Annual Report
August 31, 2023
Range
Cancer Therapeutics ETF
(Formerly: Loncar Cancer Immunotherapy ETF)
Ticker: CNCR
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page | |
Letter to Shareholders |
1 |
Performance Summary |
3 |
Portfolio Allocation |
5 |
Schedule of Investments |
6 |
Statement of Assets and Liabilities |
10 |
Statement of Operations |
11 |
Statements of Changes in Net Assets |
12 |
Financial Highlights |
13 |
Notes to Financial Statements |
14 |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
24 |
Trustees and Officers |
26 |
Expense Example |
29 |
Review of Liquidity Risk Management Program |
30 |
Federal Tax Information |
31 |
Information About Portfolio Holdings |
31 |
Information About Proxy Voting |
32 |
Frequency Distribution of Premiums and Discounts |
32 |
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF
Letter to Shareholders
(Unaudited)
Dear Shareholders,
On behalf of the entire team, we want to express our appreciation for the confidence you have placed in the Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF (formerly known as Loncar Cancer Immunotherapy ETF) (“CNCR” or the “Fund”). The following information pertains to the current fiscal period of September 1, 2022 through August 31, 2023 (the “current fiscal period”). The Fund seeks to track the total return performance, before fees and expenses, of the Range Cancer Therapeutics Index (the “Index”). The Index tracks the performance of a basket of companies that develop therapies to treat cancer by harnessing the body’s own immune system. It contains both leading large pharmaceutical companies and growth-oriented biotechnology companies.
The biotechnology industry entered a prolonged bear market in 2021, the current fiscal period. The biotechnology industry was the worst performing of any of the 11 S&P 500 ® sectors in 2021. Over 20% of the Nasdaq Biotech Index’s 370 companies were trading for less than cash in 2022. The industry is still recovering from a hangover caused by the success of the industry in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic which created a large number of overvalued companies and investor enthusiasm. The sheer volume of 2021 IPOs overwhelmingly consisted of companies going public at much earlier stages in development than has historically been the case. This glut of overvalued companies combined with change in federal administration, the shakiness of the economy, higher interest and inflation all helped to turn investor enthusiasm into caution.
The Fund had negative performance during the current fiscal period. The market price for CNCR decreased -22.49% and the NAV decreased -22.21% while the S&P 500 ® Index, a broad market index, gained 15.94% over the same period. The Fund’s Index returned -21.54%.
The Fund commenced operations on October 13, 2015, and has 800,000 outstanding shares as of August 31, 2023.
We appreciate your investment in CNCR.
Sincerely,
J.
Garrett Stevens
Chief Executive Officer
Exchange Traded Concepts, LLC
Must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.
Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Shares of an ETF are bought and sold at market price (not NAV), may trade at a discount or premium to NAV and are not individually redeemed from the Fund. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns. The Fund will invest in immunotherapy companies which are highly dependent on the development, procurement and marketing of drugs and
1
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF
Letter to Shareholders
(Unaudited) (Continued)
the protection and exploitation of intellectual property rights. A company’s valuation can also be greatly affected if one of its products is proven or alleged to be unsafe, ineffective or unprofitable. The costs associated with developing new drugs can be significant, and the results are unpredictable. The process for obtaining regulatory approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or other governmental regulatory authorities is long and costly and there can be no assurance that the necessary approvals with be obtained and maintained. The Fund may invest in foreign securities, which involve political, economic, currency risk, greater volatility, and differences in accounting methods. The Fund invests in smaller companies, which may have more limited liquidity and greater volatility compared to larger companies. The Fund is not actively managed and may be affected by a general decline in market segments related to the Index. The Fund invests in securities included in, or representative of securities included in, the Index, regardless of their investment merits. The performance of the Fund may diverge from that of the Index and may experience tracking error to a greater extent than a fund that seeks to replicate an index.
Standard & Poor’s 500 ® Index (S&P 500 ® Index) – An index of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity and industry grouping, among other factors. The S&P 500 ® is designed to be a leading indicator of U.S. equities and is meant to reflect the risk/return characteristics of the large cap universe. Quotes for the Index can be found under the symbol “SPX” on the Bloomberg Professional service and other financial data providers.
The Range Cancer Therapeutics Index tracks the performance of a portfolio of U.S. exchange-listed pharmaceutical or biotechnology stocks or American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) with a market capitalization of more than $250 million. To be eligible for inclusion in the Index, companies must either derive (i) 50% or more of their commercial revenue from oncology products or (ii) 50% or more of their pipeline value (as defined by the Index Provider) from oncology drugs in development (collectively, “Cancer Therapeutics Companies”). Companies based in China are not eligible for inclusion in the Index. Prior to June 20, 2023, the Fund’s investment objective was to track the total return performance, before fees and expenses, of the Loncar Cancer Immunotherapy Index.
One may not directly invest in an index.
Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Fund holdings are subject to change and are not a recommendation to buy or sell any security. For a complete listing of the Fund’s holdings please view the schedule of investments in this report. The Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF is distributed by Quasar Distributors, LLC. Range Fund Holdings is the index provider of the Fund.
2
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF
Performance Summary
(Unaudited)
Growth of $10K
Average
Annual Returns |
1 Year |
3 Years |
5 Years |
Since
|
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF - NAV |
-22.21% |
-21.28% |
-12.63% |
-7.66% |
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF - Market |
-22.49% |
-21.38% |
-12.63% |
-7.68% |
Range Cancer Therapeutics Index/Loncar Cancer Immunotherapy Index (1) |
-21.54% |
-20.61% |
-11.93% |
-6.90% |
S&P 500 ® Index |
15.94% |
10.52% |
11.12% |
12.91% |
(1) |
Effective June 20, 2023, the Fund’s investment objective changed to track the total return performance, before fees and expenses, of the Range Cancer Therapeutics Index. Prior to June 20, 2023, the Fund’s investment objective was to track the total return performance, before fees and expenses, of the Loncar Cancer Immunotherapy Index. Performance shown for periods beginning June 20, 2023, is that of the Range Cancer Therapeutics Index, and performance shown for periods prior to June 20, 2023, is that of the Loncar Cancer Immunotherapy Index. |
This chart illustrates the performance of a hypothetical $10,000 investment made on October 13, 2015 and is not intended to imply any future performance. The returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares. The chart assumes reinvestment of capital gains and dividends.
3
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF
Performance Summary
(Unaudited) (Continued)
Performance data quoted represents past performance; past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. 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 calling 800-617-0004. Per the prospectus dated December 20, 2022, the gross expense ratio is 0.79%.
4
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF
Portfolio Allocation
As of August 31, 2023 (Unaudited)
Industry Group |
Percentage
of |
Biotechnology (a) |
82.6% |
Pharmaceuticals |
14.7 |
Healthcare-Services |
1.6 |
Software |
1.2 |
Short-Term Investments (b) |
0.0 |
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets |
(0.1) |
Total |
100.0% |
Country |
Percentage
of |
United States (c) |
83.5% |
United Kingdom |
4.9 |
Germany |
4.0 |
Hong Kong |
1.6 |
Switzerland |
1.5 |
Denmark |
1.3 |
Netherlands |
1.1 |
France |
1.1 |
Canada |
1.1 |
Short-Term Investments (b) |
0.0 |
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets |
(0.1) |
Total |
100.0% |
(a) |
To the extent that the Fund invests more heavily in particular industry groups of the economy, its performance will be especially sensitive to developments that significantly affect those industry groups or strategies. See Note 7 in the Notes to Financial Statements. |
(b) |
Represents less than 0.05% of net assets. |
(c) |
To the extent that the Fund invests more heavily in a particular country, its performance will be especially sensitive to developments that significantly affect that country. See Note 7 in the Notes to Financial Statements. |
5
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF
Schedule of Investments
August 31, 2023
Shares |
Security Description |
Value |
||||||
COMMON STOCKS — 100.1% |
||||||||
Biotechnology — 82.6% (a) |
||||||||
10,700 |
2seventy bio, Inc. (b) |
$ | 55,533 | |||||
10,409 |
Acrivon Therapeutics, Inc. (b) |
121,993 | ||||||
26,214 |
Adicet Bio, Inc. (b) |
52,428 | ||||||
64,464 |
Agenus, Inc. (b) |
88,960 | ||||||
22,167 |
Allogene Therapeutics, Inc. (b) |
86,230 | ||||||
8,738 |
Ambrx Biopharma, Inc. - ADR (b) |
123,380 | ||||||
26,270 |
Apollomics, Inc. (b) |
125,439 | ||||||
3,198 |
Arcellx, Inc. (b) |
114,616 | ||||||
6,201 |
Arcus Biosciences, Inc. (b) |
127,120 | ||||||
10,158 |
Aura Biosciences, Inc. (b) |
105,440 | ||||||
44,025 |
Autolus Therapeutics plc - ADR (b) |
141,320 | ||||||
4,690 |
Bicycle Therapeutics plc - ADR (b) |
101,961 | ||||||
3,178 |
Biomea Fusion, Inc. (b) |
53,613 | ||||||
1,094 |
BioNTech SE - ADR (b) |
132,297 | ||||||
2,168 |
Blueprint Medicines Corporation (b) |
108,096 | ||||||
25,840 |
Caribou Biosciences, Inc. (b) |
152,198 | ||||||
38,405 |
Compass Therapeutics, Inc. (b) |
89,484 | ||||||
10,367 |
Cullinan Oncology, Inc. (b) |
107,298 | ||||||
9,257 |
Day One Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (b) |
124,877 | ||||||
8,715 |
Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (b) |
122,359 | ||||||
66,500 |
EQRx, Inc. (b) |
152,285 | ||||||
43,123 |
Erasca, Inc. (b) |
111,689 | ||||||
6,581 |
Exelixis, Inc. (b) |
147,349 | ||||||
16,938 |
Exscientia plc - ADR (b) |
101,967 | ||||||
22,767 |
Fate Therapeutics, Inc. (b) |
57,145 | ||||||
3,950 |
Genelux Corporation (b) |
95,511 | ||||||
3,286 |
Genmab AS - ADR (b) |
125,821 | ||||||
38,758 |
Geron Corporation (b) |
94,182 | ||||||
5,024 |
Ideaya Biosciences, Inc. (b) |
147,505 | ||||||
12,268 |
IGM Biosciences, Inc. (b) |
87,716 | ||||||
10,504 |
Immatics NV (b) |
124,367 | ||||||
42,258 |
ImmunityBio, Inc. (b) |
68,035 | ||||||
2,202 |
Immunocore Holdings plc - ADR (b) |
123,906 | ||||||
7,063 |
ImmunoGen, Inc. (b) |
111,878 | ||||||
4,592 |
Inhibrx, Inc. (b) |
98,269 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
6
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF
Schedule
of Investments
August 31, 2023 (Continued)
Shares |
Security Description |
Value |
||||||
COMMON STOCKS — 100.1% (Continued) |
||||||||
Biotechnology — 82.6% (a) (Continued) |
||||||||
37,717 |
Innate Pharma SA - ADR (b) |
$ | 108,248 | |||||
14,294 |
Iovance Biotherapeutics, Inc. (b) |
86,336 | ||||||
8,556 |
iTeos Therapeutics, Inc. (b) |
103,228 | ||||||
8,898 |
Janux Therapeutics, Inc. (b) |
97,878 | ||||||
59,042 |
Karyopharm Therapeutics, Inc. (b) |
75,574 | ||||||
4,836 |
Kymera Therapeutics, Inc. (b) |
92,271 | ||||||
1,804 |
Legend Biotech Corporation - ADR (b) |
125,125 | ||||||
20,920 |
MacroGenics, Inc. (b) |
97,487 | ||||||
13,601 |
Mersana Therapeutics, Inc. (b) |
15,097 | ||||||
3,323 |
Mirati Therapeutics, Inc. (b) |
123,616 | ||||||
18,664 |
Monte Rosa Therapeutics, Inc. (b) |
109,558 | ||||||
17,145 |
MorphoSys AG - ADR (b) |
128,588 | ||||||
35,392 |
NGM Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (b) |
66,891 | ||||||
10,969 |
Nurix Therapeutics, Inc. (b) |
93,236 | ||||||
2,889 |
Nuvalent, Inc. - Class A (b) |
131,652 | ||||||
70,984 |
Nuvation Bio, Inc. (b) |
116,414 | ||||||
12,536 |
Point Biopharma Global, Inc. (b) |
99,787 | ||||||
95,721 |
Precigen, Inc. (b) |
167,512 | ||||||
22,604 |
Prelude Therapeutics, Inc. (b) |
84,313 | ||||||
100,278 |
Rain Oncology, Inc. (b) |
105,292 | ||||||
5,867 |
RAPT Therapeutics, Inc. (b) |
112,060 | ||||||
12,712 |
Recursion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. - Class A (b) |
110,594 | ||||||
165 |
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (b) |
136,371 | ||||||
10,727 |
Relay Therapeutics, Inc. (b) |
109,630 | ||||||
5,244 |
Replimune Group, Inc. (b) |
107,082 | ||||||
4,941 |
REVOLUTION Medicines, Inc. (b) |
167,846 | ||||||
644 |
Seagen, Inc. (b) |
132,709 | ||||||
4,420 |
SpringWorks Therapeutics, Inc. (b) |
124,556 | ||||||
22,767 |
Sutro Biopharma, Inc. (b) |
108,143 | ||||||
5,664 |
Syndax Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (b) |
104,841 | ||||||
34,508 |
Tango Therapeutics, Inc. (b) |
223,957 | ||||||
13,149 |
Theseus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (b) |
41,288 | ||||||
7,883 |
Tyra Biosciences, Inc. (b) |
120,058 | ||||||
8,512 |
VectivBio Holding AG (b) |
144,704 | ||||||
24,487 |
Vor BioPharma, Inc. (b) |
61,217 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
7
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF
Schedule of Investments
August 31, 2023 (Continued)
Shares |
Security Description |
Value |
||||||
COMMON STOCKS — 100.1% (Continued) |
||||||||
Biotechnology — 82.6% (a) (Continued) |
||||||||
4,648 |
Xencor, Inc. (b) |
$ | 102,163 | |||||
5,026 |
Zentalis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (b) |
133,491 | ||||||
14,692 |
Zymeworks, Inc. (b) |
106,370 | ||||||
7,957,450 | ||||||||
Healthcare-Services — 1.6% |
||||||||
65,130 |
Ginkgo Bioworks Holdings, Inc. (b) |
152,404 | ||||||
Pharmaceuticals — 14.7% |
||||||||
4,021 |
Arvinas, Inc. (b) |
113,432 | ||||||
1,952 |
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company |
120,341 | ||||||
6,164 |
Enliven Therapeutics, Inc. (b) |
96,282 | ||||||
14,641 |
Foghorn Therapeutics, Inc. (b) |
110,832 | ||||||
10,416 |
Hutchmed China, Ltd. - ADR (b) |
156,448 | ||||||
13,232 |
Immuneering Corporation - Class A (b) |
119,220 | ||||||
9,935 |
Kura Oncology, Inc. (b) |
98,655 | ||||||
38,879 |
Lyell Immunopharma, Inc. (b) |
92,921 | ||||||
1,157 |
Merck & Company, Inc. |
126,090 | ||||||
4,817 |
Merus NV (b) |
107,756 | ||||||
10,175 |
Repare Therapeutics, Inc. (b) |
99,308 | ||||||
65,808 |
Summit Therapeutics, Inc. (b) |
106,609 | ||||||
14,408 |
Y-mAbs Therapeutics, Inc. (b) |
73,049 | ||||||
1,420,943 | ||||||||
Software — 1.2% |
||||||||
3,103 |
Schrodinger, Inc. (b) |
114,469 | ||||||
TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $10,874,353) |
9,645,266 | |||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
8
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF
Schedule
of Investments
August 31, 2023 (Continued)
Shares |
Security Description |
Value |
||||||
SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 0.0% (c) |
||||||||
1,031 |
First American Government Obligations Fund - Class X, 5.25% (d) |
$ | 1,031 | |||||
TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $1,031) |
1,031 | |||||||
Total Investments (Cost $10,875,384) — 100.1% |
9,646,297 | |||||||
Liabilities in Excess of Other Assets — (0.1)% |
(6,590 | ) | ||||||
NET ASSETS — 100.0% |
$ | 9,639,707 |
Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets. | |
ADR |
American Depositary Receipt. |
(a) |
To the extent that the Fund invests more heavily in particular industry groups of the economy, its performance will be especially sensitive to developments that significantly affect those industry groups or strategies. See Note 7 in the Notes to Financial Statements. |
(b) |
Non-income producing security. |
(c) |
Represents less than 0.05% of net assets. |
(d) |
Rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of August 31, 2023. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
9
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
August 31, 2023
ASSETS |
||||
Investments in securities, at value (Cost $10,875,384) |
$ | 9,646,297 | ||
Dividends and interest receivable |
11 | |||
Total assets |
9,646,308 | |||
LIABILITIES |
||||
Management fees payable |
6,601 | |||
Total liabilities |
6,601 | |||
NET ASSETS |
$ | 9,639,707 | ||
Net Assets Consist of: |
||||
Paid-in capital |
$ | 50,812,284 | ||
Total distributable earnings (accumulated deficit) |
(41,172,577 | ) | ||
Net assets |
$ | 9,639,707 | ||
Net Asset Value: |
||||
Net assets |
$ | 9,639,707 | ||
Shares outstanding ^ |
800,000 | |||
Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share |
$ | 12.05 |
^ |
No par value, unlimited number of shares authorized. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
10
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF
Statement of Operations
For the Year Ended August 31, 2023
INCOME |
||||
Dividends |
$ | 61,353 | ||
Non-cash dividends |
7,630 | |||
Interest |
535 | |||
Total investment income |
69,518 | |||
EXPENSES |
||||
Management fees |
139,786 | |||
Total expenses |
139,786 | |||
Net investment income (loss) |
(70,268 | ) | ||
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS |
||||
Net realized gain (loss) on: |
||||
Investments |
(9,987,804 | ) | ||
In-kind redemptions |
2,796,726 | |||
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments |
2,643,958 | |||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments |
(4,547,120 | ) | ||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations |
$ | (4,617,388 | ) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
11
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF
Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Year
Ended |
Year
Ended |
|||||||
OPERATIONS |
||||||||
Net investment income (loss) |
$ | (70,268 | ) | $ | (79,897 | ) | ||
Net realized gain (loss) on investments |
(7,191,078 | ) | (8,989,848 | ) | ||||
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments |
2,643,958 | (8,507,959 | ) | |||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations |
(4,617,388 | ) | (17,577,704 | ) | ||||
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS |
||||||||
Net distributions to shareholders |
— | (764,347 | ) | |||||
Tax return of capital to shareholders |
— | (1,552,322 | ) | |||||
Total distributions to shareholders |
— | (2,316,669 | ) | |||||
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS |
||||||||
Proceeds from shares sold |
8,645,440 | 7,098,730 | ||||||
Payments for shares redeemed |
(17,622,685 | ) | (8,408,775 | ) | ||||
Transaction fees (Note 6) |
1 | — | ||||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions (a) |
(8,977,244 | ) | (1,310,045 | ) | ||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets |
$ | (13,594,632 | ) | $ | (21,204,418 | ) | ||
NET ASSETS |
||||||||
Beginning of year |
$ | 23,234,339 | $ | 44,438,757 | ||||
End of year |
$ | 9,639,707 | $ | 23,234,339 |
(a) |
A summary of capital share transactions is as follows: |
Shares |
Shares |
|||||||
Shares sold |
600,000 | 400,000 | ||||||
Shares redeemed |
(1,300,000 | ) | (350,000 | ) | ||||
Net increase (decrease) |
(700,000 | ) | 50,000 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
12
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF
Financial Highlights
For a capital share outstanding throughout the year
Year Ended August 31, |
||||||||||||||||||||
2023 |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
||||||||||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of year |
$ | 15.49 | $ | 30.65 | $ | 26.86 | $ | 19.54 | $ | 25.73 | ||||||||||
INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income (loss) (1) |
(0.05 | ) | (0.06 | ) | (0.11 | ) | (0.07 | ) | (0.05 | ) | ||||||||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments (4) |
(3.39 | ) | (13.25 | ) | 4.19 | 7.39 | (6.14 | ) | ||||||||||||
Total from investment operations |
(3.44 | ) | (13.31 | ) | 4.08 | 7.32 | (6.19 | ) | ||||||||||||
DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Distributions from: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Net investment income |
— | (0.61 | ) | (0.29 | ) | — | — | |||||||||||||
Tax return of capital to shareholders |
— | (1.24 | ) | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
Total distributions to shareholders |
— | (1.85 | ) | (0.29 | ) | — | — | |||||||||||||
CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS |
||||||||||||||||||||
Transaction fees (Note 6) |
0.00 | (2) | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||
Net asset value, end of year |
$ | 12.05 | $ | 15.49 | $ | 30.65 | $ | 26.86 | $ | 19.54 | ||||||||||
Total return |
-22.21 | % | -45.54 | % | 15.11 | % | 37.47 | % | -24.05 | % | ||||||||||
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Net assets at end of year (000’s) |
$ | 9,640 | $ | 23,234 | $ | 44,439 | $ | 40,293 | $ | 34,195 | ||||||||||
RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Expenses to average net assets |
0.79 | % | 0.79 | % | 0.79 | % | 0.79 | % | 0.79 | % | ||||||||||
Net investment income (loss) to average net assets |
-0.40 | % | -0.27 | % | -0.37 | % | -0.32 | % | -0.26 | % | ||||||||||
Portfolio turnover rate (3) |
86 | % | 64 | % | 58 | % | 53 | % | 58 | % |
(1) |
Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the year. |
(2) |
Less than $0.005. |
(3) |
Excludes the impact of in-kind transactions. |
(4) |
Realized and unrealized gains and losses 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 the aggregate gains and losses in the Statement of Operations due to share transactions for the year. |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
13
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF
Notes to Financial Statements
August 31, 2023
NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF is a diversified series (the “Fund”) of ETF Series Solutions (“ESS” or the “Trust”), an open-end management investment company consisting of multiple investment series, organized as a Delaware statutory trust on February 9, 2012. The Trust is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company and the offering of the Fund’s shares is registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Fund’s investment objective is to track the performance, before fees and expenses, of the Range Cancer Therapeutics Index. The Fund commenced operations on October 13, 2015. Prior to June 20, 2023, the Fund’s investment objective was to track the total return performance, before fees and expenses, of the Loncar Cancer Immunotherapy Index.
The end of the reporting period for the Fund is August 31, 2023, and the period covered by these Notes to Financial Statements is the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023 (the “current fiscal period”).
NOTE 2 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Fund is an investment company and accordingly follow the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946 Financial Services - Investment Companies.
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund. These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).
A. |
Security Valuation . All equity securities, including domestic and foreign common stocks, preferred stocks and exchange traded funds that are traded on a national securities exchange, except those listed on the Nasdaq Global Market ® , Nasdaq Global Select Market ® and the Nasdaq Capital Market ® exchanges (collectively, “Nasdaq”) are valued at the last reported sale price on the exchange on which the security is principally traded. Securities traded on Nasdaq will be valued at the Nasdaq Official Closing Price (“NOCP”). If, on a particular day, an exchange-traded or Nasdaq security does not trade, then the mean between the most recent quoted bid and asked prices will be used. All equity securities that are not traded on a listed exchange are valued at the last sale price in the over-the-counter market. If a non-exchange traded security does not trade on a particular day, then the mean between the last quoted closing bid and asked price will be used. Prices denominated in foreign currencies are converted to U.S. dollar equivalents at the current exchange rate, which approximates fair value. |
14
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF
NOTES
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
August 31, 2023 (Continued)
Investments in mutual funds, including money market funds, are valued at their net asset value (“NAV”) per share.
Securities for which quotations are not readily available are valued at their respective fair values in accordance with pricing procedures adopted by the Fund’s Board of Trustees (the “Board”). When a security is “fair valued,” consideration is given to the facts and circumstances relevant to the particular situation, including a review of various factors set forth in the pricing procedures adopted by the Board. The use of fair value pricing by the Fund may cause the NAV of their shares to differ significantly from NAV that would be calculated without regard to such considerations.
As described above, the Fund utilizes various methods to measure the fair value of their investments on a recurring basis. U.S. GAAP establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuations methods. The three levels of inputs are:
Level 1 – |
Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or 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 on 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.
15
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF
NOTES
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
August 31, 2023 (Continued)
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 following is a summary of the inputs used to value the Fund’s investments as of the end of the current fiscal period:
Assets^ |
Level 1 |
Level 2 |
Level 3 |
Total |
||||||||||||
Common Stocks |
$ | 9,500,562 | $ | 144,704 | $ | — | $ | 9,645,266 | ||||||||
Short-Term Investments |
1,031 | — | — | 1,031 | ||||||||||||
Total Investments in Securities |
$ | 9,501,593 | $ | 144,704 | $ | — | $ | 9,646,297 |
^ |
See Schedule of Investments to see breakdown of securities by industry group. |
As of the end of the current fiscal period, the Fund did not recognize any transfers to or from Level 3.
B. |
Federal Income Taxes . The Fund’s policy is to comply with the requirements of subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of its net taxable investment income and net capital gains to shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required. The Fund plans to file U.S. Federal and various state and local tax returns. |
The Fund recognizes the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only when the position is more likely than not to be sustained. Management has analyzed the Fund’s uncertain tax positions and concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions. Management 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 12 months. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. The Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits on uncertain tax positions as income tax expenses in the Statement of Operations. During the current fiscal period, the Fund did not incur any interest or penalties.
C. |
Security Transactions and Investment Income . Investment securities transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Gains and losses realized on sales of securities are determined on a specific identification basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends included in |
16
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF
NOTES
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
August 31, 2023 (Continued)
dividend income or separately disclosed, if any, are recorded at the fair value of the security received. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends have been provided for in accordance with the Fund’s understanding of the applicable tax rules and regulations. Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis.
D. |
Distributions to Shareholders . Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and from net realized gains on securities are declared and paid by the Fund on, at least, an annual basis. Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date. |
E. |
Use of Estimates . The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the current fiscal period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. |
F. |
Share Valuation . The NAV per share of the Fund is calculated by dividing the sum of the value of the securities held by the Fund, plus cash and other assets, minus all liabilities (including estimated accrued expenses) by the total number of outstanding shares for each Fund, rounded to the nearest cent. The Fund’s shares will not be priced on the days on which the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) is closed for trading. The offering and redemption price per share of the Fund is equal to each Fund’s NAV per share. |
G. |
Guarantees and Indemnifications . In the normal course of business, the Fund enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be against the Fund that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the Fund expects the risk of loss to be remote. |
H. |
Reclassification of Capital Accounts . U.S. GAAP requires that certain components of net assets relating to permanent differences be reclassified between financial and tax reporting. These reclassifications have no effect on net assets or NAV per share. |
The permanent differences are primarily due to differing book and tax treatments for in-kind transactions. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023, the following table shows the reclassifications made:
Distributable
Earnings |
Paid-In Capital |
$(2,114,746) |
$2,114,746 |
17
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF
NOTES
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
August 31, 2023 (Continued)
I. |
Subsequent Events . In preparing these financial statements, management has evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the date the financial statements were issued. Exchange Traded Concepts, LLC the investment adviser, has recommended and the Board has approved the reorganization of the Loncar China BioPharma ETF (the “Acquired Fund”) into the Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF (the “Acquiring Fund”). ETC and the Board recommended the reorganization due to the lack of scale in each Fund, and to eliminate duplicative products. ETC and the Board believe that the Reorganization is in the best interests of the Funds and their respective shareholders and that the interests of their respective shareholders will not be diluted as a result of the Reorganization. In preparation for the closing of the Reorganization, trading in shares of the Acquired Fund were suspended as of the close of business on October 19, 2023. The Reorganization closed immediately after the close of business on October 20, 2023. The Reorganization was a taxable transaction, and the Acquired Fund should recognize gain or loss, if any, in connection with the transfer of its assets to the Acquiring Fund, which may require the Acquired Fund to make taxable distributions to its shareholders. The tax basis in the hands of the Acquiring Fund of each asset of the Acquired Fund transferred in the Reorganization will be the fair market value of such asset at the time the Reorganization is consummated (the “Effective Time”) and the holding period in the hands of the Acquiring Fund of each asset of the Acquired Fund transferred in the Reorganization will not include the period during which the Acquired Fund held such asset. |
The receipt by the shareholders of the Acquired Fund of shares of the Acquiring Fund in exchange for the cancellation of their shares in the Acquired Fund is expected to constitute a taxable exchange for those shareholders. In addition, (1) the aggregate tax basis of the Acquiring Fund shares received by each shareholder of the Acquired Fund in the Reorganization is expected to be the fair market value of such shares at the Effective Time and (2) each Acquired Fund shareholder’s holding period for its Acquiring Fund shares received in the Reorganization is not expected to include the period during which the shareholder held its Acquired Fund shares.
18
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF
NOTES
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
August 31, 2023 (Continued)
The following table illustrates the specifics of the reorganization:
Pre-
|
Pre-
|
Pre-
|
||||||||||
Loncar China BioPharma ETF |
$ | 3,720,525 | 275,000 | $ | 13.53 | |||||||
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF |
7,815,485 | 800,000 | 9.77 |
Post-
|
Post-
|
Post-
|
||||||||||
Loncar China BioPharma ETF |
$ | — | — | — | ||||||||
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF |
11,536,010 | 1,180,835 | 1.38485475 |
NOTE 3 – COMMITMENTS AND OTHER RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Exchange Traded Concepts, LLC (the “Adviser”), serves as the investment adviser to the Fund. Pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement (“Advisory Agreement”) between the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Adviser, the Adviser provides investment advice to the Fund and oversees the day-to-day operations of the Fund, subject to the direction and control of the Board and the officers of the Trust. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is also responsible for arranging, transfer agency, custody, fund administration, and accounting, and other non-distribution related services necessary for the Fund to operate. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser has agreed to pay all expenses of the Fund, except for: the fee paid to the Adviser pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, interest charges on any borrowings, taxes, brokerage commissions and other expenses incurred in placing orders for the purchase and sale of securities and other investment instruments, acquired fund fees and expenses, accrued deferred tax liability, extraordinary expenses, distribution (12b-1) fees and expenses. For the services it provides to the Fund, the Fund pays the Adviser a unified management fee, which is calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.79% of the Fund’s average daily net assets.
Effective April 12, 2023, Vident Investment Advisory, LLC no longer serves as sub-adviser to the Fund, and Exchange Traded Concepts, LLC, the Fund’s Adviser, is responsible for the day-to-day management the Fund’s portfolio.
Range Fund Holdings (the “Sponsor”), the Index Provider for the Fund, has entered into a licensing and expense reimbursement agreement with the Adviser, pursuant to which the Fund Sponsor agrees to license the use of the Fund’s underlying index to
19
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF
NOTES
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
August 31, 2023 (Continued)
the Adviser. The Sponsor also provides marketing support for the Fund including, but not limited to, distributing the Fund’s materials and providing the Fund with access to and the use of Sponsor’s other marketing capabilities, including communications through print and electronic media discussing the Index. The Sponsor does not act as an investment adviser or otherwise provide investment advice to the Fund. Prior to June 20, 2023, the Fund’s Sponsor was Loncar Investments, LLC.
U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, doing business as U.S. Bank Global Fund Services, LLC (“Fund Services” or “Administrator”) acts as the Fund’s Administrator and, in that capacity, performs various administrative and accounting services for the Fund. The Administrator prepares various federal and state regulatory filings, reports and returns for the Fund, including regulatory compliance monitoring and financial reporting; prepares reports and materials to be supplied to the Board; and monitors the activities of the Fund’s Custodian, transfer agent, and fund accountant. Fund Services also serves as the transfer agent and fund accountant to the Fund. U.S. Bank N.A. (the “Custodian”), an affiliate of Fund Services, serves as the Fund’s Custodian.
All officers of the Trust are affiliated with the Administrator, and Custodian.
NOTE 4 – PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES
During the current fiscal period, purchases and sales of securities by the Fund, excluding short-term securities and in-kind transactions, were as follows:
Purchases |
Sales |
||||||
$ | 15,259,607 | $ | 15,573,745 |
During the current fiscal period, there were no purchases or sales of U.S. Government securities by the Fund.
During the current fiscal period, in-kind transactions associated with creations and redemptions were as follow:
In-kind
|
In-kind
|
||||||
$ | 8,634,652 | $ | 17,330,887 |
20
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF
NOTES
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
August 31, 2023 (Continued)
NOTE 5 – INCOME TAX INFORMATION
The components of distributable earnings (accumulated deficit) and tax basis cost of investments and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for federal income tax purposes as of August 31, 2023 were as follows:
Tax cost of investments |
$ | 12,620,626 | ||
Gross tax unrealized appreciation |
732,247 | |||
Gross tax unrealized depreciation |
(3,706,576 | ) | ||
Net tax unrealized appreciation (depreciation) |
(2,974,329 | ) | ||
Undistributed ordinary income |
— | |||
Undistributed long-term capital gains |
— | |||
Other accumulated gain (loss) |
(38,198,248 | ) | ||
Distributable earnings (accumulated deficit) |
$ | (41,172,577 | ) |
The difference between the cost basis for financial statement and federal income tax purposes was primarily due to the tax deferral of losses from wash sales.
A regulated investment company may elect for any taxable year to treat any portion of any qualified late year loss as arising on the first day of the next taxable year. Qualified late year losses are certain capital and ordinary losses which occur during the portion of the Fund’s taxable year subsequent to October 31 and December 31, respectively. For the taxable year ended August 31, 2023, the Fund elected to defer $159,448 late-year ordinary losses. The Fund did not elect to defer any post-October capital losses.
At August 31, 2023, the Fund had the following capital loss carryforwards with no expiration:
Short-Term |
Long-Term |
||||||
$ | 21,578,413 | $ | 16,640,387 |
There were no distributions paid by the Fund during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023. The tax character of distributions paid by the Fund during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2022 was $764,347 of ordinary income and $1,552,322 of return of capital.
NOTE 6 – SHARE TRANSACTIONS
Shares of the Fund are listed and traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC. Market prices for the shares may be different from its NAV. The Fund issues and redeems shares on a continuous basis at NAV generally in large blocks of shares called “Creation Units.” Creation Units are issued and redeemed principally in-kind for securities included in a specified universe. Once created, shares generally trade in the secondary market at market prices that change throughout the day. Except when aggregated in Creation
21
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF
NOTES
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
August 31, 2023 (Continued)
Units, shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund. Creation Units may only be purchased or redeemed by certain financial institutions (“Authorized Participants”). An Authorized Participant is either (i) a broker-dealer or other participant in the clearing process through the Continuous Net Settlement System of the National Securities Clearing Corporation or (ii) a Depository Trust Company participant and, in each case, must have executed a Participant Agreement with the Distributor. Most retail investors do not qualify as Authorized Participants nor have the resources to buy and sell whole Creation Units. Therefore, they are unable to purchase or redeem shares directly from the Fund. Rather, most retail investors may purchase shares in the secondary market with the assistance of a broker and are subject to customary brokerage commissions or fees.
The Fund currently offers one class of shares, which has no front-end sales load, no deferred sales charge, and no redemption fee. A fixed transaction fee is imposed for the transfer and other transaction costs associated with the purchase or sale of Creation Units. The standard fixed transaction fee for the Fund is $300, both payable to the Custodian. The fixed transaction fee may be waived on certain orders if the Fund’s Custodian has determined to waive some or all of the costs associated with the order, or another party, such as the Adviser, has agreed to pay such fee. In addition, a variable fee may be charged on all cash transactions or substitutes for Creation Units of up to a maximum of 2% of the value of the Creation Units subject to the transaction. Variable fees received by the Fund, if any, are displayed in the Capital Share Transactions section of the Statements of Changes in Net Assets. The Fund may issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest, with no par value. All shares of the Fund have equal rights and privileges.
NOTE 7 – RISKS
Industry Risk . To the extent that the Fund invests more heavily in particular industry groups of the economy, its performance will be especially sensitive to developments that significantly affect those industry groups or strategies.
Country Risk. To the extent that the Fund invests more heavily in particular countries, its performance will be especially sensitive to developments that significantly affect those countries.
Cancer Therapeutics Companies Risk. The success of Cancer Therapeutics Companies heavily depends on the outcomes of clinical trials and obtaining necessary regulatory approvals for the development of new drugs and other treatments for cancer-related conditions. These companies face risks related to the failure of clinical trials, unforeseen safety issues, delays in the regulatory approval process, or failure to obtain approvals altogether. Cancer Therapeutics Companies are highly dependent on the development, procurement and marketing of drugs and the protection and exploitation of intellectual
22
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF
NOTES
TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
August 31, 2023 (Continued)
property rights. Changes in healthcare policies, reimbursement rates, patent laws, or regulations governing drug development and commercialization can significantly impact the industry and individual companies. These changes may affect profitability, market access, and the viability of certain products or technologies.
23
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To
the Shareholders of Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF and
Board of Trustees of
ETF Series Solutions
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities, including the schedule of investments, of Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF (formerly Loncar Cancer Immunotherapy ETF) (the “Fund”), a series of ETF Series Solutions, as of August 31, 2023, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the related notes, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended (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 August 31, 2023, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
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.
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 August 31, 2023, by correspondence with the custodian. 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.
24
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF
Report
of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
(Continued)
We have served as the auditor of one or more of Exchange Traded Concepts, LLC’s investment companies since 2012.
COHEN
& COMPANY, LTD.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
October 27, 2023
25
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF
Trustees and Officers
(Unaudited)
Additional information about each Trustee of the Trust is set forth below. The address of each Trustee of the Trust is c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services, 615 E. Michigan Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202.
Name and Year of Birth |
Position
|
Term
of |
Principal
Occupation(s) |
Number
of |
Other
|
Independent Trustees | |||||
Leonard
M. Rush, CPA |
Lead Independent Trustee and Audit Committee Chairman |
Indefinite term; since 2012 |
Retired; formerly Chief Financial Officer, Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated (wealth management firm) (2000–2011). |
56 |
Independent Trustee, Managed Portfolio Series (34 portfolios) (since 2011). |
David
A. Massart |
Trustee and Nominating and Governance Committee Chairman |
Indefinite term; Trustee since 2012; Committee Chairman since 2023 |
Partner and Managing Director, Beacon Pointe Advisors, LLC (since 2022); Co-Founder, President, and Chief Investment Strategist, Next Generation Wealth Management, Inc. (2005-2021). |
56 |
Independent Trustee, Managed Portfolio Series (34 portfolios) (since 2011). |
Janet
D. Olsen |
Trustee |
Indefinite term; since 2018 |
Retired; formerly Managing Director and General Counsel, Artisan Partners Limited Partnership (investment adviser) (2000–2013); Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Artisan Partners Asset Management Inc. (2012–2013); Vice President and General Counsel, Artisan Funds, Inc. (investment company) (2001–2012). |
56 |
Independent Trustee, PPM Funds (2 portfolios) (since 2018). |
26
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF
Trustees and Officers
(Unaudited) (Continued)
Name and Year of Birth |
Position
|
Term
of |
Principal
Occupation(s) |
Number
of |
Other
|
Interested Trustee |
|||||
Michael
A. Castino |
Trustee and Chairman |
Indefinite term; Trustee since 2014; Chairman since 2013 |
Managing Director, Investment Manager Solutions, Sound Capital Solutions LLC (since 2023); Senior Vice President, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (2013–2023); Managing Director of Index Services, Zacks Investment Management (2011–2013). |
56 |
None |
The officers of the Trust conduct and supervise its daily business. The address of each officer of the Trust is c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services, 615 E. Michigan Street, Milwaukee, WI 53202. Additional information about the Trust’s officers is as follows:
Name
and |
Position(s)
|
Term
of |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years |
Kristina
R. Nelson |
President |
Indefinite term; since 2019 |
Senior Vice President, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (since 2020); Vice President, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (2014–2020). |
Cynthia
L. Andrae |
Chief Compliance Officer and Anti-Money Laundering Officer |
Indefinite term; since 2022 (other roles since 2021) |
Vice President, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (since 2019); Deputy Chief Compliance Officer, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (2021-2022); Compliance Officer, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (2015-2019). |
Kristen
M. Weitzel |
Treasurer |
Indefinite term; since 2014 (other roles since 2013) |
Vice President, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (since 2015). |
Joshua
J. Hinderliter |
Secretary |
Indefinite term; since 2023 |
Assistant Vice President, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (since 2022); Managing Associate, Thompson Hine LLP (2016–2022). |
27
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF
Trustees and Officers
(Unaudited) (Continued)
Name
and |
Position(s)
|
Term
of |
Principal Occupation(s) During Past 5 Years |
Vladimir
V. Gurevich |
Assistant Treasurer |
Indefinite term; since 2022 |
Assistant Vice President, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (since 2023); Officer, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (2021-2023); Fund Administrator, UMB Fund Services, Inc. (2015–2021). |
Jason
E. Shlensky |
Assistant Treasurer |
Indefinite term; since 2019 |
Assistant Vice President, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (since 2019); Officer, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (2014–2019). |
Jessica
L. Vorbeck |
Assistant Treasurer |
Indefinite term; since 2020 |
Assistant Vice President, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (since 2022); Officer, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (2014-2017, 2018-2022). |
Kathryne
E. Keough |
Assistant Secretary |
Indefinite term; since 2023 |
Assistant Vice President, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (since 2022); Regulatory Administration Attorney, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (since 2021); Regulatory Administration Intern, U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC (2020–2021); Law Student (2018-2021). |
The Statement of Additional Information (“SAI”) includes additional information about the Trustees and is available without charge, upon request, by calling toll free (800) 617-0004, by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov, or by accessing the Fund’s website at https://rangecncr.com/ .
28
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF
Expense Example
For the Six-Months Ended August 31, 2023 (Unaudited)
As a shareholder of the Fund, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including brokerage commissions on purchases and sales of Fund shares, and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees 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 funds. The example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire six-month period as indicated below in the Expense Example Table.
Actual Expenses
The first line of the table provides information about actual account values based on actual returns and actual expenses. You may use the information in this line, 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 first line 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 second line of the table provides information about hypothetical account values based on a hypothetical return 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 balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in the Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the 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 brokerage commissions paid on purchases and sales of Fund shares. Therefore, the second line of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. If these transactional costs were included, your costs would have been higher.
Beginning
|
Ending
|
Expenses
Paid | |
Actual |
$1,000.00 |
$ 897.10 |
$3.78 |
Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses) |
$1,000.00 |
$ 1,021.22 |
$4.02 |
(1) |
The dollar amounts shown as expenses paid during the period are equal to the annualized period expense ratio, 0.79%, multiplied by the average account value during the period, multiplied by 184/365, to reflect the one-half year period. |
29
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF
Review of Liquidity Risk Management Program
(Unaudited)
Pursuant to Rule 22e-4 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Trust, on behalf of the series of the Trust covered by this shareholder report (the “Series”), has adopted a liquidity risk management program to govern the Trust’s approach to managing liquidity risk. Rule 22e-4 seeks to promote effective liquidity risk management, thereby reducing the risk that a fund will be unable to meet its redemption obligations and mitigating dilution of the interests of fund shareholders. The Trust’s liquidity risk management program is tailored to reflect the Series’ particular risks, but not to eliminate all adverse impacts of liquidity risk, which would be incompatible with the nature of such Series.
The investment adviser to the Series has adopted and implemented its own written liquidity risk management program (the “Program”) tailored specifically to assess and manage the liquidity risk of the Series.
At a recent meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, the Trustees received a report pertaining to the operation, adequacy, and effectiveness of implementation of the Program for the period ended December 31, 2022. The report concluded that the Program is reasonably designed to assess and manage the Series’ liquidity risk and has operated adequately and effectively to manage such risk. The report reflected that there were no liquidity events that impacted the Series’ ability to timely meet redemptions without dilution to existing shareholders. The report further noted that no material changes have been made to the Program since its implementation.
There can be no assurance that the Program will achieve its objectives in the future. Please refer to the prospectus for more information regarding the Series’ exposure to liquidity risk and other principal risks to which an investment in the Series may be subject.
30
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF
Federal Tax Information
(Unaudited)
For the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023, certain dividends paid by the Fund may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 23.8%, as provided for by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003.
The percent of dividends declared from ordinary income designated as qualified dividend income was 0.00%.
For the corporate shareholders, the percent of ordinary income distributions qualifying for the corporate dividends received deducted for the fiscal period ended August 31, 2023 was 0.00%.
The percentage of taxable ordinary income distributions that are designated as short-term capital gain distributions under Internal Revenue Section 871(k)(2)(c) was 0.00%.
Information
About Portfolio Holdings
(Unaudited)
The Fund files its complete schedules of portfolio holdings for its first and third fiscal quarters with the SEC on Part F of Form N-PORT. The Fund’s Part F of Form N-PORT is available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free at (800) 617-0004 or by accessing the Fund’s website at h ttps://rangecncr.com/ . Furthermore, you may obtain the Part F of Form N-PORT on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov . The Fund’s portfolio holdings are posted on its website at https://rangecncr.com/ daily.
31
Range Cancer Therapeutics ETF
Information
About Proxy Voting
(Unaudited)
A description of the policies and procedures the Fund uses to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is provided in the SAI. The SAI is available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free at (800) 617-0004, by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov , or by accessing the Fund’s website at https://rangecncr.com/ .
Information regarding how the Fund’s voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the period ending June 30 is available by calling toll-free at (800) 617-0004 or by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov .
Frequency
Distribution of Premiums and Discounts
(Unaudited)
Information regarding how often shares of the Fund trade on an exchange at a price above (i.e., at premium) or below (i.e., at a discount) the NAV of each Fund is available, without charge, on the Fund’s website at https://rangecncr.com/ .
32
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Adviser
Exchange
Traded Concepts, LLC
10900 Hefner Pointe Drive, Suite 207
Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma 73120
Index Provider
Range
Fund Holdings
7307 SW Belevand Road
Tigard, Oregon 97223
Distributor
Quasar
Distributors, LLC
111 East Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 2200
Milwaukee,
Wisconsin 53202
Custodian
U.S.
Bank National Association
1555 North Rivercenter Drive, Suite 302
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212
Transfer Agent
U.S.
Bancorp Fund Services, LLC
615 East Michigan Street
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
53202
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Cohen
& Company, Ltd.
342 North Water Street, Suite 830
Milwaukee,
Wisconsin 53202
Legal Counsel
Morgan,
Lewis, & Bockius, LLP
1111 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC
20004
Range
Cancer Therapeutics ETF
Symbol – CNCR
CUSIP –
26922A826