC (2009 – 2017) Formerly, Director (2002 – 2021) of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. | |||
Selwyn J. Notelovitz 1961 |
Vice President | Since September 2021 |
Vice President (since September 2021) of ● the DFA Fund Complex Vice President (since December 2012) and Chief Compliance Officer (since July 2020) of
● DFA Securities LLC ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. ● Dimensional Investment LLC Chief Compliance Officer (since July 2020) of: ● DFA Australia Limited ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC Formerly, Deputy Chief Compliance Officer (2013 – 2020) of: ● the DFA Fund Complex ● DFA Securities LLC ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. ● Dimensional Investment LLC
Formerly, Vice President (2013 – 2020) of: ● the DFA Fund Complex Formerly, Director (2019 – 2021) of: ● Dimensional Ireland Limited |
Carolyn L. O 1974 |
Vice President and Secretary | Since 2020 |
Vice President and Secretary of ● DFAIDG, DIG, DFAITC and DEM (since 2010 and 2017, respectively) ● the Trust (since 2020) Vice President (since 2010) and Assistant Secretary (since 2016) of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. ● Dimensional Investment LLC Vice President of ● DFA Securities LLC (since 2010) ● Dimensional Cayman Commodity Fund I Ltd. (since 2010) ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC (since 2016) Assistant Secretary (since 2016) of ● DFA Securities LLC |
28 |
Name and Year of Birth |
Position | Term of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years |
Randy C. Olson 1980 |
Chief Compliance Officer | Since 2020 |
Chief Compliance Officer (since 2020) of ● the DFA Fund Complex Vice President (since 2016) of ● DFA Securities LLC ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. ● Dimensional Investment LLC
Formerly, Vice President – Senior Compliance Officer of ● Dimensional Investment Advisors LP (January 2020 – August 2020 and July 2014 – March 2017) Formerly, Vice President – Head of Compliance & Operations Asia Ex-Japan of ● Dimensional Investment Advisors LP (April 2017 – January 2020) |
James J. Taylor 1983 |
Vice President and Assistant Treasurer | Since 2020 |
Vice President and Assistant Treasurer (since 2020) of ● the DFA Fund Complex Vice President of ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. (since 2016) ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (since 2016) ● Dimensional Investment LLC (since 2016) ● DFA Securities LLC (since 2016) ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC (since 2020) |
1 | Each officer holds office for an indefinite term at the pleasure of the Board and until his or her successor is elected and qualified. |
As of January 31, 2023, the Trustees and officers as a group owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Portfolios described in this SAI.
SERVICES TO THE TRUST
Administrative Services
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“CFSO”), 4400 Easton Commons, Suite 200, Columbus, Ohio 43219, serves as the accounting and administration services and dividend disbursing agent for each Portfolio. The services provided by CFSO are subject to supervision by the executive officers and the Board of Trustees of the Trust, and include day-to-day keeping and maintenance of certain records, preparation of financial and regulatory reports, fund accounting and tax services, and dividend disbursing agency services. For the administrative and accounting services provided by CFSO, CFSO receives reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket costs and compensation in the form of transaction fees and asset-based fees which are aggregated and paid monthly.
Custodian
Citibank, N.A. (the “Custodian”), 111 Wall Street, New York, NY, 10005, serves as the custodian for the Portfolios. The Custodian maintains a separate account or accounts for a Portfolio; receives, holds, and releases portfolio securities on account of the Portfolio; makes receipts and disbursements of money on behalf of the Portfolio; and collects and receives income and other payments and distributions on account of the Portfolio’s portfolio securities. The Custodian is authorized to appoint certain foreign custodians or foreign custody managers for the International Portfolios’ investments outside the U.S.
Transfer Agent
Citibank, N.A., 111 Wall Street, New York, NY, 10005, serves as the transfer agent for the Portfolios.
29 |
Distributor
DFA Securities LLC (“DFAS” or the “Distributor”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Advisor, acts as the principal underwriter in the continuous public offering of the Trust’s shares. DFAS is registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. The principal business address of DFAS is 6300 Bee Cave Road, Austin, Texas 78746.
Shares are continuously offered for sale by the Trust through the Distributor or its agent only in Creation Units, as described in the Prospectus and below in the “Creation and Redemption of Creation Units” section of this SAI. Portfolio shares in amounts less than Creation Units are generally not distributed by the Distributor or its agent. The Distributor or its agent will arrange for the delivery of the prospectus and, upon request, this SAI to persons purchasing Creation Units and will maintain records of both orders placed with it or its agents and confirmations of acceptance furnished by it or its agents.
The Distributor may enter into agreements with securities dealers (“Soliciting Dealers”) who will solicit purchases of Creation Units of Portfolio shares. Such Soliciting Dealers may also be Authorized Participants, Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) participants and/or investor services organizations. No compensation is paid by the Portfolios to DFAS under the Distribution Agreement.
Legal Counsel
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP serves as legal counsel to the Trust. Its address is 2600 One Commerce Square, Philadelphia, PA 19103-7098.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) is the independent registered public accounting firm to the Trust and audits the annual financial statements of the Trust. PwC’s address is Two Commerce Square, Suite 1800, 2001 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-7042.
Investment Management
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, located at 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, TX 78746, serves as investment advisor to the Portfolios. Pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement with each Portfolio, the Advisor is responsible for the management of its respective assets.
Pursuant to Sub-Advisory Agreements with the Advisor, DFA Australia Limited (“DFA Australia”), Level 43 Gateway, 1 Macquarie Place, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia, has the authority and responsibility to select brokers and dealers to execute securities transactions for the International Portfolios (each a “DFA Australia Sub-Advised Fund”). DFA Australia’s duties include the maintenance of a trading desk for each DFA Australia Sub-Advised Fund and the determination of the best and most efficient means of executing securities transactions. On at least a semi-annual basis, the Advisor reviews the holdings of each DFA Australia Sub-Advised Fund, and reviews the trading process and the execution of securities transactions. The Advisor is responsible for determining those securities which are eligible for purchase and sale by a DFA Australia Sub-Advised Fund and may delegate this task, subject to its own review, to DFA Australia. DFA Australia maintains and furnishes to the Advisor information and reports on securities of international companies, including its recommendations of securities to be added to the securities that are eligible for purchase by a DFA Australia Sub-Advised Fund as well as making recommendations and elections on corporate actions. In rendering investment management services to the Advisor with respect to each DFA Australia Sub-Advised Fund, DFA Australia expects to use the resources of certain participating affiliates of DFA Australia. Such participating affiliates are providing such services to DFA Australia pursuant to conditions provided in no-action relief granted by the staff of the SEC allowing registered investment advisers to use portfolio management, research and trading resources of advisory affiliates subject to the supervision of a registered adviser.
Pursuant to Sub-Advisory Agreements with the Advisor, Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. (” DFAL”), 20 Triton Street, Regent’s Place, London, NW13BF, United Kingdom, a company that is organized under the laws of England, has the authority and responsibility to select brokers or dealers to execute securities transactions for the International Portfolios (each a “DFAL Sub-Advised Fund”). DFAL’s duties include the maintenance of a trading desk for each DFAL Sub-Advised Fund and the determination of the best and most efficient means of executing securities transactions. On at least a semi-annual basis, the Advisor reviews the holdings of each DFAL Sub-Advised Fund and reviews the trading process and the execution
30 |
of securities transactions. The Advisor is responsible for determining those securities which are eligible for purchase and sale by each DFAL Sub-Advised Fund and may delegate this task, subject to its own review, to DFAL. DFAL maintains and furnishes to the Advisor information and reports on securities of United Kingdom and European equity market companies, including its recommendations of securities to be added to the securities that are eligible for purchase by each DFAL Sub-Advised Fund as well as making recommendations and elections on corporate actions.
Payments by the Advisor to Certain Third Parties Not Affiliated with the Advisor
The Advisor and its advisory affiliates have entered into arrangements with certain unaffiliated third parties pursuant to which the Advisor or its advisory affiliates make payments from their own assets or provide services to such unaffiliated third parties as further described below. Certain of the unaffiliated third parties who have entered into such arrangements with the Advisor or its advisory affiliates are affiliated with independent financial advisors (“FAs”) whose clients may invest in the Portfolios or mutual funds advised by the Advisor (“DFA Advised Funds”). Generally, the Advisor does not consider the existence of such arrangements with an affiliate, by itself, to be determinative in assessing whether an FA is independent.
Training and Education Related Benefits Provided by the Advisor
From time to time, the Advisor or its affiliates provide certain non-advisory services (such as data collection and analysis or other consulting services) to financial intermediaries (“Intermediaries”) that may be involved in the distribution of DFA Advised Funds and may recommend the purchase of such DFA Advised Funds for their clients. Intermediaries may include, without limitation, FAs, broker-dealers, institutional investment consultants, and plan service providers (such as recordkeepers). The Advisor or its affiliates also may provide services to Intermediaries, including: (i) personnel and outside consultants for purposes of continuing education, internal strategic planning and, for FAs, practice management; (ii) analysis, including historical market analysis and risk/return analysis; (iii) continuing education to investment advisers (some of whom may be dual registered investment advisers/broker-dealers); and (iv) other services.
The Advisor regularly provides educational speakers and facilities for conferences or events for Intermediaries, customers or clients of the Intermediaries, or such customers’ or clients’ service providers, and also may sponsor such events. For its sponsored events, the Advisor typically pays any associated food, beverage, and facilities-related expenses and speakers’ fees. The Advisor has consulting arrangements with certain speakers, who may be affiliated with a client of the Advisor. The Advisor or its affiliates sometimes pay a fee to attend, speak at or assist in sponsoring conferences or events organized by others, and on occasion, pay travel accommodations of certain participants attending such conferences or events. The Advisor’s sponsorship of conferences or events organized by others from time to time includes direct payments to vendors on behalf of, and/or reimbursement of expenses incurred by, the organizers of such events. Also, from time to time, the Advisor makes direct payments to vendors on behalf of, and/or reimbursement of expenses incurred by, Intermediaries in connection with the Intermediaries hosting educational, training, customer appreciation, or other events for such Intermediaries and/or their customers. Personnel of the Advisor may or may not be present at any of the conferences or events hosted by third parties described above. The Advisor generally will promote its participation in or sponsorship of such conferences or events in marketing or advertising materials. At the request of a client or potential client, the Advisor or its affiliates may also refer such client to one or more Intermediaries.
The provision of these services, arrangements and payments described above by the Advisor present conflicts of interest because they provide incentives for Intermediaries, customers or clients of Intermediaries, or such customers’ or clients’ service providers to recommend, or otherwise make available, the Advisor’s strategies or DFA Advised Funds to their clients in order to receive or continue to benefit from these arrangements from the Advisor or its affiliates. However, the provision of these services, arrangements and payments by the Advisor or its affiliates is not dependent on the amount of DFA Advised Funds or strategies sold or recommended by such Intermediaries, customers or clients of Intermediaries, or such customers’ or clients’ service providers.
Consultation Referral Fees Paid by the Advisor
From time to time, consultants of the Advisor are paid a commission for client referrals. Such commissions typically are calculated based on a flat fee, percentage of total fees received by the Advisor as a result of such referrals, or other means agreed to between the Advisor and the consultants.
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Payments to Intermediaries by the Advisor
Additionally, the Advisor or its advisory affiliates may enter into arrangements with, and/or make payments from their own assets to, certain Intermediaries to enable access to DFA Advised Funds on platforms and through programs or products made available by such Intermediaries or to assist such Intermediaries to upgrade existing technology systems, or implement new technology systems, platforms, programs, or products in order to improve the methods through which the Intermediaries provide services to the Advisor and its advisory affiliates, and/or their clients. The Advisor or its advisory affiliates may also make payments to Intermediaries related to marketing activities and presentations, educational training programs, conferences, data provision services, or making shares of the DFA Advised Funds available to their customers generally and in certain investment programs. The Advisor may make payments to Intermediaries and other financial service providers for data regarding DFA Advised Funds, such as statistical information regarding sales of shares of DFA Advised Funds through Intermediaries. Such arrangements or payments may establish contractual obligations on the part of such Intermediaries to provide DFA Advised Funds, the Advisor, or their clients with certain exclusive or preferred access to the use of the subject technology or programs or preferable placement or inclusion with such Intermediaries’ platforms, programs or products. Payments of this type are sometimes referred to as revenue-sharing payments. Any payments made pursuant to such arrangements may vary in any year and may be different for different Intermediaries. In certain cases, the payments described here may be subject to certain minimum payment levels, be a fixed amount, and/or depend on assets invested in a particular fund through such Intermediary.
The services, arrangements, and payments described above, which may be significant to the Intermediaries, present conflicts of interest because they provide incentives for Intermediaries, customers or clients of Intermediaries, or such customers’ or clients’ service providers, to recommend, or otherwise make available, DFA Advised Funds to their clients in order to receive or continue to benefit from these arrangements from the Advisor or its affiliates.
As of January 31, 2023, the Intermediaries receiving such payments include: Betterment Holdings, Inc., Charles Schwab & Co. Inc., Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company, Transamerica Retirement Solutions, LLC, UBS Financial Services Inc. and LPL Financial LLC. Any additions, modifications, or deletions to this list of financial intermediaries that have occurred since the date of this SAI are not included in this list. Please contact your salesperson, advisor, broker or other investment professional for more information regarding any such payments or financial incentives his or her intermediary firm may receive.
Any payments described above made by the Advisor, or an affiliate of the Advisor, will be made from their own assets and not from the assets of the Portfolios. As a result, such payments are not reflected in the fees and expenses listed in the fees and expenses sections of the Portfolios’ prospectuses.
Data Services Purchased by the Advisor
The Advisor purchases certain data services and products used by the Advisor for sales, distribution, and research purposes. In limited circumstances, a data vendor or its affiliate also provides investment consulting services, and such vendor or affiliated entity may refer one or more of its consulting clients to DFA Advised Funds. Any investment consulting services and referrals are unrelated to the Advisor’s process for the review and purchase of certain data services.
MANAGEMENT FEES
David G. Booth, as a director and officer of the Advisor and shareholder of the Advisor’s general partner, and Rex A. Sinquefield, as a shareholder of the Advisor’s general partner, acting together, could be deemed controlling persons of the Advisor. Mr. Booth also serves as Chairman Emeritus of the Trust. For the services it provides as investment advisor to each Portfolio, the Advisor is paid a monthly fee calculated as a percentage of average net assets of the Portfolio.
For the fiscal years ended October 31, 2022, October 31, 2021 and October 31, 2020, the Portfolios paid management fees to the Advisor (and any sub-advisor) as set forth in the following table (the dollar amount is shown prior to any fee waivers or recoupments by the Advisor):
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Fiscal Year Ended 2022 | Fiscal Year Ended 2021 | Fiscal Year Ended 2020 | ||||
(000) | (000) | (000) | ||||
Dimensional U.S. Equity ETF(a) | $4,541 | $7,3191 | $7,6504 | |||
Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF | $11,454 | $13,528 | $11,637 | |||
Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF | $18,750 | $20,020 | $16,567 | |||
Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF(b) | $23,481 | $23,067 | $19,843 | |||
Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF(c)* | $15,950 | $4,6312 | $15,9275 | |||
Dimensional International Value ETF | $10,000 | $14,066 | $13,910 | |||
Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF(d) | $11,562 | $12,4423 | $10,618 |
1 | $7,496 after recoupment of fees previously waived |
2 | $640 after waiver |
3 | $12,343 after waiver |
4 | $7,700 after recoupment of fees previously waived |
5 | $12,568 after waiver |
* | The Portfolio’s predecessor fund’s prior master fund had more than one feeder portfolio; the dollar amount provided for the Portfolio prior to October 18, 2021 represents the total dollar amount of management fees paid by the predecessor fund’s master fund to the Advisor. For periods prior to October 18, 2021, the fees set forth in the table above include the fees paid to the Advisor by both the Portfolio’s predecessor fund and its corresponding master fund for investment management services. |
(a) | Pursuant to a Fee Waiver and Expense Assumption Agreement for the Dimensional U.S. Equity ETF, the Advisor has contractually agreed to waive its management fee and assume the ordinary operating expenses of the U.S. Equity ETF (excluding the expenses that the Portfolio incurs indirectly through investment in other investment companies) (“Portfolio Expenses”) to the extent necessary to reduce the expenses of the Portfolio when its total operating expenses exceed 0.22% of the average net assets of the Portfolio on an annualized basis (the “Expense Limitation Amount”). At any time that the Portfolio Expenses of the Portfolio are less than the Expense Limitation Amount for the Portfolio, the Advisor retains the right to recover any fees previously waived and/or any expenses previously assumed to the extent that such recovery will not cause the annualized Portfolio Expenses for the Portfolio to exceed the Expense Limitation Amount. The Portfolio is not obligated to reimburse the Advisor for fees previously waived or expenses previously assumed by the Advisor more than thirty-six months before the date of such reimbursement. Prior year waived fees and/or assumed expenses can be recaptured only if the expense ratio following such recapture would be less than the expense cap that was in place when such prior year fees were waived and/or expenses assumed, and less than the current expense cap in place for the Portfolio. The Fee Waiver and Expense Assumption Agreement for the Portfolio will remain in effect through February 28, 2024, and may only be terminated by the Trust’s Board of Trustees prior to that date. The Fee Waiver and Expense Assumption Agreement shall continue in effect from year to year thereafter unless terminated by the Trust or the Advisor. |
Prior to the Reorganization, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Fee Waiver and/or Expense Assumption Agreement for the Tax-Managed U.S. Equity Portfolio, the Advisor contractually agreed to waive its management fee and to assume the ordinary operating expenses of a class of the Tax-Managed U.S. Equity Portfolio (excluding the expenses that the Portfolio incurred indirectly through investment in other investment companies) (“Portfolio Expenses”) to the extent necessary to reduce the expenses of a class of the Portfolio when its total operating expenses exceeded 0.22% of the average net assets of a class of the Portfolio on an annualized basis (the “Expense Limitation Amount”). At any time that the Portfolio Expenses of a class of the Tax-Managed U.S. Equity Portfolio were less than the Expense Limitation Amount for a class of shares of the Portfolio, the Advisor retained the right to recover any fees previously waived and/or any expenses previously assumed to the extent that such recovery would not cause the annualized Portfolio Expenses for such class of shares of the Portfolio to exceed the Expense Limitation Amount. The Tax-Managed U.S. Equity Portfolio was not obligated to reimburse the Advisor for fees previously waived or expenses previously assumed by the Advisor more than thirty-six months before the date of such reimbursement. Prior year waived fees and/or assumed expenses could be recaptured only if the expense ratio following such recapture would be less than the expense cap that was in place when such prior year fees were waived and/or expenses assumed, and less than the current expense cap in place for the Portfolio. All fees waived and/or expenses assumed prior to the Reorganization are not subject to recapture.
(b) | Pursuant to a Fee Waiver and Expense Assumption Agreement for the Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF, the Advisor has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and assume the ordinary operating expenses of |
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the U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF (excluding the expenses that the Portfolio incurs indirectly through investment in other investment companies) (“Portfolio Expenses”) to the extent necessary to limit the Portfolio Expenses of the Portfolio to 0.30% of the average net assets of the Portfolio on an annualized basis (the “Expense Limitation Amount”). At any time that the Portfolio Expenses of the Portfolio are less than the Expense Limitation Amount for the Portfolio, the Advisor retains the right to recover any fees previously waived and/or expenses previously assumed to the extent that such recovery will not cause the annualized Portfolio Expenses for the Portfolio to exceed the Expense Limitation Amount. The Portfolio is not obligated to reimburse the Advisor for fees previously waived or expenses previously assumed by the Advisor more than thirty-six months before the date of such reimbursement. Prior year waived fees and/or assumed expenses can be recaptured only if the expense ratio following such recapture would be less than the expense cap that was in place when such prior year fees were waived and/or expenses assumed, and less than the current expense cap in place for the Portfolio. The Fee Waiver and Expense Assumption Agreement for the Portfolio will remain in effect through February 28, 2024, and may only be terminated by the Trust’s Board of Trustees prior to that date. The Fee Waiver and Expense Assumption Agreement shall continue in effect from year to year thereafter unless terminated by the Trust or the Advisor.
Prior to the Reorganization, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Fee Waiver and/or Expense Assumption Agreement for the T.A. U.S. Core Equity 2 Portfolio, the Advisor agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and to assume the ordinary operating expenses of a class of the T.A. U.S. Core Equity 2 Portfolio (excluding the expenses that the Portfolio incurred indirectly through investment in other investment companies) (“Portfolio Expenses”) to the extent necessary to limit the Portfolio Expenses of a class of the Portfolio to 0.30% of the average net assets of a class of the Portfolio on an annualized basis (the “Expense Limitation Amount”). At any time that the Portfolio Expenses of a class of shares of the T.A. U.S. Core Equity 2 Portfolio were less than the Expense Limitation Amount for such class of shares of the Portfolio, the Advisor retained the right to recover any fees previously waived and/or expenses previously assumed to the extent that such recovery would not cause the annualized Portfolio Expenses for such class of shares of the Portfolio to exceed the Expense Limitation Amount. The T.A. U.S. Core Equity 2 Portfolio was not obligated to reimburse the Advisor for fees previously waived or expenses previously assumed by the Advisor more than thirty-six months before the date of such reimbursement. Prior year waived fees and/or assumed expenses could be recaptured only if the expense ratio following such recapture would be less than the expense cap that was in place when such prior year fees were waived and/or expenses assumed, and less than the current expense cap in place for the Portfolio. All fees waived and/or expenses assumed prior to the Reorganization are not subject to recapture.
(c) | Pursuant to a Fee Waiver and Expense Assumption Agreement (the “Fee Waiver Agreement”) for the Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF, the Advisor has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and to assume the ordinary operating expenses of the Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF (excluding the expenses that the Portfolio incurs indirectly through its investment in other investment companies) (“Portfolio Expenses”) to the extent necessary to limit the Portfolio Expenses of the Portfolio to 0.24% of the average net assets of the Portfolio on an annualized basis (the “Expense Limitation Amount”). At any time that the Portfolio’s annualized Portfolio Expenses are less than the Portfolio’s Expense Limitation Amount, described above, the Advisor retains the right to recover any fees previously waived and/or expenses previously assumed to the extent that such recovery will not cause the annualized Portfolio Expenses of the Portfolio to exceed the Expense Limitation Amount. The Portfolio is not obligated to reimburse the Advisor for fees previously waived and/or expenses previously assumed by the Advisor more than thirty-six months before the date of such reimbursement. Prior year waived and/or assumed expenses can be recaptured only if the expense ratio following such recapture would be less than the expense cap that was in place when such prior year expenses were waived and/or assumed, and less than the current expense cap in place for the Portfolio. The Fee Waiver Agreement for the Portfolio will remain in effect through February 28, 2024 and may only be terminated by the Trust’s Board of Trustees prior to that date. The Fee Waiver Agreement shall continue in effect from year to year thereafter unless terminated by the Trust or the Advisor. |
Prior to the Reorganization, pursuant to a Fee Waiver Agreement for Tax-Managed U.S. Marketwide Value Portfolio II, the Advisor contractually agreed to permanently waive all or a portion of the management fee of the Tax-Managed U.S. Marketwide Value Portfolio II to the extent necessary to limit the total management fees paid to the Advisor by the Portfolio, including the proportionate share of the management fees the Portfolio paid indirectly through its investment in other funds managed by the Advisor, except for the fees paid indirectly through its investment of securities lending cash collateral in The DFA Short Term Investment Fund, to 0.20% of the average net assets of a class of the Portfolio on an annualized basis.
(d) | Pursuant to a Fee Waiver and Expense Assumption Agreement for the Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF, the Advisor has agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and to assume the expenses of the World ex U.S. |
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Core Equity ETF (including the expenses that the Portfolio bears as a shareholder of other funds managed by the Advisor but excluding the expenses that the Portfolio incurs indirectly through investment of its securities lending cash collateral in The DFA Short Term Investment Fund and its investment in unaffiliated investment companies) (“Portfolio Expenses”) to the extent necessary to limit the Portfolio Expenses of the Portfolio to 0.39% of the average net assets of the Portfolio on an annualized basis (the “Expense Limitation Amount”). At any time that the Portfolio Expenses of the Portfolio are less than the Expense Limitation Amount for the Portfolio, the Advisor retains the right to recover any fees previously waived and/or expenses previously assumed to the extent that such recovery will not cause the annualized Portfolio Expenses for the Portfolio to exceed the Expense Limitation Amount. The Portfolio is not obligated to reimburse the Advisor for fees previously waived or expenses previously assumed by the Advisor more than thirty-six months before the date of such reimbursement. Prior year waived fees and/or assumed expenses can be recaptured only if the expense ratio following such recapture would be less than the expense cap that was in place when such prior year fees were waived and/or expenses assumed, and less than the current expense cap in place for the Portfolio. The Fee Waiver and Expense Assumption Agreement for the Portfolio will remain in effect through February 28, 2023, and may only be terminated by the Trust’s Board of Trustees prior to that date. The Fee Waiver and Expense Assumption Agreement shall continue in effect from year to year thereafter unless terminated by the Trust or the Advisor.
Prior to the Reorganization, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Fee Waiver and/or Expense Assumption Agreement for the T.A. World ex U.S. Core Equity Portfolio, the Advisor agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and to assume the expenses of a class of the T.A. World ex U.S. Core Equity Portfolio (including the expenses that the Portfolio bore as a shareholder of other funds managed by the Advisor but excluding the expenses that the Portfolio incurred indirectly through investment of its securities lending cash collateral in The DFA Short Term Investment Fund and its investment in unaffiliated investment companies) (“Portfolio Expenses”) to the extent necessary to limit the Portfolio Expenses of a class of the Portfolio to 0.39% of the average net assets of a class of the Portfolio on an annualized basis (the “Expense Limitation Amount”). At any time that the Portfolio Expenses of a class of the T.A. World ex U.S. Core Equity Portfolio were less than the Expense Limitation Amount for such class of the Portfolio, the Advisor retained the right to recover any fees previously waived and/or expenses previously assumed to the extent that such recovery would not cause the annualized Portfolio Expenses for such class of shares of the Portfolio to exceed the Expense Limitation Amount. The T.A. World ex U.S. Core Equity Portfolio was not obligated to reimburse the Advisor for fees previously waived or expenses previously assumed by the Advisor more than thirty-six months before the date of such reimbursement. Prior year waived fees and/or assumed expenses could be recaptured only if the expense ratio following such recapture would be less than the expense cap that was in place when such prior year fees were waived and/or expenses assumed, and less than the current expense cap in place for the Portfolio. All fees waived and/or expenses assumed prior to the Reorganization are not subject to recapture.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
In accordance with the team approach used to manage the Portfolios, the portfolio managers and portfolio traders implement the policies and procedures established by the Investment Committee. The portfolio managers and portfolio traders also make daily investment decisions regarding the Portfolios based on the parameters established by the Investment Committee. The individuals named below are the portfolio managers that coordinate the efforts of all other portfolio managers or trading personnel with respect to the day-to-day management of the Portfolios indicated.
Dimensional U.S. Equity ETF, Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF and Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF |
Jed S. Fogdall, Joseph F. Hohn, John A. Hertzer and Mary T. Phillips | |
Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF and Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF | Jed S. Fogdall, Joseph F. Hohn, Joel P. Schneider and Marc C. Leblond | |
Dimensional International Value ETF | Jed S. Fogdall, Arun C. Keswani, Joseph F. Hohn and Joel P. Schneider | |
Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF | Jed S. Fogdall, Allen Pu, Mary T. Phillips, William B. Collins-Dean and Joseph F. Hohn |
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Investments in Each Portfolio
Information relating to each portfolio manager’s ownership (including the ownership of his or her immediate family) in the Portfolios contained in this SAI that he or she manages as of October 31, 2022 is set forth in the chart below.
Portfolio | Portfolio Manager(s) | Dollar Range of Portfolio Shares Owned |
Dimensional U.S. Equity ETF | Jed S. Fogdall Joseph F. Hohn John A. Hertzer Mary T. Phillips |
None None None None |
Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF | Jed S. Fogdall Joseph F. Hohn Joel P. Schneider Marc C. Leblond |
None None None $10,001 - $50,000 |
Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF | Jed S. Fogdall Joseph F. Hohn Joel P. Schneider Marc C. Leblond |
None None None $10,001 - $50,000 |
Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF | Jed S. Fogdall Joseph F. Hohn John A. Hertzer Mary T. Phillips |
None None None $100,001 - $500,000 |
Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF | Jed S. Fogdall Joseph F. Hohn John A. Hertzer Mary T. Phillips |
None None None None |
Dimensional International Value ETF | Jed S. Fogdall Arun C. Keswani Joseph F. Hohn Joel P. Schneider |
None None None None |
Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF | Jed S. Fogdall Allen Pu Mary T. Phillips William B. Collins-Dean Joseph F. Hohn |
None None $50,001 - $100,000 None None |
Description of Compensation Structure
Portfolio managers receive a base salary and bonus. Compensation of a portfolio manager is determined at the discretion of the Advisor and is based on a portfolio manager’s experience, responsibilities, the perception of the quality of his or her work efforts, and other subjective factors. The compensation of portfolio managers is not directly based upon the performance of the Portfolios or other accounts that the portfolio managers manage. The Advisor reviews the compensation of each portfolio manager annually and may make modifications in compensation as its Compensation Committee deems necessary to reflect changes in the market. Each portfolio manager’s compensation consists of the following:
● | Base salary. Each portfolio manager is paid a base salary. The Advisor considers the factors described above to determine each portfolio manager’s base salary. |
● | Semi-Annual Bonus. Each portfolio manager may receive a semi-annual bonus. The amount of the bonus paid to each portfolio manager is based upon the factors described above. |
Portfolio managers may be awarded the right to purchase restricted shares of the stock of the Advisor, as determined from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Advisor or its delegates. Portfolio managers also participate in benefit and retirement plans and other programs available generally to all employees.
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In addition, portfolio managers may be given the option of participating in the Advisor’s Long Term Incentive Plan. The level of participation for eligible employees may be dependent on overall level of compensation, among other considerations. Participation in this program is not based on or related to the performance of any individual strategies or any particular client accounts.
Other Managed Accounts
In addition to the Portfolios, each portfolio manager manages (i) other U.S. registered investment companies advised or sub-advised by the Advisor, (ii) other pooled investment vehicles that are not U.S. registered mutual funds or ETFs and (iii) other accounts managed for organizations and individuals. The following table sets forth information regarding the total accounts for which each portfolio manager has the primary responsibility for coordinating the day-to-day management responsibilities.
Name of Portfolio Manager | Number of Accounts Managed and Total Assets by Category As of October 31, 2022 | |
Jed S. Fogdall | ● |
119 U.S. registered mutual funds with $394,030 million in total assets under management. |
● | 28 unregistered pooled investment vehicles with $19,831 million in total assets under management, of which 1 account with $194 million in assets may be subject to a performance fee. | |
● | 415 other accounts with $23,171 million in total assets under management, of which 4 accounts with $1,687 million in assets may be subject to a performance fee. | |
Joel P. Schneider | ● |
42 U.S. registered mutual funds with $128,442 million in total assets under management. |
● | 0 unregistered pooled investment vehicles. | |
● | 2 other accounts with $323 million in total assets under management. | |
Marc C. Leblond | ● |
14 U.S. registered mutual funds with $61,819 million in total assets under management. |
● | 3 unregistered pooled investment vehicles with $2,663 million in total assets under management, of which 1 account with $194 million in assets may be subject to a performance fee. | |
● | 14 other accounts with $3,606 million in total assets under management. | |
Mary T. Phillips | ● |
65 U.S. registered mutual funds with $241,973 million in total assets under management. |
● | 4 unregistered pooled investment vehicles with $2,499 million in total assets under management. | |
● | 0 other accounts. | |
Arun C. Keswani | ● |
24 U.S. registered mutual funds with $55,193 million in total assets under management. |
● | 0 unregistered pooled investment vehicles. | |
● | 7 other accounts with $1,971 million in total assets under management, of which 2 accounts with $853 million in assets may be subject to a performance fee. | |
Allen Pu | ● |
51 U.S. registered mutual funds with $116,725 million in total assets under management. |
● | 15 unregistered pooled investment vehicles with $12,763 million in total assets under management. | |
● | 0 other accounts. | |
William B. Collins-Dean | ● |
21 U.S. registered mutual funds with $79,580 million in total assets under management. |
● | 0 unregistered pooled investment vehicles. | |
● | 6 other accounts with $2,697 million in total assets under management. |
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Name of Portfolio Manager | Number of Accounts Managed and Total Assets by Category As of October 31, 2022 | |
Joseph F. Hohn | ● |
21 U.S. registered mutual funds with $73,294 million in total assets under management. |
● | 7 unregistered pooled investment vehicles with $1,074 million in total assets under management. | |
● | 0 other accounts. | |
John A. Hertzer | ● | 24 U.S. registered mutual funds with $149,424 million in total assets under management. |
● | 3 unregistered pooled investment vehicles with $3,822 million in total assets under management. | |
● | 6 other accounts with $7,885 million in total assets under management. |
Potential Conflicts of Interest
Actual or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager has the primary day-to-day responsibilities with respect to more than one Portfolio and other accounts. Other accounts include registered mutual funds and ETFs (other than the Portfolios), other unregistered pooled investment vehicles, and other accounts managed for organizations and individuals (“Accounts”). An Account may have similar investment objectives to a Portfolio, or may purchase, sell or hold securities that are eligible to be purchased, sold or held by a Portfolio. Actual or apparent conflicts of interest include:
● | Time Management. The management of multiple Portfolios and/or Accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of each Portfolio and/or Accounts. The Advisor seeks to manage such competing interests for the time and attention of portfolio managers by having portfolio managers focus on a particular investment discipline. Most Accounts managed by a portfolio manager are managed using the same investment approaches that are used in connection with the management of the Portfolios. |
● | Investment Opportunities. It is possible that at times identical securities will be held by more than one Portfolio and/or Account. However, positions in the same security may vary and the length of time that any Portfolio or Account may choose to hold its investment in the same security may likewise vary. If a portfolio manager identifies a limited investment opportunity that may be suitable for more than one Portfolio or Account, a Portfolio may not be able to take full advantage of that opportunity due to an allocation of filled purchase or sale orders across all eligible Portfolios and Accounts. To deal with these situations, the Advisor has adopted procedures for allocating portfolio transactions across multiple Portfolios and Accounts. |
● | Broker Selection. With respect to securities transactions for the Portfolios, the Advisor determines which broker to use to execute each order, consistent with its duty to seek best execution of the transaction. However, with respect to certain Accounts (such as separate accounts), the Advisor may be limited by the client with respect to the selection of brokers or may be instructed to direct trades through a particular broker. In these cases, the Advisor or its affiliates may place separate, non-simultaneous, transactions for a Portfolio and another Account that may temporarily affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the detriment of the Portfolio or the Account. |
● | Performance-Based Fees. For some Accounts, the Advisor may be compensated based on the profitability of the Account, such as by a performance-based management fee. These incentive compensation structures may create a conflict of interest for the Advisor with regard to Accounts where the Advisor is paid based on a percentage of assets because the portfolio manager may have an incentive to allocate securities preferentially to the Accounts where the Advisor might share in investment gains. |
● | Investment in an Account. A portfolio manager or his/her relatives may invest in an Account that he or she manages and a conflict may arise where he or she may therefore have an incentive to treat the Account in which the portfolio manager or his/her relatives invest preferentially as compared to other Accounts for which he or she has portfolio management responsibilities. |
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The Advisor and the Trust have adopted certain compliance procedures that are reasonably designed to address these types of conflicts. However, there is no guarantee that such procedures will detect each and every situation in which a conflict arises.
CODE OF ETHICS
The Trust, the Advisor, DFA Australia, DFAL and DFAS have adopted a Code of Ethics, under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act, for certain access persons of the Portfolios. The Code of Ethics is designed to ensure that access persons act in the interest of the Portfolios and their shareholders with respect to any personal trading of securities. Under the Code of Ethics, access persons are generally prohibited from knowingly buying or selling securities (except for mutual funds, U.S. government securities and money market instruments) which are being purchased, sold or considered for purchase or sale by a Portfolio unless their proposed purchases are approved in advance. The Code of Ethics also contains certain reporting requirements and securities trading clearance procedures.
SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS
The Trust currently has authorized and allocated to each Portfolio an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest with no par value. The Trustees of the Trust may, at any time and from time to time, by resolution, authorize the establishment and division of additional shares of the Trust into an unlimited number of series and the division of any series (including the Portfolios) into two or more classes. When issued in accordance with the Trust’s registration statement, governing instruments and applicable law (all as may be amended from time to time), all of the Trust’s shares are fully paid and non-assessable. Shares do not have preemptive rights.
Each Share issued by a Portfolio has a pro rata interest in the assets of the Portfolio. 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. However, matters affecting only one particular Portfolio or class can be voted on only by shareholders in such Portfolio or class. The shares of the Trust are not entitled to cumulative voting, meaning that holders of more than 50% of the Trust’s shares may elect the entire Board. All shareholders are entitled to receive dividend and/or capital gains when and as declared by the Trustees from time to time and as discussed in the Prospectus.
The Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration”) provides that by virtue of becoming a shareholder of the Trust, each shareholder shall be held expressly to have agreed to be bound by the provisions of the Declaration. In addition, the Declaration provides a detailed process for the bringing of derivative actions by shareholders in order to permit legitimate inquiries and claims while avoiding the time, expense, distraction, and other harm that can be caused to a Portfolio or its shareholders as a result of spurious shareholder demands and derivative actions. Prior to bringing a derivative action, a demand by the complaining shareholder must first be made on the Trustees. The Declaration details conditions that must be met with respect to the demand. Following receipt of the demand, the Trustees must be afforded a reasonable amount of time to investigate and consider the demand. The Trustees will be entitled to retain counsel or other advisors in considering the merits of the request and shall require an undertaking by the shareholders making such request to reimburse the Trust for the expense of any such advisors in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring such action.
The Declaration also requires that actions by shareholders against a Portfolio be brought only in a certain federal court in Texas, or if not permitted to be brought in federal court, then in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as required by applicable law, or the Superior Court of Delaware, and that the right to jury trial be waived to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Book Entry Only System. The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the relevant information included in the Prospectus. DTC Acts as securities depository for Shares. Shares of the Portfolios are represented by securities registered in the name of DTC or its nominee and deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC.
DTC, a limited-purpose trust company, was created to hold securities of its participants (the “DTC Participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among the DTC Participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the DTC Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own DTC. More specifically, DTC is owned by a number of its DTC Participants and by the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), NYSE MKT and FINRA. Access to the
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DTC system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant, either directly or indirectly (the “Indirect Participants”).
Beneficial ownership of Shares is limited to DTC Participants, Indirect Participants and persons holding interests through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in Shares (owners of such beneficial interests are referred to herein as “Beneficial Owners”) is shown on, and the transfer of ownership is effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to DTC Participants) and on the records of DTC Participants (with respect to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners that are not DTC Participants). Beneficial Owners will receive from or through the DTC Participant a written confirmation relating to their purchase and sale of Shares. No Beneficial Owner shall have the right to receive a certificate representing such 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 a Portfolio held by each DTC Participant. The Trust shall inquire of each such DTC Participant as to the number of Beneficial Owners holding Shares, directly or indirectly, through such DTC Participant. The Trust shall provide each such DTC Participant with copies of such notice, statement or other communication, in such form, number and at such place as such DTC Participant may reasonably request, in order that such notice, statement or communication may be transmitted by such DTC Participant, directly or indirectly, to such Beneficial Owners. In addition, the Trust shall pay to each such DTC Participant a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement for the expenses attendant to such transmittal, all subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
Portfolio distributions shall be made to DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., as the registered holder of all Portfolio Shares. DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any such distributions, shall immediately credit DTC Participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in Shares of a Portfolio as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. Payments by DTC Participants to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners of Shares held through such DTC Participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in a “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such DTC Participants.
The Trust has no responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or notices to Beneficial Owners, or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in such Shares, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests, or for any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and the DTC Participants or the relationship between such DTC Participants and the Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners owning through such DTC Participants. DTC may decide to discontinue providing its service with respect to Shares at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Trust and discharging its responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law. Under such circumstances, the Trust shall take action to find a replacement for DTC to perform its functions at a comparable cost.
PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
Although the Trust does not have information concerning the beneficial ownership of shares held in the names of the DTC participants, as of January 31, 2023, the following DTC participants owned of record 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Portfolios, as set forth below:
DIMENSIONAL U.S. EQUITY ETF
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. | 34.49% | |
211 Main Street | ||
San Francisco, CA 94105 | ||
National Financial Services LLC | 17.97% | |
245 Summer Street | ||
Boston, MA 02210 | ||
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc. | 17.32% | |
200 S. 108th Avenue | ||
Omaha, NE 68154 |
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Charles Schwab Retail | 13.16% | |
211 Main Street | ||
San Francisco, CA 94105 | ||
Raymond James & Associates, Inc. | 6.14% | |
880 Carillon Parkway | ||
St. Petersburg, FL 33716 |
DIMENSIONAL U.S. SMALL CAP ETF
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.1 | 32.54% | |
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.1 | 19.79% | |
Charles Schwab Retail1 | 15.63% | |
National Financial Services LLC1 | 11.52% | |
Northern Trust Private Bank | 5.76% | |
50 S. La Salle Street | ||
Chicago, IL 60603 |
DIMENSIONAL U.S. TARGETED VALUE ETF
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.1 | 38.70% | |
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.1 | 20.97% | |
Charles Schwab Retail1 | 16.48% | |
National Financial Services LLC1 | 14.37% |
Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.1 | 27.84% | |
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.1 | 24.49% | |
National Financial Services LLC1 | 21.03% | |
Charles Schwab Retail1 | 12.81% |
DIMENSIONAL US MARKETWIDE VALUE ETF
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.1 | 43.37% | |
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.1 | 18.15% | |
National Financial Services LLC1 | 12.98% | |
Charles Schwab Retail1 | 11.81% |
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DIMENSIONAL INTERNATIONAL VALUE ETF
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.1 | 36.63% | |
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.1 | 17.65% | |
Charles Schwab Retail1 | 15.37% | |
National Financial Services LLC1 | 13.97% |
DIMENSIONAL WORLD EX U.S. CORE EQUITY 2 ETF
National Financial Services LLC1 | 24.21% | |
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.1 | 22.78% | |
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.1 | 22.25% | |
Charles Schwab Retail1 | 9.96% |
1 | See address for shareholder previously noted above in list. |
To the best knowledge of the Trust, no other DTC participant held of record more than 5% of the outstanding shares of a Portfolio.
Following the creation of the initial Creation Unit(s) of shares of a Portfolio and immediately prior to the commencement of trading in the Portfolio’s shares, a holder of shares, including the Advisor, may be a “control person” of the Portfolio, as defined in the 1940 Act. A Portfolio cannot predict the length of time for which one or more shareholders may remain a control person of the Portfolio.
CREATION AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS
General
Each Portfolio issues Shares only in Creation Units on a continuous basis through the Distributor or its agent, without a sales load, at its NAV next determined after receipt, on any Business Day (as defined below), of an order received by the Transfer Agent in proper form. On days when the Exchange closes earlier than normal, the Portfolios may require orders to be placed earlier in the day. A “Business Day” is any day on which the NYSE is open for business. As of the date of this SAI, the NYSE observes the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Although it is expected that the same holidays will be observed in the future, the NYSE may modify its holiday schedule or hours of operation at any time.
Each Portfolio effects creations and redemptions only to and from broker-dealers and large institutional investors that have entered into authorized participant agreements, as described further below. Each Portfolio may issue and redeem Creation Units of its Shares in exchange for a designated basket of portfolio investments (including any portion of such investments for which cash may be substituted), together with an amount of cash and any applicable fees, as described below, or Shares may be offered and redeemed partially or solely for cash. For each Portfolio, the Trust reserves the right to permit or require that creations and redemptions of Shares be effected entirely in cash, in-kind or a combination thereof.
To the extent the Portfolios engage in in-kind transactions, the Portfolios intend to comply with the U.S. federal securities laws in accepting securities for deposit and satisfying redemptions with redemption securities by, among other means, assuring that any securities accepted for deposit and any securities used to satisfy redemption requests will be sold in transactions that would be exempt from registration under the 1933 Act. Further, an Authorized Participant (as defined below
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under “Procedures for Creation of Creation Units”) that is not a “qualified institutional buyer,” as such term is defined under Rule 144A of the 1933 Act, will not be able to receive securities that are restricted securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A.
The Portfolios may utilize custom creation or redemption baskets consistent with Rule 6c-11. Custom orders may be required to be received by the Transfer Agent by 3:00 p.m., Eastern Time, to be effectuated based on the Portfolio’s NAV on that Business Day. A custom order may be placed when, for example, an Authorized Participant cannot transact in an instrument in the in-kind creation or redemption basket and therefore has additional cash included in lieu of such instrument. The Trust has adopted policies and procedures that govern the construction and acceptance of baskets, including heightened requirements for certain types of custom baskets. These policies and procedures provide detailed parameters for the construction and acceptance of custom baskets that are in the best interests of a Portfolio and its shareholders, including the process for any revisions to, or deviations from, those parameters, and specify the titles or roles of the employees of the Advisor who are required to review each custom basket for compliance with the parameters.
Persons placing or effectuating custom orders should be mindful of time deadlines imposed by intermediaries, which may impact the successful processing of such orders.
Creations
Deposit of Investments/Delivery of Cash. The consideration for purchase of Creation Units of a Portfolio may consist of the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of investments (including cash in lieu of any portion of such investments) determined by the Portfolio (“Deposit Securities”) and generally a specified amount of cash (the “Cash Component”), computed as described below, together with applicable creation transaction fees (as described below). Together, the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component constitute the “Fund Deposit,” applicable to creation requests received in proper form, subject to amendment or correction as described below.
The Cash Component, also commonly referred to as the balancing amount, is an amount equal to the difference between (i) the NAV of Portfolio Shares (per Creation Unit); and (ii) the “Deposit Amount,” which is the amount equal to the market value of the Deposit Securities and/or cash in lieu of all or a portion of the Deposit Securities. The Cash Component serves the function of compensating for any differences between the NAV per Creation Unit and the Deposit Amount. If the Cash Component is a positive number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit exceeds the Deposit Amount), the Authorized Participant will deliver the Cash Component. If the Cash Component is a negative number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit is less than the Deposit Amount), the Authorized Participant will receive the Cash Component. Payment of any tax, stamp duty or other similar fees and expenses payable upon transfer of beneficial ownership of the Deposit Securities are the sole responsibility of the Authorized Participant purchasing the Creation Unit.
Creation Units may also be sold partially or solely for cash. When partial or full cash purchases of Creation Units are available or specified for a Portfolio, such purchases will be effected in essentially the same manner as in-kind purchases of Creation Units. In the case of a partial or full cash purchase, the Authorized Participant must pay the cash equivalent of the Deposit Securities it would have otherwise delivered in an in-kind purchase, in addition to the same Cash Component required to be paid by an in-kind purchaser. In addition, to offset brokerage and other costs associated with using cash to purchase the requisite Deposit Securities, the Authorized Participant must pay the Transaction Fees required by each Portfolio. If the Authorized Participant acts as a broker for the Portfolio in connection with the purchase of Deposit Securities, the Authorized Participant will also be required to pay certain brokerage commissions, taxes, and transaction and market impact costs.
The Custodian, through the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”), makes available on each Business Day, prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time), the list of the names and the required quantities of each Deposit Security and the amount of the Cash Component to be included in the current Fund Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day and subject to possible amendment or correction) for the Portfolios.
The Portfolios reserve the right to accept a nonconforming (i.e., custom) Fund Deposit. In addition, the composition of the Fund Deposit may change as, among other things, corporate actions, investment rebalancing, and investment decisions by the Advisor are implemented for a Portfolio. The composition of the Fund Deposit may also change in response to adjustments to the weighting or composition of the component securities constituting a Portfolio’s investment portfolio. All questions as to the composition of the in-kind creation basket to be included in the Fund Deposit and the validity, form,
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eligibility, and acceptance for deposit of any instrument shall be determined by the Trust, and the Trust’s determination shall be final and binding.
Procedures for Creation of Creation Units. To be eligible to place orders with the Distributor to create a Creation Unit of a Portfolio, 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”); or (ii) a DTC Participant (see “Book Entry Only System”), and, in each case, must have executed an authorized participant agreement with the Distributor with respect to creations and redemptions of Creation Units (“Participant Agreement”) (discussed further below). A Participating Party and DTC Participant are collectively referred to as “Authorized Participants.” Investors should contact the Distributor for a list of current Authorized Participants. All Shares of the Portfolios, however created, will be entered on the records of DTC in the name of Cede & Co. for the account of a DTC Participant.
Placement of Creation Orders. All orders to create Creation Units must be placed for one or more Creation Unit sized aggregations of a specified number of Shares. All standard orders to create Creation Units, whether through the Clearing Process (through a Participating Party) or outside the Clearing Process (through a DTC Participant), must be received by the Transfer Agent no later than the order cut-off time designated by the Trust (“Closing Time”) on the date such order is placed in order for the creation of Creation Units to be effected based on the NAV of Shares of the Portfolio as next determined on such date after receipt of the order in proper form. With certain exceptions, the Closing Time for a Portfolio usually is the closing time of the regular trading session on the New York Stock Exchange—i.e., ordinarily 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Subject to the provisions of the applicable Participant Agreement, in the case of custom orders, the order must generally be received by the Transfer Agent no later than 3:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the date such order is placed. The date on which an order to create Creation Units (or an order to redeem Creation Units as discussed below) is placed is referred to as the “Transmittal Date.” Orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the Distributor and the Transfer Agent as described below in this SAI and pursuant to procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement. Severe economic or market disruptions or changes, or telephone or other communication systems failure, may impede the ability to reach the Distributor, Transfer Agent or Authorized Participant.
Investors other than Authorized Participants are responsible for making arrangements for a creation request to be made through an Authorized Participant. Orders to create Creation Units of a Portfolio shall be placed with an Authorized Participant, as applicable, in the form required by such Authorized Participant. The Authorized Participant must make available on or before the prescribed settlement date, by means satisfactory to a Portfolio, immediately available or same day funds estimated by the Portfolio to be sufficient to pay the Cash Component next determined after acceptance of the purchase order, together with the applicable purchase transaction fees. Those placing orders should ascertain the applicable deadline for cash transfers by contacting the operations department of the broker or depositary institution effectuating the transfer of the Cash Component. In addition, the Authorized Participant may request the investor to make certain representations or enter into agreements with respect to the order, i.e., to provide for payments of cash, when required. Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not have executed a Participant Agreement and, therefore, orders to create Creation Units of a Portfolio have to be placed by the investor’s broker through an Authorized Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. At any given time there may be only a limited number of broker-dealers that have executed a Participant Agreement. Those placing orders for Creation Units through the Clearing Process should afford sufficient time to permit proper submission of the order to the Transfer Agent prior to the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date.
Orders for creation that are effected outside the Clearing Process are likely to require transmittal by the DTC Participant earlier on the Transmittal Date than orders effected using the Clearing Process. Those persons placing orders outside the Clearing Process should ascertain the deadlines applicable to DTC and the Federal Reserve Bank wire system by contacting the broker or depository institution effecting such transfer of the Fund Deposit.
An order to create Creation Units is deemed received on the Transmittal Date if (i) such order is received by the Transfer Agent not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date and (ii) all other procedures with respect to creation orders are properly followed. The delivery of Creation Units so created will generally occur no later than the second Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Transfer Agent (“T+2”). However, the Trust reserves the right to settle Creation Unit transactions on a basis other than T+2 if necessary or appropriate under the circumstances. Additionally, the International Portfolios reserve the right to settle Creation Unit transactions on a basis other than T+2 to accommodate non-U.S. market holiday schedules or to account for different treatment among non-U.S. and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and ex-dividend dates.
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If the Cash Component and the Deposit Securities are not received by the applicable deadline specified by the Transfer Agent on the Settlement Date, the creation order may be canceled. Upon written notice to the Transfer Agent, such cancelled order may be resubmitted the following Business Day using a newly constituted Fund Deposit as specified by the Portfolio.
Acceptance of Orders for Creation Units. Subject to the conditions that (i) an irrevocable purchase order has been submitted by the Authorized Participant (either on its own or another investor’s behalf) and (ii) arrangements satisfactory to a Portfolio are in place for payment of the Cash Component and any other cash amounts which may be due, the Portfolio will accept the order, subject to the Portfolio’s right (and the right of the Distributor and the Transfer Agent) to reject any order until acceptance, as set forth below.
Once an order has been accepted, upon the next determination of the NAV of a Portfolio’s Shares, the Portfolio will confirm the issuance of a Creation Unit, against receipt of payment, at such NAV. The Transfer Agent will then transmit a confirmation of acceptance to the Authorized Participant that placed the order.
A Portfolio reserves the absolute right to reject or revoke a creation order for any reason, including if: (a) the order is not in proper form; (b) the Deposit Securities delivered do not conform to the identity and number of shares specified, as described above; (c) the investor(s), upon obtaining the Shares ordered, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding Shares of the Portfolio; (d) the acceptance of the Fund Deposit would have certain adverse tax consequences to the Portfolio; (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 Portfolio or the Advisor, have an adverse effect on the Portfolio or the rights of beneficial owners; (g) deemed appropriate, in the Portfolio’s sole discretion, on certain days that are holidays in non-U.S. markets, while not observed holidays in the U.S. equity market, in order to protect Portfolio shareholders from any dilutive costs that may be associated with the purchase of Deposit Securities in connection with creation orders on such days; or (h) in the event that circumstances outside the control of the Portfolio, the Distributor, the Transfer Agent or the Advisor make it for all practical purposes impossible to process creation orders. 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 Portfolio, Advisor, the Distributor, Transfer Agent, DTC, NSCC or any other participant in the creation process, and similar extraordinary events. The Transfer Agent shall notify a prospective creator of a Creation Unit and/or the Authorized Participant acting on behalf of the creator of a Creation Unit of the rejection of the order of such person. The Portfolios, Custodian, sub-custodian, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Fund Deposits nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give such notification.
Issuance of Creation Units. Except as provided herein, a Creation Unit will not be issued until the transfer of good title to the applicable Portfolio of the Deposit Securities and the payment of the Cash Component and applicable creation transaction fees have been completed. When the Custodian or applicable sub-custodian has confirmed that the securities included in the Fund Deposit (or the cash value thereof) have been delivered to the account of the Custodian or relevant sub-custodian(s), the Transfer Agent and the Advisor shall be notified of such delivery and the applicable Portfolio will issue and cause the delivery of the Creation Unit.
A Portfolio may issue Creation Units to such Authorized Participant, notwithstanding the fact that the corresponding Fund Deposits have not been received in part or in whole, in reliance on the undertaking of the Authorized Participant to deliver the missing Deposit Securities as soon as possible, which undertaking shall be secured by such Authorized Participant’s delivery and maintenance of collateral having a value at least equal to 105%, and up to 115%, of the value of the missing Deposit Securities, which percentage the Advisor may change at any time, in its sole discretion, of the value of the missing Deposit Securities. The Trust may use such cash deposit at any time to buy Deposit Securities for the Portfolio. The only collateral that is acceptable to a Portfolio is cash in U.S. dollars. Such cash collateral generally must be delivered no later than 2 p.m., Eastern Time, on the next Business Day after the Transmittal Date (for the International Portfolios) or 2 p.m., Eastern Time, on the prescribed settlement date (for the Domestic Portfolios) or such other time as designated by the Custodian. The Portfolio may buy the missing Deposit Securities at any time, and the Authorized Participant will be subject to liability for any shortfall between the cost to the Portfolio of purchasing such securities and the value of the cash collateral including, without limitation, liability for related brokerage, borrowings and other charges.
In certain cases, Authorized Participants may create and redeem Creation Units on the same trade date and in these instances, a Portfolio reserves the right to settle these transactions on a net basis or require a representation from the
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Authorized Participants that the creation and redemption transactions are for separate beneficial owners. All questions as to the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by the Portfolio and the Portfolio’s determination shall be final and binding.
Creation Transaction Fee. A standard creation transaction fee is imposed to offset the transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance of Creation Units. The standard creation transaction fee is charged to the Authorized Participant on the day such Authorized Participant creates a Creation Unit, and is the same, regardless of the number of Creation Units purchased by the Authorized Participant on the applicable Business Day. From time to time and for such periods as the Advisor may deem appropriate, the Advisor may increase, decrease or otherwise modify the creation transaction fee to an amount that, in its judgment, is necessary or appropriate to recoup for the Portfolios the costs it may incur as a result of such purchases, or to otherwise eliminate or reduce so far as practicable any dilution of the value of the Shares. The Authorized Participant may also be required to cover certain brokerage, tax, foreign exchange, execution, market impact and other costs and expenses related to the execution of trades resulting from such transaction (up to the maximum amount shown below). Authorized Participants will also bear the costs of transferring the Deposit Securities to a Portfolio. Investors who use the services of a broker or other financial intermediary to acquire Portfolio shares may be charged a fee for such services.
The following table sets forth each Portfolio’s standard creation transaction fees and maximum additional charge (as described above):
Portfolio | Standard Creation Transaction Fee |
Maximum Additional Charge for Creations* |
Dimensional U.S. Equity ETF | $600 | 3% |
Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF | $600 | 3% |
Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF | $600 | 3% |
Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF | $800 | 3% |
Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF | $500 | 3% |
Dimensional International Value ETF | $1,500 | 7% |
Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF | $12,500 | 7% |
* As a percentage of the NAV per Creation Unit.
If a purchase consists of a cash portion and the Portfolio places a brokerage transaction to purchase portfolio securities with the Authorized Participant or its affiliated broker-dealer, the Authorized Participant (or its affiliated broker-dealer) may be required, in its capacity as broker-dealer with respect to that transaction, to cover certain brokerage, tax, foreign exchange, execution, and price movement costs through a Price Guarantee, as described in the Brokerage Transactions section of this SAI.
Redemptions
Redemption of Creation Units. Shares may be redeemed only in Creation Units at their NAV next determined after receipt of a redemption request in proper form by the Transfer Agent and only on a Business Day. The Portfolios will not redeem Shares in amounts less than Creation Units. Beneficial owners must accumulate enough Shares in the secondary market to constitute a Creation Unit in order to have such Shares redeemed by a Portfolio. 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 Portfolio Shares to constitute a redeemable Creation Unit.
When in-kind redemptions are available or specified for a Portfolio, the redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit generally consist of a designated portfolio of investments including cash in lieu of all or a portion of such investments (“Fund Instruments”) plus or minus the Cash Component, as next determined after a receipt of a request in proper form, together with the applicable redemption transaction fees (as described below) and, if applicable, any operational processing and
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brokerage costs, transfer fees or stamp taxes. The Fund Instruments together with the Cash Component comprise the “Fund Redemption.” The Cash Component, also commonly referred to as the balancing amount, included in the Fund Redemption is a compensating cash payment equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the NAV attributable to a Creation Unit and (ii) the aggregate market value of the Fund Instruments (i.e., securities or other instruments in the in-kind redemption basket) and/or the cash in-lieu of all or a portion of the Fund Instruments. In the event that the Fund Instruments and the cash in lieu have a value greater than the NAV of the Portfolio Shares, the Cash Component is required to be paid by the redeeming shareholder. If the NAV attributable to a Creation Unit exceeds the market value of the Fund Instruments and the cash in-lieu amount, if any, the Portfolio pays the Cash Component to the redeeming shareholder.
Creation Units may also be redeemed partially or solely for cash. A Portfolio may pay out the proceeds of redemptions of Creation Unit solely in cash or through any combination of cash or securities. In addition, an investor may request a redemption in cash that the Portfolio 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 Portfolio next determined after the redemption request is received in proper form (minus applicable redemption transaction fees and an additional charge for requested cash redemptions specified below, to offset the brokerage and other transaction costs associated with the disposition of Fund Instruments). Proceeds will be paid to the Authorized Participant redeeming Shares on behalf of the redeeming investor as soon as practicable after the date of redemption. If the Authorized Participant acts as a broker for the Portfolio in connection with the sale of Fund Instruments, the Authorized Participant will also be required to pay certain brokerage commissions, taxes, and transaction and market impact costs.
The Custodian, through the NSCC, makes available prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time) on each Business Day, the identity of the Fund Instruments and Cash Component that will be applicable (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day and subject to possible amendment or correction) to redemption requests received in proper form on that day. Fund Instruments received on redemption may not be identical to Deposit Securities that are applicable to creations of Creation Units.
The Portfolios reserve the right to deliver a nonconforming (i.e., custom) Fund Redemption. All questions as to the composition of the in-kind redemption basket to be included in the Fund Redemption shall be determined by the Trust, in accordance with applicable law, and the Trust’s determination shall be final and binding. The Portfolios reserve the right to make redemption payments in cash, in-kind or a combination of each.
Deliveries of Fund Redemptions will generally be made within two Business Days (“T+2”) or, for the Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF, three Business Days (“T+3”). However, the Portfolios reserve the right to settle redemption transactions on a basis other than T+2 or T+3, as applicable, if necessary or appropriate under the circumstances and consistent with applicable law. Delayed settlement may occur due to a number of different reasons, including, without limitation, settlement cycles for the underlying securities, unscheduled market closings, an effort to link distribution to dividend record dates and ex-dates and newly announced holidays. For example, the redemption settlement process may be extended beyond T+2 or T+3 because of the occurrence of a holiday in a non-U.S. market or in the U.S. bond market that is not a holiday observed in the U.S. equity market. Additionally, each Portfolio reserves the right to settle redemption transactions on a basis other than T+2 if necessary or appropriate under the circumstances; provided, however, that the Portfolios will deliver the foreign investment(s) as soon as practicable, and in no event later than 15 days after the receipt of a redemption request.
Because the portfolio securities of a Portfolio may trade on exchange(s) on days that the Exchange is closed or are otherwise not Business Days for the Portfolio, investors may not be able purchase or sell shares of the Portfolio on the Exchange on days when the NAV of the Portfolio could be significantly affected by events in the relevant non-U.S. markets. The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed (i) for any period during which the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (ii) for any period during which trading on the NYSE is suspended or restricted; (iii) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the Shares of a Portfolio or determination of a Portfolio’s NAV is not reasonably practicable; or (iv) in such other circumstances as is permitted by the SEC.
If an Authorized Participant has submitted a redemption request in proper form but is unable to transfer all or part of the Creation Unit to be redeemed to a Portfolio, at or prior to 2 p.m., Eastern Time, on the next Business Day after the Transmittal Date (for the International Portfolios) or 2 p.m., Eastern Time, on the prescribed settlement date (for the Domestic Portfolios), the Transfer Agent may accept the redemption request in reliance on the undertaking by the Authorized Participant to deliver the missing Shares as soon as possible. Such undertaking shall be secured by the Authorized Participant’s delivery and maintenance of collateral consisting of cash, in U.S. dollars in immediately available funds, having
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a value at least equal to 105%, and up to 115%, of the value of the missing Shares, which percentage the Trust may change at any time, in its sole discretion, of the value of the missing Shares. Such cash collateral must be delivered no later than 2 p.m., Eastern Time, on the next Business Day after the Transmittal Date (for the International Portfolios) or 2 p.m., Eastern Time, on the prescribed settlement date (for the Domestic Portfolios) and shall be held by the Custodian and marked-to-market daily. The fees of the Custodian and any sub-custodians in respect of the delivery, maintenance and redelivery of the cash collateral shall be payable by the Authorized Participant. The Portfolio may purchase missing Portfolio Shares or acquire the Fund Instruments and the Cash Component underlying such Shares, and the Authorized Participant will be subject to liability for any shortfall between the cost of the Portfolio acquiring such Shares, the Fund Instruments or Cash Component and the value of the cash collateral including, without limitation, liability for related brokerage and other charges.
Placement of Redemption Orders. Investors other than Authorized Participants are responsible for making arrangements for an order to redeem to be made through an Authorized Participant. An order to redeem Creation Units is deemed received by the Trust on the Transmittal Date if: (i) such order is received by the Transfer Agent not later than the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date; and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement and this Statement of Additional Information are properly followed. If the Transfer Agent does not receive the Shares through DTC by 2 p.m., Eastern Time, on the prescribed settlement date, the redemption request may be deemed rejected. Investors should be aware that the deadline for the transfers of shares through the DTC may be significantly earlier than the close of business on the NYSE.
An order to redeem Creation Units made in proper form but received by the Trust after the Closing Time, will be deemed received on the next Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date and will be effected at the NAV next determined on such next Business Day. On days when the Exchange closes earlier than normal, orders to redeem Creation Units may need to be placed earlier in the day.
Redemption Transaction Fee. A standard redemption transaction fee is imposed to offset transfer and other transaction costs that may be incurred by a Portfolio. The standard redemption transaction fee is charged to the Authorized Participant on the day such Authorized Participant redeems a Creation Unit, and is the same regardless of the number of Creation Units redeemed by an Authorized Participant on the applicable Business Day. From time to time and for such periods as the Advisor may deem appropriate, the Advisor may increase, decrease or otherwise modify the redemption transaction fee to an amount that, in its judgment, is necessary or appropriate to recoup for the Portfolio the costs it may incur as a result of such redemption, or to otherwise eliminate or reduce so far as practicable any dilution of the value of the Shares. The Authorized Participant may also be required to cover certain brokerage, tax, foreign exchange, execution, market impact and other costs and expenses related to the execution of trades resulting from such transaction (up to the maximum amount shown below). Authorized Participants will also bear the costs of transferring the Fund Instruments from a Portfolio to their account on their order. Investors who use the services of a broker or other financial intermediary to dispose of Portfolio shares may be charged a fee for such services.
The following table sets forth each Portfolio’s standard redemption transaction fees and maximum additional charge (as described above):
Portfolio | Standard Redemption Transaction Fee |
Maximum Additional Charge for Redemptions* |
Dimensional U.S. Equity ETF | $600 | 2% |
Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF | $600 | 2% |
Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF | $600 | 2% |
Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF | $800 | 2% |
Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF | $500 | 2% |
Dimensional International Value ETF | $1,500 | 2% |
Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF | $12,500 | 2% |
* As a percentage of the NAV per Creation Unit, inclusive of the standard redemption transaction fee.
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If a redemption consists of a cash portion and a Portfolio places a brokerage transaction to sell portfolio securities with the Authorized Participant or its affiliated broker-dealer, the Authorized Participant (or its affiliated broker-dealer) may be required, in its capacity as broker-dealer with respect to that transaction, to cover certain brokerage, tax, foreign exchange, execution, and price movement costs through a Price Guarantee, as described in the Brokerage Transactions section of this SAI.
TAXATION OF THE PORTFOLIOS AND THEIR SHAREHOLDERS
The following is a summary of some of the federal income tax consequences of investing in a Portfolio (sometimes referred to as “the Portfolio”). Unless you are invested in the Portfolio through a qualified retirement plan, you should consider the tax implications of investing and consult your own tax advisor. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of the tax treatment of the Portfolio or its shareholders, and the discussion here and in the Prospectus is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning.
This “TAXATION OF THE PORTFOLIOS AND THEIR SHAREHOLDERS” section is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and applicable regulations in effect on the date of this SAI. Future legislative, regulatory or administrative changes, including provisions of current law that sunset and thereafter no longer apply, or court decisions may significantly change the tax rules applicable to the Portfolio and its shareholders. Any of these changes or court decisions may have a retroactive effect.
This is for general information only and not tax advice and does not purport to deal with all federal tax consequences applicable to all categories of investors, some of which may be subject to special rules. You should consult your own tax advisor regarding your particular circumstances before making an investment in the Portfolio.
Taxation of the Portfolio
The Portfolio has elected and intends to qualify (or, if newly organized, intends to elect and qualify) each year as a regulated investment company (sometimes referred to as a “regulated investment company,” “RIC” or “portfolio”) under Subchapter M of the Code. If the Portfolio qualifies, the Portfolio will not be subject to federal income tax on the portion of its investment company taxable income (that is, generally, taxable interest, dividends, net short-term capital gains, and other taxable ordinary income, net of expenses, without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) and net capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses) that it distributes.
Qualification as a regulated investment company. In order to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company, the Portfolio must satisfy the following requirements:
• | Distribution Requirement ¾ the Portfolio must distribute an amount equal to the sum of at least 90% of its investment company taxable income and 90% of its net tax-exempt income, if any, for the tax year (including, for purposes of satisfying this distribution requirement, certain distributions made by the Portfolio after the close of its taxable year that are treated as made during such taxable year). |
• | Income Requirement ¾ the Portfolio must derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, certain payments with respect to securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived from its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies and net income derived from qualified publicly traded partnerships (“QPTPs”). |
• | Asset Diversification Test ¾ the Portfolio must satisfy the following asset diversification test at the close of each quarter of the Portfolio’s tax year: (1) at least 50% of the value of the Portfolio’s assets must consist of cash and cash items, U.S. Government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and securities of other issuers (as to which the Portfolio has not invested more than 5% of the value of the Portfolio’s total assets in securities of an issuer and as to which the Portfolio does not hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer); and (2) no more than 25% of the value of the Portfolio’s total assets may be invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities or securities of other regulated investment companies) or of two or more issuers which the Portfolio controls and which are engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses, or, collectively, in the securities of one or more QPTPs. |
In some circumstances, the character and timing of income realized by the Portfolio for purposes of the Income Requirement or the identification of the issuer for purposes of the Asset Diversification Test is uncertain under current law
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with respect to a particular investment, and an adverse determination or future guidance by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) with respect to such type of investment may adversely affect the Portfolio’s ability to satisfy these requirements. See “Tax Treatment of Portfolio Transactions” below with respect to the application of these requirements to certain types of investments. In other circumstances, the Portfolio may be required to sell portfolio holdings in order to meet the Income Requirement, Distribution Requirement, or Asset Diversification Test which may have a negative impact on the Portfolio’s income and performance.
The Portfolio may use “equalization accounting” (in lieu of making some cash distributions) in determining the portion of its income and gains that has been distributed. If the Portfolio uses equalization accounting, it will allocate a portion of its undistributed investment company taxable income and net capital gain to redemptions of Portfolio shares and will correspondingly reduce the amount of such income and gains that it distributes in cash. If the IRS determines that the Portfolio’s allocation is improper and that the Portfolio has under-distributed its income and gain for any taxable year, the Portfolio may be liable for federal income and/or excise tax. If, as a result of such adjustment, the Portfolio fails to satisfy the Distribution Requirement, the Portfolio will not qualify that year as a regulated investment company, the effect of which is described in the following paragraph.
If for any taxable year the Portfolio does not qualify as a regulated investment company, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) would be subject to tax at the corporate income tax rate without any deduction for dividends paid, and the dividends would be taxable to the shareholders as ordinary income (or possibly as qualified dividend income) to the extent of the Portfolio’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. Failure to qualify as a regulated investment company would thus have a negative impact on the Portfolio’s income and performance. Subject to savings provisions for certain inadvertent failures to satisfy the Income Requirement or Asset Diversification Test which, in general, are limited to those due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, it is possible that the Portfolio will not qualify as a regulated investment company in any given tax year. Even if such savings provisions apply, the Portfolio may be subject to a monetary sanction of $50,000 or more. Moreover, the Board reserves the right not to maintain the qualification of the Portfolio as a regulated investment company if it determines such a course of action to be beneficial to shareholders.
Portfolio turnover. For investors that hold their Portfolio shares in a taxable account, a high portfolio turnover rate may result in higher taxes. This is because a portfolio with a high turnover rate is likely to accelerate the recognition of capital gains and more of such gains are likely to be taxable as short-term rather than long-term capital gains in contrast to a comparable portfolio with a low turnover rate. Any such higher taxes would reduce the Portfolio’s after-tax performance. See “Taxation of Portfolio Distributions – Distributions of capital gains” below. For non-U.S. investors, any such acceleration of the recognition of capital gains that results in more short-term and less long-term capital gains being recognized by the Portfolio may cause such investors to be subject to increased U.S. withholding taxes. See “Non-U.S. Investors –Capital gain dividends and short-term capital gain dividends” below.
Capital loss carryovers. The capital losses of the Portfolio, if any, do not flow through to shareholders. Rather, the Portfolio may use its capital losses, subject to applicable limitations, to offset its capital gains without being required to pay taxes on or distribute such gains that are offset by the losses. If the Portfolio has a “net capital loss” (that is, capital losses in excess of capital gains), the excess (if any) of the Portfolio’s net short-term capital losses over its net long-term capital gains is treated as a short-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Portfolio’s next taxable year, and the excess (if any) of the Portfolio’s net long-term capital losses over its net short-term capital gains is treated as a long-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Portfolio’s next taxable year. Any such net capital losses of the Portfolio that are not used to offset capital gains may be carried forward indefinitely to reduce any future capital gains realized by the Portfolio in succeeding taxable years. The amount of capital losses that can be carried forward and used in any single year is subject to an annual limitation if there is a more than 50% “change in ownership” of the Portfolio. An ownership change generally results when shareholders owning 5% or more of the Portfolio increase their aggregate holdings by more than 50% over a three-year look-back period. An ownership change could result in capital loss carryovers being used at a slower rate, thereby reducing the Portfolio’s ability to offset capital gains with those losses. An increase in the amount of taxable gains distributed to the Portfolio’s shareholders could result from an ownership change. The Portfolio undertakes no obligation to avoid or prevent an ownership change, which can occur in the normal course of shareholder purchases and sales or as a result of engaging in a tax-free reorganization with another portfolio. Moreover, because of circumstances beyond the Portfolio’s control, there can be no assurance that the Portfolio will not experience, or has not already experienced, an ownership change.
Deferral of late year losses. The Portfolio may elect to treat part or all of any “qualified late year loss” as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year in determining the Portfolio’s taxable income, net capital gain, net short-term capital gain, and earnings and profits. The effect of this election is to treat any such “qualified late year loss” as if it had been
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incurred in the succeeding taxable year in characterizing Portfolio distributions for any calendar year (see “Taxation of Portfolio Distributions – Distributions of capital gains” below). A “qualified late year loss” includes:
• | any net capital loss incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year, or, if there is no such loss, any net long-term capital loss or any net short-term capital loss incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year (“post-October capital losses”), and |
• | the sum of (1) the excess, if any, of (a) specified losses incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year, over (b) specified gains incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year and (2) the excess, if any, of (a) ordinary losses incurred after December 31 of the current taxable year, over (b) the ordinary income incurred after December 31 of the current taxable year. |
The terms “specified losses” and “specified gains” mean ordinary losses and gains from the sale, exchange, or other disposition of property (including the termination of a position with respect to such property), foreign currency losses and gains, and losses and gains resulting from holding stock in a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) for which a mark-to-market election is in effect. The terms “ordinary losses” and “ordinary income” mean other ordinary losses and income that are not described in the preceding sentence. Since the Portfolio has a fiscal year ending in October, the amount of qualified late-year losses (if any) is computed without regard to any items of income, gain, or loss that are (a) post-October capital losses, (b) specified losses, and (c) specified gains.
Undistributed capital gains. The Portfolio may retain or distribute its net capital gain for each taxable year. The Portfolio currently intends to distribute net capital gains. If the Portfolio elects to retain its net capital gain, the Portfolio will be taxed thereon (except to the extent of any available capital loss carryovers) at the corporate income tax rate. If the Portfolio elects to retain its net capital gain, it is expected that the Portfolio also will elect to have shareholders treated as if each received a distribution of its pro rata share of such gain, with the result that each shareholder will be required to report its pro rata share of such gain on its tax return as long-term capital gain, will receive a refundable tax credit for its pro rata share of tax paid by the Portfolio on the gain, and will increase the tax basis for its shares by an amount equal to the deemed distribution less the tax credit.
Excise tax distribution requirements. To avoid a 4% nondeductible federal excise tax, the Portfolio must distribute by December 31 of each year an amount equal to at least: (1) 98% of its ordinary income for the calendar year, (2) 98.2% of capital gain net income (that is, the excess of the gains from sales or exchanges of capital assets over the losses from such sales or exchanges) for the one-year period ended on October 31 of such calendar year, and (3) any prior year undistributed ordinary income and capital gain net income. The Portfolio may elect to defer to the following year any net ordinary loss incurred for the portion of the calendar year which is after the beginning of the Portfolio’s taxable year. Also, the Portfolio will defer any “specified gain” or “specified loss” which would be properly taken into account for the portion of the calendar year after October 31. Any net ordinary loss, specified gain, or specified loss deferred shall be treated as arising on January 1 of the following calendar year. Generally, the Portfolio intends to make sufficient distributions prior to the end of each calendar year to avoid any material liability for federal income and excise tax, but can give no assurances that all or a portion of such liability will be avoided. In addition, under certain circumstances, temporary timing or permanent differences in the realization of income and expense for book and tax purposes can result in the Portfolio having to pay an excise tax.
Foreign income tax. Investment income received by the Portfolio from sources within foreign countries may be subject to foreign income tax withheld at the source and the amount of tax withheld generally will be treated as an expense of the Portfolio. Any foreign withholding taxes could reduce the Portfolio’s distributions. The United States has entered into tax treaties with many foreign countries which entitle the Portfolio to a reduced rate of, or exemption from, tax on such income. Some countries require the filing of a tax reclaim or other forms to receive the benefit of the reduced tax rate; whether or when the Portfolio will receive the tax reclaim is within the control of the individual country. Information required on these forms may not be available such as shareholder information; therefore, the Portfolio may not receive the reduced treaty rates or potential reclaims. Other countries have conflicting and changing instructions and restrictive timing requirements which may cause the Portfolio not to receive the reduced treaty rates or potential reclaims. Other countries may subject capital gains realized by the Portfolio on sale or disposition of securities of that country to taxation. It is impossible to determine the effective rate of foreign tax in advance since the amount of the Portfolio’s assets to be invested in various countries is not known. Under certain circumstances, the Portfolio may elect to pass-through foreign tax credits, although it reserves the right not to do so. In some instances it may be more costly to pursue tax reclaims than the value of the benefits received by the Portfolio. If the Portfolio makes such an election and obtains a refund of foreign taxes paid by the Portfolio in a prior year, the Portfolio may be eligible to reduce the amount of foreign taxes reported by the Portfolio to its
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shareholders, generally by the amount of the foreign taxes refunded, for the year in which the refund is received. See “Taxation of Portfolio Distributions – Pass-through of foreign tax credits” below.
Purchase of shares. As a result of tax requirements, the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio has the right to reject an order to purchase shares if the purchaser (or group of purchasers acting in concert with each other) would, upon obtaining the shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding shares of the Portfolio and if, pursuant to Sections 351 and 362 of the Code, the Portfolio would have a basis in the deposit securities different from the market value of such securities on the date of deposit. The Trust also has the right to require information necessary to determine beneficial share ownership for purposes of the 80% determination.
Taxation of Portfolio Distributions
Distributions of net investment income. The Portfolio receives ordinary income generally in the form of dividends and/or interest on its investments. The Portfolio may also recognize ordinary income from other sources, including, but not limited to, certain gains on foreign currency-related transactions. This income, less expenses incurred in the operation of the Portfolio, constitutes the Portfolio’s net investment income from which dividends may be paid. If you are a taxable investor, distributions of net investment income generally are taxable as ordinary income to the extent of the Portfolio’s earnings and profits. In the case of a Portfolio whose strategy includes investing in stocks of corporations, a portion of the income dividends paid by the Portfolio may be qualified dividends eligible to be taxed at reduced rates.
Distributions of capital gains. The Portfolio may realize a capital gain or loss in connection with sales or other dispositions of its portfolio securities. Distributions derived from the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss will be taxable to you as ordinary income. Distributions from the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss will be taxable to you as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long you have held your shares in the Portfolio. Any net capital gain of the Portfolio generally will be distributed once each year, and may be distributed more frequently, if necessary, to reduce or eliminate federal excise or income taxes on the Portfolio.
Returns of capital. Distributions by the Portfolio that are not paid from earnings and profits will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of (and in reduction of) the shareholder’s tax basis in his shares; any excess will be treated as gain from the sale of his shares. Thus, the portion of a distribution that constitutes a return of capital will decrease the shareholder’s tax basis in his Portfolio shares (but not below zero), and will result in an increase in the amount of gain (or decrease in the amount of loss) that will be recognized by the shareholder for tax purposes on the later sale of such Portfolio shares. Return of capital distributions can occur for a number of reasons including, among others, the Portfolio over-estimates the income to be received from certain investments such as those classified as partnerships or equity real estate investment trusts (“REITs”).
Qualified dividend income for individuals. Amounts reported by the Portfolio as derived from qualified dividend income will be taxed in the hands of individuals and other noncorporate shareholders at the rates applicable to long-term capital gain. “Qualified dividend income” means dividends paid to the Portfolio (a) by domestic corporations, (b) by foreign corporations that are either (i) incorporated in a possession of the United States, or (ii) are eligible for benefits under certain income tax treaties with the United States that include an exchange of information program, or (c) with respect to stock of a foreign corporation that is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. Both the Portfolio and the investor must meet certain holding period requirements to qualify Portfolio dividends for this treatment. Specifically, the Portfolio must hold the stock for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the stock becomes ex-dividend. Similarly, investors must hold their Portfolio shares for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the Portfolio distribution goes ex-dividend. Income derived from investments in derivatives, fixed-income securities, U.S. REITs, PFICs, and income received “in lieu of” dividends in a securities lending transaction generally is not eligible for treatment as qualified dividend income.
Dividends-received deduction for corporations. For corporate shareholders, a portion of the dividends paid by the Portfolio may qualify for the 50% corporate dividends-received deduction. The portion of dividends paid by the Portfolio that so qualifies will be reported by the Portfolio each year and cannot exceed the gross amount of dividends received by the Portfolio from domestic (U.S.) corporations. The availability of the dividends-received deduction is subject to certain holding period and debt financing restrictions that apply to both the Portfolio and the investor. Specifically, the amount that the Portfolio may report as eligible for the dividends-received deduction will be reduced or eliminated if the shares on which the dividends earned by the Portfolio were debt-financed or held by the Portfolio for less than a minimum period of time, generally 46 days during a 91-day period beginning 45 days before the stock becomes ex-dividend. Similarly, if your
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Portfolio shares are debt-financed or held by you for less than a 46-day period then the dividends-received deduction for Portfolio dividends on your shares may also be reduced or eliminated. Income derived by the Portfolio from investments in derivatives, fixed-income and foreign securities generally is not eligible for this treatment.
Impact of realized but undistributed income and gains, and net unrealized appreciation of portfolio securities. At the time of your purchase of shares, the Portfolio’s NAV may reflect undistributed income, undistributed capital gains, or net unrealized appreciation of portfolio securities held by the Portfolio. A subsequent distribution of such amounts, although constituting a return of your investment, would be taxable, and would be taxed as ordinary income (some portion of which may be taxed as qualified dividend income), capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account. The Portfolio may be able to reduce the amount of such distributions from capital gains by utilizing its capital loss carryovers, if any.
Pass-through of foreign tax credits. If at the end of the fiscal year, more than 50% in value of the total assets of the Portfolio are invested in securities of foreign corporations, the Portfolio may elect to pass through to its shareholders their pro rata share of foreign income taxes paid by the Portfolio. If this election is made, the Portfolio may report more taxable income to you than it actually distributes. You will then be entitled either to deduct your share of these taxes in computing your taxable income or to claim a foreign tax credit for these taxes against your U.S. federal income tax (subject to limitations for certain shareholders). The Portfolio will provide the information necessary to claim this deduction or credit if it makes this election. No deduction for foreign tax may be claimed by a noncorporate shareholder who does not itemize deductions or who is subject to the alternative minimum tax. The Portfolio reserves the right not to pass through the amount of foreign income taxes paid by the Portfolio. Additionally, any foreign tax withheld on payments made “in lieu of” dividends or interest will not qualify for the pass-through of foreign tax credits. See “Tax Treatment of Portfolio Transactions – Securities lending” below.
U.S. Government securities. To the extent the Portfolio invests in certain U.S. Government obligations, dividends paid by the Portfolio that are derived from interest on these obligations should be exempt from state and local personal income taxes, subject in some states to minimum investment or reporting requirements that must be met by the Portfolio. The income on portfolio investments in certain securities, such as repurchase agreements, commercial paper and federal agency-backed obligations (e.g., Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) or Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) securities), generally does not qualify for tax-free treatment. The rules on exclusion of this income are different for corporate shareholders.
Information on the amount and tax character of distributions. You will be informed of the amount and character of distributions and the tax status of such distributions for federal income tax purposes shortly after the close of each calendar year. If you have not held Portfolio shares for a full year, the Portfolio may report and distribute, as ordinary income, qualified dividends, or capital gains, and in the case of non-U.S. shareholders the Portfolio may further report and distribute as interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends, a percentage of income that is not equal to the actual amount of such income earned during the period of your investment in the Portfolio. Taxable distributions declared by the Portfolio in October, November, or December to shareholders of record in such month, but paid in January, are taxable as if they were paid in December.
Medicare tax. A 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on net investment income earned by certain individuals, estates and trusts. “Net investment income,” for these purposes, means investment income, including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from the Portfolio and net gains from taxable dispositions of Portfolio shares, reduced by the deductions properly allocable to such income. In the case of an individual, the tax will be imposed on the lesser of (1) the shareholder’s net investment income or (2) the amount by which the shareholder’s modified adjusted gross income exceeds $250,000 (if the shareholder is married and filing jointly or a surviving spouse), $125,000 (if the shareholder is married and filing separately) or $200,000 (in any other case). This Medicare tax, if applicable, is reported by you on, and paid with, your federal income tax return.
Sales and Exchanges of Portfolio Shares
In general. If you are a taxable investor, sales and exchanges of Portfolio shares are taxable transactions for federal and state income tax purposes. If you sell your Portfolio shares, the IRS requires you to report any gain or loss on your sale. If you held your shares as a capital asset, the gain or loss that you realize will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term or short-term, generally depending on how long you have held your shares. Capital losses in any year are deductible only to the extent of capital gains plus, in the case of a noncorporate taxpayer, $3,000 of ordinary income.
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Taxes on Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units. An Authorized Participant who exchanges securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or a loss. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time of purchase (plus any cash received by the Authorized Participant as part of the issue) and the Authorized Participant’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered (plus any cash paid by the Authorized Participant as part of the issue). An Authorized Participant who exchanges Creation Units for securities generally will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the Authorized Participant’s basis in the Creation Units (plus any cash paid by the Authorized Participant as part of the redemption) and the aggregate market value of the securities received (plus any cash received by the Authorized Participant as part of the redemption). The IRS, however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position. Persons exchanging securities should consult their own tax advisor with respect to whether wash sale rules apply and when a loss might be deductible.
Under current federal tax laws, any capital gain or loss realized upon redemption of Creation Units is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year and as a short-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for one year or less, assuming such Creation Units are held as a capital asset.
If the Portfolio redeems Creation Units in cash, it may recognize more capital gains than it will if it redeems Creation Units in-kind.
Tax basis information. A shareholder’s cost basis information will be provided on the sale of any of the shareholder’s shares, subject to certain exceptions for exempt recipients. Please contact the broker (or other nominee) that holds your shares with respect to reporting of cost basis and available elections for your account.
Wash sales. All or a portion of any loss that you realize on a sale of your Portfolio shares will be disallowed to the extent that you buy other shares in the Portfolio (through reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within 30 days before or after your share redemption. Any loss disallowed under these rules will be added to your tax basis in the new shares.
Sales at a loss within six months of purchase. Any loss incurred on a sale of shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any long-term capital gain distributed to you on those shares.
Tax shelter reporting. Under Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to the Portfolio’s shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder (or certain greater amounts over a combination of years), the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
Tax Treatment of Portfolio Transactions
Set forth below is a general description of the tax treatment of certain types of securities, investment techniques and transactions that may apply to a portfolio and, in turn, affect the amount, character and timing of dividends and distributions payable by the portfolio to its shareholders. This section should be read in conjunction with the discussion in the Prospectus under “Principal Investment Strategies” and “Principal Risks” for a detailed description of the various types of securities and investment techniques that apply to the Portfolio.
In general. In general, gain or loss recognized by a portfolio on the sale or other disposition of portfolio investments will be a capital gain or loss. Such capital gain and loss may be long-term or short-term depending, in general, upon the length of time a particular investment position is maintained and, in some cases, upon the nature of the transaction. Property held for more than one year generally will be eligible for long-term capital gain or loss treatment. The application of certain rules described below may serve to alter the manner in which the holding period for a security is determined or may otherwise affect the characterization as long-term or short-term, and also the timing of the realization and/or character, of certain gains or losses.
Certain fixed-income investments. Gain recognized on the disposition of a debt obligation purchased by a portfolio at a market discount (generally, at a price less than its principal amount) will be treated as ordinary income to the extent of the portion of the market discount that accrued during the period of time the portfolio held the debt obligation unless the
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portfolio made a current inclusion election to accrue market discount into income as it accrues. If a portfolio purchases a debt obligation (such as a zero coupon security or pay-in-kind security) that was originally issued at a discount, the portfolio generally is required to include in gross income each year the portion of the original issue discount that accrues during such year. Therefore, a portfolio’s investment in such securities may cause the portfolio to recognize income and make distributions before it receives any cash payments on the securities. To generate cash to satisfy those distribution requirements, a portfolio may have to sell portfolio securities that it otherwise might have continued to hold or to use cash flows from other sources such as the sale of portfolio shares.
Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or in default present tax issues for a portfolio. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as whether and to what extent a portfolio should recognize market discount on a debt obligation, when a portfolio may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent a portfolio may take deductions for bad debts or worthless securities and how a portfolio should allocate payments received on obligations in default between principal and income. These and other related issues will be addressed by a portfolio in order to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a regulated investment company.
Options, futures, forward contracts, swap agreements and hedging transactions. In general, option premiums received by a portfolio are not immediately included in the income of the portfolio. Instead, the premiums are recognized when the option contract expires, the option is exercised by the holder, or the portfolio transfers or otherwise terminates the option (e.g., through a closing transaction). If an option written by a portfolio is exercised and the portfolio sells or delivers the underlying stock, the portfolio generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to (a) sum of the strike price and the option premium received by the portfolio minus (b) the portfolio’s basis in the stock. Such gain or loss generally will be short-term or long-term depending upon the holding period of the underlying stock. If securities are purchased by a portfolio pursuant to the exercise of a put option written by it, the portfolio generally will subtract the premium received from its cost basis in the securities purchased. The gain or loss with respect to any termination of a portfolio’s obligation under an option other than through the exercise of the option and related sale or delivery of the underlying stock generally will be short-term gain or loss depending on whether the premium income received by the portfolio is greater or less than the amount paid by the portfolio (if any) in terminating the transaction. Thus, for example, if an option written by a portfolio expires unexercised, the portfolio generally will recognize short-term gain equal to the premium received.
The tax treatment of certain futures contracts entered into by a portfolio as well as listed non-equity options written or purchased by the portfolio on U.S. exchanges (including options on futures contracts, broad-based equity indices and debt securities) may be governed by section 1256 of the Code (“section 1256 contracts”). Gains or losses on section 1256 contracts generally are considered 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gains or losses (“60/40”), although certain foreign currency gains and losses from such contracts may be treated as ordinary in character. Also, any section 1256 contracts held by a portfolio at the end of each taxable year (and, for purposes of the 4% excise tax, on certain other dates as prescribed under the Code) are “marked to market” with the result that unrealized gains or losses are treated as though they were realized and the resulting gain or loss is treated as ordinary or 60/40 gain or loss, as applicable. Section 1256 contracts do not include any interest rate swap, currency swap, basis swap, interest rate cap, interest rate floor, commodity swap, equity swap, equity index swap, credit default swap, or similar agreement.
In addition to the special rules described above in respect of options and futures transactions, a portfolio’s transactions in other derivative instruments (including options, forward contracts and swap agreements) as well as its other hedging, short sale, or similar transactions, may be subject to one or more special tax rules (including the constructive sale, notional principal contract, straddle, wash sale and short sale rules). These rules may affect whether gains and losses recognized by a portfolio are treated as ordinary or capital or as short-term or long-term, accelerate the recognition of income or gains to the portfolio, defer losses to the portfolio, and cause adjustments in the holding periods of the portfolio’s securities. These rules, therefore, could affect the amount, timing and/or character of distributions. Moreover, because the tax rules applicable to derivative financial instruments are in some cases uncertain under current law, an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to these rules (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may affect whether a portfolio has made sufficient distributions and otherwise satisfied the relevant requirements to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company and avoid a portfolio-level tax.
Certain of a portfolio’s investments in derivatives and foreign currency-denominated instruments, and the portfolio’s transactions in foreign currencies and hedging activities, may produce a difference between its book income and its taxable income. If a portfolio’s book income is less than the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income (if any), the portfolio could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a regulated investment company. If a portfolio’s book income exceeds the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income (if any), the distribution of any
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such excess will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the portfolio’s remaining earnings and profits (including current earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt income, reduced by related deductions), (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.
Foreign currency transactions. A portfolio’s transactions in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated debt obligations and certain foreign currency options, futures contracts and forward contracts (and similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned. This treatment could increase or decrease a portfolio’s ordinary income distributions, and may cause some or all of the portfolio’s previously distributed income to be classified as a return of capital. In certain cases, a portfolio may make an election to treat such gain or loss as capital.
PFIC securities. The Portfolio may invest in securities of foreign entities that could be deemed for tax purposes to be PFICs. In general, a PFIC is any foreign corporation if 75% or more of its gross income for its taxable year is passive income, or 50% or more of its average assets (by value) are held for the production of passive income. When investing in PFIC securities, the Portfolio intends to mark-to-market these securities and recognize any unrealized gains as ordinary income at the end of its fiscal year. Deductions for losses are allowable only to the extent of any current or previously recognized gains. These gains (reduced by allowable losses) are treated as ordinary income that the Portfolio is required to distribute, even though it has not sold or received dividends from these securities. You should also be aware that the designation of a foreign security as a PFIC security will cause its income dividends to fall outside of the definition of qualified foreign corporation dividends. These dividends generally will not qualify for the reduced rate of taxation on qualified dividends when distributed to you by the Portfolio. Due to various complexities in identifying PFICs, the Portfolio can give no assurances that it will be able to identify portfolio securities in foreign corporations that are PFICs in time for the Portfolio to make a mark-to-market election. If the Portfolio is unable to identify an investment as a PFIC and thus does not make a mark-to-market election, the Portfolio may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a portion of any “excess distribution” or gain from the disposition of such shares even if such income is distributed as a taxable dividend by the Portfolio to its shareholders. Additional charges in the nature of interest may be imposed on the Portfolio in respect of deferred taxes arising from such distributions or gains. Any such taxes or interest charges could in turn reduce the Portfolio’s distributions paid.
Investments in partnerships and qualified publicly traded partnerships (“QPTP”). For purposes of the Income Requirement, income derived by a portfolio from a partnership that is not a QPTP will be treated as qualifying income only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership that would be qualifying income if realized directly by the portfolio. While the rules are not entirely clear with respect to a portfolio investing in a partnership outside a master-feeder structure, for purposes of testing whether a portfolio satisfies the Asset Diversification Test, the portfolio generally is treated as owning a pro rata share of the underlying assets of a partnership. See “Taxation of the Portfolio — Qualification as a regulated investment company.” In contrast, different rules apply to a partnership that is a QPTP. A QPTP is a partnership (a) the interests in which are traded on an established securities market, (b) that is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, and (c) that derives less than 90% of its income from sources that satisfy the Income Requirement (e.g., because it invests in commodities). All of the net income derived by a portfolio from an interest in a QPTP will be treated as qualifying income but the portfolio may not invest more than 25% of its total assets in one or more QPTPs. However, there can be no assurance that a partnership classified as a QPTP in one year will qualify as a QPTP in the next year. Any such failure to annually qualify as a QPTP might, in turn, cause a portfolio to fail to qualify as a regulated investment company. Although, in general, the passive loss rules of the Code do not apply to RICs, such rules do apply to a portfolio with respect to items attributable to an interest in a QPTP. Portfolio investments in partnerships, including in QPTPs, may result in the portfolio’s being subject to state, local or foreign income, franchise or withholding tax liabilities.
Securities lending. While securities are loaned out by a portfolio, the portfolio generally will receive from the borrower amounts equal to any dividends or interest paid on the borrowed securities. For federal income tax purposes, payments made “in lieu of” dividends are not considered dividend income. These distributions will neither qualify for the reduced rate of taxation for individuals on qualified dividends nor the 50% dividends-received deduction for corporations. Also, any foreign tax withheld on payments made “in lieu of” dividends or interest will not qualify for the pass-through of foreign tax credits to shareholders.
Investments in convertible securities. Convertible debt is ordinarily treated as a “single property” consisting of a pure debt interest until conversion, after which the investment becomes an equity interest. If the security is issued at a premium (i.e., for cash in excess of the face amount payable on retirement), the creditor-holder may amortize the premium
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over the life of the bond. If the security is issued for cash at a price below its face amount, the creditor-holder must accrue original issue discount in income over the life of the debt. The creditor-holder’s exercise of the conversion privilege is treated as a nontaxable event. Mandatorily convertible debt (e.g., an exchange-traded note or ETN issued in the form of an unsecured obligation that pays a return based on the performance of a specified market index, exchange currency, or commodity) is often, but not always, treated as a contract to buy or sell the reference property rather than debt. Similarly, convertible preferred stock with a mandatory conversion feature is ordinarily, but not always, treated as equity rather than debt. Dividends received generally are qualified dividend income and eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction. In general, conversion of preferred stock for common stock of the same corporation is tax-free. Conversion of preferred stock for cash is a taxable redemption. Any redemption premium for preferred stock that is redeemable by the issuing company might be required to be amortized under original issue discount principles.
Investments in securities of uncertain tax character. A portfolio may invest in securities the U.S. federal income tax treatment of which may not be clear or may be subject to recharacterization by the IRS. To the extent the tax treatment of such securities or the income from such securities differs from the tax treatment expected by a portfolio, it could affect the timing or character of income recognized by the fund, requiring the portfolio to purchase or sell securities, or otherwise change its portfolio, in order to comply with the tax rules applicable to regulated investment companies under the Code.
Backup Withholding
By law, a withholding of tax may apply to your taxable dividends and sales proceeds unless you:
• | provide your correct social security or taxpayer identification number, |
• | certify that this number is correct, |
• | certify that you are not subject to backup withholding, and |
• | certify that you are a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien). |
Withholding also is imposed if the IRS requires it. When withholding is required, the amount will be 24% of any distributions or proceeds paid. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS. Certain payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding and information reporting. The special U.S. tax certification requirements applicable to non-U.S. investors to avoid backup withholding are described under the “Non-U.S. Investors” heading below.
Non-U.S. Investors
Non-U.S. investors (shareholders who, as to the United States, are nonresident alien individuals, foreign trusts or estates, foreign corporations, or foreign partnerships) may be subject to U.S. withholding and estate tax and are subject to special U.S. tax certification requirements. Non-U.S. investors should consult their tax advisors about the applicability of U.S. tax withholding and the use of the appropriate forms to certify their status.
In general. The United States imposes a withholding tax at the 30% statutory rate (or at a lower rate if you are a resident of a country that has a tax treaty with the U.S.) on U.S. source dividends, including on income dividends paid to you by the Portfolio. Exemptions from this U.S. withholding tax are provided for capital gain dividends paid by the Portfolio from its net long-term capital gains, interest-related dividends paid by the Portfolio from its qualified net interest income from U.S. sources and short-term capital gain dividends. However, notwithstanding such exemptions from U.S. withholding at the source, any dividends and distributions of income and capital gains, including the proceeds from the sale of your Portfolio shares, will be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 24% if you fail to properly certify that you are not a U.S. person.
Capital gain dividends and short-term capital gain dividends. In general, (i) a capital gain dividend reported by the Portfolio to shareholders as paid from its net long-term capital gains or (ii) a short-term capital gain dividend reported by the Portfolio to shareholders as paid from its net short-term capital gains, other than long- or short-term capital gains realized on the disposition of certain U.S. real property interests, are not subject to U.S. withholding tax unless you are a nonresident alien individual present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the calendar year.
Interest-related dividends. Dividends reported by the Portfolio to shareholders as interest-related dividends and paid from its qualified net interest income from U.S. sources are not subject to U.S. withholding tax. “Qualified interest income”
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includes, in general, U.S. source (1) bank deposit interest, (2) short-term original discount, (3) interest (including original issue discount, market discount, or acquisition discount) on an obligation which is in registered form, unless it is earned on an obligation issued by a corporation or partnership in which the Portfolio is a 10-percent shareholder or is contingent interest, and (4) any interest-related dividend from another regulated investment company. On any payment date, the amount of an income dividend that is reported by the Portfolio to shareholders as an interest-related dividend may be more or less than the amount that is so qualified. This is because the reporting of interest-related dividends is based on an estimate of the Portfolio’s qualified net interest income for its entire fiscal year, which can only be determined with exactness at fiscal year-end. As a consequence, the Portfolio may over withhold a small amount of U.S. tax from a dividend payment. In this case, the non-U.S. investor’s only recourse may be to either forgo recovery of the excess withholding or to file a United States nonresident income tax return to recover the excess withholding.
Further limitations on tax reporting for interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends for non-U.S. investors. It may not be practical in every case for the Portfolio to report to shareholders, and the Portfolio reserves the right in these cases to not report, small amounts of interest-related dividends or short-term capital gain dividends. Additionally, the Portfolio’s reporting of interest-related dividends or short-term capital gain dividends may not be passed through to shareholders by intermediaries who have assumed tax reporting responsibilities for this income in managed or omnibus accounts due to systems limitations or operational constraints.
Net investment income from dividends on stock and foreign source interest income continue to be subject to withholding tax; foreign tax credits. Ordinary dividends paid by the Portfolio to non-U.S. investors on the income earned on portfolio investments in (i) the stock of domestic and foreign corporations, and (ii) the debt of foreign issuers continue to be subject to U.S. withholding tax. Foreign shareholders may be subject to U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30% on the income resulting from an election to pass-through foreign tax credits to shareholders, but may not be able to claim a credit or deduction with respect to the withholding tax for the foreign tax treated as having been paid by them.
Income effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. If the income from the Portfolio is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a foreign shareholder, then ordinary income dividends, capital gain dividends and any gains realized upon the sale of shares of the Portfolio will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. citizens or domestic corporations and require the filing of a nonresident U.S. income tax return.
U.S. estate tax. Transfers by gift of shares of the Portfolio by a foreign shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual will not be subject to U.S. federal gift tax. An individual who, at the time of death, is a non-U.S. shareholder will nevertheless be subject to U.S. federal estate tax with respect to Portfolio shares at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens and residents, unless a treaty exemption applies. If a treaty exemption is available, a decedent’s estate may nonetheless need to file a U.S. estate tax return to claim the exemption in order to obtain a U.S. federal transfer certificate. The transfer certificate will identify the property (i.e., Portfolio shares) as to which the U.S. federal estate tax lien has been released. In the absence of a treaty, there is a $13,000 statutory estate tax credit (equivalent to U.S. situs assets with a value of $60,000). For estates with U.S. situs assets of not more than $60,000, an affidavit from an appropriate individual evidencing that decedent’s U.S. situs assets are below this threshold amount may be sufficient to transfer Portfolio shares.
U.S. tax certification rules. Special U.S. tax certification requirements may apply to non-U.S. shareholders both to avoid U.S. backup withholding imposed at a rate of 24% and to obtain the benefits of any treaty between the United States and the shareholder’s country of residence. In general, if you are a non-U.S. shareholder, you must provide a Form W-8BEN (or other applicable Form W-8) to establish that you are not a U.S. person, to claim that you are the beneficial owner of the income and, if applicable, to claim a reduced rate of, or exemption from, withholding as a resident of a country with which the United States has an income tax treaty. A Form W-8BEN provided without a U.S. taxpayer identification number will remain in effect for a period beginning on the date signed and ending on the last day of the third succeeding calendar year unless an earlier change of circumstances makes the information on the form incorrect. Certain payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding.
The tax consequences to a non-U.S. shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of an applicable tax treaty may be different from those described herein. Non-U.S. shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Portfolio, including the applicability of foreign tax.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”). Under FATCA, a 30% withholding tax is imposed on the income dividends made by the Portfolio to certain foreign entities, referred to as foreign financial institutions (“FFI”) or non-financial foreign entities (“NFFE”). After December 31, 2018, FATCA withholding also would have applied to certain
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capital gain distributions, return of capital distributions, and the proceeds arising from the sale of Portfolio shares; however, based on proposed regulations issued by the IRS, which can be relied upon currently, such withholding is no longer required unless final regulations provide otherwise (which is not expected). The FATCA withholding tax generally can be avoided: (a) by an FFI, if it reports certain direct and indirect ownership of foreign financial accounts held by U.S. persons with the FFI and (b) by an NFFE, if it: (i) certifies that it has no substantial U.S. persons as owners or (ii) if it does have such owners, reporting information relating to them. The U.S. Treasury has negotiated intergovernmental agreements (“IGA”) with certain countries and is in various stages of negotiations with a number of other foreign countries with respect to one or more alternative approaches to implement FATCA; an entity in one of those countries may be required to comply with the terms of an IGA instead of U.S. Treasury regulations.
An FFI can avoid FATCA withholding if it is deemed compliant or by becoming a “participating FFI,” which requires the FFI to enter into a U.S. tax compliance agreement with the IRS under section 1471(b) of the Code (“FFI agreement”) under which it agrees to verify, report and disclose certain of its U.S. accountholders and meet certain other specified requirements. The FFI will either report the specified information about the U.S. accounts to the IRS, or, to the government of the FFI’s country of residence (pursuant to the terms and conditions of applicable law and an applicable IGA entered into between the U.S. and the FFI’s country of residence), which will, in turn, report the specified information to the IRS. An FFI that is resident in a country that has entered into an IGA with the U.S. to implement FATCA will be exempt from FATCA withholding provided that the FFI shareholder and the applicable foreign government comply with the terms of such agreement.
An NFFE that is the beneficial owner of a payment from the Portfolio can avoid the FATCA withholding tax generally by certifying that it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or by providing the name, address and taxpayer identification number of each substantial U.S. owner. The NFFE will report the information to the Portfolio or other applicable withholding agent, which will, in turn, report the information to the IRS.
Such foreign shareholders also may fall into certain exempt, excepted or deemed compliant categories as established by U.S. Treasury regulations, IGAs, and other guidance regarding FATCA. An FFI or NFFE that invests in the Portfolio will need to provide documentation properly certifying the entity’s status under FATCA in order to avoid FATCA withholding. Non-U.S. investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the impact of these requirements on their investment in the Portfolio. The requirements imposed by FATCA are different from, and in addition to, the U.S. tax certification rules to avoid backup withholding described above. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of these requirements to their own situation.
Effect of Future Legislation; Local Tax Considerations
The foregoing general discussion of U.S. federal income tax consequences is based on the Code and the regulations issued thereunder as in effect on the date of this SAI. Future legislative or administrative changes, including provisions of current law that sunset and thereafter no longer apply, or court decisions may significantly change the conclusions expressed herein, and any such changes or decisions may have a retroactive effect with respect to the transactions contemplated herein. Rules of state and local taxation of ordinary income, qualified dividend income and capital gain dividends may differ from the rules for U.S. federal income taxation described above. Distributions may also be subject to additional state, local and foreign taxes depending on each shareholder’s particular situation. Non-U.S. shareholders may be subject to U.S. tax rules that differ significantly from those summarized above. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors as to the consequences of these and other state and local tax rules affecting investment in the Portfolio.
PROXY VOTING POLICIES
The Board of Trustees of the Trust has delegated the authority to vote proxies for the portfolio securities held by the Portfolios to the Advisor in accordance with the Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (the “Voting Policies”) and Proxy Voting Guidelines (“Voting Guidelines”) adopted by the Advisor. A concise summary of the Voting Guidelines is provided in an Appendix to this SAI.
The Investment Committee at the Advisor is generally responsible for overseeing the Advisor’s proxy voting process. The Investment Committee has formed the Investment Stewardship Committee (the “Committee”) composed of certain officers, directors and other personnel of the Advisor and has delegated to its members authority to (i) oversee the voting of proxies and third-party proxy service providers, (ii) make determinations as to how to vote certain specific proxies, (iii) verify ongoing compliance with the Voting Policies, (iv) receive reports on the review of the third-party proxy service
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providers, and (v) review the Voting Policies from time to time and recommend changes to the Investment Committee. The Committee may designate one or more of its members to oversee specific, ongoing compliance with respect to the Voting Policies and may designate personnel of the Advisor to vote proxies on behalf of the Portfolios, such as authorized traders of the Advisor.
The Advisor seeks to vote (or refrains from voting) proxies for the Portfolios in a manner that the Advisor determines is in the best interests of the Portfolios, and which seeks to maximize the value of the Portfolios’ investments, subject to the standards of legal and regulatory regimes, applicable to the Advisor or the Portfolios, and any particular investment or voting guidelines of specific funds or accounts. Generally, the Advisor analyzes proxy statements on behalf of the Portfolios and instructs the vote (or refrains from voting) in accordance with the Voting Policies, Voting Guidelines or procedures. Most proxies the Advisor receives are instructed to be voted in accordance with the Voting Guidelines, and when proxies are voted consistently with such guidelines or procedures, the Advisor considers such votes not to be affected by conflicts of interest. However, the Voting Policies do address the procedures to be followed if a potential or actual conflict of interest arises between the interests of the Portfolios, and the interests of the Advisor or its affiliates. If a Committee member has actual knowledge of a conflict of interest and recommends a vote contrary to the Voting Guidelines or procedures (or in the case where the Voting Guidelines or procedures do not prescribe a particular vote and the proposed vote is contrary to the recommendation of third-party proxy service providers), the Committee member will bring the vote to the Committee which will (a) determine how the vote should be cast keeping in mind the principle of preserving shareholder value, or (b) determine to abstain from voting, unless abstaining would be materially adverse to the interest of the Portfolios. To the extent the Committee makes a determination regarding how to vote or to abstain for a proxy on behalf of a Portfolio in the circumstances described in this paragraph, the Advisor will report annually on such determinations to the Board of Trustees of the Trust. To avoid certain potential conflicts of interest, the Advisor generally will employ mirror voting, if possible, when a Portfolio invests in another portfolio (an “Acquired Fund”) in reliance on any one of Sections 12(d)(1)(E), 12(d)(1)(F) or 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act, related rules thereunder (including Rule 12d1-1 or Rule 12d1-4 under the 1940 Act), or pursuant to an SEC exemptive order thereunder, unless otherwise required by applicable law or regulation. Mirror voting means that the Advisor will vote the shares in the same proportion as the vote of all of the other holders of the Acquired Fund’s shares. With respect to instances when a Portfolio invests in an Acquired Fund in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act, related rules thereunder (including Rule 12d1-1 or Rule 12d1-4), or pursuant to an SEC exemptive order thereunder, and there are no other unaffiliated shareholders also invested in the Acquired Fund, the Advisor will vote in accordance with the recommendation of such Acquired Fund’s board of trustees or directors, unless otherwise required by applicable law or regulation. With respect to instances when a Portfolio invests in an Acquired Fund in reliance on Sections 12(d)(1)(E) or 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act and there are no other unaffiliated shareholders also invested in the Acquired Fund, the Advisor will employ pass-through voting, unless otherwise required by applicable law or regulation. In “pass-through voting,” the investing Portfolio will solicit voting instructions from its shareholders as to how to vote on the Acquired Fund’s proposals.
The Advisor will usually instruct voting of proxies in accordance with the Voting Guidelines. The Voting Guidelines provide a framework for analysis and decision making, however, the Voting Guidelines do not address all potential issues. In order to be able to address all the relevant facts and circumstances related to a proxy vote, the Advisor reserves the right to instruct votes that deviate from the Voting Guidelines if, after a review of the matter, the Advisor believes that the best interests of the Portfolio would be served by, or applicable legal and fiduciary standards require, such a vote. In such a circumstance, the analysis will be documented in writing and periodically presented to the Committee for review. To the extent that the Voting Guidelines do not cover potential voting issues, the Advisor may consider the spirit of the Guidelines and applicable legal standards and instruct the vote on such issues in a manner that the Advisor believes would be in the best interests of the Portfolio.
In some cases, the Advisor may determine that it is in the best interests of a Portfolio to refrain from exercising proxy voting rights. The Advisor may determine that voting is not in the best interest of a Portfolio and refrain from voting if the costs, including the opportunity costs, of voting would, in the view of the Advisor, exceed the expected benefits of voting. For securities on loan, the Advisor will balance the revenue-producing value of loans against the difficult-to-assess value of casting votes. It is the Advisor’s belief that the expected value of casting a vote generally will be less than the securities lending income, either because the votes will not have significant economic consequences or because the outcome of the vote would not be affected by the Advisor recalling loaned securities for voting. The Advisor does intend to recall securities on loan if based upon information in the Advisor’s possession, it determines that voting the securities is likely to materially affect the value of the Portfolio’s investment and that it is in the Portfolio’s best interests to do so. In cases where the Advisor does not receive a solicitation or enough information within a sufficient time (as reasonably determined by the Advisor) prior to the proxy-voting deadline, the Advisor or its service provider may be unable to vote.
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With respect to non-U.S. securities, it may be both difficult and costly to vote proxies due to local regulations, customs, and other requirements or restrictions. The Advisor does not intend to vote proxies of non-U.S. companies if the Advisor determines that the expected economic costs from voting outweigh the anticipated economic benefit to a Portfolio associated with voting. The Advisor intends to make its determination on whether to vote proxies of non-U.S. companies on a portfolio-by-portfolio basis. In doing so, the Advisor evaluates market requirements and impediments to voting proxies of companies in a country. The Advisor periodically reviews voting logistics, including costs and other voting difficulties, on a portfolio by portfolio and country by country basis, in order to determine if there have been any material changes that would affect the Advisor’s determinations and procedures. In the event the Advisor is made aware of and believes an issue to be voted is likely to materially affect the economic value of a Portfolio that its vote is reasonably likely to be determinative of the outcome of the contest, and the expected benefits of voting the proxies exceed the costs, the Advisor will make reasonable efforts to vote such proxies.
The Advisor may take social or sustainability issues into account when voting proxies for portfolios that do not consider social or sustainability issues in their design, such as the Portfolios, if the Advisor believes that doing so is in the best interest of the portfolio and is otherwise consistent with applicable law and the Advisor’s duties, such as where material environmental or social risks may have economic ramifications for shareholders.
The Advisor has retained certain third-party proxy voting service providers (“Proxy Service Firms”) to provide information on shareholder meeting dates and proxy materials; translate proxy materials printed in a foreign language; provide research on proxy proposals; operationally process votes in accordance with the Voting Guidelines on behalf of the Portfolios; and provide reports concerning the proxies voted (“Proxy Voting Services”). Although the Advisor retains third-party service providers for Proxy Voting Services, the Advisor remains responsible for proxy voting decisions and making such decisions in accordance with its fiduciary duties. The Advisor has designed Voting Policies to prudently select, oversee and evaluate Proxy Service Firms consistent with the Advisor’s fiduciary duties, including with respect to the matters described below, which Proxy Service Firms have been engaged to provide Proxy Voting Services to support the Advisor’s voting in accordance with the Voting Policies. Prior to the selection of a new Proxy Service Firm and annually thereafter or more frequently if deemed necessary by the Advisor, the Committee will consider whether the Proxy Service Firm (i) has the capacity and competency to timely and adequately analyze proxy issues and provide the Proxy Voting Services the Proxy Service Firm has been engaged to provide and (ii) can make its recommendations in an impartial manner and in the best interests of the Advisor’s clients, and consistent with the Advisor’s Voting Policies and fiduciary duties. In the event that the Voting Guidelines are not implemented precisely as the Advisor intends because of the actions or omissions of any third party service providers, custodians or sub-custodians or other agents or any such persons experience any irregularities (e.g., misvotes or missed votes), then such instances will not necessarily be deemed by the Advisor as a breach of the Voting Policies.
Information regarding how each of the Portfolios voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the 12 month period ended June 30 of each year is available, no later than August 31 of each year, without charge, (i) on the Advisor’s website at http://us.dimensional.com/about-us/investment-stewardship and (ii) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
On each Business Day, prior to the opening of regular trading on its primary listing exchange, each Portfolio discloses on its website the portfolio holdings that will form the basis of the Portfolio’s next NAV per share calculation as required by Rule 6c-11. In addition, portfolio holdings information may also be made available to certain entities, including Trust service providers and institutional market participants, as described below.
Basket Composition Files
The Portfolios may make available through the facilities of the NSCC or through posting on a Portfolio’s publicly available website, prior to the opening of trading on each business day, a basket composition file, which includes the security names and share quantities to deliver in exchange for Shares, together with estimates and actual cash components.
Authorized Participants and Institutional Market Participants
The Advisor may provide certain information concerning a Portfolio’s portfolio holdings to certain entities (defined below) in a format not available to other current or prospective Portfolio shareholders in connection with the dissemination of information necessary for transactions in Creation Units, as contemplated by Rule 6c-11 under the 1940 Act. The “entities”
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referred to are generally limited to NSCC members and subscribers to various fee-based subscription services, including Authorized Participants and other institutional market participants and entities that provide information services. This information may or may not reflect the pro rata composition of a Portfolio’s portfolio holdings.
Third-Party Service Providers
Certain portfolio holdings information may be disclosed to third-party service providers to the Trust (e.g., the Trust’s auditors, legal counsel, administrator, custodian, transfer agent) subject to appropriates confidentiality agreements with such service providers, as may be necessary to conduct business in the ordinary course in a manner consistent with applicable policies, agreements with the Portfolios, the terms of the current registration statements and federal securities laws and regulations thereunder. From time to time, and in the ordinary course of business, such information may also be disclosed, subject to appropriate confidentiality agreements, to other entities that provide services to the Portfolios, including pricing information vendors, and third parties that deliver analytical, statistical or consulting services to a Portfolio. The information is generally provided to such service providers after it has been disseminated to the NSCC.
Additional Communications
In addition to the daily posting of portfolio holdings discussed above, the Portfolios may also directly provide such portfolio holdings, or information derived from such portfolio holdings, to parties who specifically request it, provided that: (i) the availability of the Portfolios’ portfolio holdings is disclosed in the Portfolios’ registration statement, as required by applicable law, as well as on the Portfolios’ website; (ii) the Advisor determines that such disclosure is in the best interests of Portfolio shareholders; (iii) such information is made equally available to anyone requesting it; and (iv) it is determined that the disclosure does not present the risk of such information being used to trade against the Portfolios as the holdings information for the Portfolios is publicly disclosed on the Portfolios’ website daily, and no party is receiving an advantage over another.
The Portfolios do not selectively disclose non-public holdings information to third parties other than those disclosed above. If the Portfolios do selectively disclose holdings information the following procedures will be followed. The Head of the Global Client Group and the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (“Designated Persons”) or a delegate of the same, respectively, together may authorize the selective disclosure of non-public holdings information of the Portfolios to those entities (each a “Recipient”) who (1) specifically request the non-public holdings information for a purpose which the Designated Persons determine is consistent with a Portfolio’s legitimate business purpose, (2) the Designated Persons determine that such disclosure is in the best interest of the Portfolio’s shareholders and (3) in making such disclosure, no conflict exists between the Portfolio’s shareholders and those of the Advisor or the Trust’s principal underwriter. Prior to receiving non-public holdings information, a Recipient will execute a use and non-disclosure agreement and abide by its trading restrictions. The Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer or a delegate of the same will review and approve any delegates named by Designated Persons and will maintain list of the same.
SECURITIES LENDING
The Board of the Portfolios has approved their participation in a securities lending program. Under the securities lending program, Citibank, N.A. serves as the securities lending agent for the Portfolios.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the income earned by the Portfolios, as well as the fees and/or compensation paid by the Portfolios (in dollars) pursuant to a securities lending agency/authorization agreement between the Portfolios and Citibank, N.A. (the “Securities Lending Agent”), were as follows:
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Fees and/or compensation for securities lending activities and related services: | ||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio* | Gross income from securities lending activities | Fees paid to Securities Lending Agent from a revenue split | Fees paid for any cash collateral management service (including fees deducted from a pooled cash collateral reinvestment vehicle) not included in the revenue split | Administrative fees not included in the revenue split | Indemnification fees not included in the revenue split | Rebate (paid to borrower) | Other fees not included in the revenue split | Aggregate fees/ compensation for securities lending activities | Net income from securities lending activities | |||||||||
Dimensional U.S. Equity ETF | $1,483,054 | $20,706 | $50,910 | -- | -- | $1,215,826 | -- | $1,287,442 | $195,612 | |||||||||
Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF | $4,175,725 | $58,207 | $126,447 | -- | -- | $3,440,123 | -- | $3,624,777 | $550,948 | |||||||||
Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF | $4,830,120 | $59,247 | $155,246 | -- | -- | $4,052,031 | -- | $4,266,524 | $563,596 | |||||||||
Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF | $5,677,143 | $75,927 | $177,459 | -- | -- | $4,699,478 | -- | $4,952,863 | $724,280 | |||||||||
Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF** | $339,281 | $14,815 | $25,625 | -- | -- | $161,886 | -- | $202,326 | $136,955 | |||||||||
Dimensional International Value ETF | $1,480,686 | $69,266 | $40,098 | -- | -- | $737,022 | -- | $846,385 | $634,301 | |||||||||
Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF | $3,609,871 | $281,311 | $46,837 | -- | -- | $711,765 | -- | $1,039,912 | $2,569,959 |
* The amounts included in the table above may differ from the amounts disclosed in the Portfolios’ annual reports due to timing differences, reconciliations, and certain other adjustments.
** Prior to the Reorganization, under a separate securities lending program, State Street Bank and Trust Company served as the securities lending agent for the predecessor fund. The amounts shown in the table above include income earned by the predecessor fund and fees and/or compensation paid by the predecessor fund (in dollars) prior to the Reorganization pursuant to a securities lending agency/authorization agreement between the predecessor fund and State Street Bank and Trust Company.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the Securities Lending Agent provided the following services for their respective Portfolios (and corresponding predecessor fund, as applicable) in connection with securities lending activities: (i) entering into loans with approved entities subject to guidelines or restrictions provided by the Portfolios and corresponding predecessor fund; (ii) receiving and holding collateral from borrowers, and facilitating the investment and reinvestment of cash collateral; (iii) monitoring daily the value of the loaned securities and collateral, including receiving and delivering additional collateral as necessary from/to borrowers; (iv) negotiating loan terms; (v) selecting securities to be loaned subject to guidelines or restrictions provided by the Portfolios and corresponding predecessor fund; (vi) recordkeeping and account servicing; (vii) monitoring dividend/distribution activity relating to loaned securities; and (viii) arranging for return of loaned securities to the Portfolios and corresponding predecessor fund at loan termination.
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FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”), Two Commerce Square, Suite 1800, 2001 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-7042, is the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm. PwC audits the Trust’s annual financial statements. The audited financial statements and financial highlights of each Portfolio for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, as set forth in the Portfolio’s annual report to shareholders, including the report of PwC, are incorporated by reference into this SAI.
A shareholder may obtain a copy of the annual reports, upon request and without charge, by contacting the Trust at the address or telephone number appearing on the cover of this SAI.
PERFORMANCE DATA
The Portfolios may compare their investment performance to appropriate market and peer fund indices and investments for which reliable performance data is available. Such indices are generally unmanaged and are prepared by entities and organizations which track the performance of investment companies or investment advisors. Unmanaged indices often do not reflect deductions for administrative and management costs and expenses. The performance of the Portfolios may also be compared in publications to averages, performance rankings, or other information prepared by recognized investment company statistical services. Any performance information, whether related to the Portfolios or to the Advisor, should be considered in light of a Portfolio’s investment objectives and policies, characteristics and the quality of the portfolio and market conditions during the time period indicated and should not be considered to be representative of what may be achieved in the future.
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Exhibit A
Proxy Voting Guidelines
General Approach to Corporate Governance and Proxy Voting
When voting proxies, Dimensional1 seeks to act in the best interests of the funds and accounts Dimensional manages and consistent with applicable legal and fiduciary standards. Dimensional seeks to maximize shareholder value subject to the standards of legal and regulatory regimes (applicable to the Advisor or the client), listing requirements, corporate governance and stewardship codes, and any particular investment or voting guidelines of specific funds or accounts. Dimensional will evaluate management and shareholder proposals on a case-by-case basis, in the circumstances explained below.
Dimensional expects the members of a portfolio company’s board to act in the interests of their shareholders. Each portfolio company’s board should implement policies and adopt practices that align the interests of the board and management with those of its shareholders. Since a board’s main responsibility is to oversee management and to manage and mitigate risk, it is important that board members have the experience and skills to carry out that responsibility.
This document outlines Dimensional’s global approach to key proxy voting issues and highlights particular considerations in specific markets.
Global Evaluation Framework
Dimensional’s Global Evaluation Framework sets out Dimensional’s general expectations for all portfolio companies. When implementing the principles contained in Dimensional’s Global Evaluation Framework in a given market, in addition to the relevant legal and regulatory requirements, Dimensional will consider local market practices. Additionally, for portfolio companies in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, and Australia, Dimensional will apply the market-specific considerations contained in the relevant subsection in these Guidelines.
Uncontested Director Elections
Dimensional may vote against individual directors, committee members, or the full board of a portfolio company, such as in the following situations:
1. There are problematic audit-related practices;
2. There are problematic compensation practices or persistent pay for performance misalignment;
3. There are problematic anti-takeover provisions;
4. There have been material failures of governance, risk oversight, or fiduciary responsibilities;
5. The board has failed to adequately respond to shareholder concerns;
6. The board has demonstrated a lack of accountability to shareholders;
7. There is an ineffective board refreshment process2;
Additionally, for portfolios and accounts that consider sustainability issues in their design or have made an affirmative election or provided instruction that Dimensional should prioritize such issues as part of voting,
1 | “Dimensional” refers to any of Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd., DFA Australia Limited, Dimensional Ireland Limited, Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. or Dimensional Japan Ltd. |
2 | As used in these guidelines “board refreshment process” means the method for reviewing and establishing the composition of the board of the portfolio company (e.g., assessments or self-evaluation, succession planning, approach for searches for board members, criteria for qualification of board members). |
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Dimensional may vote against directors, committee members, or the full board of portfolio companies in sectors which have not disclosed targets to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
If a director is a member of multiple boards of various portfolio companies, and one of those boards has one of the issues listed in 1-7 above, Dimensional may vote against that director with respect to the board of the portfolio company with the issue as well as any other portfolio company boards.
Dimensional also considers the following when voting on directors of portfolio companies:
1. Board and committee independence;
2. Director attendance: Dimensional generally expects directors to attend at least 75% of board and committee meetings;
3. Director capacity to serve;
4. Board composition.
Board Refreshment
An effective board refreshment process for a portfolio company can include the alignment of directors’ skills with business needs, assessment of individual director performance and feedback, and a search process for new directors that appropriately incorporates qualification criteria. Dimensional believes information about a portfolio company’s assessment and refreshment process should be disclosed and should generally include:
● | The processes and procedures by which the company identifies the key competencies that directors should possess in order to ensure the board is able to appropriately oversee the risks and opportunities associated with the company’s strategy and operations; | |
● | How the performance of individual directors and the board as a whole is assessed; | |
● | The alignment between the skills and expertise of each board member and the key competencies identified in the board assessment process; | |
● | Board refreshment mechanisms; | |
● | Director recruitment policies and procedures; and | |
● | The extent to which diversity considerations are incorporated into board assessment and refreshment practices and director recruitment policies. |
In evaluating a portfolio company’s refreshment process, Dimensional may consider, among other information:
● | Whether the company’s board assessment process meets market best practices in terms of objectiveness, rigor, disclosure, and other criteria; | |
● | Whether the company has any mechanisms to encourage board refreshment; and | |
● | Whether the company has board entrenchment devices, such as a classified board or plurality vote standard. |
An additional consideration that may lead Dimensional to scrutinize the effectiveness of a portfolio company’s board refreshment process is a lack of gender, racial, or ethnic diversity on the board. In jurisdictions where gender, racial, or ethnic representation on a board is not mandated by law, Dimensional may consider whether a portfolio company seeks to follow market best practices as the portfolio company nominates new directors and assesses the performance of existing directors who have the diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and skill-sets needed to effectively oversee management and manage risk.
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If Dimensional believes that a portfolio company’s board assessment and refreshment process is not sufficiently rigorous, or if the portfolio company fails to disclose adequate information for Dimensional to assess the rigor of the process, Dimensional may vote against members of the Nominating Committee, or other relevant directors.
Bundled/Slate Director Elections
Dimensional generally opposes bundled director elections at portfolio companies; however, in markets where individual director elections are not an established practice, bundled elections are acceptable as long as the full list of candidates is disclosed in a timely manner.
Contested Director Elections
In the case of contested board elections at portfolio companies, Dimensional takes a case-by-case approach. With the goal of maximizing shareholder value, Dimensional considers the qualifications of the nominees, the likelihood that each side can accomplish their stated plans, the portfolio company’s corporate governance practices, and the incumbent board’s history of responsiveness to shareholders.
Board Size
Dimensional believes that portfolio company boards are responsible for determining an appropriate size of the board of directors within the confines of relevant corporate governance codes and best practice standards. However, Dimensional will generally oppose proposals to alter board structure or size in the context of a fight for control of the portfolio company or the board.
Auditors
Dimensional will typically support the ratification of auditors unless there are concerns with the auditor’s independence, the accuracy of the auditor’s report, the level of non-audit fees, or if lack of disclosure makes it difficult for us to assess these factors.
In addition to voting against the ratification of the auditors, Dimensional may also vote against or withhold votes from audit committee members at portfolio companies in instances of fraud, material weakness, or significant financial restatements.
Anti-Takeover Provisions
Dimensional believes that the market for corporate control, which often results in acquisitions which increase shareholder value, should be able to function without undue restrictions. Takeover defenses such as shareholder rights plans (poison pills) can lead to entrenchment of management and reduced accountability at the board level. Dimensional will generally vote against the adoption of anti-takeover provisions. Dimensional may vote against directors at portfolio companies that adopt or maintain anti-takeover provisions without shareholder approval post-initial public offering (“IPO”) or adopted such structures prior to, or in connection with, an IPO. Dimensional may vote against such directors not just at the portfolio company that adopted the anti-takeover provision, but at all other portfolio company boards they serve on.
Related-Party Transactions
Related-party transactions have played a significant role in several high-profile corporate scandals and failures. Dimensional believes related-party transactions should be minimized. When such transactions are determined to be fair to the portfolio company and its shareholders in accordance with the company’s policies and governing law, they should be thoroughly disclosed in public filings.
Amendments to Articles of Association/Incorporation
Dimensional expects the details of proposed amendments to articles of association or incorporation, or similar portfolio company documents, to be clearly disclosed. Dimensional will typically support such
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amendments that are routine in nature or are required or prompted by regulatory changes. Dimensional may vote against amendments that negatively impact shareholder rights or diminish board oversight.
Equity Plans
Dimensional supports the adoption of equity plans that align the interests of the portfolio company board, management, and company employees with those of shareholders.
Dimensional will evaluate equity plans on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the potential dilution to shareholders, the portfolio company’s historical use of equity, and the particular plan features.
Executive Remuneration
Dimensional supports remuneration for executives that is clearly linked to the portfolio company’s performance. Remuneration should be designed to attract, retain and appropriately motivate and serve as a means to align the interests of executives with those of shareholders.
Dimensional expects portfolio companies to structure executive compensation in a manner that does not insulate management from the consequences of failures of risk oversight and management. Dimensional typically supports clawback provisions in executive compensation plans as a way to mitigate risk of excessive risk taking by executives at portfolio companies.
Dimensional supports remuneration plan metrics that are quantifiable and clearly tied to company strategy and the creation of shareholder value. The use of standard financial metrics, for example, metrics based on generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) or international financial reporting standards, when determining executive pay is generally considered by Dimensional to be preferable. The use of non-standard metrics, including those involving large non-GAAP adjustments, result in less transparency for investors and may lead to artificially high executive pay. In evaluating a company’s executive compensation, Dimensional considers whether the company is disclosing what each metric is intended to capture, how performance is measured, what targets have been set, and performance against those targets. While environmental and social (E&S) issues may be material for shareholder value, Dimensional believes linking E&S metrics to executive pay in a quantifiable and transparent manner can present particular challenges. Dimensional will seek to focus on the rigor of E&S metrics and will seek to scrutinize payouts made under these metrics, particularly when there has been underperformance against other metrics tied to financial performance or shareholder value.
To the extent that remuneration is clearly excessive and not aligned with the portfolio company’s performance or other factors, Dimensional would not support such remuneration. Additionally, Dimensional expects portfolio companies to strive to follow local market practices with regards to the specific elements of remuneration and the overall structure of the remuneration plan.
Therefore, Dimensional reviews proposals seeking approval of a portfolio company’s executive remuneration plan closely, taking into account the quantum of pay, company performance, and the structure of the plan.
Director Remuneration
Dimensional will generally support director remuneration at portfolio companies that is reasonable in both size and composition relative to industry and market norms.
Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
Dimensional’s primary consideration in evaluating mergers and acquisitions is maximizing shareholder value. Given that Dimensional believes market prices reflect future expected cash flows, an important
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consideration is the price reaction to the announcement, and the extent to which the deal represents a premium to the pre-announcement price. Dimensional will also consider the strategic rationale, potential conflicts of interest, and the possibility of competing offers.
Dimensional may vote against deals where there are concerns with the acquisition process or where there appear to be significant conflicts of interest.
Capitalization
Dimensional will vote case-by-case on proposals related to portfolio company share issuances, taking into account the purpose for which the shares will be used, the risk to shareholders of not approving the request, and the dilution to existing shareholders.
Unequal Voting Rights
Dimensional opposes the creation of share structures that provide for unequal voting rights, including dual class stock with unequal voting rights or mechanisms such as loyalty shares that may skew economic ownership and voting rights within the same class of shares, and will generally vote against proposals to create or continue such structures. On a case-by-case basis, Dimensional may also vote against directors at portfolio companies that adopt or maintain such structures without shareholder approval post-IPO or adopted such structures prior to, or in connection with, an IPO.
Say on Climate
Dimensional will generally vote against management and shareholder proposals to introduce say on climate votes, which propose that companies’ climate transition plans are put to a recurring advisory shareholder vote. Dimensional believes that strategic planning, including mitigation of climate change risks and oversight of opportunities presented by climate change is the responsibility of the portfolio company board and should not be delegated or transferred to shareholders. If a company’s climate transition plan is put to a shareholder vote then Dimensional will generally vote against the plan, regardless of the level of detail contained in the plan, to indicate our opposition to the delegation of oversight implied by such votes If Dimensional observes that a portfolio company board is failing to adequately guard shareholder value through strategic planning, Dimensional may vote against directors.
Shareholder Proposals
Dimensional’s goal when voting on shareholder proposals to portfolio companies is to support those proposals that protect or enhance shareholder value through improved board accountability, improved policies and procedures, or improved disclosure.
When evaluating shareholder proposals, Dimensional will consider whether the proposal addresses a material issue to the portfolio company, the portfolio company’s current handling of the issue (both on an absolute basis and relative to market practices), the company’s compliance with regulatory requirements, and the potential cost to the company of implementing the proposal. Dimensional may apply additional considerations when voting on sustainability or social shareholder proposals on behalf of portfolios and accounts that incorporate sustainability or social considerations in their portfolio design or have made an affirmative election or provided instruction that Dimensional should prioritize sustainability or social issues as part of voting.
Virtual Meetings
Dimensional does not oppose the use of virtual-only meetings if shareholders are provided with the same rights and opportunities as available during a physical meeting, including:
● | The ability to see and hear company representatives; | |
● | The ability to ask questions of company representatives; and |
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● | The ability to see or hear questions submitted to company representatives by other shareholders, including those questions not answered by company representatives. |
Disclosure of Vote Results
Dimensional expects detailed disclosure of voting results. In cases where vote results have not been disclosed within a reasonable time frame, Dimensional may vote against individual directors, committee members, or the full board of a portfolio company.
Voting Guidelines for Environmental and Social Issues3
Dimensional believes that portfolio company boards are responsible for addressing material environmental & social (E&S) issues within their duties. If a portfolio company is unresponsive to material E&S risks which may have economic ramifications for shareholders, Dimensional may vote against directors individually, committee members, or the entire board. Dimensional may communicate with portfolio companies to better understand the alignment of the interests of boards and management with those of shareholders on these topics.
Dimensional evaluates shareholder proposals on environmental or social issues consistent with its general approach to shareholder proposals, paying particular attention to the portfolio company’s current handling of the issue, current disclosures, the financial materiality of the issue, market practices, and regulatory requirements. Dimensional may vote for proposals requesting disclosure of specific environmental and social data, such as information about board oversight, risk management policies and procedures, or performance against a specific metric, if Dimensional believes that the portfolio company’s current disclosure is inadequate to allow shareholders to effectively assess the portfolio company’s handling of a material issue.
Evaluating Disclosure of Material Environmental or Social Risks
Dimensional generally believes that information about the oversight and mitigation of material environmental or social risks should be disclosed by portfolio companies. Dimensional generally expects the disclosure regarding oversight and mitigation to include:
● | A description of material risks. | |
● | A description of the process for identifying and prioritizing such risks and how frequently it occurs. | |
● | The policies and procedures governing the handling of each material risk. | |
● | A description of the management-level roles/groups involved in oversight and mitigation of each material risk. | |
● | A description of the metrics used to assess the effectiveness of mitigating each material risk, and the frequency at which performance against these metrics is assessed. | |
● | A description of how the board is informed of material risks and the progress against relevant metrics. |
In certain instances where Dimensional determines that disclosure by a portfolio company is insufficient for a shareholder to be able to adequately assess the relevant risks facing a portfolio company, Dimensional may, on a case-by-case basis, vote against individual directors, committee members, or the entire board, or may vote in favor of related shareholder proposals consistent with Dimensional’s general approach to such proposals.
3 | For considerations in connection with ERISA-covered clients, see the Policy and its references to requirements under ERISA. |
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Political and Lobbying Activities
Dimensional expects boards of portfolio companies to exercise oversight of political and lobbying-related expenditures and ensure that such spending is in line with shareholder interests.
In evaluating a portfolio company’s policies related to political and lobbying expenditure, Dimensional expects the following practices:
● | The board to adopt policies and procedures to oversee political and lobbying expenditures; | |
● | The details of the board oversight, including the policies and procedures governing such expenditures, to be disclosed publicly; and | |
● | That board oversight of political and lobbying activities, such as spending, should include ensuring that the portfolio company’s publicly stated positions are in alignment with its related activities and spending. |
Human Capital Management
Dimensional expects boards of portfolio companies to exercise oversight of human capital management issues. Dimensional expects portfolio companies to disclose sufficient information for shareholders to understand the policies, procedures, and personnel a company has in place to address issues related to human capital management. This disclosure should include the company’s human capital management goals in key areas, such as compensation, employee health and wellness, employee training and development, and workforce composition, as well as the metrics by which the company assesses performance against these goals.
Climate Change
Dimensional expects boards of portfolio companies to exercise oversight of climate change risks that may have a material impact on the company. Climate change risks may include physical risks of climate change from changing weather patterns and/or transitional risks of climate change from changes in regulation or consumer preferences. Dimensional expects portfolio companies to disclose information on their handling of these risks, to the extent those risks may have a material impact on the company. Disclosure should include:
● | The specific risks identified | |
● | The potential impact these risks could have on the company’s business, operations, or strategy | |
● | Whether the risks are overseen by a specific committee or the full board | |
● | The frequency with which the board or responsible board committee receives updates on the risks and the types of information reviewed | |
● | The management-level roles/groups responsible for managing these risks | |
● | The metrics used to assess the handling of these risks, how they are calculated, and the reason for their selection, particularly when the metrics recommended by a recognized third-party framework, such as Task Force for Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) or Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), are not being used | |
● | Targets used by the company to manage climate-related risks and performance against those targets |
Human Rights
Dimensional expects portfolio company boards to exercise oversight of human rights issues that could pose a material risk to the business, including forced labor, child labor, privacy, freedom of expression, and land and water rights. Dimensional expects portfolio companies to disclose information on their handling of these risks, to the extent those risks may have a material impact on the company. Disclosure should include:
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● | The specific risks identified | |
● | The potential impact these risks could have on the company’s business, operations, or strategy | |
● | Whether the risks are overseen by a specific committee or the full board | |
● | The frequency with which the board or responsible board committee receives updates on the risks and the types of information reviewed | |
● | Details on how the company monitors human rights throughout the organization and supply chain, including the scope and frequency of audits and how instances of non-compliance are resolved | |
● | The policies governing human rights throughout the organization and supply chain and the extent to which the policy aligns with recognized global frameworks such as the UN’s Guiding Principles on Human Rights and the OECD’s Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises | |
● | Details of violations of the policy and corrective action taken |
Cybersecurity
Dimensional expects portfolio company boards to exercise oversight of cybersecurity issues that could pose a material risk to the business. Dimensional expects portfolio companies to disclose information on their handling of these risks, to the extent those risks may have a material impact on the company. Disclosure should include:
● | Policies and procedures to manage cybersecurity risk and identify cybersecurity incidents | |
● | The role of management in implementing cybersecurity policies and procedures | |
● | The role of the board in overseeing cybersecurity risk and the process by which the board is informed of incidents. | |
● | Material cybersecurity incidents and remedial actions taken. |
Evaluation Framework for U.S. Listed Companies
Director Elections:
Uncontested Director Elections
Shareholders elect the board of a portfolio company to represent their interests and oversee management and expect boards to adopt policies and practices that align the interests of the board and management with those of shareholders and limit the potential for conflicts of interest.
One of the most important measures aimed at ensuring that portfolio company shareholders’ interests are represented is an independent board of directors, made up of individuals with the diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and skill-sets needed to effectively oversee management and manage risk. Dimensional expects portfolio company boards to be majority independent and key committees to be fully independent.
Dimensional believes shareholders should have a say in who represents their interests and portfolio companies should be responsive to shareholder concerns. Dimensional may vote against or withhold votes from individual directors, committee members, or the full board, and may also vote against such directors when they serve on other portfolio company boards, in the following situations:
● | The continued service of directors who failed to receive the support of a majority of shareholders (regardless of whether the company uses a majority or plurality vote standard). | |
● | Failure to adequately respond to majority-supported shareholder proposals. |
Contested Director Elections
In the case of contested board elections at portfolio companies, Dimensional takes a case-by-case approach. With the goal of maximizing shareholder value, Dimensional considers the qualifications of the nominees, the likelihood that each side can accomplish their stated plans, the portfolio company’s corporate
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governance practices, the incumbent board’s history of responsiveness to shareholders, and the market’s reaction to the contest.
Board Structure and Composition:
Age and Term Limits
Dimensional believes it is the responsibility of a portfolio company’s nominating committee to ensure that the company’s board of directors is composed of individuals with the skills needed to effectively oversee management and will generally oppose proposals seeking to impose age or term limits for directors.
That said, portfolio companies should clearly disclose their director evaluation and board refreshment policies in their proxy. Lack of healthy turnover on the board of a portfolio company or lack of observable diversity on a portfolio company board may lead Dimensional to scrutinize the rigor of a portfolio company’s board refreshment process.
CEO/Chair
Dimensional believes that the portfolio company boards are responsible for determining whether the separation of roles is appropriate and adequately protects the interests of shareholders.
At portfolio companies with a combined CEO/Chair, Dimensional expects the board to appoint a lead independent director with specific responsibilities, including the setting of meeting agendas, to seek to ensure the board is able to act independently.
Recent environmental, social, and governance controversies resulting from inadequate board oversight may be taken into account when voting on shareholder proposals seeking the separation of the roles of CEO and Chair at a portfolio company.
Governance Practices:
Classified Boards
Dimensional believes director votes are an important mechanism to increase board accountability to shareholders. Dimensional therefore advocates for boards at portfolio companies to give shareholders the right to vote on the entire slate of directors on an annual basis.
Dimensional will generally support proposals to declassify existing boards at portfolio companies and will generally oppose efforts by portfolio companies to adopt classified board structures, in which only part of the board is elected each year.
Dimensional will generally vote against or withhold votes from incumbent directors at portfolio companies that adopt a classified board without shareholder approval. Dimensional may also vote against or withhold votes from directors at portfolio companies that adopt classified boards prior to or in connection with an IPO, unless accompanied by a reasonable sunset provision.
Dual Classes of Stock
Dual class share structures are generally seen as detrimental to shareholder rights, as they are accompanied by unequal voting rights. Dimensional believes in the principle of one share, one vote.
Dimensional opposes the creation of dual-class share structures with unequal voting rights at portfolio companies and will generally vote against proposals to create or continue dual-class capital structures.
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Dimensional will generally vote against or withhold votes from directors at portfolio companies that adopt a dual-class structure without shareholder approval after the company’s IPO. Dimensional will generally vote against or withhold votes from directors for implementation of a dual-class structure prior to or in connection with an IPO, unless accompanied by a reasonable sunset provision.
Supermajority Vote Requirements
Dimensional believes that the affirmative vote of a majority of shareholders of a portfolio company should be sufficient to approve items such as bylaw amendments and mergers. Dimensional will generally vote against proposals seeking to implement a supermajority vote requirement and for shareholder proposals seeking the adoption of a majority vote standard.
Dimensional will generally vote against or withhold votes from incumbent directors at portfolio companies that adopt a supermajority vote requirement without shareholder approval. Dimensional may also vote against or withhold votes from directors at portfolio companies that adopt supermajority vote requirements prior to or in connection with an IPO, unless accompanied by a reasonable sunset provision.
Shareholder Rights Plans (Poison Pills)
Dimensional generally opposes poison pills. As a result, Dimensional may vote against the adoption of a pill and all directors at a portfolio company that put a pill in place without first obtaining shareholder approval. Votes against (or withheld votes from) directors may extend beyond the portfolio company that adopted the pill, to all boards the directors serve on. In considering a poison pill for approval, Dimensional may take into account the existence of ‘qualified offer’ and other shareholder-friendly provisions.
For pills designed to protect net operating losses, Dimensional may take into consideration a variety of factors, including but not limited to the size of the available operating losses and the likelihood that they will be utilized to offset gains.
Cumulative Voting
Under cumulative voting, each shareholder is entitled to the number of his or her shares multiplied by the number of directors to be elected. Shareholders have the flexibility to allocate their votes among directors in the proportion they see fit, including casting all their votes for one director. This is particularly impactful in the election of dissident candidates to the board in the event of a proxy contest.
Dimensional will typically support proposals that provide for cumulative voting and against proposals to eliminate cumulative voting unless the portfolio company has demonstrated that there are adequate safeguards in place, such as proxy access and majority voting.
Majority Voting
For the election of directors, portfolio companies may adopt either a majority or plurality vote standard. In a plurality vote standard, the directors with the most votes are elected. If the number of directors up for election is equal to the number of board seats, each director only needs to receive one vote in order to be elected. In a majority vote standard, in order to be elected, a director must receive the support of a majority of shares voted or present at the meeting.
Dimensional supports a majority (rather than plurality) voting standard for uncontested director elections at portfolio companies. The majority vote standard should be accompanied by a director resignation policy to address failed elections.
To account for contested director elections, portfolio companies with a majority vote standard should include a carve-out for plurality voting in situations where there are more nominees than seats.
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Right to Call Meetings and Act by Written Consent
Dimensional will generally support the right of shareholders to call special meetings of a portfolio company board (if they own 25% of shares outstanding) and take action by written consent.
Proxy Access
Dimensional will typically support management and shareholder proposals for proxy access that allow a shareholder (or group of shareholders) holding three percent of voting power for three years to nominate up to 25 percent of a portfolio company board. Dimensional will typically vote against proposals that are more restrictive than these guidelines.
Amend Bylaws/Charters
Dimensional believes that shareholders should have the right to amend a portfolio company’s bylaws. Dimensional will generally vote against or withhold votes from incumbent directors at portfolio companies that place substantial restrictions on shareholders’ ability to amend bylaws through excessive ownership requirements for submitting proposals or restrictions on the types of issues that can be amended.
Exclusive Forum
Dimensional is generally supportive of management proposals at portfolio companies to adopt an exclusive forum for shareholder litigation.
Indemnification and Exculpation of Directors and Officers
Dimensional intends to evaluate proposals seeking to enact or expand indemnification or exculpation provisions on a case-by-case basis considering board rationale and specific provisions being proposed.
Advance Notice Provisions
Portfolio company bylaw amendments known as “advance notice provisions” set out the steps shareholders must follow when submitting an item for inclusion on the agenda of a shareholder meeting. These provisions may serve as an entrenchment device that can result in reduced accountability at the board level in cases where they impose onerous requirements on shareholders wishing to submit a nominee for the board of directors. When evaluating advanced notice provisions, whether for the submission of a shareholder candidate or the submission of other permissible proposals, Dimensional generally does not support provisions that:
● | Require shareholder-nominated candidates to disclose information that is not required for new board-nominated candidates | |
● | Impose unduly burdensome disclosure requirements on shareholder proponents | |
● | Significantly limit the time period shareholders have to submit proposals or nominees |
Dimensional may vote against or withhold votes from directors who adopt such provisions without shareholder approval.
Executive and Director Compensation:
Stock-Based Compensation Plans
Dimensional supports the adoption of equity plans that align the interests of portfolio company board, management, and company employees with those of shareholders.
Dimensional will evaluate equity compensation plans on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the potential dilution to shareholders, the portfolio company’s historical use of equity, and the particular plan features.
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Dimensional will typically vote against plans that have features that have a negative impact on shareholders of portfolio companies. Such features include single-trigger or discretionary vesting, an overly broad definition of change in control, a lack of minimum vesting periods for grants, evergreen provisions, and the ability to reprice shares without shareholder approval.
Dimensional may also vote against equity plans if problematic equity grant practices have contributed to a pay for performance misalignment at the portfolio company.
Employee Stock Purchase Plans
Dimensional will generally support qualified employee stock purchase plans (as defined by Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code), provided that the purchase price is no less than 85 percent of market value, the number of shares reserved for the plan is no more than ten percent of outstanding shares, and the offering period is no more than 27 months.
Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation (Say on Pay)
Dimensional supports reasonable compensation for executives that is clearly linked to the portfolio company’s performance. Compensation should serve as a means to align the interests of executives with those of shareholders. To the extent that compensation is excessive, it represents a transfer to management of shareholder wealth. Therefore, Dimensional reviews proposals seeking approval of a portfolio company’s executive compensation plan closely, taking into account the quantum of pay, company performance, and the structure of the plan.
Certain practices, such as:
● | multi-year guaranteed bonuses | |
● | excessive severance agreements (particularly those that vest without involuntary job loss or diminution of duties or those with excise-tax gross-ups) | |
● | single, or the same, metrics used for both short-term and long-term executive compensation plans |
may encourage excessive risk-taking by executives at portfolio companies and are generally opposed by Dimensional.
At portfolio companies that have a history of problematic pay practices or excessive compensation, Dimensional will consider the company’s responsiveness to shareholders’ concerns and may vote against or withhold votes from members of the compensation committee if these concerns have not been addressed.
Frequency of Say on Pay
Executive compensation in the United States is typically composed of three parts: 1) base salary; 2) cash bonuses based on annual performance (short-term incentive awards); 3) and equity awards based on performance over a multi-year period (long-term incentive awards).
Dimensional supports triennial say on pay because it allows for a longer-term assessment of whether compensation was adequately linked to portfolio company performance. This is particularly important in situations where a company makes significant changes to their long-term incentive awards, as the effectiveness of such changes in aligning pay and performance cannot be determined in a single year.
If there are serious concerns about a portfolio company’s compensation plan in a year where the plan is not on the ballot, Dimensional may vote against or withhold votes from members of the Compensation Committee.
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Executive Severance Agreements (Golden Parachutes)
Dimensional analyzes golden parachute proposals on a case-by-case basis.
Dimensional expects payments to be reasonable on both an absolute basis and relative to the value of the transaction. Dimensional will typically vote against agreements with cash severance of more than 3x salary and bonus.
Dimensional expects vesting of equity to be contingent on both a change in control and a subsequent involuntary termination of the employee (“double-trigger change in control”).
Corporate Actions:
Reincorporation
Dimensional will evaluate reincorporation proposals on a case-by-case basis.
Dimensional may vote against reincorporations if the move would result in a substantial diminution of shareholder rights at the portfolio company.
Capitalization:
Increase Authorized Shares
Dimensional will vote case-by-case on proposals seeking to increase common or preferred stock of a portfolio company, taking into account the purpose for which the shares will be used and the risk to shareholders of not approving the request.
Dimensional will typically vote against requests for common or preferred stock issuances that are excessively dilutive relative to common market practice.
Dimensional will typically vote against proposals at portfolio companies with multiple share classes to increase the number of shares of the class with superior voting rights.
Blank Check Preferred Stock
Blank check preferred stock is stock that can be issued at the discretion of the board, with the voting, conversion, distribution, and other rights determined by the board at the time of issue. Therefore, blank check preferred stock can potentially serve as means to entrench management and prevent takeovers at portfolio companies.
To mitigate concerns regarding what Dimensional believes is the inappropriate use of blank check preferred stock, Dimensional expects portfolio companies seeking approval for blank preferred stock to clearly state that the shares will not be used for anti-takeover purposes.
Share Repurchases
Dimensional will generally support open-market share repurchase plans that allow all shareholders to participate on equal terms. Portfolio companies that use metrics such as earnings per share (EPS) in their executive compensation plans should ensure that the impact of such repurchases are taken into account when determining payouts.
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Shareholder Proposals:
Dimensional’s goal when voting on shareholder proposals is to support those proposals that protect or enhance shareholder value through improved board accountability, improved policies and procedures, or improved disclosure.
When evaluating shareholder proposals, Dimensional will consider whether the proposal addresses a material issue to the portfolio company, the portfolio company’s current handling of the issue (both on an absolute basis and relative to market practices), the company’s compliance with regulatory requirements, and the potential cost to the company of implementing the proposal.
In instances where a shareholder proposal is excluded from the meeting agenda but the SEC has declined to state a view on whether such proposal can be excluded, , Dimensional expects the portfolio company to provide shareholders with substantive disclosure concerning this exclusion. If substantive disclosure is lacking, Dimensional may vote against or withhold votes from certain directors on a case-by-case basis.
Evaluation Framework for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) Listed Companies
Continental Europe:
Director Election Guidelines
● | Portfolio company boards should be majority independent (excluding shareholder or employee representatives as provided by law); however, lower levels of board independence may be acceptable in controlled companies and in those markets where local best practice indicates that at least one-third of the board be independent. | |
● | A majority of audit and remuneration committee members (excluding shareholder or employee representatives as provided by law) should be independent; the committees overall should be at least one-third independent. | |
● | Executives should generally not serve on audit and remuneration committees. | |
● | The CEO and board chair roles should generally be separate, |
Remuneration Guidelines
Dimensional expects annual remuneration reports published by portfolio companies pursuant to the Shareholder Rights Directive II to disclose, at a minimum:
● | The amount paid to executives; |
● | Alignment between pay and performance; |
● | The targets used for variable incentive plans and the ex-post levels achieved; and |
● | The rationale for any discretion applied. |
Other Market Specific Guidelines for Continental Europe
● | In Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands, Dimensional will generally vote against the appointment of a former CEO as chairman of the board of directors or supervisory board of a portfolio company. |
United Kingdom & Ireland:
Dimensional expects portfolio companies to follow the requirements of the UK Corporate Governance Code with regards to board and committee composition. When evaluating portfolio company boards Dimensional will also consider the recommendations of the FTSE Women Leaders and Parker Reviews with regards to female and minority representation on the board.
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Dimensional also expects companies to align their remuneration with the requirements of the UK Corporate Governance Code and to consider best practices such as those set forth in the Investment Association Principles of Remuneration.
South Africa:
Dimensional expects portfolio companies to follow the recommendations of the King Report on Corporate Governance (King Code IV) with regards to board and committee composition.
Turkey:
Dimensional expects the board of directors of a portfolio company to be at least one-third independent; at minimum two directors should be independent.
Dimensional expects the board of a portfolio company to establish an independent audit committee.
Dimensional expects the board of a portfolio company to establish a board committee with responsibility for compensation and nominating matters. This committee should be chaired by an independent director.
Framework for Evaluating Australia-Listed Companies
Uncontested Director Elections
Shareholders elect the board of a portfolio company to represent their interests and oversee management and expect portfolio company boards to adopt policies and practices that align the interests of the board and management with those of shareholders and limit the potential for conflicts of interest.
One of the most important measures aimed at ensuring that portfolio company shareholders’ interests are represented is an independent board of directors, made up of individuals with the diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and skill-sets needed to effectively oversee management and manage risk. Dimensional expects portfolio company boards to be majority independent.
Dimensional believes that key audit and remuneration committees should be composed of independent directors. Dimensional will generally vote against executive directors of the portfolio company who serve on the audit committee or who serve on the remuneration committee if the remuneration committee is not majority independent.
Dimensional will consider the ASX Corporate Governance Council Principles and Recommendations (the “ASX Principles and Recommendations”) with regards to female representation on the board when voting on directors.
CEO/Chair
Dimensional expects portfolio companies to follow the ASX Corporate Governance Council Principles and Recommendations and generally separate the CEO and board chair roles, with the board chair being an independent director.
Auditors
Australian law does not require the annual ratification of auditors; therefore, concerns with a portfolio company’s audit practices will be reflected in votes against members of the audit committee.
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Dimensional may vote against audit committee members at a portfolio company if there are concerns with the auditor’s independence, the accuracy of the auditor’s report, the level of non-audit fees, or if lack of disclosure makes it difficult to assess these factors.
Dimensional may also vote against audit committee members in instances of fraud or material failures in oversight of audit functions.
Share Issuances
Dimensional will evaluate requests for share issuances on a case-by-case basis, taking into account factors such as the impact on current shareholders and the rationale for the request.
When voting on approval of prior share distributions, Dimensional will generally support prior issuances that conform to the dilution guidelines set out in ASX Listing Rule 7.1.
Share Repurchase
Dimensional will evaluate requests for share repurchases on a case-by-case basis, taking into account factors such as the impact on current shareholders, the rationale for the request, and the portfolio company’s history of repurchases. Dimensional expects repurchases to be made in arms-length transactions using independent third parties.
Dimensional may vote against portfolio company plans that do not include limitations on the company’s ability to use the plan to repurchase shares from third parties at a premium and limitations on the use of share purchases as an anti-takeover device.
Constitution Amendments
Dimensional will evaluate requests for amendments to a portfolio company’s constitution on a case-by-case basis. The primary consideration will be the impact on the rights of shareholders.
Non-Executive Director Compensation
Dimensional will support non-executive director remuneration at portfolio companies that is reasonable in both size and composition relative to industry and market norms.
Dimensional will generally vote against components of non-executive director remuneration that are likely to impair a director’s independence, such as options or performance-based remuneration.
Equity Plans
Dimensional supports the adoption of equity plans that align the interests of the portfolio company board, management, and company employees with those of shareholders.
Companies should clearly disclose components of the plan, including vesting periods and performance hurdles.
Dimensional may vote against plans that are exceedingly dilutive to existing shareholders. Plans that permit retesting or repricing will generally be viewed unfavorably.
Framework for Evaluating Japan-Listed Securities
Uncontested Director Elections
Shareholders elect the board of a portfolio company to represent their interests and oversee management and expect portfolio company boards to adopt policies and practices that align the interests of the board and management with those of shareholders and limit the potential for conflicts of interest.
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One of the most important measures aimed at ensuring that portfolio company shareholders’ interests are represented is an independent board of directors, made up of individuals with the diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and skill sets needed to effectively oversee management and manage risk. With respect to gender diversity, Dimensional may consider local market practice, including requirements under the Japan Corporate Governance Code, and may vote against directors if the board does not meet established market norms.
At portfolio companies with a three-committee structure, Dimensional expects at least one-third of the board to be outsiders. Ideally, the board should be majority independent. At portfolio companies with a three-committee structure that have a controlling shareholder, at least two directors and at least one-third of the board should be independent outsiders.
At portfolio companies with an audit committee structure, Dimensional expects at least one-third of the board to be outsiders. Ideally, the audit committee should be entirely independent; at minimum, any outside directors who serve on the committee should be independent. At portfolio companies with an audit committee structure that have a controlling shareholder, at least two directors and at least one-third of the board should be independent outsiders.
At portfolio companies with a statutory auditor structure, Dimensional expects at least two directors and at least one-third of the board to be outsiders. At portfolio companies with a statutory auditor structure that have a controlling shareholder, at least two directors and at least one-third of the board should be independent outsiders.
Statutory Auditors
Statutory auditors are responsible for effectively overseeing management and ensuring that decisions made are in the best interest of shareholders. Dimensional may vote against statutory auditors who are remiss in their responsibilities.
When voting on outside statutory auditors, Dimensional expects nominees to be independent and to have the capacity to fulfill the requirements of their role as evidenced by attendance at meetings of the board of directors or board of statutory auditors.
Director and Statutory Auditor Compensation
Dimensional will support compensation for portfolio company directors and statutory auditors that is reasonable in both size and composition relative to industry and market norms.
When requesting an increase to the level of director fees, Dimensional expects portfolio companies to provide a specific reason for the increase. Dimensional will generally support an increase of director fees if it is in conjunction with the introduction of performance-based compensation, or where the ceiling for performance-based compensation is being increased. Dimensional will generally not support an increase in director fees if there is evidence that the directors have been remiss in effectively overseeing management or ensuring that decisions made are in the best interest of shareholders.
Dimensional will typically support an increase to the statutory auditor compensation ceiling unless there is evidence that the statutory auditors have been remiss in effectively overseeing management or ensuring that decisions made are in the best interest of shareholders.
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Dimensional will generally support the granting of annual bonuses to portfolio company directors and statutory auditors unless there is evidence the board or the statutory auditors have been remiss in effectively overseeing management or ensuring that decisions made are in the best interest of shareholders.
Dimensional generally supports the granting of retirement benefits to portfolio company insiders, so long as the individual payments, and aggregate amount of such payments, is disclosed.
Dimensional will generally vote against the granting of retirement bonuses if there is evidence the portfolio company board or statutory auditors have been remiss in effectively overseeing management or ensuring that decisions made are in the best interest of shareholders.
Equity Based Compensation
Dimensional supports the adoption of equity plans that align the interests of the portfolio company board, management, and company employees with those of shareholders.
Dimensional will typically support stock option plans to portfolio company executives and employees if total dilution from the proposed plans and previous plans does not exceed 5 percent for mature companies or 10 percent for growth companies.
Dimensional will generally vote against stock plans if upper limit of options that can be issued per year is not disclosed.
For deep-discounted stock option plans, Dimensional typically expects portfolio companies to disclose specific performance hurdles.
Capital Allocation
Dimensional will typically support well-justified dividend payouts that do not negatively impact the portfolio company’s overall financial health.
Share Repurchase
Dimensional is typically supportive of portfolio company boards having discretion over share repurchases absent concerns with the company’s balance sheet management, capital efficiency, buyback and dividend payout history, board composition, or shareholding structure.
Dimensional will typically support proposed repurchases that do not have a negative impact on shareholder value.
For repurchases of more than 10 percent of issue share capital, Dimensional expects the company to provide a robust explanation for the request.
Cross-Shareholding
Dimensional generally believes that portfolio companies should not allocate significant portions of their net assets to investments in companies for non-investment purposes. For example, in order to strengthen relationships with customers, suppliers, or borrowers. Such cross-shareholding, whether unilateral or reciprocal, can compromise director independence, entrench management, and reduce director accountability to uninterested shareholders. Dimensional may vote against certain directors at companies with excessive cross-shareholdings.
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Shareholder Rights Plans (Poison Pills)
Dimensional believes the market for corporate control, which can result in acquisitions that are accretive to shareholders, should be able to function without undue restrictions. Takeover defenses such as poison pills can lead to entrenchment and reduced accountability at the board level.
Indemnification and Limitations on Liability
Dimensional generally supports limitations on liability for directors and statutory auditors in ordinary circumstances.
Limit Legal Liability of External Auditors
Dimensional generally opposes limitations on the liability of external auditors.
Increase in Authorized Capital
Dimensional will typically support requests for increases of less than 100 percent of currently authorized capital, so long as the increase does not leave the portfolio company with less than 30 percent of the proposed authorized capital outstanding.
For increases that exceed these guidelines, Dimensional expects portfolio companies to provide a robust explanation for the increase.
Dimensional will generally not support requests for increases that will be used as an anti-takeover device.
Expansion of Business Activities
For well performing portfolio companies seeking to expand their business into enterprises related to their core business, Dimensional will typically support management requests to amend the company’s articles to expand the company’s business activities.
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dimensional ETF TRust
6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin,
Texas 78746
Telephone: (512) 306-7400
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
February 28, 2023
Dimensional ETF Trust (the “Trust”) is an open-end management investment company that offers thirty series of shares. This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) relates to the following portfolios (each, a “Portfolio” and collectively, the “Portfolios”):
Portfolio: | Exchange: | Ticker: |
Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF | NYSE Arca, Inc. | DFCF |
Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF | NYSE Arca, Inc. | DFSD |
Dimensional Inflation-Protected Securities ETF | NYSE Arca, Inc. | DFIP |
Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF | NYSE Arca, Inc. | DFNM |
This SAI is not a Prospectus but should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus of the Portfolios, dated February 28, 2023, as amended from time to time. The audited financial statements and financial highlights of the Portfolios are incorporated by reference from the Portfolios’ annual reports to shareholders. A free copy of the Prospectus or annual report can be obtained by contacting your investment representative, writing to the Trust at the above address or by calling the above telephone number.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GENERAL INFORMATION
The Trust is a Delaware statutory trust organized on June 16, 2020. The Trust is an open-end management investment company, registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Each Portfolio offers, issues and redeems shares (“Shares”) at net asset value (“NAV”) only in large aggregations of Shares (each a “Creation Unit”). Creation Units typically are a specified number of Shares, generally 50,000 Shares (with respect to the Dimensional Core Fixed Income, Short-Duration Fixed Income and National Municipal Bond ETFs) or multiples thereof and 25,000 Shares (with respect to the Dimensional Inflation-Protected Securities ETF) or multiples thereof. In the event of liquidation of a Portfolio, the Trust may lower the number of Shares in a Creation Unit. In its discretion, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (the “Advisor” or “Dimensional”) reserves the right to increase or decrease the number of a Portfolio’s Shares that constitute a Creation Unit. The Board of Trustees reserves the right to declare a split or a consolidation in the number of Shares outstanding of a Portfolio, and to make a corresponding change in the number of Shares constituting a Creation Unit. Each Portfolio may issue Creation Units of its Shares to Authorized Participants (as defined in the “Creation and Redemption of Creation Units” section of this SAI) in exchange for a designated basket of portfolio investments, together with the deposit of a specified cash payment and applicable fees as described below. Shares of the Portfolios are listed and trade on NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “Exchange” or “NYSE Arca”), a national securities exchange. Shares of the Portfolios are traded in the secondary market and elsewhere at market prices that may be at, above or below a Portfolio’s NAV. Shares are redeemable only in Creation Units by Authorized Participants in exchange for a designated basket of portfolio investments together with a specified amount of cash and applicable fees as described below. Creation Units are generally issued (or redeemed) by the Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF in exchange for cash or in exchange for a designated basket of portfolio investments, together with the deposit of a specified cash payment. For each Portfolio, the Trust reserves the right to permit or require that creations and redemptions of Shares be effected entirely in cash, in-kind or a combination thereof.
The Trust reserves the right to permit or require that creations and redemptions of Shares be effected entirely in cash, in-kind or a combination thereof. Fees imposed by a Portfolio in connection with creations and redemptions of Shares (“Transaction Fees”) and other costs associated with creations or redemptions that include cash may be higher than Transaction Fees and other costs associated with in-kind creations or redemptions. In all cases, conditions with respect to creations and redemptions of Shares and fees will be limited in accordance with the requirements of SEC rules and regulations applicable to management investment companies offering redeemable securities. See the “Creation and Redemption of Creation Units” section of this SAI for more information.
Each Portfolio is a separate series of the Trust, and each Share of a Portfolio represents an equal proportionate interest in the Portfolio. All consideration received by the Trust for a Portfolio’s Shares and all assets of a Portfolio belong solely to that Portfolio and would be subject to liabilities related thereto.
EXCHANGE LISTING AND TRADING
There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of Shares of a Portfolio will continue to be met. The Exchange will consider the suspension of trading in, and will commence delisting proceedings of, the Shares of a Portfolio under any of the following circumstances: (i) if the Exchange becomes aware that the Portfolio is no longer eligible to operate in reliance on Rule 6c-11 under the 1940 Act; (ii) if the Portfolio no longer complies with the requirements set forth in the relevant listing standards of the Exchange; (iii) if following the initial 12-month period beginning upon the commencement of trading of the Portfolio, there are fewer than 50 beneficial holders of the Shares; or (iv) any other event shall occur or condition shall exist that, in the opinion of the Exchange, makes further dealings on the Exchange inadvisable. The Exchange will remove the Shares of a Portfolio from listing and trading upon termination of the Portfolio.
As is the case with other stocks traded on the Exchange, brokers’ commissions on transactions will be based on negotiated commission rates at customary levels. Negotiated commission rates only apply to investors who will buy and sell Shares of a Portfolio in secondary market transactions through brokers on the Exchange and does not apply to investors such as market makers, large investors and institutions who wish to deal in Creation Units directly with the Portfolio.
2 |
The Trust reserves the right to adjust the price levels of the Shares in the future to help maintain convenient trading ranges for investors. Any adjustments would be accomplished through stock splits or reverse stock splits, which would have no effect on the net assets of a Portfolio.
Continuous Offering
The method by which Creation Units are created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Units are issued and sold by a Portfolio on an ongoing basis, at any point a “distribution,” as such term is used in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 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 that could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus delivery requirement and liability provisions of the 1933 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 Portfolios’ distributor, breaks them down into constituent Shares and sells such Shares directly to customers or if it chooses to couple the creation 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 1933 Act must take into account all of 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, generally are required to deliver a prospectus. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(a)(3) of the 1933 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 a Portfolio are reminded that, pursuant to Rule 153 under the 1933 Act, a prospectus delivery obligation under Section 5(b)(2) of the 1933 Act owed to an exchange member in connection with a sale on the Exchange generally is satisfied by the fact that the prospectus is available at the Exchange upon request. The prospectus delivery mechanism provided in Rule 153 is available only with respect to transactions on an exchange.
The Advisor or its affiliates may purchase shares of a Portfolio through a broker-dealer to “seed” a Portfolio as it is launched, or may purchase shares of a Portfolio from other broker-dealers that have previously provided “seed” capital for a Portfolio when it was launched, or otherwise in secondary market transactions.
PORTFOLIO CHARACTERISTICS, POLICIES AND INVESTMENT PROCESS
Dimensional serves as investment advisor to each of the Portfolios. The Advisor is organized as a Delaware limited partnership and is controlled and operated by its general partner, Dimensional Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation.
The following information supplements the information set forth in the Prospectus. Unless otherwise indicated, the following information applies to each Portfolio. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this SAI have the meaning assigned to them in the Prospectus. Each of the Portfolios is diversified under the federal securities laws and regulations.
The Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF (the “Municipal Bond ETF”) has adopted a fundamental policy that, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Portfolio’s net assets will be invested in in municipal securities that pay interest exempt from federal income tax. A fundamental policy may not be changed without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio, as defined below under “INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS.” Each of the Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF, Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF, and Dimensional Inflation-Protected Securities ETF has adopted a non-fundamental policy as required by Rule 35d-1 under the 1940 Act that, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the value of the Portfolio’s net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, will be invested in a specific type of investment. If a Portfolio changes its 80% non-fundamental policy, the Portfolio will notify shareholders at least 60 days before the change, and will change the name of the Portfolio.
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For purposes of each 80% policy, the value of the derivatives in which each such Portfolio invests will be calculated in the same way that the values of derivatives are calculated when calculating a Portfolio’s NAV. Derivative instruments are valued at market price (not notional value) and may be fair valued, for purposes of calculating a Portfolio’s NAV. For more information on each such Portfolio’s specific 80% policy, see the “PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES” section in its Prospectus.
BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS
The Portfolios acquire and sell securities on a net basis with dealers that are major market makers in such securities. The Investment Committee of the Advisor selects dealers on the basis of their size, market making, and other factors. When executing portfolio transactions, the Advisor seeks to obtain the most favorable price for the securities being traded among the dealers with whom the Portfolios effect transactions.
Portfolio transactions will be placed with a view to receiving the best price and execution. The Advisor will seek to acquire and dispose of securities in a manner which would cause as little fluctuation in the market prices of securities being purchased or sold as possible in light of the size of the transactions being effected, and brokers will be selected with this goal in view. The Advisor monitors the performance of brokers which effect transactions for the Portfolios to determine the effect that the brokers’ trading has on the market prices of the securities in which the Portfolios invest. The Advisor also checks the rate of commission, if any, being paid by the Portfolios to their brokers to ascertain that the rates are competitive with those charged by other brokers for similar services. Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. and DFA Australia Limited also may perform these services for the Portfolios.
Subject to the duty to seek to obtain best price and execution, transactions may be placed with brokers that have assisted in the sale of Portfolio shares. The Advisor, however, pursuant to policies and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, is prohibited from selecting brokers and dealers to effect a Portfolio’s portfolio securities transactions based (in whole or in part) on a broker’s or dealer’s promotion or sale of shares issued by a Portfolio or any other registered investment companies.
The Advisor believes that it needs maximum flexibility to effect trades on a best execution basis. As deemed appropriate, the Advisor places buy and sell orders for the Portfolios with various brokerage firms that may act as principal or agent. The Advisor may also make use of direct market access and algorithmic, program or electronic trading methods. The Advisor may extensively use electronic trading systems as such systems can provide the ability to customize the orders placed and can assist in the Advisor’s execution strategies.
Transactions also may be placed with brokers who provide the Advisor or the sub-advisors with investment research, such as: reports concerning individual issuers; general economic or industry reports or research data compilations; compilations of securities prices, earnings, dividends, and similar data; computerized databases; quotation services; trade analytics; ancillary brokerage services; and services of economic or other consultants. The investment management agreements permit the Advisor knowingly to pay commissions on these transactions that are greater than another broker, dealer or exchange member might charge if the Advisor, in good faith, determines that the commissions paid are reasonable in relation to the research or brokerage services provided by the broker or dealer when viewed in terms of either a particular transaction or the Advisor’s overall responsibilities to the accounts under its management. Research services furnished by brokers through whom securities transactions are effected may be used by the Advisor in servicing all of its accounts and not all such services may be used by the Advisor with respect to the Portfolios.
To the extent creation or redemption transactions are conducted on a cash or “cash in lieu” basis, a Portfolio may contemporaneously transact with broker-dealers for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities in connection with such transactions. Such orders may be placed with an Authorized Participant in its capacity as broker-dealer, a broker-dealer that is affiliated with the Authorized Participant, or a third-party broker-dealer.
Specifically, following a Portfolio’s receipt of a creation or redemption order, to the extent such purchases or redemptions consist of a cash portion, the Portfolio may enter an order with the Authorized Participant, its affiliated broker-dealer or a third-party broker-dealer to purchase or sell the portfolio securities, as applicable. The executing broker-dealer will be required to guarantee that the Portfolio will achieve execution of its order at a price at least as favorable to the Portfolio as the Portfolio’s valuation of the portfolio securities used for purposes of
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calculating the NAV applied to the creation or redemption transaction giving rise to the order (the “Price Guarantee”). Whether the execution of the order is at a price at least as favorable to the Portfolio will depend on the results achieved by the executing firm and will vary depending on market activity, timing and a variety of other factors.
An Authorized Participant is required to deposit an amount with a Portfolio in order to ensure that the execution of the order on the terms noted above will be honored on orders arising from creation transactions executed by an Authorized Participant or its affiliate as broker-dealer. If the broker-dealer executing the order achieves executions in market transactions at a price equal to or more favorable than a Portfolio’s valuation of the portfolio securities, the Portfolio receives the benefit of the favorable executions and the deposit is returned to the Authorized Participant. If, however, the broker-dealer executing the order is unable to achieve a price at least equal to a Portfolio’s valuation of the securities, the Portfolio retains the portion of the deposit equal to the full amount of the execution shortfall (including any taxes, brokerage commissions or other costs) and may require the Authorized Participant to deposit any additional amount required to cover the full amount of the actual execution transaction.
An Authorized Participant agrees to pay the shortfall amount in order to ensure that a guarantee on execution will be honored for brokerage orders arising from redemption transactions executed by an Authorized Participant or its affiliate as broker-dealer. If the broker-dealer executing the order achieves executions in market transactions at a price equal to or more favorable than a Portfolio’s valuation of the portfolio securities, the Portfolio receives the benefit of the favorable executions. If, however, the broker-dealer is unable to achieve executions in market transactions at a price at least equal to the Portfolio’s valuation of the securities, the Portfolio will be entitled to the portion of the offset equal to the full amount of the execution shortfall (including any taxes, brokerage commissions or other costs).
During the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the Portfolios and the Advisor did not through an agreement or understanding with a broker, or otherwise through an internal allocation procedure, direct any Portfolio’s brokerage transactions to a broker because of research services provided.
Certain Portfolios may purchase securities of their regular brokers or dealers (as defined in Rule 10b-1 of the 1940 Act). The table below lists the regular brokers or dealers of each Portfolio whose securities (or securities of the broker’s or dealer’s parent company) were acquired by the Portfolio during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, as well as the value of such securities held by the Portfolio as of October 31, 2022.
Portfolio | Broker or Dealer | Value of Securities |
Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF | Morgan Stanley | $ 23,890,326 |
Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF | Wells Fargo & Co. | $ 21,272,543 |
Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF | Citigroup Inc. | $ 10,611,080 |
Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | $ 10,119,463 |
Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF | Bank of America Corp. | $ 6,640,069 |
Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF | The Toronto-Dominion Bank | $ 6,478,203 |
Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF | The Goldman Sachs Group Inc. | $ 3,697,992 |
Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF | Mizuho Financial Group Inc. | $ 3,625,977 |
Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF | Morgan Stanley | $ 13,616,031 |
Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF | Citigroup Inc. | $ 12,083,208 |
Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF | Wells Fargo & Co | $ 11,851,360 |
Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF | The Toronto-Dominion Bank | $ 11,656,588 |
Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF | Mizuho Financial Group Inc. | $ 8,052,570 |
Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF | JPMorgan Chase & Co. | $ 6,689,741 |
Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF | Bank of America Corp. | $ 5,301,446 |
Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF | The Goldman Sachs Group Inc. | $ 3,783,011 |
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INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
Each of the Portfolios has adopted certain limitations which may not be changed with respect to any Portfolio without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio. A “majority” is defined as the lesser of: (1) at least 67% of the voting securities of the Portfolio (to be affected by the proposed change) present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio are present or represented by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of such Portfolio.
The Portfolios will not:
1) | borrow money, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, or any rules, exemptions or interpretations thereunder that may be adopted, granted or issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”); | |
2) | make loans, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, or any rules, exemptions or interpretations thereunder that may be adopted, granted or issued by the SEC; provided that in no event shall the Portfolio be permitted to make a loan to a natural person; | |
3) | purchase or sell real estate, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments, and provided that this restriction does not prevent the Portfolio from: (i) purchasing or selling securities or instruments secured by real estate or interests therein, securities or instruments representing interests in real estate or securities or instruments of issuers that invest, deal or otherwise engage in transactions in real estate or interests therein; and (ii) purchasing or selling real estate mortgage loans; | |
4) | purchase or sell physical commodities, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments, and provided that this limitation does not prevent the Portfolio from (i) purchasing or selling securities of companies that purchase or sell commodities or that invest in commodities; (ii) engaging in any transaction involving currencies, options, forwards, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, swaps, hybrid instruments or other derivatives; or (iii) investing in securities, or transacting in other instruments, that are linked to or secured by physical or other commodities; | |
5) | purchase the securities of any one issuer, if immediately after such investment, the Portfolio would not qualify as a “diversified company” as that term is defined by the 1940 Act, as amended, and as modified or interpreted by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time; | |
6) | engage in the business of underwriting securities issued by others; | |
7) | concentrate (invest more than 25% of its net assets) in securities of issuers in a particular industry (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or securities of other investment companies); or | |
8) | issue senior securities (as such term is defined in Section 18(f) of the 1940 Act), except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act. |
With respect to the investment limitation described in (1) above, the Portfolios will maintain asset coverage of at least 300% (as described in the 1940 Act), inclusive of any amounts borrowed, with respect to any borrowings made by a Portfolio. Under the 1940 Act, an open-end investment company may borrow up to 33⅓% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) from banks, and may borrow up to an additional 5% of its total assets, for temporary purposes, from any other person. The Portfolios do not currently intend to borrow money for investment purposes.
Although the investment limitation described in (2) above prohibits loans, each Portfolio is authorized to lend portfolio securities under the conditions and restrictions described in the Portfolios’ Prospectus. Investment limitation (2) above also does not, among other things, prevent the Portfolios from engaging in repurchase
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agreements, acquiring debt or loan instruments in the future or participating in an interfund lending order granted by the SEC.
Pursuant to Rule 22e-4 under the 1940 Act (the “Liquidity Rule”), a Portfolio may not acquire any “illiquid investment” if, immediately after the acquisition, the Portfolio would have invested more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments that are assets. Illiquid investments are investments that the Portfolio reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment, as determined pursuant to the Trust’s liquidity risk management program (the “Liquidity Program”). As required by the Liquidity Rule, the Trust has implemented the Liquidity Program, and the Board, including a majority of the disinterested Trustees, has appointed a liquidity risk management program administrator (the “Liquidity Program Administrator”) to administer such program. The Liquidity Program Administrator’s responsibilities include, among others, determining the liquidity classification of a Portfolio’s investments, if applicable, and monitoring compliance with the 15% limit on illiquid investments.
For these purposes, the Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF and Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF may invest in commercial paper that is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”), subject to the requirements regarding credit ratings stated in the Prospectus under “Description of Investments of the Portfolios Other than the Municipal Bond ETF.” Although the commercial paper securities are not registered, they will not be subject to the 15% limitation on illiquid investments. Further, pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, the Portfolios may purchase certain unregistered (i.e. restricted) securities upon a determination that a liquid institutional market exists for the securities. If it is determined that a liquid market does exist, the securities will not be subject to the 15% limitation on illiquid investments. Among other considerations, the Advisor may consider the number of dealers making a market in such securities when determining whether a liquid market exists. After purchase, the Portfolios will continue to monitor the liquidity of Rule 144A securities.
The investment limitations described above do not prohibit a Portfolio from purchasing or selling futures contracts and options on futures contracts, to the extent otherwise permitted under a Portfolio’s investment strategies. Except with respect to a Portfolio’s limitation on borrowing, illiquid investments, or otherwise indicated, with respect to the investment limitations described above, all limitations applicable to the Portfolios’ investments apply only at the time that a transaction is undertaken.
For purposes of the investment limitation described in (7) above, management does not consider securities that are issued by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities to be investments in an “industry.” However, management currently considers securities issued by a foreign government (but not the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities) to be an “industry” subject to the 25% limitation. Thus, not more than 25% of a Portfolio’s assets will be invested in securities issued by any one foreign government or supranational organization. In applying the investment limitation described in (7) above, each Portfolio will consider the investments of other investment companies in which the Portfolio invests to the extent it has sufficient information about the holdings of such investment companies, if applicable.
For purposes of the investment limitation described in (7) above, in regards to the Municipal Bond ETF, the identification of the issuer of a municipal security depends on the terms and conditions of the security. When assets and revenues of a political subdivision are separate from those of the government that created the subdivision and the security is backed only by the assets and revenues of the subdivision, the subdivision is deemed to be the sole issuer. Similarly, in the case of an industrial development bond, if only the assets and revenues of a nongovernmental user back the bond, then the nongovernmental user would be deemed to be the sole issuer. If, however, in either case, the creating government or some other entity guarantees the security, the guarantee would be considered a separate entity that would be treated as an issue of the guaranteeing entity.
Additionally, for the Municipal Bond ETF, for purposes of the investment limitations above, tax-exempt securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S., state or local governments or political subdivisions of governments are not considered to be a part of any industry. Tax-exempt securities of non-governmental issuers, however, are subject to the 25% limitation described in investment limitation (7) above.
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With respect to the investment limitation described in (8) above, a Portfolio will not issue senior securities, except that the Portfolio may borrow money as described above. A Portfolio may also borrow money for temporary purposes, but not in excess of 5% of the Portfolio’s total assets. Further, a transaction or agreement that otherwise might be deemed to create leverage, such as a forward or futures contract, option, swap or when-issued security, delayed delivery or forward commitment transaction, will not be considered a senior security to the extent such investments are purchased and held in compliance with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules thereafter.
As noted above, the Municipal Bond ETF has adopted a fundamental policy as required by Rule 35d-1 under the 1940 Act, that, under normal market conditions, at least 80% of the Portfolio’s net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, will be invested in municipal securities that pay interest exempt from federal income tax.
FUTURES CONTRACTS
Each Portfolio may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for securities and indices to increase or decrease market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio. The Portfolios, however, do not intend to sell futures contracts to establish short positions in individual securities. The Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF also may use futures contracts and options on futures contracts to hedge interest rate or currency exposure or for non-hedging purposes, such as a substitute for direct investment. The Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF also may use futures contracts and options on futures contracts to hedge interest rate exposure or for non-hedging purposes, such as a substitute for direct investment. The Municipal Bond ETF also may use futures contracts and options on futures contracts to hedge against changes in interest rates, to hedge its interest rate exposure or for non-hedging purposes, such as a substitute for direct investment.
Futures contracts provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of defined securities at a specified future time and at a specified price. Futures contracts that are standardized as to maturity date and underlying financial instrument are traded on national futures exchanges. Each Portfolio will be required to make a margin deposit in cash or government securities with a futures commission merchant (an “FCM”) to initiate and maintain positions in futures contracts. Minimal initial margin requirements are established by the futures exchanges and FCMs may establish margin requirements which are higher than the exchange requirements. A Portfolio also will incur brokerage costs in connection with entering into futures contracts. After a futures contract position is opened, the value of the contract is marked-to-market daily. If the futures contract price changes to the extent that the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, payment of additional “variation” margin to be held by the FCM will be required. Conversely, a reduction in the required margin would result in excess margin that can be refunded to the custodial accounts of the Portfolio. Variation margin payments may be made to and from the futures broker for as long as the contract remains open. Each Portfolio expects to earn income on its margin deposits.
At any time prior to the expiration of a futures contract, a Portfolio may elect to close the position by taking an opposite position, which will operate to terminate its existing position in the contract. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into (or through a linked exchange). No secondary market for such contracts exists. Although a Portfolio may enter into futures contracts only if there is an active market for such contracts, there is no assurance that an active market will exist for any particular futures contract at any specific time. Most futures exchanges limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day. Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular contract, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond that limit or trading may be suspended for specified periods during the day. It is possible that futures contract prices could move to the daily limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of futures positions at an advantageous price and subjecting a Portfolio to substantial losses. In such event, and in the event of adverse price movements, the Portfolio would be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin. In such situations, if the Portfolio had insufficient cash, it might have to sell securities to meet daily variation margin requirements at a time when it would be disadvantageous to do so. In addition, if the transaction is entered into for hedging purposes, in such circumstances a Portfolio may realize a loss on a futures contract or option that is not offset by an increase in the value of the hedged position. Losses incurred in futures transactions and the costs of these transactions will affect the performance of the Portfolio.
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FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
The Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF and Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF may enter into foreign currency exchange transactions in order to attempt to protect against uncertainty in the level of future foreign currency exchange rates. The Portfolios will conduct their foreign currency exchange transactions either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market, or by entering into forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies. A foreign currency forward contract involves an obligation to exchange two currencies at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days (usually less than one year) from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a fixed rate set at the time of the contract. These contracts are traded in the interbank market conducted directly between traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. A forward contract generally has no deposit requirement, and no commissions are charged at any stage for trades. Although foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee for conversion, they do realize a profit based on the difference (the spread) between the price at which they are buying and selling various currencies.
The Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF and Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF may enter into foreign currency forward contracts to hedge against fluctuations in currency exchange rates or to transfer balances from one currency to another currency. A Portfolio may enter into a forward contract to buy or sell the amount of foreign currency approximating the value of some or all of the portfolio securities quoted or denominated in such foreign currency. The precise matching of the forward contract amounts and the value of the securities involved will not generally be possible since the future value of such securities in foreign currencies will change as a consequence of market movements in the value of those securities between the date the forward contract is entered into and the date it expires. The Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF and Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF typically hedge their foreign currency exposure.
At the expiration of a forward currency contract, a Portfolio may either exchange the currencies specified at the expiration of a forward contract or, prior to expiration, the Portfolio may enter into a closing transaction involving the purchase or sale of an offsetting contract. Closing transactions with respect to forward contracts may be effected with a counterparty other than the counterparty to the original forward contract.
Forward currency contracts are highly volatile, and a relatively small price movement in a forward currency contract may result in substantial losses to a Portfolio. To the extent a Portfolio engages in forward currency contracts to generate current income, the Portfolio will be subject to these risks which the Portfolio might otherwise avoid (e.g., through use of hedging transactions).
The use of foreign currency exchange transactions may not benefit a Portfolio if exchange rates move in an unexpected manner. In addition, these techniques could result in a loss if the counterparty to a transaction does not perform as promised, including because of the counterparty’s bankruptcy or insolvency. These transactions also involve settlement risk, which is the risk faced when one party to a transaction has performed its obligations under a contract but has not yet received value from its counterparty.
SWAPS
The Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF, Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF and Municipal Bond ETF also may enter into credit default swap agreements. Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to more than one year.
The Portfolios may enter into a credit default swap on a single security or instrument (sometimes referred to as a “CDS” transaction) or on a basket or index of securities (sometimes referred to as a “CDX” transaction). The “buyer” in a credit default contract typically is obligated to pay the “seller” a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract, provided that no credit event with respect to any underlying reference obligation has occurred. If a credit event occurs, the seller typically must pay the buyer the “par value” (full notional value) of the reference obligation in exchange for the reference obligation. The Portfolios may be either the buyer or the seller in the transaction. If a Portfolio is a buyer and no credit event occurs, the Portfolio may lose its investment and recover nothing. However, if a credit event occurs, the buyer typically receives full notional value for a reference obligation that may have little or no value. As a seller, a Portfolio typically receives a fixed rate of income throughout the term
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of the contract, which typically is between six months and three years, provided a credit event does not occur. If a credit event occurs, the seller typically must pay the buyer the full notional amount of the reference obligation.
Credit default swaps involve greater risks than if the Portfolios had invested in the reference obligation directly, since, in addition to general market risks, credit default swaps are subject to illiquidity risk, counterparty risk and credit risk. A buyer also will lose its investment and recover nothing should no credit event occur and the swap is held to its termination date. If a credit event were to occur, the value of any deliverable obligation received by the seller, coupled with the up-front or periodic payments previously received, may be less than the full notional value the seller pays to the buyer, resulting in a loss of value to the Portfolio. When a Portfolio acts as a seller of a credit default swap, the Portfolio is exposed to many of the same risks of leverage since, if a credit event occurs, the seller may be required to pay the buyer the full notional value of the contract net of any amounts owed by the buyer related to its delivery of deliverable obligations.
The Portfolios may also enter into interest rate swaps to hedge against changes in interest rates. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by the Portfolio with another party of their respective commitments to receive or pay interest (e.g., an exchange of fixed rate payments for floating rate payments) with respect to a notional amount of principal.
Some types of swap agreements are negotiated bilaterally with a swap dealer and traded OTC between the two parties (uncleared swaps), while other swaps are transacted through an FCM and cleared through a clearinghouse that serves as a central counterparty (cleared swaps), and may be traded on swap execution facilities (exchanges). Parties to uncleared swaps face greater counterparty credit risk than those engaging in cleared swaps since performance of uncleared swap obligations is the responsibility only of the swap counterparty rather than a clearing house, as is the case with cleared swaps. As a result, a Portfolio bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default, insolvency or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty beyond any collateral received. In such an event, the Portfolio will have contractual remedies pursuant to the swap agreements, but bankruptcy and insolvency laws could affect the Portfolio’s rights as a creditor.
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) and implementing rules adopted by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) currently require the clearing and exchange-trading of the most common types of credit default index swaps and interest rate swaps, and it is expected that additional categories of swaps will in the future be designated as subject to mandatory clearing and trade execution requirements. Central clearing is intended to reduce counterparty credit risk and increase liquidity, but central clearing does not eliminate these risks completely. There is also a risk of loss by a Portfolio of the initial and variation margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of the FCM with which the Portfolio has an open position, or the central counterparty in a swap contract. The assets of a Portfolio may not be fully protected in the event of the bankruptcy of the FCM or central counterparty because the Portfolio might be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of all available funds and margin segregated on behalf of an FCM’s customers. If an FCM does not provide accurate reporting, a Portfolio is also subject to the risk that the FCM could use the Portfolio’s assets, which are held in an omnibus account with assets belonging to the FCM’s other customers, to satisfy its own financial obligations or the payment obligations of another customer to the central counterparty. Credit risk of cleared swap participants is concentrated in a few clearinghouses, and the consequences of insolvency of a clearinghouse are not clear.
The Advisor and the Trust do not consider a Portfolio’s obligations under swap contracts senior securities and, accordingly, the Portfolio will not treat them as being subject to the Portfolio’s borrowing or senior securities restrictions to the extent such investments are purchased and held in compliance with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder. To the extent that a Portfolio cannot dispose of a swap in the ordinary course of business within seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment, the Portfolio will treat the swap as illiquid and subject to its overall limit on illiquid investments of 15% of the Portfolio’s net assets.
The Dodd-Frank Act and related regulatory developments imposed comprehensive regulatory requirements on swaps and swap market participants. The regulatory framework includes: (1) registration and regulation of swap dealers and major swap participants; (2) requiring central clearing and execution of standardized swaps;
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(3) imposing margin requirements on swap transactions; (4) regulating and monitoring swap transactions through position limits and large trader reporting requirements; and (5) imposing record keeping and centralized and public reporting requirements, on an anonymous basis, for most swaps. The CFTC is responsible for the regulation of most swaps. The SEC has jurisdiction over a small segment of the market referred to as “security-based swaps,” which includes swaps on single securities or credits, or narrow-based indices of securities or credits.
The regulation of cleared and uncleared swaps, as well as other derivatives, is a rapidly changing area of law and is subject to modification by government and judicial action. In addition, the SEC, CFTC and the exchanges are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of a market emergency, including, for example, the implementation or reduction of speculative position limits, the implementation of higher margin requirements, the establishment of daily price limits and the suspension of trading. It is not possible to predict fully the effects of current or future regulation. The requirements, even if not directly applicable to a Portfolio, may increase the cost of the Portfolio’s investments and cost of doing business. It is possible that developments in the swaps market, including potential government regulation, could adversely affect a Portfolio’s ability to terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements.
EXCLUSION FROM COMMODITY POOL OPERATOR STATUS
The Advisor has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”) with respect to the Portfolios described in this SAI, and, therefore, is not subject to registration or regulation as a pool operator under the CEA with respect to such Portfolios. The CFTC has neither reviewed nor approved the Advisor’s reliance on these exclusions, the investment strategies of the Portfolios, or this SAI.
The terms of the commodity pool operator (“CPO”) exclusion require that each Portfolio, among other things, adhere to certain limits on its investments in “commodity interests.” Commodity interests include commodity futures, commodity options and swaps, which in turn include non-deliverable foreign currency forward contracts. Generally, the exclusion from CPO regulation on which the Advisor relies requires each Portfolio to meet one of the following tests for its commodity interest positions, other than positions entered into for bona fide hedging purposes (as defined in the rules of the CFTC): either (1) the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish positions in commodity interests may not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of the portfolio of the Portfolio (after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions); or (2) the aggregate net notional value of the Portfolio’s commodity interest positions, determined at the time the most recent such position was established, may not exceed 100% of the liquidation value of the Portfolio’s portfolio (after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions). In addition to meeting one of these trading limitations, each Portfolio may not be marketed as a commodity pool or otherwise as a vehicle for trading in the commodity futures, commodity options or swaps markets. If, in the future, a Portfolio can no longer satisfy these requirements, the Advisor would withdraw its notice claiming an exclusion from the definition of a CPO, and the Advisor would be subject to registration and regulation as a CPO with respect to the Portfolio, in accordance with CFTC rules that apply to CPOs of registered investment companies. Generally, these rules allow for substituted compliance with CFTC disclosure and shareholder reporting requirements, based on the Advisor’s compliance with comparable SEC requirements. However, as a result of CFTC regulation with respect to a Portfolio, the Portfolio may incur additional compliance and other expenses.
FOREIGN ISSUERS
The Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF and Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF may acquire and sell securities issued in foreign countries. There are substantial risks associated with investing in the securities issued by governments and companies located in, or having substantial operations in, foreign countries, which are in addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments. In many foreign countries there is less government supervision and regulation of stock exchanges, brokers, and listed companies than in the U.S., which may result in greater potential for fraud or market manipulation. There is also the risk of substantially more government involvement in the economy in foreign countries, as well as, the possible arbitrary and unpredictable enforcement of securities regulations and other laws, which may limit the ability of a Portfolio to invest in foreign issuers.
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Significantly, there is the possibility of cessation of trading on foreign exchanges, expropriation, nationalization of assets, confiscatory or punitive taxation, withholding and other foreign taxes on income or other amounts, foreign exchange controls (which may include suspension of the ability to transfer currency from a given country), restrictions on removal of assets, political or social instability, military action or unrest, or diplomatic developments. There is no assurance that the Advisor will be able to anticipate these potential events. In addition, the value of securities denominated in foreign currencies and of dividends and interest paid with respect to such securities will fluctuate based on the relative strength of the U.S. dollar. Foreign issuers may not be subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and there may be less publicly available financial and other information about such issuers, comparable to U.S. issuers. Certain countries’ legal institutions, financial markets, and services are less developed than those in the U.S. or other major economies. A Portfolio may have greater difficulty voting proxies, exercising shareholder rights, securing dividends and obtaining information regarding corporate actions on a timely basis, pursuing legal remedies, and obtaining judgments with respect to foreign investments in foreign courts than with respect to domestic issuers in U.S. courts. The costs associated with foreign investments, including withholding taxes, brokerage commissions, and custodial costs, are generally higher than with U.S. investments. To the extent that a Portfolio invests a significant portion of its assets in a specific geographic region or country, the Portfolio will have more exposure to economic risks related to such region or country than a fund whose investments are more geographically diversified. In addition, economies of some emerging market countries may be based on only a few industries and may be highly vulnerable to changes in local or global trade conditions. Foreign markets also have substantially less volume than the U.S. markets and securities of some foreign issuers are less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. issuers. A Portfolio, therefore, may encounter difficulty in obtaining market quotations for purposes of valuing its portfolio and calculating its NAV.
It is also possible that the U.S., other nations or other governmental entities (including supranational entities) could impose sanctions against issuers in various sectors of certain foreign countries. This could limit a Portfolio’s investment opportunities in such countries, impairing the Portfolio’s ability to invest in accordance with its investment strategy and/or to meet its investment objective. In addition, an imposition of sanctions upon such issuers could result in an immediate freeze of the issuers’ securities, impairing the ability of a Portfolio to buy, sell, receive or deliver those securities. Further, current sanctions or the threat of potential sanctions may also impair the value or liquidity of affected securities and negatively impact a Portfolio.
Emerging markets
Securities of issuers associated with emerging market countries, including, but not limited to, issuers that are organized under the laws of, maintain a principal place of business in, derive significant revenues from, or issue securities backed by the government (or, its agencies or instrumentalities) of emerging market countries may be subject to higher and additional risks than securities of issuers in developed foreign markets. These risks include, but are not limited to (i) social, political and economic instability; (ii) government intervention, including policies or regulations that may restrict a Portfolio’s investment opportunities, including restrictions on investment in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to an emerging market country’s national interests; (iii) less transparent and established taxation policies; (iv) less developed legal systems which may limit the rights and remedies available to a Portfolio against an issuer and with respect to the enforcement of private property rights and/or redress for injuries to private property; (v) the lack of a capital market structure or market-oriented economy which could limit reliable access to capital; (vi) higher degree of corruption and fraud and potential for market manipulation; (vii) counterparties and financial institutions with less financial sophistication, creditworthiness and/or resources as those in developed foreign markets; (viii) the possibility that the process of easing restrictions on foreign investment occurring in some emerging market countries may be slowed or reversed by unanticipated economic, political or social events in such countries, or the countries that exercise a significant influence over those countries; and (ix) differences in regulatory, accounting, auditing, and financial reporting and recordkeeping standards that could impede the Advisor’s ability to evaluate issuers.
In addition, many emerging market countries have experienced substantial, and during some periods, extremely high rates of inflation, for many years. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had, and may continue to have, negative effects on the economies and securities markets of these countries. Moreover, the economies of some emerging market countries may differ unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as
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growth of gross domestic product, currency depreciation, debt burden, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position.
A Portfolio may have limited access to, or there may be a limited number of, potential counterparties that trade in the securities of emerging market issuers. Potential counterparties may not possess, adopt or implement creditworthiness standards, financial reporting standards or legal and contractual protections similar to those in developed foreign markets. Currency and other hedging techniques may not be available or may be limited. The local taxation of income and capital gains accruing to nonresidents varies among emerging market countries and may be comparatively high. Emerging market countries typically have less well-defined tax laws and procedures and such laws may permit retroactive taxation so that a Portfolio could in the future become subject to local tax liabilities that had not been anticipated in conducting its investment activities or valuing its assets. Custodial services and other investment-related costs in emerging market countries are often more expensive, compared to developed foreign markets and the U.S., which can reduce a Portfolio’s income from investments in securities or debt instruments of emerging market country issuers.
Some emerging market currencies may not be internationally traded or may be subject to strict controls on foreign investment by local governments, resulting in undervalued or overvalued currencies and associated difficulties with the valuation of assets, including a Portfolio’s securities, denominated in that currency. Some emerging market governments restrict currency conversions and/or set limits on repatriation of invested capital. Future restrictive exchange controls could prevent or restrict a company’s ability to make dividend or interest payments in the original currency of the obligation (usually U.S. dollars). In addition, even though the currencies of some emerging market countries may be convertible into U.S. dollars, the conversion rates may be different than the actual market values and may be adverse to a Portfolio’s shareholders.
GENERAL MARKET AND GEOPOLITICAL RISKS
The value of a Portfolio’s securities changes daily due to economic and other events that affect market prices generally, as well as those that affect particular regions, countries, industries, or issuers. Economies and financial markets throughout the world have become increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one region or country will adversely affect markets or issuers in other regions or countries. Portfolio securities may be negatively impacted by inflation (or expectations for inflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products/services or resources, natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics, terrorism, war, military confrontations, regulatory events and governmental or quasi-governmental actions, among others. Natural and environmental disasters, including weather-related phenomena, also can adversely affect individual issuers, sectors, industries, markets, currencies, countries, or regions. The occurrence of global events similar to those in recent years (e.g., natural disasters, virus epidemics, social and political discord, and terrorist attacks around the world) may result in market volatility and have long term effects on both the U.S. and global economies and financial markets. The risks associated with such events may be greater in developing or emerging market countries, many of which have less developed political, financial, healthcare, and/or emergency management systems. Negative global events also can disrupt the operations and processes of any of the service providers for a Portfolio. Similarly, negative global events, in some cases, could constitute a force majeure event under contracts with service providers or contracts entered into with counterparties for certain transactions.
POLITICAL, UNITED KINGDOM AND EUROPEAN MARKET RELATED RISKS
Portfolios that have significant exposure to certain countries can be expected to be impacted by the political and economic conditions within such countries. There is continuing uncertainty regarding the ramifications of the United Kingdom’s (UK) vote to exit the European Union (EU) in June 2016 (Brexit). On January 31, 2020, the UK officially withdrew from the EU and on May 1, 2021, the UK and EU formally entered into the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (Agreement). While the Agreement is viewed as a positive step towards finalizing the framework of the future relationship between the EU and UK, many aspects of the relationship are still under negotiation and it is unclear when these negotiations will be complete. For example, the Agreement is limited with respect to its treatment of the trade of services. As the outcomes of these negotiations remain unclear, the effects on the UK, EU and the broader global economy cannot be determined at this time. Brexit may cause greater market volatility and illiquidity, currency fluctuations, deterioration in economic activity, a decrease in business confidence, and increased likelihood of a recession in the UK. While it is not possible to determine the precise impact these
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events may have on a Portfolio, during this period and beyond, the impact on the UK, EU countries, other countries or parties that transact with the UK and EU, and the broader global economy could be significant and could adversely affect the value and liquidity of a Portfolio’s investments. In addition, if one or more other countries were to exit the EU or abandon the use of the euro as a currency, the value of investments tied to those countries or the euro could decline significantly and unpredictably.
CASH MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
Each Portfolio engages in cash management practices in order to earn income on uncommitted cash balances. Generally, cash is uncommitted pending investment in other securities, payment of redemptions, or in other circumstances where the Advisor believes liquidity is necessary or desirable. For example, a Portfolio may make cash investments for temporary defensive purposes during periods in which market, economic, or political conditions warrant. In addition, each Portfolio may enter into arrangements with its custodian whereby it may earn a credit on its cash balances maintained in its non-interest bearing U.S. Dollar custody cash account to be applied against fund service fees payable to the custodian or the custodian’s subsidiaries for fund services provided.
The Portfolios may invest cash in the following permissible investments:
Portfolios | Permissible Cash Investments* |
Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF
Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF |
Short-term repurchase agreements; fixed income securities, such as money market instruments; index futures contracts and options thereon; freely convertible currencies; shares of affiliated and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds.** |
Dimensional Inflation-Protected Securities ETF | Short-term repurchase agreements; short-term government fixed income obligations; affiliated and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds, including government money market funds.** |
Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF | Short-term repurchase agreements; fixed income securities, such as money market instruments; index futures contracts and options thereon; affiliated and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds, including tax-exempt money market funds.**, *** |
* | With respect to fixed income instruments, except in connection with corporate actions, the Portfolios will invest in fixed income instruments that at the time of purchase have an investment grade rating by a rating agency or are deemed to be investment grade by the Advisor. |
** | Investments in money market mutual funds may involve duplication of certain fees and expenses. |
*** | Certain of these cash investments may generate taxable income for a Portfolio and potentially may require the Portfolio to distribute income subject to federal and/or state personal income tax. |
INTERFUND BORROWING AND LENDING
The DFA Fund Complex (defined below) has received exemptive relief from the SEC which permits the registered investment companies to participate in an interfund lending program among portfolios and series managed by the Advisor (the “Portfolios/Series”) (portfolios that operate as feeder portfolios do not participate in the program). The interfund lending program allows the participating Portfolios/Series to borrow money from and loan money to each other for temporary or emergency purposes. The program is subject to a number of conditions designed to ensure fair and equitable treatment of the participating Portfolios/Series, including the following: (1) no Portfolio/Series may borrow money through the program unless it receives a more favorable interest rate than a rate approximating the lowest interest rate at which bank loans would be available to any of the participating Portfolios/Series under a loan agreement; and (2) no Portfolio/Series may lend money through the program unless it receives a more favorable return than that available from an investment in overnight repurchase agreements or the yield of any money market fund in which the Portfolio/Series could invest. In addition, a Portfolio/Series may participate in the program only if and to the extent that such participation is consistent with its investment objectives, policies and limitations. Interfund loans and borrowings have a maximum duration of seven days and loans may be called on one business day’s notice.
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A participating Portfolio/Series may not lend to another Portfolio/Series under the interfund lending program if the interfund loan would cause its aggregate outstanding interfund loans to exceed 15% of its current net assets at the time of the loan. Interfund loans by a Portfolio/Series to any one Portfolio/Series may not exceed 5% of net assets of the lending Portfolio/Series.
The restrictions discussed above and the other conditions of the SEC exemptive order permitting interfund lending are designed to minimize the risks associated with interfund lending for both the lending Portfolio/Series and the borrowing Portfolio/Series. However, no borrowing or lending activity is without risk. If a Portfolio/Series borrows money from another Portfolio/Series, there is a risk that the interfund loan could be called on one business day’s notice or not renewed, in which case the Portfolio/Series may have to borrow from a bank at higher rates if an interfund loan were not available from another Portfolio/Series. A delay in repayment to a lending Portfolio/Series could result in a lost opportunity or additional lending costs, and interfund loans are subject to the risk that the borrowing Portfolio/Series could be unable to repay the loan when due.
WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES, DELAYED DELIVERY, AND FORWARD COMMITMENT TRANSACTIONS
Each Portfolio may purchase eligible securities or sell securities it is entitled to receive on a when-issued basis. When purchasing securities on a when-issued basis, the price or yield is agreed to at the time of purchase, but the payment and settlement dates are not fixed until the securities are issued. It is possible that the securities will never be issued and the commitment cancelled. In addition, each Portfolio may purchase or sell eligible securities for delayed delivery or on a forward commitment basis where the Portfolio contracts to purchase or sell such securities at a fixed price at a future date beyond the normal settlement time. Each Portfolio may renegotiate a commitment or sell a security it has committed to purchase prior to the settlement date, if deemed advisable.
While the payment obligation and, if applicable, interest rate are set at the time a Portfolio enters into a when-issued, delayed delivery, to-be-announced or forward commitment transaction, no interest or dividends accrue to the purchaser prior to the settlement date. In addition, the value of a security purchased or sold is subject to market fluctuations and may be worth more or less on the settlement date than the price a Portfolio committed to pay or receive for the security. A Portfolio will lose money if the value of a purchased security falls below the purchase price and a Portfolio will not benefit from the gain if a security sold appreciates above the sales price during the commitment period.
EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS
Each Portfolio may invest in exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and similarly structured pooled investments for the purpose of gaining exposure to the fixed income markets while maintaining liquidity. The Municipal Bond ETF may invest in ETFs and similarly structured pooled investments for the purpose of gaining exposure to the municipal bond market pending investment in municipal bonds.
An ETF is an investment company classified as an open-end investment company or unit investment trust that is traded similar to a publicly traded company. ETFs in which the Portfolios invest are passively managed and attempt to track or replicate a desired index, such as a sector, market or global segment. The risks and costs of investing in ETFs are comparable to investing in a publicly traded company. The goal of a passively managed ETF is to correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of its underlying index. The risk of not correlating to the index is an additional risk to the investors of such ETFs. When a Portfolio invests in an ETF, shareholders of the Portfolio bear their proportionate share of the underlying ETF’s fees and expenses.
TBA SECURITIES
The Portfolios may also engage in purchases or sales of “to be announced” or “TBA” securities. TBA securities represent an agreement to buy or sell mortgage-backed securities with agreed-upon characteristics for an approximate principal amount, with settlement on a scheduled future date beyond the typical settlement period for most other securities. A TBA transaction typically does not designate the actual security to be delivered. A Portfolio may use TBA trades for investment purposes in order to gain exposure to certain securities, or for hedging purposes.
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Purchases and sales of TBA securities involve risks similar to those discussed above for other when-issued and forward commitment transactions.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATES
Certain Portfolios may have a higher portfolio turnover rate due to the relatively short maturities of the securities to be acquired. In addition, variations in turnover rates occur because securities are sold when, in the Advisor’s judgment, the return will be increased as a result of portfolio transactions after taking into account the cost of trading.
INVESTMENT STRATEGIES FOR THE MUNICIPAL BOND ETF
The Municipal Bond ETF may invest in certain types of securities and engage in certain investment practices that the other Portfolios do not. In addition to the securities and investment practices described in the prospectus, set forth below is a description of certain types of securities that the Municipal Bond ETF may purchase and certain investment techniques that the Portfolio may use to attempt to achieve its investment objective.
Variable Rate Obligations and Demand Notes
The Municipal Bond ETF may invest in variable rate obligations. Variable rate obligations have a yield that is adjusted periodically based on changes in the level of prevailing interest rates. Floating rate obligations have an interest rate fixed to a known lending rate, such as the prime rate, and are automatically adjusted when the known rate changes. Variable rate obligations lessen the capital fluctuations usually inherent in fixed income investments. This diminishes the risk of capital depreciation of investment securities in the Portfolio and, consequently, of Portfolio shares. However, if interest rates decline, the yield of the Portfolio will decline, causing the Portfolio and its shareholders to forego the opportunity for capital appreciation of the Portfolio’s investments and of their shares.
The Municipal Bond ETF may invest in floating rate and variable rate demand notes. Demand notes provide that the holder may demand payment of the note at its par value plus accrued interest by giving notice to the issuer. To ensure the ability of the issuer to make payment on demand, a bank letter of credit or other liquidity facility may support the note.
Pre-Refunded Municipal Securities
The Municipal Bond ETF may invest in pre-refunded municipal securities. Pre-refunded municipal securities are tax-exempt bonds that have been refunded to a call date prior to the final maturity of principal, or “escrowed-to-maturity bonds,” that have been refunded prior to the final maturity of principal and remain outstanding in the municipal market. The payment of principal and interest of the pre-refunded municipal securities held by the Portfolio is funded from securities in a designated escrow account that holds U.S. Treasury securities or other obligations of the U.S. Government (including its agencies and instrumentalities) (“Agency Securities”). While still tax-exempt, pre-refunded municipal securities usually will bear a Aaa rating (if a re-rating has been requested and paid for) because they are backed by U.S. Treasury or Agency Securities held in an escrow account established by the municipality and an independent escrow agent. While a secondary market exists for pre-refunded municipal securities, if the Portfolio sells pre-refunded municipal bonds prior to maturity, the price received may be more or less than the original cost, depending on market conditions at the time of sale. Investment in pre-refunded municipal securities held by the Portfolio may subject the Portfolio to interest rate risk and market risk. To the extent permitted by the SEC and the Internal Revenue Service, the Portfolio’s investment in pre-refunded municipal bonds backed by U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities in the manner described above, will, for purposes of diversification tests applicable to the Portfolio, be considered an investment in the respective U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities. The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act repeals the exclusion from gross income for interest on pre-refunded municipal securities effective for such bonds issued after December 31, 2017.
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Standby Commitments
These instruments, which are similar to a put, give the Municipal Bond ETF the option to obligate a broker, dealer or bank to repurchase a security held by the Portfolio at a specified price.
Tender Option Bonds
Tender option bonds are relatively long-term bonds that are coupled with the option to tender the securities to a bank, broker-dealer or other financial institution at periodic intervals and receive the face value of the bond. This investment structure is commonly used as a means of enhancing a security’s liquidity.
Structured or Indexed Securities
The Municipal Bond ETF may invest in structured or indexed securities. The value of the principal of and/or interest on such securities is determined by reference to changes in the value of specific currencies, interest rates, commodities, indices or other financial indicators (the “Reference”) or the relative change in the two or more References. The interest rate or the principal amount payable upon maturity or redemption may be increased or decreased depending upon changes in the applicable Reference. The terms of the structured or indexed securities may provide that, in certain circumstances, no principal is due at maturity and, therefore, may result in a loss of the Portfolio’s investment. Structured or indexed securities may be positively or negatively indexed, so that appreciation of the Reference may produce an increase or a decrease in the interest rate or value of the security at maturity. In addition, changes in interest rates or the value of the security at maturity may be some multiple of the change in the value of the Reference. Consequently, structured or indexed securities may entail a greater degree of market risk than other types of debt securities because the Portfolio bears the risk of the Reference. Structured or indexed securities may also be more volatile, less liquid and more difficult to accurately price than less complex securities.
Zero Coupon Bonds
The Municipal Bond ETF may invest in zero coupon bonds. Zero coupon bonds generally pay no cash interest (or dividends, in the case of preferred stock) to their holders prior to maturity. Accordingly, such securities usually are issued and traded at a deep discount from their face or par value and generally are subject to greater fluctuations of market value in response to changing interest rates than securities of comparable maturities and credit quality that pay cash interest (or dividends, in the case of preferred stock) on a current basis. Although the Portfolio will receive no payments on its zero coupon bonds prior to their maturity or disposition, the Portfolio would be required, for federal income tax purposes, generally to include in its dividends each year an amount equal to the annual income that accrues on its zero coupon securities. Such dividends will be paid from the cash assets of the Portfolio, from borrowings or by liquidation of portfolio securities, if necessary, at a time that the Portfolio otherwise would not have done so. To the extent the Portfolio is required to liquidate thinly traded securities, it may be able to sell such securities only at prices lower than if such securities were more widely traded. The risks associated with holding securities that are not readily marketable may be accentuated at such time. To the extent the proceeds from any such dispositions are used by the Portfolio to pay distributions that Portfolio will not be able to purchase additional income-producing securities with such proceeds, and as a result, its current income ultimately may be reduced.
Municipal Lease Obligations
The Municipal Bond ETF may invest in municipal lease obligations. These securities are sometimes considered illiquid because of the thinness of the market in which they are traded. Consistent with the Liquidity Risk Management Program, the Portfolio may determine to treat certain municipal lease obligations as liquid, and therefore not subject to the Portfolio’s 15% limit on illiquid investments. The factors that the Advisor may consider in making these liquidity determinations include: (1) the frequency of trades and quotations for the security; (2) the number of dealers willing to purchase or sell the security and the number of other potential buyers; (3) the willingness of dealers to underwrite and make a market in the security; (4) the nature of the marketplace trades, including the time needed to dispose of the security, the method of soliciting offers, and the mechanics of transfer; and (5) factors unique to a particular security, including general creditworthiness of the issuer, the importance to the
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issuer of the property covered by the lease and the likelihood that the marketability of the securities will be maintained throughout the time the security is held by the Portfolio.
Municipal Bond Insurance
The Advisor anticipates that a portion of the Municipal Bond ETF’s investment portfolio will be invested in municipal securities whose principal and interest payments are guaranteed by a private insurance company at the time of purchase. The Portfolio’s insurance coverage may take one of several forms. A primary insurance policy is purchased by a municipal securities issuer at the time the securities are issued. This insurance is likely to increase the credit rating of the securities, as well as their purchase price and resale value. A mutual fund insurance policy is purchased by the Portfolio and used to guarantee specific securities only while the securities are held by the Portfolio. Finally, a secondary market insurance policy is purchased by a bond investor (such as the Portfolio) or a broker after the bond has been issued and insures the bond until its maturity date. Both primary insurance and secondary market insurance are non-cancelable and continue in force so long as the insured security is outstanding and the respective insurer remains in business. Premiums for portfolio insurance, if any, would be paid from the Portfolio’s assets and would reduce the current yield on its investment portfolio by the amount of such premiums.
Portfolio insurance coverage that terminates upon the sale of an insured security by the Municipal Bond ETF, may not improve the resale value of the security. Therefore, unless the Portfolio elects to purchase secondary market insurance with respect to such securities or such securities are already covered by primary insurance, the Portfolio generally will retain any such securities insured by portfolio insurance that are in default or in significant risk of default, and will place a value on the insurance equal to the difference between the market value of the defaulted security and the market value of similar securities that are not in default.
The Municipal Bond ETF is authorized to obtain portfolio insurance from insurers that have obtained a claims-paying ability rating of AAA from S&P or Aaa (or a short-term rating of MIG-1) from Moody’s.
A Moody’s insurance claims-paying ability rating is an opinion of the ability of an insurance company to repay punctually senior policyholder obligations and claims. An insurer with an insurance claims-paying ability rating of Aaa is adjudged by Moody’s to be of the best quality. In the opinion of Moody’s, the policy obligations of an insurance company with an insurance claims-paying ability rating of Aaa carry the smallest degree of credit risk and, while the financial strength of these companies is likely to change, such changes as can be visualized are most unlikely to impair the company’s fundamentally strong position. An S&P insurance claims-paying ability rating is an assessment of an operating insurance company’s financial capacity to meet obligations under an insurance policy in accordance with its terms. An insurer with an insurance claims-paying ability rating of AAA has the highest rating assigned by S&P. The capacity of an insurer so rated to honor insurance contracts is adjudged by S&P to be extremely strong and highly likely to remain so over a long period of time.
An insurance claims-paying ability rating by Moody’s or S&P does not constitute an opinion on any specific insurance contract in that such an opinion can only be rendered upon the review of the specific insurance contract. Furthermore, an insurance claims-paying ability rating does not take into account deductibles, surrender or cancellation penalties or the timeliness of payment; nor does it address the ability of a company to meet non-policy obligations (i.e., debt contracts).
The assignment of ratings by Moody’s or S&P to debt issues that are fully or partially supported by insurance policies, contracts or guarantees is a separate process from the determination of insurance claims-paying ability ratings. The likelihood of a timely flow of funds from the insurer to the trustee for the bondholders is a likely element in the rating determination for such debt issues.
Participation Interests
A participation interest in a municipal security gives the purchaser an undivided interest in the municipal obligation in the proportion that the Municipal Bond ETF’s participation interest bears to the total principal amount of the municipal obligation. These instruments may have fixed, floating or variable rates of interest. If the participation interest is unrated, or has been given a rating below one that is otherwise permissible for purchase by the Portfolio, the participation interest will be backed by an irrevocable letter of credit or guarantee of a bank that
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the Board of Trustees has determined meets certain quality standards, or the payment obligation otherwise will be collateralized by government securities. The Portfolio will have the right, with respect to certain participation interests, to demand payment, on a specified number of days’ notice, for all or any part of the Portfolio’s participation interest in the municipal obligation, plus accrued interest. The Portfolio intends to exercise its right to demand payment only upon a default under the terms of the municipal obligation, or to maintain or improve the quality of its investment portfolio.
Municipal Custody Receipts
The Municipal Bond ETF also may acquire custodial receipts or certificates underwritten by securities dealers or banks that evidence ownership of future interest payments, principal payments, or both, on certain municipal securities. The underwriter of these certificates or receipts typically purchases municipal securities and deposits the securities in an irrevocable trust or custody account with a custodian bank, which then issues receipts or certificates that evidence ownership of the periodic unmatured coupon payments and the final principal payment on the securities. Custody receipts evidencing specific coupon or principal payments have the same general attributes as zero coupon municipal securities described above. Although under the terms of a custody receipt the Portfolio would be typically authorized to assert its rights directly against the issuer of the underlying obligation, the Portfolio could be required to assert through the custodian bank those rights as may exist against the underlying issuers. Thus, in the event the underlying issuer fails to pay principal and/or interest when due, the Portfolio may be subject to delays, expenses and risks that are greater than those that would have been involved if the Portfolio had purchased a direct obligation of the issuer. In addition, in the event that the trust or custody account in which the underlying security has been deposited is determined to be an association taxable as a corporation, instead of a non-taxable entity, the yield on the underlying security would be reduced in recognition of any taxes paid.
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
Trustees
Organization of the Board
The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) is responsible for establishing the Trust’s policies and for overseeing the management of the Trust. The Board elects the officers of the Trust, who, along with third party service providers, are responsible for administering the day-to-day operations of the Trust. The Board of the Trust is comprised of two interested Trustees and eight disinterested Trustees. Gerard K. O’Reilly, an interested Trustee, is Chairman of the Board. The disinterested Trustees of the Board designated Douglas W. Diamond as the lead disinterested Trustee. As the lead disinterested Trustee, Mr. Diamond, among other duties: acts as a principal contact for management for communications to the disinterested Trustees in between regular Board meetings; assists in the coordination and preparation of quarterly Board meeting agendas; raises and discusses issues with counsel to the disinterested Trustees; raises issues and discusses ideas with management on behalf of the disinterested Trustees in between regular meetings of the Board; and chairs executive sessions and separate meetings of the disinterested Trustees (other than Committee meetings, which are chaired by the respective Committee Chairperson). David G. Booth serves as Chairman Emeritus to the Board. The Board has designated David G. Booth, a former Chairman of the Trust, to serve as Chairman Emeritus to the Board in recognition of his years of service to both the Trust and Advisor. The Chairman Emeritus, which is a non-voting position, provides advice and counsel to the Trustees in connection with the Trustees’ management of the business and affairs of the Trust. The Board believes the existing Board structure for the Trust is appropriate because it provides the disinterested Trustees with adequate influence over the governance of the Board and the Trust, while also providing the Board with the invaluable insight of the interested Trustees, who, as both officers of the Trust and the Advisor, participate in the day-to-day management of the Trust’s affairs, including risk management.
The agenda for each quarterly meeting of the Board is provided prior to the meeting to the lead disinterested Trustee in order to provide an opportunity to contact Trust management and/or the disinterested Trustees’ independent counsel regarding agenda items. In addition, the disinterested Trustees regularly communicate with Mr. O’Reilly and Mr. Butler regarding items of interest to them in between regularly scheduled meetings of the Board. The Board of the Trust meets in person at least four times each year and by telephone at
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other times. At each in-person meeting, the disinterested Trustees meet in executive session with their independent counsel to discuss matters outside the presence of management.
The Board has four standing committees. The Audit Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee (the “Nominating Committee”), and Mutual Funds-ETF Relations Committee are composed entirely of disinterested Trustees. As described below, through these Committees, the disinterested Trustees have direct oversight of the Trust’s accounting and financial reporting policies, the selection and nomination of candidates to the Board, and the operation and expense allocations of the portfolios of the Trust. The Investment Strategy Committee (the “Strategy Committee”) assists the Board in carrying out its fiduciary duties with respect to the oversight of the Trust and the performance of its series.
The Board’s Audit Committee is comprised of Reena Aggarwal, George M. Constantinides, Francis A. Longstaff, Abbie J. Smith, and Ingrid M. Werner. The Audit Committee for the Board oversees the Trust’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices, the Trust’s internal controls, the Trust’s financial statements and the independent audits thereof, and performs other oversight functions as requested by the Board. The Audit Committee for the Board recommends the appointment of the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm and also acts as a liaison between the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm and the full Board. There were three Audit Committee meetings held for the Trust during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022.
The Board’s Nominating Committee is comprised of Reena Aggarwal, George M. Constantinides, Douglas W. Diamond, Francis A. Longstaff and Heather E. Tookes. The Nominating Committee for the Board makes recommendations for nominations of disinterested and interested members on the Board to the disinterested Board members and to the full Board. The Nominating Committee works closely with the other disinterested Trustees to evaluate a candidate’s qualification for Board membership and the independence of such candidate from the Advisor and other principal service providers. The Nominating Committee also periodically reviews the Board governance practices, policies, procedures, and operations; reviews the membership of each committee of the Board; reviews and makes recommendations regarding the disinterested Trustees’ compensation; oversees the annual self-assessment of the Board and each committee; considers and recommends to the Board, the selection of “independent legal counsel” (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act); and monitors and considers corporate governance issues that may arise from time to time. There were three Nominating Committee meetings held for the Trust during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022.
The Strategy Committee is comprised of Gerard K. O’Reilly, Douglas W. Diamond, Darrell Duffie, and Heather E. Tookes. At the request of the Board or the Advisor, the Strategy Committee (i) reviews the design of possible new series of the Trust, (ii) reviews performance of existing series of the Trust, and discusses and recommends possible enhancements to the series’ investment strategies, (iii) reviews proposals by the Advisor to modify or enhance the investment strategies or policies of each series, and (iv) considers issues relating to investment services for each series of the Trust. There were four Strategy Committee meetings held for the Trust during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022.
The Mutual Funds-ETF Relations Committee is comprised of George M. Constantinides, Darrell Duffie, and Ingrid M. Werner. At the request of the Board, the Mutual Funds-ETF Relations Committee (i) reviews any newly-proposed expenses to be borne by the Portfolios or changes to the existing expense allocations among the ETFs in the Dimensional ETF Trust (“Dimensional ETFs”), portfolios in the DFA mutual fund complex (“Fund Complex”), and the Advisor, (ii) considers any conflicts of interest that may arise in the operations of the Dimensional ETFs and the portfolios in the Fund Complex, (iii) reviews and considers relevant information relating to the operations of the Dimensional ETFs, and (iv) considers asset flows and performance differences between the similarly managed mutual funds and the ETFs in the DFA Fund Complex (defined below). There were two Mutual Funds-ETF Relations Committee meetings held for the Trust during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022.
The Board of the Trust, including all of the disinterested Trustees, oversees and approves the contracts of the third party service providers that provide advisory, administrative, custodial and other services to the Trust.
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Board Oversight of Risk Management
The Board, as a whole, considers risk management issues as part of its general oversight responsibilities throughout the year at regular board meetings, through regular reports that have been developed by Trust management and the Advisor. These reports address certain investment, valuation, liquidity and compliance matters. The Board also may receive special written reports or presentations on a variety of risk issues, either upon the Board’s request or upon the initiative of the Advisor. In addition, the Audit Committee of the Board meets regularly with management of the Advisor to review reports on the Advisor’s examinations of functions and processes that affect the Trust.
With respect to investment risk, the Board receives regular written reports describing and analyzing the investment performance of the Trust’s series. The Board discusses these reports and the portfolios’ performance and investment risks with management of the Advisor at the Board’s regular meetings. The Investment Committee of the Advisor meets regularly to discuss a variety of issues, including the impact that the investment in particular securities or instruments, such as derivatives, may have on the series. To the extent that the Investment Committee of the Advisor decides to materially change an investment strategy or policy of a series and such change could have a significant impact on the series’ risk profile, the Advisor will present such change to the Board for their approval.
With respect to valuation, the Advisor and the Trust’s administrative and accounting agent provide regular written reports to the Board that enable the Board to review the Advisor’s fair valuation process. Such reports also include information concerning illiquid and any worthless securities held by each series. In addition, the Trust’s Audit Committee reviews valuation procedures and pricing results with the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm in connection with such Committee’s review of the results of the audit of each series’ year-end financial statements.
With respect to liquidity risk, the Board oversees the Trust’s liquidity risk through, among other things, receiving periodic reporting and presentations by investment and other personnel of the Advisor. Additionally, as required by the Liquidity Rule, the Board, including a majority of the disinterested Trustees, approved the Trust’s Liquidity Program, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Trust’s liquidity risk, and appointed the Liquidity Program Administrator that is responsible for administering the Liquidity Program. The Board also reviews, no less frequently than annually, a written report prepared by the Liquidity Program Administrator that addresses, among other items, the operation of the Liquidity Program and assesses its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation.
With respect to compliance risks, the Board receives regular compliance reports prepared by the Advisor’s compliance group and meets regularly with the Trust’s Global Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) to discuss compliance issues, including compliance risks. As required under SEC rules, the disinterested Trustees meet in executive session with the CCO, and the Trust’s CCO prepares and presents an annual written compliance report to the Board. The Trust’s Board adopts compliance policies and procedures for the Trust and receives information about the compliance procedures in place for the Trust’s service providers. The compliance policies and procedures are specifically designed to detect and prevent violations of the federal securities laws.
The Advisor periodically provides information to the Board relevant to enterprise risk management describing the way in which certain risks are managed at the complex-wide level by the Advisor. Such presentations include areas such as counter-party risk, material fund vendor or service provider risk, investment risk, reputational risk, personnel risk and business continuity risk.
Trustee Qualifications
When a vacancy occurs on the Board, the Nominating Committee of the Board evaluates a candidate’s qualification for Board membership and the independence of such candidate from the Advisor and other principal service providers. While the Nominating Committee believes that there are no specific minimum qualifications for a candidate to possess or any specific educational background, qualities, skills, or prior business and professional experience that are necessary, in considering a candidate’s qualifications, the Nominating Committee may consider the following factors, among others, which may change over time or have different weight: (1) whether or not the person is willing to serve and willing and able to commit the time necessary for the performance of the duties of a
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Board member; (2) the candidate’s judgment, skill, diversity, and experience with investment companies and other organizations of comparable purpose, complexity and size; (3) the business activities of the Trust, including any new marketing or investment initiatives, and whether the candidate possesses relevant experience in these areas; (4) whether the person’s business background or other business activities would be incompatible with the Trust’s and the Advisor’s business purposes; (5) the interplay of the candidate’s experience with the experience of other Board members and how the candidate and his or her academic or business experience will be perceived by the Trust’s shareholders; and (6) the extent to which the candidate would be a desirable addition to the Board and any committees thereof.
While the Nominating Committee is solely responsible for the selection and recommendation to the Board of disinterested Board candidates, the Nominating Committee will consider nominees recommended by Qualifying Fund Shareholders if a vacancy occurs among Board members. A Qualifying Fund Shareholder is a shareholder, or group of shareholders, that: (i) owns of record, or beneficially through a financial intermediary, 5% or more of the Trust’s outstanding shares, and (ii) has owned such shares for 12 months or more prior to submitting the recommendation to the Nominating Committee. Such recommendations shall be directed to the Secretary of the Trust at 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, Texas 78746. The Qualifying Fund Shareholder’s letter should include: (i) the name and address of the Qualifying Fund Shareholder making the recommendation; (ii) the number of shares of the Trust that are owned of record and beneficially by such Qualifying Fund Shareholder, and the length of time that such shares have been so owned by the Qualifying Fund Shareholder; (iii) a description of all arrangements and understandings between such Qualifying Fund Shareholder and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the recommendation is being made; (iv) the name and address of the nominee; and (v) the nominee’s resume or curriculum vitae. The Qualifying Fund Shareholder’s letter must be accompanied by a written consent of the individual to stand for election if nominated for the Board and to serve if elected by shareholders. The Nominating Committee also may seek such additional information about the nominee as the Nominating Committee considers appropriate, including information relating to such nominee that is required to be disclosed in solicitations or proxies for the election of Board members.
The Nominating Committee of the Board believes that it is in the best interests of the Trust and its shareholders to obtain highly-qualified individuals to serve as members of the Board. The Trust’s Board believes that each Trustee currently serving on the Board has the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills to allow the Board to effectively oversee the management of the Trust and protect the interests of shareholders. The Board noted that each Trustee had professional experience in areas of importance for investment companies. The Board considered that each disinterested Trustee held an academic position in the areas of finance or accounting. Reena Aggarwal, George M. Constantinides, Douglas W. Diamond, Darrell Duffie, Francis A. Longstaff, Heather E. Tookes, and Ingrid M. Werner are each Professors of Finance, while Abbie J. Smith is a Professor of Accounting. The Board also noted that Reena Aggarwal, Darrell Duffie, Abbie J. Smith, Heather E. Tookes, and Ingrid M. Werner each had experience serving as a director or trustee on the boards of operating companies and/or other investment companies. In addition, the Board considered that Gerard K. O’Reilly and David P. Butler contributed valuable experience due to their positions with the Advisor.
Certain biographical information for each disinterested Trustee and each interested Trustee of the Trust is set forth in the tables below, including a description of each Trustee’s experience as a Trustee of the Trust and as a director or trustee of other funds, as well as other recent professional experience.
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Disinterested Trustees
Name, Address and Year of Birth |
Position | Term of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years | Portfolios within the DFA Fund Complex2 Overseen |
Other Directorships of Public Companies Held During Past 5 Years |
Reena Aggarwal c/o Dimensional Fund Advisors LP 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One Austin, TX 78746
1957 |
Trustee | Since 2021 | Robert E. McDonough Professor of Finance (since 2003) and Professor of Finance (since 2000), McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University and Director, Georgetown Center for Financial Markets and Policy (since 2010). Formerly, Vice Provost of Faculty, Georgetown University (2016-2020). | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | Director, Cohen & Steers (asset management firm) (since 2017) and Director, Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending (private business development company) (since 2019). Formerly, Director, New York Life Investment Management IndexIQ (2008-2021) (22 funds); formerly, Director, REAN Cloud (technology) (2015-2018); formerly, Director, FBR & Co. (investment banking) (2011-2017); and formerly, Director, Brightwood Capital Advisors, L.P. (private equity) (2013-2020). |
George M. Constantinides 5807 S. Woodlawn Avenue Chicago, IL 60637
1947 |
Trustee | Since 2020 | Leo Melamed Professor of Finance, University of Chicago Booth School of Business (since 1978). | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | None |
Douglas W. Diamond c/o Dimensional Fund Advisors LP 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One Austin, TX 78746
1953 |
Trustee | Since 2020 | Merton H. Miller Distinguished Service Professor of Finance, University of Chicago Booth School of Business (since 1979). Formerly, Visiting Scholar, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond (1990-2019). | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | None |
Darrell Duffie c/o Dimensional Fund Advisors LP 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One Austin, TX 78746
1954 |
Trustee | Since 2020 | Adams Distinguished Professor of Management and Professor of Finance, Stanford University (since 1984) and Director, TNB Inc. (bank) (since 2020). | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | Formerly, Director, Moody’s Corporation (financial information and information technology) (2008-2018). |
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Name, Address and Year of Birth |
Position | Term of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years | Portfolios within the DFA Fund Complex2 Overseen |
Other Directorships of Public Companies Held During Past 5 Years |
Francis A. Longstaff c/o Dimensional Fund Advisors LP 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One Austin, TX 78746
1956 |
Trustee | Since 2021 | Allstate Professor of Insurance and Finance, UCLA, Anderson School of Management (since 1992); Consultant, NERA Economic Consulting (since 2018); Consultant, Charles River Associates (economic consulting firm) (since 2013); Consultant, Simplex Holdings, Inc. (technology firm) (since 1998); and Expert Witness, Analysis Group (economic consulting firm) (since 2012). | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | None |
Abbie J. Smith University of Chicago Booth School of Business 5807 S. Woodlawn Avenue Chicago, IL 60637
1953 |
Trustee | Since 2020 | Boris and Irene Stern Distinguished Service Professor of Accounting and James S. Ely, III Faculty Fellow, University of Chicago Booth School of Business (since 1980). | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | Director, (since 2000) and formerly, Audit Committee Chair (2019-2022) and Lead Director (2014-2017), HNI Corporation (office furniture); Director, Ryder System Inc. (transportation, logistics and supply-chain management) (since 2003); and Trustee and Audit Committee member (since 2022), UBS Funds (3 investment companies within the fund complex) (12 portfolios) (since 2009). |
Heather E. Tookes Yale School of Management 165 Whitney Avenue New Haven, CT 06511
1974
|
Trustee | Since 2021 | Deputy Dean for Faculty (since 2022) and Professor of Finance (since 2004), Yale School of Management. | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | Director, Payoneer Inc. (digital payments) (since 2021); Director, Ariel Investments LLC (investment adviser) (since 2017); Director, Charles River Associates (economic consulting firm) (since 2022); and Director, Community Foundation of Greater New Haven (community foundation and grant-making) (since 2022). Formerly, Director, KCG Holdings (trading company) (January 2017-July 2017). |
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Name, Address and Year of Birth |
Position | Term of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years | Portfolios within the DFA Fund Complex2 Overseen |
Other Directorships of Public Companies Held During Past 5 Years |
Ingrid M. Werner c/o Dimensional Fund Advisors LP 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One Austin, TX 78746
1961 |
Trustee | Since 2020 | Martin and Andrew Murrer Professor of Finance, Fisher College of Business, The Ohio State University (since 1998). Adjunct Member, the Prize Committee for the Swedish Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel (annual award for significant scientific research contribution) (since 2018). Member, Scientific Board, Leibniz Institute for Financial Research (institute supporting academic research in finance) (since 2020). Chair, Economic Advisory Committee, FINRA (since 2017). Chairman, Scientific Advisory Board, Swedish House of Finance (institute supporting academic research in finance) (since 2014). Member, Scientific Board, Danish Finance Institute (institute supporting academic research in finance) (since 2017). Fellow, Center for Analytical Finance (academic research) (since 2015). Formerly, President, Western Finance Association (global association of academic researchers and practitioners in finance) (2018-2019); formerly, Member, Academic Board, Mistra Financial Systems (organization funding academic research on environment, governance and climate/sustainability in finance) (2016-2021); formerly, Director, American Finance Association (global association of academic researchers and practitioners in finance) (2019-2022); formerly, Associate Editor, Journal of Finance (2016-2022). | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | Director, Fourth Swedish AP Fund (pension fund asset management) (since 2017). |
Interested Trustees
The following interested Trustees are described as such because each is deemed to be an “interested person,” as that term is defined under the 1940 Act, due to his position with the Advisor.
Name,
Address and Year of Birth |
Position | Term
of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years | Portfolios
within the DFA Fund Complex2 Overseen |
Other Directorships of Public Companies Held During Past 5 Years |
David P. Butler c/o Dimensional Fund Advisors LP 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, TX 78746
1964 |
Trustee
Co-Chief Executive Officer |
Trustee since 2021
Co-Chief Executive Officer since 2020 |
Co-Chief Executive Officer of Dimensional Emerging Markets Value Fund (“DEM”), DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc. (“DFAIDG”), Dimensional Investment Group Inc. (“DIG”), The DFA Investment Trust Company (“DFAITC”), Dimensional Holdings Inc., Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, Dimensional Investment LLC, and DFA Securities LLC (collectively with DEM, DFAIDG, DIG and DFAITC, the “DFA Entities”) (since 2017), DFA Canada LLC (since 2018), Dimensional Holdings LLC (since 2017), and the Trust (since 2020); Chief Executive Officer of Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC (since 2018), Director (since 2017) of Dimensional Holdings Inc., Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC, Dimensional Japan Ltd., Dimensional Advisors Ltd., and DFA Australia Limited; Director and Co-Chief Executive Officer (since 2017) of Dimensional Cayman Commodity Fund I Ltd.; Head of Global Financial Advisor Services for Dimensional Investment LLC (since 2017). Formerly, Director (2017-2021) of Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | None |
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Gerard K. O’Reilly c/o Dimensional Fund Advisors LP 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, TX 78746
1976
|
Chairman and Trustee Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer | Chairman and Trustee since 2021 Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer since 2020 | Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of the DFA Entities (since 2017) and the Trust (since 2020); Co-Chief Executive Officer of DFA Canada LLC (since 2018); Chief Investment Officer of Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC (since 2017); Director and Chief Investment Officer (since 2017) and Vice President (since 2014) of DFA Australia Limited; Chief Investment Officer (since 2018) and Vice President (since 2016) of Dimensional Japan Ltd.; Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Dimensional Holdings, LLC (since 2017); Director, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer (since 2017) of Dimensional Cayman Commodity Fund I Ltd.; Director of Dimensional Funds plc (since 2014), Dimensional Fund II plc (since 2014), Dimensional Holdings Inc. (since 2017), Dimensional Advisors Ltd. (since 2017), and Dimensional Ireland Limited (since 2018). Formerly, Director of Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. (2018-2021). | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | None |
1 | Each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term until his or her successor is elected and qualified. |
2 | Each Trustee is a director or trustee of each of the five registered investment companies within the DFA Fund Complex, which include: the Trust, DEM; DFAIDG; DIG; and DFAITC. Each disinterested Trustee also serves on the Independent Review Committee of the Dimensional Funds, mutual funds registered in the provinces of Canada and managed by the Advisor’s affiliate, Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC. |
Information relating to each Trustee’s ownership (including the ownership of his or her immediate family) in each Portfolio of the Trust in this SAI and in all five registered investment companies in the DFA Fund Complex as of December 31, 2022 is set forth in the chart below.
Name | Dollar Range of Portfolio Shares Owned | Aggregate Dollar Range of Shares Owned in All Funds Overseen by Trustee in Family of Investment Companies |
Disinterested Trustees: | ||
Reena Aggarwal | None | None Directly; Over $100,000 in Simulated Funds* |
George M. Constantinides | None | None Directly; Over $100,000 in Simulated Funds* |
Douglas W. Diamond | None | None Directly; Over $100,000 in Simulated Funds* |
Darrell Duffie | None | $10,001-$50,000 |
Francis A. Longstaff | None | None |
Abbie J. Smith | None | None Directly; Over $100,000 in Simulated Funds* |
Heather E. Tookes | None | None |
Ingrid M. Werner | None | Over $100,000 |
Interested Trustees: | ||
David P. Butler | None | Over $100,000 |
Gerard K. O’Reilly | None | Over $100,000 |
* | As discussed below, the compensation to certain of the disinterested Trustees may be in amounts that correspond to a hypothetical investment in a cross-section of the DFA Funds. Thus, the disinterested Trustees who are so compensated experience the same investment returns that are experienced by shareholders of the DFA Funds although the disinterested Trustees do not directly own shares of the DFA Funds. |
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Set forth below is a table listing, for each Trustee entitled to receive compensation, the compensation received from the Trust during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, and the total compensation received from all five registered investment companies for which the Advisor served as investment advisor during that same fiscal period. The table also provides the compensation paid by the Trust to the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022.
Name and Position |
Aggregate |
Pension
or |
Estimated |
Total | ||||
Reena Aggarwal Trustee |
$29,266 | N/A | N/A | $355,000 | ||||
George M. Constantinides Trustee |
$29,266 | N/A | N/A | $385,000 | ||||
Douglas W. Diamond Lead Disinterested Trustee |
$40,814 | N/A | N/A | $545,000 | ||||
Darrell Duffie Trustee |
$29,266 | N/A | N/A | $385,000 | ||||
Francis A. Longstaff Trustee |
$29,266 | N/A | N/A | $355,000 | ||||
Abbie J. Smith Trustee |
$31,070 | N/A | N/A | $410,000 | ||||
Heather E. Tookes Trustee |
$29,266 | N/A | N/A |
$355,000
| ||||
Ingrid M. Werner Trustee |
$29,266 | N/A | N/A | $385,000 | ||||
Randy C. Olson Chief Compliance Officer |
$19,914 | N/A | N/A | N/A | ||||
* | Under a deferred compensation plan (the “Plan”) adopted effective January 1, 2002, the disinterested Trustees may defer receipt of all or a portion of the compensation for serving as members of the five Boards of Directors/Trustees of the investment companies in the DFA Fund Complex (the “DFA Funds”). Amounts deferred under the Plan are treated as though equivalent dollar amounts had been invested in shares of a cross-section of the DFA Funds (the “Reference Funds” or “Simulated Funds”). The amounts ultimately received by the disinterested Trustees under the Plan will be directly linked to the investment performance of the Reference Funds. Deferral of fees in accordance with the Plan will have a negligible effect on a fund’s assets, liabilities, and net income per share, and will not obligate a fund to retain the services of any disinterested Trustee or to pay any particular level of compensation to the disinterested Trustee. The total amount of deferred compensation accrued by the disinterested Trustees from the DFA Fund Complex who participated in the Plan during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 is as follows: $177,500 (Ms. Aggarwal). A disinterested Trustee’s deferred compensation will be distributed at the earlier of: (a) January in the year after the disinterested Trustee’s resignation from the Boards of Directors/Trustees of the DFA Funds, or death or disability; or (b) five years following the first deferral, in such amounts as the disinterested Trustee has specified. The obligations of the DFA Funds to make payments under the Plan will be unsecured general obligations of the DFA Funds, payable out of the general assets and property of the DFA Funds. |
† | The term DFA Fund Complex refers to the five registered investment companies for which the Advisor performs advisory and administrative services and for which the individuals listed above serve as directors/trustees on the Boards of Directors/Trustees of such companies. |
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Officers
Below is the name, year of birth, information regarding positions with the Trust and the principal occupation for each officer of the Trust. The address of each officer is 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, TX 78746. Each of the officers listed below holds the same office (except as otherwise noted) in the DFA Entities.
Name and Year of Birth |
Position | Term of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years |
Valerie A. Brown 1967 |
Vice President and Assistant Secretary | Since 2020 |
Vice President and Assistant Secretary of ● all the DFA Entities (since 2001) ● DFA Australia Limited (since 2002) ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. (since 2002) ● Dimensional Cayman Commodity Fund I Ltd. (since 2010) ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. (since 2012) ● Dimensional Hong Kong Limited (since 2012) ● the Trust (since 2020) Director, Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since 2003) of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC |
Ryan P. Buechner 1982 |
Vice President and Assistant Secretary | Since 2020 |
Vice President and Assistant Secretary of ● DFAIDG, DIG, DFAITC and DEM (since 2019) ● the Trust (since 2020) Vice President (since January 2018) of ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP ● Dimensional Investment LLC ● DFA Securities LLC |
Stephen A. Clark 1972 |
Executive Vice President | Since 2020 |
Executive Vice President of ● all the DFA Entities (since 2017) ● the Trust (since 2020) Director and Vice President (since 2016) of ● Dimensional Japan Ltd. Chairman (since 2018) of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC President and Director (since 2016) of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC Vice President (since 2008) and Director (since 2016) of ● DFA Australia Limited Director (since 2016) of ● Dimensional Advisors Ltd. ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. ● Dimensional Hong Kong Limited Vice President of ● Dimensional Advisors Ltd. (since 2016) ● Dimensional Hong Kong Limited (since 2016) ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. (since 2019)
Formerly, Director (2016 – 2021) of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. Formerly, Vice President (2004 – 2017) of ● all the DFA Entities Formerly, Vice President (2010 – 2016) of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC Formerly, Vice President (2016 – 2019) of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. Formerly, Interim Chief Executive Officer (2019 – 2020) of |
28 |
Name and Year of Birth |
Position | Term of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years |
● Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. Formerly, Head of Institutional, North America (2012 – 2013) and Head of Global Institutional Services (2014-2018) for ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP | |||
Lisa M. Dallmer 1972 |
Chief Operating Officer | Since June 2021 |
Chief Operating Officer (since June 2021) of ● the DFA Fund Complex Executive Vice President (since January 2020) of ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP ● Dimensional Investment LLC ● DFA Securities LLC Chief Operating Officer (since December 2019) of ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP ● Dimensional Investment LLC ● DFA Securities LLC Vice President (since 2020) of ● DFA Australia Limited ● Dimensional Advisors Ltd. ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. ● Dimensional Ireland Limited ● Dimensional Japan Ltd.
Formerly, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer (June 2020 – June 2021) of ● the DFA Fund Complex Formerly, Senior Vice President, Business Operations (March 2019 – October 2019) at ● Delphix Inc. Formerly, Chief Operating Officer Global Technology & Operations, Managing Director (2014 – 2018) of ● BlackRock Inc. |
Bernard J. Grzelak 1971 |
Vice President | Since June 2021 |
Vice President (since June 2021) of ● the DFA Fund Complex Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (since September 2020) of ● DFA Australia Limited ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC ● DFA Securities LLC ● Dimensional Advisors Ltd. ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. ● Dimensional Hong Kong Limited ● Dimensional Investment LLC Vice President (since March 2021) of ● Dimensional Ireland Limited
Formerly, Partner (2008 – 2020), Chief Operating Officer, Global Funds and Risk (2018 – 2020), Chief Operations Officer (2016 – 2018), and Director of Fund Administration (2003 – 2016) of Lord Abbett & Co. LLC Formerly, Chief Financial Officer (2017 - 2020) and Treasurer (2003 – 2017) of ● Lord Abbett Family of Funds
|
29 |
Name and Year of Birth |
Position | Term of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years |
Eric Hall 1978 |
Vice President and Assistant Treasurer | Since June 2021 |
Vice President and Assistant Treasurer (since June 2021) of ● the DFA Fund Complex
Formerly, Data Integrity Team Lead (December 2019 – April 2021) of ● Clearwater Analytics Formerly, Assistant Vice President and Assistant Treasurer (March 2015 – November 2019) at ● INVESCO, U.S. (formerly, OppenheimerFunds, Inc.) |
Jeff J. Jeon 1973 |
Vice President | Since 2020 |
Vice President (since 2004) of ● all the DFA Entities Vice President (since 2020) of ● the Trust Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since 2010) of ● Dimensional Cayman Commodity Fund I Ltd.
Formerly, Assistant Secretary (2017 – 2019) of ● all the DFA Entities |
Joy Lopez 1971 |
Vice President and Assistant Treasurer | Since 2020 |
Vice President of ● all the DFA Entities (since 2015) ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. (since 2015) ● the Trust (since 2020) ● DFA Australia Limited (since 2020) ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC (since 2020) ● Dimensional Ireland Limited (since 2020) Assistant Treasurer of ● DFAIDG, DIG, DFAITC and DEM (since 2017) ● the Trust (since 2020) |
Kenneth M. Manell 1972 |
Vice President | Since 2020 |
Vice President of ● all the DFA Entities (since 2010) ● Dimensional Cayman Commodity Fund I Ltd. (since 2010) ● the Trust (since 2020) |
Jan Miller 1963 |
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer | Since June 2021 |
Vice President (since January 2023) of ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP ● Dimensional Investments LLC ● DFA Securities LLC Vice President (since April 2022) of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer (since June 2021) of ● the DFA Fund Complex
Formerly, Director (May 2019 – January 2021) at ● INVESCO, U.S. (formerly, OppenheimerFunds, Inc.) Formerly, Vice President and Assistant Treasurer (September 2012 – May 2019) at ● OppenheimerFunds, Inc. |
Catherine L. Newell 1964 |
President and General Counsel | Since 2020 |
President of ● DFAIDG, DIG, DFAITC and DEM (since 2017) ● the Trust (since 2020) General Counsel of ● all the DFA Entities (since 2001) ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (since 2006) |
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Name and Year of Birth |
Position | Term of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years |
● Dimensional Holdings Inc. (since 2006) ● Dimensional Investment LLC (since 2009) ● DFA Canada LLC (since 2009) ● the Trust (since 2020) Executive Vice President (since 2017) of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. ● DFA Securities LLC ● Dimensional Investment LLC Secretary of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (since 2006) ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. (since 2006) ● DFA Securities LLC (since 2006) ● Dimensional Investment LLC (since 2009) Vice President (since 1997) and Secretary (since 2002) of ● DFA Australia Limited ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. Vice President and Secretary of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC (since 2003) ● DFA Canada LLC (since 2009) ● Dimensional Cayman Commodity Fund I Ltd. (since 2010) ● Dimensional Japan Ltd. (since 2012) ● Dimensional Advisors Ltd (since 2014) ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. (since 2012) Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since 2012) of ● Dimensional Hong Kong Limited Director of ● Dimensional Australia Limited (since 2007) ● Dimensional Funds plc (since 2002) ● Dimensional Funds II plc (since 2006) ● Director of Dimensional Japan Ltd. (since 2012) ● Dimensional Advisors Ltd. (since 2012) ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. (since 2012) ● Dimensional Hong Kong Limited (since 2012) ● Dimensional Ireland Limited (since 2018)
Formerly, Vice President and Secretary (2010 – 2014) of ● Dimensional SmartNest (US) LLC Formerly, Vice President (1997 – 2017) and Secretary (2000 – 2017) of ● DFAIDG, DIG, DFAITC and DEM Formerly, Vice President of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (1997 – 2017) ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. (2006 – 2017) ● DFA Securities LLC (1997 – 2017) ● Dimensional Investment LLC (2009 – 2017) Formerly, Director (2002 – 2021) of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. | |||
Selwyn J. Notelovitz 1961 |
Vice President | Since September 2021 |
Vice President (since September 2021) of ● the DFA Fund Complex Vice President (since December 2012) and Chief Compliance Officer (since July 2020) of ● DFA Securities LLC ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP ● Dimensional Holdings Inc.
|
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Name and Year of Birth |
Position | Term of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years |
● Dimensional Investment LLC Chief Compliance Officer (since July 2020) of: ● DFA Australia Limited ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC
Formerly, Deputy Chief Compliance Officer (2013 – 2020) of: ● the DFA Fund Complex ● DFA Securities LLC ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. ● Dimensional Investment LLC Formerly, Vice President (2013 – 2020) of: ● the DFA Fund Complex Formerly, Director (2019 – 2021) of: ● Dimensional Ireland Limited | |||
Carolyn L. O 1974 |
Vice President and Secretary | Since 2020 |
Vice President and Secretary of ● DFAIDG, DIG, DFAITC and DEM (since 2010 and 2017, respectively) ● the Trust (since 2020) Vice President (since 2010) and Assistant Secretary (since 2016) of ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. ● Dimensional Investment LLC Vice President of ● DFA Securities LLC (since 2010) ● Dimensional Cayman Commodity Fund I Ltd. (since 2010) ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC (since 2016) Assistant Secretary (since 2016) of ● DFA Securities LLC |
Randy C. Olson 1980 |
Chief Compliance Officer | Since 2020 |
Chief Compliance Officer (since 2020) of ● the DFA Fund Complex Vice President (since 2016) of ● DFA Securities LLC ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. ● Dimensional Investment LLC
Formerly, Vice President – Senior Compliance Officer of ● Dimensional Investment Advisors LP (January 2020 – August 2020 and July 2014 – March 2017) Formerly, Vice President – Head of Compliance & Operations Asia Ex-Japan of ● Dimensional Investment Advisors LP (April 2017 – January 2020) |
James J. Taylor 1983 |
Vice President and Assistant Treasurer | Since 2020 |
Vice President and Assistant Treasurer (since 2020) of ● the DFA Fund Complex Vice President of ● Dimensional Holdings Inc. (since 2016) ● Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (since 2016) ● Dimensional Investment LLC (since 2016) ● DFA Securities LLC (since 2016) ● Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC (since 2020) |
1 | Each officer holds office for an indefinite term at the pleasure of the Board and until his or her successor is elected and qualified. |
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As of January 31, 2023, the Trustees and officers as a group owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Portfolios described in this SAI.
SERVICES TO THE TRUST
Administrative Services
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“CFSO”), 4400 Easton Commons, Suite 200, Columbus, Ohio 43219, serves as the accounting and administration services and dividend disbursing agent for each Portfolio. The services provided by CFSO are subject to supervision by the executive officers and the Board of Trustees of the Trust, and include day-to-day keeping and maintenance of certain records, preparation of financial and regulatory reports, fund accounting and tax services, and dividend disbursing agency services. For the administrative and accounting services provided by CFSO, CFSO receives reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket costs and compensation in the form of transaction fees and asset-based fees which are aggregated and paid monthly.
Custodian
Citibank, N.A. (the “Custodian”), 111 Wall Street, New York, NY, 10005, serves as the custodian for the Portfolios.
The Custodian maintains a separate account or accounts for a Portfolio; receives, holds, and releases portfolio securities on account of the Portfolio; makes receipts and disbursements of money on behalf of the Portfolio; and collects and receives income and other payments and distributions on account of the Portfolio’s portfolio securities. The Custodian is authorized to appoint certain foreign custodians or foreign custody managers for the Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF’s and Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF’s investments outside the U.S.
Transfer Agent
Citibank, N.A., 111 Wall Street, New York, NY, 10005, serves as the transfer agent for the Portfolios.
Distributor
DFA Securities LLC (“DFAS” or the “Distributor”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Advisor, acts as the principal underwriter in the continuous public offering of the Trust’s shares. DFAS is registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. The principal business address of DFAS is 6300 Bee Cave Road, Austin, Texas 78746.
Shares are continuously offered for sale by the Trust through the Distributor or its agent only in Creation Units, as described in the Prospectus and below in the “Creation and Redemption of Creation Units” section of this SAI. Portfolio shares in amounts less than Creation Units are generally not distributed by the Distributor or its agent. The Distributor or its agent will arrange for the delivery of the prospectus and, upon request, this SAI to persons purchasing Creation Units and will maintain records of both orders placed with it or its agents and confirmations of acceptance furnished by it or its agents.
The Distributor may enter into agreements with securities dealers (“Soliciting Dealers”) who will solicit purchases of Creation Units of Portfolio shares. Such Soliciting Dealers may also be Authorized Participants, Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) participants and/or investor services organizations.
The Distributor may be entitled to payments from the Trust under the Rule 12b-1 plan. Except as noted, the Distributor received no other compensation from the Trust for acting as underwriter. In accordance with the Rule 12b-1 plan, each Portfolio is authorized to pay Rule 12b-1 fees to the Distributor of up to 0.25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets per year for any activities primarily intended to result in the sale of Creation Units of the Portfolio or the provision of investor services, including but not limited to: (i) marketing and promotional services, including advertising; (ii) facilitating communications with beneficial owners of Shares of the Portfolios; (iii) wholesaling services; and (iv) such other services and obligations as may be set forth in the Distribution Agreement
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with the Distributor. The 12b-1 Plan is a compensation plan. Thus, to the extent that the fee is authorized, it is payable regardless of the distribution-related expenses actually incurred and so the amount of distribution fees paid by the shares during any year may be more than actual expenses incurred pursuant to the 12b-1 Plan. A Portfolio will not pay more than the maximum amount allowed under the 12b-1 Plan.
The Rule 12b-1 plan is intended to permit the financing of a broad array of distribution-related activities and services, as well as shareholder services, for the benefit of investors. These activities and services are intended to make the Shares an attractive investment alternative, which may lead to increased assets, investment opportunities and diversification. No fees are currently paid by any Portfolio under the Rule 12b-1 plan and there are no current plans to impose such fees. In the event such fees were to be charged, over time they would increase the cost of an investment in a Portfolio. If fees were charged under the Plan, the Trustees would receive and review at the end of each quarter a written report provided by the Distributor of the amounts expended under the Plan and the purpose for which such expenditures were made.
The Rule 12b-1 plan will remain in effect for a period of one year and is renewable from year to year with respect to a Portfolio, so long as its continuance is approved at least annually in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act. The Rule 12b-1 plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of fees paid by any Portfolio unless such amendment is approved by a 1940 Act majority vote of the outstanding Shares and by a vote of the majority of those Disinterested Trustees who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Rule 12b-1 plan or in any agreements related thereto (“Rule 12b-1 Trustees”). The Rule 12b-1 plan is terminable with respect to a Portfolio at any time by a vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees or by a 1940 Act majority vote of the outstanding Shares.
Legal Counsel
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP serves as legal counsel to the Trust. Its address is 2600 One Commerce Square, Philadelphia, PA 19103-7098.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) is the independent registered public accounting firm to the Trust and audits the annual financial statements of the Trust. PwC’s address is Two Commerce Square, Suite 1800, 2001 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-7042.
Investment Management
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, located at 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, TX 78746, serves as investment advisor to the Portfolios. Pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement with each Portfolio, the Advisor is responsible for the management of its respective assets.
Pursuant to Sub-Advisory Agreements with the Advisor, DFA Australia Limited (“DFA Australia”), Level 43 Gateway, 1 Macquarie Place, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia, has the authority and responsibility to select brokers and dealers to execute securities transactions for the Portfolios (each a “DFA Australia Sub-Advised Fund”). DFA Australia’s duties include the maintenance of a trading desk for each DFA Australia Sub-Advised Fund and the determination of the best and most efficient means of executing securities transactions. On at least a semi-annual basis, the Advisor reviews the holdings of each DFA Australia Sub-Advised Fund, and reviews the trading process and the execution of securities transactions. The Advisor is responsible for determining those securities which are eligible for purchase and sale by a DFA Australia Sub-Advised Fund and may delegate this task, subject to its own review, to DFA Australia. DFA Australia maintains and furnishes to the Advisor information and reports on securities of international companies, including its recommendations of securities to be added to the securities that are eligible for purchase by a DFA Australia Sub-Advised Fund as well as making recommendations and elections on corporate actions. In rendering investment management services to the Advisor with respect to each DFA Australia Sub-Advised Fund, DFA Australia expects to use the resources of certain participating affiliates of DFA Australia. Such participating affiliates are providing such services to DFA Australia pursuant to conditions
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provided in no-action relief granted by the staff of the SEC allowing registered investment advisers to use portfolio management, research and trading resources of advisory affiliates subject to the supervision of a registered adviser.
Pursuant to Sub-Advisory Agreements with the Advisor, Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. (” DFAL”), 20 Triton Street, Regent’s Place, London, NW13BF, United Kingdom, a company that is organized under the laws of England, has the authority and responsibility to select brokers or dealers to execute securities transactions for the Portfolios (each a “DFAL Sub-Advised Fund”). DFAL’s duties include the maintenance of a trading desk for each DFAL Sub-Advised Fund and the determination of the best and most efficient means of executing securities transactions. On at least a semi-annual basis, the Advisor reviews the holdings of each DFAL Sub-Advised Fund and reviews the trading process and the execution of securities transactions. The Advisor is responsible for determining those securities which are eligible for purchase and sale by each DFAL Sub-Advised Fund and may delegate this task, subject to its own review, to DFAL. DFAL maintains and furnishes to the Advisor information and reports on securities of United Kingdom and European market companies, including its recommendations of securities to be added to the securities that are eligible for purchase by each DFAL Sub-Advised Fund as well as making recommendations and elections on corporate actions.
Payments by the Advisor to Certain Third Parties Not Affiliated with the Advisor
The Advisor and its advisory affiliates have entered into arrangements with certain unaffiliated third parties pursuant to which the Advisor or its advisory affiliates make payments from their own assets or provide services to such unaffiliated third parties as further described below. Certain of the unaffiliated third parties who have entered into such arrangements with the Advisor or its advisory affiliates are affiliated with independent financial advisors (“FAs”) whose clients may invest in the Portfolios or mutual funds advised by the Advisor (“DFA Advised Funds”). Generally, the Advisor does not consider the existence of such arrangements with an affiliate, by itself, to be determinative in assessing whether an FA is independent.
Training and Education Related Benefits Provided by the Advisor
From time to time, the Advisor or its affiliates provide certain non-advisory services (such as data collection and analysis or other consulting services) to financial intermediaries (“Intermediaries”) that may be involved in the distribution of DFA Advised Funds and may recommend the purchase of such DFA Advised Funds for their clients. Intermediaries may include, without limitation, FAs, broker-dealers, institutional investment consultants, and plan service providers (such as recordkeepers). The Advisor or its affiliates also may provide services to Intermediaries, including: (i) personnel and outside consultants for purposes of continuing education, internal strategic planning and, for FAs, practice management; (ii) analysis, including historical market analysis and risk/return analysis; (iii) continuing education to investment advisers (some of whom may be dual registered investment advisers/broker-dealers); and (iv) other services.
The Advisor regularly provides educational speakers and facilities for conferences or events for Intermediaries, customers or clients of the Intermediaries, or such customers’ or clients’ service providers, and also may sponsor such events. For its sponsored events, the Advisor typically pays any associated food, beverage, and facilities-related expenses and speakers’ fees. The Advisor has consulting arrangements with certain speakers, who may be affiliated with a client of the Advisor. The Advisor or its affiliates sometimes pay a fee to attend, speak at or assist in sponsoring conferences or events organized by others, and on occasion, pay travel accommodations of certain participants attending such conferences or events. The Advisor’s sponsorship of conferences or events organized by others from time to time includes direct payments to vendors on behalf of, and/or reimbursement of expenses incurred by, the organizers of such events. Also, from time to time, the Advisor makes direct payments to vendors on behalf of, and/or reimbursement of expenses incurred by, Intermediaries in connection with the Intermediaries hosting educational, training, customer appreciation, or other events for such Intermediaries and/or their customers. Personnel of the Advisor may or may not be present at any of the conferences or events hosted by third parties described above. The Advisor generally will promote its participation in or sponsorship of such conferences or events in marketing or advertising materials. At the request of a client or potential client, the Advisor or its affiliates may also refer such client to one or more Intermediaries.
The provision of these services, arrangements and payments described above by the Advisor present conflicts of interest because they provide incentives for Intermediaries, customers or clients of Intermediaries, or
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such customers’ or clients’ service providers to recommend, or otherwise make available, the Advisor’s strategies or DFA Advised Funds to their clients in order to receive or continue to benefit from these arrangements from the Advisor or its affiliates. However, the provision of these services, arrangements and payments by the Advisor or its affiliates is not dependent on the amount of DFA Advised Funds or strategies sold or recommended by such Intermediaries, customers or clients of Intermediaries, or such customers’ or clients’ service providers.
Consultation Referral Fees Paid by the Advisor
From time to time, consultants of the Advisor are paid a commission for client referrals. Such commissions typically are calculated based on a flat fee, percentage of total fees received by the Advisor as a result of such referrals, or other means agreed to between the Advisor and the consultants.
Payments to Intermediaries by the Advisor
Additionally, the Advisor or its advisory affiliates may enter into arrangements with, and/or make payments from their own assets to, certain Intermediaries to enable access to DFA Advised Funds on platforms and through programs or products made available by such Intermediaries or to assist such Intermediaries to upgrade existing technology systems, or implement new technology systems, platforms, programs, or products in order to improve the methods through which the Intermediaries provide services to the Advisor and its advisory affiliates, and/or their clients. The Advisor or its advisory affiliates may also make payments to Intermediaries related to marketing activities and presentations, educational training programs, conferences, data provision services, or making shares of the DFA Advised Funds available to their customers generally and in certain investment programs. The Advisor may make payments to Intermediaries and other financial service providers for data regarding DFA Advised Funds, such as statistical information regarding sales of shares of DFA Advised Funds through Intermediaries. Such arrangements or payments may establish contractual obligations on the part of such Intermediaries to provide DFA Advised Funds, the Advisor, or their clients with certain exclusive or preferred access to the use of the subject technology or programs or preferable placement or inclusion with such Intermediaries’ platforms, programs or products. Payments of this type are sometimes referred to as revenue-sharing payments. Any payments made pursuant to such arrangements may vary in any year and may be different for different Intermediaries. In certain cases, the payments described here may be subject to certain minimum payment levels, be a fixed amount, and/or depend on assets invested in a particular fund through such Intermediary.
The services, arrangements, and payments described above, which may be significant to the Intermediaries, present conflicts of interest because they provide incentives for Intermediaries, customers or clients of Intermediaries, or such customers’ or clients’ service providers, to recommend, or otherwise make available, DFA Advised Funds to their clients in order to receive or continue to benefit from these arrangements from the Advisor or its affiliates.
As of January 31, 2023, the Intermediaries receiving such payments include: Betterment Holdings, Inc., Charles Schwab & Co. Inc., Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company, Transamerica Retirement Solutions, LLC, UBS Financial Services Inc. and LPL Financial LLC. Any additions, modifications, or deletions to this list of financial intermediaries that have occurred since the date of this SAI are not included in this list. Please contact your salesperson, advisor, broker or other investment professional for more information regarding any such payments or financial incentives his or her intermediary firm may receive.
Any payments described above made by the Advisor, or an affiliate of the Advisor, will be made from their own assets and not from the assets of the Portfolios. As a result, such payments are not reflected in the fees and expenses listed in the fees and expenses sections of the Portfolios’ prospectuses.
Data Services Purchased by the Advisor
The Advisor purchases certain data services and products used by the Advisor for sales, distribution, and research purposes. In limited circumstances, a data vendor or its affiliate also provides investment consulting
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services, and such vendor or affiliated entity may refer one or more of its consulting clients to DFA Advised Funds. Any investment consulting services and referrals are unrelated to the Advisor’s process for the review and purchase of certain data services.
MANAGEMENT FEES
David G. Booth, as a director and officer of the Advisor and shareholder of the Advisor’s general partner, and Rex A. Sinquefield, as a shareholder of the Advisor’s general partner, acting together, could be deemed controlling persons of the Advisor. Mr. Booth also serves as Chairman Emeritus of the Trust. For the services it provides as investment advisor to each Portfolio, the Advisor is paid a monthly fee calculated as a percentage of average net assets of the Portfolio.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the Portfolios paid management fees to the Advisor (and any sub-advisor) as set forth in the following table (the dollar amount is shown prior to any fee waivers or recoupments by the Advisor):
Fiscal Year Ended 2022 (000) | ||||
Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF | $1,0571 | |||
Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF | $1,0812 | |||
Dimensional Inflation-Protected Securities ETF | $1473 | |||
Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF | $3774 |
1 | $1,010 after waiver | |
2 | $1,001 after waiver | |
3 | $97 after waiver | |
4 | $342 after waiver |
The Portfolios commenced operations on November 15, 2021. Pursuant to a Fee Waiver and/or Expense Assumption Agreement for each Portfolio, the Advisor has agreed to waive certain fees and in certain instances, assume certain expenses of the Portfolio, as described below. The Fee Waiver and/or Expense Assumption Agreement will remain in effect through February 28, 2024, and may only be terminated by the Trust’s Board of Trustees prior to that date. The Fee Waiver and/or Expense Assumption Agreement shall continue in effect from year to year thereafter unless terminated by the Trust or the Advisor. With respect to each Fee Waiver and/or Expense Assumption Agreement, prior year waived fees and/or assumed expenses can be recaptured only if the expense ratio following such recapture would be less than the expense cap that was in place when such prior year fees were waived and/or expenses assumed, and less than the current expense cap in place for the Portfolio. The Portfolio is not obligated to reimburse the Advisor for fees previously waived or expenses previously assumed by the Advisor more than thirty-six months before the date of such reimbursement.
The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and assume the ordinary operating expenses of each of the Portfolios (excluding the expenses that the Portfolio incurs indirectly through its investment in other investment companies) (“Portfolio Expenses”) to the extent necessary to limit the Portfolio Expenses of each Portfolio, on an annualized basis, to the rates listed below as a percentage of the respective Portfolio’s average net assets (the “Expense Limitation Amount”). At any time that the Portfolio Expenses of a Portfolio are less than the Expense Limitation Amount for the Portfolio, the Advisor retains the right to recover any fees previously waived and/or expenses previously assumed to the extent that such recovery will not cause the annualized Portfolio Expenses for such Portfolio to exceed the applicable Expense Limitation Amount identified below.
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Portfolio | Expense Limitation Amount |
Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF* | 0.17% |
Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF** | 0.16% |
Dimensional Inflation-Protected Securities ETF | 0.11% |
Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF** | 0.17% |
* Prior to February 28, 2023, the Expense Limitation Amount for the Portfolio was 0.19% of the Portfolio’s average net assets.
** Prior to February 28, 2023, the Expense Limitation Amount for the Portfolio was 0.18% of the Portfolio’s average net assets.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
In accordance with the team approach used to manage the Portfolios, the portfolio managers and portfolio traders implement the policies and procedures established by the Investment Committee. The portfolio managers and portfolio traders also make daily investment decisions regarding the Portfolios based on the parameters established by the Investment Committee. The individuals named below are the portfolio managers that coordinate the efforts of all other portfolio managers or trading personnel with respect to the day-to-day management of the Portfolios indicated.
Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF | David A. Plecha, Joseph F. Kolerich, and Lovell D. Shao |
Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF | David A. Plecha, Joseph F. Kolerich, and Lacey N. Huebel |
Dimensional Inflation-Protected Securities ETF | David A. Plecha, Joseph F. Kolerich, and Alan R. Hutchison |
Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF | David A. Plecha, Joseph F. Kolerich, and Travis A. Meldau |
Other Managed Accounts
In addition to the Portfolios, each portfolio manager manages (i) other U.S. registered investment companies advised or sub-advised by the Advisor, (ii) other pooled investment vehicles that are not U.S. registered mutual funds or ETFs and (iii) other accounts managed for organizations and individuals. The following table sets forth information regarding the total accounts for which each portfolio manager has the primary responsibility for coordinating the day-to-day management responsibilities.
Name of Portfolio Manager | Number of Accounts Managed and Total Assets by Category as of October 31, 2022 | |
David A. Plecha | ● | 63 U.S. registered mutual funds with $101,037 million in total assets under management. |
● | 4 unregistered pooled investment vehicles with $2,966 million in total assets under management. | |
● | 9 other accounts with $2,188 million in total assets under management. | |
Joseph F. Kolerich | ● | 63 U.S. registered mutual funds with $101,037 million in total assets under management. |
● | 4 unregistered pooled investment vehicles with $2,966 million in total assets under management. | |
● | 9 other accounts with $2,188 million in total assets under management. | |
Lacey N. Huebel | ● | 4 U.S. registered mutual funds with $9,148 million in total assets under management. |
● | 0 unregistered pooled investment vehicles. | |
● | 3 other accounts with $1,525 million in total assets under management. |
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Name of Portfolio Manager | Number of Accounts Managed and Total Assets by Category as of October 31, 2022 | |
Alan R. Hutchison | ● | 9 U.S. registered mutual funds with $16,001 million in total assets under management. |
● | 1 unregistered pooled investment vehicle with $10 million in total assets under management. | |
● | 1 other account with $491 million in total assets under management. | |
Travis A. Meldau | ● | 16 U.S. registered mutual funds with $20,204 million in total assets under management. |
● | 0 unregistered pooled investment vehicles. | |
● | 2 other accounts with $431 million in total assets under management. | |
Lovell D. Shao | ● | 7 U.S. registered mutual funds with $17,978 million in total assets under management. |
● | 1 unregistered pooled investment vehicle with $10 million in total assets under management. | |
● | 1 other account with $491 million in total assets under management. |
Description of Compensation Structure
Portfolio managers receive a base salary and bonus. Compensation of a portfolio manager is determined at the discretion of the Advisor and is based on a portfolio manager’s experience, responsibilities, the perception of the quality of his or her work efforts and other subjective factors. The compensation of portfolio managers is not directly based upon the performance of the Portfolios or other accounts that the portfolio managers manage. The Advisor reviews the compensation of each portfolio manager annually and may make modifications in compensation as its Compensation Committee deems necessary to reflect changes in the market. Each portfolio manager’s compensation consists of the following:
● | Base salary. Each portfolio manager is paid a base salary. The Advisor considers the factors described above to determine each portfolio manager’s base salary. |
● | Semi-Annual Bonus. Each portfolio manager may receive a semi-annual bonus. The amount of the bonus paid to each portfolio manager is based upon the factors described above. |
Portfolio managers may be awarded the right to purchase restricted shares of the stock of the Advisor, as determined from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Advisor or its delegates. Portfolio managers also participate in benefit and retirement plans and other programs available generally to all employees.
In addition, portfolio managers may be given the option of participating in the Advisor’s Long Term Incentive Plan. The level of participation for eligible employees may be dependent on overall level of compensation, among other considerations. Participation in this program is not based on or related to the performance of any individual strategies or any particular client accounts.
Potential Conflicts of Interest
Actual or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager has the primary day-to-day responsibilities with respect to more than one Portfolio and other accounts. Other accounts include registered mutual funds and ETFs (other than the Portfolios), other unregistered pooled investment vehicles, and other accounts managed for organizations and individuals (“Accounts”). An Account may have similar investment objectives to a Portfolio, or may purchase, sell or hold securities that are eligible to be purchased, sold or held by a Portfolio. Actual or apparent conflicts of interest include:
● | Time Management. The management of multiple Portfolios and/or Accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of each Portfolio and/or Accounts. The Advisor seeks to manage such competing interests for the time and attention of portfolio managers by having portfolio managers focus on a particular investment discipline. Most Accounts |
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managed by a portfolio manager are managed using the same investment approaches that are used in connection with the management of the Portfolios.
● | Investment Opportunities. It is possible that at times identical securities will be held by more than one Portfolio and/or Account. However, positions in the same security may vary and the length of time that any Portfolio or Account may choose to hold its investment in the same security may likewise vary. If a portfolio manager identifies a limited investment opportunity that may be suitable for more than one Portfolio or Account, a Portfolio may not be able to take full advantage of that opportunity due to an allocation of filled purchase or sale orders across all eligible Portfolios and Accounts. To deal with these situations, the Advisor has adopted procedures for allocating portfolio transactions across multiple Portfolios and Accounts. |
● | Broker Selection. With respect to securities transactions for the Portfolios, the Advisor determines which broker to use to execute each order, consistent with its duty to seek best execution of the transaction. However, with respect to certain Accounts (such as separate accounts), the Advisor may be limited by the client with respect to the selection of brokers or may be instructed to direct trades through a particular broker. In these cases, the Advisor or its affiliates may place separate, non-simultaneous, transactions for a Portfolio and another Account that may temporarily affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the detriment of the Portfolio or the Account. |
● | Performance-Based Fees. For some Accounts, the Advisor may be compensated based on the profitability of the Account, such as by a performance-based management fee. These incentive compensation structures may create a conflict of interest for the Advisor with regard to Accounts where the Advisor is paid based on a percentage of assets because the portfolio manager may have an incentive to allocate securities preferentially to the Accounts where the Advisor might share in investment gains. |
● | Investment in an Account. A portfolio manager or his/her relatives may invest in an Account that he or she manages and a conflict may arise where he or she may therefore have an incentive to treat the Account in which the portfolio manager or his/her relatives invest preferentially as compared to other Accounts for which he or she has portfolio management responsibilities. |
The Advisor and the Trust have adopted certain compliance procedures that are reasonably designed to address these types of conflicts. However, there is no guarantee that such procedures will detect each and every situation in which a conflict arises.
Investments in Each Portfolio
Information relating to each portfolio manager’s ownership (including the ownership of his or her immediate family) in the Portfolios contained in this SAI that he or she manages as of October 31, 2022 is set forth in the chart below:
Portfolio | Portfolio Manager(s) | Dollar Range of Portfolio Shares Owned |
Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF | David A. Plecha Joseph F. Kolerich Lovell D. Shao |
$1 - $10,000 $10,001 - $50,000 $1 - $10,000 |
Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF | David A. Plecha Joseph F. Kolerich Lacey N. Huebel |
$10,001 - $50,000 $10,001 - $50,000 $10,001 - $50,000 |
Dimensional Inflation-Protected Securities ETF | David A. Plecha Joseph F. Kolerich Alan R. Hutchison |
$1 - $10,000 $10,001 - $50,000 None |
Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF | David A. Plecha Joseph F. Kolerich Travis A. Meldau |
$10,001 - $50,000 $10,001 - $50,000 None |
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CODE OF ETHICS
The Trust, the Advisor, DFA Australia, DFAL and DFAS have adopted a Code of Ethics, under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act, for certain access persons of the Portfolios. The Code of Ethics is designed to ensure that access persons act in the interest of the Portfolios and their shareholders with respect to any personal trading of securities. Under the Code of Ethics, access persons are generally prohibited from knowingly buying or selling securities (except for mutual funds, U.S. government securities and money market instruments) which are being purchased, sold or considered for purchase or sale by a Portfolio unless their proposed purchases are approved in advance. The Code of Ethics also contains certain reporting requirements and securities trading clearance procedures.
SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS
The Trust currently has authorized and allocated to each Portfolio an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest with no par value. The Trustees of the Trust may, at any time and from time to time, by resolution, authorize the establishment and division of additional shares of the Trust into an unlimited number of series and the division of any series (including the Portfolios) into two or more classes. When issued in accordance with the Trust’s registration statement, governing instruments and applicable law (all as may be amended from time to time), all of the Trust’s shares are fully paid and non-assessable. Shares do not have preemptive rights.
Each Share issued by a Portfolio has a pro rata interest in the assets of the Portfolio. 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. However, matters affecting only one particular Portfolio or class can be voted on only by shareholders in such Portfolio or class. The shares of the Trust are not entitled to cumulative voting, meaning that holders of more than 50% of the Trust’s shares may elect the entire Board. All shareholders are entitled to receive dividend and/or capital gains when and as declared by the Trustees from time to time and as discussed in the Prospectus.
The Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration”) provides that by virtue of becoming a shareholder of the Trust, each shareholder shall be held expressly to have agreed to be bound by the provisions of the Declaration. In addition, the Declaration provides a detailed process for the bringing of derivative actions by shareholders in order to permit legitimate inquiries and claims while avoiding the time, expense, distraction, and other harm that can be caused to a Portfolio or its shareholders as a result of spurious shareholder demands and derivative actions. Prior to bringing a derivative action, a demand by the complaining shareholder must first be made on the Trustees. The Declaration details conditions that must be met with respect to the demand. Following receipt of the demand, the Trustees must be afforded a reasonable amount of time to investigate and consider the demand. The Trustees will be entitled to retain counsel or other advisors in considering the merits of the request and shall require an undertaking by the shareholders making such request to reimburse the Trust for the expense of any such advisors in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring such action.
The Declaration also requires that actions by shareholders against a Portfolio be brought only in a certain federal court in Texas, or if not permitted to be brought in federal court, then in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as required by applicable law, or the Superior Court of Delaware, and that the right to jury trial be waived to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Book Entry Only System. The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the relevant information included in the Prospectus. DTC Acts as securities depository for Shares. Shares of the Portfolios are represented by securities registered in the name of DTC or its nominee and deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC.
DTC, a limited-purpose trust company, was created to hold securities of its participants (the “DTC Participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among the DTC Participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the DTC Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own DTC. More specifically, DTC is owned by a number of its DTC Participants and by the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), NYSE MKT and FINRA. Access to the DTC system is also available to others
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such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant, either directly or indirectly (the “Indirect Participants”).
Beneficial ownership of Shares is limited to DTC Participants, Indirect Participants and persons holding interests through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in Shares (owners of such beneficial interests are referred to herein as “Beneficial Owners”) is shown on, and the transfer of ownership is effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to DTC Participants) and on the records of DTC Participants (with respect to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners that are not DTC Participants). Beneficial Owners will receive from or through the DTC Participant a written confirmation relating to their purchase and sale of Shares. No Beneficial Owner shall have the right to receive a certificate representing such 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 a Portfolio held by each DTC Participant. The Trust shall inquire of each such DTC Participant as to the number of Beneficial Owners holding Shares, directly or indirectly, through such DTC Participant. The Trust shall provide each such DTC Participant with copies of such notice, statement or other communication, in such form, number and at such place as such DTC Participant may reasonably request, in order that such notice, statement or communication may be transmitted by such DTC Participant, directly or indirectly, to such Beneficial Owners. In addition, the Trust shall pay to each such DTC Participant a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement for the expenses attendant to such transmittal, all subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
Portfolio distributions shall be made to DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., as the registered holder of all Portfolio Shares. DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any such distributions, shall immediately credit DTC Participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in Shares of a Portfolio as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. Payments by DTC Participants to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners of Shares held through such DTC Participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in a “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such DTC Participants.
The Trust has no responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or notices to Beneficial Owners, or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in such Shares, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests, or for any other aspect of the relationship between DTC and the DTC Participants or the relationship between such DTC Participants and the Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners owning through such DTC Participants. DTC may decide to discontinue providing its service with respect to Shares at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Trust and discharging its responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law. Under such circumstances, the Trust shall take action to find a replacement for DTC to perform its functions at a comparable cost.
PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
Although the Trust does not have information concerning the beneficial ownership of shares held in the names of the DTC participants, as of January 31, 2023, the following DTC participants owned of record 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Portfolios, as set forth below:
DIMENSIONAL CORE FIXED INCOME ETF
National Financial Services, LLC | 26.83% | |
245 Summer Street | ||
Boston, MA 02210 | ||
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc. | 25.60% | |
200 S. 108th Avenue | ||
Omaha, NE 68154 |
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Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. | 22.77% | |
211 Main Street | ||
San Francisco, CA 94105 | ||
Charles Schwab Retail | 12.40% | |
211 Main Street | ||
San Francisco, CA 94105 |
DIMENSIONAL SHORT-DURATION FIXED INCOME ETF
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.1 | 30.30% | |
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.1 | 25.90% | |
National Financial Services, LLC1 | 16.87% | |
Charles Schwab Retail1 | 14.32% | |
Pershing LLC | 6.11% | |
1 Pershing Plaza | ||
Jersey City, NJ 07399-0001 |
DIMENSIONAL INFLATION-PROTECTED SECURITIES ETF
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.1 | 31.79% | |
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.1 | 29.61% | |
Charles Schwab Retail1 | 14.05% | |
National Financial Services, LLC1 | 13.94% |
DIMENSIONAL NATIONAL MUNICIPAL BOND ETF
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.1 | 33.99% | |
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc.1 | 25.35% | |
National Financial Services, LLC1 | 20.35% | |
Charles Schwab Retail1 | 10.86% |
1 | See address for shareholder previously noted above in list. |
To the best knowledge of the Trust, no other DTC participant held of record more than 5% of the outstanding shares of a Portfolio.
Following the creation of the initial Creation Unit(s) of shares of a Portfolio and immediately prior to the commencement of trading in the Portfolio’s shares, a holder of shares, including the Advisor, may be a “control person” of the Portfolio, as defined in the 1940 Act. A Portfolio cannot predict the length of time for which one or more shareholders may remain a control person of the Portfolio.
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CREATION AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS
General
Each Portfolio issues Shares only in Creation Units on a continuous basis through the Distributor or its agent, without a sales load, at its NAV next determined after receipt, on any Business Day (as defined below), of an order received by the Transfer Agent in proper form. On days when the Exchange closes earlier than normal, the Portfolios may require orders to be placed earlier in the day. A “Business Day” is any day on which the NYSE is open for business. As of the date of this SAI, the NYSE observes the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Although it is expected that the same holidays will be observed in the future, the NYSE may modify its holiday schedule or hours of operation at any time.
Each Portfolio effects creations and redemptions only to and from broker-dealers and large institutional investors that have entered into authorized participant agreements, as described further below. Each Portfolio may issue and redeem Creation Units of its Shares in exchange for a designated basket of portfolio investments (including any portion of such investments for which cash may be substituted), together with an amount of cash and any applicable fees, as described below. Creation Units are generally issued (or redeemed) by the Municipal Bond ETF in exchange for cash or in exchange for a designated basket of portfolio investments (including any portion of such investments for which cash may be substituted), together with an amount of cash and any applicable fees, as described below. For each Portfolio, the Trust reserves the right to permit or require that creations and redemptions of Shares be effected entirely in cash, in-kind or a combination thereof.
To the extent the Portfolios engage in in-kind transactions, the Portfolios intend to comply with the U.S. federal securities laws in accepting securities for deposit and satisfying redemptions with redemption securities by, among other means, assuring that any securities accepted for deposit and any securities used to satisfy redemption requests will be sold in transactions that would be exempt from registration under the 1933 Act. Further, an Authorized Participant (as defined below under “Procedures for Creation of Creation Units”) that is not a “qualified institutional buyer,” as such term is defined under Rule 144A of the 1933 Act, will not be able to receive securities that are restricted securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A.
The Portfolios may utilize custom creation or redemption baskets consistent with Rule 6c-11. Custom orders may be required to be received by the Transfer Agent by 1:00 p.m., Eastern Time, to be effectuated based on the Portfolio’s NAV on that Business Day. The Trust has adopted policies and procedures that govern the construction and acceptance of baskets, including heightened requirements for certain types of custom baskets. These policies and procedures provide detailed parameters for the construction and acceptance of custom baskets that are in the best interests of a Portfolio and its shareholders, including the process for any revisions to, or deviations from, those parameters, and specify the titles or roles of the employees of the Advisor who are required to review each custom basket for compliance with the parameters.
Persons placing or effectuating custom orders should be mindful of time deadlines imposed by intermediaries, which may impact the successful processing of such orders.
Creations
Deposit of Investments/Delivery of Cash. The consideration for purchase of Creation Units of a Portfolio may consist of the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of investments (including cash in lieu of any portion of such investments) determined by the Portfolio (“Deposit Securities”) and generally a specified amount of cash (the “Cash Component”), computed as described below, together with applicable creation transaction fees (as described below). Together, the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component constitute the “Fund Deposit,” applicable to creation requests received in proper form, subject to amendment or correction as described below.
The Cash Component, also commonly referred to as the balancing amount, is an amount equal to the difference between (i) the NAV of Portfolio Shares (per Creation Unit); and (ii) the “Deposit Amount,” which is the amount equal to the market value of the Deposit Securities and/or cash in lieu of all or a portion of the Deposit
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Securities. The Cash Component serves the function of compensating for any differences between the NAV per Creation Unit and the Deposit Amount. If the Cash Component is a positive number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit exceeds the Deposit Amount), the Authorized Participant will deliver the Cash Component. If the Cash Component is a negative number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit is less than the Deposit Amount), the Authorized Participant will receive the Cash Component. Payment of any tax, stamp duty or other similar fees and expenses payable upon transfer of beneficial ownership of the Deposit Securities are the sole responsibility of the Authorized Participant purchasing the Creation Unit.
Creation Units may also be sold partially or solely for cash. When partial or full cash purchases of Creation Units are available or specified for a Portfolio, such purchases will be effected in essentially the same manner as in-kind purchases of Creation Units. In the case of a partial or full cash purchase, the Authorized Participant must pay the cash equivalent of the Deposit Securities it would have otherwise delivered in an in-kind purchase, in addition to the same Cash Component required to be paid by an in-kind purchaser. In addition, to offset brokerage and other costs associated with using cash to purchase the requisite Deposit Securities, the Authorized Participant must pay the Transaction Fees required by each Portfolio. If the Authorized Participant acts as a broker for the Portfolio in connection with the purchase of Deposit Securities, the Authorized Participant will also be required to pay certain brokerage commissions, taxes, and transaction and market impact costs.
The Custodian, through the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”), makes available on each Business Day, prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time), the list of the names and the required quantities of each Deposit Security and the amount of the Cash Component to be included in the current Fund Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day and subject to possible amendment or correction) for the Portfolios.
The Portfolios reserve the right to accept a nonconforming (i.e., custom) Fund Deposit. In addition, the composition of the Fund Deposit may change as, among other things, corporate actions, investment rebalancing, and investment decisions by the Advisor are implemented for a Portfolio. The composition of the Fund Deposit may also change in response to adjustments to the weighting or composition of the component securities constituting a Portfolio’s investment portfolio. All questions as to the composition of the in-kind creation basket to be included in the Fund Deposit and the validity, form, eligibility, and acceptance for deposit of any instrument shall be determined by the Trust, and the Trust’s determination shall be final and binding.
Procedures for Creation of Creation Units. To be eligible to place orders with the Distributor to create a Creation Unit of a Portfolio, 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”); or (ii) a DTC Participant (see “Book Entry Only System”), and, in each case, must have executed an authorized participant agreement with the Distributor with respect to creations and redemptions of Creation Units (“Participant Agreement”) (discussed further below). A Participating Party and DTC Participant are collectively referred to as “Authorized Participants.” Investors should contact the Distributor for a list of current Authorized Participants. All Shares of the Portfolios, however created, will be entered on the records of DTC in the name of Cede & Co. for the account of a DTC Participant.
Placement of Creation Orders. All orders to create Creation Units must be placed for one or more Creation Unit sized aggregations of a specified number of Shares. All standard orders to create Creation Units, whether through the Clearing Process (through a Participating Party) or outside the Clearing Process (through a DTC Participant), must be received by the Transfer Agent no later than the order cut-off time designated by the Trust (“Closing Time”) on the date such order is placed in order for the creation of Creation Units to be effected based on the NAV of Shares of the Portfolio as next determined on such date after receipt of the order in proper form. With certain exceptions, the Closing Time for a Portfolio usually is the closing time of the regular trading session on the New York Stock Exchange—i.e., ordinarily 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Subject to the provisions of the applicable Participant Agreement, in the case of custom orders, the order may be required to be received by the Transfer Agent no later than 1:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the date such order is placed. The date on which an order to create Creation Units (or an order to redeem Creation Units as discussed below) is placed is referred to as the “Transmittal Date.” Orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the Distributor and the Transfer Agent as described below in this SAI and pursuant to procedures set
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forth in the Participant Agreement. Severe economic or market disruptions or changes, or telephone or other communication systems failure, may impede the ability to reach the Distributor, Transfer Agent or Authorized Participant.
Investors other than Authorized Participants are responsible for making arrangements for a creation request to be made through an Authorized Participant. Orders to create Creation Units of a Portfolio shall be placed with an Authorized Participant, as applicable, in the form required by such Authorized Participant. The Authorized Participant must make available on or before the prescribed settlement date, by means satisfactory to a Portfolio, immediately available or same day funds estimated by the Portfolio to be sufficient to pay the Cash Component next determined after acceptance of the purchase order, together with the applicable purchase transaction fees. Those placing orders should ascertain the applicable deadline for cash transfers by contacting the operations department of the broker or depositary institution effectuating the transfer of the Cash Component. In addition, the Authorized Participant may request the investor to make certain representations or enter into agreements with respect to the order, i.e., to provide for payments of cash, when required. Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not have executed a Participant Agreement and, therefore, orders to create Creation Units of a Portfolio have to be placed by the investor’s broker through an Authorized Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. At any given time there may be only a limited number of broker-dealers that have executed a Participant Agreement. Those placing orders for Creation Units through the Clearing Process should afford sufficient time to permit proper submission of the order to the Transfer Agent prior to the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date.
Orders for creation that are effected outside the Clearing Process are likely to require transmittal by the DTC Participant earlier on the Transmittal Date than orders effected using the Clearing Process. Those persons placing orders outside the Clearing Process should ascertain the deadlines applicable to DTC and the Federal Reserve Bank wire system by contacting the broker or depository institution effecting such transfer of the Fund Deposit.
An order to create Creation Units is deemed received on the Transmittal Date if (i) such order is received by the Transfer Agent not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date and (ii) all other procedures with respect to creation orders are properly followed. The delivery of Creation Units so created will generally occur no later than the second Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Transfer Agent (“T+2”). However, the Trust reserves the right to settle Creation Unit transactions on a basis other than T+2 if necessary or appropriate under the circumstances. Additionally, each Portfolio reserves the right to settle Creation Unit transactions on a basis other than T+2 if necessary or appropriate under the circumstances.
If the Cash Component and the Deposit Securities are not received by the applicable deadline specified by the Transfer Agent on the Settlement Date, the creation order may be canceled. Upon written notice to the Transfer Agent, such cancelled order may be resubmitted the following Business Day using a newly constituted Fund Deposit as specified by the Portfolio.
Acceptance of Orders for Creation Units. Subject to the conditions that (i) an irrevocable purchase order has been submitted by the Authorized Participant (either on its own or another investor’s behalf) and (ii) arrangements satisfactory to a Portfolio are in place for payment of the Cash Component and any other cash amounts which may be due, the Portfolio will accept the order, subject to the Portfolio’s right (and the right of the Distributor and the Transfer Agent) to reject any order until acceptance, as set forth below.
Once an order has been accepted, upon the next determination of the NAV of a Portfolio’s Shares, the Portfolio will confirm the issuance of a Creation Unit, against receipt of payment, at such NAV. The Transfer Agent will then transmit a confirmation of acceptance to the Authorized Participant that placed the order.
A Portfolio reserves the absolute right to reject or revoke a creation order for any reason, including if: (a) the order is not in proper form; (b) the Deposit Securities delivered do not conform to the identity and number of shares specified, as described above; (c) the investor(s), upon obtaining the Shares ordered, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding Shares of the Portfolio; (d) the acceptance of the Fund Deposit would have certain adverse tax consequences to the Portfolio; (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 Portfolio or the Advisor, have an adverse effect on the Portfolio or the rights of beneficial owners; (g) deemed appropriate, in the
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Portfolio’s sole discretion, on certain days that are holidays in non-U.S. markets, while not observed holidays in the U.S. equity market, in order to protect Portfolio shareholders from any dilutive costs that may be associated with the purchase of Deposit Securities in connection with creation orders on such days; or (h) in the event that circumstances outside the control of the Portfolio, the Distributor, the Transfer Agent or the Advisor make it for all practical purposes impossible to process creation orders. 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 Portfolio, Advisor, the Distributor, Transfer Agent, DTC, NSCC or any other participant in the creation process, and similar extraordinary events. The Transfer Agent shall notify a prospective creator of a Creation Unit and/or the Authorized Participant acting on behalf of the creator of a Creation Unit of the rejection of the order of such person. The Portfolios, Custodian, sub-custodian, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Fund Deposits nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give such notification.
Issuance of Creation Units. Except as provided herein, a Creation Unit will not be issued until the transfer of good title to the applicable Portfolio of the Deposit Securities and the payment of the Cash Component and applicable creation transaction fees have been completed. When the Custodian or applicable sub-custodian has confirmed that the securities included in the Fund Deposit (or the cash value thereof) have been delivered to the account of the Custodian or relevant sub-custodian(s), the Transfer Agent and the Advisor shall be notified of such delivery and the applicable Portfolio will issue and cause the delivery of the Creation Unit.
A Portfolio may issue Creation Units to such Authorized Participant, notwithstanding the fact that the corresponding Fund Deposits have not been received in part or in whole, in reliance on the undertaking of the Authorized Participant to deliver the missing Deposit Securities as soon as possible, which undertaking shall be secured by such Authorized Participant’s delivery and maintenance of collateral having a value at least equal to 105%, and up to 115%, of the value of the missing Deposit Securities, which percentage the Advisor may change at any time, in its sole discretion, of the value of the missing Deposit Securities. The Trust may use such cash deposit at any time to buy Deposit Securities for the Portfolio. The only collateral that is acceptable to a Portfolio is cash in U.S. dollars. Such cash collateral generally must be delivered no later than 2 p.m., Eastern Time, on the next Business Day after the Transmittal Date or such other time as designated by the Custodian. The Portfolio may buy the missing Deposit Securities at any time, and the Authorized Participant will be subject to liability for any shortfall between the cost to the Portfolio of purchasing such securities and the value of the cash collateral including, without limitation, liability for related brokerage, borrowings and other charges.
In certain cases, Authorized Participants may create and redeem Creation Units on the same trade date and in these instances, a Portfolio reserves the right to settle these transactions on a net basis or require a representation from the Authorized Participants that the creation and redemption transactions are for separate beneficial owners. All questions as to the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by the Portfolio and the Portfolio’s determination shall be final and binding.
Creation Transaction Fee. A standard creation transaction fee is imposed to offset the transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance of Creation Units. The standard creation transaction fee is charged to the Authorized Participant on the day such Authorized Participant creates a Creation Unit, and is the same, regardless of the number of Creation Units purchased by the Authorized Participant on the applicable Business Day. From time to time and for such periods as the Advisor may deem appropriate, the Advisor may increase, decrease or otherwise modify the creation transaction fee to an amount that, in its judgment, is necessary or appropriate to recoup for the Portfolios the costs it may incur as a result of such purchases, or to otherwise eliminate or reduce so far as practicable any dilution of the value of the Shares. The Authorized Participant may also be required to cover certain brokerage, tax, foreign exchange, execution, market impact and other costs and expenses related to the execution of trades resulting from such transaction (up to the maximum amount shown below). Authorized Participants will also bear the costs of transferring the Deposit Securities to a Portfolio. Investors who use the services of a broker or other financial intermediary to acquire Portfolio shares may be charged a fee for such services.
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The following table sets forth each Portfolio’s standard creation transaction fees and maximum additional charge (as described above):
Portfolio | Standard Creation Transaction Fee |
Maximum Additional Charge for Creations* |
Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF | $200 | 3% |
Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF | $200 | 3% |
Dimensional Inflation-Protected Securities ETF | $0 | 3% |
Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF | $200 | 3% |
* As a percentage of the NAV per Creation Unit.
If a purchase consists of a cash portion and the Portfolio places a brokerage transaction to purchase portfolio securities with the Authorized Participant or its affiliated broker-dealer, the Authorized Participant (or its affiliated broker-dealer) may be required, in its capacity as broker-dealer with respect to that transaction, to cover certain brokerage, tax, foreign exchange, execution, and price movement costs through a Price Guarantee, as described in the Brokerage Transactions section of this SAI.
Redemptions
Redemption of Creation Units. Shares may be redeemed only in Creation Units at their NAV next determined after receipt of a redemption request in proper form by the Transfer Agent and only on a Business Day. The Portfolios will not redeem Shares in amounts less than Creation Units. Beneficial owners must accumulate enough Shares in the secondary market to constitute a Creation Unit in order to have such Shares redeemed by a Portfolio. 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 Portfolio Shares to constitute a redeemable Creation Unit.
When in-kind redemptions are available or specified for a Portfolio, the redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit generally consist of a designated portfolio of investments including cash in lieu of all or a portion of such investments (“Fund Instruments”) plus or minus the Cash Component, as next determined after a receipt of a request in proper form, together with the applicable redemption transaction fees (as described below) and, if applicable, any operational processing and brokerage costs, transfer fees or stamp taxes. The Fund Instruments together with the Cash Component comprise the “Fund Redemption.” The Cash Component, also commonly referred to as the balancing amount, included in the Fund Redemption is a compensating cash payment equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the NAV attributable to a Creation Unit and (ii) the aggregate market value of the Fund Instruments (i.e., securities or other instruments in the in-kind redemption basket) and/or the cash in-lieu of all or a portion of the Fund Instruments. In the event that the Fund Instruments and the cash in lieu have a value greater than the NAV of the Portfolio Shares, the Cash Component is required to be paid by the redeeming shareholder. If the NAV attributable to a Creation Unit exceeds the market value of the Fund Instruments and the cash in-lieu amount, if any, the Portfolio pays the Cash Component to the redeeming shareholder.
Creation Units may also be redeemed partially or solely for cash. A Portfolio may pay out the proceeds of redemptions of Creation Unit solely in cash or through any combination of cash or securities. In addition, an investor may request a redemption in cash that the Portfolio 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 Portfolio next determined after the redemption request is received in proper form (minus applicable redemption transaction fees and an additional charge for requested cash redemptions specified below, to offset the brokerage and other transaction costs associated with the disposition of Fund Instruments). Proceeds will be paid to the Authorized Participant redeeming Shares on behalf of the redeeming investor as soon as practicable after the date of redemption. If the Authorized Participant acts as a broker for the Portfolio in connection with the sale of Fund Instruments, the Authorized Participant will also be required to pay certain brokerage commissions, taxes, and transaction and market impact costs.
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The Custodian, through the NSCC, makes available prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time) on each Business Day, the identity of the Fund Instruments and Cash Component that will be applicable (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day and subject to possible amendment or correction) to redemption requests received in proper form on that day. Fund Instruments received on redemption may not be identical to Deposit Securities that are applicable to creations of Creation Units.
The Portfolios reserve the right to deliver a nonconforming (i.e., custom) Fund Redemption. All questions as to the composition of the in-kind redemption basket to be included in the Fund Redemption shall be determined by the Trust, in accordance with applicable law, and the Trust’s determination shall be final and binding. The Portfolios reserve the right to make redemption payments in cash, in-kind or a combination of each.
Deliveries of Fund Redemptions will generally be made within two Business Days (“T+2”). However, the Portfolios reserve the right to settle redemption transactions on a basis other than T+2 if necessary or appropriate under the circumstances and consistent with applicable law. Delayed settlement may occur due to a number of different reasons, including, without limitation, settlement cycles for the underlying securities, unscheduled market closings, an effort to link distribution to dividend record dates and ex-dates and newly announced holidays. For example, the redemption settlement process may be extended beyond T+2 because of the occurrence of a holiday in a non-U.S. market or in the U.S. bond market that is not a holiday observed in the U.S. equity market. Additionally, each Portfolio reserves the right to settle redemption transactions on a basis other than T+2 if necessary or appropriate under the circumstances; provided, however, that the Portfolios will deliver the foreign investment(s) as soon as practicable, and in no event later than 15 days after the receipt of a redemption request.
Because the portfolio securities of a Portfolio may trade on exchange(s) on days that the Exchange is closed or are otherwise not Business Days for the Portfolio, investors may not be able purchase or sell shares of the Portfolio on the Exchange on days when the NAV of the Portfolio could be significantly affected by events in the relevant non-U.S. markets. The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed (i) for any period during which the NYSE is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (ii) for any period during which trading on the NYSE is suspended or restricted; (iii) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the Shares of a Portfolio or determination of a Portfolio’s NAV is not reasonably practicable; or (iv) in such other circumstances as is permitted by the SEC.
If an Authorized Participant has submitted a redemption request in proper form but is unable to transfer all or part of the Creation Unit to be redeemed to a Portfolio, at or prior to 2 p.m., Eastern Time, on the next Business Day after the Transmittal Date, the Transfer Agent may accept the redemption request in reliance on the undertaking by the Authorized Participant to deliver the missing Shares as soon as possible. Such undertaking shall be secured by the Authorized Participant’s delivery and maintenance of collateral consisting of cash, in U.S. dollars in immediately available funds, having a value at least equal to 105%, and up to 115%, of the value of the missing Shares, which percentage the Trust may change at any time, in its sole discretion, of the value of the missing Shares. Such cash collateral must be delivered no later than 2 p.m. Eastern on the next Business Day after the Transmittal Date and shall be held by the Custodian and marked-to-market daily. The fees of the Custodian and any sub-custodians in respect of the delivery, maintenance and redelivery of the cash collateral shall be payable by the Authorized Participant. The Portfolio may purchase missing Portfolio Shares or acquire the Fund Instruments and the Cash Component underlying such Shares, and the Authorized Participant will be subject to liability for any shortfall between the cost of the Portfolio acquiring such Shares, the Fund Instruments or Cash Component and the value of the cash collateral including, without limitation, liability for related brokerage and other charges.
Placement of Redemption Orders. Investors other than Authorized Participants are responsible for making arrangements for an order to redeem to be made through an Authorized Participant. An order to redeem Creation Units is deemed received by the Trust on the Transmittal Date if: (i) such order is received by the Transfer Agent not later than the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date; and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement and this Statement of Additional Information are properly followed. If the Transfer Agent does not receive the Shares through DTC by 2 p.m., Eastern Time, on the prescribed settlement date, the redemption request may be deemed rejected. Investors should be aware that the deadline for the transfers of shares through the DTC may be significantly earlier than the close of business on the NYSE.
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An order to redeem Creation Units made in proper form but received by the Trust after the Closing Time, will be deemed received on the next Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date and will be effected at the NAV next determined on such next Business Day. On days when the Exchange closes earlier than normal, orders to redeem Creation Units may need to be placed earlier in the day.
Redemption Transaction Fee. A standard redemption transaction fee is imposed to offset transfer and other transaction costs that may be incurred by a Portfolio. The standard redemption transaction fee is charged to the Authorized Participant on the day such Authorized Participant redeems a Creation Unit, and is the same regardless of the number of Creation Units redeemed by an Authorized Participant on the applicable Business Day. From time to time and for such periods as the Advisor may deem appropriate, the Advisor may increase, decrease or otherwise modify the redemption transaction fee to an amount that, in its judgment, is necessary or appropriate to recoup for the Portfolio the costs it may incur as a result of such redemption, or to otherwise eliminate or reduce so far as practicable any dilution of the value of the Shares. The Authorized Participant may also be required to cover certain brokerage, tax, foreign exchange, execution, market impact and other costs and expenses related to the execution of trades resulting from such transaction (up to the maximum amount shown below). Authorized Participants will also bear the costs of transferring the Fund Instruments from a Portfolio to their account on their order. Investors who use the services of a broker or other financial intermediary to dispose of Portfolio shares may be charged a fee for such services.
The following table sets forth each Portfolio’s standard redemption transaction fees and maximum additional charge (as described above):
Portfolio | Standard Redemption Transaction Fee |
Maximum Additional Charge for Redemptions* |
Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF | $200 | 2% |
Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF | $200 | 2% |
Dimensional Inflation-Protected Securities ETF | $0 | 2% |
Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF | $200 | 2% |
* As a percentage of the NAV per Creation Unit, inclusive of the standard redemption transaction fee.
If a redemption consists of a cash portion and a Portfolio places a brokerage transaction to sell portfolio securities with the Authorized Participant or its affiliated broker-dealer, the Authorized Participant (or its affiliated broker-dealer) may be required, in its capacity as broker-dealer with respect to that transaction, to cover certain brokerage, tax, foreign exchange, execution, and price movement costs through a Price Guarantee, as described in the Brokerage Transactions section of this SAI.
TAXATION OF THE PORTFOLIOS AND THEIR SHAREHOLDERS
The following is a summary of some of the federal income tax consequences of investing in a Portfolio (sometimes referred to as “the Portfolio”). Unless you are invested in the Portfolio through a qualified retirement plan, you should consider the tax implications of investing and consult your own tax advisor. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of the tax treatment of the Portfolio or its shareholders, and the discussion here and in the Prospectus is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning.
This “TAXATION OF THE PORTFOLIOS AND THEIR SHAREHOLDERS” section is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and applicable regulations in effect on the date of this SAI. Future legislative, regulatory or administrative changes, including provisions of current law that sunset and thereafter no longer apply, or court decisions may significantly change the tax rules applicable to the Portfolio and its shareholders. Any of these changes or court decisions may have a retroactive effect. For investors in the Municipal Bond ETF, the following discussion should be read in conjunction with the discussion below under the subheading, “Additional Tax Information With Respect To Municipal Bond ETF.”
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This is for general information only and not tax advice and does not purport to deal with all federal tax consequences applicable to all categories of investors, some of which may be subject to special rules. You should consult your own tax advisor regarding your particular circumstances before making an investment in the Portfolio.
Taxation of the Portfolio
The Portfolio intends to elect and qualify each year as a regulated investment company (sometimes referred to as a “regulated investment company,” “RIC” or “portfolio”) under Subchapter M of the Code. If the Portfolio qualifies, the Portfolio will not be subject to federal income tax on the portion of its investment company taxable income (that is, generally, taxable interest, dividends, net short-term capital gains, and other taxable ordinary income, net of expenses, without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) and net capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses) that it distributes.
Qualification as a regulated investment company. In order to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company, the Portfolio must satisfy the following requirements:
• | Distribution Requirement ¾ the Portfolio must distribute an amount equal to the sum of at least 90% of its investment company taxable income and 90% of its net tax-exempt income, if any, for the tax year (including, for purposes of satisfying this distribution requirement, certain distributions made by the Portfolio after the close of its taxable year that are treated as made during such taxable year). |
• | Income Requirement ¾ the Portfolio must derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, certain payments with respect to securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived from its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies and net income derived from qualified publicly traded partnerships (“QPTPs”). |
• | Asset Diversification Test ¾ the Portfolio must satisfy the following asset diversification test at the close of each quarter of the Portfolio’s tax year: (1) at least 50% of the value of the Portfolio’s assets must consist of cash and cash items, U.S. Government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and securities of other issuers (as to which the Portfolio has not invested more than 5% of the value of the Portfolio’s total assets in securities of an issuer and as to which the Portfolio does not hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer); and (2) no more than 25% of the value of the Portfolio’s total assets may be invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities or securities of other regulated investment companies) or of two or more issuers which the Portfolio controls and which are engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses, or, collectively, in the securities of one or more QPTPs. |
In some circumstances, the character and timing of income realized by the Portfolio for purposes of the Income Requirement or the identification of the issuer for purposes of the Asset Diversification Test is uncertain under current law with respect to a particular investment, and an adverse determination or future guidance by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) with respect to such type of investment may adversely affect the Portfolio’s ability to satisfy these requirements. See “Tax Treatment of Portfolio Transactions” below with respect to the application of these requirements to certain types of investments. In other circumstances, the Portfolio may be required to sell portfolio holdings in order to meet the Income Requirement, Distribution Requirement, or Asset Diversification Test which may have a negative impact on the Portfolio’s income and performance.
The Portfolio may use “equalization accounting” (in lieu of making some cash distributions) in determining the portion of its income and gains that has been distributed. If the Portfolio uses equalization accounting, it will allocate a portion of its undistributed investment company taxable income and net capital gain to redemptions of Portfolio shares and will correspondingly reduce the amount of such income and gains that it distributes in cash. If the IRS determines that the Portfolio’s allocation is improper and that the Portfolio has under-distributed its income and gain for any taxable year, the Portfolio may be liable for federal income and/or excise tax. If, as a result of such adjustment, the Portfolio fails to satisfy the Distribution Requirement, the Portfolio will not qualify that year as a regulated investment company, the effect of which is described in the following paragraph.
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If for any taxable year the Portfolio does not qualify as a regulated investment company, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) would be subject to tax at the corporate income tax rate without any deduction for dividends paid, and the dividends would be taxable to the shareholders as ordinary income (or possibly as qualified dividend income) to the extent of the Portfolio’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. Failure to qualify as a regulated investment company would thus have a negative impact on the Portfolio’s income and performance. Subject to savings provisions for certain inadvertent failures to satisfy the Income Requirement or Asset Diversification Test which, in general, are limited to those due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, it is possible that the Portfolio will not qualify as a regulated investment company in any given tax year. Even if such savings provisions apply, the Portfolio may be subject to a monetary sanction of $50,000 or more. Moreover, the Board reserves the right not to maintain the qualification of the Portfolio as a regulated investment company if it determines such a course of action to be beneficial to shareholders.
Portfolio turnover. For investors that hold their Portfolio shares in a taxable account, a high portfolio turnover rate may result in higher taxes. This is because a portfolio with a high turnover rate is likely to accelerate the recognition of capital gains and more of such gains are likely to be taxable as short-term rather than long-term capital gains in contrast to a comparable portfolio with a low turnover rate. Any such higher taxes would reduce the Portfolio’s after-tax performance. See “Taxation of Portfolio Distributions – Distributions of capital gains” below. For non-U.S. investors, any such acceleration of the recognition of capital gains that results in more short-term and less long-term capital gains being recognized by the Portfolio may cause such investors to be subject to increased U.S. withholding taxes. See “Non-U.S. Investors –Capital gain dividends and short-term capital gain dividends” below.
Capital loss carryovers. The capital losses of the Portfolio, if any, do not flow through to shareholders. Rather, the Portfolio may use its capital losses, subject to applicable limitations, to offset its capital gains without being required to pay taxes on or distribute such gains that are offset by the losses. If the Portfolio has a “net capital loss” (that is, capital losses in excess of capital gains), the excess (if any) of the Portfolio’s net short-term capital losses over its net long-term capital gains is treated as a short-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Portfolio’s next taxable year, and the excess (if any) of the Portfolio’s net long-term capital losses over its net short-term capital gains is treated as a long-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Portfolio’s next taxable year. Any such net capital losses of the Portfolio that are not used to offset capital gains may be carried forward indefinitely to reduce any future capital gains realized by the Portfolio in succeeding taxable years. The amount of capital losses that can be carried forward and used in any single year is subject to an annual limitation if there is a more than 50% “change in ownership” of the Portfolio. An ownership change generally results when shareholders owning 5% or more of the Portfolio increase their aggregate holdings by more than 50% over a three-year look-back period. An ownership change could result in capital loss carryovers being used at a slower rate, thereby reducing the Portfolio’s ability to offset capital gains with those losses. An increase in the amount of taxable gains distributed to the Portfolio’s shareholders could result from an ownership change. The Portfolio undertakes no obligation to avoid or prevent an ownership change, which can occur in the normal course of shareholder purchases and sales or as a result of engaging in a tax-free reorganization with another portfolio. Moreover, because of circumstances beyond the Portfolio’s control, there can be no assurance that the Portfolio will not experience, or has not already experienced, an ownership change.
Deferral of late year losses. The Portfolio may elect to treat part or all of any “qualified late year loss” as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year in determining the Portfolio’s taxable income, net capital gain, net short-term capital gain, and earnings and profits. The effect of this election is to treat any such “qualified late year loss” as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year in characterizing Portfolio distributions for any calendar year (see “Taxation of Portfolio Distributions – Distributions of capital gains” below). A “qualified late year loss” includes:
• | any net capital loss incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year, or, if there is no such loss, any net long-term capital loss or any net short-term capital loss incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year (“post-October capital losses”), and |
• | the sum of (1) the excess, if any, of (a) specified losses incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year, over (b) specified gains incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year and (2) the excess, if any, of (a) ordinary losses incurred after December 31 of the current taxable year, over (b) the ordinary income incurred after December 31 of the current taxable year. |
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The terms “specified losses” and “specified gains” mean ordinary losses and gains from the sale, exchange, or other disposition of property (including the termination of a position with respect to such property), foreign currency losses and gains, and losses and gains resulting from holding stock in a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) for which a mark-to-market election is in effect. The terms “ordinary losses” and “ordinary income” mean other ordinary losses and income that are not described in the preceding sentence. Since the Portfolio has a fiscal year ending in October, the amount of qualified late-year losses (if any) is computed without regard to any items of income, gain, or loss that are (a) post-October capital losses, (b) specified losses, and (c) specified gains.
Undistributed capital gains. The Portfolio may retain or distribute its net capital gain for each taxable year. The Portfolio currently intends to distribute net capital gains. If the Portfolio elects to retain its net capital gain, the Portfolio will be taxed thereon (except to the extent of any available capital loss carryovers) at the corporate income tax rate. If the Portfolio elects to retain its net capital gain, it is expected that the Portfolio also will elect to have shareholders treated as if each received a distribution of its pro rata share of such gain, with the result that each shareholder will be required to report its pro rata share of such gain on its tax return as long-term capital gain, will receive a refundable tax credit for its pro rata share of tax paid by the Portfolio on the gain, and will increase the tax basis for its shares by an amount equal to the deemed distribution less the tax credit.
Excise tax distribution requirements. To avoid a 4% nondeductible federal excise tax, the Portfolio must distribute by December 31 of each year an amount equal to at least: (1) 98% of its ordinary income for the calendar year, (2) 98.2% of capital gain net income (that is, the excess of the gains from sales or exchanges of capital assets over the losses from such sales or exchanges) for the one-year period ended on October 31 of such calendar year, and (3) any prior year undistributed ordinary income and capital gain net income. The Portfolio may elect to defer to the following year any net ordinary loss incurred for the portion of the calendar year which is after the beginning of the Portfolio’s taxable year. Also, the Portfolio will defer any “specified gain” or “specified loss” which would be properly taken into account for the portion of the calendar year after October 31. Any net ordinary loss, specified gain, or specified loss deferred shall be treated as arising on January 1 of the following calendar year. Generally, the Portfolio intends to make sufficient distributions prior to the end of each calendar year to avoid any material liability for federal income and excise tax, but can give no assurances that all or a portion of such liability will be avoided. In addition, under certain circumstances, temporary timing or permanent differences in the realization of income and expense for book and tax purposes can result in the Portfolio having to pay an excise tax.
Foreign income tax. Investment income received by the Portfolio from sources within foreign countries may be subject to foreign income tax withheld at the source and the amount of tax withheld generally will be treated as an expense of the Portfolio. Any foreign withholding taxes could reduce the Portfolio’s distributions. The United States has entered into tax treaties with many foreign countries which entitle the Portfolio to a reduced rate of, or exemption from, tax on such income. Some countries require the filing of a tax reclaim or other forms to receive the benefit of the reduced tax rate; whether or when the Portfolio will receive the tax reclaim is within the control of the individual country. Information required on these forms may not be available such as shareholder information; therefore, the Portfolio may not receive the reduced treaty rates or potential reclaims. Other countries have conflicting and changing instructions and restrictive timing requirements which may cause the Portfolio not to receive the reduced treaty rates or potential reclaims. Other countries may subject capital gains realized by the Portfolio on sale or disposition of securities of that country to taxation. It is impossible to determine the effective rate of foreign tax in advance since the amount of the Portfolio’s assets to be invested in various countries is not known. Under certain circumstances, the Portfolio may elect to pass-through foreign tax credits, although it reserves the right not to do so. In some instances it may be more costly to pursue tax reclaims than the value of the benefits received by the Portfolio. If the Portfolio makes such an election and obtains a refund of foreign taxes paid by the Portfolio in a prior year, the Portfolio may be eligible to reduce the amount of foreign taxes reported by the Portfolio to its shareholders, generally by the amount of the foreign taxes refunded, for the year in which the refund is received. See “Taxation of Portfolio Distributions – Pass-through of foreign tax credits” below.
Purchase of shares. As a result of tax requirements, the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio has the right to reject an order to purchase shares if the purchaser (or group of purchasers acting in concert with each other) would, upon obtaining the shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding shares of the Portfolio and if, pursuant to Sections 351 and 362 of the Code, the Portfolio would have a basis in the deposit securities different from the
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market value of such securities on the date of deposit. The Trust also has the right to require information necessary to determine beneficial share ownership for purposes of the 80% determination.
Taxation of Portfolio Distributions—All Portfolios
Taxable income dividends. The Portfolio may earn taxable income from many sources, including temporary investments, discount from stripped obligations or their coupons, income from securities loans or other taxable transactions, and ordinary income from the sale of market discount bonds. If you are a taxable investor, any distributions by the Portfolio from this income will be taxable to you as ordinary income, whether you receive them in cash or in additional shares.
Distributions of net investment income. The Portfolio receives ordinary income generally in the form of dividends and/or interest on its investments. The Portfolio may also recognize ordinary income from other sources, including, but not limited to, certain gains on foreign currency-related transactions. This income, less expenses incurred in the operation of the Portfolio, constitutes the Portfolio’s net investment income from which dividends may be paid. If you are a taxable investor, distributions of net investment income generally are taxable as ordinary income to the extent of the Portfolio’s earnings and profits. In the case of a Portfolio whose strategy includes investing in stocks of corporations, a portion of the income dividends paid by the Portfolio may be qualified dividends eligible to be taxed at reduced rates.
Distributions of capital gains. The Portfolio may realize a capital gain or loss in connection with sales or other dispositions of its portfolio securities. Distributions derived from the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss will be taxable to you as ordinary income. Distributions from the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss will be taxable to you as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long you have held your shares in the Portfolio. Any net capital gain of the Portfolio generally will be distributed once each year, and may be distributed more frequently, if necessary, to reduce or eliminate federal excise or income taxes on the Portfolio.
Returns of capital. Distributions by the Portfolio that are not paid from earnings and profits will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of (and in reduction of) the shareholder’s tax basis in his shares; any excess will be treated as gain from the sale of his shares. Thus, the portion of a distribution that constitutes a return of capital will decrease the shareholder’s tax basis in his Portfolio shares (but not below zero), and will result in an increase in the amount of gain (or decrease in the amount of loss) that will be recognized by the shareholder for tax purposes on the later sale of such Portfolio shares. Return of capital distributions can occur for a number of reasons including, among others, the Portfolio over-estimates the income to be received from certain investments such as those classified as partnerships or equity real estate investment trusts (“REITs”).
Qualified dividend income for individuals. Amounts reported by the Portfolio as derived from qualified dividend income will be taxed in the hands of individuals and other noncorporate shareholders at the rates applicable to long-term capital gain. “Qualified dividend income” means dividends paid to the Portfolio (a) by domestic corporations, (b) by foreign corporations that are either (i) incorporated in a possession of the United States, or (ii) are eligible for benefits under certain income tax treaties with the United States that include an exchange of information program, or (c) with respect to stock of a foreign corporation that is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. Both the Portfolio and the investor must meet certain holding period requirements to qualify Portfolio dividends for this treatment. Specifically, the Portfolio must hold the stock for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the stock becomes ex-dividend. Similarly, investors must hold their Portfolio shares for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the Portfolio distribution goes ex-dividend. Income derived from investments in derivatives, fixed-income securities, U.S. REITs, PFICs, and income received “in lieu of” dividends in a securities lending transaction generally is not eligible for treatment as qualified dividend income. Because the income of the Portfolios is derived primarily from interest on debt securities, none or only a small amount of a Portfolio’s dividends will be qualified dividend income. Income dividends from interest earned by the Portfolios on debt securities will continue to be taxed at the higher ordinary income tax rate.
Dividends-received deduction for corporations. For corporate shareholders, a portion of the dividends paid by the Portfolio may qualify for the 50% corporate dividends-received deduction. The portion of dividends paid by
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the Portfolio that so qualifies will be reported by the Portfolio each year and cannot exceed the gross amount of dividends received by the Portfolio from domestic (U.S.) corporations. The availability of the dividends-received deduction is subject to certain holding period and debt financing restrictions that apply to both the Portfolio and the investor. Specifically, the amount that the Portfolio may report as eligible for the dividends-received deduction will be reduced or eliminated if the shares on which the dividends earned by the Portfolio were debt-financed or held by the Portfolio for less than a minimum period of time, generally 46 days during a 91-day period beginning 45 days before the stock becomes ex-dividend. Similarly, if your Portfolio shares are debt-financed or held by you for less than a 46-day period then the dividends-received deduction for Portfolio dividends on your shares may also be reduced or eliminated. Income derived by the Portfolio from investments in derivatives, fixed-income and foreign securities generally is not eligible for this treatment. Because the income of the Portfolios is derived primarily from interest on debt securities, none or only a small amount of their distributions are expected to qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction.
Impact of realized but undistributed income and gains, and net unrealized appreciation of portfolio securities. At the time of your purchase of shares, the Portfolio’s NAV may reflect undistributed income, undistributed capital gains, or net unrealized appreciation of portfolio securities held by the Portfolio. A subsequent distribution of such amounts, although constituting a return of your investment, would be taxable, and would be taxed as ordinary income (some portion of which may be taxed as qualified dividend income), capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account. The Portfolio may be able to reduce the amount of such distributions from capital gains by utilizing its capital loss carryovers, if any.
Pass-through of foreign tax credits. If at the end of the fiscal year, more than 50% in value of the total assets of the Portfolio are invested in securities of foreign corporations, the Portfolio may elect to pass through to its shareholders their pro rata share of foreign income taxes paid by the Portfolio. If this election is made, the Portfolio may report more taxable income to you than it actually distributes. You will then be entitled either to deduct your share of these taxes in computing your taxable income or to claim a foreign tax credit for these taxes against your U.S. federal income tax (subject to limitations for certain shareholders). The Portfolio will provide the information necessary to claim this deduction or credit if it makes this election. No deduction for foreign tax may be claimed by a noncorporate shareholder who does not itemize deductions or who is subject to the alternative minimum tax. The Portfolio reserves the right not to pass through the amount of foreign income taxes paid by the Portfolio. Additionally, any foreign tax withheld on payments made “in lieu of” dividends or interest will not qualify for the pass-through of foreign tax credits. See “Tax Treatment of Portfolio Transactions – Securities lending” below.
U.S. Government securities. To the extent the Portfolio invests in certain U.S. Government obligations, dividends paid by the Portfolio that are derived from interest on these obligations should be exempt from state and local personal income taxes, subject in some states to minimum investment or reporting requirements that must be met by the Portfolio. The income on portfolio investments in certain securities, such as repurchase agreements, commercial paper and federal agency-backed obligations (e.g., Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) or Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) securities), generally does not qualify for tax-free treatment. The rules on exclusion of this income are different for corporate shareholders.
Information on the amount and tax character of distributions. You will be informed of the amount and character of distributions and the tax status of such distributions for federal income tax purposes shortly after the close of each calendar year. If you have not held Portfolio shares for a full year, the Portfolio may report and distribute, as ordinary income, qualified dividends, or capital gains, and in the case of non-U.S. shareholders the Portfolio may further report and distribute as interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends, a percentage of income that is not equal to the actual amount of such income earned during the period of your investment in the Portfolio. Taxable distributions declared by the Portfolio in October, November, or December to shareholders of record in such month, but paid in January, are taxable as if they were paid in December.
Medicare tax. A 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on net investment income earned by certain individuals, estates and trusts. “Net investment income,” for these purposes, means investment income, including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from the Portfolio and net gains from taxable dispositions of Portfolio shares, reduced by the deductions properly allocable to such income. In the case of an individual, the tax will be imposed on the lesser of (1) the shareholder’s net investment income or (2) the amount by which the
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shareholder’s modified adjusted gross income exceeds $250,000 (if the shareholder is married and filing jointly or a surviving spouse), $125,000 (if the shareholder is married and filing separately) or $200,000 (in any other case). Net investment income does not include exempt-interest dividends. This Medicare tax, if applicable, is reported by you on, and paid with, your federal income tax return.
Taxation of Portfolio Distributions—Municipal Bond ETF
The Municipal Bond ETF intends to qualify each year to pay exempt-interest dividends by satisfying the requirement that at the close of each quarter of the Portfolio’s taxable year at least 50% of the Portfolio’s total assets consists of municipal securities which are exempt from federal income tax. The Portfolio may also make taxable distributions.
Exempt-interest dividends. By meeting certain requirements of the Code, the Municipal Bond ETF qualifies to pay exempt-interest dividends to its shareholders. These dividends are derived from interest income exempt from regular federal income tax and are not subject to regular federal income tax when they are paid to shareholders. However, shareholders required to file a federal income tax return will be required to report the receipt of exempt-interest dividends on their returns. Exempt-interest dividends that are excluded from federal taxable income may still be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax for noncorporate shareholders. See the discussion below under the heading, “Alternative minimum tax.”
Exemption from state tax. To the extent that exempt-interest dividends are derived from interest on obligations of a state or its political subdivisions, or from interest on qualifying U.S. territorial obligations (including qualifying obligations of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam), they also may be exempt from that state’s personal income taxes. Shareholders in a qualified fund of funds that receive exempt-interest dividends should consult their own tax advisors as to whether such dividends are exempt from personal income tax in their state of residence. In addition, most states do not grant tax-free treatment to interest on state and municipal securities of other states.
Taxable income dividends. The Portfolio may earn taxable income from many sources, including temporary investments, discount from stripped obligations or their coupons, income from securities loans or other taxable transactions, and ordinary income from the sale of market discount bonds. If you are a taxable investor, any distributions by the Portfolio from this income will be taxable to you as ordinary income, whether you receive them in cash or in additional shares. (See discussion above under “Taxation of Portfolio Distributions - All Portfolios”.)
Redemption at a loss within six months of purchase. Any loss incurred on the redemption or exchange of shares held for six months or less will be disallowed to the extent of any exempt-interest dividends paid to you with respect to your Portfolio shares, and any remaining loss will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any long-term capital gain distributed to you by the Portfolio on those shares. However, this rule will not apply to any loss incurred on a redemption or exchange of shares of a portfolio that declares exempt-interest dividends daily and distributes them at least monthly for which your holding period begins after December 22, 2010.
Information on the amount and tax character of distributions. The Portfolio will inform you of the amount of your exempt-interest dividends, taxable ordinary income and capital gain dividends at the time they are paid, and will advise you of their tax status for federal income tax purposes shortly after the end of each calendar year, including the portion, if any, of the distributions that on average are comprised of taxable income or interest income that is a tax preference item when determining your alternative minimum tax. If you have not held Portfolio shares for a full year, the Portfolio may report and distribute to you, as taxable, as tax-exempt or as tax preference income, a percentage of income that is not equal to the actual amount of such income earned during the period of your investment in the Portfolio. Taxable distributions declared by the Portfolio in December to shareholders of record in such month, but paid in January, are taxed to you as if made in December.
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Alternative minimum tax. Interest on certain private activity bonds, while exempt from regular federal income tax, is a preference item for noncorporate shareholders when determining your alternative minimum tax under the Code and under the income tax provisions of several states. Private activity bond interest could subject you to or increase your liability under federal and state alternative minimum taxes, depending on your personal position. However, tax-exempt interest on private activity bonds issued in 2009 and 2010 is not an item of tax preference for purposes of the alternative minimum tax. If you are a person defined in the Code as a “substantial user” (or persons related to such users) of a facility financed by private activity bonds, you should consult with your tax advisor before buying shares of the Portfolio. The Portfolio does not currently intend to invest its assets in securities whose interest is subject to the federal alternative minimum tax.
Effect on taxation of social security benefits; denial of interest deduction; “substantial users.” Exempt-interest dividends must be taken into account in computing the portion, if any, of social security or railroad retirement benefits that must be included in an individual shareholder’s gross income subject to federal income tax. Interest on debt you incur to buy or hold shares of the Portfolio may not be deductible for federal income tax purposes. Indebtedness may be allocated to shares of the Portfolio even though not directly traceable to the purchase of such shares. Moreover, a shareholder who is (or is related to) a “substantial user” of a facility financed by industrial development bonds held by the Portfolio will likely be subject to tax on dividends paid by the Portfolio that are derived from interest on such bonds. Receipt of exempt-interest dividends may result in other collateral federal income tax consequences to certain taxpayers, including financial institutions, property and casualty insurance companies and foreign corporations engaged in a trade or business in the United States.
Loss of status of securities as tax-exempt. Failure of the issuer of a tax-exempt security to comply with certain legal or contractual requirements relating to the security could cause interest on the security, as well as Portfolio distributions derived from this interest, to become taxable, perhaps retroactively to the date the security was issued. In such a case, the Portfolio may be required to report to the IRS and send to shareholders amended Forms 1099 for a prior taxable year in order to report additional taxable income. This, in turn, could require shareholders to file amended federal and state income tax returns for such prior year to report and pay tax and interest on their pro rata share of the additional amount of taxable income.
Sales and Exchanges of Portfolio Shares
In general. If you are a taxable investor, sales and exchanges of Portfolio shares are taxable transactions for federal and state income tax purposes. If you sell your Portfolio shares, the IRS requires you to report any gain or loss on your sale. If you held your shares as a capital asset, the gain or loss that you realize will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term or short-term, generally depending on how long you have held your shares. Capital losses in any year are deductible only to the extent of capital gains plus, in the case of a noncorporate taxpayer, $3,000 of ordinary income.
Taxes on Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units. An Authorized Participant who exchanges securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or a loss. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time of purchase (plus any cash received by the Authorized Participant as part of the issue) and the Authorized Participant’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered (plus any cash paid by the Authorized Participant as part of the issue). An Authorized Participant who exchanges Creation Units for securities generally will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the Authorized Participant’s basis in the Creation Units (plus any cash paid by the Authorized Participant as part of the redemption) and the aggregate market value of the securities received (plus any cash received by the Authorized Participant as part of the redemption). The IRS, however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position. Persons exchanging securities should consult their own tax advisor with respect to whether wash sale rules apply and when a loss might be deductible.
Under current federal tax laws, any capital gain or loss realized upon redemption of Creation Units is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year and as a short-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for one year or less, assuming such Creation Units are held as a capital asset.
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If the Portfolio redeems Creation Units in cash, it may recognize more capital gains than it will if it redeems Creation Units in-kind.
Tax basis information. A shareholder’s cost basis information will be provided on the sale of any of the shareholder’s shares, subject to certain exceptions for exempt recipients. Please contact the broker (or other nominee) that holds your shares with respect to reporting of cost basis and available elections for your account.
Wash sales. All or a portion of any loss that you realize on a sale of your Portfolio shares will be disallowed to the extent that you buy other shares in the Portfolio (through reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within 30 days before or after your share redemption. Any loss disallowed under these rules will be added to your tax basis in the new shares.
Sales at a loss within six months of purchase. Any loss incurred on a sale of shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any long-term capital gain distributed to you on those shares.
Tax shelter reporting. Under Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to the Portfolio’s shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder (or certain greater amounts over a combination of years), the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
Tax Treatment of Portfolio Transactions
Set forth below is a general description of the tax treatment of certain types of securities, investment techniques and transactions that may apply to a portfolio and, in turn, affect the amount, character and timing of dividends and distributions payable by the portfolio to its shareholders. This section should be read in conjunction with the discussion in the Prospectus under “Principal Investment Strategies” and “Principal Risks” for a detailed description of the various types of securities and investment techniques that apply to the Portfolio.
In general. In general, gain or loss recognized by a portfolio on the sale or other disposition of portfolio investments will be a capital gain or loss. Such capital gain and loss may be long-term or short-term depending, in general, upon the length of time a particular investment position is maintained and, in some cases, upon the nature of the transaction. Property held for more than one year generally will be eligible for long-term capital gain or loss treatment. The application of certain rules described below may serve to alter the manner in which the holding period for a security is determined or may otherwise affect the characterization as long-term or short-term, and also the timing of the realization and/or character, of certain gains or losses.
Certain fixed-income investments. Gain recognized on the disposition of a debt obligation purchased by a portfolio at a market discount (generally, at a price less than its principal amount) will be treated as ordinary income to the extent of the portion of the market discount that accrued during the period of time the portfolio held the debt obligation unless the portfolio made a current inclusion election to accrue market discount into income as it accrues. If a portfolio purchases a debt obligation (such as a zero coupon security or pay-in-kind security) that was originally issued at a discount, the portfolio generally is required to include in gross income each year the portion of the original issue discount that accrues during such year. Therefore, a portfolio’s investment in such securities may cause the portfolio to recognize income and make distributions before it receives any cash payments on the securities. To generate cash to satisfy those distribution requirements, a portfolio may have to sell portfolio securities that it otherwise might have continued to hold or to use cash flows from other sources such as the sale of portfolio shares.
Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or in default present tax issues for a portfolio. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as whether and to what extent a portfolio should recognize market discount on a debt obligation, when a portfolio may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent a portfolio may take deductions for bad debts or worthless securities and how a portfolio should
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allocate payments received on obligations in default between principal and income. These and other related issues will be addressed by a portfolio in order to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a regulated investment company.
Options, futures, forward contracts, swap agreements and hedging transactions. In general, option premiums received by a portfolio are not immediately included in the income of the portfolio. Instead, the premiums are recognized when the option contract expires, the option is exercised by the holder, or the portfolio transfers or otherwise terminates the option (e.g., through a closing transaction). If an option written by a portfolio is exercised and the portfolio sells or delivers the underlying stock, the portfolio generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to (a) sum of the strike price and the option premium received by the portfolio minus (b) the portfolio’s basis in the stock. Such gain or loss generally will be short-term or long-term depending upon the holding period of the underlying stock. If securities are purchased by a portfolio pursuant to the exercise of a put option written by it, the portfolio generally will subtract the premium received from its cost basis in the securities purchased. The gain or loss with respect to any termination of a portfolio’s obligation under an option other than through the exercise of the option and related sale or delivery of the underlying stock generally will be short-term gain or loss depending on whether the premium income received by the portfolio is greater or less than the amount paid by the portfolio (if any) in terminating the transaction. Thus, for example, if an option written by a portfolio expires unexercised, the portfolio generally will recognize short-term gain equal to the premium received.
The tax treatment of certain futures contracts entered into by a portfolio as well as listed non-equity options written or purchased by the portfolio on U.S. exchanges (including options on futures contracts, broad-based equity indices and debt securities) may be governed by section 1256 of the Code (“section 1256 contracts”). Gains or losses on section 1256 contracts generally are considered 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gains or losses (“60/40”), although certain foreign currency gains and losses from such contracts may be treated as ordinary in character. Also, any section 1256 contracts held by a portfolio at the end of each taxable year (and, for purposes of the 4% excise tax, on certain other dates as prescribed under the Code) are “marked to market” with the result that unrealized gains or losses are treated as though they were realized and the resulting gain or loss is treated as ordinary or 60/40 gain or loss, as applicable. Section 1256 contracts do not include any interest rate swap, currency swap, basis swap, interest rate cap, interest rate floor, commodity swap, equity swap, equity index swap, credit default swap, or similar agreement.
In addition to the special rules described above in respect of options and futures transactions, a portfolio’s transactions in other derivative instruments (including options, forward contracts and swap agreements) as well as its other hedging, short sale, or similar transactions, may be subject to one or more special tax rules (including the constructive sale, notional principal contract, straddle, wash sale and short sale rules). These rules may affect whether gains and losses recognized by a portfolio are treated as ordinary or capital or as short-term or long-term, accelerate the recognition of income or gains to the portfolio, defer losses to the portfolio, and cause adjustments in the holding periods of the portfolio’s securities. These rules, therefore, could affect the amount, timing and/or character of distributions. Moreover, because the tax rules applicable to derivative financial instruments are in some cases uncertain under current law, an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to these rules (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may affect whether a portfolio has made sufficient distributions and otherwise satisfied the relevant requirements to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company and avoid a portfolio-level tax.
Certain of a portfolio’s investments in derivatives and foreign currency-denominated instruments, and the portfolio’s transactions in foreign currencies and hedging activities, may produce a difference between its book income and its taxable income. If a portfolio’s book income is less than the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income (if any), the portfolio could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a regulated investment company. If a portfolio’s book income exceeds the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income (if any), the distribution of any such excess will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the portfolio’s remaining earnings and profits (including current earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt income, reduced by related deductions), (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.
Foreign currency transactions. A portfolio’s transactions in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated debt obligations and certain foreign currency options, futures contracts and forward contracts (and
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similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned. This treatment could increase or decrease a portfolio’s ordinary income distributions, and may cause some or all of the portfolio’s previously distributed income to be classified as a return of capital. In certain cases, a portfolio may make an election to treat such gain or loss as capital.
Securities lending. While securities are loaned out by a portfolio, the portfolio generally will receive from the borrower amounts equal to any dividends or interest paid on the borrowed securities. For federal income tax purposes, payments made “in lieu of” dividends are not considered dividend income. These distributions will neither qualify for the reduced rate of taxation for individuals on qualified dividends nor the 50% dividends-received deduction for corporations. Also, any foreign tax withheld on payments made “in lieu of” dividends or interest will not qualify for the pass-through of foreign tax credits to shareholders. Additionally, in the case of a portfolio with a strategy of investing in tax-exempt securities, any payments made “in lieu of” tax-exempt interest will be considered taxable income to the portfolio, and thus, to the investors, even though such interest may be tax-exempt when paid to the borrower.
Investments in convertible securities. Convertible debt is ordinarily treated as a “single property” consisting of a pure debt interest until conversion, after which the investment becomes an equity interest. If the security is issued at a premium (i.e., for cash in excess of the face amount payable on retirement), the creditor-holder may amortize the premium over the life of the bond. If the security is issued for cash at a price below its face amount, the creditor-holder must accrue original issue discount in income over the life of the debt. The creditor-holder’s exercise of the conversion privilege is treated as a nontaxable event. Mandatorily convertible debt (e.g., an exchange-traded note or ETN issued in the form of an unsecured obligation that pays a return based on the performance of a specified market index, exchange currency, or commodity) is often, but not always, treated as a contract to buy or sell the reference property rather than debt. Similarly, convertible preferred stock with a mandatory conversion feature is ordinarily, but not always, treated as equity rather than debt. Dividends received generally are qualified dividend income and eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction. In general, conversion of preferred stock for common stock of the same corporation is tax-free. Conversion of preferred stock for cash is a taxable redemption. Any redemption premium for preferred stock that is redeemable by the issuing company might be required to be amortized under original issue discount principles.
Investments in securities of uncertain tax character. A portfolio may invest in securities the U.S. federal income tax treatment of which may not be clear or may be subject to recharacterization by the IRS. To the extent the tax treatment of such securities or the income from such securities differs from the tax treatment expected by a portfolio, it could affect the timing or character of income recognized by the fund, requiring the portfolio to purchase or sell securities, or otherwise change its portfolio, in order to comply with the tax rules applicable to regulated investment companies under the Code.
Pre-refunded municipal securities. A portfolio may invest in pre-refunded municipal securities. For purposes of the Asset Diversification Test, a portfolio’s investment in pre-refunded municipal securities backed by U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities will be considered an investment in the respective U.S. Treasury and Agency Securities that were deposited in the escrow account for the securities. The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act repeals the exclusion from gross income for interest on pre-refunded municipal securities effective for such bonds issued after Dec. 31, 2017.
Backup Withholding
By law, a withholding of tax may apply to your taxable dividends and sales proceeds unless you:
• | provide your correct social security or taxpayer identification number, |
• | certify that this number is correct, |
• | certify that you are not subject to backup withholding, and |
• | certify that you are a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien). |
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Withholding also is imposed if the IRS requires it. When withholding is required, the amount will be 24% of any distributions or proceeds paid. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS. Certain payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding and information reporting. The special U.S. tax certification requirements applicable to non-U.S. investors to avoid backup withholding are described under the “Non-U.S. Investors” heading below.
Non-U.S. Investors
Non-U.S. investors (shareholders who, as to the United States, are nonresident alien individuals, foreign trusts or estates, foreign corporations, or foreign partnerships) may be subject to U.S. withholding and estate tax and are subject to special U.S. tax certification requirements. Non-U.S. investors should consult their tax advisors about the applicability of U.S. tax withholding and the use of the appropriate forms to certify their status.
In general. The United States imposes a withholding tax at the 30% statutory rate (or at a lower rate if you are a resident of a country that has a tax treaty with the U.S.) on U.S. source dividends, including on income dividends paid to you by the Portfolio. Exemptions from this U.S. withholding tax are provided for exempt interest dividends, capital gain dividends paid by the Portfolio from its net long-term capital gains, interest-related dividends paid by the Portfolio from its qualified net interest income from U.S. sources and short-term capital gain dividends. However, notwithstanding such exemptions from U.S. withholding at the source, any dividends and distributions of income and capital gains, including the proceeds from the sale of your Portfolio shares, will be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 24% if you fail to properly certify that you are not a U.S. person.
Capital gain dividends and short-term capital gain dividends. In general, (i) a capital gain dividend reported by the Portfolio to shareholders as paid from its net long-term capital gains or (ii) a short-term capital gain dividend reported by the Portfolio to shareholders as paid from its net short-term capital gains, other than long- or short-term capital gains realized on the disposition of certain U.S. real property interests, are not subject to U.S. withholding tax unless you are a nonresident alien individual present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the calendar year.
Interest-related dividends. Dividends reported by the Portfolio to shareholders as interest-related dividends and paid from its qualified net interest income from U.S. sources are not subject to U.S. withholding tax. “Qualified interest income” includes, in general, U.S. source (1) bank deposit interest, (2) short-term original discount, (3) interest (including original issue discount, market discount, or acquisition discount) on an obligation which is in registered form, unless it is earned on an obligation issued by a corporation or partnership in which the Portfolio is a 10-percent shareholder or is contingent interest, and (4) any interest-related dividend from another regulated investment company. On any payment date, the amount of an income dividend that is reported by the Portfolio to shareholders as an interest-related dividend may be more or less than the amount that is so qualified. This is because the reporting of interest-related dividends is based on an estimate of the Portfolio’s qualified net interest income for its entire fiscal year, which can only be determined with exactness at fiscal year-end. As a consequence, the Portfolio may over withhold a small amount of U.S. tax from a dividend payment. In this case, the non-U.S. investor’s only recourse may be to either forgo recovery of the excess withholding or to file a United States nonresident income tax return to recover the excess withholding.
Exempt-interest dividends. Exempt-interest dividends reported by the Portfolio to shareholders as paid from interest earned on municipal securities are not subject to U.S. withholding tax.
Further limitations on tax reporting for interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends for non-U.S. investors. It may not be practical in every case for the Portfolio to report to shareholders, and the Portfolio reserves the right in these cases to not report, small amounts of interest-related dividends or short-term capital gain dividends. Additionally, the Portfolio’s reporting of interest-related dividends or short-term capital gain dividends may not be passed through to shareholders by intermediaries who have assumed tax reporting responsibilities for this income in managed or omnibus accounts due to systems limitations or operational constraints.
Net investment income from dividends on stock and foreign source interest income continue to be subject to withholding tax; foreign tax credits. Ordinary dividends paid by the Portfolio to non-U.S. investors on the income
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earned on portfolio investments in (i) the stock of domestic and foreign corporations, and (ii) the debt of foreign issuers continue to be subject to U.S. withholding tax. Foreign shareholders may be subject to U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30% on the income resulting from an election to pass-through foreign tax credits to shareholders, but may not be able to claim a credit or deduction with respect to the withholding tax for the foreign tax treated as having been paid by them.
Income effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. If the income from the Portfolio is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a foreign shareholder, then ordinary income dividends, capital gain dividends and any gains realized upon the sale of shares of the Portfolio will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. citizens or domestic corporations and require the filing of a nonresident U.S. income tax return.
U.S. estate tax. Transfers by gift of shares of the Portfolio by a foreign shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual will not be subject to U.S. federal gift tax. An individual who, at the time of death, is a non-U.S. shareholder will nevertheless be subject to U.S. federal estate tax with respect to Portfolio shares at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens and residents, unless a treaty exemption applies. If a treaty exemption is available, a decedent’s estate may nonetheless need to file a U.S. estate tax return to claim the exemption in order to obtain a U.S. federal transfer certificate. The transfer certificate will identify the property (i.e., Portfolio shares) as to which the U.S. federal estate tax lien has been released. In the absence of a treaty, there is a $13,000 statutory estate tax credit (equivalent to U.S. situs assets with a value of $60,000). For estates with U.S. situs assets of not more than $60,000, an affidavit from an appropriate individual evidencing that decedent’s U.S. situs assets are below this threshold amount may be sufficient to transfer Portfolio shares.
U.S. tax certification rules. Special U.S. tax certification requirements may apply to non-U.S. shareholders both to avoid U.S. backup withholding imposed at a rate of 24% and to obtain the benefits of any treaty between the United States and the shareholder’s country of residence. In general, if you are a non-U.S. shareholder, you must provide a Form W-8BEN (or other applicable Form W-8) to establish that you are not a U.S. person, to claim that you are the beneficial owner of the income and, if applicable, to claim a reduced rate of, or exemption from, withholding as a resident of a country with which the United States has an income tax treaty. A Form W-8BEN provided without a U.S. taxpayer identification number will remain in effect for a period beginning on the date signed and ending on the last day of the third succeeding calendar year unless an earlier change of circumstances makes the information on the form incorrect. Certain payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding.
The tax consequences to a non-U.S. shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of an applicable tax treaty may be different from those described herein. Non-U.S. shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Portfolio, including the applicability of foreign tax.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”). Under FATCA, a 30% withholding tax is imposed on the income dividends made by the Portfolio to certain foreign entities, referred to as foreign financial institutions (“FFI”) or non-financial foreign entities (“NFFE”). After December 31, 2018, FATCA withholding also would have applied to certain capital gain distributions, return of capital distributions, and the proceeds arising from the sale of Portfolio shares; however, based on proposed regulations issued by the IRS, which can be relied upon currently, such withholding is no longer required unless final regulations provide otherwise (which is not expected). The FATCA withholding tax generally can be avoided: (a) by an FFI, if it reports certain direct and indirect ownership of foreign financial accounts held by U.S. persons with the FFI and (b) by an NFFE, if it: (i) certifies that it has no substantial U.S. persons as owners or (ii) if it does have such owners, reporting information relating to them. The U.S. Treasury has negotiated intergovernmental agreements (“IGA”) with certain countries and is in various stages of negotiations with a number of other foreign countries with respect to one or more alternative approaches to implement FATCA; an entity in one of those countries may be required to comply with the terms of an IGA instead of U.S. Treasury regulations.
An FFI can avoid FATCA withholding if it is deemed compliant or by becoming a “participating FFI,” which requires the FFI to enter into a U.S. tax compliance agreement with the IRS under section 1471(b) of the Code (“FFI agreement”) under which it agrees to verify, report and disclose certain of its U.S. accountholders and meet certain other specified requirements. The FFI will either report the specified information about the U.S.
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accounts to the IRS, or, to the government of the FFI’s country of residence (pursuant to the terms and conditions of applicable law and an applicable IGA entered into between the U.S. and the FFI’s country of residence), which will, in turn, report the specified information to the IRS. An FFI that is resident in a country that has entered into an IGA with the U.S. to implement FATCA will be exempt from FATCA withholding provided that the FFI shareholder and the applicable foreign government comply with the terms of such agreement.
An NFFE that is the beneficial owner of a payment from the Portfolio can avoid the FATCA withholding tax generally by certifying that it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or by providing the name, address and taxpayer identification number of each substantial U.S. owner. The NFFE will report the information to the Portfolio or other applicable withholding agent, which will, in turn, report the information to the IRS.
Such foreign shareholders also may fall into certain exempt, excepted or deemed compliant categories as established by U.S. Treasury regulations, IGAs, and other guidance regarding FATCA. An FFI or NFFE that invests in the Portfolio will need to provide documentation properly certifying the entity’s status under FATCA in order to avoid FATCA withholding. Non-U.S. investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the impact of these requirements on their investment in the Portfolio. The requirements imposed by FATCA are different from, and in addition to, the U.S. tax certification rules to avoid backup withholding described above. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of these requirements to their own situation.
Effect of Future Legislation; Local Tax Considerations
The foregoing general discussion of U.S. federal income tax consequences is based on the Code and the regulations issued thereunder as in effect on the date of this SAI. Future legislative or administrative changes, including provisions of current law that sunset and thereafter no longer apply, or court decisions may significantly change the conclusions expressed herein, and any such changes or decisions may have a retroactive effect with respect to the transactions contemplated herein. Rules of state and local taxation of ordinary income, qualified dividend income and capital gain dividends may differ from the rules for U.S. federal income taxation described above. Distributions may also be subject to additional state, local and foreign taxes depending on each shareholder’s particular situation. Non-U.S. shareholders may be subject to U.S. tax rules that differ significantly from those summarized above. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors as to the consequences of these and other state and local tax rules affecting investment in the Portfolio.
PROXY VOTING POLICIES
The Board of Trustees of the Trust has delegated the authority to vote proxies for the portfolio securities held by the Portfolios to the Advisor in accordance with the Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (the “Voting Policies”) and Proxy Voting Guidelines (“Voting Guidelines”) adopted by the Advisor. A concise summary of the Voting Guidelines is provided in an Appendix to this SAI.
The Investment Committee at the Advisor is generally responsible for overseeing the Advisor’s proxy voting process. The Investment Committee has formed the Investment Stewardship Committee (the “Committee”) composed of certain officers, directors and other personnel of the Advisor and has delegated to its members authority to (i) oversee the voting of proxies and third-party proxy service providers, (ii) make determinations as to how to vote certain specific proxies, (iii) verify ongoing compliance with the Voting Policies, (iv) receive reports on the review of the third-party proxy service providers, and (v) review the Voting Policies from time to time and recommend changes to the Investment Committee. The Committee may designate one or more of its members to oversee specific, ongoing compliance with respect to the Voting Policies and may designate personnel of the Advisor to vote proxies on behalf of the Portfolios, such as authorized traders of the Advisor.
The Advisor seeks to vote (or refrains from voting) proxies for the Portfolios in a manner that the Advisor determines is in the best interests of the Portfolios and which seeks to maximize the value of the Portfolios’ investments, subject to the standards of legal and regulatory regimes, applicable to the Advisor or the Portfolios, and any particular investment or voting guidelines of specific funds or accounts. Generally, the Advisor analyzes proxy statements on behalf of the Portfolios and instructs the vote (or refrains from voting) in accordance with the Voting Policies, Voting Guidelines or procedures. Most proxies the Advisor receives are instructed to be voted in accordance with the Voting Guidelines, and when proxies are voted consistently with such guidelines or procedures,
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the Advisor considers such votes not to be affected by conflicts of interest. However, the Voting Policies do address the procedures to be followed if a potential or actual conflict of interest arises between the interests of the Portfolios, and the interests of the Advisor or its affiliates. If a Committee member has actual knowledge of a conflict of interest and recommends a vote contrary to the Voting Guidelines or procedures (or in the case where the Voting Guidelines or procedures do not prescribe a particular vote and the proposed vote is contrary to the recommendation of third-party proxy service providers), the Committee member will bring the vote to the Committee which will (a) determine how the vote should be cast keeping in mind the principle of preserving shareholder value, or (b) determine to abstain from voting, unless abstaining would be materially adverse to the interest of the Portfolios. To the extent the Committee makes a determination regarding how to vote or to abstain for a proxy on behalf of a Portfolio in the circumstances described in this paragraph, the Advisor will report annually on such determinations to the Board of Trustees of the Trust. To avoid certain potential conflicts of interest, the Advisor generally will employ mirror voting, if possible, when a Portfolio invests in another portfolio (an “Acquired Fund”) in reliance on any one of Sections 12(d)(1)(E), 12(d)(1)(F) or 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act, related rules thereunder (including Rule 12d1-1 or Rule 12d1-4 under the 1940 Act), or pursuant to an SEC exemptive order thereunder, unless otherwise required by applicable law or regulation. Mirror voting means that the Advisor will vote the shares in the same proportion as the vote of all of the other holders of the Acquired Fund’s shares. With respect to instances when a Portfolio invests in an Acquired Fund in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act, related rules thereunder (including Rule 12d1-1 or Rule 12d1-4), or pursuant to an SEC exemptive order thereunder, and there are no other unaffiliated shareholders also invested in the Acquired Fund, the Advisor will vote in accordance with the recommendation of such Acquired Fund’s board of trustees or directors, unless otherwise required by applicable law or regulation. With respect to instances when a Portfolio invests in an Acquired Fund in reliance on Sections 12(d)(1)(E) or 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act and there are no other unaffiliated shareholders also invested in the Acquired Fund, the Advisor will employ pass-through voting, unless otherwise required by applicable law or regulation. In “pass-through voting,” the investing Portfolio will solicit voting instructions from its shareholders as to how to vote on the Acquired Fund’s proposals.
The Advisor will usually instruct voting of proxies in accordance with the Voting Guidelines. The Voting Guidelines provide a framework for analysis and decision making, however, the Voting Guidelines do not address all potential issues. In order to be able to address all the relevant facts and circumstances related to a proxy vote, the Advisor reserves the right to instruct votes that deviate from the Voting Guidelines if, after a review of the matter, the Advisor believes that the best interests of a Portfolio would be served by, or applicable legal and fiduciary standards require, such a vote. In such a circumstance, the analysis will be documented in writing and periodically presented to the Committee for review. To the extent that the Voting Guidelines do not cover potential voting issues, the Advisor may consider the spirit of the Guidelines and applicable legal standards and instruct the vote on such issues in a manner that the Advisor believes would be in the best interests of a Portfolio.
In some cases, the Advisor may determine that it is in the best interests of a Portfolio to refrain from exercising proxy voting rights. The Advisor may determine that voting is not in the best interest of a Portfolio and refrain from voting if the costs, including the opportunity costs, of voting would, in the view of the Advisor, exceed the expected benefits of voting. For securities on loan, the Advisor will balance the revenue-producing value of loans against the difficult-to-assess value of casting votes. It is the Advisor’s belief that the expected value of casting a vote generally will be less than the securities lending income, either because the votes will not have significant economic consequences or because the outcome of the vote would not be affected by the Advisor recalling loaned securities for voting. The Advisor does intend to recall securities on loan if based upon information in the Advisor’s possession, it determines that voting the securities is likely to materially affect the value of a Portfolio’s investment and that it is in the Portfolio’s best interests to do so. In cases where the Advisor does not receive a solicitation or enough information within a sufficient time (as reasonably determined by the Advisor) prior to the proxy-voting deadline, the Advisor or its service provider may be unable to vote.
With respect to non-U.S. securities, it may be both difficult and costly to vote proxies due to local regulations, customs, and other requirements or restrictions. The Advisor does not intend to vote proxies of non-U.S. companies if the Advisor determines that the expected economic costs from voting outweigh the anticipated economic benefit to a Portfolio associated with voting. The Advisor intends to make its determination on whether to vote proxies of non-U.S. companies on a portfolio-by-portfolio basis. In doing so, the Advisor evaluates market requirements and impediments to voting proxies of companies in a country. The Advisor periodically reviews voting logistics, including costs and other voting difficulties, on a portfolio by portfolio and country by country
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basis, in order to determine if there have been any material changes that would affect the Advisor’s determinations and procedures. In the event the Advisor is made aware of and believes an issue to be voted is likely to materially affect the economic value of a Portfolio that its vote is reasonably likely to be determinative of the outcome of the contest, and the expected benefits of voting the proxies exceed the costs, the Advisor will make reasonable efforts to vote such proxies.
The Advisor may take social or sustainability issues into account when voting proxies for portfolios that do not consider social or sustainability issues in their design, such as the Portfolios, if the Advisor believes that doing so is in the best interest of the portfolio and is otherwise consistent with applicable law and the Advisor’s duties, such as where material environmental or social risks may have economic ramifications for shareholders.
The Advisor has retained certain third-party proxy voting service providers (“Proxy Service Firms”) to provide information on shareholder meeting dates and proxy materials; translate proxy materials printed in a foreign language; provide research on proxy proposals; operationally process votes in accordance with the Voting Guidelines on behalf of the Portfolios; and provide reports concerning the proxies voted (“Proxy Voting Services”). Although the Advisor retains third-party service providers for Proxy Voting Services, the Advisor remains responsible for proxy voting decisions and making such decisions in accordance with its fiduciary duties. The Advisor has designed Voting Policies to prudently select, oversee and evaluate Proxy Service Firms consistent with the Advisor’s fiduciary duties, including with respect to the matters described below, which Proxy Service Firms have been engaged to provide Proxy Voting Services to support the Advisor’s voting in accordance with the Voting Policies. Prior to the selection of a new Proxy Service Firm and annually thereafter or more frequently if deemed necessary by the Advisor, the Committee will consider whether the Proxy Service Firm (i) has the capacity and competency to timely and adequately analyze proxy issues and provide the Proxy Voting Services the Proxy Service Firm has been engaged to provide and (ii) can make its recommendations in an impartial manner and in the best interests of the Advisor’s clients, and consistent with the Advisor’s Voting Policies and fiduciary duties.
In the event that the Voting Guidelines are not implemented precisely as the Advisor intends because of the actions or omissions of any third party service providers, custodians or sub-custodians or other agents or any such persons experience any irregularities (e.g., misvotes or missed votes), then such instances will not necessarily be deemed by the Advisor as a breach of the Voting Policies.
Information regarding how each of the Portfolios voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the 12 month period ended June 30 of each year is available, no later than August 31 of each year, without charge, (i) on the Advisor’s website at http://us.dimensional.com/about-us/investment-stewardship and (ii) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
On each Business Day, prior to the opening of regular trading on its primary listing exchange, each Portfolio discloses on its website the portfolio holdings that will form the basis of the Portfolio’s next NAV per share calculation as required by Rule 6c-11. In addition, portfolio holdings information may also be made available to certain entities, including Trust service providers and institutional market participants, as described below.
Basket Composition Files
The Portfolios may make available through the facilities of the NSCC or through posting on a Portfolio’s publicly available website, prior to the opening of trading on each business day, a basket composition file, which includes the security names and share quantities to deliver in exchange for Shares, together with estimates and actual cash components.
Authorized Participants and Institutional Market Participants
The Advisor may provide certain information concerning a Portfolio’s portfolio holdings to certain entities (defined below) in a format not available to other current or prospective Portfolio shareholders in connection with the dissemination of information necessary for transactions in Creation Units, as contemplated by Rule 6c-11 under the 1940 Act. The “entities” referred to are generally limited to NSCC members and subscribers to various fee-based
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subscription services, including Authorized Participants and other institutional market participants and entities that provide information services. This information may or may not reflect the pro rata composition of a Portfolio’s portfolio holdings.
Third-Party Service Providers
Certain portfolio holdings information may be disclosed to third-party service providers to the Trust (e.g., the Trust’s auditors, legal counsel, administrator, custodian, transfer agent) subject to appropriates confidentiality agreements with such service providers, as may be necessary to conduct business in the ordinary course in a manner consistent with applicable policies, agreements with the Portfolios, the terms of the current registration statements and federal securities laws and regulations thereunder. From time to time, and in the ordinary course of business, such information may also be disclosed, subject to appropriate confidentiality agreements, to other entities that provide services to the Portfolios, including pricing information vendors, and third parties that deliver analytical, statistical or consulting services to a Portfolio. The information is generally provided to such service providers after it has been disseminated to the NSCC.
Additional Communications
In addition to the daily posting of portfolio holdings discussed above, the Portfolios may also directly provide such portfolio holdings, or information derived from such portfolio holdings, to parties who specifically request it, provided that: (i) the availability of the Portfolios’ portfolio holdings is disclosed in the Portfolios’ registration statement, as required by applicable law, as well as on the Portfolios’ website; (ii) the Advisor determines that such disclosure is in the best interests of Portfolio shareholders; (iii) such information is made equally available to anyone requesting it; and (iv) it is determined that the disclosure does not present the risk of such information being used to trade against the Portfolios as the holdings information for the Portfolios is publicly disclosed on the Portfolios’ website daily, and no party is receiving an advantage over another.
The Portfolios do not selectively disclose non-public holdings information to third parties other than those disclosed above. If the Portfolios do selectively disclose holdings information the following procedures will be followed. The Head of the Global Client Group and the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (“Designated Persons”) or a delegate of the same, respectively, together may authorize the selective disclosure of non-public holdings information of the Portfolios to those entities (each a “Recipient”) who (1) specifically request the non-public holdings information for a purpose which the Designated Persons determine is consistent with a Portfolio’s legitimate business purpose, (2) the Designated Persons determine that such disclosure is in the best interest of the Portfolio’s shareholders and (3) in making such disclosure, no conflict exists between the Portfolio’s shareholders and those of the Advisor or the Trust’s principal underwriter. Prior to receiving non-public holdings information, a Recipient will execute a use and non-disclosure agreement and abide by its trading restrictions. The Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer or a delegate of the same will review and approve any delegates named by Designated Persons and will maintain list of the same.
SECURITIES LENDING
The Board of the Portfolios has approved their participation in a securities lending program. Under the securities lending program, Citibank, N.A. serves as the securities lending agent for the Portfolios.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the income earned by the Portfolios, as well as the fees and/or compensation paid by the Portfolios (in dollars) pursuant to a securities lending agency/authorization agreement between the Portfolios and Citibank, N.A. (the “Securities Lending Agent”), were as follows:
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Fees and/or compensation for securities lending activities and related services: | |||||||||||||||||||
Portfolio* | Gross income from securities lending activities |
Fees paid to Securities Lending Agent from a revenue split |
Fees paid for any cash collateral management service (including fees deducted from a pooled cash collateral reinvestment vehicle) not included in the revenue split |
Administrative fees not included in the revenue split |
Indemnification fees not included in the revenue split |
Rebate (paid to borrower) |
Other fees not included in the revenue split |
Aggregate fees/ compensation for securities lending activities |
Net income from securities lending activities |
||||||||||
Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF | $141,718 | $2,767 | $3,392 | -- | -- | $103,895 | -- | $110,054 | $31,664 | ||||||||||
Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF | $139,683 | $2,257 | $3,636 | -- | -- | $107,980 | -- | $113,873 | $25,810 |
* The amounts included in the table above may differ from the amounts disclosed in the Portfolios’ annual reports due to timing differences, reconciliations, and certain other adjustments.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the Securities Lending Agent provided the following services for the Portfolios in connection with securities lending activities: (i) entering into loans with approved entities subject to guidelines or restrictions provided by the Portfolios; (ii) receiving and holding collateral from borrowers, and facilitating the investment and reinvestment of cash collateral; (iii) monitoring daily the value of the loaned securities and collateral, including receiving and delivering additional collateral as necessary from/to borrowers; (iv) negotiating loan terms; (v) selecting securities to be loaned subject to guidelines or restrictions provided by the Portfolios; (vi) recordkeeping and account servicing; (vii) monitoring dividend/distribution activity relating to loaned securities; and (viii) arranging for return of loaned securities to the Portfolios at loan termination.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) is the independent registered public accounting firm to the Trust and audits the annual financial statements of the Trust. PwC’s address is Two Commerce Square, Suite 1800, 2001 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-7042. The audited financial statements and financial highlights of each Portfolio for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, as set forth in the Portfolio’s annual report to shareholders, including the report of PwC, are incorporated by reference into this SAI.
PERFORMANCE DATA
The Portfolios may compare their investment performance to appropriate market and peer fund indices and investments for which reliable performance data is available. Such indices are generally unmanaged and are prepared by entities and organizations which track the performance of investment companies or investment advisors. Unmanaged indices often do not reflect deductions for administrative and management costs and expenses. The performance of the Portfolios may also be compared in publications to averages, performance rankings, or other information prepared by recognized investment company statistical services. Any performance information, whether related to the Portfolios or to the Advisor, should be considered in light of a Portfolio’s investment objectives and policies, characteristics and the quality of the portfolio and market conditions during the time period indicated and should not be considered to be representative of what may be achieved in the future.
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Exhibit A
Proxy Voting Guidelines
General Approach to Corporate Governance and Proxy Voting
When voting proxies, Dimensional1 seeks to act in the best interests of the funds and accounts Dimensional manages and consistent with applicable legal and fiduciary standards. Dimensional seeks to maximize shareholder value subject to the standards of legal and regulatory regimes (applicable to the Advisor or the client), listing requirements, corporate governance and stewardship codes, and any particular investment or voting guidelines of specific funds or accounts. Dimensional will evaluate management and shareholder proposals on a case-by-case basis, in the circumstances explained below.
Dimensional expects the members of a portfolio company’s board to act in the interests of their shareholders. Each portfolio company’s board should implement policies and adopt practices that align the interests of the board and management with those of its shareholders. Since a board’s main responsibility is to oversee management and to manage and mitigate risk, it is important that board members have the experience and skills to carry out that responsibility.
This document outlines Dimensional’s global approach to key proxy voting issues and highlights particular considerations in specific markets.
Global Evaluation Framework
Dimensional’s Global Evaluation Framework sets out Dimensional’s general expectations for all portfolio companies. When implementing the principles contained in Dimensional’s Global Evaluation Framework in a given market, in addition to the relevant legal and regulatory requirements, Dimensional will consider local market practices. Additionally, for portfolio companies in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, and Australia, Dimensional will apply the market-specific considerations contained in the relevant subsection in these Guidelines.
Uncontested Director Elections
Dimensional may vote against individual directors, committee members, or the full board of a portfolio company, such as in the following situations:
1. There are problematic audit-related practices;
2. There are problematic compensation practices or persistent pay for performance misalignment;
3. There are problematic anti-takeover provisions;
4. There have been material failures of governance, risk oversight, or fiduciary responsibilities;
5. The board has failed to adequately respond to shareholder concerns;
6. The board has demonstrated a lack of accountability to shareholders;
7. There is an ineffective board refreshment process2;
Additionally, for portfolios and accounts that consider sustainability issues in their design or have made an affirmative election or provided instruction that Dimensional should prioritize such issues as part of voting,
1 | “Dimensional” refers to any of Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd., DFA Australia Limited, Dimensional Ireland Limited, Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. or Dimensional Japan Ltd. |
2 | As used in these guidelines “board refreshment process” means the method for reviewing and establishing the composition of the board of the portfolio company (e.g., assessments or self-evaluation, succession planning, approach for searches for board members, criteria for qualification of board members). |
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Dimensional may vote against directors, committee members, or the full board of portfolio companies in sectors which have not disclosed targets to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
If a director is a member of multiple boards of various portfolio companies, and one of those boards has one of the issues listed in 1-7 above, Dimensional may vote against that director with respect to the board of the portfolio company with the issue as well as any other portfolio company boards.
Dimensional also considers the following when voting on directors of portfolio companies:
1. Board and committee independence;
2. Director attendance: Dimensional generally expects directors to attend at least 75% of board and committee meetings;
3. Director capacity to serve;
4. Board composition.
Board Refreshment
An effective board refreshment process for a portfolio company can include the alignment of directors’ skills with business needs, assessment of individual director performance and feedback, and a search process for new directors that appropriately incorporates qualification criteria. Dimensional believes information about a portfolio company’s assessment and refreshment process should be disclosed and should generally include:
● | The processes and procedures by which the company identifies the key competencies that directors should possess in order to ensure the board is able to appropriately oversee the risks and opportunities associated with the company’s strategy and operations; | |
● | How the performance of individual directors and the board as a whole is assessed; | |
● | The alignment between the skills and expertise of each board member and the key competencies identified in the board assessment process; | |
● | Board refreshment mechanisms; | |
● | Director recruitment policies and procedures; and | |
● | The extent to which diversity considerations are incorporated into board assessment and refreshment practices and director recruitment policies. |
In evaluating a portfolio company’s refreshment process, Dimensional may consider, among other information:
● | Whether the company’s board assessment process meets market best practices in terms of objectiveness, rigor, disclosure, and other criteria; | |
● | Whether the company has any mechanisms to encourage board refreshment; and | |
● | Whether the company has board entrenchment devices, such as a classified board or plurality vote standard. |
An additional consideration that may lead Dimensional to scrutinize the effectiveness of a portfolio company’s board refreshment process is a lack of gender, racial, or ethnic diversity on the board. In jurisdictions where gender, racial, or ethnic representation on a board is not mandated by law, Dimensional may consider whether a portfolio company seeks to follow market best practices as the portfolio company nominates new directors and assesses the performance of existing directors who have the diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and skill-sets needed to effectively oversee management and manage risk.
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If Dimensional believes that a portfolio company’s board assessment and refreshment process is not sufficiently rigorous, or if the portfolio company fails to disclose adequate information for Dimensional to assess the rigor of the process, Dimensional may vote against members of the Nominating Committee, or other relevant directors.
Bundled/Slate Director Elections
Dimensional generally opposes bundled director elections at portfolio companies; however, in markets where individual director elections are not an established practice, bundled elections are acceptable as long as the full list of candidates is disclosed in a timely manner.
Contested Director Elections
In the case of contested board elections at portfolio companies, Dimensional takes a case-by-case approach. With the goal of maximizing shareholder value, Dimensional considers the qualifications of the nominees, the likelihood that each side can accomplish their stated plans, the portfolio company’s corporate governance practices, and the incumbent board’s history of responsiveness to shareholders.
Board Size
Dimensional believes that portfolio company boards are responsible for determining an appropriate size of the board of directors within the confines of relevant corporate governance codes and best practice standards. However, Dimensional will generally oppose proposals to alter board structure or size in the context of a fight for control of the portfolio company or the board.
Auditors
Dimensional will typically support the ratification of auditors unless there are concerns with the auditor’s independence, the accuracy of the auditor’s report, the level of non-audit fees, or if lack of disclosure makes it difficult for us to assess these factors.
In addition to voting against the ratification of the auditors, Dimensional may also vote against or withhold votes from audit committee members at portfolio companies in instances of fraud, material weakness, or significant financial restatements.
Anti-Takeover Provisions
Dimensional believes that the market for corporate control, which often results in acquisitions which increase shareholder value, should be able to function without undue restrictions. Takeover defenses such as shareholder rights plans (poison pills) can lead to entrenchment of management and reduced accountability at the board level. Dimensional will generally vote against the adoption of anti-takeover provisions. Dimensional may vote against directors at portfolio companies that adopt or maintain anti-takeover provisions without shareholder approval post-initial public offering (“IPO”) or adopted such structures prior to, or in connection with, an IPO. Dimensional may vote against such directors not just at the portfolio company that adopted the anti-takeover provision, but at all other portfolio company boards they serve on.
Related-Party Transactions
Related-party transactions have played a significant role in several high-profile corporate scandals and failures. Dimensional believes related-party transactions should be minimized. When such transactions are determined to be fair to the portfolio company and its shareholders in accordance with the company’s policies and governing law, they should be thoroughly disclosed in public filings.
Amendments to Articles of Association/Incorporation
Dimensional expects the details of proposed amendments to articles of association or incorporation, or similar portfolio company documents, to be clearly disclosed. Dimensional will typically support such
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amendments that are routine in nature or are required or prompted by regulatory changes. Dimensional may vote against amendments that negatively impact shareholder rights or diminish board oversight.
Equity Plans
Dimensional supports the adoption of equity plans that align the interests of the portfolio company board, management, and company employees with those of shareholders.
Dimensional will evaluate equity plans on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the potential dilution to shareholders, the portfolio company’s historical use of equity, and the particular plan features.
Executive Remuneration
Dimensional supports remuneration for executives that is clearly linked to the portfolio company’s performance. Remuneration should be designed to attract, retain and appropriately motivate and serve as a means to align the interests of executives with those of shareholders.
Dimensional expects portfolio companies to structure executive compensation in a manner that does not insulate management from the consequences of failures of risk oversight and management. Dimensional typically supports clawback provisions in executive compensation plans as a way to mitigate risk of excessive risk taking by executives at portfolio companies.
Dimensional supports remuneration plan metrics that are quantifiable and clearly tied to company strategy and the creation of shareholder value. The use of standard financial metrics, for example, metrics based on generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) or international financial reporting standards, when determining executive pay is generally considered by Dimensional to be preferable. The use of non-standard metrics, including those involving large non-GAAP adjustments, result in less transparency for investors and may lead to artificially high executive pay. In evaluating a company’s executive compensation, Dimensional considers whether the company is disclosing what each metric is intended to capture, how performance is measured, what targets have been set, and performance against those targets. While environmental and social (E&S) issues may be material for shareholder value, Dimensional believes linking E&S metrics to executive pay in a quantifiable and transparent manner can present particular challenges. Dimensional will seek to focus on the rigor of E&S metrics and will seek to scrutinize payouts made under these metrics, particularly when there has been underperformance against other metrics tied to financial performance or shareholder value.
To the extent that remuneration is clearly excessive and not aligned with the portfolio company’s performance or other factors, Dimensional would not support such remuneration. Additionally, Dimensional expects portfolio companies to strive to follow local market practices with regards to the specific elements of remuneration and the overall structure of the remuneration plan.
Therefore, Dimensional reviews proposals seeking approval of a portfolio company’s executive remuneration plan closely, taking into account the quantum of pay, company performance, and the structure of the plan.
Director Remuneration
Dimensional will generally support director remuneration at portfolio companies that is reasonable in both size and composition relative to industry and market norms.
Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
Dimensional’s primary consideration in evaluating mergers and acquisitions is maximizing shareholder value. Given that Dimensional believes market prices reflect future expected cash flows, an important
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consideration is the price reaction to the announcement, and the extent to which the deal represents a premium to the pre-announcement price. Dimensional will also consider the strategic rationale, potential conflicts of interest, and the possibility of competing offers.
Dimensional may vote against deals where there are concerns with the acquisition process or where there appear to be significant conflicts of interest.
Capitalization
Dimensional will vote case-by-case on proposals related to portfolio company share issuances, taking into account the purpose for which the shares will be used, the risk to shareholders of not approving the request, and the dilution to existing shareholders.
Unequal Voting Rights
Dimensional opposes the creation of share structures that provide for unequal voting rights, including dual class stock with unequal voting rights or mechanisms such as loyalty shares that may skew economic ownership and voting rights within the same class of shares, and will generally vote against proposals to create or continue such structures. On a case-by-case basis, Dimensional may also vote against directors at portfolio companies that adopt or maintain such structures without shareholder approval post-IPO or adopted such structures prior to, or in connection with, an IPO.
Say on Climate
Dimensional will generally vote against management and shareholder proposals to introduce say on climate votes, which propose that companies’ climate transition plans are put to a recurring advisory shareholder vote. Dimensional believes that strategic planning, including mitigation of climate change risks and oversight of opportunities presented by climate change is the responsibility of the portfolio company board and should not be delegated or transferred to shareholders. If a company’s climate transition plan is put to a shareholder vote then Dimensional will generally vote against the plan, regardless of the level of detail contained in the plan, to indicate our opposition to the delegation of oversight implied by such votes If Dimensional observes that a portfolio company board is failing to adequately guard shareholder value through strategic planning, Dimensional may vote against directors.
Shareholder Proposals
Dimensional’s goal when voting on shareholder proposals to portfolio companies is to support those proposals that protect or enhance shareholder value through improved board accountability, improved policies and procedures, or improved disclosure.
When evaluating shareholder proposals, Dimensional will consider whether the proposal addresses a material issue to the portfolio company, the portfolio company’s current handling of the issue (both on an absolute basis and relative to market practices), the company’s compliance with regulatory requirements, and the potential cost to the company of implementing the proposal. Dimensional may apply additional considerations when voting on sustainability or social shareholder proposals on behalf of portfolios and accounts that incorporate sustainability or social considerations in their portfolio design or have made an affirmative election or provided instruction that Dimensional should prioritize sustainability or social issues as part of voting.
Virtual Meetings
Dimensional does not oppose the use of virtual-only meetings if shareholders are provided with the same rights and opportunities as available during a physical meeting, including:
● | The ability to see and hear company representatives; | |
● | The ability to ask questions of company representatives; and |
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● | The ability to see or hear questions submitted to company representatives by other shareholders, including those questions not answered by company representatives. |
Disclosure of Vote Results
Dimensional expects detailed disclosure of voting results. In cases where vote results have not been disclosed within a reasonable time frame, Dimensional may vote against individual directors, committee members, or the full board of a portfolio company.
Voting Guidelines for Environmental and Social Issues3
Dimensional believes that portfolio company boards are responsible for addressing material environmental & social (E&S) issues within their duties. If a portfolio company is unresponsive to material E&S risks which may have economic ramifications for shareholders, Dimensional may vote against directors individually, committee members, or the entire board. Dimensional may communicate with portfolio companies to better understand the alignment of the interests of boards and management with those of shareholders on these topics.
Dimensional evaluates shareholder proposals on environmental or social issues consistent with its general approach to shareholder proposals, paying particular attention to the portfolio company’s current handling of the issue, current disclosures, the financial materiality of the issue, market practices, and regulatory requirements. Dimensional may vote for proposals requesting disclosure of specific environmental and social data, such as information about board oversight, risk management policies and procedures, or performance against a specific metric, if Dimensional believes that the portfolio company’s current disclosure is inadequate to allow shareholders to effectively assess the portfolio company’s handling of a material issue.
Evaluating Disclosure of Material Environmental or Social Risks
Dimensional generally believes that information about the oversight and mitigation of material environmental or social risks should be disclosed by portfolio companies. Dimensional generally expects the disclosure regarding oversight and mitigation to include:
● | A description of material risks. | |
● | A description of the process for identifying and prioritizing such risks and how frequently it occurs. | |
● | The policies and procedures governing the handling of each material risk. | |
● | A description of the management-level roles/groups involved in oversight and mitigation of each material risk. | |
● | A description of the metrics used to assess the effectiveness of mitigating each material risk, and the frequency at which performance against these metrics is assessed. | |
● | A description of how the board is informed of material risks and the progress against relevant metrics. |
In certain instances where Dimensional determines that disclosure by a portfolio company is insufficient for a shareholder to be able to adequately assess the relevant risks facing a portfolio company, Dimensional may, on a case-by-case basis, vote against individual directors, committee members, or the entire board, or may vote in favor of related shareholder proposals consistent with Dimensional’s general approach to such proposals.
3 | For considerations in connection with ERISA-covered clients, see the Policy and its references to requirements under ERISA. |
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Political and Lobbying Activities
Dimensional expects boards of portfolio companies to exercise oversight of political and lobbying-related expenditures and ensure that such spending is in line with shareholder interests.
In evaluating a portfolio company’s policies related to political and lobbying expenditure, Dimensional expects the following practices:
● | The board to adopt policies and procedures to oversee political and lobbying expenditures; | |
● | The details of the board oversight, including the policies and procedures governing such expenditures, to be disclosed publicly; and | |
● | That board oversight of political and lobbying activities, such as spending, should include ensuring that the portfolio company’s publicly stated positions are in alignment with its related activities and spending. |
Human Capital Management
Dimensional expects boards of portfolio companies to exercise oversight of human capital management issues. Dimensional expects portfolio companies to disclose sufficient information for shareholders to understand the policies, procedures, and personnel a company has in place to address issues related to human capital management. This disclosure should include the company’s human capital management goals in key areas, such as compensation, employee health and wellness, employee training and development, and workforce composition, as well as the metrics by which the company assesses performance against these goals.
Climate Change
Dimensional expects boards of portfolio companies to exercise oversight of climate change risks that may have a material impact on the company. Climate change risks may include physical risks of climate change from changing weather patterns and/or transitional risks of climate change from changes in regulation or consumer preferences. Dimensional expects portfolio companies to disclose information on their handling of these risks, to the extent those risks may have a material impact on the company. Disclosure should include:
● | The specific risks identified | |
● | The potential impact these risks could have on the company’s business, operations, or strategy | |
● | Whether the risks are overseen by a specific committee or the full board | |
● | The frequency with which the board or responsible board committee receives updates on the risks and the types of information reviewed | |
● | The management-level roles/groups responsible for managing these risks | |
● | The metrics used to assess the handling of these risks, how they are calculated, and the reason for their selection, particularly when the metrics recommended by a recognized third-party framework, such as Task Force for Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) or Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), are not being used | |
● | Targets used by the company to manage climate-related risks and performance against those targets |
Human Rights
Dimensional expects portfolio company boards to exercise oversight of human rights issues that could pose a material risk to the business, including forced labor, child labor, privacy, freedom of expression, and land and water rights. Dimensional expects portfolio companies to disclose information on their handling of these risks, to the extent those risks may have a material impact on the company. Disclosure should include:
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● | The specific risks identified | |
● | The potential impact these risks could have on the company’s business, operations, or strategy | |
● | Whether the risks are overseen by a specific committee or the full board | |
● | The frequency with which the board or responsible board committee receives updates on the risks and the types of information reviewed | |
● | Details on how the company monitors human rights throughout the organization and supply chain, including the scope and frequency of audits and how instances of non-compliance are resolved | |
● | The policies governing human rights throughout the organization and supply chain and the extent to which the policy aligns with recognized global frameworks such as the UN’s Guiding Principles on Human Rights and the OECD’s Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises | |
● | Details of violations of the policy and corrective action taken |
Cybersecurity
Dimensional expects portfolio company boards to exercise oversight of cybersecurity issues that could pose a material risk to the business. Dimensional expects portfolio companies to disclose information on their handling of these risks, to the extent those risks may have a material impact on the company. Disclosure should include:
● | Policies and procedures to manage cybersecurity risk and identify cybersecurity incidents | |
● | The role of management in implementing cybersecurity policies and procedures | |
● | The role of the board in overseeing cybersecurity risk and the process by which the board is informed of incidents. | |
● | Material cybersecurity incidents and remedial actions taken. |
Evaluation Framework for U.S. Listed Companies
Director Elections:
Uncontested Director Elections
Shareholders elect the board of a portfolio company to represent their interests and oversee management and expect boards to adopt policies and practices that align the interests of the board and management with those of shareholders and limit the potential for conflicts of interest.
One of the most important measures aimed at ensuring that portfolio company shareholders’ interests are represented is an independent board of directors, made up of individuals with the diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and skill-sets needed to effectively oversee management and manage risk. Dimensional expects portfolio company boards to be majority independent and key committees to be fully independent.
Dimensional believes shareholders should have a say in who represents their interests and portfolio companies should be responsive to shareholder concerns. Dimensional may vote against or withhold votes from individual directors, committee members, or the full board, and may also vote against such directors when they serve on other portfolio company boards, in the following situations:
● | The continued service of directors who failed to receive the support of a majority of shareholders (regardless of whether the company uses a majority or plurality vote standard). | |
● | Failure to adequately respond to majority-supported shareholder proposals. |
Contested Director Elections
In the case of contested board elections at portfolio companies, Dimensional takes a case-by-case approach. With the goal of maximizing shareholder value, Dimensional considers the qualifications of the nominees, the likelihood that each side can accomplish their stated plans, the portfolio company’s corporate
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governance practices, the incumbent board’s history of responsiveness to shareholders, and the market’s reaction to the contest.
Board Structure and Composition:
Age and Term Limits
Dimensional believes it is the responsibility of a portfolio company’s nominating committee to ensure that the company’s board of directors is composed of individuals with the skills needed to effectively oversee management and will generally oppose proposals seeking to impose age or term limits for directors.
That said, portfolio companies should clearly disclose their director evaluation and board refreshment policies in their proxy. Lack of healthy turnover on the board of a portfolio company or lack of observable diversity on a portfolio company board may lead Dimensional to scrutinize the rigor of a portfolio company’s board refreshment process.
CEO/Chair
Dimensional believes that the portfolio company boards are responsible for determining whether the separation of roles is appropriate and adequately protects the interests of shareholders.
At portfolio companies with a combined CEO/Chair, Dimensional expects the board to appoint a lead independent director with specific responsibilities, including the setting of meeting agendas, to seek to ensure the board is able to act independently.
Recent environmental, social, and governance controversies resulting from inadequate board oversight may be taken into account when voting on shareholder proposals seeking the separation of the roles of CEO and Chair at a portfolio company.
Governance Practices:
Classified Boards
Dimensional believes director votes are an important mechanism to increase board accountability to shareholders. Dimensional therefore advocates for boards at portfolio companies to give shareholders the right to vote on the entire slate of directors on an annual basis.
Dimensional will generally support proposals to declassify existing boards at portfolio companies and will generally oppose efforts by portfolio companies to adopt classified board structures, in which only part of the board is elected each year.
Dimensional will generally vote against or withhold votes from incumbent directors at portfolio companies that adopt a classified board without shareholder approval. Dimensional may also vote against or withhold votes from directors at portfolio companies that adopt classified boards prior to or in connection with an IPO, unless accompanied by a reasonable sunset provision.
Dual Classes of Stock
Dual class share structures are generally seen as detrimental to shareholder rights, as they are accompanied by unequal voting rights. Dimensional believes in the principle of one share, one vote.
Dimensional opposes the creation of dual-class share structures with unequal voting rights at portfolio companies and will generally vote against proposals to create or continue dual-class capital structures.
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Dimensional will generally vote against or withhold votes from directors at portfolio companies that adopt a dual-class structure without shareholder approval after the company’s IPO. Dimensional will generally vote against or withhold votes from directors for implementation of a dual-class structure prior to or in connection with an IPO, unless accompanied by a reasonable sunset provision.
Supermajority Vote Requirements
Dimensional believes that the affirmative vote of a majority of shareholders of a portfolio company should be sufficient to approve items such as bylaw amendments and mergers. Dimensional will generally vote against proposals seeking to implement a supermajority vote requirement and for shareholder proposals seeking the adoption of a majority vote standard.
Dimensional will generally vote against or withhold votes from incumbent directors at portfolio companies that adopt a supermajority vote requirement without shareholder approval. Dimensional may also vote against or withhold votes from directors at portfolio companies that adopt supermajority vote requirements prior to or in connection with an IPO, unless accompanied by a reasonable sunset provision.
Shareholder Rights Plans (Poison Pills)
Dimensional generally opposes poison pills. As a result, Dimensional may vote against the adoption of a pill and all directors at a portfolio company that put a pill in place without first obtaining shareholder approval. Votes against (or withheld votes from) directors may extend beyond the portfolio company that adopted the pill, to all boards the directors serve on. In considering a poison pill for approval, Dimensional may take into account the existence of ‘qualified offer’ and other shareholder-friendly provisions.
For pills designed to protect net operating losses, Dimensional may take into consideration a variety of factors, including but not limited to the size of the available operating losses and the likelihood that they will be utilized to offset gains.
Cumulative Voting
Under cumulative voting, each shareholder is entitled to the number of his or her shares multiplied by the number of directors to be elected. Shareholders have the flexibility to allocate their votes among directors in the proportion they see fit, including casting all their votes for one director. This is particularly impactful in the election of dissident candidates to the board in the event of a proxy contest.
Dimensional will typically support proposals that provide for cumulative voting and against proposals to eliminate cumulative voting unless the portfolio company has demonstrated that there are adequate safeguards in place, such as proxy access and majority voting.
Majority Voting
For the election of directors, portfolio companies may adopt either a majority or plurality vote standard. In a plurality vote standard, the directors with the most votes are elected. If the number of directors up for election is equal to the number of board seats, each director only needs to receive one vote in order to be elected. In a majority vote standard, in order to be elected, a director must receive the support of a majority of shares voted or present at the meeting.
Dimensional supports a majority (rather than plurality) voting standard for uncontested director elections at portfolio companies. The majority vote standard should be accompanied by a director resignation policy to address failed elections.
To account for contested director elections, portfolio companies with a majority vote standard should include a carve-out for plurality voting in situations where there are more nominees than seats.
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Right to Call Meetings and Act by Written Consent
Dimensional will generally support the right of shareholders to call special meetings of a portfolio company board (if they own 25% of shares outstanding) and take action by written consent.
Proxy Access
Dimensional will typically support management and shareholder proposals for proxy access that allow a shareholder (or group of shareholders) holding three percent of voting power for three years to nominate up to 25 percent of a portfolio company board. Dimensional will typically vote against proposals that are more restrictive than these guidelines.
Amend Bylaws/Charters
Dimensional believes that shareholders should have the right to amend a portfolio company’s bylaws. Dimensional will generally vote against or withhold votes from incumbent directors at portfolio companies that place substantial restrictions on shareholders’ ability to amend bylaws through excessive ownership requirements for submitting proposals or restrictions on the types of issues that can be amended.
Exclusive Forum
Dimensional is generally supportive of management proposals at portfolio companies to adopt an exclusive forum for shareholder litigation.
Indemnification and Exculpation of Directors and Officers
Dimensional intends to evaluate proposals seeking to enact or expand indemnification or exculpation provisions on a case-by-case basis considering board rationale and specific provisions being proposed.
Advance Notice Provisions
Portfolio company bylaw amendments known as “advance notice provisions” set out the steps shareholders must follow when submitting an item for inclusion on the agenda of a shareholder meeting. These provisions may serve as an entrenchment device that can result in reduced accountability at the board level in cases where they impose onerous requirements on shareholders wishing to submit a nominee for the board of directors. When evaluating advanced notice provisions, whether for the submission of a shareholder candidate or the submission of other permissible proposals, Dimensional generally does not support provisions that:
● | Require shareholder-nominated candidates to disclose information that is not required for new board-nominated candidates | |
● | Impose unduly burdensome disclosure requirements on shareholder proponents | |
● | Significantly limit the time period shareholders have to submit proposals or nominees |
Dimensional may vote against or withhold votes from directors who adopt such provisions without shareholder approval.
Executive and Director Compensation:
Stock-Based Compensation Plans
Dimensional supports the adoption of equity plans that align the interests of portfolio company board, management, and company employees with those of shareholders.
Dimensional will evaluate equity compensation plans on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the potential dilution to shareholders, the portfolio company’s historical use of equity, and the particular plan features.
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Dimensional will typically vote against plans that have features that have a negative impact on shareholders of portfolio companies. Such features include single-trigger or discretionary vesting, an overly broad definition of change in control, a lack of minimum vesting periods for grants, evergreen provisions, and the ability to reprice shares without shareholder approval.
Dimensional may also vote against equity plans if problematic equity grant practices have contributed to a pay for performance misalignment at the portfolio company.
Employee Stock Purchase Plans
Dimensional will generally support qualified employee stock purchase plans (as defined by Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code), provided that the purchase price is no less than 85 percent of market value, the number of shares reserved for the plan is no more than ten percent of outstanding shares, and the offering period is no more than 27 months.
Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation (Say on Pay)
Dimensional supports reasonable compensation for executives that is clearly linked to the portfolio company’s performance. Compensation should serve as a means to align the interests of executives with those of shareholders. To the extent that compensation is excessive, it represents a transfer to management of shareholder wealth. Therefore, Dimensional reviews proposals seeking approval of a portfolio company’s executive compensation plan closely, taking into account the quantum of pay, company performance, and the structure of the plan.
Certain practices, such as:
● | multi-year guaranteed bonuses | |
● | excessive severance agreements (particularly those that vest without involuntary job loss or diminution of duties or those with excise-tax gross-ups) | |
● | single, or the same, metrics used for both short-term and long-term executive compensation plans |
may encourage excessive risk-taking by executives at portfolio companies and are generally opposed by Dimensional.
At portfolio companies that have a history of problematic pay practices or excessive compensation, Dimensional will consider the company’s responsiveness to shareholders’ concerns and may vote against or withhold votes from members of the compensation committee if these concerns have not been addressed.
Frequency of Say on Pay
Executive compensation in the United States is typically composed of three parts: 1) base salary; 2) cash bonuses based on annual performance (short-term incentive awards); 3) and equity awards based on performance over a multi-year period (long-term incentive awards).
Dimensional supports triennial say on pay because it allows for a longer-term assessment of whether compensation was adequately linked to portfolio company performance. This is particularly important in situations where a company makes significant changes to their long-term incentive awards, as the effectiveness of such changes in aligning pay and performance cannot be determined in a single year.
If there are serious concerns about a portfolio company’s compensation plan in a year where the plan is not on the ballot, Dimensional may vote against or withhold votes from members of the Compensation Committee.
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Executive Severance Agreements (Golden Parachutes)
Dimensional analyzes golden parachute proposals on a case-by-case basis.
Dimensional expects payments to be reasonable on both an absolute basis and relative to the value of the transaction. Dimensional will typically vote against agreements with cash severance of more than 3x salary and bonus.
Dimensional expects vesting of equity to be contingent on both a change in control and a subsequent involuntary termination of the employee (“double-trigger change in control”).
Corporate Actions:
Reincorporation
Dimensional will evaluate reincorporation proposals on a case-by-case basis.
Dimensional may vote against reincorporations if the move would result in a substantial diminution of shareholder rights at the portfolio company.
Capitalization:
Increase Authorized Shares
Dimensional will vote case-by-case on proposals seeking to increase common or preferred stock of a portfolio company, taking into account the purpose for which the shares will be used and the risk to shareholders of not approving the request.
Dimensional will typically vote against requests for common or preferred stock issuances that are excessively dilutive relative to common market practice.
Dimensional will typically vote against proposals at portfolio companies with multiple share classes to increase the number of shares of the class with superior voting rights.
Blank Check Preferred Stock
Blank check preferred stock is stock that can be issued at the discretion of the board, with the voting, conversion, distribution, and other rights determined by the board at the time of issue. Therefore, blank check preferred stock can potentially serve as means to entrench management and prevent takeovers at portfolio companies.
To mitigate concerns regarding what Dimensional believes is the inappropriate use of blank check preferred stock, Dimensional expects portfolio companies seeking approval for blank preferred stock to clearly state that the shares will not be used for anti-takeover purposes.
Share Repurchases
Dimensional will generally support open-market share repurchase plans that allow all shareholders to participate on equal terms. Portfolio companies that use metrics such as earnings per share (EPS) in their executive compensation plans should ensure that the impact of such repurchases are taken into account when determining payouts.
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Shareholder Proposals:
Dimensional’s goal when voting on shareholder proposals is to support those proposals that protect or enhance shareholder value through improved board accountability, improved policies and procedures, or improved disclosure.
When evaluating shareholder proposals, Dimensional will consider whether the proposal addresses a material issue to the portfolio company, the portfolio company’s current handling of the issue (both on an absolute basis and relative to market practices), the company’s compliance with regulatory requirements, and the potential cost to the company of implementing the proposal.
In instances where a shareholder proposal is excluded from the meeting agenda but the SEC has declined to state a view on whether such proposal can be excluded, , Dimensional expects the portfolio company to provide shareholders with substantive disclosure concerning this exclusion. If substantive disclosure is lacking, Dimensional may vote against or withhold votes from certain directors on a case-by-case basis.
Evaluation Framework for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) Listed Companies
Continental Europe:
Director Election Guidelines
● | Portfolio company boards should be majority independent (excluding shareholder or employee representatives as provided by law); however, lower levels of board independence may be acceptable in controlled companies and in those markets where local best practice indicates that at least one-third of the board be independent. | |
● | A majority of audit and remuneration committee members (excluding shareholder or employee representatives as provided by law) should be independent; the committees overall should be at least one-third independent. | |
● | Executives should generally not serve on audit and remuneration committees. | |
● | The CEO and board chair roles should generally be separate, |
Remuneration Guidelines
Dimensional expects annual remuneration reports published by portfolio companies pursuant to the Shareholder Rights Directive II to disclose, at a minimum:
● | The amount paid to executives; |
● | Alignment between pay and performance; |
● | The targets used for variable incentive plans and the ex-post levels achieved; and |
● | The rationale for any discretion applied. |
Other Market Specific Guidelines for Continental Europe
● | In Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands, Dimensional will generally vote against the appointment of a former CEO as chairman of the board of directors or supervisory board of a portfolio company. |
United Kingdom & Ireland:
Dimensional expects portfolio companies to follow the requirements of the UK Corporate Governance Code with regards to board and committee composition. When evaluating portfolio company boards Dimensional will also consider the recommendations of the FTSE Women Leaders and Parker Reviews with regards to female and minority representation on the board.
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Dimensional also expects companies to align their remuneration with the requirements of the UK Corporate Governance Code and to consider best practices such as those set forth in the Investment Association Principles of Remuneration.
South Africa:
Dimensional expects portfolio companies to follow the recommendations of the King Report on Corporate Governance (King Code IV) with regards to board and committee composition.
Turkey:
Dimensional expects the board of directors of a portfolio company to be at least one-third independent; at minimum two directors should be independent.
Dimensional expects the board of a portfolio company to establish an independent audit committee.
Dimensional expects the board of a portfolio company to establish a board committee with responsibility for compensation and nominating matters. This committee should be chaired by an independent director.
Framework for Evaluating Australia-Listed Companies
Uncontested Director Elections
Shareholders elect the board of a portfolio company to represent their interests and oversee management and expect portfolio company boards to adopt policies and practices that align the interests of the board and management with those of shareholders and limit the potential for conflicts of interest.
One of the most important measures aimed at ensuring that portfolio company shareholders’ interests are represented is an independent board of directors, made up of individuals with the diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and skill-sets needed to effectively oversee management and manage risk. Dimensional expects portfolio company boards to be majority independent.
Dimensional believes that key audit and remuneration committees should be composed of independent directors. Dimensional will generally vote against executive directors of the portfolio company who serve on the audit committee or who serve on the remuneration committee if the remuneration committee is not majority independent.
Dimensional will consider the ASX Corporate Governance Council Principles and Recommendations (the “ASX Principles and Recommendations”) with regards to female representation on the board when voting on directors.
CEO/Chair
Dimensional expects portfolio companies to follow the ASX Corporate Governance Council Principles and Recommendations and generally separate the CEO and board chair roles, with the board chair being an independent director.
Auditors
Australian law does not require the annual ratification of auditors; therefore, concerns with a portfolio company’s audit practices will be reflected in votes against members of the audit committee.
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Dimensional may vote against audit committee members at a portfolio company if there are concerns with the auditor’s independence, the accuracy of the auditor’s report, the level of non-audit fees, or if lack of disclosure makes it difficult to assess these factors.
Dimensional may also vote against audit committee members in instances of fraud or material failures in oversight of audit functions.
Share Issuances
Dimensional will evaluate requests for share issuances on a case-by-case basis, taking into account factors such as the impact on current shareholders and the rationale for the request.
When voting on approval of prior share distributions, Dimensional will generally support prior issuances that conform to the dilution guidelines set out in ASX Listing Rule 7.1.
Share Repurchase
Dimensional will evaluate requests for share repurchases on a case-by-case basis, taking into account factors such as the impact on current shareholders, the rationale for the request, and the portfolio company’s history of repurchases. Dimensional expects repurchases to be made in arms-length transactions using independent third parties.
Dimensional may vote against portfolio company plans that do not include limitations on the company’s ability to use the plan to repurchase shares from third parties at a premium and limitations on the use of share purchases as an anti-takeover device.
Constitution Amendments
Dimensional will evaluate requests for amendments to a portfolio company’s constitution on a case-by-case basis. The primary consideration will be the impact on the rights of shareholders.
Non-Executive Director Compensation
Dimensional will support non-executive director remuneration at portfolio companies that is reasonable in both size and composition relative to industry and market norms.
Dimensional will generally vote against components of non-executive director remuneration that are likely to impair a director’s independence, such as options or performance-based remuneration.
Equity Plans
Dimensional supports the adoption of equity plans that align the interests of the portfolio company board, management, and company employees with those of shareholders.
Companies should clearly disclose components of the plan, including vesting periods and performance hurdles.
Dimensional may vote against plans that are exceedingly dilutive to existing shareholders. Plans that permit retesting or repricing will generally be viewed unfavorably.
Framework for Evaluating Japan-Listed Securities
Uncontested Director Elections
Shareholders elect the board of a portfolio company to represent their interests and oversee management and expect portfolio company boards to adopt policies and practices that align the interests of the board and management with those of shareholders and limit the potential for conflicts of interest.
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One of the most important measures aimed at ensuring that portfolio company shareholders’ interests are represented is an independent board of directors, made up of individuals with the diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and skill sets needed to effectively oversee management and manage risk. With respect to gender diversity, Dimensional may consider local market practice, including requirements under the Japan Corporate Governance Code, and may vote against directors if the board does not meet established market norms.
At portfolio companies with a three-committee structure, Dimensional expects at least one-third of the board to be outsiders. Ideally, the board should be majority independent. At portfolio companies with a three-committee structure that have a controlling shareholder, at least two directors and at least one-third of the board should be independent outsiders.
At portfolio companies with an audit committee structure, Dimensional expects at least one-third of the board to be outsiders. Ideally, the audit committee should be entirely independent; at minimum, any outside directors who serve on the committee should be independent. At portfolio companies with an audit committee structure that have a controlling shareholder, at least two directors and at least one-third of the board should be independent outsiders.
At portfolio companies with a statutory auditor structure, Dimensional expects at least two directors and at least one-third of the board to be outsiders. At portfolio companies with a statutory auditor structure that have a controlling shareholder, at least two directors and at least one-third of the board should be independent outsiders.
Statutory Auditors
Statutory auditors are responsible for effectively overseeing management and ensuring that decisions made are in the best interest of shareholders. Dimensional may vote against statutory auditors who are remiss in their responsibilities.
When voting on outside statutory auditors, Dimensional expects nominees to be independent and to have the capacity to fulfill the requirements of their role as evidenced by attendance at meetings of the board of directors or board of statutory auditors.
Director and Statutory Auditor Compensation
Dimensional will support compensation for portfolio company directors and statutory auditors that is reasonable in both size and composition relative to industry and market norms.
When requesting an increase to the level of director fees, Dimensional expects portfolio companies to provide a specific reason for the increase. Dimensional will generally support an increase of director fees if it is in conjunction with the introduction of performance-based compensation, or where the ceiling for performance-based compensation is being increased. Dimensional will generally not support an increase in director fees if there is evidence that the directors have been remiss in effectively overseeing management or ensuring that decisions made are in the best interest of shareholders.
Dimensional will typically support an increase to the statutory auditor compensation ceiling unless there is evidence that the statutory auditors have been remiss in effectively overseeing management or ensuring that decisions made are in the best interest of shareholders.
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Dimensional will generally support the granting of annual bonuses to portfolio company directors and statutory auditors unless there is evidence the board or the statutory auditors have been remiss in effectively overseeing management or ensuring that decisions made are in the best interest of shareholders.
Dimensional generally supports the granting of retirement benefits to portfolio company insiders, so long as the individual payments, and aggregate amount of such payments, is disclosed.
Dimensional will generally vote against the granting of retirement bonuses if there is evidence the portfolio company board or statutory auditors have been remiss in effectively overseeing management or ensuring that decisions made are in the best interest of shareholders.
Equity Based Compensation
Dimensional supports the adoption of equity plans that align the interests of the portfolio company board, management, and company employees with those of shareholders.
Dimensional will typically support stock option plans to portfolio company executives and employees if total dilution from the proposed plans and previous plans does not exceed 5 percent for mature companies or 10 percent for growth companies.
Dimensional will generally vote against stock plans if upper limit of options that can be issued per year is not disclosed.
For deep-discounted stock option plans, Dimensional typically expects portfolio companies to disclose specific performance hurdles.
Capital Allocation
Dimensional will typically support well-justified dividend payouts that do not negatively impact the portfolio company’s overall financial health.
Share Repurchase
Dimensional is typically supportive of portfolio company boards having discretion over share repurchases absent concerns with the company’s balance sheet management, capital efficiency, buyback and dividend payout history, board composition, or shareholding structure.
Dimensional will typically support proposed repurchases that do not have a negative impact on shareholder value.
For repurchases of more than 10 percent of issue share capital, Dimensional expects the company to provide a robust explanation for the request.
Cross-Shareholding
Dimensional generally believes that portfolio companies should not allocate significant portions of their net assets to investments in companies for non-investment purposes. For example, in order to strengthen relationships with customers, suppliers, or borrowers. Such cross-shareholding, whether unilateral or reciprocal, can compromise director independence, entrench management, and reduce director accountability to uninterested shareholders. Dimensional may vote against certain directors at companies with excessive cross-shareholdings.
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Shareholder Rights Plans (Poison Pills)
Dimensional believes the market for corporate control, which can result in acquisitions that are accretive to shareholders, should be able to function without undue restrictions. Takeover defenses such as poison pills can lead to entrenchment and reduced accountability at the board level.
Indemnification and Limitations on Liability
Dimensional generally supports limitations on liability for directors and statutory auditors in ordinary circumstances.
Limit Legal Liability of External Auditors
Dimensional generally opposes limitations on the liability of external auditors.
Increase in Authorized Capital
Dimensional will typically support requests for increases of less than 100 percent of currently authorized capital, so long as the increase does not leave the portfolio company with less than 30 percent of the proposed authorized capital outstanding.
For increases that exceed these guidelines, Dimensional expects portfolio companies to provide a robust explanation for the increase.
Dimensional will generally not support requests for increases that will be used as an anti-takeover device.
Expansion of Business Activities
For well performing portfolio companies seeking to expand their business into enterprises related to their core business, Dimensional will typically support management requests to amend the company’s articles to expand the company’s business activities.
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DIMENSIONAL ETF TRUST
6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, Texas 78746
Telephone: (512) 306-7400
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
February 28, 2023
Dimensional ETF Trust (the “Trust”) is an open-end management investment company that offers thirty series of shares. This Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) relates to the following portfolios (each, a “Portfolio” and collectively, the “Portfolios”):
Portfolio: | Exchange: | Ticker: |
Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF | NYSE Arca, Inc. | DFSU |
Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF | NYSE Arca, Inc. | DFSI |
Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF | NYSE Arca, Inc. | DFSE |
Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF | NYSE Arca, Inc. | DFSB |
This SAI is not a Prospectus but should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus of the Portfolios, dated February 28, 2023, as amended from time to time. A free copy of the Prospectus or annual report, when available, can be obtained by contacting your investment representative, writing to the Trust at the above address or by calling the above telephone number.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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GENERAL INFORMATION
The Trust is a Delaware statutory trust organized on June 16, 2020. The Trust is an open-end management investment company, registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Each Portfolio offers, issues and redeems shares (“Shares”) at net asset value (“NAV”) only in large aggregations of Shares (each a “Creation Unit”). Creation Units typically are a specified number of Shares. Generally, a Creation Unit will consist of the following number of Shares or multiples thereof:
Portfolio | Creation Unit |
Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF | 50,000 shares |
Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF | 100,000 shares |
Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF | 100,000 shares |
Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF | 50,000 shares |
In the event of liquidation of a Portfolio, the Trust may lower the number of Shares in a Creation Unit. In its discretion, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (the “Advisor” or “Dimensional”) reserves the right to increase or decrease the number of a Portfolio’s Shares that constitute a Creation Unit. The Board of Trustees reserves the right to declare a split or a consolidation in the number of Shares outstanding of a Portfolio, and to make a corresponding change in the number of Shares constituting a Creation Unit. Each Portfolio may issue Creation Units of its Shares to Authorized Participants (as defined in the “Creation and Redemption of Creation Units” section of this SAI) in exchange for a designated basket of portfolio investments (including cash in lieu of any portion of such investments), together with the deposit of a specified cash payment and applicable fees as described below. Shares of the Portfolios are listed and trade on NYSE Arca, Inc. (the “Exchange”), a national securities exchange. Shares of the Portfolios are traded in the secondary market and elsewhere at market prices that may be at, above or below a Portfolio’s NAV. Shares of the Portfolios are redeemable only in Creation Units by Authorized Participants in exchange for a designated basket of portfolio investments (including cash in lieu of any portion of such investments) together with a specified amount of cash and applicable fees as described below.
The Trust reserves the right to permit or require that creations and redemptions of Shares be effected entirely in cash, in-kind or a combination thereof. Fees imposed by a Portfolio in connection with creations and redemptions of Shares (“Transaction Fees”) and other costs associated with creations or redemptions that include cash may be higher than Transaction Fees and other costs associated with in-kind creations or redemptions. In all cases, conditions with respect to creations and redemptions of Shares and fees will be limited in accordance with the requirements of SEC rules and regulations applicable to management investment companies offering redeemable securities. See the “Creation and Redemption of Creation Units” section of this SAI for more information.
Each Portfolio is a separate series of the Trust, and each Share of a Portfolio represents an equal proportionate interest in the Portfolio. All consideration received by the Trust for a Portfolio’s Shares and all assets of a Portfolio belong solely to that Portfolio and would be subject to liabilities related thereto.
EXCHANGE LISTING AND TRADING
There can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of Shares of a Portfolio will continue to be met. The Exchange will consider the suspension of trading in, and will commence delisting proceedings of, the Shares of a Portfolio under any of the following circumstances: (i) if the Exchange becomes aware that the Portfolio is no longer eligible to operate in reliance on Rule 6c-11 under the 1940 Act; (ii) if the Portfolio no longer complies with the requirements set forth in the relevant listing standards of the Exchange; (iii) if following the initial 12-month period beginning upon the commencement of trading of the Portfolio, there are fewer than 50 beneficial holders of the Shares; or (iv) any other event shall occur or condition shall exist that, in the opinion of the Exchange, makes further dealings on the Exchange inadvisable. The Exchange will remove the Shares of a Portfolio from listing and trading upon termination of the Portfolio.
As is the case with other stocks traded on the Exchange, brokers’ commissions on transactions will be based on negotiated commission rates at customary levels. Negotiated commission rates only apply to investors who will buy and sell Shares of a Portfolio in secondary market transactions through brokers on the Exchange and does not apply to investors such as market makers, large investors and institutions who wish to deal in Creation Units directly with the Portfolio.
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The Trust reserves the right to adjust the price levels of the Shares in the future to help maintain convenient trading ranges for investors. Any adjustments would be accomplished through stock splits or reverse stock splits, which would have no effect on the net assets of a Portfolio.
Continuous Offering
The method by which Creation Units are created and traded may raise certain issues under applicable securities laws. Because new Creation Units are issued and sold by a Portfolio on an ongoing basis, at any point a “distribution,” as such term is used in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 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 that could render them statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus delivery requirement and liability provisions of the 1933 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 Portfolios’ distributor, breaks them down into constituent Shares and sells such Shares directly to customers or if it chooses to couple the creation 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 1933 Act must take into account all of 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, generally are required to deliver a prospectus. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(a)(3) of the 1933 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 a Portfolio are reminded that, pursuant to Rule 153 under the 1933 Act, a prospectus delivery obligation under Section 5(b)(2) of the 1933 Act owed to an exchange member in connection with a sale on the Exchange generally is satisfied by the fact that the prospectus is available at the Exchange upon request. The prospectus delivery mechanism provided in Rule 153 is available only with respect to transactions on an exchange.
The Advisor or its affiliates may purchase shares of a Portfolio through a broker-dealer to “seed” a Portfolio as it is launched, or may purchase shares of a Portfolio from other broker-dealers that have previously provided “seed” capital for a Portfolio when it was launched, or otherwise in secondary market transactions.
PORTFOLIO CHARACTERISTICS, POLICIES AND INVESTMENT PROCESS
Dimensional serves as investment advisor to each of the Portfolios. The Advisor is organized as a Delaware limited partnership and is controlled and operated by its general partner, Dimensional Holdings Inc., a Delaware corporation.
The following information supplements the information set forth in the Prospectus. Unless otherwise indicated, the following information applies to each Portfolio. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this SAI have the meaning assigned to them in the Prospectus. Each of the Portfolios is diversified under the federal securities laws and regulations.
Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF, Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF, Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF (each, an “Equity Portfolio” and collectively, the “Equity Portfolios”) and the Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF have adopted a non-fundamental policy as required by Rule 35d-1 under the 1940 Act that, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of the value of the Portfolio’s net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, will be invested in a specific type of investment. If a Portfolio changes its 80% non-fundamental policy, the Portfolio will notify shareholders at least 60 days before the change, and will change the name of the Portfolio. For purposes of each 80% policy, the value of the derivatives in which each such Portfolio invests will be calculated in the same way that the values of derivatives are calculated when calculating a Portfolio’s NAV. Derivative instruments are valued at market price (not notional value) and may be fair valued, for purposes of calculating a Portfolio’s NAV. For more information on each such Portfolio’s specific 80% policy, see the “PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES” section in its Prospectus.
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Because the structure of the Equity Portfolios is based on the relative market capitalizations of eligible holdings, it is possible that a Portfolio might include at least 5% of the outstanding voting securities of one or more issuers. In such circumstances, the Equity Portfolio and the issuer would be deemed affiliated persons and certain requirements under the federal securities laws and regulations regulating dealings between investment companies and their affiliates might become applicable.
The Advisor has adopted a process that monitors environmental, social, and governance news and large share price movements of eligible portfolio companies to identify issuers whose future financial data may be negatively impacted to a significant degree by environmental, social, or governance factors. The Advisor may use third party tools to assist in filtering news focused on environmental, social and governance issues. Companies that are identified through this process are escalated to the members of the Advisor’s portfolio management team for further evaluation. After review, if the portfolio management team determines that an issuer’s future financial data is likely to be significantly impacted, the issuer may be underweighted, temporarily excluded from further investment, or divested from an Equity Portfolio.
BROKERAGE TRANSACTIONS
As of October 31, 2022, the Portfolios had not commenced operations, so the Portfolios did not pay any brokerage commissions.
Portfolio transactions will be placed with a view to receiving the best price and execution. The Advisor will seek to acquire and dispose of securities in a manner which would cause as little fluctuation in the market prices of securities being purchased or sold as possible in light of the size of the transactions being effected, and brokers will be selected with this goal in view. The Advisor monitors the performance of brokers which effect transactions for the Portfolios to determine the effect that the brokers’ trading has on the market prices of the securities in which the Portfolios invest. The Advisor also checks the rate of commission being paid by the Portfolios to their brokers to ascertain that the rates are competitive with those charged by other brokers for similar services. Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. and DFA Australia Limited also may perform these services for the Portfolios that they sub-advise.
Subject to the duty to seek to obtain best price and execution, transactions may be placed with brokers that have assisted in the sale of Portfolio shares. The Advisor, however, pursuant to policies and procedures approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust, is prohibited from selecting brokers and dealers to effect a Portfolio’s portfolio securities transactions based (in whole or in part) on a broker’s or dealer’s promotion or sale of shares issued by a Portfolio or any other registered investment companies.
Companies eligible for purchase by an Equity Portfolio may be thinly traded securities. The Advisor believes that it needs maximum flexibility to effect trades on a best execution basis. As deemed appropriate, the Advisor places buy and sell orders for the Portfolios with various brokerage firms that may act as principal or agent. The Advisor may also make use of direct market access and algorithmic, program or electronic trading methods. The Advisor may extensively use electronic trading systems as such systems can provide the ability to customize the orders placed and can assist in the Advisor’s execution strategies.
Transactions also may be placed with brokers who provide the Advisor or the sub-advisors with investment research, such as: reports concerning individual issuers; general economic or industry reports or research data compilations; compilations of securities prices, earnings, dividends, and similar data; computerized databases; quotation services; trade analytics; ancillary brokerage services; and services of economic or other consultants. The investment management agreements permit the Advisor knowingly to pay commissions on these transactions that are greater than another broker, dealer or exchange member might charge if the Advisor, in good faith, determines that the commissions paid are reasonable in relation to the research or brokerage services provided by the broker or dealer when viewed in terms of either a particular transaction or the Advisor’s overall responsibilities to the accounts under its management. Research services furnished by brokers through whom securities transactions are effected may be used by the Advisor in servicing all of its accounts and not all such services may be used by the Advisor with respect to the Portfolios.
Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF acquires and sells securities on a net basis with dealers which are major market makers in such securities. The Investment Committee of the Advisor selects dealers on the basis of their size, market making, and other factors. When executing portfolio transactions, the Advisor seeks to obtain the most favorable price for the securities being traded among the dealers with whom the Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF effects transactions.
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To the extent creation or redemption transactions are conducted on a cash or “cash in lieu” basis, a Portfolio may contemporaneously transact with broker-dealers for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities in connection with such transactions. Such orders may be placed with an Authorized Participant in its capacity as broker-dealer, a broker-dealer that is affiliated with the Authorized Participant, or a third-party broker-dealer.
Specifically, following a Portfolio’s receipt of a creation or redemption order, to the extent such purchases or redemptions consist of a cash portion, the Portfolio may enter an order with the Authorized Participant, its affiliated broker-dealer or a third-party broker-dealer to purchase or sell the portfolio securities, as applicable. The executing broker-dealer will be required to guarantee that the Portfolio will achieve execution of its order at a price at least as favorable to the Portfolio as the Portfolio’s valuation of the portfolio securities used for purposes of calculating the NAV applied to the creation or redemption transaction giving rise to the order (the “Price Guarantee”). Whether the execution of the order is at a price at least as favorable to the Portfolio will depend on the results achieved by the executing firm and will vary depending on market activity, timing and a variety of other factors.
An Authorized Participant is required to deposit an amount with a Portfolio in order to ensure that the execution of the order on the terms noted above will be honored on orders arising from creation transactions executed by an Authorized Participant or its affiliate as broker-dealer. If the broker-dealer executing the order achieves executions in market transactions at a price equal to or more favorable than a Portfolio’s valuation of the portfolio securities, the Portfolio receives the benefit of the favorable executions and the deposit is returned to the Authorized Participant. If, however, the broker-dealer executing the order is unable to achieve a price at least equal to a Portfolio’s valuation of the securities, the Portfolio retains the portion of the deposit equal to the full amount of the execution shortfall (including any taxes, brokerage commissions or other costs) and may require the Authorized Participant to deposit any additional amount required to cover the full amount of the actual execution transaction.
An Authorized Participant agrees to pay the shortfall amount in order to ensure that a guarantee on execution will be honored for brokerage orders arising from redemption transactions executed by an Authorized Participant or its affiliate as broker-dealer. If the broker-dealer executing the order achieves executions in market transactions at a price equal to or more favorable than a Portfolio’s valuation of the portfolio securities, the Portfolio receives the benefit of the favorable executions. If, however, the broker-dealer is unable to achieve executions in market transactions at a price at least equal to the Portfolio’s valuation of the securities, the Portfolio will be entitled to the portion of the offset equal to the full amount of the execution shortfall (including any taxes, brokerage commissions or other costs).
INVESTMENT LIMITATIONS
Each of the Portfolios has adopted certain limitations which may not be changed with respect to any Portfolio without the approval of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio. A “majority” is defined as the lesser of: (1) at least 67% of the voting securities of the Portfolio (to be affected by the proposed change) present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the Portfolio are present or represented by proxy, or (2) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of such Portfolio.
The Portfolios will not:
1) | borrow money, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, or any rules, exemptions or interpretations thereunder that may be adopted, granted or issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”); | |
2) | make loans, except to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act, or any rules, exemptions or interpretations thereunder that may be adopted, granted or issued by the SEC; provided that in no event shall the Portfolio be permitted to make a loan to a natural person; | |
3) | purchase or sell real estate, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments, and provided that this restriction does not prevent the Portfolio from: (i) purchasing or selling securities or instruments secured by real estate or interests therein, securities or instruments representing interests in real estate or securities or instruments of issuers that invest, deal or otherwise engage in transactions in real estate or interests therein; and (ii) purchasing or selling real estate mortgage loans; | |
4) | purchase or sell physical commodities, unless acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments, and provided that this limitation does not prevent the Portfolio from (i) purchasing or selling securities of companies that purchase or sell commodities or that invest in commodities; (ii) engaging in any transaction involving |
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currencies, options, forwards, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, swaps, hybrid instruments or other derivatives; or (iii) investing in securities, or transacting in other instruments, that are linked to or secured by physical or other commodities; | ||
5) | purchase the securities of any one issuer, if immediately after such investment, the Portfolio would not qualify as a “diversified company” as that term is defined by the 1940 Act, as amended, and as modified or interpreted by regulatory authority having jurisdiction, from time to time; | |
6) | engage in the business of underwriting securities issued by others; | |
7) | concentrate (invest more than 25% of its net assets) in securities of issuers in a particular industry (other than securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or any of its agencies or securities of other investment companies); or | |
8) | issue senior securities (as such term is defined in Section 18(f) of the 1940 Act), except to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act. |
With respect to the investment limitation described in (1) above, each Portfolio will maintain asset coverage of at least 300% (as described in the 1940 Act), inclusive of any amounts borrowed, with respect to any borrowings made by such Portfolio. Under the 1940 Act, an open-end investment company may borrow up to 33⅓% of its total assets (including the amount borrowed) from banks, and may borrow up to an additional 5% of its total assets, for temporary purposes, from any other person. The Portfolios do not currently intend to borrow money for investment purposes.
Although the investment limitation described in (2) above prohibits loans, the Portfolios are authorized to lend portfolio securities under the conditions and restrictions described in the Portfolios’ Prospectus. Investment limitation (2) above also does not, among other things, prevent a Portfolio from engaging in repurchase agreements, acquiring debt or loan instruments in the future or participating in an interfund lending order granted by the SEC.
For the purposes of the investment limitation described in (7) above, for the Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF, management does not consider securities that are issued by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities to be investments in an “industry.” However, management currently considers securities issued by a foreign government (but not the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities) to be an “industry” subject to the 25% limitation. Thus, not more than 25% of the Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF’s net assets will be invested in securities issued by any one foreign government or supranational organization. In applying the investment limitation described in (7) above, a Portfolio will consider the investments of other investment companies in which the Portfolio invests to the extent it has sufficient information about the holdings of such investment companies.
With respect to the investment limitation described in (8) above, the Portfolios will not issue senior securities, except that each Portfolio may borrow money as described above. Each Portfolio may also borrow money for temporary purposes, but not in excess of 5% of such Portfolio’s total assets. Further, a transaction or agreement that otherwise might be deemed to create leverage, such as a forward or futures contract, option, swap or when-issued security, delayed delivery or forward commitment transaction, will not be considered a senior security to the extent such investments are purchased and held in compliance with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder.
Pursuant to Rule 22e-4 under the 1940 Act (the “Liquidity Rule”), a Portfolio may not acquire any “illiquid investment” if, immediately after the acquisition, the Portfolio would have invested more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid investments that are assets. Illiquid investments are investments that the Portfolio reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment, as determined pursuant to the Trust’s liquidity risk management program (the “Liquidity Program”). As required by the Liquidity Rule, the Trust has implemented the Liquidity Program, and the Board, including a majority of the disinterested Trustees, has appointed a liquidity risk management program administrator (the “Liquidity Program Administrator”) to administer such program. The Liquidity Program Administrator’s responsibilities include, among others, determining the liquidity classification of a Portfolio’s investments, if applicable, and monitoring compliance with the 15% limit on illiquid investments.
For these purposes, Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF may invest in commercial paper that is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”), subject to the requirements regarding credit ratings stated in the Prospectus under “ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES.” Although the commercial paper securities are not registered, they will not be subject to
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the 15% limitation on holdings of illiquid investments. Further, pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act, the Portfolios may purchase certain unregistered (i.e., restricted) securities upon a determination that a liquid institutional market exists for the securities. If it is determined that a liquid market does exist, the securities will not be subject to the 15% limitation on illiquid investments. Among other considerations, the Advisor may consider the number of dealers making a market in such securities when determining whether a liquid market exists. After purchase, the Portfolios will continue to monitor the liquidity of Rule 144A securities.
The investment limitations described above do not prohibit the Portfolios from purchasing or selling futures contracts and options on futures contracts, to the extent otherwise permitted under the Portfolios’ investment strategies. Except with respect to a Portfolio’s limitation on borrowing, illiquid investments, or as otherwise indicated, with respect to the investment limitations described above, all limitations applicable to the Portfolios’ investments apply only at the time that a transaction is undertaken.
Notwithstanding any of the above investment limitations, the Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF may establish subsidiaries or other similar vehicles for the purpose of conducting its investment operations in Approved Markets, if such subsidiaries or vehicles are required by local laws or regulations governing foreign investors, or whose use is otherwise considered by the Portfolio to be advisable. The Portfolio would “look through” any such vehicle or subsidiary to determine compliance with its investment restrictions.
FUTURES CONTRACTS
Each Portfolio may purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts for securities and indices to increase or decrease market exposure based on actual or expected cash inflows to or outflows from the Portfolio. The Portfolios, however, do not intend to sell futures contracts to establish short positions in individual securities. Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF may also purchase or sell futures contracts and options on futures contracts to hedge its interest rate or currency exposure or for non-hedging purposes, such as a substitute for direct investment.
Futures contracts provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified amount of defined securities at a specified future time and at a specified price. Futures contracts that are standardized as to maturity date and underlying financial instrument are traded on national futures exchanges. Each Portfolio will be required to make a margin deposit in cash or government securities with a futures commission merchant (an “FCM”) to initiate and maintain positions in futures contracts. Minimal initial margin requirements are established by the futures exchanges and FCMs may establish margin requirements which are higher than the exchange requirements. A Portfolio also will incur brokerage costs in connection with entering into futures contracts. After a futures contract position is opened, the value of the contract is marked-to-market daily. If the futures contract price changes to the extent that the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, payment of additional “variation” margin to be held by the FCM will be required. Conversely, a reduction in the required margin would result in excess margin that can be refunded to the custodial accounts of the Portfolio. Variation margin payments may be made to and from the futures broker for as long as the contract remains open. Each Portfolio expects to earn income on its margin deposits.
At any time prior to the expiration of a futures contract, a Portfolio may elect to close the position by taking an opposite position, which will operate to terminate its existing position in the contract. Positions in futures contracts may be closed out only on the exchange on which they were entered into (or through a linked exchange). No secondary market for such contracts exists. Although a Portfolio may enter into futures contracts only if there is an active market for such contracts, there is no assurance that an active market will exist for any particular futures contract at any specific time. Most futures exchanges limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in futures contract prices during a single trading day. Once the daily limit has been reached in a particular contract, no trades may be made that day at a price beyond that limit or trading may be suspended for specified periods during the day. It is possible that futures contract prices could move to the daily limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of futures positions at an advantageous price and subjecting a Portfolio to substantial losses. In such event, and in the event of adverse price movements, the Portfolio would be required to make daily cash payments of variation margin. In such situations, if the Portfolio had insufficient cash, it might have to sell securities to meet daily variation margin requirements at a time when it would be disadvantageous to do so. In addition, if the transaction is entered into for hedging purposes, in such circumstances a Portfolio may realize a loss on a futures contract or option that is not offset by an increase in the value of the hedged position. Losses incurred in futures transactions and the costs of these transactions will affect the performance of the Portfolio.
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FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS
The Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF, Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF and Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF may each enter into foreign currency exchange transactions in order to attempt to protect against uncertainty in the level of future foreign currency exchange rates. A Portfolio will conduct its foreign currency exchange transactions either on a spot (i.e., cash) basis at the spot rate prevailing in the foreign currency exchange market, or by entering into forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies. A foreign currency forward contract involves an obligation to exchange two currencies at a future date, which may be any fixed number of days (usually less than one year) from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a fixed rate set at the time of the contract. These contracts are traded in the interbank market conducted directly between traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. A forward contract generally has no deposit requirement, and no commissions are charged at any stage for trades. Although foreign exchange dealers do not charge a fee for conversion, they do realize a profit based on the difference (the spread) between the price at which they are buying and selling various currencies.
Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF and Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF may enter into a foreign currency exchange transaction in connection with the purchase or sale of foreign equity securities, typically to “lock in” the value of the transaction with respect to a different currency. In addition, the Portfolios may, from time to time, enter into a forward contract to transfer balances from one currency to another currency.
Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF may enter into foreign currency forward contracts to hedge against fluctuations in currency exchange rates or to transfer balances from one currency to another currency. The Portfolio may enter into a forward contract to buy or sell the amount of foreign currency approximating the value of some or all of the portfolio securities quoted or denominated in such foreign currency. The precise matching of the forward contract amounts and the value of the securities involved will not generally be possible since the future value of such securities in foreign currencies will change as a consequence of market movements in the value of those securities between the date the forward contract is entered into and the date it expires. The Portfolio typically hedges its foreign currency exposure.
At the maturity of a forward currency contract, a Portfolio may either exchange the currencies specified at the maturity of a forward contract or, prior to maturity, the Portfolio may enter into a closing transaction involving the purchase or sale of an offsetting contract. Closing transactions with respect to forward contracts may be effected with a counterparty other than the counterparty to the original forward contract.
Forward currency contracts are highly volatile, and a relatively small price movement in a forward currency contract may result in substantial losses to a Portfolio. To the extent a Portfolio engages in forward currency contracts to generate current income, the Portfolio will be subject to these risks which the Portfolio might otherwise avoid (e.g., through use of hedging transactions).
The use of foreign currency exchange transactions may not benefit a Portfolio if exchange rates move in an unexpected manner. In addition, these techniques could result in a loss if the counterparty to a transaction does not perform as promised, including because of the counterparty’s bankruptcy or insolvency. These transactions also involve settlement risk, which is the risk faced when one party to a transaction has performed its obligations under a contract but has not yet received value from its counterparty.
SWAPS
Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF also may enter into credit default swap agreements on issuers or indices to buy or sell credit protection to hedge its credit exposure; gain market or issuer exposure without owning the underlying securities; or increase the Portfolio’s total return. Swap agreements are two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to more than one year.
Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF may enter into a credit default swap on a single security or instrument (sometimes referred to as a “CDS” transaction) or on a basket or index of securities (sometimes referred to as a “CDX” transaction). The “buyer” in a credit default contract typically is obligated to pay the “seller” a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract, provided that no credit event with respect to any underlying reference obligation has occurred. If a credit event occurs, the seller typically must pay the buyer the “par value” (full notional value) of the reference obligation in exchange for the reference obligation. The Portfolio may be either the buyer or the seller in the transaction. If
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the Portfolio is a buyer and no credit event occurs, the Portfolio may lose its investment and recover nothing. However, if a credit event occurs, the buyer typically receives full notional value for a reference obligation that may have little or no value. As a seller, the Portfolio typically receives a fixed rate of income throughout the term of the contract, which typically is between six months and three years, provided a credit event does not occur. If a credit event occurs, the seller typically must pay the buyer the full notional amount of the reference obligation.
The Equity Portfolios also may enter into equity swaps, including total return swaps and dynamic portfolio total return swaps (“DTRS”). In a standard swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns, differentials in rates of return or some other amount earned or realized on a predetermined asset (or group of assets) which may be adjusted for transaction costs, interest payments, dividends paid on the reference asset or other factors. The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties are generally calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” for example, the increase or decrease in value of a particular dollar amount invested in the asset. The Equity Portfolios may use equity swaps to invest in a market without owning or taking physical custody of securities, including in circumstances where direct investment may be restricted or is otherwise deemed impractical or disadvantageous.
Equity total return swaps can create long or short economic exposure to an underlying equity security, or to a basket of securities. Equity swap contracts may be structured in different ways. For example, under an equity total return swap contract, one party may agree to make payments to another based on the total economic performance of a notional amount of the underlying security or securities (including dividends and changes in market value) during a specified period, in return for periodic payments based on the application of a fixed or variable interest rate to the same notional amount. The purchaser of a long total return swap is paid the amount of any increase in value and pays the amount of any decrease in value, while the purchaser of a short total return swap is paid the amount of any decrease and pays the amount of any increase.
The Equity Portfolios may enter into swaps, including DTRS, in order to access a specific equity market without purchasing or selling the underlying securities represented in the DTRS. DTRS are designed to replicate the performance of an underlying reference asset such as a portfolio of equities or ETFs. For example, the issuer of the DTRS agreement may agree to pay an Equity Portfolio an amount equal to the performance of the underlying equities in a given period netted against a floating rate plus a spread or a fixed rate in the same period paid to the issuer by the Portfolio. The reference rate for the floating rate is typically based on an official interbank benchmark rate. The cash flows in a DTRS may be exchanged at maturity or periodically at each reset (e.g., monthly or quarterly). No notional amounts are exchanged at the start or at the maturity of the DTRS. In addition, pursuant to the terms of a DTRS, the underlying equities can be traded in the course of the day thereby changing the composition of the underlying equity portfolio, which provides an Equity Portfolio with the ability to vary the market exposure obtained through investment in the DTRS. DTRS are subject to transaction costs, financing costs and other fees which will be borne by the Portfolio in connection with its investments in these instruments.
The swaps in which the Portfolios invest involve greater risks than if the Portfolios had invested in the reference assets directly, since, in addition to general market risks, these instruments are subject to counterparty risk, valuation risk, illiquidity risk, interest rate risk, and credit risk, among other risks. Adverse changes in market values, interest rates and currency exchange rates, or in the creditworthiness of swap counterparties and the issuers of the underlying assets may negatively affect the investment performance of a Portfolio and the investment performance of the Portfolio may be less favorable than it would have been if these investment techniques were not used.
Swaps carry counterparty risks that cannot be fully anticipated. A Portfolio’s ability to realize a profit from swaps transactions will depend on the ability of the financial institutions with which it enters into the transactions to meet their obligations to the Portfolio. If a counterparty’s creditworthiness declines, the value of the agreement would be likely to decline, potentially resulting in losses to a Portfolio. If a default occurs by the other party to such transaction, the Portfolio will have contractual remedies pursuant to the agreements related to the transaction, which may be limited by applicable law in the case of a counterparty’s insolvency. In addition, the Portfolios may experience difficulty in valuing the swap or in determining the amounts owed to or by the counterparty, regardless of whether the counterparty has defaulted. Some swap agreements entail complex terms and may require a greater degree of subjectivity in their valuation. Under certain circumstances, suitable transactions may not be available to a Portfolio, or the Portfolio may be unable to close out its position under such transactions at the same time, or at the same price, as if it had purchased comparable publicly traded securities. Moreover, participants in the swap markets are not required to make continuous markets in the swap contracts they trade. Participants could refuse to quote prices for swap contracts or quote prices with an unusually wide spread between the price at which they are prepared to buy and the price at which they are prepared to sell. The Advisor, under the supervision of the Board of Trustees, is responsible for determining and monitoring the liquidity of the Portfolios’ swaps transactions in accordance with the Trust’s Liquidity Program. With respect to credit default swaps, a buyer also will lose its investment and
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recover nothing should no credit event occur and the swap is held to its termination date. If a credit event were to occur, the value of any deliverable obligation received by the seller, coupled with the up-front or periodic payments previously received, may be less than the full notional value the seller pays to the buyer, resulting in a loss of value to the Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF. When the Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF acts as a seller of a credit default swap, the Portfolio is exposed to many of the same risks of leverage since, if a credit event occurs, the seller may be required to pay the buyer the full notional value of the contract net of any amounts owed by the buyer related to its delivery of deliverable obligations.
As described above, some types of swap agreements, including DTRS, are negotiated bilaterally with a swap dealer and traded OTC between the two parties (“uncleared swaps”), while other swaps are transacted through an FCM and cleared through a clearinghouse that serves as a central counterparty (“cleared swaps”), and may be traded on swap execution facilities (“exchanges”). Parties to uncleared swaps face greater counterparty credit risk than those engaging in cleared swaps since performance of uncleared swap obligations is the responsibility only of the swap counterparty rather than a clearing house, as is the case with cleared swaps. As a result, a Portfolio bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default, insolvency or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty beyond any collateral received. In such an event, as noted above, a Portfolio will have contractual remedies pursuant to the swap agreements, but bankruptcy and insolvency laws could affect the Portfolio’s rights as a creditor.
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) and implementing rules adopted by the CFTC currently require the clearing and exchange-trading of the most common types of credit default index swaps and interest rate swaps, and it is expected that additional categories of swaps will in the future be designated as subject to mandatory clearing and trade execution requirements. Central clearing is intended to reduce counterparty credit risk and increase liquidity, but central clearing does not eliminate these risks completely. There is also a risk of loss by a Portfolio of the initial and variation margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of the FCM with which the Portfolio has an open position, or the central counterparty in a swap contract. The assets of the Portfolio may not be fully protected in the event of the bankruptcy of the FCM or central counterparty because the Portfolio might be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of all available funds and margin segregated on behalf of an FCM’s customers. If an FCM does not provide accurate reporting, a Portfolio is also subject to the risk that the FCM could use the Portfolio’s assets, which are held in an omnibus account with assets belonging to the FCM’s other customers, to satisfy its own financial obligations or the payment obligations of another customer to the central counterparty. Credit risk of cleared swap participants is concentrated in a few clearinghouses, and the consequences of insolvency of a clearinghouse are not clear.
The Advisor and the Trust do not consider a Portfolio’s obligations under swap contracts senior securities and, accordingly, the Portfolios will not treat them as being subject to the Portfolios’ borrowing or senior securities restrictions to the extent such investments are purchased and held in compliance with the requirements of the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder. To the extent that a Portfolio cannot dispose of a swap in the ordinary course of business within seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment, the Portfolio will treat the swap as illiquid and subject to its overall limit on illiquid investments of 15% of the Portfolio’s net assets.
The Dodd-Frank Act and related regulatory developments imposed comprehensive regulatory requirements on swaps and swap market participants. The regulatory framework includes: (1) registration and regulation of swap dealers and major swap participants; (2) requiring central clearing and execution of standardized swaps; (3) imposing margin requirements on swap transactions; (4) regulating and monitoring swap transactions through position limits and large trader reporting requirements; and (5) imposing record keeping and centralized and public reporting requirements, on an anonymous basis, for most swaps. The CFTC is responsible for the regulation of most swaps. The SEC has jurisdiction over a small segment of the market referred to as “security-based swaps,” which includes swaps on single securities or credits, or narrow-based indices of securities or credits.
The regulation of cleared and uncleared swaps, as well as other derivatives, is a rapidly changing area of law and is subject to modification by government and judicial action. In addition, the SEC, CFTC and the exchanges are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of a market emergency, including, for example, the implementation or reduction of speculative position limits, the implementation of higher margin requirements, the establishment of daily price limits and the suspension of trading. It is not possible to predict fully the effects of current or future regulation. The requirements, even if not directly applicable to the Portfolios, may increase the cost of the Portfolios’ investments and cost of doing business. It is possible that developments in the swaps market, including potential government regulation, could adversely affect a Portfolio’s ability to terminate existing swap agreements or to realize amounts to be received under such agreements.
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PARTICIPATORY NOTES
The Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF may invest in equity access products and instruments that have economic characteristics similar to equity securities, such as participation notes (also known as participatory notes) or other structured instruments that may be developed from time to time (collectively, “structured instruments”).
Structured instruments are notes that are issued by banks, broker-dealers or their affiliates and are designed to offer a return linked to a particular underlying equity security, basket of securities, or market. The local branch or broker-dealer will usually place the local market equity securities in a special purpose vehicle, which will issue instruments that reflect the performance of the underlying equity securities. The performance of the special purpose vehicle generally carries the unsecured guarantee of the sponsoring bank or broker-dealer. This guarantee does not extend to the performance or value of the underlying local market equity securities. For purposes of the Portfolio’s fundamental industry concentration policy, the Portfolio applies the restriction by reference to the industry of the issuer of the underlying equity securities and not the industry of the issuer of a structured instrument.
If the structured instrument were held to maturity, the issuer would pay to the purchaser the underlying instrument’s value at maturity with any necessary adjustments. The holder of a structured instrument that is linked to a particular underlying equity security, basket of securities, or market may be entitled to receive dividends paid in connection with that underlying security or instrument, but typically does not receive voting rights as it would if it directly owned the underlying security or instrument. Structured instruments have transaction costs. In addition, there can be no assurance that there will be a trading market for a structured instrument or that the trading price of a structured instrument will equal the underlying value of the security, instrument or market that it seeks to replicate.
Unlike a direct investment in equity securities, structured instruments typically involve a term or expiration date, potentially increasing the Portfolio’s turnover rate, transaction costs and tax liability. Due to transfer restrictions, the secondary markets on which a structured instrument is traded may be less liquid than the market for other securities, or may be completely illiquid, which may expose the Portfolio to risks of mispricing or improper valuation. Structured instruments typically constitute general unsecured contractual obligations of the banks, broker-dealers or their relevant affiliates that issue them, which subjects the Portfolio to counterparty risk (and this risk may be amplified if the Portfolio purchases structured instruments from only a small number of issuers). Structured instruments also have the same risks associated with a direct investment in the underlying securities, instruments or markets that they seek to replicate.
EXCLUSION FROM COMMODITY POOL OPERATOR STATUS
The Advisor has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”) with respect to the Portfolios described in this SAI, and, therefore, is not subject to registration or regulation as a pool operator under the CEA with respect to such Portfolios. The CFTC has neither reviewed nor approved the Advisor’s reliance on these exclusions, the investment strategies of the Portfolios, or this SAI.
The terms of the commodity pool operator (“CPO”) exclusion require that each Portfolio, among other things, adhere to certain limits on its investments in “commodity interests.” Commodity interests include commodity futures, commodity options and swaps, which in turn include non-deliverable foreign currency forward contracts. Generally, the exclusion from CPO regulation on which the Advisor relies requires each Portfolio to meet one of the following tests for its commodity interest positions, other than positions entered into for bona fide hedging purposes (as defined in the rules of the CFTC): either (1) the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish positions in commodity interests may not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of the portfolio of the Portfolio (after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions); or (2) the aggregate net notional value of the Portfolio’s commodity interest positions, determined at the time the most recent such position was established, may not exceed 100% of the liquidation value of the Portfolio’s portfolio (after taking into account unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions). In addition to meeting one of these trading limitations, each Portfolio may not be marketed as a commodity pool or otherwise as a vehicle for trading in the commodity futures, commodity options or swaps markets. If, in the future, a Portfolio can no longer satisfy these requirements, the Advisor would withdraw its notice claiming an exclusion from the definition of a CPO, and the Advisor would be subject to registration and regulation as a CPO with respect to the Portfolio, in accordance with CFTC rules that apply to CPOs of registered investment companies. Generally, these rules allow for substituted compliance with CFTC disclosure and shareholder reporting requirements, based on the Advisor’s compliance with comparable SEC
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requirements. However, as a result of CFTC regulation with respect to a Portfolio, the Portfolio may incur additional compliance and other expenses.
FOREIGN ISSUERS
The Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF, Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF and Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income Portfolio (each, an “International Portfolio” and collectively, the “International Portfolios”) may acquire and sell securities issued in foreign countries. There are substantial risks associated with investing in the securities issued by governments and companies located in, or having substantial operations in, foreign countries, which are in addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments. In many foreign countries there is less government supervision and regulation of stock exchanges, brokers, and listed companies than in the U.S., which may result in greater potential for fraud or market manipulation. There is also the risk of substantially more government involvement in the economy in foreign countries, as well as, the possible arbitrary and unpredictable enforcement of securities regulations and other laws, which may limit the ability of an International Portfolio to invest in foreign issuers.
Significantly, there is the possibility of cessation of trading on foreign exchanges, expropriation, nationalization of assets, confiscatory or punitive taxation, withholding and other foreign taxes on income or other amounts, foreign exchange controls (which may include suspension of the ability to transfer currency from a given country), restrictions on removal of assets, political or social instability, military action or unrest, or diplomatic developments. There is no assurance that the Advisor will be able to anticipate these potential events. In addition, the value of securities denominated in foreign currencies and of dividends and interest paid with respect to such securities will fluctuate based on the relative strength of the U.S. dollar. Foreign issuers may not be subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and there may be less publicly available financial and other information about such issuers, comparable to U.S. issuers. Certain countries’ legal institutions, financial markets, and services are less developed than those in the U.S. or other major economies. An International Portfolio may have greater difficulty voting proxies, exercising shareholder rights, securing dividends and obtaining information regarding corporate actions on a timely basis, pursuing legal remedies, and obtaining judgments with respect to foreign investments in foreign courts than with respect to domestic issuers in U.S. courts. The costs associated with foreign investments, including withholding taxes, brokerage commissions, and custodial costs, are generally higher than with U.S. investments. To the extent that an International Portfolio invests a significant portion of its assets in a specific geographic region or country, the Portfolio will have more exposure to economic risks related to such region or country than a fund whose investments are more geographically diversified. In addition, economies of some emerging market countries may be based on only a few industries and may be highly vulnerable to changes in local or global trade conditions. Foreign markets also have substantially less volume than the U.S. markets and securities of some foreign issuers are less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. issuers. An International Portfolio, therefore, may encounter difficulty in obtaining market quotations for purposes of valuing its portfolio and calculating its NAV.
It is also possible that the U.S., other nations or other governmental entities (including supranational entities) could impose sanctions against issuers in various sectors of certain foreign countries. This could limit an International Portfolio’s investment opportunities in such countries, impairing the Portfolio’s ability to invest in accordance with its investment strategy and/or to meet its investment objective. In addition, an imposition of sanctions upon such issuers could result in an immediate freeze of the issuers’ securities, impairing the ability of an International Portfolio to buy, sell, receive or deliver those securities. Further, current sanctions or the threat of potential sanctions may also impair the value or liquidity of affected securities and negatively impact an International Portfolio.
Emerging markets
Securities of issuers associated with emerging market countries, including, but not limited to, issuers that are organized under the laws of, maintain a principal place of business in, derive significant revenues from, or issue securities backed by the government (or, its agencies or instrumentalities) of emerging market countries may be subject to higher and additional risks than securities of issuers in developed foreign markets. These risks include, but are not limited to (i) social, political and economic instability; (ii) government intervention, including policies or regulations that may restrict the Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF’s investment opportunities, including restrictions on investment in issuers or industries deemed sensitive to an emerging market country’s national interests; (iii) less transparent and established taxation policies; (iv) less developed legal systems which may limit the rights and remedies available to the Portfolio against an issuer and with respect to the enforcement of private property rights and/or redress for injuries to private property; (v) the lack of a capital market structure or market-oriented economy which could limit reliable access to capital; (vi) higher degree of corruption and fraud and potential for market manipulation; (vii) counterparties and financial institutions with less
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financial sophistication, creditworthiness and/or resources as those in developed foreign markets; (viii) the possibility that the process of easing restrictions on foreign investment occurring in some emerging market countries may be slowed or reversed by unanticipated economic, political or social events in such countries, or the countries that exercise a significant influence over those countries; and (ix) differences in regulatory, accounting, auditing, and financial reporting and recordkeeping standards that could impede the Advisor’s ability to evaluate issuers.
In addition, many emerging market countries have experienced substantial, and during some periods, extremely high rates of inflation, for many years. Inflation and rapid fluctuations in inflation rates have had, and may continue to have, negative effects on the economies and securities markets of these countries. Moreover, the economies of some emerging market countries may differ unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, currency depreciation, debt burden, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and balance of payments position.
The Portfolio may have limited access to, or there may be a limited number of, potential counterparties that trade in the securities of emerging market issuers. Potential counterparties may not possess, adopt or implement creditworthiness standards, financial reporting standards or legal and contractual protections similar to those in developed foreign markets. Currency and other hedging techniques may not be available or may be limited. The local taxation of income and capital gains accruing to nonresidents varies among emerging market countries and may be comparatively high. Emerging market countries typically have less well-defined tax laws and procedures and such laws may permit retroactive taxation so that the Portfolio could in the future become subject to local tax liabilities that had not been anticipated in conducting its investment activities or valuing its assets. Custodial services and other investment-related costs in emerging market countries are often more expensive, compared to developed foreign markets and the U.S., which can reduce the Portfolio’s income from investments in securities or debt instruments of emerging market country issuers.
Some emerging market currencies may not be internationally traded or may be subject to strict controls on foreign investment by local governments, resulting in undervalued or overvalued currencies and associated difficulties with the valuation of assets, including the Portfolio’s securities, denominated in that currency. Some emerging market governments restrict currency conversions and/or set limits on repatriation of invested capital. Future restrictive exchange controls could prevent or restrict a company’s ability to make dividend or interest payments in the original currency of the obligation (usually U.S. dollars). In addition, even though the currencies of some emerging market countries may be convertible into U.S. dollars, the conversion rates may be different than the actual market values and may be adverse to the Portfolio’s shareholders.
Investments in Chinese companies may be made through a special structure known as a variable interest entity (“VIE”). In a VIE structure, foreign investors, such as the Portfolio, will only own stock in a shell company rather than directly in the Chinese company, known as the VIE. The VIE must be owned by Chinese nationals (and/or Chinese companies), which are typically the VIE’s founders, to obtain the licenses and/or assets required to operate in certain restricted and/or prohibited sectors in China. The value of the shell company is therefore derived from its ability to consolidate the VIE into its financials pursuant to contractual arrangements that allow the shell company to exert a degree of control over, and obtain economic benefits arising from, the VIE without formal legal ownership. The shell company is typically set up in an offshore jurisdiction, such as the Cayman Islands, and enters into the service and other contracts with the VIE through a wholly foreign-owned enterprise based in China. The VIE structure is designed to provide foreign investors with exposure to Chinese companies that operate in certain sectors in which China restricts and/or prohibits foreign investments, such as internet, media, education and telecommunications.
While VIEs are a longstanding industry practice that is well known to Chinese officials and regulators, historically they have not been formally recognized under Chinese law and regulations regarding the structure are evolving. For example, in late December 2021, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) released draft rules that would permit the use of VIE structures, provided they abide by Chinese laws and register with the CSRC. The new draft rules, however, may cause Chinese companies to undergo greater scrutiny and may make the process to create and/or operate VIEs more difficult and costly.
It is uncertain whether Chinese officials or regulators will withdraw their acceptance of the VIE structure, generally, or with respect to certain industries, or limit VIEs’ ability to pass through economic and governance rights to foreign individuals and entities. The contractual arrangements with the VIE also may not be as effective in providing operational control as direct equity ownership. The Chinese equity owner(s) of a VIE could decide to breach the contractual arrangements and may have conflicting interests and fiduciary duties as compared to foreign investors in the shell company. Further, any breach or dispute under these contracts will likely fall under Chinese jurisdiction and law. Prohibitions of these
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structures by the Chinese government, or the inability to enforce such contracts through Chinese courts and/or arbitration bodies, would likely cause the VIE-structured holding(s) to suffer significant, detrimental, and possibly permanent losses, and in turn, adversely affect the Portfolio’s returns and net asset value.
In addition, foreign companies with securities listed on U.S. securities exchanges, including those that utilize VIE structures, may be delisted if they do not meet the requirements of the listing exchange, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board or the U.S. government, which could significantly decrease the liquidity and value of such investments.
GENERAL MARKET AND GEOPOLITICAL RISKS
The value of a Portfolio’s securities changes daily due to economic and other events that affect market prices generally, as well as those that affect particular regions, countries, industries, or issuers. Economies and financial markets throughout the world have become increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one region or country will adversely affect markets or issuers in other regions or countries. Portfolio securities may be negatively impacted by inflation (or expectations for inflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products/services or resources, natural disasters, pandemics, epidemics, terrorism, war, military confrontations, regulatory events and governmental or quasi-governmental actions, among others. Natural and environmental disasters, including weather-related phenomena, also can adversely affect individual issuers, sectors, industries, markets, currencies, countries, or regions. The occurrence of global events similar to those in recent years (e.g., natural disasters, virus epidemics, social and political discord, and terrorist attacks around the world) may result in market volatility and have long term effects on both the U.S. and global economies and financial markets. The risks associated with such events may be greater in developing or emerging market countries, many of which have less developed political, financial, healthcare, and/or emergency management systems. Negative global events also can disrupt the operations and processes of any of the service providers for a Portfolio. Similarly, negative global events, in some cases, could constitute a force majeure event under contracts with service providers or contracts entered into with counterparties for certain transactions.
POLITICAL, UNITED KINGDOM AND EUROPEAN MARKET RELATED RISKS
Portfolios that have significant exposure to certain countries can be expected to be impacted by the political and economic conditions within such countries. There is continuing uncertainty regarding the ramifications of the United Kingdom’s (UK) vote to exit the European Union (EU) in June 2016 (Brexit). On January 31, 2020, the UK officially withdrew from the EU and on May 1, 2021, the UK and EU formally entered into the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (Agreement). While the Agreement is viewed as a positive step towards finalizing the framework of the future relationship between the EU and UK, many aspects of the relationship are still under negotiation and it is unclear when these negotiations will be complete. For example, the Agreement is limited with respect to its treatment of the trade of services. As the outcomes of these negotiations remain unclear, the effects on the UK, EU and the broader global economy cannot be determined at this time. Brexit may cause greater market volatility and illiquidity, currency fluctuations, deterioration in economic activity, a decrease in business confidence, and increased likelihood of a recession in the UK. While it is not possible to determine the precise impact these events may have on a Portfolio, during this period and beyond, the impact on the UK, EU countries, other countries or parties that transact with the UK and EU, and the broader global economy could be significant and could adversely affect the value and liquidity of a Portfolio’s investments. In addition, if one or more other countries were to exit the EU or abandon the use of the euro as a currency, the value of investments tied to those countries or the euro could decline significantly and unpredictably.
CASH MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
The Portfolios engage in cash management practices in order to earn income on uncommitted cash balances. Generally, cash is uncommitted pending investment in other securities, payment of redemptions or in other circumstances where the Advisor believes liquidity is necessary or desirable. For example, a Portfolio may make cash investments for temporary defensive purposes during periods in which market, economic, or political conditions warrant. In addition, each Portfolio may enter into arrangements with its custodian whereby it may earn a credit on its cash balances maintained in its non-interest bearing U.S. Dollar custody cash account to be applied against fund service fees payable to the custodian or the custodian’s subsidiaries for fund services provided.
Each Equity Portfolio may invest cash in short-term repurchase agreements. In addition, each Equity Portfolio may invest a portion of its assets in fixed income securities, such as money market instruments, shares of affiliated and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market mutual funds, index futures contracts and options thereon, and with
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respect to the Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF and Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF, freely convertible currencies.
The Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF may invest cash in the following permissible investments: short-term repurchase agreements; fixed income securities, such as money market instruments; index futures contracts and options thereon; debt; freely convertible currencies; and shares of affiliated and unaffiliated registered and unregistered money market funds. With respect to fixed income instruments, except in connection with corporate actions, the Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF will invest in fixed income instruments that at the time of purchase have an investment grade rating by a rating agency or are deemed to be investment grade by the Advisor.
Investments in money market mutual funds may involve a duplication of certain fees and expenses. The securities purchased by money market mutual funds, which the Portfolios may invest in for cash management, are not subject to the sustainability impact considerations described in the Portfolios’ Prospectus.
INTERFUND BORROWING AND LENDING
The DFA Fund Complex (defined below) has received exemptive relief from the SEC which permits the registered investment companies to participate in an interfund lending program among portfolios and series managed by the Advisor (the “Portfolios/Series”) (portfolios that operate as feeder portfolios do not participate in the program). The interfund lending program allows the participating Portfolios/Series to borrow money from and loan money to each other for temporary or emergency purposes. The program is subject to a number of conditions designed to ensure fair and equitable treatment of the participating Portfolios/Series, including the following: (1) no Portfolio/Series may borrow money through the program unless it receives a more favorable interest rate than a rate approximating the lowest interest rate at which bank loans would be available to any of the participating Portfolios/Series under a loan agreement; and (2) no Portfolio/Series may lend money through the program unless it receives a more favorable return than that available from an investment in overnight repurchase agreements or the yield of any money market fund in which the Portfolio/Series could invest. In addition, a Portfolio/Series may participate in the program only if and to the extent that such participation is consistent with its investment objectives, policies and limitations. Interfund loans and borrowings have a maximum duration of seven days and loans may be called on one business day’s notice.
A participating Portfolio/Series may not lend to another Portfolio/Series under the interfund lending program if the interfund loan would cause its aggregate outstanding interfund loans to exceed 15% of its current net assets at the time of the loan. Interfund loans by a Portfolio/Series to any one Portfolio/Series may not exceed 5% of net assets of the lending Portfolio/Series.
The restrictions discussed above and the other conditions of the SEC exemptive order permitting interfund lending are designed to minimize the risks associated with interfund lending for both the lending Portfolio/Series and the borrowing Portfolio/Series. However, no borrowing or lending activity is without risk. If a Portfolio/Series borrows money from another Portfolio/Series, there is a risk that the interfund loan could be called on one business day’s notice or not renewed, in which case the Portfolio/Series may have to borrow from a bank at higher rates if an interfund loan were not available from another Portfolio/Series. A delay in repayment to a lending Portfolio/Series could result in a lost opportunity or additional lending costs, and interfund loans are subject to the risk that the borrowing Portfolio/Series could be unable to repay the loan when due.
WHEN-ISSUED SECURITIES, DELAYED DELIVERY, AND FORWARD COMMITMENT TRANSACTIONS
Each Portfolio may purchase eligible securities or sell securities it is entitled to receive on a when-issued basis. When purchasing securities on a when-issued basis, the price or yield is agreed to at the time of purchase, but the payment and settlement dates are not fixed until the securities are issued. It is possible that the securities will never be issued and the commitment cancelled. In addition, each Portfolio may purchase or sell eligible securities for delayed delivery or on a forward commitment basis where the Portfolio contracts to purchase or sell such securities at a fixed price at a future date beyond the normal settlement time. Each Portfolio may renegotiate a commitment or sell a security it has committed to purchase prior to the settlement date, if deemed advisable.
While the payment obligation and, if applicable, interest rate are set at the time a Portfolio enters into a when-issued, delayed delivery, to-be-announced, or forward commitment transaction, no interest or dividends accrue to the purchaser prior to the settlement date. In addition, the value of a security purchased or sold is subject to market fluctuations and may be
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worth more or less on the settlement date than the price a Portfolio committed to pay or receive for the security. A Portfolio will lose money if the value of a purchased security falls below the purchase price and a Portfolio will not benefit from the gain if a security sold appreciates above the sales price during the commitment period.
TBA SECURITIES
The Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF may also engage in purchases or sales of “to be announced” or “TBA” securities. TBA securities represent an agreement to buy or sell mortgage-backed securities with agreed-upon characteristics for an approximate principal amount, with settlement on a scheduled future date beyond the typical settlement period for most other securities. A TBA transaction typically does not designate the actual security to be delivered. The Portfolio may use TBA trades for investment purposes in order to gain exposure to certain securities, or for hedging purposes. Purchases and sales of TBA securities involve risks similar to those discussed above for other when-issued and forward commitment transactions.
EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS
Each Equity Portfolio may invest in exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) and similarly structured pooled investments for the purpose of gaining exposure to the equity markets while maintaining liquidity. An ETF is an investment company classified as an open-end investment company or unit investment trust that is traded similar to a publicly traded company. ETFs in which the Portfolios invest are passively managed and attempt to track or replicate a desired index, such as a sector, market or global segment. The risks and costs of investing in ETFs are comparable to investing in a publicly traded company. The goal of a passively managed ETF is to correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of its underlying index. The risk of not correlating to the index is an additional risk to the investors of such ETFs. When a Portfolio invests in an ETF, shareholders of the Portfolio bear their proportionate share of the underlying ETF’s fees and expenses. ETFs in which a Portfolio invests are not subject to, though they may incorporate, the Portfolio’s sustainability impact considerations. (See the Portfolios’ Prospectus for information regarding the Portfolios’ sustainability impact considerations.)
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER RATES
Generally, securities will be purchased by the Equity Portfolios with the expectation that they will be held for longer than one year. In addition, variations in turnover rates occur because securities are sold when, in the Advisor’s judgment, the return will be increased as a result of portfolio transactions after taking into account the cost of trading.
TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS
Trustees
Organization of the Board
The Board of Trustees of the Trust (the “Board”) is responsible for establishing the Trust’s policies and for overseeing the management of the Trust. The Board elects the officers of the Trust, who, along with third party service providers, are responsible for administering the day-to-day operations of the Trust. The Board of the Trust is comprised of two interested Trustees and eight disinterested Trustees. Gerard K. O’Reilly, an interested Trustee, is Chairman of the Board. The disinterested Trustees of the Board designated Douglas W. Diamond as the lead disinterested Trustee. As the lead disinterested Trustee, Mr. Diamond, among other duties: acts as a principal contact for management for communications to the disinterested Trustees in between regular Board meetings; assists in the coordination and preparation of quarterly Board meeting agendas; raises and discusses issues with counsel to the disinterested Trustees; raises issues and discusses ideas with management on behalf of the disinterested Trustees in between regular meetings of the Board; and chairs executive sessions and separate meetings of the disinterested Trustees (other than Committee meetings, which are chaired by the respective Committee Chairperson). David G. Booth serves as Chairman Emeritus to the Board. The Board has designated David G. Booth, a former Chairman of the Trust, to serve as Chairman Emeritus to the Board in recognition of his years of service to both the Trust and Advisor. The Chairman Emeritus, which is a non-voting position, provides advice and counsel to the Trustees in connection with the Trustees’ management of the business and affairs of the Trust. The Board believes the existing Board structure for the Trust is appropriate because it provides the disinterested Trustees with adequate influence over the governance of the Board and the Trust, while also providing the Board with the invaluable insight of the interested
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Trustees, who, as both officers of the Trust and the Advisor, participate in the day-to-day management of the Trust’s affairs, including risk management.
The agenda for each quarterly meeting of the Board is provided prior to the meeting to the lead disinterested Trustee in order to provide an opportunity to contact Trust management and/or the disinterested Trustees’ independent counsel regarding agenda items. In addition, the disinterested Trustees regularly communicate with Mr. O’Reilly and Mr. Butler regarding items of interest to them in between regularly scheduled meetings of the Board. The Board of the Trust meets in person at least four times each year and by telephone at other times. At each in-person meeting, the disinterested Trustees meet in executive session with their independent counsel to discuss matters outside the presence of management.
The Board has four standing committees. The Audit Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee (the “Nominating Committee”), and Mutual Funds-ETF Relations Committee are composed entirely of disinterested Trustees. As described below, through these Committees, the disinterested Trustees have direct oversight of the Trust’s accounting and financial reporting policies, the selection and nomination of candidates to the Board, and the operation and expense allocations of the portfolios of the Trust. The Investment Strategy Committee (the “Strategy Committee”) assists the Board in carrying out its fiduciary duties with respect to the oversight of the Trust and the performance of its series.
The Board’s Audit Committee is comprised of Reena Aggarwal, George M. Constantinides, Francis A. Longstaff, Abbie J. Smith, and Ingrid M. Werner. The Audit Committee for the Board oversees the Trust’s accounting and financial reporting policies and practices, the Trust’s internal controls, the Trust’s financial statements and the independent audits thereof, and performs other oversight functions as requested by the Board. The Audit Committee for the Board recommends the appointment of the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm and also acts as a liaison between the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm and the full Board. There were three Audit Committee meetings held for the Trust during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022.
The Board’s Nominating Committee is comprised of Reena Aggarwal, George M. Constantinides, Douglas W. Diamond, Francis A. Longstaff and Heather E. Tookes. The Nominating Committee for the Board makes recommendations for nominations of disinterested and interested members on the Board to the disinterested Board members and to the full Board. The Nominating Committee works closely with the other disinterested Trustees to evaluate a candidate’s qualification for Board membership and the independence of such candidate from the Advisor and other principal service providers. The Nominating Committee also periodically reviews the Board governance practices, policies, procedures, and operations; reviews the membership of each committee of the Board; reviews and makes recommendations regarding the disinterested Trustees’ compensation; oversees the annual self-assessment of the Board and each committee; considers and recommends to the Board, the selection of “independent legal counsel” (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act); and monitors and considers corporate governance issues that may arise from time to time. There were three Nominating Committee meetings held for the Trust during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022.
The Strategy Committee is comprised of Gerard K. O’Reilly, Douglas W. Diamond, Darrell Duffie, and Heather E. Tookes. At the request of the Board or the Advisor, the Strategy Committee (i) reviews the design of possible new series of the Trust, (ii) reviews performance of existing series of the Trust, and discusses and recommends possible enhancements to the series’ investment strategies, (iii) reviews proposals by the Advisor to modify or enhance the investment strategies or policies of each series, and (iv) considers issues relating to investment services for each series of the Trust. There were four Strategy Committee meetings held for the Trust during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022.
The Mutual Funds-ETF Relations Committee is comprised of George M. Constantinides, Darrell Duffie, and Ingrid M. Werner. At the request of the Board, the Mutual Funds-ETF Relations Committee (i) reviews any newly-proposed expenses to be borne by the Portfolios or changes to the existing expense allocations among the ETFs in the Dimensional ETF Trust (“Dimensional ETFs”), portfolios in the DFA mutual fund complex (“Fund Complex”), and the Advisor, (ii) considers any conflicts of interest that may arise in the operations of the Dimensional ETFs and the portfolios in the Fund Complex, (iii) reviews and considers relevant information relating to the operations of the Dimensional ETFs, and (iv) considers asset flows and performance differences between the similarly managed mutual funds and the ETFs in the DFA Fund Complex (defined below). There were two Mutual Funds-ETF Relations Committee meetings held for the Trust during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022.
The Board of the Trust, including all of the disinterested Trustees, oversees and approves the contracts of the third party service providers that provide advisory, administrative, custodial and other services to the Trust.
16 |
Board Oversight of Risk Management
The Board, as a whole, considers risk management issues as part of its general oversight responsibilities throughout the year at regular board meetings, through regular reports that have been developed by Trust management and the Advisor. These reports address certain investment, valuation, liquidity and compliance matters. The Board also may receive special written reports or presentations on a variety of risk issues, either upon the Board’s request or upon the initiative of the Advisor. In addition, the Audit Committee of the Board meets regularly with management of the Advisor to review reports on the Advisor’s examinations of functions and processes that affect the Trust.
With respect to investment risk, the Board receives regular written reports describing and analyzing the investment performance of the Trust’s series. The Board discusses these reports and the portfolios’ performance and investment risks with management of the Advisor at the Board’s regular meetings. The Investment Committee of the Advisor meets regularly to discuss a variety of issues, including the impact that the investment in particular securities or instruments, such as derivatives, may have on the series. To the extent that the Investment Committee of the Advisor decides to materially change an investment strategy or policy of a series and such change could have a significant impact on the series’ risk profile, the Advisor will present such change to the Board for their approval.
With respect to valuation, the Advisor and the Trust’s administrative and accounting agent provide regular written reports to the Board that enable the Board to review the Advisor’s fair valuation process. Such reports also include information concerning illiquid and any worthless securities held by each series. In addition, the Trust’s Audit Committee reviews valuation procedures and pricing results with the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm in connection with such Committee’s review of the results of the audit of each series’ year-end financial statements.
With respect to liquidity risk, the Board oversees the Trust’s liquidity risk through, among other things, receiving periodic reporting and presentations by investment and other personnel of the Advisor. Additionally, as required by the Liquidity Rule, the Board, including a majority of the disinterested Trustees, approved the Trust’s Liquidity Program, which is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Trust’s liquidity risk, and appointed the Liquidity Program Administrator that is responsible for administering the Liquidity Program. The Board also reviews, no less frequently than annually, a written report prepared by the Liquidity Program Administrator that addresses, among other items, the operation of the Liquidity Program and assesses its adequacy and effectiveness of implementation.
With respect to compliance risks, the Board receives regular compliance reports prepared by the Advisor’s compliance group and meets regularly with the Trust’s Global Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) to discuss compliance issues, including compliance risks. As required under SEC rules, the disinterested Trustees meet in executive session with the CCO, and the Trust’s CCO prepares and presents an annual written compliance report to the Board. The Trust’s Board adopts compliance policies and procedures for the Trust and receives information about the compliance procedures in place for the Trust’s service providers. The compliance policies and procedures are specifically designed to detect and prevent violations of the federal securities laws.
The Advisor periodically provides information to the Board relevant to enterprise risk management describing the way in which certain risks are managed at the complex-wide level by the Advisor. Such presentations include areas such as counter-party risk, material fund vendor or service provider risk, investment risk, reputational risk, personnel risk and business continuity risk.
Trustee Qualifications
When a vacancy occurs on the Board, the Nominating Committee of the Board evaluates a candidate’s qualification for Board membership and the independence of such candidate from the Advisor and other principal service providers. While the Nominating Committee believes that there are no specific minimum qualifications for a candidate to possess or any specific educational background, qualities, skills, or prior business and professional experience that are necessary, in considering a candidate’s qualifications, the Nominating Committee may consider the following factors, among others, which may change over time or have different weight: (1) whether or not the person is willing to serve and willing and able to commit the time necessary for the performance of the duties of a Board member; (2) the candidate’s judgment, skill, diversity, and experience with investment companies and other organizations of comparable purpose, complexity and size; (3) the business activities of the Trust, including any new marketing or investment initiatives, and whether the candidate possesses relevant experience in these areas; (4) whether the person’s business background or other business activities would be incompatible with the Trust’s and the Advisor’s business purposes; (5) the interplay of the candidate’s experience with the
17 |
experience of other Board members and how the candidate and his or her academic or business experience will be perceived by the Trust’s shareholders; and (6) the extent to which the candidate would be a desirable addition to the Board and any committees thereof.
While the Nominating Committee is solely responsible for the selection and recommendation to the Board of disinterested Board candidates, the Nominating Committee will consider nominees recommended by Qualifying Fund Shareholders if a vacancy occurs among Board members. A Qualifying Fund Shareholder is a shareholder, or group of shareholders, that: (i) owns of record, or beneficially through a financial intermediary, 5% or more of the Trust’s outstanding shares, and (ii) has owned such shares for 12 months or more prior to submitting the recommendation to the Nominating Committee. Such recommendations shall be directed to the Secretary of the Trust at 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, Texas 78746. The Qualifying Fund Shareholder’s letter should include: (i) the name and address of the Qualifying Fund Shareholder making the recommendation; (ii) the number of shares of the Trust that are owned of record and beneficially by such Qualifying Fund Shareholder, and the length of time that such shares have been so owned by the Qualifying Fund Shareholder; (iii) a description of all arrangements and understandings between such Qualifying Fund Shareholder and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the recommendation is being made; (iv) the name and address of the nominee; and (v) the nominee’s resume or curriculum vitae. The Qualifying Fund Shareholder’s letter must be accompanied by a written consent of the individual to stand for election if nominated for the Board and to serve if elected by shareholders. The Nominating Committee also may seek such additional information about the nominee as the Nominating Committee considers appropriate, including information relating to such nominee that is required to be disclosed in solicitations or proxies for the election of Board members.
The Nominating Committee of the Board believes that it is in the best interests of the Trust and its shareholders to obtain highly-qualified individuals to serve as members of the Board. The Trust’s Board believes that each Trustee currently serving on the Board has the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills to allow the Board to effectively oversee the management of the Trust and protect the interests of shareholders. The Board noted that each Trustee had professional experience in areas of importance for investment companies. The Board considered that each disinterested Trustee held an academic position in the areas of finance or accounting. Reena Aggarwal, George M. Constantinides, Douglas W. Diamond, Darrell Duffie, Francis A. Longstaff, Heather E. Tookes, and Ingrid M. Werner are each Professors of Finance, while Abbie J. Smith is a Professor of Accounting. The Board also noted that Reena Aggarwal, Darrell Duffie, Abbie J. Smith, Heather E. Tookes, and Ingrid M. Werner each had experience serving as a director or trustee on the boards of operating companies and/or other investment companies. In addition, the Board considered that Gerard K. O’Reilly and David P. Butler contributed valuable experience due to their positions with the Advisor.
Certain biographical information for each disinterested Trustee and each interested Trustee of the Trust is set forth in the tables below, including a description of each Trustee’s experience as a Trustee of the Trust and as a director or trustee of other funds, as well as other recent professional experience.
18 |
Disinterested Trustees
Name, Address and Year of Birth |
Position | Term
of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years | Portfolios within the DFA Fund Complex2 Overseen |
Other Directorships of Public Companies Held During Past 5 Years |
Reena Aggarwal c/o Dimensional Fund Advisors LP 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One Austin, TX 78746
1957 |
Trustee | Since 2021 | Robert E. McDonough Professor of Finance (since 2003) and Professor of Finance (since 2000), McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University and Director, Georgetown Center for Financial Markets and Policy (since 2010). Formerly, Vice Provost of Faculty, Georgetown University (2016-2020). | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | Director, Cohen & Steers (asset management firm) (since 2017) and Director, Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending (private business development company) (since 2019). Formerly, Director, New York Life Investment Management IndexIQ (2008-2021) (22 funds); formerly, Director, REAN Cloud (technology) (2015-2018); formerly, Director, FBR & Co. (investment banking) (2011-2017); and formerly, Director, Brightwood Capital Advisors, L.P. (private equity) (2013-2020). |
George M. Constantinides University of Chicago Booth School of Business 5807 S. Woodlawn Avenue Chicago, IL 60637
1947 |
Trustee | Since 2020 | Leo Melamed Professor of Finance, University of Chicago Booth School of Business (since 1978). | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | None |
Douglas W. Diamond c/o Dimensional Fund Advisors LP 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One Austin, TX 78746
1953 |
Trustee | Since 2020 | Merton H. Miller Distinguished Service Professor of Finance, University of Chicago Booth School of Business (since 1979). Formerly, Visiting Scholar, Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond (1990-2019). | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | None |
Darrell Duffie c/o Dimensional Fund Advisors LP 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One Austin, TX 78746
1954 |
Trustee | Since 2020 | Adams Distinguished Professor of Management and Professor of Finance, Stanford University (since 1984) and Director, TNB Inc. (bank) (since 2020). | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | Formerly, Director, Moody’s Corporation (financial information and information technology) (2008-2018). |
19 |
Name, Address and Year of Birth |
Position | Term
of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years | Portfolios within the DFA Fund Complex2 Overseen |
Other Directorships of Public Companies Held During Past 5 Years |
Francis A. Longstaff c/o Dimensional Fund Advisors LP 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One Austin, TX 78746
1956 |
Trustee | Since 2021 | Allstate Professor of Insurance and Finance, UCLA, Anderson School of Management (since 1992); Consultant, NERA Economic Consulting (since 2018); Consultant, Charles River Associates (economic consulting firm) (since 2013); Consultant, Simplex Holdings, Inc. (technology firm) (since 1998); and Expert Witness, Analysis Group (economic consulting firm) (since 2012). | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | None |
Abbie J. Smith University of Chicago Booth School of Business 5807 S. Woodlawn Avenue Chicago, IL 60637
1953 |
Trustee | Since 2020 | Boris and Irene Stern Distinguished Service Professor of Accounting and James S. Ely, III Faculty Fellow, University of Chicago Booth School of Business (since 1980). | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | Director, (since 2000) and formerly, Audit Committee Chair (2019-2022) and Lead Director (2014-2017), HNI Corporation (office furniture); Director, Ryder System Inc. (transportation, logistics and supply-chain management) (since 2003); and Trustee and Audit Committee member (since 2022), UBS Funds (3 investment companies within the fund complex) (12 portfolios) (since 2009). |
Heather E. Tookes Yale School of Management 165 Whitney Avenue New Haven, CT 06511
1974 |
Trustee | Since 2021 | Deputy Dean for Faculty (since 2022) and Professor of Finance (since 2004), Yale School of Management. | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | Director, Payoneer Inc. (digital payments) (since 2021); Director, Ariel Investments LLC (investment adviser) (since 2017); Director, Charles River Associates (economic consulting firm) (since 2022); and Director, Community Foundation of Greater New Haven (community foundation and grant-making) (since 2022). Formerly, Director, KCG Holdings (trading company) (January 2017-July 2017). |
20 |
Name, Address and Year of Birth |
Position | Term
of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years | Portfolios within the DFA Fund Complex2 Overseen |
Other Directorships of Public Companies Held During Past 5 Years |
Ingrid M. Werner c/o Dimensional Fund Advisors LP 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One Austin, TX 78746
1961 |
Trustee | Since 2020 | Martin and Andrew Murrer Professor of Finance, Fisher College of Business, The Ohio State University (since 1998). Adjunct Member, the Prize Committee for the Swedish Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel (annual award for significant scientific research contribution) (since 2018). Member, Scientific Board, Leibniz Institute for Financial Research (institute supporting academic research in finance) (since 2020). Chair, Economic Advisory Committee, FINRA (since 2017). Chairman, Scientific Advisory Board, Swedish House of Finance (institute supporting academic research in finance) (since 2014). Member, Scientific Board, Danish Finance Institute (institute supporting academic research in finance) (since 2017). Fellow, Center for Analytical Finance (academic research) (since 2015). Formerly, President, Western Finance Association (global association of academic researchers and practitioners in finance) (2018-2019); formerly, Member, Academic Board, Mistra Financial Systems (organization funding academic research on environment, governance and climate/sustainability in finance) (2016-2021); formerly, Director, American Finance Association (global association of academic researchers and practitioners in finance) (2019-2022); formerly, Associate Editor, Journal of Finance (2016-2022). | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | Director, Fourth Swedish AP Fund (pension fund asset management) (since 2017). |
21 |
Interested Trustees
The following interested Trustees are described as such because each is deemed to be an “interested person,” as that term is defined under the 1940 Act, due to his position with the Advisor.
Name, Address and Year of Birth |
Position | Term
of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years | Portfolios within the DFA Fund Complex2 Overseen |
Other Directorships of Public Companies Held During Past 5 Years |
David P. Butler c/o Dimensional Fund Advisors LP 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, TX 78746
1964 |
Trustee
Co-Chief Executive Officer |
Trustee since 2021
Co-Chief Executive Officer since 2020 |
Co-Chief Executive Officer of Dimensional Emerging Markets Value Fund (“DEM”), DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc. (“DFAIDG”), Dimensional Investment Group Inc. (“DIG”), The DFA Investment Trust Company (“DFAITC”), Dimensional Holdings Inc., Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, Dimensional Investment LLC, and DFA Securities LLC (collectively with DEM, DFAIDG, DIG and DFAITC, the “DFA Entities”) (since 2017), DFA Canada LLC (since 2018), Dimensional Holdings LLC (since 2017), and the Trust (since 2020); Chief Executive Officer of Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC (since 2018), Director (since 2017) of Dimensional Holdings Inc., Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC, Dimensional Japan Ltd., Dimensional Advisors Ltd., and DFA Australia Limited; Director and Co-Chief Executive Officer (since 2017) of Dimensional Cayman Commodity Fund I Ltd.; Head of Global Financial Advisor Services for Dimensional Investment LLC (since 2017). Formerly, Director (2017-2021) of Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | None |
Gerard K. O’Reilly c/o Dimensional Fund Advisors LP 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, TX 78746
1976
|
Chairman and Trustee
Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer |
Chairman and Trustee since 2021
Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer since 2020 |
Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of the DFA Entities (since 2017) and the Trust (since 2020); Co-Chief Executive Officer of DFA Canada LLC (since 2018); Chief Investment Officer of Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC (since 2017); Director and Chief Investment Officer (since 2017) and Vice President (since 2014) of DFA Australia Limited; Chief Investment Officer (since 2018) and Vice President (since 2016) of Dimensional Japan Ltd.; Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Dimensional Holdings, LLC (since 2017); Director, Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer (since 2017) of Dimensional Cayman Commodity Fund I Ltd.; Director of Dimensional Funds plc (since 2014), Dimensional Fund II plc (since 2014), Dimensional Holdings Inc. (since 2017), Dimensional Advisors Ltd. (since 2017), and Dimensional Ireland Limited (since 2018). Formerly, Director of Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. (2018-2021). | 153 portfolios in 5 investment companies | None |
1 | Each Trustee holds office for an indefinite term until his or her successor is elected and qualified. | |
2 | Each Trustee is a director or trustee of each of the five registered investment companies within the DFA Fund Complex, which include: the Trust, DEM; DFAIDG; DIG; and DFAITC. Each disinterested Trustee also serves on the Independent Review Committee of the Dimensional Funds, mutual funds registered in the provinces of Canada and managed by the Advisor’s affiliate, Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC. |
Information relating to each Trustee’s ownership (including the ownership of his or her immediate family) in each Portfolio of the Trust in this SAI and in all five registered investment companies in the DFA Fund Complex as of December 31, 2022 is set forth in the chart below.
22 |
Name | Dollar Range of Portfolio Shares Owned | Aggregate
Dollar Range of Shares Owned in All Funds Overseen by Trustee in Family of Investment Companies |
Disinterested Trustees: | ||
Reena Aggarwal |
None | None Directly; Over $100,000 in Simulated Funds* |
George M. Constantinides | None | None Directly; Over $100,000 in Simulated Funds* |
Douglas W. Diamond | None | None Directly; Over $100,000 in Simulated Funds* |
Darrell Duffie | None | $10,001 - $50,000 |
Francis A. Longstaff | None | None |
Abbie J. Smith | None | None Directly; Over $100,000 in Simulated Funds* |
Heather E. Tookes | None | None |
Ingrid M. Werner | None | Over $100,000 |
Interested Trustees: | ||
David P. Butler | None | Over $100,000 |
Gerard K. O’Reilly | None | Over $100,000 |
* | As discussed below, the compensation to certain of the disinterested Trustees may be in amounts that correspond to a hypothetical investment in a cross-section of the DFA Funds. Thus, the disinterested Trustees who are so compensated experience the same investment returns that are experienced by shareholders of the DFA Funds although the disinterested Trustees do not directly own shares of the DFA Funds. |
Set forth below is a table listing, for each Trustee entitled to receive compensation, the compensation received from the Trust during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, and the total compensation received from all five registered investment companies for which the Advisor served as investment advisor during that same fiscal period. The table also provides the compensation paid by the Trust to the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022.
Name and Position |
Aggregate |
Pension or |
Estimated |
Total | ||||
Reena Aggarwal Trustee |
$29,266 | N/A | N/A | $355,000 | ||||
George M. Constantinides Trustee |
$29,266 | N/A | N/A | $385,000 | ||||
Douglas W. Diamond Lead Disinterested Trustee |
$40,814 | N/A | N/A | $545,000 | ||||
Darrell Duffie Trustee |
$29,266 | N/A | N/A | $385,000 | ||||
Francis A. Longstaff Trustee |
$29,266 | N/A | N/A | $355,000 | ||||
Abbie J. Smith Trustee |
$31,070 | N/A | N/A | $410,000 |
23 |
Name and Position |
Aggregate |
Pension or |
Estimated |
Total | ||||
Heather E. Tookes Trustee |
$29,266 | N/A | N/A | $355,000 | ||||
Ingrid M. Werner Trustee |
$29,266 | N/A | N/A | $385,000 | ||||
Randy C. Olson Chief Compliance Officer |
$19,914 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
* | Under a deferred compensation plan (the “Plan”) adopted effective January 1, 2002, the disinterested Trustees may defer receipt of all or a portion of the compensation for serving as members of the five Boards of Directors/Trustees of the investment companies in the DFA Fund Complex (the “DFA Funds”). Amounts deferred under the Plan are treated as though equivalent dollar amounts had been invested in shares of a cross-section of the DFA Funds (the “Reference Funds” or “Simulated Funds”). The amounts ultimately received by the disinterested Trustees under the Plan will be directly linked to the investment performance of the Reference Funds. Deferral of fees in accordance with the Plan will have a negligible effect on a fund’s assets, liabilities, and net income per share, and will not obligate a fund to retain the services of any disinterested Trustee or to pay any particular level of compensation to the disinterested Trustee. The total amount of deferred compensation accrued by the disinterested Trustees from the DFA Fund Complex who participated in the Plan during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 is as follows: $177,500 (Ms. Aggarwal). A disinterested Trustee’s deferred compensation will be distributed at the earlier of: (a) January in the year after the disinterested Trustee’s resignation from the Boards of Directors/Trustees of the DFA Funds, or death or disability; or (b) five years following the first deferral, in such amounts as the disinterested Trustee has specified. The obligations of the DFA Funds to make payments under the Plan will be unsecured general obligations of the DFA Funds, payable out of the general assets and property of the DFA Funds. |
† | The term DFA Fund Complex refers to the five registered investment companies for which the Advisor performs advisory and administrative services and for which the individuals listed above serve as directors/trustees on the Boards of Directors/Trustees of such companies. |
Officers
Below is the name, year of birth, information regarding positions with the Trust and the principal occupation for each officer of the Trust. The address of each officer is 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, TX 78746. Each of the officers listed below holds the same office (except as otherwise noted) in the DFA Entities.
Name
and Year of |
Position | Term
of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years |
Valerie A. Brown 1967 |
Vice President and Assistant Secretary | Since 2020 | Vice President and Assistant Secretary of • all the DFA Entities (since 2001) • DFA Australia Limited (since 2002) • Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. (since 2002) • Dimensional Cayman Commodity Fund I Ltd. (since 2010) • Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. (since 2012) • Dimensional Hong Kong Limited (since 2012) • the Trust (since 2020) Director, Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since 2003) of • Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC |
Ryan P. Buechner 1982 |
Vice President and Assistant Secretary | Since 2020 | Vice President and Assistant Secretary of • DFAIDG, DIG, DFAITC and DEM (since 2019) • the Trust (since 2020) Vice President (since January 2018) of • Dimensional Holdings Inc. |
24 |
Name
and Year of |
Position | Term
of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years |
• Dimensional Fund Advisors LP | |||
• Dimensional Investment LLC | |||
• DFA Securities LLC | |||
Stephen A. Clark 1972 |
Executive Vice President | Since 2020 | Executive Vice President of • all the DFA Entities (since 2017) • the Trust (since 2020) Director and Vice President (since 2016) of • Dimensional Japan Ltd. Chairman (since 2018) of • Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC President and Director (since 2016) of • Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC Vice President (since 2008) and Director (since 2016) of • DFA Australia Limited Director (since 2016) of • Dimensional Advisors Ltd. • Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. • Dimensional Hong Kong Limited Vice President of • Dimensional Advisors Ltd. (since 2016) • Dimensional Hong Kong Limited (since 2016) • Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. (since 2019)
Formerly, Director (2016 – 2021) of • Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. Formerly, Vice President (2004 – 2017) of • all the DFA Entities Formerly, Vice President (2010 – 2016) of • Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC Formerly, Vice President (2016 – 2019) of • Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. Formerly, Interim Chief Executive Officer (2019 – 2020) of • Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. Formerly, Head of Institutional, North America (2012 – 2013) and Head of Global Institutional Services (2014-2018) for • Dimensional Fund Advisors LP |
Lisa
M. Dallmer 1972 |
Chief Operating Officer | Since June 2021 | Chief Operating Officer (since June 2021) of • the DFA Fund Complex Executive Vice President (since January 2020) of • Dimensional Holdings Inc. • Dimensional Fund Advisors LP • Dimensional Investment LLC • DFA Securities LLC Chief Operating Officer (since December 2019) of • Dimensional Holdings Inc. • Dimensional Fund Advisors LP • Dimensional Investment LLC • DFA Securities LLC Vice President (since 2020) of • DFA Australia Limited • Dimensional Advisors Ltd. • Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC • Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. • Dimensional Ireland Limited • Dimensional Japan Ltd. |
25 |
Name
and Year of |
Position | Term
of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years |
Formerly, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer (June 2020 – June 2021) of • the DFA Fund Complex Formerly, Senior Vice President, Business Operations (March 2019 – October 2019) at • Delphix Inc. Formerly, Chief Operating Officer Global Technology & Operations, Managing Director (2014 – 2018) of • BlackRock Inc. | |||
Bernard J. Grzelak 1971 |
Vice President | Since June 2021 | Vice President (since June 2021) of • the DFA Fund Complex Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (since September 2020) of • DFA Australia Limited • Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC • DFA Securities LLC • Dimensional Advisors Ltd. • Dimensional Fund Advisors LP • Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. • Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. • Dimensional Holdings Inc. • Dimensional Hong Kong Limited • Dimensional Investment LLC Vice President (since March 2021) of • Dimensional Ireland Limited
Formerly, Partner (2008 – 2020), Chief Operating Officer, Global Funds and Risk (2018 – 2020), Chief Operations Officer (2016 – 2018), and Director of Fund Administration (2003 – 2016) of Lord Abbett & Co. LLC Formerly, Chief Financial Officer (2017 - 2020) and Treasurer (2003 – 2017) of • Lord Abbett Family of Funds |
Eric Hall 1978 |
Vice President and Assistant Treasurer | Since June 2021 | Vice President and Assistant Treasurer (since June 2021) of • the DFA Fund Complex
Formerly, Data Integrity Team Lead (December 2019 – April 2021) of • Clearwater Analytics Formerly, Assistant Vice President and Assistant Treasurer (March 2015 – November 2019) at • INVESCO, U.S. (formerly, OppenheimerFunds, Inc.) |
Jeff J. Jeon 1973 |
Vice President | Since 2020 | Vice President (since 2004) of • all the DFA Entities Vice President (since 2020) of • the Trust Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since 2010) of • Dimensional Cayman Commodity Fund I Ltd.
Formerly, Assistant Secretary (2017 – 2019) of • all the DFA Entities |
Joy Lopez 1971 |
Vice President and Assistant Treasurer | Since 2020 | Vice President of • all the DFA Entities (since 2015) • Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. (since 2015) • the Trust (since 2020) • DFA Australia Limited (since 2020) • Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC (since 2020) • Dimensional Ireland Limited (since 2020) |
26 |
Name
and Year of |
Position | Term
of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years |
Assistant Treasurer of • DFAIDG, DIG, DFAITC and DEM (since 2017) • the Trust (since 2020) | |||
Kenneth M. Manell 1972 |
Vice President | Since 2020 | Vice President of • all the DFA Entities (since 2010) • Dimensional Cayman Commodity Fund I Ltd. (since 2010) • the Trust (since 2020) |
Jan Miller 1963 |
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer | Since June 2021 | Vice President (since January 2023) of • Dimensional Holdings Inc. • Dimensional Fund Advisors LP • Dimensional Investments LLC • DFA Securities LLC Vice President (since April 2022) of • Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer (since June 2021) of • the DFA Fund Complex
Formerly, Director (May 2019 – January 2021) at • INVESCO, U.S. (formerly, OppenheimerFunds, Inc.) Formerly, Vice President and Assistant Treasurer (September 2012 – May 2019) at • OppenheimerFunds, Inc. |
Catherine L. Newell 1964 |
President and General Counsel | Since 2020 | President of • DFAIDG, DIG, DFAITC and DEM (since 2017) • the Trust (since 2020) General Counsel of • all the DFA Entities (since 2001) • Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (since 2006) • Dimensional Holdings Inc. (since 2006) • Dimensional Investment LLC (since 2009) • DFA Canada LLC (since 2009) • the Trust (since 2020) Executive Vice President (since 2017) of • Dimensional Fund Advisors LP • Dimensional Holdings Inc. • DFA Securities LLC • Dimensional Investment LLC Secretary of • Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (since 2006) • Dimensional Holdings Inc. (since 2006) • DFA Securities LLC (since 2006) • Dimensional Investment LLC (since 2009) Vice President (since 1997) and Secretary (since 2002) of • DFA Australia Limited • Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. Vice President and Secretary of • Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC (since 2003) • DFA Canada LLC (since 2009) • Dimensional Cayman Commodity Fund I Ltd. (since 2010) • Dimensional Japan Ltd. (since 2012) • Dimensional Advisors Ltd (since 2014) • Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. (since 2012) Vice President and Assistant Secretary (since 2012) of • Dimensional Hong Kong Limited Director of • Dimensional Australia Limited (since 2007) • Dimensional Funds plc (since 2002) |
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Name
and Year of |
Position | Term
of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years |
• Dimensional Funds II plc (since 2006) • Director of Dimensional Japan Ltd. (since 2012) • Dimensional Advisors Ltd. (since 2012) • Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. (since 2012) • Dimensional Hong Kong Limited (since 2012) • Dimensional Ireland Limited (since 2018)
Formerly, Vice President and Secretary (2010 – 2014) of • Dimensional SmartNest (US) LLC Formerly, Vice President (1997 – 2017) and Secretary (2000 – 2017) of • DFAIDG, DIG, DFAITC and DEM Formerly, Vice President of • Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (1997 – 2017) • Dimensional Holdings Inc. (2006 – 2017) • DFA Securities LLC (1997 – 2017) • Dimensional Investment LLC (2009 – 2017) Formerly, Director (2002 – 2021) of • Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. | |||
Selwyn J. Notelovitz 1961 |
Vice President | Since September 2021 | Vice President (since September 2021) of • the DFA Fund Complex Vice President (since December 2012) and Chief Compliance Officer (since July 2020) of • DFA Securities LLC • Dimensional Fund Advisors LP • Dimensional Holdings Inc. • Dimensional Investment LLC Chief Compliance Officer (since July 2020) of: • DFA Australia Limited • Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. • Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC Formerly, Deputy Chief Compliance Officer (2013 – 2020) of: • the DFA Fund Complex • DFA Securities LLC • Dimensional Fund Advisors LP • Dimensional Holdings Inc. • Dimensional Investment LLC
Formerly, Vice President (2013 – 2020) of: • the DFA Fund Complex Formerly, Director (2019 – 2021) of: • Dimensional Ireland Limited |
Carolyn L. O 1974 |
Vice President and Secretary | Since 2020 | Vice President and Secretary of • DFAIDG, DIG, DFAITC and DEM (since 2010 and 2017, respectively) • the Trust (since 2020) Vice President (since 2010) and Assistant Secretary (since 2016) of • Dimensional Fund Advisors LP • Dimensional Holdings Inc. • Dimensional Investment LLC Vice President of • DFA Securities LLC (since 2010) • Dimensional Cayman Commodity Fund I Ltd. (since 2010) • Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC (since 2016) Assistant Secretary (since 2016) of • DFA Securities LLC |
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Name
and Year of |
Position | Term
of Office1 and Length of Service |
Principal Occupation During Past 5 Years |
Randy
C. Olson 1980 |
Chief Compliance Officer | Since 2020 | Chief Compliance Officer (since 2020) of • the DFA Fund Complex Vice President (since 2016) of • DFA Securities LLC • Dimensional Fund Advisors LP • Dimensional Holdings Inc. • Dimensional Investment LLC
Formerly, Vice President – Senior Compliance Officer of • Dimensional Investment Advisors LP (January 2020 – August 2020 and July 2014 – March 2017) Formerly, Vice President – Head of Compliance & Operations Asia Ex-Japan of • Dimensional Investment Advisors LP (April 2017 – January 2020) |
James J. Taylor 1983 |
Vice President and Assistant Treasurer | Since 2020 | Vice President and Assistant Treasurer (since 2020) of • the DFA Fund Complex Vice President of • Dimensional Holdings Inc. (since 2016) • Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (since 2016) • Dimensional Investment LLC (since 2016) • DFA Securities LLC (since 2016) • Dimensional Fund Advisors Canada ULC (since 2020) |
1 | Each officer holds office for an indefinite term at the pleasure of the Board and until his or her successor is elected and qualified. |
As of January 31, 2023, the Trustees and officers as a group owned less than 1% of the outstanding shares of the Portfolios as of the date of this SAI.
SERVICES TO THE TRUST
Administrative Services
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (“CFSO”), 4400 Easton Commons, Suite 200, Columbus, Ohio 43219, serves as the accounting and administration services and dividend disbursing agent for each Portfolio. The services provided by CFSO are subject to supervision by the executive officers and the Board of Trustees of the Trust, and include day-to-day keeping and maintenance of certain records, preparation of financial and regulatory reports, fund accounting and tax services, and dividend disbursing agency services. For the administrative and accounting services provided by CFSO, CFSO receives reimbursement for certain out-of-pocket costs and compensation in the form of transaction fees and asset-based fees which are aggregated and paid monthly.
Custodian
Citibank, N.A. (the “Custodian”), 111 Wall Street, New York, NY, 10005, serves as the custodian for the Portfolios.
The Custodian maintains a separate account or accounts for a Portfolio; receives, holds, and releases portfolio securities on account of the Portfolio; makes receipts and disbursements of money on behalf of the Portfolio; and collects and receives income and other payments and distributions on account of the Portfolio’s portfolio securities. The Custodian is authorized to appoint certain foreign custodians or foreign custody managers for the International Portfolios’ investments outside the U.S.
Transfer Agent
Citibank, N.A., 111 Wall Street, New York, NY, 10005, serves as the transfer agent for the Portfolios.
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Distributor
DFA Securities LLC (“DFAS” or the “Distributor”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Advisor, acts as the principal underwriter in the continuous public offering of the Trust’s shares. DFAS is registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. The principal business address of DFAS is 6300 Bee Cave Road, Austin, Texas 78746.
Shares are continuously offered for sale by the Trust through the Distributor or its agent only in Creation Units, as described in the Prospectus and below in the “Creation and Redemption of Creation Units” section of this SAI. Portfolio shares in amounts less than Creation Units are generally not distributed by the Distributor or its agent. The Distributor or its agent will arrange for the delivery of the prospectus and, upon request, this SAI to persons purchasing Creation Units and will maintain records of both orders placed with it or its agents and confirmations of acceptance furnished by it or its agents.
The Distributor may enter into agreements with securities dealers (“Soliciting Dealers”) who will solicit purchases of Creation Units of Portfolio shares. Such Soliciting Dealers may also be Authorized Participants, Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) participants and/or investor services organizations.
The Distributor may be entitled to payments from the Trust under the Rule 12b-1 plan. Except as noted, the Distributor received no other compensation from the Trust for acting as underwriter. In accordance with the Rule 12b-1 plan, each Portfolio is authorized to pay Rule 12b-1 fees to the Distributor of up to 0.25% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets per year for any activities primarily intended to result in the sale of Creation Units of the Portfolio or the provision of investor services, including but not limited to: (i) marketing and promotional services, including advertising; (ii) facilitating communications with beneficial owners of Shares of the Portfolios; (iii) wholesaling services; and (iv) such other services and obligations as may be set forth in the Distribution Agreement with the Distributor. The 12b-1 Plan is a compensation plan. Thus, to the extent that the fee is authorized, it is payable regardless of the distribution-related expenses actually incurred and so the amount of distribution fees paid by the shares during any year may be more than actual expenses incurred pursuant to the 12b-1 Plan. A Portfolio will not pay more than the maximum amount allowed under the 12b-1 Plan.
The Rule 12b-1 plan is intended to permit the financing of a broad array of distribution-related activities and services, as well as shareholder services, for the benefit of investors. These activities and services are intended to make the Shares an attractive investment alternative, which may lead to increased assets, investment opportunities and diversification. No fees are currently paid by any Portfolio under the Rule 12b-1 plan and there are no current plans to impose such fees. In the event such fees were to be charged, over time they would increase the cost of an investment in a Portfolio. If fees were charged under the Plan, the Trustees would receive and review at the end of each quarter a written report provided by the Distributor of the amounts expended under the Plan and the purpose for which such expenditures were made.
The Rule 12b-1 plan will remain in effect for a period of one year and is renewable from year to year with respect to a Portfolio, so long as its continuance is approved at least annually in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act. The Rule 12b-1 plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of fees paid by any Portfolio unless such amendment is approved by a 1940 Act majority vote of the outstanding Shares and by a vote of the majority of those Disinterested Trustees who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Rule 12b-1 plan or in any agreements related thereto (“Rule 12b-1 Trustees”). The Rule 12b-1 plan is terminable with respect to a Portfolio at any time by a vote of a majority of the Rule 12b-1 Trustees or by a 1940 Act majority vote of the outstanding Shares.
Legal Counsel
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP serves as legal counsel to the Trust. Its address is 2600 One Commerce Square, Philadelphia, PA 19103-7098.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) is the independent registered public accounting firm to the Trust and audits the annual financial statements of the Trust. PwC’s address is Two Commerce Square, Suite 1800, 2001 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-7042.
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Investment Management
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, located at 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin, TX 78746, serves as investment advisor to the Portfolios. Pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement with each Portfolio, the Advisor is responsible for the management of its respective assets.
Pursuant to Sub-Advisory Agreements with the Advisor, DFA Australia Limited (“DFA Australia”), Level 43 Gateway, 1 Macquarie Place, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia, has the authority and responsibility to select brokers and dealers to execute securities transactions for the International Portfolios (each a “DFA Australia Sub-Advised Fund”). DFA Australia’s duties include the maintenance of a trading desk for each DFA Australia Sub-Advised Fund and the determination of the best and most efficient means of executing securities transactions. On at least a semi-annual basis, the Advisor reviews the holdings of each DFA Australia Sub-Advised Fund, and reviews the trading process and the execution of securities transactions. The Advisor is responsible for determining those securities which are eligible for purchase and sale by a DFA Australia Sub-Advised Fund and may delegate this task, subject to its own review, to DFA Australia. DFA Australia maintains and furnishes to the Advisor information and reports on securities of international companies, including its recommendations of securities to be added to the securities that are eligible for purchase by a DFA Australia Sub-Advised Fund as well as making recommendations and elections on corporate actions. In rendering investment management services to the Advisor with respect to each DFA Australia Sub-Advised Fund, DFA Australia expects to use the resources of certain participating affiliates of DFA Australia. Such participating affiliates are providing such services to DFA Australia pursuant to conditions provided in no-action relief granted by the staff of the SEC allowing registered investment advisers to use portfolio management, research and trading resources of advisory affiliates subject to the supervision of a registered adviser.
Pursuant to Sub-Advisory Agreements with the Advisor, Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. (“DFAL”), 20 Triton Street, Regent’s Place, London, NW13BF, United Kingdom, a company that is organized under the laws of England, has the authority and responsibility to select brokers or dealers to execute securities transactions for the International Portfolios (each a “DFAL Sub-Advised Fund”). DFAL’s duties include the maintenance of a trading desk for each DFAL Sub-Advised Fund and the determination of the best and most efficient means of executing securities transactions. On at least a semi-annual basis, the Advisor reviews the holdings of each DFAL Sub-Advised Fund and reviews the trading process and the execution of securities transactions. The Advisor is responsible for determining those securities which are eligible for purchase and sale by each DFAL Sub-Advised Fund and may delegate this task, subject to its own review, to DFAL. DFAL maintains and furnishes to the Advisor information and reports on securities of United Kingdom and European market companies, including its recommendations of securities to be added to the securities that are eligible for purchase by each DFAL Sub-Advised Fund as well as making recommendations and elections on corporate actions.
Payments by the Advisor to Certain Third Parties Not Affiliated with the Advisor
The Advisor and its advisory affiliates have entered into arrangements with certain unaffiliated third parties pursuant to which the Advisor or its advisory affiliates make payments from their own assets or provide services to such unaffiliated third parties as further described below. Certain of the unaffiliated third parties who have entered into such arrangements with the Advisor or its advisory affiliates are affiliated with independent financial advisors (“FAs”) whose clients may invest in the Portfolios or mutual funds advised by the Advisor (“DFA Advised Funds”). Generally, the Advisor does not consider the existence of such arrangements with an affiliate, by itself, to be determinative in assessing whether an FA is independent.
Training and Education Related Benefits Provided by the Advisor
From time to time, the Advisor or its affiliates provide certain non-advisory services (such as data collection and analysis or other consulting services) to financial intermediaries (“Intermediaries”) that may be involved in the distribution of DFA Advised Funds and may recommend the purchase of such DFA Advised Funds for their clients. Intermediaries may include, without limitation, FAs, broker-dealers, institutional investment consultants, and plan service providers (such as recordkeepers). The Advisor or its affiliates also may provide services to Intermediaries, including: (i) personnel and outside consultants for purposes of continuing education, internal strategic planning and, for FAs, practice management; (ii) analysis, including historical market analysis and risk/return analysis; (iii) continuing education to investment advisers (some of whom may be dual registered investment advisers/broker-dealers); and (iv) other services.
The Advisor regularly provides educational speakers and facilities for conferences or events for Intermediaries, customers or clients of the Intermediaries, or such customers’ or clients’ service providers, and also may sponsor such events.
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For its sponsored events, the Advisor typically pays any associated food, beverage, and facilities-related expenses and speakers’ fees. The Advisor has consulting arrangements with certain speakers, who may be affiliated with a client of the Advisor. The Advisor or its affiliates sometimes pay a fee to attend, speak at or assist in sponsoring conferences or events organized by others, and on occasion, pay travel accommodations of certain participants attending such conferences or events. The Advisor’s sponsorship of conferences or events organized by others from time to time includes direct payments to vendors on behalf of, and/or reimbursement of expenses incurred by, the organizers of such events. Also, from time to time, the Advisor makes direct payments to vendors on behalf of, and/or reimbursement of expenses incurred by, Intermediaries in connection with the Intermediaries hosting educational, training, customer appreciation, or other events for such Intermediaries and/or their customers. Personnel of the Advisor may or may not be present at any of the conferences or events hosted by third parties described above. The Advisor generally will promote its participation in or sponsorship of such conferences or events in marketing or advertising materials. At the request of a client or potential client, the Advisor or its affiliates may also refer such client to one or more Intermediaries.
The provision of these services, arrangements and payments described above by the Advisor present conflicts of interest because they provide incentives for Intermediaries, customers or clients of Intermediaries, or such customers’ or clients’ service providers to recommend, or otherwise make available, the Advisor’s strategies or DFA Advised Funds to their clients in order to receive or continue to benefit from these arrangements from the Advisor or its affiliates. However, the provision of these services, arrangements and payments by the Advisor or its affiliates is not dependent on the amount of DFA Advised Funds or strategies sold or recommended by such Intermediaries, customers or clients of Intermediaries, or such customers’ or clients’ service providers.
Consultation Referral Fees Paid by the Advisor
From time to time, consultants of the Advisor are paid a commission for client referrals. Such commissions typically are calculated based on a flat fee, percentage of total fees received by the Advisor as a result of such referrals, or other means agreed to between the Advisor and the consultants.
Payments to Intermediaries by the Advisor
Additionally, the Advisor or its advisory affiliates may enter into arrangements with, and/or make payments from their own assets to, certain Intermediaries to enable access to DFA Advised Funds on platforms and through programs or products made available by such Intermediaries or to assist such Intermediaries to upgrade existing technology systems, or implement new technology systems, platforms, programs, or products in order to improve the methods through which the Intermediaries provide services to the Advisor and its advisory affiliates, and/or their clients. The Advisor or its advisory affiliates may also make payments to Intermediaries related to marketing activities and presentations, educational training programs, conferences, data provision services, or making shares of the DFA Advised Funds available to their customers generally and in certain investment programs. The Advisor may make payments to Intermediaries and other financial service providers for data regarding DFA Advised Funds, such as statistical information regarding sales of shares of DFA Advised Funds through Intermediaries. Such arrangements or payments may establish contractual obligations on the part of such Intermediaries to provide DFA Advised Funds, the Advisor, or their clients with certain exclusive or preferred access to the use of the subject technology or programs or preferable placement or inclusion with such Intermediaries’ platforms, programs or products. Payments of this type are sometimes referred to as revenue-sharing payments. Any payments made pursuant to such arrangements may vary in any year and may be different for different Intermediaries. In certain cases, the payments described here may be subject to certain minimum payment levels, be a fixed amount, and/or depend on assets invested in a particular fund through such Intermediary.
The services, arrangements, and payments described above, which may be significant to the Intermediaries, present conflicts of interest because they provide incentives for Intermediaries, customers or clients of Intermediaries, or such customers’ or clients’ service providers, to recommend, or otherwise make available, DFA Advised Funds to their clients in order to receive or continue to benefit from these arrangements from the Advisor or its affiliates.
As of January 31, 2023, the Intermediaries receiving such payments include: Betterment Holdings, Inc., Charles Schwab & Co. Inc., Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company, Transamerica Retirement Solutions, LLC, UBS
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Financial Services Inc. and LPL Financial LLC. Any additions, modifications, or deletions to this list of financial intermediaries that have occurred since the date of this SAI are not included in this list. Please contact your salesperson, advisor, broker or other investment professional for more information regarding any such payments or financial incentives his or her intermediary firm may receive.
Any payments described above made by the Advisor, or an affiliate of the Advisor, will be made from their own assets and not from the assets of the Portfolios. As a result, such payments are not reflected in the fees and expenses listed in the fees and expenses sections of the Portfolios’ prospectuses.
Data Services Purchased by the Advisor
The Advisor purchases certain data services and products used by the Advisor for sales, distribution, and research purposes. In limited circumstances, a data vendor or its affiliate also provides investment consulting services, and such vendor or affiliated entity may refer one or more of its consulting clients to DFA Advised Funds. Any investment consulting services and referrals are unrelated to the Advisor’s process for the review and purchase of certain data services.
MANAGEMENT FEES
David G. Booth, as a director and officer of the Advisor and shareholder of the Advisor’s general partner, and Rex A. Sinquefield, as a shareholder of the Advisor’s general partner, acting together, could be deemed controlling persons of the Advisor. Mr. Booth also serves as Chairman Emeritus of the Trust. For the services it provides as investment advisor to each Portfolio, the Advisor is paid a monthly fee calculated as a percentage of average net assets of the Portfolio. As of October 31, 2022, the Portfolios had not commenced operations, so the Portfolios did not pay any management fees.
Pursuant to a Fee Waiver and/or Expense Assumption Agreement for each Portfolio, the Advisor has agreed to waive certain fees and in certain instances, assume certain expenses of the Portfolio, as described below. The Fee Waiver and/or Expense Assumption Agreement will remain in effect through February 28, 2024, and may only be terminated by the Trust’s Board of Trustees prior to that date. The Fee Waiver and/or Expense Assumption Agreement shall continue in effect from year to year thereafter unless terminated by the Trust or the Advisor. With respect to each Fee Waiver and/or Expense Assumption Agreement, prior year waived fees and/or assumed expenses can be recaptured only if the expense ratio following such recapture would be less than the expense cap that was in place when such prior year fees were waived and/or expenses assumed, and less than the current expense cap in place for the Portfolio. A Portfolio is not obligated to reimburse the Advisor for fees previously waived or expenses previously assumed by the Advisor more than thirty-six months before the date of such reimbursement.
The Advisor has contractually agreed to waive all or a portion of its management fee and assume the ordinary operating expenses of each of the Portfolios (excluding the expenses that the Portfolio incurs indirectly through its investment in other investment companies) (“Portfolio Expenses”) to the extent necessary to limit the Portfolio Expenses of each Portfolio, on an annualized basis, to the rates listed below as a percentage of the respective Portfolio’s average net assets (the “Expense Limitation Amount”). At any time that the Portfolio Expenses of a Portfolio are less than the Expense Limitation Amount for the Portfolio, the Advisor retains the right to recover any fees previously waived and/or expenses previously assumed to the extent that such recovery will not cause the annualized Portfolio Expenses for such Portfolio to exceed the applicable Expense Limitation Amount identified below.
Portfolio | Expense Limitation Amount |
Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF | 0.18% |
Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF | 0.24% |
Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF | 0.41% |
Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF | 0.24% |
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
In accordance with the team approach used to manage the Portfolios, the portfolio managers and portfolio traders implement the policies and procedures established by the Investment Committee. The portfolio managers and portfolio traders also make daily investment decisions regarding the Portfolios based on the parameters established by the Investment
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Committee. The individuals named below are the portfolio managers that coordinate the efforts of all other portfolio managers or trading personnel with respect to the day-to-day management of the Portfolios indicated.
Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF | Jed S. Fogdall, John A. Hertzer, Joseph F. Hohn and Mary T. Phillips |
Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF and Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF | William B. Collins-Dean, Jed S. Fogdall, Joseph F. Hohn, Mary T. Phillips and Allen Pu |
Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF | Lacey N. Huebel, Joseph F. Kolerich and David A. Plecha |
Other Managed Accounts
In addition to the Portfolios, each portfolio manager manages (i) other U.S. registered investment companies advised or sub-advised by the Advisor, (ii) other pooled investment vehicles that are not U.S. registered mutual funds or ETFs and (iii) other accounts managed for organizations and individuals. The following table sets forth information regarding the total accounts for which each portfolio manager has the primary responsibility for coordinating the day-to-day management responsibilities.
Name of Portfolio Manager | Number of Accounts Managed and Total Assets by Category As of October 31, 2022 | |
William B. Collins-Dean | ● | 21 U.S. registered mutual funds with $79,580 million in total assets under management. |
● | 0 unregistered pooled investment vehicles. | |
● | 6 other accounts with $2,697 million in total assets under management. | |
Jed S. Fogdall | ● | 119 U.S. registered mutual funds with $394,030 million in total assets under management. |
● | 28 unregistered pooled investment vehicles with $19,831 million in total assets under management, of which 1 account with $194 million in assets may be subject to a performance fee. | |
● | 415 other accounts with $23,171 million in total assets under management, of which 4 accounts with $1,687 million in assets may be subject to a performance fee. | |
John A. Hertzer | ● | 24 U.S. registered mutual funds with $149,424 million in total assets under management. |
● | 3 unregistered pooled investment vehicles with $3,822 million in total assets under management. | |
● | 6 other accounts with $7,885 million in total assets under management. | |
Joseph F. Hohn | ● | 21 U.S. registered mutual funds with $73,294 million in total assets under management. |
● | 7 unregistered pooled investment vehicles with $1,074 million in total assets under management. | |
● | 0 other accounts. | |
Lacey N. Huebel | ● | 4 U.S. registered mutual funds with $9,148 million in total assets under management. |
● | 0 unregistered pooled investment vehicles. | |
● | 3 other accounts with $1,525 million in total assets under management. | |
Joseph F. Kolerich | ● | 63 U.S. registered mutual funds with $101,037 million in total assets under management. |
● | 4 unregistered pooled investment vehicles with $2,966 million in total assets under management. | |
● | 9 other accounts with $2,188 million in total assets under management. | |
Mary T. Phillips | ● | 65 U.S. registered mutual funds with $241,973 million in total assets under management. |
● | 4 unregistered pooled investment vehicles with $2,499 million in total assets under management. | |
● | 0 other accounts. |
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Name of Portfolio Manager | Number of Accounts Managed and Total Assets by Category As of October 31, 2022 | |
David A. Plecha | ● | 63 U.S. registered mutual funds with $101,037 million in total assets under management. |
● | 4 unregistered pooled investment vehicles with $2,966 million in total assets under management. | |
● | 9 other accounts with $2,188 million in total assets under management. | |
Allen Pu | ● | 51 U.S. registered mutual funds with $116,725 million in total assets under management. |
● | 15 unregistered pooled investment vehicles with $12,763 million in total assets under management. | |
● | 0 other accounts. |
Description of Compensation Structure
Portfolio managers receive a base salary and bonus. Compensation of a portfolio manager is determined at the discretion of the Advisor and is based on a portfolio manager’s experience, responsibilities, the perception of the quality of his or her work efforts, and other subjective factors. The compensation of portfolio managers is not directly based upon the performance of the Portfolios or other accounts that the portfolio managers manage. The Advisor reviews the compensation of each portfolio manager annually and may make modifications in compensation as its Compensation Committee deems necessary to reflect changes in the market. Each portfolio manager’s compensation consists of the following:
● | Base salary. Each portfolio manager is paid a base salary. The Advisor considers the factors described above to determine each portfolio manager’s base salary. |
● | Semi-Annual Bonus. Each portfolio manager may receive a semi-annual bonus. The amount of the bonus paid to each portfolio manager is based upon the factors described above. |
Portfolio managers may be awarded the right to purchase restricted shares of the stock of the Advisor, as determined from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Advisor or its delegates. Portfolio managers also participate in benefit and retirement plans and other programs available generally to all employees.
In addition, portfolio managers may be given the option of participating in the Advisor’s Long Term Incentive Plan. The level of participation for eligible employees may be dependent on overall level of compensation, among other considerations. Participation in this program is not based on or related to the performance of any individual strategies or any particular client accounts.
Potential Conflicts of Interest
Actual or apparent conflicts of interest may arise when a portfolio manager has the primary day-to-day responsibilities with respect to more than one Portfolio and other accounts. Other accounts include registered mutual funds and ETFs (other than the Portfolios), other unregistered pooled investment vehicles, and other accounts managed for organizations and individuals (“Accounts”). An Account may have similar investment objectives to a Portfolio, or may purchase, sell or hold securities that are eligible to be purchased, sold or held by a Portfolio. Actual or apparent conflicts of interest include:
● | Time Management. The management of multiple Portfolios and/or Accounts may result in a portfolio manager devoting unequal time and attention to the management of each Portfolio and/or Accounts. The Advisor seeks to manage such competing interests for the time and attention of portfolio managers by having portfolio managers focus on a particular investment discipline. Most Accounts managed by a portfolio manager are managed using the same investment approaches that are used in connection with the management of the Portfolios. |
● | Investment Opportunities. It is possible that at times identical securities will be held by more than one Portfolio and/or Account. However, positions in the same security may vary and the length of time that any Portfolio or Account may choose to hold its investment in the same security may likewise vary. If a portfolio manager identifies a limited investment opportunity that may be suitable for more than one Portfolio or Account, a Portfolio may not be able to take full advantage of that opportunity due to an allocation of filled purchase or sale orders across all eligible |
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Portfolios and Accounts. To deal with these situations, the Advisor has adopted procedures for allocating portfolio transactions across multiple Portfolios and Accounts.
● | Broker Selection. With respect to securities transactions for the Portfolios, the Advisor determines which broker to use to execute each order, consistent with its duty to seek best execution of the transaction. However, with respect to certain Accounts (such as separate accounts), the Advisor may be limited by the client with respect to the selection of brokers or may be instructed to direct trades through a particular broker. In these cases, the Advisor or its affiliates may place separate, non-simultaneous, transactions for a Portfolio and another Account that may temporarily affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to the detriment of the Portfolio or the Account. |
● | Performance-Based Fees. For some Accounts, the Advisor may be compensated based on the profitability of the Account, such as by a performance-based management fee. These incentive compensation structures may create a conflict of interest for the Advisor with regard to Accounts where the Advisor is paid based on a percentage of assets because the portfolio manager may have an incentive to allocate securities preferentially to the Accounts where the Advisor might share in investment gains. |
● | Investment in an Account. A portfolio manager or his/her relatives may invest in an Account that he or she manages and a conflict may arise where he or she may therefore have an incentive to treat the Account in which the portfolio manager or his/her relatives invest preferentially as compared to other Accounts for which he or she has portfolio management responsibilities. |
The Advisor and the Trust have adopted certain compliance procedures that are reasonably designed to address these types of conflicts. However, there is no guarantee that such procedures will detect each and every situation in which a conflict arises.
Investments in Each Portfolio
Because the Portfolios had not commenced operations prior to the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022, the portfolio managers did not own any shares of the Portfolios as of October 31, 2022.
CODE OF ETHICS
The Trust, the Advisor, DFA Australia, DFAL and DFAS have adopted a Code of Ethics, under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act, for certain access persons of the Portfolios. The Code of Ethics is designed to ensure that access persons act in the interest of the Portfolios and their shareholders with respect to any personal trading of securities. Under the Code of Ethics, access persons are generally prohibited from knowingly buying or selling securities (except for mutual funds, U.S. government securities and money market instruments) which are being purchased, sold or considered for purchase or sale by a Portfolio unless their proposed purchases are approved in advance. The Code of Ethics also contains certain reporting requirements and securities trading clearance procedures.
SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS
The Trust currently has authorized and allocated to each Portfolio an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest with no par value. The Trustees of the Trust may, at any time and from time to time, by resolution, authorize the establishment and division of additional shares of the Trust into an unlimited number of series and the division of any series (including the Portfolios) into two or more classes. When issued in accordance with the Trust’s registration statement, governing instruments and applicable law (all as may be amended from time to time), all of the Trust’s shares are fully paid and non-assessable. Shares do not have preemptive rights.
Each Share issued by a Portfolio has a pro rata interest in the assets of the Portfolio. 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. However, matters affecting only one particular Portfolio or class can be voted on only by shareholders in such Portfolio or class. The shares of the Trust are not entitled to cumulative voting, meaning that holders of more than 50% of the Trust’s shares may elect the entire Board. All shareholders are entitled to receive dividend and/or capital gains when and as declared by the Trustees from time to time and as discussed in the Prospectus.
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The Agreement and Declaration of Trust (the “Declaration”) provides that by virtue of becoming a shareholder of the Trust, each shareholder shall be held expressly to have agreed to be bound by the provisions of the Declaration. In addition, the Declaration provides a detailed process for the bringing of derivative actions by shareholders in order to permit legitimate inquiries and claims while avoiding the time, expense, distraction, and other harm that can be caused to a Portfolio or its shareholders as a result of spurious shareholder demands and derivative actions. Prior to bringing a derivative action, a demand by the complaining shareholder must first be made on the Trustees. The Declaration details conditions that must be met with respect to the demand. Following receipt of the demand, the Trustees must be afforded a reasonable amount of time to investigate and consider the demand. The Trustees will be entitled to retain counsel or other advisors in considering the merits of the request and shall require an undertaking by the shareholders making such request to reimburse the Trust for the expense of any such advisors in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring such action.
The Declaration also requires that actions by shareholders against a Portfolio be brought only in a certain federal court in Texas, or if not permitted to be brought in federal court, then in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware as required by applicable law, or the Superior Court of Delaware, and that the right to jury trial be waived to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Book Entry Only System. The following information supplements and should be read in conjunction with the relevant information included in the Prospectus. DTC Acts as securities depository for Shares. Shares of the Portfolios are represented by securities registered in the name of DTC or its nominee and deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC.
DTC, a limited-purpose trust company, was created to hold securities of its participants (the “DTC Participants”) and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities transactions among the DTC Participants in such securities through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of the DTC Participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates. DTC Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations, some of whom (and/or their representatives) own DTC. More specifically, DTC is owned by a number of its DTC Participants and by the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), NYSE MKT and FINRA. Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC Participant, either directly or indirectly (the “Indirect Participants”).
Beneficial ownership of Shares is limited to DTC Participants, Indirect Participants and persons holding interests through DTC Participants and Indirect Participants. Ownership of beneficial interests in Shares (owners of such beneficial interests are referred to herein as “Beneficial Owners”) is shown on, and the transfer of ownership is effected only through, records maintained by DTC (with respect to DTC Participants) and on the records of DTC Participants (with respect to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners that are not DTC Participants). Beneficial Owners will receive from or through the DTC Participant a written confirmation relating to their purchase and sale of Shares. No Beneficial Owner shall have the right to receive a certificate representing such 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 a Portfolio held by each DTC Participant. The Trust shall inquire of each such DTC Participant as to the number of Beneficial Owners holding Shares, directly or indirectly, through such DTC Participant. The Trust shall provide each such DTC Participant with copies of such notice, statement or other communication, in such form, number and at such place as such DTC Participant may reasonably request, in order that such notice, statement or communication may be transmitted by such DTC Participant, directly or indirectly, to such Beneficial Owners. In addition, the Trust shall pay to each such DTC Participant a fair and reasonable amount as reimbursement for the expenses attendant to such transmittal, all subject to applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
Portfolio distributions shall be made to DTC or its nominee, Cede & Co., as the registered holder of all Portfolio Shares. DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any such distributions, shall immediately credit DTC Participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in Shares of a Portfolio as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. Payments by DTC Participants to Indirect Participants and Beneficial Owners of Shares held through such DTC Participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in a “street name,” and will be the responsibility of such DTC Participants.
The Trust has no responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or notices to Beneficial Owners, or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in such Shares, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing
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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 decide to discontinue providing its service with respect to Shares at any time by giving reasonable notice to the Trust and discharging its responsibilities with respect thereto under applicable law. Under such circumstances, the Trust shall take action to find a replacement for DTC to perform its functions at a comparable cost.
PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
Although the Trust does not have information concerning the beneficial ownership of shares held in the names of the DTC participants, as of January 31, 2023, the following DTC participants owned of record 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the Portfolios, as set forth below:
DIMENSIONAL US SUSTAINABILITY CORE 1 ETF
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc. | 47.89% | |
200 S 108th Ave. | ||
Omaha, NE 68154-2631 | ||
Charles Schwab Retail | 16.56% | |
211 Main St. | ||
San Francisco, CA 94105-1905 | ||
Charles Schwab & Co, Inc. | 14.37% | |
211 Main St. | ||
San Francisco, CA 94105-1905 | ||
National Financial Services, LLC | 10.13% | |
245 Summer St. | ||
Boston, MA 02210-1133 |
DIMENSIONAL INTERNATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY CORE 1 ETF
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc. 1 | 37.30% | |
Charles Schwab & Co, Inc. 1 | 15.48% | |
Charles Schwab Retail1 | 14.29% | |
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC | 10.82% | |
383 Madison Avenue | ||
New York, NY 10179 | ||
National Financial Services, LLC1 | 9.11% | |
Citibank, National Association | 8.70% | |
388 Greenwich Street | ||
New York, NY 10013 |
DIMENSIONAL EMERGING MARKETS SUSTAINABILITY CORE 1 ETF
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc. 1 | 34.71% | |
Charles Schwab & Co, Inc. 1 | 14.25% | |
J.P. Morgan Securities LLC1 | 11.73% |
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Charles Schwab Retail1 | 10.09% | |
Citibank, National Association1 | 9.76% | |
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. | 6.73% | |
1 Bryant Park | ||
New York, NY 10036 | ||
The Goldman Sachs Trust Company, National Association | 5.95% | |
200 Bellevue Parkway, Suite 250 | ||
Wilmington, DE 19809 | ||
National Financial Services, LLC1 | 5.28% |
DIMENSIONAL GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY FIXED INCOME ETF
TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc. 1 | 47.71% | |
Charles Schwab & Co, Inc. 1 | 30.08% | |
Citibank, National Association1 | 10.53% |
1 | See address for shareholder previously noted above in list. |
To the best knowledge of the Trust, no other DTC participant held of record more than 5% of the outstanding shares of a Portfolio.
Following the creation of the initial Creation Unit(s) of shares of a Portfolio and immediately prior to the commencement of trading in the Portfolio’s shares, a holder of shares, including the Advisor, may be a “control person” of the Portfolio, as defined in the 1940 Act. A Portfolio cannot predict the length of time for which one or more shareholders may remain a control person of the Portfolio.
CREATION AND REDEMPTION OF CREATION UNITS
General
Each Portfolio issues Shares only in Creation Units on a continuous basis through the Distributor or its agent, without a sales load, at its NAV next determined after receipt, on any Business Day (as defined below), of an order received by the Transfer Agent in proper form. On days when the Exchange closes earlier than normal, the Portfolios may require orders to be placed earlier in the day. A “Business Day” with respect to each Portfolio is any day on which the Exchange on which the Portfolio is listed for trading is open for business. As of the date of this SAI, the Exchange observes the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Washington’s Birthday, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Although it is expected that the same holidays will be observed in the future, the Exchange may modify its holiday schedule or hours of operation at any time.
Each Portfolio effects creations and redemptions only to and from broker-dealers and large institutional investors that have entered into authorized participant agreements, as described further below. Each Portfolio may issue and redeem Creation Units of its Shares in exchange for a designated basket of portfolio investments (including any portion of such investments for which cash may be substituted), together with an amount of cash and any applicable fees, as described below, or Shares may be offered and redeemed partially or solely for cash. For each Portfolio, the Trust reserves the right to permit or require that creations and redemptions of Shares be effected entirely in cash, in-kind or a combination thereof.
To the extent the Portfolios engage in in-kind transactions, the Portfolios intend to comply with the U.S. federal securities laws in accepting securities for deposit and satisfying redemptions with redemption securities by, among other means, assuring that any securities accepted for deposit and any securities used to satisfy redemption requests will be sold in transactions that would be exempt from registration under the 1933 Act. Further, an Authorized Participant (as defined below
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under “Procedures for Creation of Creation Units”) that is not a “qualified institutional buyer,” as such term is defined under Rule 144A of the 1933 Act, will not be able to receive securities that are restricted securities eligible for resale under Rule 144A.
The Portfolios may utilize custom creation or redemption baskets consistent with Rule 6c-11. Custom orders may be required to be received by the Transfer Agent by 3:00 p.m., Eastern Time (for the Equity Portfolios) or 1:00 p.m., Eastern Time (for Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF), to be effectuated based on the Portfolio’s NAV on that Business Day. A custom order may be placed when, for example, an Authorized Participant cannot transact in an instrument in the in-kind creation or redemption basket and therefore has additional cash included in lieu of such instrument. The Trust has adopted policies and procedures that govern the construction and acceptance of baskets, including heightened requirements for certain types of custom baskets. These policies and procedures provide detailed parameters for the construction and acceptance of custom baskets that are in the best interests of a Portfolio and its shareholders, including the process for any revisions to, or deviations from, those parameters, and specify the titles or roles of the employees of the Advisor who are required to review each custom basket for compliance with the parameters.
Persons placing or effectuating custom orders should be mindful of time deadlines imposed by intermediaries, which may impact the successful processing of such orders.
Creations
Deposit of Investments/Delivery of Cash. The consideration for purchase of Creation Units of a Portfolio may consist of the in-kind deposit of a designated portfolio of investments (including cash in lieu of any portion of such investments) determined by the Portfolio (“Deposit Securities”) and generally a specified amount of cash (the “Cash Component”), computed as described below, together with applicable creation transaction fees (as described below). Together, the Deposit Securities and the Cash Component constitute the “Fund Deposit,” applicable to creation requests received in proper form, subject to amendment or correction as described below.
The Cash Component, also commonly referred to as the balancing amount, is an amount equal to the difference between (i) the NAV of Portfolio Shares (per Creation Unit); and (ii) the “Deposit Amount,” which is the amount equal to the market value of the Deposit Securities and/or cash in lieu of all or a portion of the Deposit Securities. The Cash Component serves the function of compensating for any differences between the NAV per Creation Unit and the Deposit Amount. If the Cash Component is a positive number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit exceeds the Deposit Amount), the Authorized Participant will deliver the Cash Component. If the Cash Component is a negative number (i.e., the NAV per Creation Unit is less than the Deposit Amount), the Authorized Participant will receive the Cash Component. Payment of any tax, stamp duty or other similar fees and expenses payable upon transfer of beneficial ownership of the Deposit Securities are the sole responsibility of the Authorized Participant purchasing the Creation Unit.
Creation Units may also be sold partially or solely for cash. When partial or full cash purchases of Creation Units are available or specified for a Portfolio, such purchases will be effected in essentially the same manner as in-kind purchases of Creation Units. In the case of a partial or full cash purchase, the Authorized Participant must pay the cash equivalent of the Deposit Securities it would have otherwise delivered in an in-kind purchase, in addition to the same Cash Component required to be paid by an in-kind purchaser. In addition, to offset brokerage and other costs associated with using cash to purchase the requisite Deposit Securities, the Authorized Participant must pay the Transaction Fees required by each Portfolio. If the Authorized Participant acts as a broker for the Portfolio in connection with the purchase of Deposit Securities, the Authorized Participant will also be required to pay certain brokerage commissions, taxes, and transaction and market impact costs.
The Custodian, through the National Securities Clearing Corporation (“NSCC”), makes available on each Business Day, prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time), the list of the names and the required quantities of each Deposit Security and the amount of the Cash Component to be included in the current Fund Deposit (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day and subject to possible amendment or correction) for the Portfolios.
The Portfolios reserve the right to accept a nonconforming (i.e., custom) Fund Deposit. In addition, the composition of the Fund Deposit may change as, among other things, corporate actions, investment rebalancing, and investment decisions by the Advisor are implemented for a Portfolio. The composition of the Fund Deposit may also change in response to adjustments to the weighting or composition of the component securities constituting a Portfolio’s investment portfolio. All
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questions as to the composition of the in-kind creation basket to be included in the Fund Deposit and the validity, form, eligibility, and acceptance for deposit of any instrument shall be determined by the Trust, and the Trust’s determination shall be final and binding.
Procedures for Creation of Creation Units. To be eligible to place orders with the Distributor to create a Creation Unit of a Portfolio, 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”); or (ii) a DTC Participant (see “Book Entry Only System”), and, in each case, must have executed an authorized participant agreement with the Distributor with respect to creations and redemptions of Creation Units (“Participant Agreement”) (discussed further below). A Participating Party and DTC Participant are collectively referred to as “Authorized Participants.” Investors should contact the Distributor for a list of current Authorized Participants. All Shares of the Portfolios, however created, will be entered on the records of DTC in the name of Cede & Co. for the account of a DTC Participant.
Placement of Creation Orders. All orders to create Creation Units must be placed for one or more Creation Unit sized aggregations of a specified number of Shares. All standard orders to create Creation Units, whether through the Clearing Process (through a Participating Party) or outside the Clearing Process (through a DTC Participant), must be received by the Transfer Agent no later than the order cut-off time designated by the Trust (“Closing Time”) on the date such order is placed in order for the creation of Creation Units to be effected based on the NAV of Shares of the Portfolio as next determined on such date after receipt of the order in proper form. With certain exceptions, the Closing Time for a Portfolio usually is the closing time of the regular trading session on the New York Stock Exchange—i.e., ordinarily 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time. Subject to the provisions of the applicable Participant Agreement, in the case of custom orders, the order must generally be received by the Transfer Agent no later than 3:00 p.m., Eastern Time (for the Equity Portfolios) or 1:00 p.m., Eastern Time (for Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF), on the date such order is placed. The date on which an order to create Creation Units (or an order to redeem Creation Units as discussed below) is placed is referred to as the “Transmittal Date.” Orders must be transmitted by an Authorized Participant by telephone or other transmission method acceptable to the Distributor and the Transfer Agent as described below in this SAI and pursuant to procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement. Severe economic or market disruptions or changes, or telephone or other communication systems failure, may impede the ability to reach the Distributor, Transfer Agent or Authorized Participant.
Investors other than Authorized Participants are responsible for making arrangements for a creation request to be made through an Authorized Participant. Orders to create Creation Units of a Portfolio shall be placed with an Authorized Participant, as applicable, in the form required by such Authorized Participant. The Authorized Participant must make available on or before the prescribed settlement date, by means satisfactory to a Portfolio, immediately available or same day funds estimated by the Portfolio to be sufficient to pay the Cash Component next determined after acceptance of the purchase order, together with the applicable purchase transaction fees. Those placing orders should ascertain the applicable deadline for cash transfers by contacting the operations department of the broker or depositary institution effectuating the transfer of the Cash Component. In addition, the Authorized Participant may request the investor to make certain representations or enter into agreements with respect to the order, i.e., to provide for payments of cash, when required. Investors should be aware that their particular broker may not have executed a Participant Agreement and, therefore, orders to create Creation Units of a Portfolio have to be placed by the investor’s broker through an Authorized Participant that has executed a Participant Agreement. At any given time there may be only a limited number of broker-dealers that have executed a Participant Agreement. Those placing orders for Creation Units through the Clearing Process should afford sufficient time to permit proper submission of the order to the Transfer Agent prior to the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date.
Orders for creation that are effected outside the Clearing Process are likely to require transmittal by the DTC Participant earlier on the Transmittal Date than orders effected using the Clearing Process. Those persons placing orders outside the Clearing Process should ascertain the deadlines applicable to DTC and the Federal Reserve Bank wire system by contacting the broker or depository institution effecting such transfer of the Fund Deposit.
An order to create Creation Units is deemed received on the Transmittal Date if (i) such order is received by the Transfer Agent not later than the Closing Time on such Transmittal Date and (ii) all other procedures with respect to creation orders are properly followed. The delivery of Creation Units so created will generally occur no later than the second Business Day following the day on which the purchase order is deemed received by the Transfer Agent (“T+2”). However, the Trust reserves the right to settle Creation Unit transactions on a basis other than T+2 if necessary or appropriate under the circumstances. Additionally, the International Portfolios reserve the right to settle Creation Unit transactions on a basis other than T+2 to accommodate non-U.S. market holiday schedules, to account for different treatment among non-U.S. and U.S. markets of dividend record dates and ex-dividend dates or if necessary or appropriate under the circumstances.
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If the Cash Component and the Deposit Securities are not received by the applicable deadline specified by the Transfer Agent on the Settlement Date, the creation order may be canceled. Upon written notice to the Transfer Agent, such cancelled order may be resubmitted the following Business Day using a newly constituted Fund Deposit as specified by the Portfolio.
Acceptance of Orders for Creation Units. Subject to the conditions that (i) an irrevocable purchase order has been submitted by the Authorized Participant (either on its own or another investor’s behalf) and (ii) arrangements satisfactory to a Portfolio are in place for payment of the Cash Component and any other cash amounts which may be due, the Portfolio will accept the order, subject to the Portfolio’s right (and the right of the Distributor and the Transfer Agent) to reject any order until acceptance, as set forth below.
Once an order has been accepted, upon the next determination of the NAV of a Portfolio’s Shares, the Portfolio will confirm the issuance of a Creation Unit, against receipt of payment, at such NAV. The Transfer Agent will then transmit a confirmation of acceptance to the Authorized Participant that placed the order.
A Portfolio reserves the right (to the extent consistent with the provisions of Rule 6c-11 under the 1940 Act and the SEC’s positions thereunder) to reject or revoke a creation order for any reason, including if: (a) the order is not in proper form; (b) the Deposit Securities delivered do not conform to the identity and number of shares specified, as described above; (c) the investor(s), upon obtaining the Shares ordered, would own 80% or more of the currently outstanding Shares of the Portfolio; (d) the acceptance of the Fund Deposit would, in the opinion of counsel, be unlawful; (e) deemed appropriate, in the Portfolio’s sole discretion, on certain days that are holidays in non-U.S. markets, while not observed holidays in the U.S. equity market, in order to protect Portfolio shareholders from any dilutive costs that may be associated with the purchase of Deposit Securities in connection with creation orders on such days; or (f) in the event that circumstances outside the control of the Portfolio, the Distributor, the Transfer Agent or the Advisor make it for all practical purposes impossible to process creation orders. 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 Portfolio, Advisor, the Distributor, Transfer Agent, DTC, NSCC or any other participant in the creation process, and similar extraordinary events. The Transfer Agent shall notify a prospective creator of a Creation Unit and/or the Authorized Participant acting on behalf of the creator of a Creation Unit of the rejection of the order of such person. The Portfolios, Custodian, sub-custodian, the Distributor and the Transfer Agent are under no duty, however, to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the delivery of Fund Deposits nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give such notification.
Issuance of Creation Units. Except as provided herein, a Creation Unit will not be issued until the transfer of good title to the applicable Portfolio of the Deposit Securities and the payment of the Cash Component and applicable creation transaction fees have been completed. When the Custodian or applicable sub-custodian has confirmed that the securities included in the Fund Deposit (or the cash value thereof) have been delivered to the account of the Custodian or relevant sub-custodian(s), the Transfer Agent and the Advisor shall be notified of such delivery and the applicable Portfolio will issue and cause the delivery of the Creation Unit.
A Portfolio may issue Creation Units to such Authorized Participant, notwithstanding the fact that the corresponding Fund Deposits have not been received in part or in whole, in reliance on the undertaking of the Authorized Participant to deliver the missing Deposit Securities as soon as possible, which undertaking shall be secured by such Authorized Participant’s delivery and maintenance of collateral having a value at least equal to 105%, and up to 115%, of the value of the missing Deposit Securities, which percentage the Advisor may change at any time, in its sole discretion, of the value of the missing Deposit Securities. The Trust may use such cash deposit at any time to buy Deposit Securities for the Portfolio. The only collateral that is acceptable to a Portfolio is cash in U.S. dollars. Such cash collateral generally must be delivered no later than 2 p.m., Eastern Time, on the next Business Day after the Transmittal Date (for the International Portfolios) or 2 p.m., Eastern Time, on the prescribed settlement date (for the Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF) or such other time as designated by the Custodian. The Portfolio may buy the missing Deposit Securities at any time, and the Authorized Participant will be subject to liability for any shortfall between the cost to the Portfolio of purchasing such securities and the value of the cash collateral including, without limitation, liability for related brokerage, borrowings and other charges.
In certain cases, Authorized Participants may create and redeem Creation Units on the same trade date and in these instances, a Portfolio reserves the right to settle these transactions on a net basis or require a representation from the
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Authorized Participants that the creation and redemption transactions are for separate beneficial owners. All questions as to the number of shares of each security in the Deposit Securities and the validity, form, eligibility and acceptance for deposit of any securities to be delivered shall be determined by the Portfolio and the Portfolio’s determination shall be final and binding.
Creation Transaction Fee. A standard creation transaction fee is imposed to offset the transfer and other transaction costs associated with the issuance of Creation Units. The standard creation transaction fee is charged to the Authorized Participant on the day such Authorized Participant creates a Creation Unit, and is the same, regardless of the number of Creation Units purchased by the Authorized Participant on the applicable Business Day. From time to time and for such periods as the Advisor may deem appropriate, the Advisor may increase, decrease or otherwise modify the creation transaction fee to an amount that, in its judgment, is necessary or appropriate to recoup for a Portfolio the costs it may incur as a result of such purchases, or to otherwise eliminate or reduce so far as practicable any dilution of the value of the Shares. The Authorized Participant may also be required to cover certain brokerage, tax, foreign exchange, execution, market impact and other costs and expenses related to the execution of trades resulting from such transaction (up to the maximum amount shown below). Authorized Participants will also bear the costs of transferring the Deposit Securities to a Portfolio. Investors who use the services of a broker or other financial intermediary to acquire Portfolio shares may be charged a fee for such services.
The following table sets forth each Portfolio’s standard creation transaction fees and maximum additional charge (as described above):
Portfolio | Standard
Creation Transaction Fee |
Maximum
Additional Charge for Creations* |
Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF | $800 | 3% |
Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF | $6,000 | 7% |
Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF | $9,000 | 7% |
Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF | $300 | 3% |
* As a percentage of the NAV per Creation Unit.
If a purchase consists of a cash portion and the Portfolio places a brokerage transaction to purchase portfolio securities with the Authorized Participant or its affiliated broker-dealer, the Authorized Participant (or its affiliated broker-dealer) may be required, in its capacity as broker-dealer with respect to that transaction, to cover certain brokerage, tax, foreign exchange, execution, and price movement costs through a Price Guarantee, as described in the Brokerage Transactions section of this SAI.
Redemptions
Redemption of Creation Units. Shares may be redeemed only in Creation Units at their NAV next determined after receipt of a redemption request in proper form by the Transfer Agent and only on a Business Day. The Portfolios will not redeem Shares in amounts less than Creation Units. Beneficial owners must accumulate enough Shares in the secondary market to constitute a Creation Unit in order to have such Shares redeemed by a Portfolio. 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 Portfolio Shares to constitute a redeemable Creation Unit.
When in-kind redemptions are available or specified for a Portfolio, the redemption proceeds for a Creation Unit generally consist of a designated portfolio of investments including cash in lieu of all or a portion of such investments (“Fund Instruments”) plus or minus the Cash Component, as next determined after a receipt of a request in proper form, together with the applicable redemption transaction fees (as described below) and, if applicable, any operational processing and brokerage costs, transfer fees or stamp taxes. The Fund Instruments together with the Cash Component comprise the “Fund Redemption.” The Cash Component, also commonly referred to as the balancing amount, included in the Fund Redemption is a compensating cash payment equal to the difference, if any, between (i) the NAV attributable to a Creation Unit and (ii) the aggregate market value of the Fund Instruments (i.e., securities or other instruments in the in-kind redemption basket) and/or the cash in-lieu of all or a portion of the Fund Instruments. In the event that the Fund Instruments and the cash in lieu have a
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value greater than the NAV of the Portfolio Shares, the Cash Component is required to be paid by the redeeming shareholder. If the NAV attributable to a Creation Unit exceeds the market value of the Fund Instruments and the cash in-lieu amount, if any, the Portfolio pays the Cash Component to the redeeming shareholder.
Creation Units may also be redeemed partially or solely for cash. A Portfolio may pay out the proceeds of redemptions of Creation Unit solely in cash or through any combination of cash or securities. In addition, an investor may request a redemption in cash that the Portfolio 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 Portfolio next determined after the redemption request is received in proper form (minus applicable redemption transaction fees and an additional charge for requested cash redemptions specified below, to offset the brokerage and other transaction costs associated with the disposition of Fund Instruments). Proceeds will be paid to the Authorized Participant redeeming Shares on behalf of the redeeming investor as soon as practicable after the date of redemption. If the Authorized Participant acts as a broker for the Portfolio in connection with the sale of Fund Instruments, the Authorized Participant will also be required to pay certain brokerage commissions, taxes, and transaction and market impact costs.
The Custodian, through the NSCC, makes available prior to the opening of business on the Exchange (currently 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time) on each Business Day, the identity of the Fund Instruments and Cash Component that will be applicable (based on information at the end of the previous Business Day and subject to possible amendment or correction) to redemption requests received in proper form on that day. Fund Instruments received on redemption may not be identical to Deposit Securities that are applicable to creations of Creation Units.
The Portfolios reserve the right to deliver a nonconforming (i.e., custom) Fund Redemption. All questions as to the composition of the in-kind redemption basket to be included in the Fund Redemption shall be determined by the Trust, in accordance with applicable law, and the Trust’s determination shall be final and binding. The Portfolios reserve the right to make redemption payments in cash, in-kind or a combination of each.
Deliveries of Fund Redemptions will generally be made within two Business Days (“T+2”) or, for the Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF, three Business Days (“T+3”). However, the Portfolios reserve the right to settle redemption transactions on a basis other than T+2 or T+3, as applicable, if necessary or appropriate under the circumstances and consistent with applicable law. Delayed settlement may occur due to a number of different reasons, including, without limitation, settlement cycles for the underlying securities, unscheduled market closings, an effort to link distribution to dividend record dates and ex-dates and newly announced holidays. For example, the redemption settlement process may be extended beyond T+2 or T+3 because of the occurrence of a holiday in a non-U.S. market or in the U.S. bond market that is not a holiday observed in the U.S. equity market. Additionally, each Portfolio reserves the right to settle redemption transactions on a basis other than T+2 or T+3 if necessary or appropriate under the circumstances; provided, however, that the Portfolios will deliver the foreign investment(s) as soon as practicable, and in no event later than 15 days after the receipt of a redemption request.
Because the portfolio securities of a Portfolio may trade on exchange(s) on days that the Exchange is closed or are otherwise not Business Days for the Portfolio, investors may not be able purchase or sell shares of the Portfolio on the Exchange on days when the NAV of the Portfolio could be significantly affected by events in the relevant non-U.S. markets. The right of redemption may be suspended or the date of payment postponed (i) for any period during which the Exchange is closed (other than customary weekend and holiday closings); (ii) for any period during which trading on the Exchange is suspended or restricted; (iii) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which disposal of the Shares of a Portfolio or determination of a Portfolio’s NAV is not reasonably practicable; or (iv) in such other circumstances as is permitted by the SEC.
If an Authorized Participant has submitted a redemption request in proper form but is unable to transfer all or part of the Creation Unit to be redeemed to a Portfolio, at or prior to 2 p.m., Eastern Time, on the next Business Day after the Transmittal Date (for the International Portfolios) or 2 p.m., Eastern Time, on the prescribed settlement date (for the Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF), the Transfer Agent may accept the redemption request in reliance on the undertaking by the Authorized Participant to deliver the missing Shares as soon as possible. Such undertaking shall be secured by the Authorized Participant’s delivery and maintenance of collateral consisting of cash, in U.S. dollars in immediately available funds, having a value at least equal to 105%, and up to 115%, of the value of the missing Shares, which percentage the Trust may change at any time, in its sole discretion, of the value of the missing Shares. Such cash collateral must be delivered no later than 2 p.m., Eastern Time, on the next Business Day after the Transmittal Date (for the International Portfolios) or 2 p.m., Eastern Time, on the prescribed settlement date (for the Dimensional US Sustainability
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Core 1 ETF) and shall be held by the Custodian and marked-to-market daily. The fees of the Custodian and any sub-custodians in respect of the delivery, maintenance and redelivery of the cash collateral shall be payable by the Authorized Participant. The Portfolio may purchase missing Portfolio Shares or acquire the Fund Instruments and the Cash Component underlying such Shares, and the Authorized Participant will be subject to liability for any shortfall between the cost of the Portfolio acquiring such Shares, the Fund Instruments or Cash Component and the value of the cash collateral including, without limitation, liability for related brokerage and other charges.
Placement of Redemption Orders. Investors other than Authorized Participants are responsible for making arrangements for an order to redeem to be made through an Authorized Participant. An order to redeem Creation Units is deemed received by the Trust on the Transmittal Date if: (i) such order is received by the Transfer Agent not later than the Closing Time on the Transmittal Date; and (ii) all other procedures set forth in the Participant Agreement and this Statement of Additional Information are properly followed. If the Transfer Agent does not receive the Shares through DTC by 2 p.m., Eastern Time, on the prescribed settlement date, the redemption request may be deemed rejected. Investors should be aware that the deadline for the transfers of shares through the DTC may be significantly earlier than the close of business on the Exchange.
An order to redeem Creation Units made in proper form but received by the Trust after the Closing Time, will be deemed received on the next Business Day immediately following the Transmittal Date and will be effected at the NAV next determined on such next Business Day. On days when the Exchange closes earlier than normal, orders to redeem Creation Units may need to be placed earlier in the day.
Redemption Transaction Fee. A standard redemption transaction fee is imposed to offset transfer and other transaction costs that may be incurred by a Portfolio. The standard redemption transaction fee is charged to the Authorized Participant on the day such Authorized Participant redeems a Creation Unit, and is the same regardless of the number of Creation Units redeemed by an Authorized Participant on the applicable Business Day. From time to time and for such periods as the Advisor may deem appropriate, the Advisor may increase, decrease or otherwise modify the redemption transaction fee to an amount that, in its judgment, is necessary or appropriate to recoup for the Portfolio the costs it may incur as a result of such redemption, or to otherwise eliminate or reduce so far as practicable any dilution of the value of the Shares. The Authorized Participant may also be required to cover certain brokerage, tax, foreign exchange, execution, market impact and other costs and expenses related to the execution of trades resulting from such transaction (up to the maximum amount shown below). Authorized Participants will also bear the costs of transferring the Fund Instruments from a Portfolio to their account on their order. Investors who use the services of a broker or other financial intermediary to dispose of Portfolio shares may be charged a fee for such services.
The following table sets forth each Portfolio’s standard redemption transaction fees and maximum additional charge (as described above):
Portfolio | Standard
Redemption Transaction Fee |
Maximum
Additional Charge for Redemptions* |
Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF | $800 | 2% |
Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF | $6,000 | 2% |
Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF | $9,000 | 2% |
Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF | $300 | 2% |
* As a percentage of the NAV per Creation Unit, inclusive of the standard redemption transaction fee.
If a redemption consists of a cash portion and a Portfolio places a brokerage transaction to sell portfolio securities with the Authorized Participant or its affiliated broker-dealer, the Authorized Participant (or its affiliated broker-dealer) may be required, in its capacity as broker-dealer with respect to that transaction, to cover certain brokerage, tax, foreign exchange, execution, and price movement costs through a Price Guarantee, as described in the Brokerage Transactions section of this SAI.
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TAXATION OF THE PORTFOLIOS AND THEIR SHAREHOLDERS
The following is a summary of some of the federal income tax consequences of investing in a Portfolio (sometimes referred to as “the Portfolio”). Unless you are invested in the Portfolio through a qualified retirement plan, you should consider the tax implications of investing and consult your own tax advisor. No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of the tax treatment of the Portfolio or its shareholders, and the discussion here and in the Prospectus is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning.
This “TAXATION OF THE PORTFOLIOS AND THEIR SHAREHOLDERS” section is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and applicable regulations in effect on the date of this SAI. Future legislative, regulatory or administrative changes, including provisions of current law that sunset and thereafter no longer apply, or court decisions may significantly change the tax rules applicable to the Portfolio and its shareholders. Any of these changes or court decisions may have a retroactive effect.
This is for general information only and not tax advice and does not purport to deal with all federal tax consequences applicable to all categories of investors, some of which may be subject to special rules. You should consult your own tax advisor regarding your particular circumstances before making an investment in the Portfolio.
Taxation of the Portfolio
The Portfolio intends to elect and qualify each year as a regulated investment company (sometimes referred to as a “regulated investment company,” “RIC” or “portfolio”) under Subchapter M of the Code. If the Portfolio qualifies, the Portfolio will not be subject to federal income tax on the portion of its investment company taxable income (that is, generally, taxable interest, dividends, net short-term capital gains, and other taxable ordinary income, net of expenses, without regard to the deduction for dividends paid) and net capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses) that it distributes.
Qualification as a regulated investment company. In order to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company, the Portfolio must satisfy the following requirements:
• | Distribution Requirement ¾ the Portfolio must distribute an amount equal to the sum of at least 90% of its investment company taxable income and 90% of its net tax-exempt income, if any, for the tax year (including, for purposes of satisfying this distribution requirement, certain distributions made by the Portfolio after the close of its taxable year that are treated as made during such taxable year). |
• | Income Requirement ¾ the Portfolio must derive at least 90% of its gross income from dividends, interest, certain payments with respect to securities loans, and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived from its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies and net income derived from qualified publicly traded partnerships (“QPTPs”). |
• | Asset Diversification Test ¾ the Portfolio must satisfy the following asset diversification test at the close of each quarter of the Portfolio’s tax year: (1) at least 50% of the value of the Portfolio’s assets must consist of cash and cash items, U.S. Government securities, securities of other regulated investment companies, and securities of other issuers (as to which the Portfolio has not invested more than 5% of the value of the Portfolio’s total assets in securities of an issuer and as to which the Portfolio does not hold more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer); and (2) no more than 25% of the value of the Portfolio’s total assets may be invested in the securities of any one issuer (other than U.S. Government securities or securities of other regulated investment companies) or of two or more issuers which the Portfolio controls and which are engaged in the same or similar trades or businesses, or, collectively, in the securities of one or more QPTPs. |
In some circumstances, the character and timing of income realized by the Portfolio for purposes of the Income Requirement or the identification of the issuer for purposes of the Asset Diversification Test is uncertain under current law with respect to a particular investment, and an adverse determination or future guidance by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) with respect to such type of investment may adversely affect the Portfolio’s ability to satisfy these requirements. See “Tax Treatment of Portfolio Transactions” below with respect to the application of these requirements to certain types of investments. In other circumstances, the Portfolio may be required to sell portfolio holdings in order to meet the Income Requirement, Distribution Requirement, or Asset Diversification Test which may have a negative impact on the Portfolio’s income and performance.
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The Portfolio may use “equalization accounting” (in lieu of making some cash distributions) in determining the portion of its income and gains that has been distributed. If the Portfolio uses equalization accounting, it will allocate a portion of its undistributed investment company taxable income and net capital gain to redemptions of Portfolio shares and will correspondingly reduce the amount of such income and gains that it distributes in cash. If the IRS determines that the Portfolio’s allocation is improper and that the Portfolio has under-distributed its income and gain for any taxable year, the Portfolio may be liable for federal income and/or excise tax. If, as a result of such adjustment, the Portfolio fails to satisfy the Distribution Requirement, the Portfolio will not qualify that year as a regulated investment company, the effect of which is described in the following paragraph.
If for any taxable year the Portfolio does not qualify as a regulated investment company, all of its taxable income (including its net capital gain) would be subject to tax at the corporate income tax rate without any deduction for dividends paid, and the dividends would be taxable to the shareholders as ordinary income (or possibly as qualified dividend income) to the extent of the Portfolio’s current and accumulated earnings and profits. Failure to qualify as a regulated investment company would thus have a negative impact on the Portfolio’s income and performance. Subject to savings provisions for certain inadvertent failures to satisfy the Income Requirement or Asset Diversification Test which, in general, are limited to those due to reasonable cause and not willful neglect, it is possible that the Portfolio will not qualify as a regulated investment company in any given tax year. Even if such savings provisions apply, the Portfolio may be subject to a monetary sanction of $50,000 or more. Moreover, the Board reserves the right not to maintain the qualification of the Portfolio as a regulated investment company if it determines such a course of action to be beneficial to shareholders.
Portfolio turnover. For investors that hold their Portfolio shares in a taxable account, a high portfolio turnover rate may result in higher taxes. This is because a portfolio with a high turnover rate is likely to accelerate the recognition of capital gains and more of such gains are likely to be taxable as short-term rather than long-term capital gains in contrast to a comparable portfolio with a low turnover rate. Any such higher taxes would reduce the Portfolio’s after-tax performance. See “Taxation of Portfolio Distributions – Distributions of capital gains” below. For non-U.S. investors, any such acceleration of the recognition of capital gains that results in more short-term and less long-term capital gains being recognized by the Portfolio may cause such investors to be subject to increased U.S. withholding taxes. See “Non-U.S. Investors –Capital gain dividends and short-term capital gain dividends” below.
Capital loss carryovers. The capital losses of the Portfolio, if any, do not flow through to shareholders. Rather, the Portfolio may use its capital losses, subject to applicable limitations, to offset its capital gains without being required to pay taxes on or distribute such gains that are offset by the losses. If the Portfolio has a “net capital loss” (that is, capital losses in excess of capital gains), the excess (if any) of the Portfolio’s net short-term capital losses over its net long-term capital gains is treated as a short-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Portfolio’s next taxable year, and the excess (if any) of the Portfolio’s net long-term capital losses over its net short-term capital gains is treated as a long-term capital loss arising on the first day of the Portfolio’s next taxable year. Any such net capital losses of the Portfolio that are not used to offset capital gains may be carried forward indefinitely to reduce any future capital gains realized by the Portfolio in succeeding taxable years. The amount of capital losses that can be carried forward and used in any single year is subject to an annual limitation if there is a more than 50% “change in ownership” of the Portfolio. An ownership change generally results when shareholders owning 5% or more of the Portfolio increase their aggregate holdings by more than 50% over a three-year look-back period. An ownership change could result in capital loss carryovers being used at a slower rate, thereby reducing the Portfolio’s ability to offset capital gains with those losses. An increase in the amount of taxable gains distributed to the Portfolio’s shareholders could result from an ownership change. The Portfolio undertakes no obligation to avoid or prevent an ownership change, which can occur in the normal course of shareholder purchases and sales or as a result of engaging in a tax-free reorganization with another portfolio. Moreover, because of circumstances beyond the Portfolio’s control, there can be no assurance that the Portfolio will not experience, or has not already experienced, an ownership change.
Deferral of late year losses. The Portfolio may elect to treat part or all of any “qualified late year loss” as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year in determining the Portfolio’s taxable income, net capital gain, net short-term capital gain, and earnings and profits. The effect of this election is to treat any such “qualified late year loss” as if it had been incurred in the succeeding taxable year in characterizing Portfolio distributions for any calendar year (see “Taxation of Portfolio Distributions – Distributions of capital gains” below). A “qualified late year loss” includes:
• | any net capital loss incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year, or, if there is no such loss, any net long-term capital loss or any net short-term capital loss incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year (“post-October capital losses”), and |
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• | the sum of (1) the excess, if any, of (a) specified losses incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year, over (b) specified gains incurred after October 31 of the current taxable year and (2) the excess, if any, of (a) ordinary losses incurred after December 31 of the current taxable year, over (b) the ordinary income incurred after December 31 of the current taxable year. |
The terms “specified losses” and “specified gains” mean ordinary losses and gains from the sale, exchange, or other disposition of property (including the termination of a position with respect to such property), foreign currency losses and gains, and losses and gains resulting from holding stock in a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) for which a mark-to-market election is in effect. The terms “ordinary losses” and “ordinary income” mean other ordinary losses and income that are not described in the preceding sentence. Since the Portfolio has a fiscal year ending in October, the amount of qualified late-year losses (if any) is computed without regard to any items of income, gain, or loss that are (a) post-October capital losses, (b) specified losses, and (c) specified gains.
Undistributed capital gains. The Portfolio may retain or distribute its net capital gain for each taxable year. The Portfolio currently intends to distribute net capital gains. If the Portfolio elects to retain its net capital gain, the Portfolio will be taxed thereon (except to the extent of any available capital loss carryovers) at the corporate income tax rate. If the Portfolio elects to retain its net capital gain, it is expected that the Portfolio also will elect to have shareholders treated as if each received a distribution of its pro rata share of such gain, with the result that each shareholder will be required to report its pro rata share of such gain on its tax return as long-term capital gain, will receive a refundable tax credit for its pro rata share of tax paid by the Portfolio on the gain, and will increase the tax basis for its shares by an amount equal to the deemed distribution less the tax credit.
Excise tax distribution requirements. To avoid a 4% nondeductible federal excise tax, the Portfolio must distribute by December 31 of each year an amount equal to at least: (1) 98% of its ordinary income for the calendar year, (2) 98.2% of capital gain net income (that is, the excess of the gains from sales or exchanges of capital assets over the losses from such sales or exchanges) for the one-year period ended on October 31 of such calendar year, and (3) any prior year undistributed ordinary income and capital gain net income. The Portfolio may elect to defer to the following year any net ordinary loss incurred for the portion of the calendar year which is after the beginning of the Portfolio’s taxable year. Also, the Portfolio will defer any “specified gain” or “specified loss” which would be properly taken into account for the portion of the calendar year after October 31. Any net ordinary loss, specified gain, or specified loss deferred shall be treated as arising on January 1 of the following calendar year. Generally, the Portfolio intends to make sufficient distributions prior to the end of each calendar year to avoid any material liability for federal income and excise tax, but can give no assurances that all or a portion of such liability will be avoided. In addition, under certain circumstances, temporary timing or permanent differences in the realization of income and expense for book and tax purposes can result in the Portfolio having to pay an excise tax.
Foreign income tax. Investment income received by the Portfolio from sources within foreign countries may be subject to foreign income tax withheld at the source and the amount of tax withheld generally will be treated as an expense of the Portfolio. Any foreign withholding taxes could reduce the Portfolio’s distributions. The United States has entered into tax treaties with many foreign countries which entitle the Portfolio to a reduced rate of, or exemption from, tax on such income. Some countries require the filing of a tax reclaim or other forms to receive the benefit of the reduced tax rate; whether or when the Portfolio will receive the tax reclaim is within the control of the individual country. Information required on these forms may not be available such as shareholder information; therefore, the Portfolio may not receive the reduced treaty rates or potential reclaims. Other countries have conflicting and changing instructions and restrictive timing requirements which may cause the Portfolio not to receive the reduced treaty rates or potential reclaims. Other countries may subject capital gains realized by the Portfolio on sale or disposition of securities of that country to taxation. It is impossible to determine the effective rate of foreign tax in advance since the amount of the Portfolio’s assets to be invested in various countries is not known. Under certain circumstances, the Portfolio may elect to pass-through foreign tax credits, although it reserves the right not to do so. In some instances it may be more costly to pursue tax reclaims than the value of the benefits received by the Portfolio. If the Portfolio makes such an election and obtains a refund of foreign taxes paid by the Portfolio in a prior year, the Portfolio may be eligible to reduce the amount of foreign taxes reported by the Portfolio to its shareholders, generally by the amount of the foreign taxes refunded, for the year in which the refund is received. See “Taxation of Portfolio Distributions – Pass-through of foreign tax credits” below.
Purchase of shares. As a result of tax requirements, the Trust on behalf of the Portfolio has the right to reject an order to purchase shares if the purchaser (or group of purchasers acting in concert with each other) would, upon obtaining the shares so ordered, own 80% or more of the outstanding shares of the Portfolio and if, pursuant to Sections 351 and 362 of the Code, the Portfolio would have a basis in the deposit securities different from the market value of such securities on the date
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of deposit. The Trust also has the right to require information necessary to determine beneficial share ownership for purposes of the 80% determination.
Taxation of Portfolio Distributions
Distributions of net investment income. The Portfolio receives ordinary income generally in the form of dividends and/or interest on its investments. The Portfolio may also recognize ordinary income from other sources, including, but not limited to, certain gains on foreign currency-related transactions. This income, less expenses incurred in the operation of the Portfolio, constitutes the Portfolio’s net investment income from which dividends may be paid. If you are a taxable investor, distributions of net investment income generally are taxable as ordinary income to the extent of the Portfolio’s earnings and profits. In the case of a Portfolio whose strategy includes investing in stocks of corporations, a portion of the income dividends paid by the Portfolio may be qualified dividends eligible to be taxed at reduced rates.
Distributions of capital gains. The Portfolio may realize a capital gain or loss in connection with sales or other dispositions of its portfolio securities. Distributions derived from the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss will be taxable to you as ordinary income. Distributions from the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss will be taxable to you as long-term capital gain, regardless of how long you have held your shares in the Portfolio. Any net capital gain of the Portfolio generally will be distributed once each year, and may be distributed more frequently, if necessary, to reduce or eliminate federal excise or income taxes on the Portfolio.
Returns of capital. Distributions by the Portfolio that are not paid from earnings and profits will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of (and in reduction of) the shareholder’s tax basis in his shares; any excess will be treated as gain from the sale of his shares. Thus, the portion of a distribution that constitutes a return of capital will decrease the shareholder’s tax basis in his Portfolio shares (but not below zero), and will result in an increase in the amount of gain (or decrease in the amount of loss) that will be recognized by the shareholder for tax purposes on the later sale of such Portfolio shares. Return of capital distributions can occur for a number of reasons including, among others, the Portfolio over-estimates the income to be received from certain investments such as those classified as partnerships or equity real estate investment trusts (“REITs”).
Qualified dividend income for individuals. Amounts reported by the Portfolio as derived from qualified dividend income will be taxed in the hands of individuals and other noncorporate shareholders at the rates applicable to long-term capital gain. “Qualified dividend income” means dividends paid to the Portfolio (a) by domestic corporations, (b) by foreign corporations that are either (i) incorporated in a possession of the United States, or (ii) are eligible for benefits under certain income tax treaties with the United States that include an exchange of information program, or (c) with respect to stock of a foreign corporation that is readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States. Both the Portfolio and the investor must meet certain holding period requirements to qualify Portfolio dividends for this treatment. Specifically, the Portfolio must hold the stock for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the stock becomes ex-dividend. Similarly, investors must hold their Portfolio shares for at least 61 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the Portfolio distribution goes ex-dividend. Income derived from investments in derivatives, fixed-income securities, U.S. REITs, PFICs, and income received “in lieu of” dividends in a securities lending transaction generally is not eligible for treatment as qualified dividend income. Because the income of the Fixed Income Portfolio is derived primarily from interest on debt securities, none or only a small amount of the Portfolio’s dividends will be qualified dividend income. Income dividends from interest earned by the Portfolio on debt securities will continue to be taxed at the higher ordinary income tax rate.
Dividends-received deduction for corporations. For corporate shareholders, a portion of the dividends paid by the Portfolio may qualify for the 50% corporate dividends-received deduction. The portion of dividends paid by the Portfolio that so qualifies will be reported by the Portfolio each year and cannot exceed the gross amount of dividends received by the Portfolio from domestic (U.S.) corporations. The availability of the dividends-received deduction is subject to certain holding period and debt financing restrictions that apply to both the Portfolio and the investor. Specifically, the amount that the Portfolio may report as eligible for the dividends-received deduction will be reduced or eliminated if the shares on which the dividends earned by the Portfolio were debt-financed or held by the Portfolio for less than a minimum period of time, generally 46 days during a 91-day period beginning 45 days before the stock becomes ex-dividend. Similarly, if your Portfolio shares are debt-financed or held by you for less than a 46-day period then the dividends-received deduction for Portfolio dividends on your shares may also be reduced or eliminated. Income derived by the Portfolio from investments in derivatives, fixed-income and foreign securities generally is not eligible for this treatment. Because the income of the Fixed
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Income Portfolio is derived primarily from interest on debt securities, none or only a small amount of its distributions are expected to qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction.
Impact of realized but undistributed income and gains, and net unrealized appreciation of portfolio securities. At the time of your purchase of shares, the Portfolio’s NAV may reflect undistributed income, undistributed capital gains, or net unrealized appreciation of portfolio securities held by the Portfolio. A subsequent distribution of such amounts, although constituting a return of your investment, would be taxable, and would be taxed as ordinary income (some portion of which may be taxed as qualified dividend income), capital gains, or some combination of both, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account. The Portfolio may be able to reduce the amount of such distributions from capital gains by utilizing its capital loss carryovers, if any.
Pass-through of foreign tax credits. If at the end of the fiscal year, more than 50% in value of the total assets of the Portfolio are invested in securities of foreign corporations, the Portfolio may elect to pass through to its shareholders their pro rata share of foreign income taxes paid by the Portfolio. If this election is made, the Portfolio may report more taxable income to you than it actually distributes. You will then be entitled either to deduct your share of these taxes in computing your taxable income or to claim a foreign tax credit for these taxes against your U.S. federal income tax (subject to limitations for certain shareholders). The Portfolio will provide the information necessary to claim this deduction or credit if it makes this election. No deduction for foreign tax may be claimed by a noncorporate shareholder who does not itemize deductions or who is subject to the alternative minimum tax. The Portfolio reserves the right not to pass through the amount of foreign income taxes paid by the Portfolio. Additionally, any foreign tax withheld on payments made “in lieu of” dividends or interest will not qualify for the pass-through of foreign tax credits. See “Tax Treatment of Portfolio Transactions – Securities lending” below.
U.S. Government securities. To the extent the Portfolio invests in certain U.S. Government obligations, dividends paid by the Portfolio that are derived from interest on these obligations should be exempt from state and local personal income taxes, subject in some states to minimum investment or reporting requirements that must be met by the Portfolio. The income on portfolio investments in certain securities, such as repurchase agreements, commercial paper and federal agency-backed obligations (e.g., Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) or Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”) securities), generally does not qualify for tax-free treatment. The rules on exclusion of this income are different for corporate shareholders.
Information on the amount and tax character of distributions. You will be informed of the amount and character of distributions and the tax status of such distributions for federal income tax purposes shortly after the close of each calendar year. If you have not held Portfolio shares for a full year, the Portfolio may report and distribute, as ordinary income, qualified dividends, or capital gains, and in the case of non-U.S. shareholders the Portfolio may further report and distribute as interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends, a percentage of income that is not equal to the actual amount of such income earned during the period of your investment in the Portfolio. Taxable distributions declared by the Portfolio in October, November, or December to shareholders of record in such month, but paid in January, are taxable as if they were paid in December.
Medicare tax. A 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on net investment income earned by certain individuals, estates and trusts. “Net investment income,” for these purposes, means investment income, including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from the Portfolio and net gains from taxable dispositions of Portfolio shares, reduced by the deductions properly allocable to such income. In the case of an individual, the tax will be imposed on the lesser of (1) the shareholder’s net investment income or (2) the amount by which the shareholder’s modified adjusted gross income exceeds $250,000 (if the shareholder is married and filing jointly or a surviving spouse), $125,000 (if the shareholder is married and filing separately) or $200,000 (in any other case). This Medicare tax, if applicable, is reported by you on, and paid with, your federal income tax return.
Sales and Exchanges of Portfolio Shares
In general. If you are a taxable investor, sales and exchanges of Portfolio shares are taxable transactions for federal and state income tax purposes. If you sell your Portfolio shares, the IRS requires you to report any gain or loss on your sale. If you held your shares as a capital asset, the gain or loss that you realize will be capital gain or loss and will be long-term or short-term, generally depending on how long you have held your shares. Capital losses in any year are deductible only to the extent of capital gains plus, in the case of a noncorporate taxpayer, $3,000 of ordinary income.
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Taxes on Purchase and Redemption of Creation Units. An Authorized Participant who exchanges securities for Creation Units generally will recognize a gain or a loss. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the market value of the Creation Units at the time of purchase (plus any cash received by the Authorized Participant as part of the issue) and the Authorized Participant’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered (plus any cash paid by the Authorized Participant as part of the issue). An Authorized Participant who exchanges Creation Units for securities generally will recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the Authorized Participant’s basis in the Creation Units (plus any cash paid by the Authorized Participant as part of the redemption) and the aggregate market value of the securities received (plus any cash received by the Authorized Participant as part of the redemption). The IRS, however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position. Persons exchanging securities should consult their own tax advisor with respect to whether wash sale rules apply and when a loss might be deductible.
Under current federal tax laws, any capital gain or loss realized upon redemption of Creation Units is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year and as a short-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for one year or less, assuming such Creation Units are held as a capital asset.
If the Portfolio redeems Creation Units in cash, it may recognize more capital gains than it will if it redeems Creation Units in-kind.
Tax basis information. A shareholder’s cost basis information will be provided on the sale of any of the shareholder’s shares, subject to certain exceptions for exempt recipients. Please contact the broker (or other nominee) that holds your shares with respect to reporting of cost basis and available elections for your account.
Wash sales. All or a portion of any loss that you realize on a sale of your Portfolio shares will be disallowed to the extent that you buy other shares in the Portfolio (through reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within 30 days before or after your share redemption. Any loss disallowed under these rules will be added to your tax basis in the new shares.
Sales at a loss within six months of purchase. Any loss incurred on a sale of shares held for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of any long-term capital gain distributed to you on those shares.
Tax shelter reporting. Under Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss with respect to the Portfolio’s shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder (or certain greater amounts over a combination of years), the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
Tax Treatment of Portfolio Transactions
Set forth below is a general description of the tax treatment of certain types of securities, investment techniques and transactions that may apply to a portfolio and, in turn, affect the amount, character and timing of dividends and distributions payable by the portfolio to its shareholders. This section should be read in conjunction with the discussion in the Prospectus under “Principal Investment Strategies” and “Principal Risks” for a detailed description of the various types of securities and investment techniques that apply to the Portfolio.
In general. In general, gain or loss recognized by a portfolio on the sale or other disposition of portfolio investments will be a capital gain or loss. Such capital gain and loss may be long-term or short-term depending, in general, upon the length of time a particular investment position is maintained and, in some cases, upon the nature of the transaction. Property held for more than one year generally will be eligible for long-term capital gain or loss treatment. The application of certain rules described below may serve to alter the manner in which the holding period for a security is determined or may otherwise affect the characterization as long-term or short-term, and also the timing of the realization and/or character, of certain gains or losses.
Certain fixed-income investments. Gain recognized on the disposition of a debt obligation purchased by a portfolio at a market discount (generally, at a price less than its principal amount) will be treated as ordinary income to the extent of the portion of the market discount that accrued during the period of time the portfolio held the debt obligation unless the portfolio made a current inclusion election to accrue market discount into income as it accrues. If a portfolio purchases a
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debt obligation (such as a zero coupon security or pay-in-kind security) that was originally issued at a discount, the portfolio generally is required to include in gross income each year the portion of the original issue discount that accrues during such year. Therefore, a portfolio’s investment in such securities may cause the portfolio to recognize income and make distributions before it receives any cash payments on the securities. To generate cash to satisfy those distribution requirements, a portfolio may have to sell portfolio securities that it otherwise might have continued to hold or to use cash flows from other sources such as the sale of portfolio shares.
Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or in default present tax issues for a portfolio. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as whether and to what extent a portfolio should recognize market discount on a debt obligation, when a portfolio may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent a portfolio may take deductions for bad debts or worthless securities and how a portfolio should allocate payments received on obligations in default between principal and income. These and other related issues will be addressed by a portfolio in order to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a regulated investment company.
Options, futures, forward contracts, swap agreements and hedging transactions. In general, option premiums received by a portfolio are not immediately included in the income of the portfolio. Instead, the premiums are recognized when the option contract expires, the option is exercised by the holder, or the portfolio transfers or otherwise terminates the option (e.g., through a closing transaction). If an option written by a portfolio is exercised and the portfolio sells or delivers the underlying stock, the portfolio generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to (a) sum of the strike price and the option premium received by the portfolio minus (b) the portfolio’s basis in the stock. Such gain or loss generally will be short-term or long-term depending upon the holding period of the underlying stock. If securities are purchased by a portfolio pursuant to the exercise of a put option written by it, the portfolio generally will subtract the premium received from its cost basis in the securities purchased. The gain or loss with respect to any termination of a portfolio’s obligation under an option other than through the exercise of the option and related sale or delivery of the underlying stock generally will be short-term gain or loss depending on whether the premium income received by the portfolio is greater or less than the amount paid by the portfolio (if any) in terminating the transaction. Thus, for example, if an option written by a portfolio expires unexercised, the portfolio generally will recognize short-term gain equal to the premium received.
The tax treatment of certain futures contracts entered into by a portfolio as well as listed non-equity options written or purchased by the portfolio on U.S. exchanges (including options on futures contracts, broad-based equity indices and debt securities) may be governed by section 1256 of the Code (“section 1256 contracts”). Gains or losses on section 1256 contracts generally are considered 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gains or losses (“60/40”), although certain foreign currency gains and losses from such contracts may be treated as ordinary in character. Also, any section 1256 contracts held by a portfolio at the end of each taxable year (and, for purposes of the 4% excise tax, on certain other dates as prescribed under the Code) are “marked to market” with the result that unrealized gains or losses are treated as though they were realized and the resulting gain or loss is treated as ordinary or 60/40 gain or loss, as applicable. Section 1256 contracts do not include any interest rate swap, currency swap, basis swap, interest rate cap, interest rate floor, commodity swap, equity swap, equity index swap, credit default swap, or similar agreement.
In addition to the special rules described above in respect of options and futures transactions, a portfolio’s transactions in other derivative instruments (including options, forward contracts and swap agreements) as well as its other hedging, short sale, or similar transactions, may be subject to one or more special tax rules (including the constructive sale, notional principal contract, straddle, wash sale and short sale rules). These rules may affect whether gains and losses recognized by a portfolio are treated as ordinary or capital or as short-term or long-term, accelerate the recognition of income or gains to the portfolio, defer losses to the portfolio, and cause adjustments in the holding periods of the portfolio’s securities. These rules, therefore, could affect the amount, timing and/or character of distributions. Moreover, because the tax rules applicable to derivative financial instruments are in some cases uncertain under current law, an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to these rules (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may affect whether a portfolio has made sufficient distributions and otherwise satisfied the relevant requirements to maintain its qualification as a regulated investment company and avoid a portfolio-level tax.
Certain of a portfolio’s investments in derivatives and foreign currency-denominated instruments, and the portfolio’s transactions in foreign currencies and hedging activities, may produce a difference between its book income and its taxable income. If a portfolio’s book income is less than the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income (if any), the portfolio could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a regulated investment company. If a portfolio’s book income exceeds the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income (if any), the distribution of any such excess will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the portfolio’s remaining earnings and profits (including current
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earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt income, reduced by related deductions), (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.
Foreign currency transactions. A portfolio’s transactions in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated debt obligations and certain foreign currency options, futures contracts and forward contracts (and similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned. This treatment could increase or decrease a portfolio’s ordinary income distributions, and may cause some or all of the portfolio’s previously distributed income to be classified as a return of capital. In certain cases, a portfolio may make an election to treat such gain or loss as capital.
PFIC securities. The Portfolio may invest in securities of foreign entities that could be deemed for tax purposes to be PFICs. In general, a PFIC is any foreign corporation if 75% or more of its gross income for its taxable year is passive income, or 50% or more of its average assets (by value) are held for the production of passive income. When investing in PFIC securities, the Portfolio intends to mark-to-market these securities and recognize any unrealized gains as ordinary income at the end of its fiscal year. Deductions for losses are allowable only to the extent of any current or previously recognized gains. These gains (reduced by allowable losses) are treated as ordinary income that the Portfolio is required to distribute, even though it has not sold or received dividends from these securities. You should also be aware that the designation of a foreign security as a PFIC security will cause its income dividends to fall outside of the definition of qualified foreign corporation dividends. These dividends generally will not qualify for the reduced rate of taxation on qualified dividends when distributed to you by the Portfolio. Due to various complexities in identifying PFICs, the Portfolio can give no assurances that it will be able to identify portfolio securities in foreign corporations that are PFICs in time for the Portfolio to make a mark-to-market election. If the Portfolio is unable to identify an investment as a PFIC and thus does not make a mark-to-market election, the Portfolio may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a portion of any “excess distribution” or gain from the disposition of such shares even if such income is distributed as a taxable dividend by the Portfolio to its shareholders. Additional charges in the nature of interest may be imposed on the Portfolio in respect of deferred taxes arising from such distributions or gains. Any such taxes or interest charges could in turn reduce the Portfolio’s distributions paid.
Investments in partnerships and qualified publicly traded partnerships (“QPTP”). For purposes of the Income Requirement, income derived by a portfolio from a partnership that is not a QPTP will be treated as qualifying income only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership that would be qualifying income if realized directly by the portfolio. While the rules are not entirely clear with respect to a portfolio investing in a partnership outside a master-feeder structure, for purposes of testing whether a portfolio satisfies the Asset Diversification Test, the portfolio generally is treated as owning a pro rata share of the underlying assets of a partnership. See “Taxation of the Portfolio — Qualification as a regulated investment company.” In contrast, different rules apply to a partnership that is a QPTP. A QPTP is a partnership (a) the interests in which are traded on an established securities market, (b) that is treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, and (c) that derives less than 90% of its income from sources that satisfy the Income Requirement (e.g., because it invests in commodities). All of the net income derived by a portfolio from an interest in a QPTP will be treated as qualifying income but the portfolio may not invest more than 25% of its total assets in one or more QPTPs. However, there can be no assurance that a partnership classified as a QPTP in one year will qualify as a QPTP in the next year. Any such failure to annually qualify as a QPTP might, in turn, cause a portfolio to fail to qualify as a regulated investment company. Although, in general, the passive loss rules of the Code do not apply to RICs, such rules do apply to a portfolio with respect to items attributable to an interest in a QPTP. Portfolio investments in partnerships, including in QPTPs, may result in the portfolio’s being subject to state, local or foreign income, franchise or withholding tax liabilities.
Securities lending. While securities are loaned out by a portfolio, the portfolio generally will receive from the borrower amounts equal to any dividends or interest paid on the borrowed securities. For federal income tax purposes, payments made “in lieu of” dividends are not considered dividend income. These distributions will neither qualify for the reduced rate of taxation for individuals on qualified dividends nor the 50% dividends-received deduction for corporations. Also, any foreign tax withheld on payments made “in lieu of” dividends or interest will not qualify for the pass-through of foreign tax credits to shareholders.
Investments in convertible securities. Convertible debt is ordinarily treated as a “single property” consisting of a pure debt interest until conversion, after which the investment becomes an equity interest. If the security is issued at a premium (i.e., for cash in excess of the face amount payable on retirement), the creditor-holder may amortize the premium over the life of the bond. If the security is issued for cash at a price below its face amount, the creditor-holder must accrue
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original issue discount in income over the life of the debt. The creditor-holder’s exercise of the conversion privilege is treated as a nontaxable event. Mandatorily convertible debt (e.g., an exchange-traded note or ETN issued in the form of an unsecured obligation that pays a return based on the performance of a specified market index, exchange currency, or commodity) is often, but not always, treated as a contract to buy or sell the reference property rather than debt. Similarly, convertible preferred stock with a mandatory conversion feature is ordinarily, but not always, treated as equity rather than debt. Dividends received generally are qualified dividend income and eligible for the corporate dividends-received deduction. In general, conversion of preferred stock for common stock of the same corporation is tax-free. Conversion of preferred stock for cash is a taxable redemption. Any redemption premium for preferred stock that is redeemable by the issuing company might be required to be amortized under original issue discount principles.
Investments in securities of uncertain tax character. A portfolio may invest in securities the U.S. federal income tax treatment of which may not be clear or may be subject to recharacterization by the IRS. To the extent the tax treatment of such securities or the income from such securities differs from the tax treatment expected by a portfolio, it could affect the timing or character of income recognized by the fund, requiring the portfolio to purchase or sell securities, or otherwise change its portfolio, in order to comply with the tax rules applicable to regulated investment companies under the Code.
Backup Withholding
By law, a withholding of tax may apply to your taxable dividends and sales proceeds unless you:
• | provide your correct social security or taxpayer identification number, |
• | certify that this number is correct, |
• | certify that you are not subject to backup withholding, and |
• | certify that you are a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien). |
Withholding also is imposed if the IRS requires it. When withholding is required, the amount will be 24% of any distributions or proceeds paid. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS. Certain payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding and information reporting. The special U.S. tax certification requirements applicable to non-U.S. investors to avoid backup withholding are described under the “Non-U.S. Investors” heading below.
Non-U.S. Investors
Non-U.S. investors (shareholders who, as to the United States, are nonresident alien individuals, foreign trusts or estates, foreign corporations, or foreign partnerships) may be subject to U.S. withholding and estate tax and are subject to special U.S. tax certification requirements. Non-U.S. investors should consult their tax advisors about the applicability of U.S. tax withholding and the use of the appropriate forms to certify their status.
In general. The United States imposes a withholding tax at the 30% statutory rate (or at a lower rate if you are a resident of a country that has a tax treaty with the U.S.) on U.S. source dividends, including on income dividends paid to you by the Portfolio. Exemptions from this U.S. withholding tax are provided for capital gain dividends paid by the Portfolio from its net long-term capital gains, interest-related dividends paid by the Portfolio from its qualified net interest income from U.S. sources and short-term capital gain dividends. However, notwithstanding such exemptions from U.S. withholding at the source, any dividends and distributions of income and capital gains, including the proceeds from the sale of your Portfolio shares, will be subject to backup withholding at a rate of 24% if you fail to properly certify that you are not a U.S. person.
Capital gain dividends and short-term capital gain dividends. In general, (i) a capital gain dividend reported by the Portfolio to shareholders as paid from its net long-term capital gains or (ii) a short-term capital gain dividend reported by the Portfolio to shareholders as paid from its net short-term capital gains, other than long- or short-term capital gains realized on the disposition of certain U.S. real property interests, are not subject to U.S. withholding tax unless you are a nonresident alien individual present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the calendar year.
Interest-related dividends. Dividends reported by the Portfolio to shareholders as interest-related dividends and paid from its qualified net interest income from U.S. sources are not subject to U.S. withholding tax. “Qualified interest income” includes, in general, U.S. source (1) bank deposit interest, (2) short-term original discount, (3) interest (including original
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issue discount, market discount, or acquisition discount) on an obligation which is in registered form, unless it is earned on an obligation issued by a corporation or partnership in which the Portfolio is a 10-percent shareholder or is contingent interest, and (4) any interest-related dividend from another regulated investment company. On any payment date, the amount of an income dividend that is reported by the Portfolio to shareholders as an interest-related dividend may be more or less than the amount that is so qualified. This is because the reporting of interest-related dividends is based on an estimate of the Portfolio’s qualified net interest income for its entire fiscal year, which can only be determined with exactness at fiscal year-end. As a consequence, the Portfolio may over withhold a small amount of U.S. tax from a dividend payment. In this case, the non-U.S. investor’s only recourse may be to either forgo recovery of the excess withholding or to file a United States nonresident income tax return to recover the excess withholding.
Further limitations on tax reporting for interest-related dividends and short-term capital gain dividends for non-U.S. investors. It may not be practical in every case for the Portfolio to report to shareholders, and the Portfolio reserves the right in these cases to not report, small amounts of interest-related dividends or short-term capital gain dividends. Additionally, the Portfolio’s reporting of interest-related dividends or short-term capital gain dividends may not be passed through to shareholders by intermediaries who have assumed tax reporting responsibilities for this income in managed or omnibus accounts due to systems limitations or operational constraints.
Net investment income from dividends on stock and foreign source interest income continue to be subject to withholding tax; foreign tax credits. Ordinary dividends paid by the Portfolio to non-U.S. investors on the income earned on portfolio investments in (i) the stock of domestic and foreign corporations, and (ii) the debt of foreign issuers continue to be subject to U.S. withholding tax. Foreign shareholders may be subject to U.S. withholding tax at a rate of 30% on the income resulting from an election to pass-through foreign tax credits to shareholders, but may not be able to claim a credit or deduction with respect to the withholding tax for the foreign tax treated as having been paid by them.
Income effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business. If the income from the Portfolio is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a foreign shareholder, then ordinary income dividends, capital gain dividends and any gains realized upon the sale of shares of the Portfolio will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at the rates applicable to U.S. citizens or domestic corporations and require the filing of a nonresident U.S. income tax return.
U.S. estate tax. Transfers by gift of shares of the Portfolio by a foreign shareholder who is a nonresident alien individual will not be subject to U.S. federal gift tax. An individual who, at the time of death, is a non-U.S. shareholder will nevertheless be subject to U.S. federal estate tax with respect to Portfolio shares at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens and residents, unless a treaty exemption applies. If a treaty exemption is available, a decedent’s estate may nonetheless need to file a U.S. estate tax return to claim the exemption in order to obtain a U.S. federal transfer certificate. The transfer certificate will identify the property (i.e., Portfolio shares) as to which the U.S. federal estate tax lien has been released. In the absence of a treaty, there is a $13,000 statutory estate tax credit (equivalent to U.S. situs assets with a value of $60,000). For estates with U.S. situs assets of not more than $60,000, an affidavit from an appropriate individual evidencing that decedent’s U.S. situs assets are below this threshold amount may be sufficient to transfer Portfolio shares.
U.S. tax certification rules. Special U.S. tax certification requirements may apply to non-U.S. shareholders both to avoid U.S. backup withholding imposed at a rate of 24% and to obtain the benefits of any treaty between the United States and the shareholder’s country of residence. In general, if you are a non-U.S. shareholder, you must provide a Form W-8BEN (or other applicable Form W-8) to establish that you are not a U.S. person, to claim that you are the beneficial owner of the income and, if applicable, to claim a reduced rate of, or exemption from, withholding as a resident of a country with which the United States has an income tax treaty. A Form W-8BEN provided without a U.S. taxpayer identification number will remain in effect for a period beginning on the date signed and ending on the last day of the third succeeding calendar year unless an earlier change of circumstances makes the information on the form incorrect. Certain payees and payments are exempt from backup withholding.
The tax consequences to a non-U.S. shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of an applicable tax treaty may be different from those described herein. Non-U.S. shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Portfolio, including the applicability of foreign tax.
Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”). Under FATCA, a 30% withholding tax is imposed on the income dividends made by the Portfolio to certain foreign entities, referred to as foreign financial institutions (“FFI”) or non-financial foreign entities (“NFFE”). After December 31, 2018, FATCA withholding also would have applied to certain capital gain distributions, return of capital distributions, and the proceeds arising from the sale of Portfolio shares; however,
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based on proposed regulations issued by the IRS, which can be relied upon currently, such withholding is no longer required unless final regulations provide otherwise (which is not expected). The FATCA withholding tax generally can be avoided: (a) by an FFI, if it reports certain direct and indirect ownership of foreign financial accounts held by U.S. persons with the FFI and (b) by an NFFE, if it: (i) certifies that it has no substantial U.S. persons as owners or (ii) if it does have such owners, reporting information relating to them. The U.S. Treasury has negotiated intergovernmental agreements (“IGA”) with certain countries and is in various stages of negotiations with a number of other foreign countries with respect to one or more alternative approaches to implement FATCA; an entity in one of those countries may be required to comply with the terms of an IGA instead of U.S. Treasury regulations.
An FFI can avoid FATCA withholding if it is deemed compliant or by becoming a “participating FFI,” which requires the FFI to enter into a U.S. tax compliance agreement with the IRS under section 1471(b) of the Code (“FFI agreement”) under which it agrees to verify, report and disclose certain of its U.S. accountholders and meet certain other specified requirements. The FFI will either report the specified information about the U.S. accounts to the IRS, or, to the government of the FFI’s country of residence (pursuant to the terms and conditions of applicable law and an applicable IGA entered into between the U.S. and the FFI’s country of residence), which will, in turn, report the specified information to the IRS. An FFI that is resident in a country that has entered into an IGA with the U.S. to implement FATCA will be exempt from FATCA withholding provided that the FFI shareholder and the applicable foreign government comply with the terms of such agreement.
An NFFE that is the beneficial owner of a payment from the Portfolio can avoid the FATCA withholding tax generally by certifying that it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or by providing the name, address and taxpayer identification number of each substantial U.S. owner. The NFFE will report the information to the Portfolio or other applicable withholding agent, which will, in turn, report the information to the IRS.
Such foreign shareholders also may fall into certain exempt, excepted or deemed compliant categories as established by U.S. Treasury regulations, IGAs, and other guidance regarding FATCA. An FFI or NFFE that invests in the Portfolio will need to provide documentation properly certifying the entity’s status under FATCA in order to avoid FATCA withholding. Non-U.S. investors should consult their own tax advisors regarding the impact of these requirements on their investment in the Portfolio. The requirements imposed by FATCA are different from, and in addition to, the U.S. tax certification rules to avoid backup withholding described above. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of these requirements to their own situation.
Effect of Future Legislation; Local Tax Considerations
The foregoing general discussion of U.S. federal income tax consequences is based on the Code and the regulations issued thereunder as in effect on the date of this SAI. Future legislative or administrative changes, including provisions of current law that sunset and thereafter no longer apply, or court decisions may significantly change the conclusions expressed herein, and any such changes or decisions may have a retroactive effect with respect to the transactions contemplated herein. Rules of state and local taxation of ordinary income, qualified dividend income and capital gain dividends may differ from the rules for U.S. federal income taxation described above. Distributions may also be subject to additional state, local and foreign taxes depending on each shareholder’s particular situation. Non-U.S. shareholders may be subject to U.S. tax rules that differ significantly from those summarized above. Shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors as to the consequences of these and other state and local tax rules affecting investment in the Portfolio.
PROXY VOTING POLICIES
The Board of Trustees of the Trust has delegated the authority to vote proxies for the portfolio securities held by the Portfolios to the Advisor in accordance with the Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures (the “Voting Policies”) and Proxy Voting Guidelines (“Voting Guidelines”) adopted by the Advisor. A concise summary of the Voting Guidelines is provided in an Appendix to this SAI.
The Investment Committee at the Advisor is generally responsible for overseeing the Advisor’s proxy voting process. The Investment Committee has formed the Investment Stewardship Committee (the “Committee”) composed of certain officers, directors and other personnel of the Advisor and has delegated to its members authority to (i) oversee the voting of proxies and third-party proxy service providers, (ii) make determinations as to how to vote certain specific proxies, (iii) verify ongoing compliance with the Voting Policies, (iv) receive reports on the review of the third-party proxy service providers, and (v) review the Voting Policies from time to time and recommend changes to the Investment Committee. The
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Committee may designate one or more of its members to oversee specific, ongoing compliance with respect to the Voting Policies and may designate personnel of the Advisor to vote proxies on behalf of the Portfolios, such as authorized traders of the Advisor.
The Advisor seeks to vote (or refrains from voting) proxies for the Portfolios in a manner that the Advisor determines is in the best interests of the Portfolios, and which seeks to maximize the value of the Portfolios’ investments, subject to the standards of legal and regulatory regimes, applicable to the Advisor or the Portfolios, and any particular investment or voting guidelines of specific funds or accounts. Generally, the Advisor analyzes proxy statements on behalf of the Portfolios and instructs the vote (or refrains from voting) in accordance with the Voting Policies, Voting Guidelines or procedures. Most proxies the Advisor receives are instructed to be voted in accordance with the Voting Guidelines, and when proxies are voted consistently with such guidelines or procedures, the Advisor considers such votes not to be affected by conflicts of interest. However, the Voting Policies do address the procedures to be followed if a potential or actual conflict of interest arises between the interests of the Portfolios, and the interests of the Advisor or its affiliates. If a Committee member has actual knowledge of a conflict of interest and recommends a vote contrary to the Voting Guidelines or procedures (or in the case where the Voting Guidelines or procedures do not prescribe a particular vote and the proposed vote is contrary to the recommendation of third-party proxy service providers), the Committee member will bring the vote to the Committee which will (a) determine how the vote should be cast keeping in mind the principle of preserving shareholder value, or (b) determine to abstain from voting, unless abstaining would be materially adverse to the interest of the Portfolios. To the extent the Committee makes a determination regarding how to vote or to abstain for a proxy on behalf of a Portfolio in the circumstances described in this paragraph, the Advisor will report annually on such determinations to the Board of Trustees of the Trust. To avoid certain potential conflicts of interest, the Advisor generally will employ mirror voting, if possible, when a Portfolio invests in another portfolio (an “Acquired Fund”) in reliance on any one of Sections 12(d)(1)(E), 12(d)(1)(F) or 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act, related rules thereunder (including Rule 12d1-1 or Rule 12d1-4 under the 1940 Act), or pursuant to an SEC exemptive order thereunder, unless otherwise required by applicable law or regulation. Mirror voting means that the Advisor will vote the shares in the same proportion as the vote of all of the other holders of the Acquired Fund’s shares. With respect to instances when a Portfolio invests in an Acquired Fund in reliance on Section 12(d)(1)(G) of the 1940 Act, related rules thereunder (including Rule 12d1-1 or Rule 12d1-4), or pursuant to an SEC exemptive order thereunder, and there are no other unaffiliated shareholders also invested in the Acquired Fund, the Advisor will vote in accordance with the recommendation of such Acquired Fund’s board of trustees or directors, unless otherwise required by applicable law or regulation. With respect to instances when a Portfolio invests in an Acquired Fund in reliance on Sections 12(d)(1)(E) or 12(d)(1)(F) of the 1940 Act and there are no other unaffiliated shareholders also invested in the Acquired Fund, the Advisor will employ pass-through voting, unless otherwise required by applicable law or regulation. In “pass-through voting,” the investing Portfolio will solicit voting instructions from its shareholders as to how to vote on the Acquired Fund’s proposals.
The Advisor will usually instruct voting of proxies in accordance with the Voting Guidelines. The Voting Guidelines provide a framework for analysis and decision making, however, the Voting Guidelines do not address all potential issues. In order to be able to address all the relevant facts and circumstances related to a proxy vote, the Advisor reserves the right to instruct votes that deviate from the Voting Guidelines if, after a review of the matter, the Advisor believes that the best interests of the Portfolio would be served by, or applicable legal and fiduciary standards require, such a vote. In such a circumstance, the analysis will be documented in writing and periodically presented to the Committee for review. To the extent that the Voting Guidelines do not cover potential voting issues, the Advisor may consider the spirit of the Guidelines and applicable legal standards and instruct the vote on such issues in a manner that the Advisor believes would be in the best interests of the Portfolio.
In some cases, the Advisor may determine that it is in the best interests of a Portfolio to refrain from exercising proxy voting rights. The Advisor may determine that voting is not in the best interest of a Portfolio and refrain from voting if the costs, including the opportunity costs, of voting would, in the view of the Advisor, exceed the expected benefits of voting. For securities on loan, the Advisor will balance the revenue-producing value of loans against the difficult-to-assess value of casting votes. It is the Advisor’s belief that the expected value of casting a vote generally will be less than the securities lending income, either because the votes will not have significant economic consequences or because the outcome of the vote would not be affected by the Advisor recalling loaned securities for voting. The Advisor does intend to recall securities on loan if based upon information in the Advisor’s possession, it determines that voting the securities is likely to materially affect the value of the Portfolio’s investment and that it is in the Portfolio’s best interests to do so. In cases where the Advisor does not receive a solicitation or enough information within a sufficient time (as reasonably determined by the Advisor) prior to the proxy-voting deadline, the Advisor or its service provider may be unable to vote.
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With respect to non-U.S. securities, it may be both difficult and costly to vote proxies due to local regulations, customs, and other requirements or restrictions. The Advisor does not intend to vote proxies of non-U.S. companies if the Advisor determines that the expected economic costs from voting outweigh the anticipated economic benefit to a Portfolio associated with voting. The Advisor intends to make its determination on whether to vote proxies of non-U.S. companies on a portfolio-by-portfolio basis. In doing so, the Advisor evaluates market requirements and impediments to voting proxies of companies in a country. The Advisor periodically reviews voting logistics, including costs and other voting difficulties, on a portfolio by portfolio and country by country basis, in order to determine if there have been any material changes that would affect the Advisor’s determinations and procedures. In the event the Advisor is made aware of and believes an issue to be voted is likely to materially affect the economic value of a Portfolio that its vote is reasonably likely to be determinative of the outcome of the contest, and the expected benefits of voting the proxies exceed the costs, the Advisor will make reasonable efforts to vote such proxies.
The Advisor considers social issues when voting proxies for portfolios that incorporate social considerations in their design and considers sustainability issues when voting proxies for portfolios that incorporate sustainability considerations in their design, as further described in the Voting Guidelines. The Advisor may also take social or sustainability issues into account when voting proxies for portfolios that do not consider social or sustainability issues in their design if the Advisor believes that doing so is in the best interest of the portfolio and is otherwise consistent with applicable law and the Advisor’s duties, such as where material environmental or social risks may have economic ramifications for shareholders.
The Advisor has retained certain third-party proxy voting service providers (“Proxy Service Firms”) to provide information on shareholder meeting dates and proxy materials; translate proxy materials printed in a foreign language; provide research on proxy proposals; operationally process votes in accordance with the Voting Guidelines on behalf of the Portfolios; and provide reports concerning the proxies voted (“Proxy Voting Services”). Although the Advisor retains third-party service providers for Proxy Voting Services, the Advisor remains responsible for proxy voting decisions and making such decisions in accordance with its fiduciary duties. The Advisor has designed Voting Policies to prudently select, oversee and evaluate Proxy Service Firms consistent with the Advisor’s fiduciary duties, including with respect to the matters described below, which Proxy Service Firms have been engaged to provide Proxy Voting Services to support the Advisor’s voting in accordance with the Voting Policies. Prior to the selection of a new Proxy Service Firm and annually thereafter or more frequently if deemed necessary by the Advisor, the Committee will consider whether the Proxy Service Firm (i) has the capacity and competency to timely and adequately analyze proxy issues and provide the Proxy Voting Services the Proxy Service Firm has been engaged to provide and (ii) can make its recommendations in an impartial manner and in the best interests of the Advisor’s clients, and consistent with the Advisor’s Voting Policies and fiduciary duties. In the event that the Voting Guidelines are not implemented precisely as the Advisor intends because of the actions or omissions of any third party service providers, custodians or sub-custodians or other agents or any such persons experience any irregularities (e.g., misvotes or missed votes), then such instances will not necessarily be deemed by the Advisor as a breach of the Voting Policies.
Information regarding how each of the Portfolios voted proxies related to its portfolio securities during the 12 month period ended June 30 of each year is available, no later than August 31 of each year, without charge, (i) on the Advisor’s website at http://us.dimensional.com/about-us/investment-stewardship and (ii) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
On each Business Day, prior to the opening of regular trading on its primary listing exchange, each Portfolio discloses on its website the portfolio holdings that will form the basis of the Portfolio’s next NAV per share calculation as required by Rule 6c-11. In addition, portfolio holdings information may also be made available to certain entities, including Trust service providers and institutional market participants, as described below.
Basket Composition Files
The Portfolios may make available through the facilities of the NSCC or through posting on a Portfolio’s publicly available website, prior to the opening of trading on each business day, a basket composition file, which includes the security names and share quantities to deliver in exchange for Shares, together with estimates and actual cash components.
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Authorized Participants and Institutional Market Participants
The Advisor may provide certain information concerning a Portfolio’s portfolio holdings to certain entities (defined below) in a format not available to other current or prospective Portfolio shareholders in connection with the dissemination of information necessary for transactions in Creation Units, as contemplated by Rule 6c-11 under the 1940 Act. The “entities” referred to are generally limited to NSCC members and subscribers to various fee-based subscription services, including Authorized Participants and other institutional market participants and entities that provide information services. This information may or may not reflect the pro rata composition of a Portfolio’s portfolio holdings.
Third-Party Service Providers
Certain portfolio holdings information may be disclosed to third-party service providers to the Trust (e.g., the Trust’s auditors, legal counsel, administrator, custodian, transfer agent) subject to appropriates confidentiality agreements with such service providers, as may be necessary to conduct business in the ordinary course in a manner consistent with applicable policies, agreements with the Portfolios, the terms of the current registration statements and federal securities laws and regulations thereunder. From time to time, and in the ordinary course of business, such information may also be disclosed, subject to appropriate confidentiality agreements, to other entities that provide services to the Portfolios, including pricing information vendors, and third parties that deliver analytical, statistical or consulting services to a Portfolio. The information is generally provided to such service providers after it has been disseminated to the NSCC.
Additional Communications
In addition to the daily posting of portfolio holdings discussed above, the Portfolios may also directly provide such portfolio holdings, or information derived from such portfolio holdings, to parties who specifically request it, provided that: (i) the availability of the Portfolios’ portfolio holdings is disclosed in the Portfolios’ registration statement, as required by applicable law, as well as on the Portfolios’ website; (ii) the Advisor determines that such disclosure is in the best interests of Portfolio shareholders; (iii) such information is made equally available to anyone requesting it; and (iv) it is determined that the disclosure does not present the risk of such information being used to trade against the Portfolios as the holdings information for the Portfolios is publicly disclosed on the Portfolios’ website daily, and no party is receiving an advantage over another.
The Portfolios do not selectively disclose non-public holdings information to third parties other than those disclosed above. If the Portfolios do selectively disclose holdings information the following procedures will be followed. The Head of the Global Client Group and the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (“Designated Persons”) or a delegate of the same, respectively, together may authorize the selective disclosure of non-public holdings information of the Portfolios to those entities (each a “Recipient”) who (1) specifically request the non-public holdings information for a purpose which the Designated Persons determine is consistent with a Portfolio’s legitimate business purpose, (2) the Designated Persons determine that such disclosure is in the best interest of the Portfolio’s shareholders and (3) in making such disclosure, no conflict exists between the Portfolio’s shareholders and those of the Advisor or the Trust’s principal underwriter. Prior to receiving non-public holdings information, a Recipient will execute a use and non-disclosure agreement and abide by its trading restrictions. The Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer or a delegate of the same will review and approve any delegates named by Designated Persons and will maintain list of the same.
SECURITIES LENDING
The Board of the Portfolios has approved their participation in a securities lending program. Under the securities lending program, Citibank, N.A. serves as the securities lending agent for the Portfolios. As of October 31, 2022, the Portfolios had not commenced operations, so the Portfolios did not participate in the securities lending program for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”), Two Commerce Square, Suite 1800, 2001 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103-7042, is the Trust’s independent registered public accounting firm. PwC audits the Trust’s annual financial statements. Because the Portfolios had not commenced operations as of October 31, 2022, the financial statements of the Trust for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2022 do not contain any data regarding the Portfolios.
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PERFORMANCE DATA
The Portfolios may compare their investment performance to appropriate market and peer fund indices and investments for which reliable performance data is available. Such indices are generally unmanaged and are prepared by entities and organizations which track the performance of investment companies or investment advisors. Unmanaged indices often do not reflect deductions for administrative and management costs and expenses. The performance of the Portfolios may also be compared in publications to averages, performance rankings, or other information prepared by recognized investment company statistical services. Any performance information, whether related to the Portfolios or to the Advisor, should be considered in light of a Portfolio’s investment objectives and policies, characteristics and the quality of the portfolio and market conditions during the time period indicated and should not be considered to be representative of what may be achieved in the future.
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Exhibit A
Proxy Voting Guidelines
General Approach to Corporate Governance and Proxy Voting
When voting proxies, Dimensional1 seeks to act in the best interests of the funds and accounts Dimensional manages and consistent with applicable legal and fiduciary standards. Dimensional seeks to maximize shareholder value subject to the standards of legal and regulatory regimes (applicable to the Advisor or the client), listing requirements, corporate governance and stewardship codes, and any particular investment or voting guidelines of specific funds or accounts. Dimensional will evaluate management and shareholder proposals on a case-by-case basis, in the circumstances explained below.
Dimensional expects the members of a portfolio company’s board to act in the interests of their shareholders. Each portfolio company’s board should implement policies and adopt practices that align the interests of the board and management with those of its shareholders. Since a board’s main responsibility is to oversee management and to manage and mitigate risk, it is important that board members have the experience and skills to carry out that responsibility.
This document outlines Dimensional’s global approach to key proxy voting issues and highlights particular considerations in specific markets.
Global Evaluation Framework
Dimensional’s Global Evaluation Framework sets out Dimensional’s general expectations for all portfolio companies. When implementing the principles contained in Dimensional’s Global Evaluation Framework in a given market, in addition to the relevant legal and regulatory requirements, Dimensional will consider local market practices. Additionally, for portfolio companies in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, and Australia, Dimensional will apply the market-specific considerations contained in the relevant subsection in these Guidelines.
Uncontested Director Elections
Dimensional may vote against individual directors, committee members, or the full board of a portfolio company, such as in the following situations:
1. There are problematic audit-related practices;
2. There are problematic compensation practices or persistent pay for performance misalignment;
3. There are problematic anti-takeover provisions;
4. There have been material failures of governance, risk oversight, or fiduciary responsibilities;
5. The board has failed to adequately respond to shareholder concerns;
6. The board has demonstrated a lack of accountability to shareholders;
7. There is an ineffective board refreshment process2;
Additionally, for portfolios and accounts that consider sustainability issues in their design or have made an affirmative election or provided instruction that Dimensional should prioritize such issues as part of voting,
1 | “Dimensional” refers to any of Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd., DFA Australia Limited, Dimensional Ireland Limited, Dimensional Fund Advisors Pte. Ltd. or Dimensional Japan Ltd. |
2 | As used in these guidelines “board refreshment process” means the method for reviewing and establishing the composition of the board of the portfolio company (e.g., assessments or self-evaluation, succession planning, approach for searches for board members, criteria for qualification of board members). |
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Dimensional may vote against directors, committee members, or the full board of portfolio companies in sectors which have not disclosed targets to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
If a director is a member of multiple boards of various portfolio companies, and one of those boards has one of the issues listed in 1-7 above, Dimensional may vote against that director with respect to the board of the portfolio company with the issue as well as any other portfolio company boards.
Dimensional also considers the following when voting on directors of portfolio companies:
1. Board and committee independence;
2. Director attendance: Dimensional generally expects directors to attend at least 75% of board and committee meetings;
3. Director capacity to serve;
4. Board composition.
Board Refreshment
An effective board refreshment process for a portfolio company can include the alignment of directors’ skills with business needs, assessment of individual director performance and feedback, and a search process for new directors that appropriately incorporates qualification criteria. Dimensional believes information about a portfolio company’s assessment and refreshment process should be disclosed and should generally include:
● | The processes and procedures by which the company identifies the key competencies that directors should possess in order to ensure the board is able to appropriately oversee the risks and opportunities associated with the company’s strategy and operations; | |
● | How the performance of individual directors and the board as a whole is assessed; | |
● | The alignment between the skills and expertise of each board member and the key competencies identified in the board assessment process; | |
● | Board refreshment mechanisms; | |
● | Director recruitment policies and procedures; and | |
● | The extent to which diversity considerations are incorporated into board assessment and refreshment practices and director recruitment policies. |
In evaluating a portfolio company’s refreshment process, Dimensional may consider, among other information:
● | Whether the company’s board assessment process meets market best practices in terms of objectiveness, rigor, disclosure, and other criteria; | |
● | Whether the company has any mechanisms to encourage board refreshment; and | |
● | Whether the company has board entrenchment devices, such as a classified board or plurality vote standard. |
An additional consideration that may lead Dimensional to scrutinize the effectiveness of a portfolio company’s board refreshment process is a lack of gender, racial, or ethnic diversity on the board. In jurisdictions where gender, racial, or ethnic representation on a board is not mandated by law, Dimensional may consider whether a portfolio company seeks to follow market best practices as the portfolio company nominates new directors and assesses the performance of existing directors who have the diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and skill-sets needed to effectively oversee management and manage risk.
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If Dimensional believes that a portfolio company’s board assessment and refreshment process is not sufficiently rigorous, or if the portfolio company fails to disclose adequate information for Dimensional to assess the rigor of the process, Dimensional may vote against members of the Nominating Committee, or other relevant directors.
Bundled/Slate Director Elections
Dimensional generally opposes bundled director elections at portfolio companies; however, in markets where individual director elections are not an established practice, bundled elections are acceptable as long as the full list of candidates is disclosed in a timely manner.
Contested Director Elections
In the case of contested board elections at portfolio companies, Dimensional takes a case-by-case approach. With the goal of maximizing shareholder value, Dimensional considers the qualifications of the nominees, the likelihood that each side can accomplish their stated plans, the portfolio company’s corporate governance practices, and the incumbent board’s history of responsiveness to shareholders.
Board Size
Dimensional believes that portfolio company boards are responsible for determining an appropriate size of the board of directors within the confines of relevant corporate governance codes and best practice standards. However, Dimensional will generally oppose proposals to alter board structure or size in the context of a fight for control of the portfolio company or the board.
Auditors
Dimensional will typically support the ratification of auditors unless there are concerns with the auditor’s independence, the accuracy of the auditor’s report, the level of non-audit fees, or if lack of disclosure makes it difficult for us to assess these factors.
In addition to voting against the ratification of the auditors, Dimensional may also vote against or withhold votes from audit committee members at portfolio companies in instances of fraud, material weakness, or significant financial restatements.
Anti-Takeover Provisions
Dimensional believes that the market for corporate control, which often results in acquisitions which increase shareholder value, should be able to function without undue restrictions. Takeover defenses such as shareholder rights plans (poison pills) can lead to entrenchment of management and reduced accountability at the board level. Dimensional will generally vote against the adoption of anti-takeover provisions. Dimensional may vote against directors at portfolio companies that adopt or maintain anti-takeover provisions without shareholder approval post-initial public offering (“IPO”) or adopted such structures prior to, or in connection with, an IPO. Dimensional may vote against such directors not just at the portfolio company that adopted the anti-takeover provision, but at all other portfolio company boards they serve on.
Related-Party Transactions
Related-party transactions have played a significant role in several high-profile corporate scandals and failures. Dimensional believes related-party transactions should be minimized. When such transactions are determined to be fair to the portfolio company and its shareholders in accordance with the company’s policies and governing law, they should be thoroughly disclosed in public filings.
Amendments to Articles of Association/Incorporation
Dimensional expects the details of proposed amendments to articles of association or incorporation, or similar portfolio company documents, to be clearly disclosed. Dimensional will typically support such
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amendments that are routine in nature or are required or prompted by regulatory changes. Dimensional may vote against amendments that negatively impact shareholder rights or diminish board oversight.
Equity Plans
Dimensional supports the adoption of equity plans that align the interests of the portfolio company board, management, and company employees with those of shareholders.
Dimensional will evaluate equity plans on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the potential dilution to shareholders, the portfolio company’s historical use of equity, and the particular plan features.
Executive Remuneration
Dimensional supports remuneration for executives that is clearly linked to the portfolio company’s performance. Remuneration should be designed to attract, retain and appropriately motivate and serve as a means to align the interests of executives with those of shareholders.
Dimensional expects portfolio companies to structure executive compensation in a manner that does not insulate management from the consequences of failures of risk oversight and management. Dimensional typically supports clawback provisions in executive compensation plans as a way to mitigate risk of excessive risk taking by executives at portfolio companies.
Dimensional supports remuneration plan metrics that are quantifiable and clearly tied to company strategy and the creation of shareholder value. The use of standard financial metrics, for example, metrics based on generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) or international financial reporting standards, when determining executive pay is generally considered by Dimensional to be preferable. The use of non-standard metrics, including those involving large non-GAAP adjustments, result in less transparency for investors and may lead to artificially high executive pay. In evaluating a company’s executive compensation, Dimensional considers whether the company is disclosing what each metric is intended to capture, how performance is measured, what targets have been set, and performance against those targets. While environmental and social (E&S) issues may be material for shareholder value, Dimensional believes linking E&S metrics to executive pay in a quantifiable and transparent manner can present particular challenges. Dimensional will seek to focus on the rigor of E&S metrics and will seek to scrutinize payouts made under these metrics, particularly when there has been underperformance against other metrics tied to financial performance or shareholder value.
To the extent that remuneration is clearly excessive and not aligned with the portfolio company’s performance or other factors, Dimensional would not support such remuneration. Additionally, Dimensional expects portfolio companies to strive to follow local market practices with regards to the specific elements of remuneration and the overall structure of the remuneration plan.
Therefore, Dimensional reviews proposals seeking approval of a portfolio company’s executive remuneration plan closely, taking into account the quantum of pay, company performance, and the structure of the plan.
Director Remuneration
Dimensional will generally support director remuneration at portfolio companies that is reasonable in both size and composition relative to industry and market norms.
Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
Dimensional’s primary consideration in evaluating mergers and acquisitions is maximizing shareholder value. Given that Dimensional believes market prices reflect future expected cash flows, an important
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consideration is the price reaction to the announcement, and the extent to which the deal represents a premium to the pre-announcement price. Dimensional will also consider the strategic rationale, potential conflicts of interest, and the possibility of competing offers.
Dimensional may vote against deals where there are concerns with the acquisition process or where there appear to be significant conflicts of interest.
Capitalization
Dimensional will vote case-by-case on proposals related to portfolio company share issuances, taking into account the purpose for which the shares will be used, the risk to shareholders of not approving the request, and the dilution to existing shareholders.
Unequal Voting Rights
Dimensional opposes the creation of share structures that provide for unequal voting rights, including dual class stock with unequal voting rights or mechanisms such as loyalty shares that may skew economic ownership and voting rights within the same class of shares, and will generally vote against proposals to create or continue such structures. On a case-by-case basis, Dimensional may also vote against directors at portfolio companies that adopt or maintain such structures without shareholder approval post-IPO or adopted such structures prior to, or in connection with, an IPO.
Say on Climate
Dimensional will generally vote against management and shareholder proposals to introduce say on climate votes, which propose that companies’ climate transition plans are put to a recurring advisory shareholder vote. Dimensional believes that strategic planning, including mitigation of climate change risks and oversight of opportunities presented by climate change is the responsibility of the portfolio company board and should not be delegated or transferred to shareholders. If a company’s climate transition plan is put to a shareholder vote then Dimensional will generally vote against the plan, regardless of the level of detail contained in the plan, to indicate our opposition to the delegation of oversight implied by such votes If Dimensional observes that a portfolio company board is failing to adequately guard shareholder value through strategic planning, Dimensional may vote against directors.
Shareholder Proposals
Dimensional’s goal when voting on shareholder proposals to portfolio companies is to support those proposals that protect or enhance shareholder value through improved board accountability, improved policies and procedures, or improved disclosure.
When evaluating shareholder proposals, Dimensional will consider whether the proposal addresses a material issue to the portfolio company, the portfolio company’s current handling of the issue (both on an absolute basis and relative to market practices), the company’s compliance with regulatory requirements, and the potential cost to the company of implementing the proposal. Dimensional may apply additional considerations when voting on sustainability or social shareholder proposals on behalf of portfolios and accounts that incorporate sustainability or social considerations in their portfolio design or have made an affirmative election or provided instruction that Dimensional should prioritize sustainability or social issues as part of voting.
Virtual Meetings
Dimensional does not oppose the use of virtual-only meetings if shareholders are provided with the same rights and opportunities as available during a physical meeting, including:
● | The ability to see and hear company representatives; | |
● | The ability to ask questions of company representatives; and |
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● | The ability to see or hear questions submitted to company representatives by other shareholders, including those questions not answered by company representatives. |
Disclosure of Vote Results
Dimensional expects detailed disclosure of voting results. In cases where vote results have not been disclosed within a reasonable time frame, Dimensional may vote against individual directors, committee members, or the full board of a portfolio company.
Voting Guidelines for Environmental and Social Issues3
Dimensional believes that portfolio company boards are responsible for addressing material environmental & social (E&S) issues within their duties. If a portfolio company is unresponsive to material E&S risks which may have economic ramifications for shareholders, Dimensional may vote against directors individually, committee members, or the entire board. Dimensional may communicate with portfolio companies to better understand the alignment of the interests of boards and management with those of shareholders on these topics.
Dimensional evaluates shareholder proposals on environmental or social issues consistent with its general approach to shareholder proposals, paying particular attention to the portfolio company’s current handling of the issue, current disclosures, the financial materiality of the issue, market practices, and regulatory requirements. Dimensional may vote for proposals requesting disclosure of specific environmental and social data, such as information about board oversight, risk management policies and procedures, or performance against a specific metric, if Dimensional believes that the portfolio company’s current disclosure is inadequate to allow shareholders to effectively assess the portfolio company’s handling of a material issue.
Evaluating Disclosure of Material Environmental or Social Risks
Dimensional generally believes that information about the oversight and mitigation of material environmental or social risks should be disclosed by portfolio companies. Dimensional generally expects the disclosure regarding oversight and mitigation to include:
● | A description of material risks. | |
● | A description of the process for identifying and prioritizing such risks and how frequently it occurs. | |
● | The policies and procedures governing the handling of each material risk. | |
● | A description of the management-level roles/groups involved in oversight and mitigation of each material risk. | |
● | A description of the metrics used to assess the effectiveness of mitigating each material risk, and the frequency at which performance against these metrics is assessed. | |
● | A description of how the board is informed of material risks and the progress against relevant metrics. |
In certain instances where Dimensional determines that disclosure by a portfolio company is insufficient for a shareholder to be able to adequately assess the relevant risks facing a portfolio company, Dimensional may, on a case-by-case basis, vote against individual directors, committee members, or the entire board, or may vote in favor of related shareholder proposals consistent with Dimensional’s general approach to such proposals.
3 | For considerations in connection with ERISA-covered clients, see the Policy and its references to requirements under ERISA. |
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Political and Lobbying Activities
Dimensional expects boards of portfolio companies to exercise oversight of political and lobbying-related expenditures and ensure that such spending is in line with shareholder interests.
In evaluating a portfolio company’s policies related to political and lobbying expenditure, Dimensional expects the following practices:
● | The board to adopt policies and procedures to oversee political and lobbying expenditures; | |
● | The details of the board oversight, including the policies and procedures governing such expenditures, to be disclosed publicly; and | |
● | That board oversight of political and lobbying activities, such as spending, should include ensuring that the portfolio company’s publicly stated positions are in alignment with its related activities and spending. |
Human Capital Management
Dimensional expects boards of portfolio companies to exercise oversight of human capital management issues. Dimensional expects portfolio companies to disclose sufficient information for shareholders to understand the policies, procedures, and personnel a company has in place to address issues related to human capital management. This disclosure should include the company’s human capital management goals in key areas, such as compensation, employee health and wellness, employee training and development, and workforce composition, as well as the metrics by which the company assesses performance against these goals.
Climate Change
Dimensional expects boards of portfolio companies to exercise oversight of climate change risks that may have a material impact on the company. Climate change risks may include physical risks of climate change from changing weather patterns and/or transitional risks of climate change from changes in regulation or consumer preferences. Dimensional expects portfolio companies to disclose information on their handling of these risks, to the extent those risks may have a material impact on the company. Disclosure should include:
● | The specific risks identified | |
● | The potential impact these risks could have on the company’s business, operations, or strategy | |
● | Whether the risks are overseen by a specific committee or the full board | |
● | The frequency with which the board or responsible board committee receives updates on the risks and the types of information reviewed | |
● | The management-level roles/groups responsible for managing these risks | |
● | The metrics used to assess the handling of these risks, how they are calculated, and the reason for their selection, particularly when the metrics recommended by a recognized third-party framework, such as Task Force for Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) or Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB), are not being used | |
● | Targets used by the company to manage climate-related risks and performance against those targets |
Human Rights
Dimensional expects portfolio company boards to exercise oversight of human rights issues that could pose a material risk to the business, including forced labor, child labor, privacy, freedom of expression, and land and water rights. Dimensional expects portfolio companies to disclose information on their handling of these risks, to the extent those risks may have a material impact on the company. Disclosure should include:
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● | The specific risks identified | |
● | The potential impact these risks could have on the company’s business, operations, or strategy | |
● | Whether the risks are overseen by a specific committee or the full board | |
● | The frequency with which the board or responsible board committee receives updates on the risks and the types of information reviewed | |
● | Details on how the company monitors human rights throughout the organization and supply chain, including the scope and frequency of audits and how instances of non-compliance are resolved | |
● | The policies governing human rights throughout the organization and supply chain and the extent to which the policy aligns with recognized global frameworks such as the UN’s Guiding Principles on Human Rights and the OECD’s Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises | |
● | Details of violations of the policy and corrective action taken |
Cybersecurity
Dimensional expects portfolio company boards to exercise oversight of cybersecurity issues that could pose a material risk to the business. Dimensional expects portfolio companies to disclose information on their handling of these risks, to the extent those risks may have a material impact on the company. Disclosure should include:
● | Policies and procedures to manage cybersecurity risk and identify cybersecurity incidents | |
● | The role of management in implementing cybersecurity policies and procedures | |
● | The role of the board in overseeing cybersecurity risk and the process by which the board is informed of incidents. | |
● | Material cybersecurity incidents and remedial actions taken. |
Evaluation Framework for U.S. Listed Companies
Director Elections:
Uncontested Director Elections
Shareholders elect the board of a portfolio company to represent their interests and oversee management and expect boards to adopt policies and practices that align the interests of the board and management with those of shareholders and limit the potential for conflicts of interest.
One of the most important measures aimed at ensuring that portfolio company shareholders’ interests are represented is an independent board of directors, made up of individuals with the diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and skill-sets needed to effectively oversee management and manage risk. Dimensional expects portfolio company boards to be majority independent and key committees to be fully independent.
Dimensional believes shareholders should have a say in who represents their interests and portfolio companies should be responsive to shareholder concerns. Dimensional may vote against or withhold votes from individual directors, committee members, or the full board, and may also vote against such directors when they serve on other portfolio company boards, in the following situations:
● | The continued service of directors who failed to receive the support of a majority of shareholders (regardless of whether the company uses a majority or plurality vote standard). | |
● | Failure to adequately respond to majority-supported shareholder proposals. |
Contested Director Elections
In the case of contested board elections at portfolio companies, Dimensional takes a case-by-case approach. With the goal of maximizing shareholder value, Dimensional considers the qualifications of the nominees, the likelihood that each side can accomplish their stated plans, the portfolio company’s corporate
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governance practices, the incumbent board’s history of responsiveness to shareholders, and the market’s reaction to the contest.
Board Structure and Composition:
Age and Term Limits
Dimensional believes it is the responsibility of a portfolio company’s nominating committee to ensure that the company’s board of directors is composed of individuals with the skills needed to effectively oversee management and will generally oppose proposals seeking to impose age or term limits for directors.
That said, portfolio companies should clearly disclose their director evaluation and board refreshment policies in their proxy. Lack of healthy turnover on the board of a portfolio company or lack of observable diversity on a portfolio company board may lead Dimensional to scrutinize the rigor of a portfolio company’s board refreshment process.
CEO/Chair
Dimensional believes that the portfolio company boards are responsible for determining whether the separation of roles is appropriate and adequately protects the interests of shareholders.
At portfolio companies with a combined CEO/Chair, Dimensional expects the board to appoint a lead independent director with specific responsibilities, including the setting of meeting agendas, to seek to ensure the board is able to act independently.
Recent environmental, social, and governance controversies resulting from inadequate board oversight may be taken into account when voting on shareholder proposals seeking the separation of the roles of CEO and Chair at a portfolio company.
Governance Practices:
Classified Boards
Dimensional believes director votes are an important mechanism to increase board accountability to shareholders. Dimensional therefore advocates for boards at portfolio companies to give shareholders the right to vote on the entire slate of directors on an annual basis.
Dimensional will generally support proposals to declassify existing boards at portfolio companies and will generally oppose efforts by portfolio companies to adopt classified board structures, in which only part of the board is elected each year.
Dimensional will generally vote against or withhold votes from incumbent directors at portfolio companies that adopt a classified board without shareholder approval. Dimensional may also vote against or withhold votes from directors at portfolio companies that adopt classified boards prior to or in connection with an IPO, unless accompanied by a reasonable sunset provision.
Dual Classes of Stock
Dual class share structures are generally seen as detrimental to shareholder rights, as they are accompanied by unequal voting rights. Dimensional believes in the principle of one share, one vote.
Dimensional opposes the creation of dual-class share structures with unequal voting rights at portfolio companies and will generally vote against proposals to create or continue dual-class capital structures.
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Dimensional will generally vote against or withhold votes from directors at portfolio companies that adopt a dual-class structure without shareholder approval after the company’s IPO. Dimensional will generally vote against or withhold votes from directors for implementation of a dual-class structure prior to or in connection with an IPO, unless accompanied by a reasonable sunset provision.
Supermajority Vote Requirements
Dimensional believes that the affirmative vote of a majority of shareholders of a portfolio company should be sufficient to approve items such as bylaw amendments and mergers. Dimensional will generally vote against proposals seeking to implement a supermajority vote requirement and for shareholder proposals seeking the adoption of a majority vote standard.
Dimensional will generally vote against or withhold votes from incumbent directors at portfolio companies that adopt a supermajority vote requirement without shareholder approval. Dimensional may also vote against or withhold votes from directors at portfolio companies that adopt supermajority vote requirements prior to or in connection with an IPO, unless accompanied by a reasonable sunset provision.
Shareholder Rights Plans (Poison Pills)
Dimensional generally opposes poison pills. As a result, Dimensional may vote against the adoption of a pill and all directors at a portfolio company that put a pill in place without first obtaining shareholder approval. Votes against (or withheld votes from) directors may extend beyond the portfolio company that adopted the pill, to all boards the directors serve on. In considering a poison pill for approval, Dimensional may take into account the existence of ‘qualified offer’ and other shareholder-friendly provisions.
For pills designed to protect net operating losses, Dimensional may take into consideration a variety of factors, including but not limited to the size of the available operating losses and the likelihood that they will be utilized to offset gains.
Cumulative Voting
Under cumulative voting, each shareholder is entitled to the number of his or her shares multiplied by the number of directors to be elected. Shareholders have the flexibility to allocate their votes among directors in the proportion they see fit, including casting all their votes for one director. This is particularly impactful in the election of dissident candidates to the board in the event of a proxy contest.
Dimensional will typically support proposals that provide for cumulative voting and against proposals to eliminate cumulative voting unless the portfolio company has demonstrated that there are adequate safeguards in place, such as proxy access and majority voting.
Majority Voting
For the election of directors, portfolio companies may adopt either a majority or plurality vote standard. In a plurality vote standard, the directors with the most votes are elected. If the number of directors up for election is equal to the number of board seats, each director only needs to receive one vote in order to be elected. In a majority vote standard, in order to be elected, a director must receive the support of a majority of shares voted or present at the meeting.
Dimensional supports a majority (rather than plurality) voting standard for uncontested director elections at portfolio companies. The majority vote standard should be accompanied by a director resignation policy to address failed elections.
To account for contested director elections, portfolio companies with a majority vote standard should include a carve-out for plurality voting in situations where there are more nominees than seats.
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Right to Call Meetings and Act by Written Consent
Dimensional will generally support the right of shareholders to call special meetings of a portfolio company board (if they own 25% of shares outstanding) and take action by written consent.
Proxy Access
Dimensional will typically support management and shareholder proposals for proxy access that allow a shareholder (or group of shareholders) holding three percent of voting power for three years to nominate up to 25 percent of a portfolio company board. Dimensional will typically vote against proposals that are more restrictive than these guidelines.
Amend Bylaws/Charters
Dimensional believes that shareholders should have the right to amend a portfolio company’s bylaws. Dimensional will generally vote against or withhold votes from incumbent directors at portfolio companies that place substantial restrictions on shareholders’ ability to amend bylaws through excessive ownership requirements for submitting proposals or restrictions on the types of issues that can be amended.
Exclusive Forum
Dimensional is generally supportive of management proposals at portfolio companies to adopt an exclusive forum for shareholder litigation.
Indemnification and Exculpation of Directors and Officers
Dimensional intends to evaluate proposals seeking to enact or expand indemnification or exculpation provisions on a case-by-case basis considering board rationale and specific provisions being proposed.
Advance Notice Provisions
Portfolio company bylaw amendments known as “advance notice provisions” set out the steps shareholders must follow when submitting an item for inclusion on the agenda of a shareholder meeting. These provisions may serve as an entrenchment device that can result in reduced accountability at the board level in cases where they impose onerous requirements on shareholders wishing to submit a nominee for the board of directors. When evaluating advanced notice provisions, whether for the submission of a shareholder candidate or the submission of other permissible proposals, Dimensional generally does not support provisions that:
● | Require shareholder-nominated candidates to disclose information that is not required for new board-nominated candidates | |
● | Impose unduly burdensome disclosure requirements on shareholder proponents | |
● | Significantly limit the time period shareholders have to submit proposals or nominees |
Dimensional may vote against or withhold votes from directors who adopt such provisions without shareholder approval.
Executive and Director Compensation:
Stock-Based Compensation Plans
Dimensional supports the adoption of equity plans that align the interests of portfolio company board, management, and company employees with those of shareholders.
Dimensional will evaluate equity compensation plans on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the potential dilution to shareholders, the portfolio company’s historical use of equity, and the particular plan features.
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Dimensional will typically vote against plans that have features that have a negative impact on shareholders of portfolio companies. Such features include single-trigger or discretionary vesting, an overly broad definition of change in control, a lack of minimum vesting periods for grants, evergreen provisions, and the ability to reprice shares without shareholder approval.
Dimensional may also vote against equity plans if problematic equity grant practices have contributed to a pay for performance misalignment at the portfolio company.
Employee Stock Purchase Plans
Dimensional will generally support qualified employee stock purchase plans (as defined by Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code), provided that the purchase price is no less than 85 percent of market value, the number of shares reserved for the plan is no more than ten percent of outstanding shares, and the offering period is no more than 27 months.
Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation (Say on Pay)
Dimensional supports reasonable compensation for executives that is clearly linked to the portfolio company’s performance. Compensation should serve as a means to align the interests of executives with those of shareholders. To the extent that compensation is excessive, it represents a transfer to management of shareholder wealth. Therefore, Dimensional reviews proposals seeking approval of a portfolio company’s executive compensation plan closely, taking into account the quantum of pay, company performance, and the structure of the plan.
Certain practices, such as:
● | multi-year guaranteed bonuses | |
● | excessive severance agreements (particularly those that vest without involuntary job loss or diminution of duties or those with excise-tax gross-ups) | |
● | single, or the same, metrics used for both short-term and long-term executive compensation plans |
may encourage excessive risk-taking by executives at portfolio companies and are generally opposed by Dimensional.
At portfolio companies that have a history of problematic pay practices or excessive compensation, Dimensional will consider the company’s responsiveness to shareholders’ concerns and may vote against or withhold votes from members of the compensation committee if these concerns have not been addressed.
Frequency of Say on Pay
Executive compensation in the United States is typically composed of three parts: 1) base salary; 2) cash bonuses based on annual performance (short-term incentive awards); 3) and equity awards based on performance over a multi-year period (long-term incentive awards).
Dimensional supports triennial say on pay because it allows for a longer-term assessment of whether compensation was adequately linked to portfolio company performance. This is particularly important in situations where a company makes significant changes to their long-term incentive awards, as the effectiveness of such changes in aligning pay and performance cannot be determined in a single year.
If there are serious concerns about a portfolio company’s compensation plan in a year where the plan is not on the ballot, Dimensional may vote against or withhold votes from members of the Compensation Committee.
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Executive Severance Agreements (Golden Parachutes)
Dimensional analyzes golden parachute proposals on a case-by-case basis.
Dimensional expects payments to be reasonable on both an absolute basis and relative to the value of the transaction. Dimensional will typically vote against agreements with cash severance of more than 3x salary and bonus.
Dimensional expects vesting of equity to be contingent on both a change in control and a subsequent involuntary termination of the employee (“double-trigger change in control”).
Corporate Actions:
Reincorporation
Dimensional will evaluate reincorporation proposals on a case-by-case basis.
Dimensional may vote against reincorporations if the move would result in a substantial diminution of shareholder rights at the portfolio company.
Capitalization:
Increase Authorized Shares
Dimensional will vote case-by-case on proposals seeking to increase common or preferred stock of a portfolio company, taking into account the purpose for which the shares will be used and the risk to shareholders of not approving the request.
Dimensional will typically vote against requests for common or preferred stock issuances that are excessively dilutive relative to common market practice.
Dimensional will typically vote against proposals at portfolio companies with multiple share classes to increase the number of shares of the class with superior voting rights.
Blank Check Preferred Stock
Blank check preferred stock is stock that can be issued at the discretion of the board, with the voting, conversion, distribution, and other rights determined by the board at the time of issue. Therefore, blank check preferred stock can potentially serve as means to entrench management and prevent takeovers at portfolio companies.
To mitigate concerns regarding what Dimensional believes is the inappropriate use of blank check preferred stock, Dimensional expects portfolio companies seeking approval for blank preferred stock to clearly state that the shares will not be used for anti-takeover purposes.
Share Repurchases
Dimensional will generally support open-market share repurchase plans that allow all shareholders to participate on equal terms. Portfolio companies that use metrics such as earnings per share (EPS) in their executive compensation plans should ensure that the impact of such repurchases are taken into account when determining payouts.
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Shareholder Proposals:
Dimensional’s goal when voting on shareholder proposals is to support those proposals that protect or enhance shareholder value through improved board accountability, improved policies and procedures, or improved disclosure.
When evaluating shareholder proposals, Dimensional will consider whether the proposal addresses a material issue to the portfolio company, the portfolio company’s current handling of the issue (both on an absolute basis and relative to market practices), the company’s compliance with regulatory requirements, and the potential cost to the company of implementing the proposal.
In instances where a shareholder proposal is excluded from the meeting agenda but the SEC has declined to state a view on whether such proposal can be excluded, , Dimensional expects the portfolio company to provide shareholders with substantive disclosure concerning this exclusion. If substantive disclosure is lacking, Dimensional may vote against or withhold votes from certain directors on a case-by-case basis.
Evaluation Framework for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) Listed Companies
Continental Europe:
Director Election Guidelines
● | Portfolio company boards should be majority independent (excluding shareholder or employee representatives as provided by law); however, lower levels of board independence may be acceptable in controlled companies and in those markets where local best practice indicates that at least one-third of the board be independent. | |
● | A majority of audit and remuneration committee members (excluding shareholder or employee representatives as provided by law) should be independent; the committees overall should be at least one-third independent. | |
● | Executives should generally not serve on audit and remuneration committees. | |
● | The CEO and board chair roles should generally be separate, |
Remuneration Guidelines
Dimensional expects annual remuneration reports published by portfolio companies pursuant to the Shareholder Rights Directive II to disclose, at a minimum:
● | The amount paid to executives; |
● | Alignment between pay and performance; |
● | The targets used for variable incentive plans and the ex-post levels achieved; and |
● | The rationale for any discretion applied. |
Other Market Specific Guidelines for Continental Europe
● | In Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands, Dimensional will generally vote against the appointment of a former CEO as chairman of the board of directors or supervisory board of a portfolio company. |
United Kingdom & Ireland:
Dimensional expects portfolio companies to follow the requirements of the UK Corporate Governance Code with regards to board and committee composition. When evaluating portfolio company boards Dimensional will also consider the recommendations of the FTSE Women Leaders and Parker Reviews with regards to female and minority representation on the board.
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Dimensional also expects companies to align their remuneration with the requirements of the UK Corporate Governance Code and to consider best practices such as those set forth in the Investment Association Principles of Remuneration.
South Africa:
Dimensional expects portfolio companies to follow the recommendations of the King Report on Corporate Governance (King Code IV) with regards to board and committee composition.
Turkey:
Dimensional expects the board of directors of a portfolio company to be at least one-third independent; at minimum two directors should be independent.
Dimensional expects the board of a portfolio company to establish an independent audit committee.
Dimensional expects the board of a portfolio company to establish a board committee with responsibility for compensation and nominating matters. This committee should be chaired by an independent director.
Framework for Evaluating Australia-Listed Companies
Uncontested Director Elections
Shareholders elect the board of a portfolio company to represent their interests and oversee management and expect portfolio company boards to adopt policies and practices that align the interests of the board and management with those of shareholders and limit the potential for conflicts of interest.
One of the most important measures aimed at ensuring that portfolio company shareholders’ interests are represented is an independent board of directors, made up of individuals with the diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and skill-sets needed to effectively oversee management and manage risk. Dimensional expects portfolio company boards to be majority independent.
Dimensional believes that key audit and remuneration committees should be composed of independent directors. Dimensional will generally vote against executive directors of the portfolio company who serve on the audit committee or who serve on the remuneration committee if the remuneration committee is not majority independent.
Dimensional will consider the ASX Corporate Governance Council Principles and Recommendations (the “ASX Principles and Recommendations”) with regards to female representation on the board when voting on directors.
CEO/Chair
Dimensional expects portfolio companies to follow the ASX Corporate Governance Council Principles and Recommendations and generally separate the CEO and board chair roles, with the board chair being an independent director.
Auditors
Australian law does not require the annual ratification of auditors; therefore, concerns with a portfolio company’s audit practices will be reflected in votes against members of the audit committee.
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Dimensional may vote against audit committee members at a portfolio company if there are concerns with the auditor’s independence, the accuracy of the auditor’s report, the level of non-audit fees, or if lack of disclosure makes it difficult to assess these factors.
Dimensional may also vote against audit committee members in instances of fraud or material failures in oversight of audit functions.
Share Issuances
Dimensional will evaluate requests for share issuances on a case-by-case basis, taking into account factors such as the impact on current shareholders and the rationale for the request.
When voting on approval of prior share distributions, Dimensional will generally support prior issuances that conform to the dilution guidelines set out in ASX Listing Rule 7.1.
Share Repurchase
Dimensional will evaluate requests for share repurchases on a case-by-case basis, taking into account factors such as the impact on current shareholders, the rationale for the request, and the portfolio company’s history of repurchases. Dimensional expects repurchases to be made in arms-length transactions using independent third parties.
Dimensional may vote against portfolio company plans that do not include limitations on the company’s ability to use the plan to repurchase shares from third parties at a premium and limitations on the use of share purchases as an anti-takeover device.
Constitution Amendments
Dimensional will evaluate requests for amendments to a portfolio company’s constitution on a case-by-case basis. The primary consideration will be the impact on the rights of shareholders.
Non-Executive Director Compensation
Dimensional will support non-executive director remuneration at portfolio companies that is reasonable in both size and composition relative to industry and market norms.
Dimensional will generally vote against components of non-executive director remuneration that are likely to impair a director’s independence, such as options or performance-based remuneration.
Equity Plans
Dimensional supports the adoption of equity plans that align the interests of the portfolio company board, management, and company employees with those of shareholders.
Companies should clearly disclose components of the plan, including vesting periods and performance hurdles.
Dimensional may vote against plans that are exceedingly dilutive to existing shareholders. Plans that permit retesting or repricing will generally be viewed unfavorably.
Framework for Evaluating Japan-Listed Securities
Uncontested Director Elections
Shareholders elect the board of a portfolio company to represent their interests and oversee management and expect portfolio company boards to adopt policies and practices that align the interests of the board and management with those of shareholders and limit the potential for conflicts of interest.
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One of the most important measures aimed at ensuring that portfolio company shareholders’ interests are represented is an independent board of directors, made up of individuals with the diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and skill sets needed to effectively oversee management and manage risk. With respect to gender diversity, Dimensional may consider local market practice, including requirements under the Japan Corporate Governance Code, and may vote against directors if the board does not meet established market norms.
At portfolio companies with a three-committee structure, Dimensional expects at least one-third of the board to be outsiders. Ideally, the board should be majority independent. At portfolio companies with a three-committee structure that have a controlling shareholder, at least two directors and at least one-third of the board should be independent outsiders.
At portfolio companies with an audit committee structure, Dimensional expects at least one-third of the board to be outsiders. Ideally, the audit committee should be entirely independent; at minimum, any outside directors who serve on the committee should be independent. At portfolio companies with an audit committee structure that have a controlling shareholder, at least two directors and at least one-third of the board should be independent outsiders.
At portfolio companies with a statutory auditor structure, Dimensional expects at least two directors and at least one-third of the board to be outsiders. At portfolio companies with a statutory auditor structure that have a controlling shareholder, at least two directors and at least one-third of the board should be independent outsiders.
Statutory Auditors
Statutory auditors are responsible for effectively overseeing management and ensuring that decisions made are in the best interest of shareholders. Dimensional may vote against statutory auditors who are remiss in their responsibilities.
When voting on outside statutory auditors, Dimensional expects nominees to be independent and to have the capacity to fulfill the requirements of their role as evidenced by attendance at meetings of the board of directors or board of statutory auditors.
Director and Statutory Auditor Compensation
Dimensional will support compensation for portfolio company directors and statutory auditors that is reasonable in both size and composition relative to industry and market norms.
When requesting an increase to the level of director fees, Dimensional expects portfolio companies to provide a specific reason for the increase. Dimensional will generally support an increase of director fees if it is in conjunction with the introduction of performance-based compensation, or where the ceiling for performance-based compensation is being increased. Dimensional will generally not support an increase in director fees if there is evidence that the directors have been remiss in effectively overseeing management or ensuring that decisions made are in the best interest of shareholders.
Dimensional will typically support an increase to the statutory auditor compensation ceiling unless there is evidence that the statutory auditors have been remiss in effectively overseeing management or ensuring that decisions made are in the best interest of shareholders.
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Dimensional will generally support the granting of annual bonuses to portfolio company directors and statutory auditors unless there is evidence the board or the statutory auditors have been remiss in effectively overseeing management or ensuring that decisions made are in the best interest of shareholders.
Dimensional generally supports the granting of retirement benefits to portfolio company insiders, so long as the individual payments, and aggregate amount of such payments, is disclosed.
Dimensional will generally vote against the granting of retirement bonuses if there is evidence the portfolio company board or statutory auditors have been remiss in effectively overseeing management or ensuring that decisions made are in the best interest of shareholders.
Equity Based Compensation
Dimensional supports the adoption of equity plans that align the interests of the portfolio company board, management, and company employees with those of shareholders.
Dimensional will typically support stock option plans to portfolio company executives and employees if total dilution from the proposed plans and previous plans does not exceed 5 percent for mature companies or 10 percent for growth companies.
Dimensional will generally vote against stock plans if upper limit of options that can be issued per year is not disclosed.
For deep-discounted stock option plans, Dimensional typically expects portfolio companies to disclose specific performance hurdles.
Capital Allocation
Dimensional will typically support well-justified dividend payouts that do not negatively impact the portfolio company’s overall financial health.
Share Repurchase
Dimensional is typically supportive of portfolio company boards having discretion over share repurchases absent concerns with the company’s balance sheet management, capital efficiency, buyback and dividend payout history, board composition, or shareholding structure.
Dimensional will typically support proposed repurchases that do not have a negative impact on shareholder value.
For repurchases of more than 10 percent of issue share capital, Dimensional expects the company to provide a robust explanation for the request.
Cross-Shareholding
Dimensional generally believes that portfolio companies should not allocate significant portions of their net assets to investments in companies for non-investment purposes. For example, in order to strengthen relationships with customers, suppliers, or borrowers. Such cross-shareholding, whether unilateral or reciprocal, can compromise director independence, entrench management, and reduce director accountability to uninterested shareholders. Dimensional may vote against certain directors at companies with excessive cross-shareholdings.
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Shareholder Rights Plans (Poison Pills)
Dimensional believes the market for corporate control, which can result in acquisitions that are accretive to shareholders, should be able to function without undue restrictions. Takeover defenses such as poison pills can lead to entrenchment and reduced accountability at the board level.
Indemnification and Limitations on Liability
Dimensional generally supports limitations on liability for directors and statutory auditors in ordinary circumstances.
Limit Legal Liability of External Auditors
Dimensional generally opposes limitations on the liability of external auditors.
Increase in Authorized Capital
Dimensional will typically support requests for increases of less than 100 percent of currently authorized capital, so long as the increase does not leave the portfolio company with less than 30 percent of the proposed authorized capital outstanding.
For increases that exceed these guidelines, Dimensional expects portfolio companies to provide a robust explanation for the increase.
Dimensional will generally not support requests for increases that will be used as an anti-takeover device.
Expansion of Business Activities
For well performing portfolio companies seeking to expand their business into enterprises related to their core business, Dimensional will typically support management requests to amend the company’s articles to expand the company’s business activities.
A-19 |
DIMENSIONAL ETF TRUST
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 28. | EXHIBITS. |
The following exhibits are incorporated by reference to the previously filed documents indicated below, except as noted:
(a) | Charter. |
(i) | Certificate of Trust dated June 12, 2020, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.a.i with the Trust’s registration statement on June 26, 2020, is hereby incorporated by reference. |
(a) | Amended and Restated Schedule A to the Declaration of Trust dated September 16, 2022 |
ELECTRONICALLY FILED HEREWITH AS EXHIBIT EX-28.a.ii.a.
(b) | By-laws. |
(i) | Amended and Restated By-Laws effective as of June 24, 2021, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.b.i with the Trust’s registration statement on February 11, 2021, is hereby incorporated by reference. |
(c) | Instruments Defining Rights of Security Holders. |
(i) | Agreement and Declaration of Trust. |
(a) | Article III, Shares |
(b) | Article V, Shareholders’ Voting Powers and Meetings |
(c) | Article VI, Net Asset Value; Distributions; Redemptions; Transfers |
(d) | Article VIII, Certain Transactions |
(e) | Article X, Miscellaneous |
(ii) | By-Laws. |
(a) | Article II, Meetings of Shareholders | |
(b) | Article VI, Records and Reports | |
(c) | Article VII, General Matters | |
(d) | Article VIII, Amendments |
(iii) | Part B, Statement of Additional Information – Item 22. |
(d) | Investment Advisory Contracts. |
(i) | Investment Management Agreements. |
* Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF
* Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF
* Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF
* Dimensional U.S. Targeted Value ETF
* Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF
* Dimensional International Value ETF
* Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF
* Dimensional U.S. Small Cap ETF
(10) | Amended and Restated Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant and DFA, re: the: |
* Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF
ELECTRONICALLY FILED HEREWITH AS EXHIBIT EX-28.d.i.10.
(11) | Amended and Restated Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant and DFA, re: the: |
* Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF
ELECTRONICALLY FILED HEREWITH AS EXHIBIT EX-28.d.i.11.
* Dimensional Inflation-Protected Securities ETF
* Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF
* Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF
* Dimensional US High Profitability ETF
* Dimensional US Real Estate ETF
* Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF
* Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF
* Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF
* Dimensional International Small Cap ETF
* Dimensional International High Profitability ETF
* Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF
* Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF
* Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF
(30) | Amended and Restated Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant and DFA, re: the |
* Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF
ELECTRONICALLY FILED HEREWITH AS EXHIBIT EX-28.d.i.30.
* Dimensional US Large Cap Vector Equity ETF
(ii) | Sub-Advisory Agreements. |
* Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF
* Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF
* Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF
* Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF
* Dimensional International Value ETF
* Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF
* Dimensional International Value ETF
* Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF
* Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF
* Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF
* Dimensional Inflation-Protected Securities ETF
* Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF
* Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF
* Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF
* Dimensional Inflation-Protected Securities ETF
* Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF
* Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF
* Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF
* Dimensional International Small Cap ETF
* Dimensional International High Profitability ETF
* Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF
* Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF
* Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF
* Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF
* Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF
* Dimensional International Small Cap ETF
* Dimensional International High Profitability ETF
* Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF
* Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF
* Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF
* Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF
* Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF
* Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF
* Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF
* Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF
* Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF
* Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF
* Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF
(e) | Underwriting Contracts. |
(ii) | Form of Authorized Participant Agreement, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.e.ii with the Trust’s registration statement on October 30, 2020, is hereby incorporated by reference. |
(f) | Bonus or Profit Sharing Contracts. |
Not Applicable.
(g) | Custodian Agreements. |
(h) | Other Material Contracts. |
(iii) | Fee Waiver and Expense Assumption Agreement between the Registrant and DFA, re: the: |
* Dimensional U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF
* Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF
* Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF
* Dimensional Inflation-Protected Securities ETF
* Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF
* Dimensional US Marketwide Value ETF
* Dimensional US High Profitability ETF
* Dimensional US Real Estate ETF
* Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF
* Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF
* Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF
* Dimensional International Small Cap ETF
* Dimensional International High Profitability ETF
* Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF
* Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF
* Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF
* Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF
* Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF
* Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF
* Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF
* Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF
* Dimensional US Large Cap Value ETF
ELECTRONICALLY FILED HEREWITH AS EXHIBIT Ex-28.h.iii.
(iv) | Form of Rule 12d1-4 Fund of Funds Investment Agreement, previously filed as Exhibit Ex-28.h.v with the Trust’s registration statement on February 28, 2022, is hereby incorporated by reference. |
(i) | Legal Opinion |
(i) | Legal Opinion of Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP., previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.i.i with the Trust’s registration statement on December 2, 2022, is hereby incorporated by reference. |
(j) | Other Opinions |
(i) | Consents of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
ELECTRONICALLY FILED HEREWITH AS EXHIBIT EX-28.j.i.
(k) | Omitted Financial Statements |
Not Applicable.
(l) | Initial Capital Agreements. |
(m) | Rule 12b-1 Plan |
(i) | Distribution and Service Plan between the Registrant and DFA Securities LLC, re: the: |
* Dimensional US Core Equity Market ETF;
* Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF;
* Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF;
* Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF;
* Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF;
* Dimensional Inflation-Protected Securities ETF;
* Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF;
* Dimensional US High Profitability ETF;
* Dimensional US Real Estate ETF;
* Dimensional US Small Cap Value ETF;
* Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF;
* Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF;
* Dimensional International Small Cap ETF;
* Dimensional International High Profitability ETF;
* Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF;
* Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF; and
* Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF.
* Dimensional US Sustainability Core 1 ETF
* Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF
* Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF
* Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF
* Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF
* Dimensional US Large Cap Value ETF,
(n) | Rule 18f-3 Plan. |
Not Applicable.
(p) | Code of Ethics |
(1) | Code of Ethics of Registrant, Advisor, Sub-Advisers and Underwriter |
ELECTRONICALLY FILED HEREWITH AS EXHIBIT EX-28.p.1
(q) | Power of Attorney |
(ii) | Certified Resolution Regarding Powers of Attorney, previously filed as Exhibit EX-28.q.ii with the Trust’s registration statement on January 11, 2022, is hereby incorporated by reference. |
ITEM 29. | PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH THE FUND. |
None
ITEM 30. | INDEMNIFICATION. |
Reference is made to Article VII of the Registrant’s Agreement and Declaration of Trust, which is incorporated by reference.
Pursuant to Rule 484 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant furnishes the following undertaking:
Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) may be permitted to the trustees, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act, and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, an officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such trustee, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
ITEM 31. | BUSINESS AND OTHER CONNECTIONS OF THE INVESTMENT ADVISER. |
(a) Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, with a principal place of business located at 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One, Austin TX 78746, the investment manager for the Registrant, is also the investment manager for four other registered open-end investment companies, DFA Investment Dimensions Group
Inc., The DFA Investment Trust Company, Dimensional Emerging Markets Value Fund and Dimensional Investment Group Inc. The Advisor also serves as sub-advisor for certain other registered investment companies.
The Advisor is engaged in the business of providing investment advice primarily to institutional investors. For additional information, please see “Management of the Fund” in PART A and “Directors and Officers” in PART B of this Registration Statement.
Additional information as to the Advisor and the partners and executive officers of the Advisor is included in the Advisor’s Form ADV filed with the Commission (File No. 801-16283), which is incorporated herein by reference and sets forth the executive officers and partners of the Advisor and information as to any business, profession, vocation or employment or a substantial nature engaged in by those officers and partners during the past two years.
(b) The Sub-Advisor for the Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF, Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF, Dimensional International Value ETF, Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF, Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF, Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF, Dimensional Inflation-Protected Securities ETF, Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF, Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF, Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF, Dimensional International Small Cap ETF, Dimensional International High Profitability ETF, Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF, Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF, Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF, Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF, Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF, Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF and Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF, each a series of the Registrant, is Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. (“DFAL”). DFAL has its principal place of business is 20 Triton Street, Regent’s Place, London, NW13BF, United Kingdom. Additional information as to the DFAL and the directors and officers of DFAL is included in the DFAL’s Form ADV filed with the Commission (File No. 801-40136), which is incorporated herein by reference and sets forth the officers and directors of DFAL and information as to any business, profession, vocation or employment or a substantial nature engaged in by those officers and directors during the past two years.
(c) The Sub-Advisor for the Dimensional Emerging Core Equity Market ETF, Dimensional International Core Equity Market ETF, Dimensional International Value ETF, Dimensional World ex U.S. Core Equity 2 ETF, Dimensional Core Fixed Income ETF, Dimensional Short-Duration Fixed Income ETF, Dimensional Inflation-Protected Securities ETF, Dimensional National Municipal Bond ETF, Dimensional International Core Equity 2 ETF, Dimensional International Small Cap Value ETF Dimensional International Small Cap ETF, Dimensional International High Profitability ETF, Dimensional Emerging Markets High Profitability ETF, Dimensional Emerging Markets Value ETF, Dimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF, Dimensional International Sustainability Core 1 ETF, Dimensional Emerging Markets Sustainability Core 1 ETF, Dimensional Global Sustainability Fixed Income ETF and Dimensional Global Real Estate ETF, each a series of the Registrant, is DFA Australia Limited (“DFA Australia”). DFA Australia has its principal place of business is Level 43 Gateway, 1 MacQuarie Place, Sydney, New South Wales 2000, Australia. Additional information as to DFA Australia and the directors and officers of DFA Australia is included in DFA Australia’s Form ADV filed with the Commission (File No. 801-48036), which is incorporated herein by reference and sets forth the officers and directors of DFA Australia and information as to any business, profession, vocation or employment or a substantial nature engaged in by those officers and directors during the past two years.
ITEM 32. | PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS. |
(a) | DFA Securities LLC, (“DFAS”) is the principal underwriter for the Registrant. DFAS also serves as principal underwriter for DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc., The DFA Investment Trust Company, Dimensional Emerging Markets Value Fund and Dimensional Investment Group Inc. | |
(b) | The following table sets forth information as to the Distributor’s Officers, Partners and Control Persons. The address of each officer is 6300 Bee Cave Road, Austin, Texas 78746: |
Name
and Principal Business Address |
Positions
and Offices with Underwriter |
Positions and Offices with Fund |
Valerie A. Brown | Vice President and Assistant Secretary | Vice President and Assistant Secretary |
Ryan P. Buechner | Vice President | Vice President and Assistant Secretary |
David P. Butler | Co-Chief Executive Officer | Co-Chief Executive Officer and Trustee |
Stephen A. Clark | Executive Vice President | Executive Vice President |
Lisa M. Dallmer | Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer | Chief Operating Officer |
Bernard J. Grzelak | Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer |
Vice President |
Jeff J. Jeon | Vice President | Vice President |
Joy L. Lopez | Vice President | Vice President and Assistant Treasurer |
Kenneth M. Manell | Vice President | Vice President |
Jan Miller | Vice President | Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer |
Catherine L. Newell | Executive Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel | President and General Counsel |
Selwyn J. Notelovitz | Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer | Vice President |
Carolyn L. O | Vice President | Vice President and Secretary |
Randy C. Olson | Vice President | Chief Compliance Officer |
Gerard K. O’Reilly | Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer | Co-Chief Executive Officer, Chief Investment Officer, Chairman and Trustee |
James J. Taylor | Vice President | Vice President and Assistant Treasurer |
David G. Booth | Chairman | Not Applicable |
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP | Sole Member | Not Applicable |
(c) | Not applicable |
ITEM 33. | LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS. |
Name | Address |
Dimensional ETF Trust | 6300 Bee Cave Road, Building One Austin, TX 78746 |
Citibank, N.A. | 111 Wall Street New York, New York 10005 |
Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. | 400 Easton Commons, Suite 200, Columbus, Ohio 43219 |
ITEM 34. | MANAGEMENT SERVICES. |
There are no management-related service contracts not discussed in Part A or Part B.
ITEM 35. | UNDERTAKINGS. |
Not Applicable
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this registration statement under rule 485(b) under the Securities Act and has duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment Nos. 19/23 to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Austin, the State of Texas, as of this 28th day of February, 2023.
DIMENSIONAL ETF TRUST | ||
(Registrant) | ||
By: | /s/ Catherine L. Newell* | |
Catherine L. Newell, President | ||
(Signature and Title) |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated:
Signature | Title | Date | ||
/s/ Gerard K. O’Reilly* | Co-Chief Executive Officer, Chief Investment Officer, Chairman and Trustee | February 28, 2023 | ||
Gerard K. O’Reilly | ||||
/s/ David P. Butler* | Co-Chief Executive Officer and Trustee | February 28, 2023 | ||
David P. Butler | ||||
/s/ Jan Miller* | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer), Treasurer (Principal Accounting Officer) and Vice President |
February 28, 2023 | ||
Jan Miller | ||||
/s/ Reena Aggarwal* | Trustee | February 28, 2023 | ||
Reena Aggarwal | ||||
/s/ George M. Constantinides* | Trustee | February 28, 2023 | ||
George M. Constantinides | ||||
/s/ Douglas W. Diamond* | Trustee | February 28, 2023 | ||
Douglas W. Diamond | ||||
/s/ Darrell Duffie* | Trustee | February 28, 2023 | ||
Darrell Duffie | ||||
/s/ Francis A. Longstaff* | Trustee | February 28, 2023 | ||
Francis A. Longstaff | ||||
/s/ Abbie J. Smith* | Trustee | February 28, 2023 | ||
Abbie J. Smith | ||||
/s/ Heather E. Tookes* | Trustee | February 28, 2023 | ||
Heather E. Tookes | ||||
/s/ Ingrid M. Werner* | Trustee | February 28, 2023 | ||
Ingrid M. Werner |
* By: | /s/ Ryan P. Buechner | |
Ryan P. Buechner | ||
Attorney-in-Fact (Pursuant to a Power of Attorney) |
DIMENSIONAL ETF TRUST
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
EXHIBITS INDEX