Main BuyWrite ETF
(BUYW)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annual Report
October 31, 2023
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1-866-383-9778
www.mainmgtetfs.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This report and the financial statements contained herein are submitted for the general information of shareholders and are not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless preceded or accompanied by an effective prospectus. Nothing herein contained is to be considered an offer of sale or solicitation of an offer to buy shares of the Main BuyWrite ETF. Such offering is made only by prospectus, which includes details as to offering price and other material information.
 
Distributed by Northern Lights Distributors, LLC.
Member FINRA
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

October 31, 2023

 

Dear Shareholder,

 

For the year ended October 31, 2023, the Fund has returned +14.04%. Over the same time period, the Morningstar US Fund Derivative Income Category returned +7.08%, the CBOE S&P 500 BuyWrite Index (BXM) gained 7.27%, and the HFRI Equity Hedge Index returned +4.32%. The overall portfolio remains positioned with a barbell approach between growth and value. The strongest positive contributions to the Fund’s performance have come from its positions in the Semiconductors (SMH), and the NASDAQ (QQQ), while its positions in Biotechnology (XBI) and Industrials (XLI) have weighed on performance. As equity markets have been higher during the trailing 1 year, the options writing has negatively impacted performance, which has historically been the case when markets are moving higher. However, the options contributed positively to performance in the 3rd quarter of 2023 as markets moved lower. As we head into 2024, we will continue to actively manage the call writing with longer-dated covered call options paired with shorter-dated ones. Doing so we are seeking to take advantage of volatility moves as they occur. We feel that the strategy remains well-positioned in the current environment and may be a good complement to a fixed income allocation by providing additional income.

 

We at Main Management Fund Advisors, LLC would like to thank you for being an investor in Main BuyWrite ETF and look forward to working with you once more in the coming year.

 

Glossary of Terms:

 

Morningstar US Fund Derivative Income Category – Derivative income strategies primarily use an options overlay to generate income while maintaining significant exposure to equity market risk. Income is typically generated through covered call writing strategies, for example, while traditional equity risk factors dictate a substantial portion of the return.

 

Source: Morningstar Report: Morningstar Institutional Categories

 

CBOE S&P 500 BuyWrite Index (BXM) – The index is a passive total return index based on selling the near-term, near-the-money S&P 500 Index (SPX®) call option against the S&P 500 stock index portfolio each month. The SPX call that is sold (or written) will have approximately one month remaining to expiration, with an exercise price just above the prevailing index level (i.e., slightly out of the money). The premium collected from the sale of the call is added to the portfolio’s total value.

 

Source: CBOE.com

 

HFRI Equity Hedge Index: The index tracks approximately 2,000 hedge funds dating back to 1990 on an equal weighted basis. It is a non-investible index. Equity Hedge strategies maintain positions both long and short in primarily equity and equity derivative securities. A wide variety of investment processes can be employed to arrive at an investment decision, including both quantitative and fundamental techniques; strategies can be broadly diversified or narrowly focused on specific sectors and can range broadly in terms of levels of net exposure, leverage employed, holding period, concentrations of market capitalizations and valuation ranges of typical portfolios.

 

Source: Hedge Fund Research (www.hedgefundresearch.com)

 

8166-NLD-11072023

1

 

MAIN BUYWRITE ETF
PORTFOLIO REVIEW (Unaudited)
October 31, 2023
 

The Fund’s performance figures* for the periods ended October 31, 2023, as compared to its benchmark:

 

  One Year Five Year Since Inception  
Main BuyWrite ETF - NAV 14.04% 6.03% 4.73% (1)
Main BuyWrite ETF - Market Price 14.11% N/A 10.36% (2)
HFRI Equity Hedge Index (4) 1.32% 5.67% 5.36% (3)
   

Comparison of the Change in Value of a $100,000 Investment

 

(LINE GRAPH)

 

* The Fund was converted into an ETF on September 9, 2022 from the Main BuyWrite Fund (the “Predecessor Fund”). Performance prior to September 9, 2022 is that of the Predecessor Fund. The Fund’s past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or on the sales of Fund shares. Current performance of the Fund may be lower or higher than the performance quoted. Performance data current to the most recent month end may be obtained by visiting www.mainmgtetfs.com or by calling 1-866-383-9778. The Fund’s per share net asset value or NAV is the value of one share of the Fund as calculated in accordance with the standard formula for valuing fund shares. The NAV return is based on the NAV of the Fund and the market return is based on the market price per share of the Fund. Since November 2, 2020, market price returns are calculated using the closing price and account for distributions from the Fund. Prior to November 2, 2020, market price returns were calculated using the midpoint price and accounted for distributions from the Fund. The midpoint is the average of the bid-ask prices at 4:00 PM ET (when NAV is normally determined for most funds). Market and NAV returns assume that dividends and capital gain distributions have been reinvested in the Fund at Market Price and NAV, respectively. The Fund’s adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its fees and/or absorb expenses of the Fund, until at least February 28, 2033, to ensure that total annual fund operating expenses after fee waiver and/or reimbursement (exclusive of any front-end or contingent deferred loads, taxes, brokerage fees and commissions, borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expense on securities sold short), acquired fund fees and expenses, fees and expenses associated with investments in other collective investment vehicles or derivative instruments (including for example option and swap fees and expenses), or extraordinary expenses such as litigation (which may include indemnification of Fund officers and Trustees, contractual indemnification of Fund service providers (other than the adviser))) will not exceed 1.20% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. These fee waivers and expense reimbursements are subject to possible recoupment by the adviser from the Fund in future years (within the three years from the time the fees were waived or reimbursed), if such recoupment can be achieved within the lesser of the foregoing expense limits or those in place at the time of recapture. This agreement may be terminated by the Board of Trustees only on 60 days’ written notice to the adviser. The Fund’s total annual operating expenses are 1.31%, including acquired fund fees and expenses, per the February 28, 2023 Prospectus.

 

(1) Inception date is December 29, 2015.

 

(2) Inception date is September 12, 2022

 

(3) Inception date is December 31, 2015.

 

(4) HFRI Equity Hedge Index

 

Equity Hedge (“EH”) managers are investment managers who maintain positions both long and short in primarily equity and equity derivative securities. A wide variety of investment processes can be employed to arrive at an investment decision, including both quantitative and fundamental techniques; strategies can be broadly diversified or narrowly focused on specific sectors and can range broadly in terms of levels of net exposure, leverage employed, holding period, concentrations of market capitalizations and valuation ranges of typical portfolios. EH managers would typically maintain at least 50% exposure to, and may in some cases be entirely invested in, equities, both long and short. Index returns assume reinvestment of dividends. Investors may not invest in the indexes directly; unlike the Fund’s returns, the indexes do not reflect any fees or expenses

 

Holdings By Asset Type   % of Net Assets  
Exchange-Traded Funds     110.9 %
Call Options Written     (12.3 )%
Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities     1.4 %
      100.0 %
         

Please refer to the Schedule of Investments in this annual report for a detailed listing of the Fund’s holdings.

2

 

MAIN BUYWRITE ETF
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
October 31, 2023

 

Shares         Fair Value  
        EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS — 110.9%        
        EQUITY - 107.5%        
  234,800     Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund(a)   $ 35,713,080  
  385,500     Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund     37,917,780  
  117,700     Invesco QQQ Trust Series 1(a)     41,297,399  
  458,200     iShares MSCI EAFE ETF(a)     30,662,744  
  331,400     SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust(a)     138,591,480  
  300,100     SPDR S&P Biotech ETF(a)     19,875,623  
  285,100     VanEck Semiconductor ETF(a)     39,614,645  
              343,672,751  
        FIXED INCOME - 3.4%        
  215,350     iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF     10,929,012  
                 
        TOTAL EXCHANGE-TRADED FUNDS (Cost $337,519,294)     354,601,763  
                 
        TOTAL INVESTMENTS – 110.9% (Cost $337,519,294)   $ 354,601,763  
        CALL OPTIONS WRITTEN - (12.3)% (Proceeds - $55,907,101)     (39,349,290 )
        OTHER ASSETS IN EXCESS OF LIABILITIES - 1.4%     4,350,940  
        NET ASSETS - 100.0%   $ 319,603,413  

 

Contracts(b)         Expiration
Date
  Exercise
Price
    Notional
Value
       
        WRITTEN EQUITY OPTIONS - (12.3)%                    
        CALL OPTIONS WRITTEN - (12.3)%                        
  2,348     Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR Fund   12/15/2023   $ 132.00     $ 30,993,600     $ 5,095,160  
  1,177     Invesco QQQ Trust Series 1   12/15/2023     265.00       31,190,500       10,370,547  
  4,508     iShares MSCI EAFE ETF   12/15/2023     68.00       30,654,400       531,944  
  3,314     SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust   12/15/2023     385.00       127,589,000       12,533,548  
  2,913     SPDR S&P Biotech ETF   12/15/2023     71.00       20,682,300       333,538  
  2,851     VanEck Semiconductor ETF   11/17/2023     102.50       29,222,750       10,484,553  
        TOTAL CALL OPTIONS WRITTEN (Proceeds - $55,907,101)             39,349,290  

 

EAFE  - Europe, Australasia and Far East
   
ETF - Exchange-Traded Fund
   
MSCI - Morgan Stanley Capital International
   
SPDR - Standard & Poor’s Depositary Receipt
   
(a) All or a portion of the security is held as collateral for written options. As of October 31, 2023, the fair value of the securities held as collateral was $304,676,939.

 

(b) Each option contract allows the holder of the option to purchase or sell 100 shares of the underlying security.

3

 

MAIN BUYWRITE ETF
STATEMENT OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
October 31, 2023

 

ASSETS        
Investment securities:        
At cost   $ 337,519,294  
At value   $ 354,601,763  
Cash and cash equivalents     5,978,465  
Cash held for collateral at broker for options     627,386  
Receivable for fund shares sold     6,196,781  
Receivable for securities sold     41,144  
Dividends and interest receivable     39  
Prepaid expenses and other assets     3,179  
TOTAL ASSETS     367,448,757  
         
LIABILITIES        
Options written at fair value (Proceeds $55,907,101)     39,349,290  
Payable for securities purchased     6,341,760  
Distributions Payable     1,556,010  
Investment advisory fees payable     483,621  
Payable to related parties     52,288  
Other accrued expenses and other liabilities     62,375  
TOTAL LIABILITIES     47,845,344  
NET ASSETS   $ 319,603,413  
         
NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:        
Paid in capital   $ 297,889,918  
Distributable earnings     21,713,495  
NET ASSETS   $ 319,603,413  
         
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE:        
Net Assets   $ 319,603,413  
Shares of beneficial interest outstanding ($0 par value, unlimited shares authorized)     24,183,563  
Net asset value (Net Assets ÷ Shares Outstanding), offering price and redemption price per share   $ 13.22  
         

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

4

 

MAIN BUYWRITE ETF
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

 

    For the  
    Year Ended  
    October 31, 2023  
INVESTMENT INCOME        
Dividends   $ 3,429,487  
Interest     130,183  
TOTAL INVESTMENT INCOME     3,559,670  
         
EXPENSES        
Investment advisory fees     2,142,476  
Administrative services fees     141,246  
Professional fees     44,682  
Printing and postage expenses     97,072  
Custodian fees     39,241  
Transfer agent fees     24,007  
Compliance Officer fees     13,976  
Accounting services fees     15,002  
Trustees fees and expenses     15,991  
Other expenses     15,742  
Insurance expense     9,173  
TOTAL EXPENSES     2,558,608  
         
Fees recaptured by the Advisor     22,479  
Less: Fees waived by the Administrator     (25,000 )
         
NET EXPENSES     2,556,087  
         
NET INVESTMENT INCOME     1,003,583  
         
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS, IN-KIND REDEMPTIONS AND OPTIONS WRITTEN        
Net realized gain (loss) on:        
Investments     (514,537 )
In-kind redemptions     10,260,583  
Options written     (9,266,270 )
      479,776  
Net change in unrealized appreciation on:        
Investments     5,780,384  
Options written     17,488,778  
      23,269,162  
         
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN ON INVESTMENTS, IN-KIND REDEMPTIONS AND OPTIONS WRITTEN     23,748,938  
         
NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS   $ 24,752,521  
         

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

5

 

MAIN BUYWRITE ETF
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS

 

    For the     For the  
    Year Ended     Year Ended  
    October 31, 2023       October 31, 2022  
FROM OPERATIONS:                
Net investment income   $ 1,003,583     $ 220,821  
Net realized gain from investments, in-kind redemptions and options written     479,776       7,069,016  
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments and options written     23,269,162       (10,019,374 )
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations     24,752,521       (2,729,537 )
                 
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:                
Distributions paid     (11,407,075 )     (67,589 )
Return of capital     (1,545,990 )      
Decrease in net assets resulting from distributions to shareholders     (12,953,065 )     (67,589 )
                 
FROM SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST:                
Proceeds from shares sold     275,294,263       45,612,255  
Reinvestment of distributions           67,589  
Payments for shares redeemed     (118,951,853 )     (17,617,707 )
Net increase in net assets resulting from shares of beneficial interest     156,342,410       28,062,137  
                 
TOTAL INCREASE IN NET ASSETS     168,141,866       25,265,011  
                 
NET ASSETS                
Beginning of Year     151,461,547       126,196,536  
End of Year   $ 319,603,413     $ 151,461,547  
                 
SHARE ACTIVITY                
Shares Sold     21,060,000       3,688,972  
Shares Reinvested           5,403  
Shares Redeemed     (9,240,000 )     (1,433,753 )
Net increase in shares of beneficial interest outstanding     11,820,000       2,260,622  
                 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

6

 

MAIN BUYWRITE ETF
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
 
Per Share Data and Ratios for a Share of Beneficial Interest Outstanding Throughout Each Year/Period

 

    For the     For the     For the     For the     For the     For the  
    Year Ended     Year Ended     Period* Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended     Year Ended  
    October 31, 2023     October 31, 2022     October 31, 2021     November 30, 2020     November 30, 2019     November 30, 2018  
Net asset value, beginning of year/period   $ 12.25     $ 12.49     $ 11.26     $ 11.15     $ 11.00     $ 10.84  
                                                 
Income from investment operations:                                                
Net investment income (1,8)     0.06       0.02       0.00  (2)     0.10       0.05       0.02  
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and options written     1.64       (0.25 )     1.26       0.10  (3)     0.16       0.19  (3)
Total from investment operations     1.70       (0.23 )     1.26       0.20       0.21       0.21  
                                                 
Less distributions from:                                                
Net investment income     (0.66 )     (0.01 )     (0.03 )     (0.09 )     (0.05 )     (0.05 )
Return of capital     (0.07 )                 (0.00 ) (2)     (0.01 )      
Total distributions     (0.73 )     (0.01 )     (0.03 )     (0.09 )     (0.06 )     (0.05 )
                                                 
Paid-in-Capital From Redemption Fees                       0.00  (2)     0.00  (2)     0.00  (2)
Net asset value, end of year/period   $ 13.22     $ 12.25     $ 12.49     $ 11.26     $ 11.15     $ 11.00  
Market price, end of year/period ^   $ 13.24     $ 12.26                          
Total return (4)     14.04 %     (1.87 )%     11.21 % (5)     1.84 %     1.97 %     1.92 %
Net assets, at end of year/period (000s)   $ 319,603     $ 151,462     $ 126,197     $ 57,183     $ 77,342     $ 64,039  
                                                 
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets before waiver/recapture (6,8)     1.13 %     1.35 %     1.38 % (7)     1.48 %     1.39 %     1.48 %
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets after waiver/recapture (8)     1.13 % (10)     1.20 %     1.20 % (7)     1.20 %     1.20 %     1.20 %
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (9)     0.44 % (10)     0.16 %     0.02 % (7)     1.01 %     0.50 %     0.18 %
                                                 
Portfolio Turnover Rate     4 %     63 %     48 % (5)     95 %     51 %     22 %
                                                 
* Represents the period December 1, 2020 to October 31, 2021.

 

^ Market Price is determined by using the midpoint between the highest bid and the lowest offer on the primary stock exchange on which shares of the Fund are listed for trading, as of the time that the Fund’s NAV is calculated.

 

(1) Per share amounts calculated using the average shares method.

 

(2) Amount represents less than $0.005 per share.

 

(3) Realized and unrealized gains per share in this caption are balancing amounts necessary to reconcile the change in net asset value per share for the period, and may not reconcile with aggregate gains and losses in the Statement of Operations due to timing of share transactions during the year.

 

(4) Total returns are historical in nature and assume changes in share price, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions, if any.

 

(5) Not annualized.

 

(6) Represents the ratio of expenses to average net assets absent fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements by the advisor/administrator.

 

(7) Annualized.

 

(8) Does not include the expenses of other investment companies in which the Fund invests.

 

(9) Recognition of investment income by the Fund is affected by the timing and declaration of dividends by the underlying investment companies in which the Fund invests.

 

(10) Ratios include 0.01% of waived administrator fees during the year ended October 31, 2023.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

7

 

MAIN BUYWRITE ETF
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
October 31, 2023
 
1. ORGANIZATION

 

The Main BuyWrite ETF (the “Fund”) is a diversified series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV (the “Trust”), a Trust organized under the laws of the State of Delaware on June 2, 2015, and registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company. The Fund’s investment objective is to seek to provide total return from current income and gains from long-term capital appreciation. Effective as of the close of business on September 9, 2022, the Fund converted from a mutual fund to an ETF, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Reorganization. The reorganization was accomplished by a tax-free exchange of shares (with an exception for fractional mutual fund shares). The costs of the reorganization were borne by the Adviser. The reorganization did not result in a material change to the investment portfolio. The predecessor Fund offered Class I shares and commenced operations on December 29, 2015. The Fund is a “fund of funds” in that the Fund will generally invest in other investment companies.

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Fund in preparation of its financial statements. These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses for the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Fund is an investment company and accordingly follows the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 “Financial Services – Investment Companies.

 

Security Valuation – Securities listed on an exchange are valued at the last reported sale price at the close of the regular trading session of the exchange on the business day the value is being determined, or in the case of securities listed on NASDAQ at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price (“NOCP”). In the absence of a sale, such securities shall be valued at the mean between the current bid and ask prices on the day of valuation. Futures and future options are valued at the final settle price or, in the absence of a settle price, at the last sale price on the day of valuation. Equity Options contracts listed on a securities exchange or board of trade for which market quotations are readily available shall be valued at the last quoted sales price or, in the absence of a sale, at the mean between the current bid and ask prices on the day of valuation. Option contracts not listed on a securities exchange or board of trade for which over-the-counter market quotations are readily available shall be valued at the mean between the current bid and ask prices on the day of valuation. Index options shall be valued at the mean between the current bid and ask prices on the day of valuation. Short-term debt obligations, having 60 days or less remaining until maturity at time of purchase, may be valued at amortized cost which approximates value. Debt securities (other than short-term obligations) are valued each day by an independent pricing service approved by the Board based on methods which include consideration of: yields or prices of securities of comparable quality, coupon, maturity and type, indications as to values from dealers, and general market conditions or market quotations from a major market maker in the securities.

 

Valuation of Underlying Funds – The Fund may invest in portfolios of open-end or closed-end investment companies (the “Underlying Funds”). Mutual funds are valued at their respective net asset value per share (“NAV”) as reported by such investment companies. Exchange Traded Funds (“ETFs”) are valued at the last reported sales price or official closing price. Open-end investment companies value securities in their portfolios for which market quotations are readily available at their market values (generally the last reported sale price) and all other securities and assets at their fair value to the methods established by the board of directors of the open-end funds. The shares of many closed-end investment companies and ETFs, after their initial public offering, frequently trade at a price per share which is different than the NAV. The difference represents a market premium or market discount of such shares. There can be no assurances that the market discount or market premium on shares of any closed-end investment company or ETF purchased by the Fund will not change.

 

The Fund may hold investments, such as private investments, interests in commodity pools, other non-traded securities or temporarily illiquid securities, for which market quotations are not readily available or are determined to be unreliable. These securities will be valued using the “fair value” procedures approved by the Board of Trustees “Board”. The Board has delegated execution of these procedures to the Adviser as its valuation

8

 

MAIN BUYWRITE ETF
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
October 31, 2023
 

designee (the “Valuation Designee”) . The Board may also enlist third party consultants such as a valuation specialist at a public accounting firm, valuation consultant or financial officer of a security issuer on an as-needed basis to assist the Valuation Designee in determining a security-specific fair value. The Board is responsible for reviewing and approving fair value methodologies utilized by the Valuation Designee, which approval shall be based upon whether the Valuation Designee followed the valuation procedures established by the Board.

 

Fair Valuation Process. Applicable investments are valued by the Valuation Designee pursuant to valuation procedures established by the Board. For example, fair value determinations are required for the following securities: (i) securities for which market quotations are insufficient or not readily available on a particular business day (including securities for which there is a short and temporary lapse in the provision of a price by the regular pricing source); (ii) securities for which, in the judgment of the Valuation Designee, the prices or values available do not represent the fair value of the instrument; factors which may cause the Valuation Designee to make such a judgment include, but are not limited to, the following: only a bid price or an asked price is available; the spread between bid and asked prices is substantial; the frequency of sales; the thinness of the market; the size of reported trades; and actions of the securities markets, such as the suspension or limitation of trading; (iii) securities determined to be illiquid; and (iv) securities with respect to which an event that will affect the value thereof has occurred (a “significant event”) since the closing prices were established on the principal exchange on which they are traded, but prior to a Fund’s calculation of its net asset value. Specifically, interests in commodity pools or managed futures pools are valued on a daily basis by reference to the closing market prices of each futures contract or other asset held by a pool, as adjusted for pool expenses. Restricted or illiquid investments, such as private investments or non-traded securities are valued based upon the current bid for the security from two or more independent dealers or other parties reasonably familiar with the facts and circumstances of the security (who should take into consideration all relevant factors as may be appropriate under the circumstances). If a current bid from such independent dealers or other independent parties is unavailable, the Valuation Designee shall determine, the fair value of such security using the following factors: (i) the type of security; (ii) the cost at date of purchase; (iii) the size and nature of the Fund’s holdings; (iv) the discount from market value of unrestricted securities of the same class at the time of purchase and subsequent thereto; (v) information as to any transactions or offers with respect to the security; (vi) the nature and duration of restrictions on disposition of the security and the existence of any registration rights; (vii) how the yield of the security compares to similar securities of companies of similar or equal creditworthiness; (viii) the level of recent trades of similar or comparable securities; (ix) the liquidity characteristics of the security; (x) current market conditions; and (xi) the market value of any securities into which the security is convertible or exchangeable.

 

The Fund utilizes various methods to measure the fair value of its investments on a recurring basis. GAAP establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation methods. The three levels of input are:

 

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities that the Fund has the ability to access.

 

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument in an inactive market, prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, yield curves, default rates and similar data.

 

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the Fund’s own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.

 

The availability of observable inputs can vary from security to security and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of security, whether the security is new and not yet established in the marketplace, the liquidity of markets, and other characteristics particular to the security. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.

9

 

MAIN BUYWRITE ETF
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
October 31, 2023
 

The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls in its entirety, is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

 

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The following tables summarize the inputs used as of October 31, 2023 for the Fund’s investments measured at fair value:

 

Assets   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Exchange-Traded Funds   $ 354,601,763     $     $     $ 354,601,763  
Total     $ 354,601,763     $     $     $ 354,601,763  
Liabilities   Level 1     Level 2     Level 3     Total  
Call Options Written   $     $ 39,349,290     $     $ 39,349,290  
Total     $     $ 39,349,290     $     $ 39,349,290  

 

The Fund did not hold any Level 3 securities during the period.

 

Exchange Traded Funds – The Fund may invest in ETFs. ETFs are a type of fund bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF trades like common stock and represents a portfolio of securities. The Fund may purchase an ETF to gain exposure to a portion of the U.S. or a foreign market. The risks of owning an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities they are designed to track, although the lack of liquidity on an ETF could result in it being more volatile. Additionally, ETFs have fees and expenses that reduce their value.

 

Option Transactions – When the Fund writes a call option, an amount equal to the premium received is included in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as a liability. The amount of the liability is subsequently marked-to-market to reflect the current market value of the option. If an option expires on its stipulated expiration date or if the Fund enters into a closing purchase transaction, a gain or loss is realized. If a written call option is exercised, a gain or loss is realized for the sale of the underlying security and the proceeds from the sale are increased by the premium originally received. As writer of an option, the Fund has no control over whether the option will be exercised and, as a result, retains the market risk of an unfavorable change in the price of the security underlying the written option.

 

The Fund may purchase put and call options. A call option on a security is a contract that gives the holder of the option, in return for a premium, the right, but not the obligation, to buy from the writer of the option the security underlying the option at a specified exercise or “strike” price by or before the contract’s expiration. Put options are purchased to hedge against a decline in the value of securities held in the Fund’s portfolio. If such a decline occurs, the put options will permit the Fund to sell the securities underlying such options at the exercise price, or to close out the options at a profit. The premium paid for a put or call option plus any transaction costs will reduce the benefit, if any, realized by the Fund upon exercise of the option, and, unless the price of the underlying security rises or declines sufficiently, the option may expire worthless to the Fund. In addition, in the event that the price of the security in connection with which an option was purchased moves in a direction favorable to the Fund, the benefits realized by the Fund as a result of such favorable movement will be reduced by the amount of the premium paid for the option and related transaction costs. Written and purchased options are non-income producing securities. With purchased options, there is minimal counterparty risk to the Fund since these options are exchange traded and the exchange’s clearinghouse, as counterparty to all exchange traded options, guarantees against a possible default. Securities held as collateral for options is reported on the Schedule of Investments.

 

“BuyWrite” is an investment strategy of writing (selling) call options on a security owned by the Fund to generate additional returns from the option premium. The Fund also seeks returns by writing (selling) secured put options. A “put option” is an option contract that gives the owner the right to sell the underlying security at a specified price (the strike price) until its expiration at a fixed date in the future. The Fund seeks to achieve risk-adjusted returns through targeted allocations by analyzing interest and currency rates, inflation trends, economic growth forecasts

10

 

MAIN BUYWRITE ETF
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
October 31, 2023
 

and other global and capital market fundamentals. The Fund’s option strategy may also have the benefit of reducing the volatility of the Fund’s portfolio in comparison to that of broad equity market indexes.

 

Written call and put options may limit the Fund’s participation in equity market gains and may magnify the losses if the price of the written option instrument increases in value between the date when the Fund writes the option and the date on which the Fund purchases an offsetting position. The Fund will incur a loss as a result of a written option (also known as a short position) if the price of the written option instrument increases in value between the date when the Fund writes the option and the date on which the Fund purchases an offsetting position. Call options involve risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments.

 

Derivatives Risk – The Fund’s use of derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities and other traditional investments. These risks include (i) the risk that the counterparty to a derivative transaction may not fulfill its contractual obligations; (ii) risk of mispricing or improper valuation; and (iii) the risk that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying asset, rate or index. Derivative prices are highly volatile and may fluctuate substantially during a short period of time. Such prices are influenced by numerous factors that affect the markets, including, but not limited to: changing supply and demand relationships; government programs and policies; national and international political and economic events; changes in interest rates, inflation and deflation; and changes in supply and demand relationships. Trading derivative instruments involves risks different from, or possibly greater than, the risks associated with investing directly in securities including:

 

Leverage and Volatility Risk: Derivative contracts ordinarily have leverage inherent in their terms. The low margin deposits normally required in trading derivatives, including options, permit a high degree of leverage. Accordingly, a relatively small price movement may result in an immediate and substantial loss to the Fund. The use of leverage may also cause the Fund to liquidate portfolio positions when it would not be advantageous to do so in order to satisfy its obligations or to meet collateral segregation requirements. The use of leveraged derivatives can magnify the Fund’s potential for gain or loss and, therefore, amplify the effects of market volatility on the Fund’s share price.

 

Options Risk: There are risks associated with the sale and purchase of call and put options. As a seller (writer) of a put option, the Fund will tend to lose money if the value of the reference index or security falls below the strike price. As the seller (writer) of a call option, the Fund may experience lower returns if the value of the reference index or security rises above the strike price.

 

Security Transactions and Related Income – Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis. Discounts are accreted and premiums are amortized on securities purchased over the lives of the respective securities using the effective yield method. Dividend income and expense are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Realized gains or losses from sales of securities are determined by comparing the identified cost of the security lot sold with the net sales proceeds. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends have been provided for in accordance with the Fund’s understanding of the applicable country’s tax rules and rates.

 

Dividends and Distributions to Shareholders – Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid quarterly. Distributable net realized capital gains, if any, are declared and distributed annually. Dividends from net investment income and distributions from net realized gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are considered either temporary (e.g., deferred losses, capital loss carryforwards, etc.) or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences do not require reclassification. Any such reclassifications will have no effect on net assets, results of operations, or net asset value per share of the Fund.

11

 

MAIN BUYWRITE ETF
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
October 31, 2023
 

Federal Income Tax – The Fund complies with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of its taxable income to shareholders. Therefore, no provision for federal income tax is required. The Fund recognizes the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only where the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained assuming examination by tax authorities. Management has analyzed the Fund’s tax positions and has concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions taken on returns filed for open tax years ended November 30, 2020, and the period ended October 31, 2022, or expected to be taken in the Fund’s October 31, 2023 year-end tax returns. The Fund identified its major tax jurisdictions as U.S. federal, Ohio, and foreign jurisdictions where the Fund makes significant investments. The Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense in the Statements of Operations. During the year, the Fund did not incur any interest or penalties. The Fund is not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will change materially in the next twelve months.

 

Expenses – Expenses of the Trust that are directly identifiable to a specific fund are charged to that fund. Expenses, which are not readily identifiable to a specific fund, are allocated in such a manner as deemed equitable, taking into consideration the nature and type of expense and the relative sizes of the funds in the Trust.

 

Indemnification – The Trust indemnifies its officers and trustees for certain liabilities that may arise from the performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and which provide general indemnities. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the risk of loss due to these warranties and indemnities appears to be remote.

 

Cash and cash equivalents – Cash and cash equivalents are held with a financial institution and include demand deposits and short-term, liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less. The assets of the Fund may be placed in deposit accounts at U.S. banks and such deposits generally exceed Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance limits. The FDIC insures deposit accounts up to $250,000 for each accountholder. The counterparty is generally a single bank rather than a group of financial institutions; thus there may be a greater counterparty credit risk. The Fund places deposits only with those counterparties which are believed to be creditworthy and there has been no history of loss.

 

Market and Geopolitical Risk – The increasing interconnectivity between global economies and financial markets increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform due to inflation (or expectations for inflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, natural disasters, climate-change and climate-related events, pandemics, epidemics, terrorism, international conflicts, regulatory events and governmental or quasi-governmental actions. The occurrence of global events similar to those in recent years may result in market volatility and may have long term effects on both the U.S. and global financial markets.

 

3. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS

 

For the year ended October 31, 2023, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of portfolio securities (excluding in-kind transactions and short-term investments), amounted to $309,944,678 and $11,075,813 respectively.

 

For the year ended October 31, 2023, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of portfolio securities for in-kind transactions, amounted to $0 and $116,124,004 respectively.

 

4. INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT AND TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES

 

Main Management Fund Advisors, LLC serves as the Fund’s investment adviser (the “Adviser”). Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, the Adviser, under the oversight of the Board, oversees the daily operations of the Fund, manages the Fund’s portfolio, and supervises the performance of administrative and professional services provided by others. As compensation for its services and the related

12

 

MAIN BUYWRITE ETF
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
October 31, 2023
 

expenses borne by the Adviser, the Fund pays the Adviser a management fee, computed and accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.95% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. For the year ended October 31, 2023, the Fund incurred $2,142,476 in advisory fees.

 

The Adviser has contractually agreed to reduce its fees and/or absorb expenses of the Fund, until at least February 28, 2033, to ensure that total annual fund operating expenses after fee waiver and/or reimbursement excluding (i) any front-end or contingent deferred loads; (ii) brokerage fees and commissions, (iii) acquired fund fees and expenses; (iv) fees and expenses associated with investments in other collective investment vehicles or derivative instruments (including for example option and swap fees and expenses); (v) borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expense on securities sold short); (vi) taxes; and (vii) extraordinary expenses, such as litigation expenses (which may include indemnification of Fund officers and Trustees, contractual indemnification of Fund service providers (other than the Adviser)) will not exceed 1.20% of the Fund’s average daily net assets; subject to possible recoupment from the Fund in future years on a rolling three-year basis (within the three years after the fees have been waived or reimbursed) if such recoupment can be achieved within the expense limitations in place at the time of waiver and the expense limitation in place at the time of recapture. The expense limit arrangement may not be terminated during this time period without prior approval of the Board of Trustees on 60 days’ written notice to the Adviser. During the year ended October 31, 2023, the Adviser recaptured previously waived advisory fees in the amount of $22,479. As of October 31, 2023 there are no advisory fees waived available for recapture.

 

Distributor – The distributor of the Funds is Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor”). The Board has adopted, on behalf of the Funds, the Trust’s Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan as amended (the “Plan”), pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, to pay for certain distribution activities and shareholder services related to Fund shares. Under the Plan, the Funds may pay 0.25% per year of the average daily net assets of each Fund’s shares for such distribution and shareholder service activities. As of October 31, 2023, the Plan has not been activated. For the year ended October 31, 2023, the Funds did not incur any distribution fees.

 

The Distributor acts as the Funds’ principal underwriter in a continuous public offering of each Fund’s shares and is an affiliate of Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC.

 

In addition, certain affiliates of the Distributor provide services to the Fund as follows:

 

Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (“UFS”) – UFS, an affiliate of the Distributor, provides administration, fund accounting, and transfer agent services to the Trust. Pursuant to separate servicing agreements with UFS, the Fund pays UFS customary fees for providing administration, fund accounting and transfer agency services to the Fund as shown in the Statements of Operations. Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of UFS, and are not paid any fees directly by the Fund for serving in such capacities. During the year ended October 31, 2023, UFS waived fees in the amount of $25,000. The above mentioned fees are not subject to recapture.

 

Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (“NLCS”) – NLCS, an affiliate of UFS and the Distributor, provides a Chief Compliance Officer to the Trust, as well as related compliance services, pursuant to a consulting agreement between NLCS and the Trust. Under the terms of such agreement, NLCS receives customary fees from the Fund which are included in the compliance officer fees in the Statements of Operations.

 

Blu Giant, LLC (“Blu Giant”) – Blu Giant, an affiliate of UFS and the Distributor, provides EDGAR conversion and filing services as well as print management services for the Fund on an ad-hoc basis. For the provision of these services, Blu Giant receives customary fees from the Fund which are included in the printing and postage expense in the Statements of Operations.

13

 

MAIN BUYWRITE ETF
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
October 31, 2023
 
5. DERIVATIVE TRANSACTIONS

 

The following is a summary of the effect of derivative transactions on the Fund’s Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of October 31, 2023.

 

Contract Type/Primary Risk Exposure   Statement of Assets and Liabilities   Value  
Equity Contract/Equity Price Risk   Options Written at fair value   $ 39,349,290  
             

The following is a summary of the effect of derivative instruments on the Fund’s Statement of Operations for the year ended October 31, 2023.

 

          Net Change in Unrealized  
    Realized Loss     Appreciation  
Contract Type/Primary Risk Exposure   on Options Written     on Options Written  
Equity Contract/Equity Price Risk   $ (9,266,270 )   $ 17,488,778  
                 

The average notional value of derivative instruments outstanding during the year ended October 31, 2023, was $233,688,250.

 

As of October 31, 2023, portfolio securities valued at $304,676,939 were held in escrow as coverage for call options written by the Fund.

 

6. AGGREGATE UNREALIZED APPRECIATION AND DEPRECIATION – TAX BASIS

 

At October 31, 2023, the aggregate cost for federal tax purposes, which differs from fair value by net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of securities, are as follows:

 

      Gross     Gross     Net Unrealized  
Tax     Unrealized     Unrealized     Appreciation  
Cost     Appreciation     (Depreciation)     (Depreciation)  
$ 282,162,138     $ 42,500,587     $ (9,410,252 )   $ 33,090,335  
                             
7. DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS AND TAX COMPONENTS OF CAPITAL

 

The tax character of distributions paid during the periods ended October 31, 2023 and October 31, 2022 was as follows:

 

    Fiscal Year Ended     Fiscal Year Ended  
    October 31, 2023     October 31, 2022  
Ordinary Income   $ 11,407,075     $ 67,589  
Long-Term Capital Gain            
Return of Capital     1,545,990        
    $ 12,953,065     $ 67,589  
                 

As of October 31, 2023, the components of Distributable earnings/(deficit) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

Undistributed     Undistributed     Post October Loss     Capital Loss     Other     Unrealized     Total  
Ordinary     Long-Term     and     Carry     Book/Tax     Appreciation/     Distributable Earnings/  
Income     Gains     Late Year Loss     Forwards     Differences     (Depreciation)     (Accumulated Deficit)  
$     $     $     $ (8,073,560 )   $ (3,303,280 )   $ 33,090,335     $ 21,713,495  

14

 

MAIN BUYWRITE ETF
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
October 31, 2023
 

The difference between book basis and tax basis accumulated net realized gain/(loss), and unrealized appreciation from investments is primarily attributable to the tax deferral of wash sales and straddles. In addition, the amount listed under other book/tax differences for the Fund is primarily attributable to the tax deferral of losses on straddles.

 

At October 31, 2023, the Fund had capital loss carry forwards for federal income tax purposes available to offset future capital gains, as follows:

 

Non-Expiring              
Short-Term     Long-Term     Total     CLCF Utilized  
$ 8,021,003     $ 52,557     $ 8,073,560     $  
                             

Permanent book and tax differences, primarily attributable to distributions in excess and tax adjustments for realized gains (losses) on in-kind redemptions, resulted in reclassifications for the Fund for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2023 as follows:

 

Paid        
In     Distributable  
Capital     Earnings  
$ (166,915 )   $ 166,915  
             
8. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

Shares are not individually redeemable and may be redeemed by the Fund at net asset value only in large blocks known as “Creation Units.” Shares are created and redeemed by the Fund only in Creation Unit size aggregations of 10,000 shares. Only Authorized Participants are permitted to purchase or redeem Creation Units from the Fund. An Authorized Participant is either (i) a broker-dealer or other participant in the clearing process through the Continuous Net Settlement System of the National Securities Clearing Corporation or (ii) a DTC participant and, in each case, must have executed a Participant Agreement with the Distributor. Such transactions are generally permitted on an in-kind basis, with a balancing cash component to equate the transaction to the net asset value per share of the Fund on the transaction date. Cash may be substituted equivalent to the value of certain securities generally when they are not available in sufficient quantity for delivery, not eligible for trading by the Authorized Participant or as a result of other market circumstances. In addition, the Fund may impose transaction fees on purchases and redemptions of Fund’s shares to cover the custodial and other costs incurred by the Fund in effecting trades. A fixed fee payable to the custodian may be imposed on each creation and redemption transaction regardless of the number of Creation Units involved in the transaction (“Fixed Fee”). Purchases and redemptions of Creation Units for cash or involving cash-in-lieu are required to pay an additional variable charge to compensate the Fund and its ongoing shareholders for brokerage and market impact expenses relating to Creation Unit transactions (“Variable Charge,” and together with the Fixed Fee, the “Transaction Fees”). Transactions in capital shares for the Fund is disclosed in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.

 

For the year ended October 31, 2023, the fixed and variable fees were as follows:

 

Fixed Fees     Variable Fees  
$ 28,400     $  
             

The Transaction Fees for the Fund are listed in the table below:

 

Fixed Fee Variable Charge
$200 2.00%*

 

*    The maximum Transaction Fee may be up to 2.00% of the amount invested.

15

 

MAIN BUYWRITE ETF
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
October 31, 2023
 
9. UNDERLYING INVESTMENT IN OTHER INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

The Fund currently invests a significant portion of its assets in the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (“SPDR ETF”) . The Fund may redeem its investment from SPDR ETF at any time if the Adviser determines that it is in the best interest of the Fund and its shareholders to do so. The performance of the Fund will be directly affected by the performance of the SPDR ETF. The financial statements of the SPDR ETF, including its portfolio of investments, can be found at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website, www.sec.gov, and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s financial statements. As of October 31, 2023, the percentage of the Fund’s net assets invested in the SPDR ETF was 43.4%.

 

10. RECENT REGULATORY UPDATES

 

On January 24, 2023, the SEC adopted rule and form amendments to require mutual funds and ETFs to transmit concise and visually engaging streamlined annual and semiannual reports to shareholders that highlight key information. Other information, including financial statements, will not appear in a streamlined shareholder report but must be available online, delivered free of charge upon request, and filed on a semiannual basis on Form N-CSR. The rule and form amendments have a compliance date of July 24, 2024. At this time, management is evaluating the impact of these amendments on the shareholder reports for the Fund.

 

11. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

Subsequent events after the date of the Statement of Assets and Liabilities have been evaluated through the date the financial statements were issued. On December 21, 2023 the Fund made an income distribution of $0.0674 per share. Management has determined that no other events or transactions occurred requiring adjustment or disclosure in the financial statements.

16

 

(COHEN & CO LOGO)

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Shareholders of Main BuyWrite ETF and
Board of Trustees of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Main BuyWrite ETF (the “Fund”), a series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV, as of October 31, 2023, the related statement of operations, the statements of changes in net assets, the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated below (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of October 31, 2023, the results of its operations, the changes in net assets, and the financial highlights for each of the periods indicated below in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

 

Fund Name Statement of
Operations
Statements of
Changes in Net
Assets
Financial
Highlights
Main BuyWrite ETF For the year ended October 31, 2023 For the years ended October 31, 2023 and 2022 For years ended October 31, 2023 and 2022, for the period from December 1, 2020 to October 31, 2021, and for the years ended November 30, 2020, 2019, and 2018
       

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement whether due to error or fraud.

 

COHEN & COMPANY, LTD.

800.229.1099 | 866.818.4538 fax | cohencpa.com

 

Registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board

17

 

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2023, by correspondence with the custodian and broker; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more investment companies with a related advisor since 2015.

 

(-s- COHEN & COMPANY, LTD.)

 

COHEN & COMPANY, LTD.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
December 28, 2023

18

 

MAIN BUYWRITE ETF
EXPENSE EXAMPLE (Unaudited)
October 31, 2023
 

As a shareholder of the Fund you incur ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and other Fund expenses. This example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of investing in the Fund and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds.

 

The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period as disclosed in the table below.

 

Actual Expenses

 

The “Actual” line in the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information below, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the table under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

 

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes

 

The “Hypothetical” line in the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the Fund’s actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Fund’s actual return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balances or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of other funds.

 

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as contingent deferred sales charges (loads), or redemption fees. Therefore, the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.

 

  Beginning
Account Value
5/1/23
Ending
Account
Value
10/31/23
Annualized
Expense
Ratio
Expenses Paid
During Period
5/1/23-10/31/23
Actual* $1,000.00 $ 1,022.90 1.14% $ 5.81
Hypothetical*          
(5% return before expenses) $1,000.00 $ 1,019.46 1.14% $ 5.80

 

* Expenses are equal to the average account value over the period, multiplied by the Fund’s annualized expense ratio, multiplied by the number of days in the period (184), divided by the number of days in the fiscal year (365).

 

For more information about current performance, holdings, or historical premiums/discounts, please visit our website at www.mainmgtetfs.com.

19

 

MAIN BUYWRITE ETF
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (Unaudited)
October 31, 2023
 

LIQUIDITY RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

 

The Fund has adopted and implemented a written liquidity risk management program as required by Rule 22e-4 (the “Liquidity Rule”) under the 1940 Act. The program is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Fund’s liquidity risk, taking into consideration, among other factors, the Fund’s investment strategies and the liquidity of its portfolio investments during normal and reasonably foreseeable stressed conditions; their short and long-term cash flow projections; and their cash holdings and access to other funding sources.

 

During the year ended October 31, 2023, the Trust’s Liquidity Risk Management Program Committee (the “Committee”) reviewed the Fund’s investments and determined that the Fund held adequate levels of cash and highly liquid investments to meet shareholder redemption activities in accordance with applicable requirements. Accordingly, the Committee concluded that (i) the Fund’s liquidity risk management program is reasonably designed to prevent violations of the Liquidity Rule and (ii) the Fund’s liquidity risk management program has been effectively implemented.

20

 

MAIN BUYWRITE ETF
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (Unaudited)
October 31, 2023
 

The business address of each Trustee and Officer is 225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450, Cincinnati, OH 45246. All correspondence to the Trustees and Officers should be directed to c/o Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC, P.O. Box 541150, Omaha, Nebraska 68154.

 

Independent Trustees***

 

Name, Address
and Year of
Birth
Position/Term
of Office*
Principal Occupation During the
Past Five Years
Number of
Funds in
Fund
Complex**
Overseen
by Trustee
Other Directorships held
by Trustee During the
Past Five Years
Joseph Breslin
Year of Birth: 1953
Independent Trustee and Chairman of the Board since 2015 President and Consultant, Adviser Counsel, Inc. (formerly J.E. Breslin & Co.) (management consulting firm to investment advisers), (since 2009); Senior Counsel, White Oak Global Advisors, LLC. (since 2016). 4 Northern Lights Fund Trust IV (for series not affiliated with the Fund since 2015); Director, Kinetics Mutual Funds, Inc. (since 2000); Trustee, Kinetics Portfolios Trust (since 2000); Trustee, Forethought Variable Insurance Trust (since 2013).
Thomas Sarkany
Year of Birth: 1946
Independent Trustee since 2015 Founder and President, TTS Associates Inc. (since December 2022); and Founder and President, TTS Consultants, LLC (financial services) (since 2010). 4 Northern Lights Fund Trust IV (for series not affiliated with the Fund since 2015); Arrow Investments Trust (since 2014), Arrow ETF Trust (since 2012), Trustee, Northern Lights Fund Trust II (since 2011); Director, Aquila Distributors (since 1981)
Charles Ranson
Year of Birth: 1947
Independent Trustee since 2015 Principal, Ranson & Associates (strategic analysis and planning, including risk assessment and capital formation for entrepreneurial ventures) (since 2003). 4 Northern Lights Fund Trust IV (for series not affiliated with the Fund since 2015); Advisors Preferred Trust (since November 2012)

 

10/31/23 – NLFT IV_v1

21

 

MAIN BUYWRITE ETF
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION (Unaudited) (Continued)
October 31, 2023
 

Interested Trustee, Officers

 

Name, Address
and Year of
Birth
Position/Term
of Office*
Principal Occupation During the
Past Five Years
Number of
Funds in
Fund
Complex**
Overseen by
Trustee
Other Directorships held
by Trustee During the
Past Five Years
Wendy Wang***
80 Arkay Drive
Hauppauge, NY 11788
Year of Birth: 1970
Trustee since 2023, President since 2015 Senior Vice President, Director of Tax and Compliance Administration, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (since 2012). 4 N/A
Sam Singh
80 Arkay Drive
Hauppauge, NY 11788
Year of Birth: 1976
Treasurer since 2015 Vice President, Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (since 2015). N/A N/A
Jennifer Farrell
80 Arkay Drive
Hauppauge, NY 11788
Year of Birth: 1969
Secretary since 2017 Associate Director (since 2022) and Manager (2018-2022), Legal Administration), Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC; Senior Paralegal, Gemini Fund Services, LLC (since 2015). N/A N/A
James Ash
Year of Birth: 1976
Chief Compliance Officer since 2019 Senior Vice President, Head of Compliance (since 2023); Senior Compliance Officer, Northern Lights Compliance, LLC (2019-2023); Senior Vice President, National Sales Gemini Fund Services, LLC (2017-2019). N/A N/A

 

* The term of office for each Trustee and officer listed above will continue indefinitely until the individual resigns or is removed.

 

** As of October 31, 2023, the Trust was comprised of 36 other active portfolios managed by unaffiliated investment advisers. The term “Fund Complex” applies only to the Fund and the Funds managed by the same investment adviser. The Fund does not hold itself out as related to any other series within the Trust for investment purposes, nor does it share the same investment adviser with any other series.

 

*** Ms. Wang is an interested Trustee because she is also an officer of the Trust.

 

The Fund’s SAI includes additional information about the Trustees and is available free of charge, upon request, by calling toll-free at 1-866-383-9778.

 

10/31/23 – NLFT IV_v1

22

 

PRIVACY NOTICE

 

Northern Lights Fund Trust IV

 

Rev. April 2021

 

FACTS WHAT DOES NORTHERN LIGHTS FUND TRUST IV DO WITH YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION?

 

Why? Financial companies choose how they share your personal information.  Federal law gives consumers the right to limit some, but not all sharing.  Federal law also requires us to tell you how we collect, share, and protect your personal information.  Please read this notice carefully to understand what we do.

 

What?

The types of personal information we collect and share depends on the product or service that you have with us. This information can include:

 

●         Social Security number and wire transfer instructions

 

●         account transactions and transaction history

 

●         investment experience and purchase history

 

When you are no longer our customer, we continue to share your information as described in this notice.

 

How? All financial companies need to share customers’ personal information to run their everyday business.  In the section below, we list the reasons financial companies can share their customers’ personal information; the reasons Northern Lights Fund Trust IV chooses to share; and whether you can limit this sharing.

 

Reasons we can share
your personal information:
Does Northern Lights
Fund Trust IV
share information?
Can you limit this
sharing?
For our everyday business purposes - such as to process your transactions, maintain your account(s), respond to court orders and legal investigations, or report to credit bureaus. YES NO
For our marketing purposes - to offer our products and services to you. NO We don’t share
For joint marketing with other financial companies. NO We don’t share
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes - information about your transactions and records. NO We don’t share
For our affiliates’ everyday business purposes - information about your credit worthiness. NO We don’t share
For nonaffiliates to market to you NO We don’t share

 

QUESTIONS?   Call 1-631-490-4300

23

 

PRIVACY NOTICE

 

Northern Lights Fund Trust IV

 

Page 2  

 

What we do:

 

How does Northern Lights Fund Trust IV protect my personal information?

To protect your personal information from unauthorized access and use, we use security measures that comply with federal law. These measures include computer safeguards and secured files and buildings.

 

Our service providers are held accountable for adhering to strict policies and procedures to prevent any misuse of your nonpublic personal information.

 

How does Northern Lights Fund Trust IV collect my personal information?

We collect your personal information, for example, when you

●     open an account or deposit money

 

●     direct us to buy securities or direct us to sell your securities

 

●     seek advice about your investments

 

We also collect your personal information from others, such as credit bureaus, affiliates, or other companies.

 

Why can’t I limit all sharing?

Federal law gives you the right to limit only:

●    sharing for affiliates’ everyday business purposes – information about your creditworthiness.

 

●     affiliates from using your information to market to you.

 

●     sharing for nonaffiliates to market to you.

 

State laws and individual companies may give you additional rights to limit sharing.

 

Definitions
Affiliates

Companies related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

●     Northern Lights Fund Trust IV has no affiliates.

Nonaffiliates

Companies not related by common ownership or control. They can be financial and nonfinancial companies.

 

●     Northern Lights Fund Trust IV does not share with nonaffiliates so they can market to you.

Joint marketing

A formal agreement between nonaffiliated financial companies that together market financial products or services to you.

 

●     Northern Lights Fund Trust IV does not jointly market.

24

 

PROXY VOTING POLICY

 

Information regarding how the Fund voted proxies relating to portfolio securities for the twelve month period ended June 30 as well as a description of the policies and procedures that the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies will be available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-866-383-9778 or by referring to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at www.sec.gov.

 

PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS

 

The Fund files a complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT, within sixty days after the end of the period. Form N-PORT reports are available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. The information on Form N-PORT is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1-866-383-9778.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ADVISER
Main Management Fund Advisors, LLC
601 California Street, Suite 620
San Francisco, California 94108
 
ADMINISTRATOR
Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC
225 Pictoria Drive, Suite 450
Cincinnati, Ohio 45246
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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