EXCHANGE TRADED CONCEPTS TRUST
Capital Link NextGen Vehicles & Technology ETF
Annual Report
November 30, 2021
Capital Link
NextGen Vehicles & Technology ETF
Table of Contents
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27 |
The Fund files its complete schedules of investments with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N -PORT (Form N -Q for filings prior to March 31, 2020) within sixty days after the end of the period. The Fund’s Forms N -Q and N -PORT are available on the Commission’s website at https://www.sec.gov.
Exchange Traded Concepts, LLC’s proxy voting policies and procedures are attached to the Fund’s Statement of Additional Information (the “SAI”). The SAI, as well as information relating to how the Fund voted proxies relating to the Fund’s securities during the most recent 12 -month period ended June 30, is available without charge, upon request, by calling 1 -833-466-6383 and on the Commission’s website at https://www.sec.gov.
NextGen Vehicles & Technology ETF
Management Discussion of Fund Performance
November 30, 2021 (Unaudited)
Dear Shareholders
On behalf of the entire Capital Link ETF team, we want to express our appreciation for the confidence you have placed in the Capital Link Global Green Energy Transport and Technology Leaders ETF (formerly, Capital Link NextGen Vehicles & Technology ETF) (“EKAR” or the “Fund”). The following information pertains to the fiscal year December 1, 2020 through November 30, 2021, and does not reflect recent changes to the Fund.
During the most recent fiscal year, EKAR tracked the ATFI NextGen Transport Technology Index, which is comprised of a basket of global stocks that have exposure to the theme of electric and self -driving /autonomous vehicles. Over the next decade, auto industry experts expect a dramatic production shift away from light vehicles powered by internal combustion engines to those propelled by electric batteries. Meanwhile, the world’s adoption of autonomous vehicles is being supported by a growing trend toward shared mobility, technological advancements and an evolving regulatory environment. To give this basket a more defined framework, stocks are placed in one of four custom stakeholder categories in terms of how they relate to the theme: Battery, OEMs, Suppliers and Semis & Software. Definitions of these categories.
1) Battery Producers: companies that mine for metals (such as lithium or cobalt) used in the production of batteries, manufacture of materials and specialty chemicals and components used in batteries, and production of battery cells; (2) Original Equipment Manufacturers: (“OEMs”) companies that design, manufacture and/or distribute Next Generation Vehicles; (3) Suppliers: companies that produce or distribute parts and components used in Next Generation Vehicles; and (4) Semis and Software: companies that (i) produce semiconductors used in but not limited to advanced driver -assistance systems (“ADAS”), light detection and ranging (“LiDAR”) and infotainment systems in Next Generation Vehicles and (ii) develop software necessary for sensing, mapping, and providing driving policy within Next Generation Vehicles. “Next Generation Vehicles” include both New Energy Vehicles (battery electric vehicles, plug -in hybrid electric vehicles, and fuel cell electric vehicles) and Autonomously Driven Vehicles.
Strong performance among automobile manufacturers positively impacted EKAR’s performance over the past year. In particular, stocks of electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers experienced especially strong performance. Tesla, EKAR’s largest holding, more than doubled during the fiscal year. Additionally, companies producing components for EVs performed strongly. Producers of materials such as the lithium used in EV batteries performed well as did semiconductor companies whose chips are used in the advanced circuitry of not only EVs but most newer vehicles.
The Fund had positive performance during the fiscal year ended November 30, 2021. The market price for EKAR increased 28.75%, and the net asset value increased 28.90% while the S&P 500 Index, a broad equity market index, gained 27.92% over the same period. The Fund’s Index returned 29.12%.
We appreciate your investment in EKAR.
The Fund began trading on February 13, 2018, and had 275,000 shares outstanding as of November 30, 2021. We appreciate your investment in EKAR.
Sincerely,
J. Garrett Stevens,
Chief Executive Officer
Exchange Traded Concepts, Adviser to the Fund
1
Capital Link
NextGen Vehicles & Technology ETF
Management Discussion of Fund Performance
November 30, 2021 (Unaudited) (Concluded)
Growth of a $10,000 Investment
(at Net Asset Value)
AVERAGE TOTAL RETURN
|
||||||||||||||
One Year |
Three Year |
Annualized
|
||||||||||||
Net Asset
|
Market
|
Net Asset
|
Market
|
Net Asset
|
Market
|
|||||||||
Capital Link NextGen Vehicles & Technology ETF |
28.90% |
28.75% |
29.26% |
29.14% |
16.91% |
16.98% |
||||||||
ATFI NextGen Transport Technology Index |
29.12% |
29.12% |
29.88% |
29.88% |
17.76% |
17.76% |
||||||||
S&P 500 ® Index |
27.92% |
27.92% |
20.38% |
20.38% |
17.44% |
17.44% |
* The Fund commenced operations on February 12, 2018.
The performance data quoted herein represents past performance and the return and value of an investment in the Fund will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed or sold in the market, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance and should not be considered as a representation of the future results of the Fund. The Fund’s performance assumes the reinvestment of all dividends and all capital gains. Index returns assume reinvestment of dividends and, unlike a Fund’s returns, do not reflect any fees or expenses. If such fees and expenses were included in the index returns, the performance would have been lower. Please note that one cannot invest directly in an unmanaged index.
Investors should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. A prospectus, containing this and other information, is available at cli -etfs .com. Investors should read the prospectus carefully before investing. There are risks associated with investing, including possible loss of principal.
Current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data shown above.
There are no assurances that the Fund will meet its stated objectives.
The Fund’s holdings and allocations are subject to change and should not be considered recommendations to buy individual securities.
Returns shown do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Fund distributions or the redemption of Fund shares.
The S&P ® 500 Index is a market -value weighted index consisting of 500 stocks chosen for market size, liquidity, and industry group representation, with each stock’s weight in the S&P ® 500 Index proportionate to its market value.
2
Description |
Shares |
Fair Value |
|||
COMMON STOCK — 99.8% |
|
||||
|
|||||
Belgium — 0.8% |
|
||||
Umicore |
1,934 |
$ |
93,628 |
||
|
|||||
Canada — 3.6% |
|
||||
First Quantum Minerals |
8,178 |
|
173,595 |
||
Linamar |
1,649 |
|
94,276 |
||
Magna International |
2,085 |
|
155,627 |
||
|
423,498 |
||||
Chile — 1.1% |
|
||||
Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile ADR |
1,971 |
|
122,715 |
||
|
|||||
China — 5.3% |
|
||||
Baidu ADR* |
2,141 |
|
320,808 |
||
NIO ADR* |
2,934 |
|
114,807 |
||
NXP Semiconductors |
834 |
|
186,282 |
||
|
621,897 |
||||
France — 5.1% |
|
||||
Airbus* |
2,142 |
|
238,016 |
||
Faurecia |
1,538 |
|
65,611 |
||
Renault* |
5,498 |
|
176,125 |
||
Valeo |
4,364 |
|
125,455 |
||
|
605,207 |
||||
Germany — 10.9% |
|
||||
Continental* |
2,684 |
|
286,098 |
||
Daimler (A) |
5,422 |
|
506,546 |
||
Infineon Technologies |
4,765 |
|
214,163 |
||
Siemens |
1,799 |
|
286,084 |
||
|
1,292,891 |
Description |
Shares |
Fair Value |
|||
Hong Kong — 6.8% |
|
||||
BAIC Motor, Cl H |
161,500 |
$ |
66,706 |
||
BYD, Cl H |
6,500 |
|
255,469 |
||
Geely Automobile Holdings |
33,000 |
|
97,994 |
||
Great Wall Motor, Cl H |
22,500 |
|
94,088 |
||
Guangzhou Automobile Group, Cl H |
106,000 |
|
108,504 |
||
MMG* |
124,000 |
|
45,014 |
||
Sinotruk Hong Kong |
39,000 |
|
57,831 |
||
Zijin Mining Group, Cl H |
62,000 |
|
82,393 |
||
|
807,999 |
||||
Japan — 20.8% |
|
||||
Denso |
4,100 |
|
300,824 |
||
Honda Motor |
14,200 |
|
387,813 |
||
Nidec |
3,200 |
|
366,374 |
||
Panasonic |
16,100 |
|
176,179 |
||
Renesas Electronics* |
6,300 |
|
80,009 |
||
Rohm |
700 |
|
65,533 |
||
Sumitomo Chemical |
13,100 |
|
60,456 |
||
Sumitomo Metal Mining |
2,400 |
|
89,473 |
||
TDK |
3,000 |
|
118,896 |
||
Toray Industries |
16,000 |
|
93,115 |
||
Toyota Motor |
25,500 |
|
449,386 |
||
Toyota Tsusho |
2,500 |
|
109,098 |
||
Yaskawa Electric |
3,700 |
|
165,864 |
||
|
2,463,020 |
||||
Russia — 1.0% |
|
||||
Yandex, Cl A* |
1,614 |
|
116,111 |
||
|
|||||
South Korea — 5.9% |
|
||||
Hyundai Mobis |
812 |
|
150,725 |
||
Hyundai Motor |
1,129 |
|
185,807 |
||
Kia |
2,005 |
|
131,315 |
||
Samsung
|
596 |
|
83,537 |
||
Samsung SDI |
261 |
|
151,164 |
||
|
702,548 |
||||
Sweden — 1.5% |
|
||||
Autoliv |
799 |
|
77,016 |
||
Veoneer* |
2,886 |
|
102,741 |
||
|
179,757 |
||||
Switzerland — 4.7% |
|
||||
ABB |
10,893 |
|
375,381 |
||
STMicroelectronics |
3,685 |
|
178,771 |
||
|
554,152 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
3
Capital Link
NextGen Vehicles & Technology ETF
Schedule of Investments
November 30, 2021 (Concluded)
Description |
Shares |
Fair Value |
|||
United States — 32.3% |
|
||||
Communication Services — 4.0% |
|
||||
Alphabet, Cl A* |
165 |
$ |
468,262 |
||
|
|||||
Consumer Discretionary — 9.3% |
|
||||
Aptiv PLC* |
1,274 |
|
204,286 |
||
Luminar Technologies, Cl A (A) * |
6,851 |
|
111,671 |
||
Tesla* |
688 |
|
787,595 |
||
|
|||||
Information Technology — 17.4% |
|
||||
Advanced Micro
|
2,250 |
|
356,333 |
||
Ambarella* |
643 |
|
115,431 |
||
Intel |
7,198 |
|
354,142 |
||
Marvell Technology |
2,700 |
|
192,159 |
||
MaxLinear, Cl A* |
2,146 |
|
144,490 |
||
NVIDIA |
1,667 |
|
544,709 |
||
ON Semiconductor* |
2,184 |
|
134,163 |
||
Skyworks Solutions |
1,476 |
|
223,850 |
||
|
|||||
Materials — 1.6% |
|
||||
Albemarle |
325 |
|
86,609 |
||
FMC |
1,043 |
|
104,498 |
||
|
3,828,198 |
||||
Total Common Stock
|
|
11,811,621 |
|||
|
|||||
MONEY MARKET — 0.1% |
|
||||
JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market Fund, Cl I 0.01% (B) |
12,435 |
|
12,435 |
||
Total Money Market
|
|
12,435 |
|||
|
Description |
Shares |
Fair Value |
|||
REPURCHASE AGREEMENT — 0.9% (C)(D) |
|||||
Citigroup 0.060%, dated 11 / 30 / 2021 to be repurchased on 12 / 01 / 2021, repurchase price $112,263 (collateralized by U.S. Government obligations, ranging in par value $0 – $16,907, 0.000% – 6.625%, 12 / 08 / 2021 – 11 / 15 / 2051; with total market value $114,513) |
112,263 |
$ |
112,263 |
||
Total
Repurchase Agreement
|
|
112,263 |
|||
|
|||||
Total Investments — 100.8%
|
$ |
11,936,319 |
Percentages are based on net assets of $11,844,411.
* Non -income producing security.
(A) Certain securities or partial positions of certain securities are on loan at November 30, 2021 (see Note 6). The total market value of securities on loan at November 30, 2021 was $503,736.
(B) The rate reported is the 7 -day effective yield as of November 30, 2021.
(C) Tri -Party Repurchase Agreement.
(D) This security was purchased with cash collateral held from securities on loan (see Note 6). The total market value of such securities as of November 30, 2021 was $112,263.
The following is a list of the inputs used as of November 30, 2021 in valuing the Fund’s investments carried at value:
|
Level 1 |
|
Level 2 |
|
Level 3 |
|
Total |
|||||
Investments in Securities |
|
|
|
|
||||||||
Common Stock |
$ |
11,811,621 |
$ |
— |
$ |
— |
$ |
11,811,621 |
||||
Repurchase Agreement |
|
— |
|
112,263 |
|
— |
|
112,263 |
||||
Money Market |
|
12,435 |
|
— |
|
— |
|
12,435 |
||||
Total Investments in Securities |
$ |
11,824,056 |
$ |
112,263 |
$ |
— |
$ |
11,936,319 |
For the year ended November 30, 2021, there were no transfers in or out of Level 3.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
4
NextGen Vehicles & Technology ETF
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
November 30, 2021
Assets: |
|
||
Investments and Repurchase Agreement, at Cost |
$ |
9,227,346 |
|
Cost of Foreign Currency |
|
1,668 |
|
Investments at Fair Value* |
$ |
11,824,056 |
|
Repurchase Agreements at Value |
|
112,263 |
|
Foreign Currency at Value |
|
1,664 |
|
Dividends Receivable |
|
16,366 |
|
Reclaims Receivable |
|
8,890 |
|
|
|||
Total Assets |
|
11,963,239 |
|
|
|||
Liabilities: |
|
||
Payable Upon Return on Securities Loaned |
|
112,263 |
|
Advisory Fees Payable |
|
6,565 |
|
Total Liabilities |
|
118,828 |
|
|
|||
Net Assets |
$ |
11,844,411 |
|
|
|||
Net Assets Consist of: |
|
||
Paid-in Capital |
$ |
9,101,949 |
|
Total Distributable Earnings |
|
2,742,462 |
|
Net Assets |
$ |
11,844,411 |
|
|
|||
Outstanding Shares of Beneficial Interest (unlimited authorization — no par value) |
|
275,000 |
|
Net Asset Value, Offering and Redemption Price Per Share |
$ |
43.07 |
* Includes Market Value of Securities on Loan of $503,736.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
5
NextGen Vehicles & Technology ETF
Statement of Operations
For the year ended November 30, 2021
Investment Income: |
|
|
||
Dividend Income |
$ |
129,905 |
|
|
Income from Securities Lending |
|
6,100 |
|
|
Less: Foreign Taxes Withheld |
|
(16,504 |
) |
|
Total Investment Income |
|
119,501 |
|
|
|
|
|||
Expenses: |
|
|
||
Advisory Fees |
|
100,515 |
|
|
Other Fees |
|
6 |
|
|
Less: Management Fee Waiver |
|
(31,742 |
) |
|
|
|
|||
Net Expenses |
|
68,779 |
|
|
|
|
|||
Net Investment Income |
|
50,722 |
|
|
|
|
|||
Net Realized Gain on: |
|
|
||
Investments (1) |
|
418,589 |
|
|
Foreign Currency Transactions |
|
374 |
|
|
|
|
|||
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on: |
|
|
||
Investments |
|
1,565,740 |
|
|
Foreign Currency Translations |
|
(455 |
) |
|
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain on Investments |
|
1,984,248 |
|
|
|
|
|||
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations |
$ |
2,034,970 |
|
(1) Includes realized gains and losses as a result of in -kind transactions (See Note 4 in Notes to Financial Statements).
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
6
Year Ended
|
Year Ended
|
|||||||
Operations: |
|
|
|
|
||||
Net Investment Income |
$ |
50,722 |
|
$ |
25,081 |
|
||
Net Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments and Foreign Currency Transactions (1) |
|
418,963 |
|
|
(409 |
) |
||
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation) on Investments and Foreign Currency Translation |
|
1,565,285 |
|
|
1,197,204 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations |
|
2,034,970 |
|
|
1,221,876 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Distributions: |
|
(30,477 |
) |
|
(18,739 |
) |
||
Capital Share Transactions: |
|
|
|
|
||||
Issued |
|
6,541,647 |
|
|
1,358,704 |
|
||
Redeemed |
|
(898,516 |
) |
|
— |
|
||
Increase in Net Assets from Capital Share Transactions |
|
5,643,131 |
|
|
1,358,704 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Total Increase in Net Assets |
|
7,647,624 |
|
|
2,561,841 |
|
||
Net Assets: |
|
|
|
|
||||
Beginning of Year |
|
4,196,787 |
|
|
1,634,946 |
|
||
End of Year |
$ |
11,844,411 |
|
$ |
4,196,787 |
|
||
Share Transactions: |
|
|
|
|
||||
Issued |
|
175,000 |
|
|
50,000 |
|
||
Redeemed |
|
(25,000 |
) |
|
— |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net Increase in Shares Outstanding from Share Transactions |
|
150,000 |
|
|
50,000 |
|
(1) Includes realized gains and losses as a result of in -kind transactions (See Note 4 in Notes to Financial Statements).
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.
7
Selected Per Share Data & Ratios
Year or Period Ended November 30,
For a Share Outstanding Throughout the Period/Year
Net Asset
|
Net
|
Net
|
Total from
|
Distributions
|
Distributions
|
Total
|
Net
|
Market
|
Total
|
Net
|
Ratio of
|
Ratio of
|
Ratio of
|
Portfolio
|
|||||||||||||||||
2021 |
$ 33.57 |
$ 0.19 |
$ 9.48 |
|
$ 9.67 |
$ (0.17) |
$ — |
$ (0.17) |
$ 43.07 |
$ 43.16 |
28.90% |
$11,844 |
0.65%^ |
0.95% |
0.48% |
22% |
|||||||||||||||
2020 |
21.80 |
0.26 |
11.76 |
|