Semi-Annual Report

March 31, 2023

 

Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

Ticker: DSTL

 

Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

Ticker: DSTX

 

Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF
Ticker: DSMC

 

 

 

Distillate Capital ETFs

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

Letters to Shareholders

1

Portfolio Allocation

7

Schedules of Investments

9

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

24

Statements of Operations

25

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

26

Financial Highlights

29

Notes to Financial Statements

32

Expense Examples

43

Review of Liquidity Risk Management Program

45

Approval of Advisory Agreement & Board Consideration

46

Federal Tax Information

51

Foreign Tax Credit Pass Through

52

Information About Portfolio Holdings

52

Information About Proxy Voting

53

Information About the Funds’ Trustees

53

Frequency Distribution of Premiums and Discounts

53

 

 

Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

 

Letters to Shareholders

March 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

Dear Distillate Funds Shareholder,

 

Thank you for your interest and investment in the Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF (“DSTL” or the “Fund”). The information presented in this semi-annual report covers the period from October 1, 2022 through March 31, 2023 (the “current fiscal period”).

 

During the current fiscal period, the Fund followed a passively managed strategy, with the aim of tracking the performance, before fees and expenses, of the Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value Index (the “Index”), an index conceived by Distillate Capital Partners, LLC. The Index uses proprietary valuation and risk measures with the goal of including only securities with a high degree of fundamental stability, relatively low levels of debt and attractive valuation from a starting universe of large capitalization U.S. stocks. These measures were designed for today’s economy, where significant levels of intangible investment have rendered many traditional measures of value & risk less effective.

 

Fund and Individual Stock Performance & Holdings

 

During the current fiscal period, elevated reported inflation and the Federal Reserve’s efforts to fight that inflation via higher interest rates have produced continued economic uncertainty and extended debates over whether the U.S. and global economies might enter recession in the near future. However, U.S. equity markets have performed well in this latest period, with the S&P 500® Index rising 15.63% during the six months ended March 31, 2023. Over the same period, the DSTL market price was up 17.86% and its Net Asset Value (“NAV”) rose 17.98%, outpacing the returns of the S&P 500® benchmark. The DSTL Index returned 18.26%. The top contributors to the Fund’s performance over the current fiscal period were its holdings of Apple, Inc. +39.9%, Broadcom, Inc. +46.8%, Horizon Therapeutics plc +83.0%, Cisco Systems, Inc. +32.9%, and Comcast Corporation - Class A (+31.4%. The largest detractors from Fund performance included CVS Health Corporation -21.1%, Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. -27.0%, Generac Holdings, Inc. -39.4%, Cheniere Energy, Inc. -15.4%, and Advance Auto Parts, Inc. -21.4%.

 

1

 

 

Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

 

Letters to Shareholders

March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

The Fund holds approximately 100 stocks and is systematically rebalanced each quarter based on Distillate’s proprietary measures of quality and free cash flow-based valuation. As of March 31, 2023, the Fund’s largest five holdings as a percentage of assets were Apple, Inc. (4.80%), Alphabet, Inc. – Class A (4.44%), Broadcom, Inc. (2.00%), Visa, Inc. – Class A (1.99%), and AbbVie, Inc. (1.92%). We thank you for your investment in the Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Thomas M. Cole
Chief Executive Officer
Distillate Capital Partners LLC

 

2

 

 

Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

 

Letters to Shareholders
March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Dear Distillate Funds Shareholder,

 

Thank you for your interest and investment in the Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF (“DSTX” or the “Fund”). The information presented in this semi-annual report covers the period from October 1, 2022 through March 31, 2023 (the “current fiscal period”).

 

During the current fiscal period, the Fund followed a passively managed strategy, with the aim of tracking the performance, before fees and expenses, of the Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value Index (the “Index”), an index conceived by Distillate Capital Partners, LLC. The Index uses proprietary valuation and risk measures with the goal of including only securities with a high degree of fundamental stability, relatively low levels of debt and attractive valuation from a starting universe of mid-and large-capitalization non-U.S. stocks. These measures were designed for today’s economy, where significant levels of intangible investment have rendered many traditional measures of value & risk less effective.

 

Fund and Individual Stock Performance & Holdings

 

During the current fiscal period, elevated reported inflation and global central banks’ efforts to fight that inflation via higher interest rates have produced continued economic uncertainty and extended debates over whether the U.S. and global economies might enter recession in the near future. However, global equity markets rose significantly in this latest period, with the Morningstar Global Markets ex-US Index returning 21.31% during the six months ended March 31, 2023. Over the same period, the DSTX market price was up 26.79% and its Net Asset Value (“NAV”) rose 26.57%, outpacing the benchmark return. The DSTX Index returned 26.93%. The top contributors to the Fund’s performance over the current fiscal period were its holdings of LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE (+52.7%), Samsung Electronics Company, Ltd. - GDR +34.1%, Industria De Diseno Textil SA +64.3%, Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd. +28.8%, and Cie Financiere Richemont SA +66.6%. The largest detractors from Fund performance included Roche Holding AG - ADR -8.5%, JBS SA -21.0%, GanFeng Lithium Group Company Group, Ltd. – H Shares -20.6%, Embracer Group AB -21.9%, and Telekom Indonesia Persero Tbk PT -7.5%.

 

3

 

 

Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

 

Letters to Shareholders
March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

The Fund holds approximately 100 stocks and is systematically rebalanced each quarter based on Distillate’s proprietary measures of quality and free cash flow-based valuation. As of March 31, 2023, the Fund’s largest five holdings as a percentage of assets were LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE (3.37%), Samsung Electronics Company, Ltd. - GDR (3.11%), Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd. (3.07%), Roche Holding AG - ADR (2.49%), and China Shenhua Energy Company, Ltd. – H Shares (2.08%). We thank you for your investment in the Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Thomas M. Cole
Chief Executive Officer
Distillate Capital Partners LLC

 

4

 

 

Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF

 

Letters to Shareholders
March 31, 2023 (Unaudited)
(Continued)

 

Dear Distillate Funds Shareholder,

 

Thank you for your interest and investment in the Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF (“DSMC” or the “Fund”). The information presented in this semi-annual report covers the period from the Fund’s inception on October 5, 2022, through March 31, 2023 (the “current fiscal period”).

 

The Fund is an actively managed ETF that uses Distillate’s proprietary valuation and risk measures with the goal of including only securities with strong balance sheets and attractive free cash flow-based valuation from a starting universe of small- and mid-capitalization U.S. stocks. These measures were designed for today’s economy, where significant levels of intangible investment have rendered many traditional measures of value & risk less effective.

 

Fund and Individual Stock Performance & Holdings

 

During the current fiscal period, elevated reported inflation and the Federal Reserve’s efforts to fight that inflation via higher interest rates have produced continued economic uncertainty and extended debates over whether the U.S. and global economies might enter recession in the near future. However, U.S. equity markets have performed well in this latest period, with the Morningstar US Small Cap Index rising 6.60% during the fiscal period. Over the same period, the DSMC market price was up 15.35% and its Net Asset Value (“NAV”) rose 15.40%, outpacing the benchmark return. The top contributors to the Fund’s performance over the current fiscal period were its holdings of PVH Corporation +76.5%, PulteGroup, Inc. +43.6%, InterPublic Group, Inc. +28.5%, Helix Energy Solutions Group +76.3%, and Abercrombie & Fitch Company +72.9%. The largest detractors from Fund performance included Western Union Company -18.9%, Lumentum Holdings, Inc. -27.3%, Amedisys, Inc. -26.3%, Advance Auto Parts, Inc. -19.9%, and Xperi, Inc. -42.8%.

 

The Fund holds approximately 150 stocks and is systematically rebalanced each quarter based on Distillate’s proprietary measures of quality and free cash flow-based valuation. As of March 31, 2023, the Fund’s largest five holdings as a percentage of assets were AutoNation, Inc. (1.62%), Albertsons Companies, Inc. – Class A (1.55%), PulteGroup, Inc. (1.40%), DXC Technology Company (1.23%), and Toll Brothers, Inc. (1.12%). We thank you for your investment in the Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Thomas M. Cole
Chief Executive Officer
Distillate Capital Partners LLC

 

5

 

 

Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF

 

Letters to Shareholders
March 31, 2023 (Unaudited)
(Continued)

 

Must be preceded or accompanied by a prospectus.

 

Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible. The Fund has the same risks as the underlying securities traded on the exchange throughout the day. Redemptions are limited and often commissions are charged on each trade, and ETFs may trade at a premium or discount to their NAV. As with all index funds, the performance of the Fund and its Index may differ from each other for a variety of reasons. For example, the Fund incurs operating expenses and portfolio transaction costs not incurred by the Index. In addition, the Fund may not be fully invested in the securities of the Index at all times or may hold securities not included in the Index. The Fund is not actively managed and may be affected by a general decline in market segments related to the index. Unlike mutual funds, ETFs may trade at a premium or discount to their NAV.

 

Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value Index – The Index seeks to include the most fundamentally stable and most undervalued stocks from a starting universe of around 500 of the largest U.S. companies. The Index is constructed using objective, rules-based selection criteria based on Distillate Capital’s proprietary fundamental measures of valuation and quality. The Index is rebalanced quarterly and holds approximately 100 securities.

 

Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value Index – The Index seeks to include the most fundamentally stable and most undervalued stocks from a starting universe of around 1400 of non-U.S. companies in developed & emerging markets. The Index is constructed using objective, rules-based selection criteria based on Distillate Capital’s proprietary fundamental measures of valuation and quality. The Index is rebalanced quarterly and holds approximately 100 securities.

 

Standard & Poor’s 500 (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.

 

Morningstar Global Markets ex-US NR Index – This index measures the performance of the stocks located in the developed and emerging countries across the world (excluding the United States) as defined by Morningstar. Stocks in the index are weighted by their float capital, which removes corporate cross ownership, government holdings and other locked-in shares.

 

Morningstar US Small Cap TR Index – The index measures the performance of US small-cap stocks. These stocks fall between the 90th and 97th percentile in market capitalization of the investable universe. In aggregate, the Small Cap Index represents 7 percent of the investable universe.

 

Federal Reserve – The Federal Reserve System, often referred to as the Federal Reserve ort simply “the Fed”, is the central bank of the United States. It was created by Congress to provide the nation with a safer, more flexible, and more stable monetary and financial system.

 

Free Cash Flow – the amount of cash generated be a business in a given period, after subtracting the company’s investment in capital expenditures from operating cash flow. Free cash flow can be used to pay dividends, repurchase shares of the company’s stock, or pay down debt, among other uses.

 

Fundamental Stability (or Fundamental Volatility) refers to Distillate’s proprietary measure of the long-term variability of a company’s cash flow generation.

 

Fund holdings are subject to change and are not a recommendation to buy or sell any security. For a complete listing of the Funds’ holdings please view the Schedule of Investments.

 

Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF, Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF and Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF are distributed by Quasar Distributors, LLC.

 

You cannot invest directly in an index.

 

6

 

 

Distillate Capital ETFs

 

Portfolio Allocation
As of March 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

 

Sector

Percentage of
Net Assets

Technology (a)

26.4%

Consumer, Non-cyclical

23.1

Industrial

14.4

Consumer, Cyclical

13.7

Communications

10.7

Financial

7.8

Basic Materials

2.4

Energy

1.5

Short-Term Investments (b)

0.0

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities (b)

0.0

Total

100.0%

 

(a)

To the extent that the Fund invests more heavily in particular sectors of the economy, its performance will be especially sensitive to developments that significantly affect those sectors. See Note 7 in Notes to Financial Statements.

(b)

Represents Less than 0.05% of net assets.

 

Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

 

Sector

Percentage of
Net Assets

Consumer, Cyclical

25.2%

Consumer, Non-cyclical

19.9

Industrial

16.3

Technology

13.6

Communications

11.0

Basic Materials

7.1

Energy

3.5

Financial

2.7

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities

0.5

Short-Term Investments

0.2

Total

100.0%

 

 

7

 

 

Distillate Capital ETFs

 

Portfolio Allocation
As of March 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF

 

Sector

Percentage of
Net Assets

Consumer, Cyclical (a)

35.6%

Industrial

19.8

Consumer, Non-cyclical

17.4

Technology

8.7

Basic Materials

5.8

Energy

4.9

Financial

4.6

Communications

2.4

Short-Term Investments

0.8

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities (b)

0.0

Total

100.0%

 

(a)

To the extent that the Fund invests more heavily in particular sectors of the economy, its performance will be especially sensitive to developments that significantly affect those sectors. See Note 7 in Notes to Financial Statements.

(b)

Represents less than 0.05% of net assets.

 

8

 

 

Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

 

Schedule of Investments
March 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

 

Shares

 

Security Description

 

Value

 
     

COMMON STOCKS — 100.0%

       
       

Basic Materials — 2.4%

       
    72,875  

Celanese Corporation

  $ 7,935,359  
    87,792  

Eastman Chemical Company

    7,404,377  
    75,370  

Westlake Corporation

    8,741,413  
              24,081,149  
       

Communications — 10.7%

       
    433,558  

Alphabet, Inc. - Class A (a)

    44,972,971  
    314,659  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    16,448,799  
    410,296  

Comcast Corporation - Class A

    15,554,322  
    236,694  

Corning, Inc.

    8,350,564  
    48,591  

F5, Inc. (a)

    7,079,223  
    96,404  

GoDaddy, Inc. - Class A (a)

    7,492,519  
    92,752  

Omnicom Group, Inc.

    8,750,224  
              108,648,622  
       

Consumer, Cyclical — 13.7%

       
    47,881  

Advance Auto Parts, Inc.

    5,822,808  
    3,312  

AutoZone, Inc. (a)

    8,141,393  
    176,289  

BorgWarner, Inc.

    8,657,553  
    32,874  

Cummins, Inc.

    7,852,941  
    59,691  

Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc.

    8,469,556  
    43,015  

Genuine Parts Company

    7,196,840  
    52,331  

Home Depot, Inc.

    15,443,925  
    135,765  

LKQ Corporation

    7,706,021  
    60,014  

Lowe’s Companies, Inc.

    12,001,000  
    1,589  

NVR, Inc. (a)

    8,854,210  
    123,047  

PACCAR, Inc.

    9,007,040  
    68,904  

Polaris, Inc.

    7,622,850  
    15,440  

Ulta Beauty, Inc. (a)

    8,425,145  
    29,405  

Vail Resorts, Inc.

    6,871,360  
    28,219  

Watsco, Inc.

    8,978,157  
    62,203  

Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

    7,567,617  
              138,618,416  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

9

 

 

Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

 

Schedule of Investments
March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

Shares

 

Security Description

 

Value

 
       

COMMON STOCKS — 100.0% (Continued)

       
       

Consumer, Non-cyclical — 23.1%

       
    105,694  

Abbott Laboratories

  $ 10,702,574  
    122,249  

AbbVie, Inc.

    19,482,823  
    49,670  

Amgen, Inc.

    12,007,722  
    40,023  

Automatic Data Processing, Inc.

    8,910,321  
    35,841  

Cigna Group

    9,158,451  
    146,290  

CVS Health Corporation

    10,870,810  
    22,695  

Elevance Health, Inc.

    10,435,388  
    39,866  

FleetCor Technologies, Inc. (a)

    8,405,746  
    80,627  

Global Payments, Inc.

    8,485,185  
    87,718  

Henry Schein, Inc. (a)

    7,152,526  
    163,324  

Hormel Foods Corporation

    6,513,361  
    37,029  

ICON plc (a)

    7,909,024  
    48,168  

Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (a)

    7,048,423  
    117,432  

Johnson & Johnson

    18,201,960  
    184,028  

Kroger Company

    9,085,462  
    31,678  

Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings

    7,267,567  
    24,149  

McKesson Corporation

    8,598,251  
    137,141  

PayPal Holdings, Inc. (a)

    10,414,488  
    12,928  

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a)

    10,622,550  
    93,759  

Robert Half International, Inc.

    7,554,163  
    21,823  

United Rentals, Inc.

    8,636,670  
    36,110  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    17,065,225  
    30,223  

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a)

    9,522,361  
              234,051,051  
       

Energy — 1.5%

       
    86,295  

Chesapeake Energy Corporation

    6,561,872  
    65,642  

Diamondback Energy, Inc.

    8,872,829  
              15,434,701  
       

Financial — 7.8%

       
    28,540  

Aon plc - Class A

    8,998,376  
    42,463  

Arthur J. Gallagher & Company

    8,123,596  
    13,431  

BlackRock, Inc.

    8,986,951  
    126,662  

Brown & Brown, Inc.

    7,272,932  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

10

 

 

Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

 

Schedule of Investments
March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

Shares

 

Security Description

 

Value

 
       

COMMON STOCKS — 100.0% (Continued)

       
       

Financial — 7.8% (Continued)

       
    99,338  

CBRE Group, Inc. - Class A (a)

  $ 7,232,800  
    50,104  

CME Group, Inc.

    9,595,918  
    82,916  

Intercontinental Exchange, Inc.

    8,647,310  
    89,326  

Visa, Inc. - Class A

    20,139,440  
              78,997,323  
       

Industrial — 14.4%

       
    83,598  

3M Company

    8,786,986  
    121,185  

A.O. Smith Corporation

    8,379,943  
    65,938  

Allegion plc

    7,037,563  
    286,442  

CSX Corporation

    8,576,073  
    53,909  

Eaton Corporation plc

    9,236,768  
    120,979  

Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc.

    7,105,097  
    67,742  

Generac Holdings, Inc. (a)

    7,316,813  
    36,505  

General Dynamics Corporation

    8,330,806  
    138,118  

Ingersoll Rand, Inc.

    8,035,705  
    106,487  

Jabil, Inc.

    9,387,894  
    135,014  

Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings, Inc.

    7,639,092  
    21,193  

Lockheed Martin Corporation

    10,018,567  
    52,058  

Middleby Corporation (a)

    7,632,223  
    85,292  

Owens Corning

    8,170,974  
    55,595  

Packaging Corporation of America

    7,718,254  
    31,136  

Snap-on, Inc.

    7,687,167  
    45,870  

Trane Technologies plc

    8,439,163  
    208,905  

WestRock Company

    6,365,335  
              145,864,423  
       

Technology — 26.4% (b)

       
    43,347  

Accenture plc - Class A

    12,389,006  
    104,627  

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

    8,955,025  
    34,148  

Adobe, Inc. (a)

    13,159,615  
    83,752  

Akamai Technologies, Inc. (a)

    6,557,782  
    77,684  

Amdocs, Ltd.

    7,459,994  
    58,261  

Analog Devices, Inc.

    11,490,234  
    294,885  

Apple, Inc.

    48,626,536  
    103,858  

Applied Materials, Inc.

    12,756,878  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

11

 

 

Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

 

Schedule of Investments
March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

Shares

 

Security Description

 

Value

 
       

COMMON STOCKS — 100.0% (Continued)

       
       

Technology — 26.4% (b) (Continued)

       
    31,562  

Broadcom, Inc.

  $ 20,248,285  
    138,878  

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation - Class A

    8,461,837  
    62,040  

Electronic Arts, Inc.

    7,472,718  
    128,375  

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

    6,974,614  
    89,553  

Fiserv, Inc. (a)

    10,122,176  
    156,288  

Fortinet, Inc. (a)

    10,386,900  
    22,286  

KLA Corporation

    8,895,903  
    21,775  

Lam Research Corporation

    11,543,363  
    119,596  

Microchip Technology, Inc.

    10,019,753  
    120,549  

NetApp, Inc.

    7,697,054  
    78,006  

Qorvo, Inc. (a)

    7,923,069  
    84,222  

Skyworks Solutions, Inc.

    9,936,512  
    79,831  

Teradyne, Inc.

    8,582,631  
    67,879  

VMware, Inc. - Class A (a)

    8,474,693  
    27,492  

Zebra Technologies Corporation - Class A (a)

    8,742,456  
              266,877,034  
       

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $964,999,899)

    1,012,572,719  
                 
       

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 0.0% (c)

       
    125,174  

First American Government Obligations Fund - Class X, 4.65% (d)

    125,174  
       

TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $125,174)

    125,174  
       

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.0% (Cost $965,125,073)

    1,012,697,893  
       

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 0.0% (b)

    160,152  
       

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

  $ 1,012,858,045  

 

Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

To the extent that the Fund invests more heavily in particular sectors of the economy, its performance will be especially sensitive to developments that significantly affect those sectors. See Note 7 in Notes to Financial Statements

(c)

Represents less than 0.05% of net assets.

(d)

Rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of March 31, 2023.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

12

 

 

Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

 

Schedule of Investments
March 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

 

Shares

 

Security Description

 

Value

 
       

COMMON STOCKS — 99.3%

       
       

Australia — 4.7%

       
    5,390  

Aristocrat Leisure, Ltd.

  $ 134,291  
    44,633  

Aurizon Holdings, Ltd.

    100,441  
    52,869  

Evolution Mining, Ltd.

    110,477  
    56,055  

Medibank Pvt, Ltd.

    126,145  
    20,373  

Northern Star Resources, Ltd.

    167,968  
    6,035  

Sonic Healthcare, Ltd.

    140,822  
              780,144  
       

Brazil — 0.7%

       
    34,270  

JBS SA

    120,311  
       

Canada — 6.5%

       
    25,781  

B2Gold Corporation

    101,577  
    1,487  

CGI, Inc. (a)

    143,113  
    100  

Constellation Software Inc/Canada

    187,750  
    3,839  

Gildan Activewear, Inc.

    127,416  
    300  

Lumine Group, Inc. (a)

    3,261  
    2,596  

Magna International, Inc.

    139,068  
    3,464  

Open Text Corporation

    133,430  
    1,156  

TFI International, Inc.

    137,753  
    2,997  

Tourmaline Oil Corporation

    124,721  
              1,098,089  
       

China — 9.2%

       
    40,300  

Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd. (a)

    515,433  
    111,000  

China Shenhua Energy Company, Ltd. - H Shares

    349,263  
    17,000  

Ganfeng Lithium Group Company, Ltd. - H Shares (b)

    105,682  
    10,600  

NetEase, Inc.

    186,345  
    47,200  

Pop Mart International Group, Ltd. (b)

    128,674  
    91,000  

Smoore International Holdings, Ltd. (b)

    116,852  
    29,000  

Zhongsheng Group Holdings, Ltd.

    142,969  
              1,545,218  
       

Denmark — 2.4%

       
    1,164  

DSV AS

    225,193  
    1,921  

Pandora AS

    183,623  
              408,816  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

13

 

 

Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

 

Schedule of Investments
March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

Shares

 

Security Description

 

Value

 
       

COMMON STOCKS — 99.3% (Continued)

       
       

France — 16.6%

       
    1,326  

Arkema SA

  $ 130,809  
    5,361  

Bureau Veritas SA

    154,173  
    919  

Capgemini SE

    170,485  
    4,487  

Cie Generale des Etablissements Michelin SCA

    137,204  
    2,743  

Danone SA

    170,791  
    430  

Kering SA

    280,304  
    1,496  

Legrand SA

    136,657  
    618  

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

    566,951  
    2,706  

Publicis Groupe SA

    211,028  
    1,259  

Safran SA

    186,765  
    439  

Teleperformance

    105,740  
    1,115  

Thales SA

    165,173  
    5,501  

Valeo SA

    113,017  
    2,246  

Vinci SA

    257,974  
              2,787,071  
       

Hong Kong — 1.3%

       
    90,000  

Geely Automobile Holdings, Ltd.

    115,797  
    193,000  

Sino Biopharmaceutical, Ltd.

    108,179  
              223,976  
       

Indonesia — 1.6%

       
    283,100  

Astra International Tbk PT

    113,281  
    576,200  

Telkom Indonesia Persero Tbk PT

    156,015  
              269,296  
       

Ireland — 1.4%

       
    2,018  

Kingspan Group plc

    138,212  
    2,611  

Smurfit Kappa Group plc

    94,462  
              232,674  
       

Italy — 1.1%

       
    2,567  

Moncler SpA

    177,208  
       

Japan — 19.7%

       
    1,900  

Advantest Corporation

    173,597  
    9,100  

Astellas Pharma, Inc.

    128,750  
    4,800  

Bandai Namco Holdings, Inc.

    102,733  
    6,000  

Chugai Pharmaceutical Company, Ltd.

    147,419  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

14

 

 

Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

 

Schedule of Investments
March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

Shares

 

Security Description

 

Value

 
       

COMMON STOCKS — 99.3% (Continued)

       
       

Japan — 19.7% (Continued)

       
    1,200  

Disco Corporation

  $ 137,952  
    12,000  

Isuzu Motors, Ltd.

    142,370  
    8,800  

Japan Tobacco, Inc.

    185,006  
    6,300  

KDDI Corporation

    193,748  
    2,100  

Konami Group Corporation

    95,777  
    2,600  

Murata Manufacturing Company, Ltd.

    157,067  
    6,100  

Nexon Company, Ltd.

    144,605  
    6,400  

NGK Spark Plug Company, Ltd.

    131,568  
    10,100  

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corporation

    300,670  
    1,900  

Nitto Denko Corporation

    122,060  
    5,000  

Ono Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd.

    103,840  
    5,800  

Recruit Holdings Company, Ltd.

    159,065  
    2,000  

Secom Company, Ltd.

    122,684  
    800  

Shimano, Inc.

    137,290  
    8,000  

Shin-Etsu Chemical Company, Ltd.

    256,969  
    2,900  

Shionogi & Company, Ltd.

    130,237  
    3,800  

Taiyo Yuden Co, Ltd.

    126,772  
    2,100  

Trend Micro, Inc.

    102,089  
              3,302,268  
       

Mexico — 1.9%

       
    14,786  

Arca Continental SAB de CV

    133,791  
    1,956  

Fomento Economico Mexicano SAB de CV - ADR

    186,192  
              319,983  
       

Netherlands — 0.8%

       
    1,632  

BE Semiconductor Industries NV

    142,024  
       

Norway — 1.5%

       
    4,369  

Aker BP ASA

    106,919  
    8,192  

Mowi ASA

    151,276  
              258,195  
       

Republic of Korea — 6.0%

       
    493  

LG Innotek Company, Ltd.

    102,436  
    310  

NCSoft Corporation

    88,463  
    1,841  

Samsung C&T Corporation

    153,010  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

15

 

 

Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

 

Schedule of Investments
March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

Shares

 

Security Description

 

Value

 
       

COMMON STOCKS — 99.3% (Continued)

       
       

Republic of Korea — 6.0% (Continued)

       
    1,203  

Samsung Electro-Mechanics Company, Ltd.

  $ 141,105  
    426  

Samsung Electronics Company, Ltd. - GDR

    523,341  
              1,008,355  
       

Spain — 1.9%

       
    9,316  

Industria de Diseno Textil SA

    312,750  
       

Sweden — 4.5%

       
    6,896  

Assa Abloy AB - Class B

    165,125  
    12,149  

Atlas Copco AB - Class A

    154,113  
    23,897  

Embracer Group AB (a)

    111,701  
    6,520  

EQT AB

    132,418  
    9,078  

Volvo AB - Class B

    187,215  
              750,572  
       

Switzerland — 6.6%

       
    1,542  

Cie Financiere Richemont SA

    246,268  
    255  

Geberit AG

    142,133  
    156  

Partners Group Holding AG

    146,309  
    11,683  

Roche Holding AG - ADR

    418,952  
    507  

Sonova Holding AG

    149,067  
              1,102,729  
       

Taiwan — 1.0%

       
    21,512  

ASE Technology Holding Company, Ltd. - ADR

    171,451  
       

Thailand — 0.9%

       
    24,800  

Advanced Info Service PCL - NVDR

    153,753  
       

United Kingdom — 9.0%

       
    17,400  

Auto Trader Group plc (b)

    132,570  
    3,332  

Bunzl plc

    125,943  
    4,701  

Burberry Group plc

    150,312  
    27,531  

DS Smith plc

    107,058  
    92,529  

JD Sports Fashion plc

    203,358  
    1,845  

London Stock Exchange Group plc

    179,488  
    6,155  

Mondi plc

    97,564  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

16

 

 

Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

 

Schedule of Investments
March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

Shares

 

Security Description

 

Value

 
       

COMMON STOCKS — 99.3% (Continued)

       
       

United Kingdom — 9.0% (Continued)

       
    1,557  

Next plc

  $ 126,521  
    7,861  

Smith & Nephew plc

    109,055  
    5,516  

Unilever plc - ADR

    286,446  
              1,518,315  
       

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $16,720,062)

    16,683,198  
                 
       

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 0.2%

       
    40,349  

First American Government Obligations Fund - Class X, 4.65% (c)

    40,349  
       

TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (cost $40,349)

    40,349  
       

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 99.5% (Cost $16,760,411)

    16,723,547  
       

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 0.5%

    80,480  
       

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

  $ 16,804,027  

 

Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.

ADR

American Depositary Receipt

GDR

Global Depositary Receipt

NVDR

Non-voting Depositary Receipt

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

Security exempt from registration under Rule 144(a) and Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933. Such securities are treated as liquid securities, according to the Fund’s liquidity guidelines. At March 31, 2023, the value of these securities amounted to $483,778 or 2.88% of net assets.

(c)

Rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of March 31, 2023.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

17

 

 

Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF

 

Schedule of Investments
March 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

 

Shares

 

Security Description

 

Value

 
       

COMMON STOCKS — 97.5%

       
       

Basic Materials — 5.8%

       
    1,795  

Celanese Corporation

  $ 195,457  
    3,830  

Chemours Company

    114,670  
    2,315  

Eastman Chemical Company

    195,247  
    4,258  

Huntsman Corporation

    116,499  
    1,384  

Ingevity Corporation (a)

    98,984  
    1,536  

Minerals Technologies, Inc.

    92,805  
    2,682  

Olin Corporation

    148,851  
    2,583  

Sylvamo Corporation

    119,490  
              1,082,003  
       

Communications — 2.4%

       
    6,282  

Cars.com, Inc. (a)

    121,243  
    4,236  

Overstock.com, Inc. (a)

    85,864  
    1,665  

Shutterstock, Inc.

    120,879  
    1,464  

Ziff Davis, Inc. (a)

    114,265  
              442,251  
       

Consumer, Cyclical — 35.6% (b)

       
    4,288  

Abercrombie & Fitch Company (a)

    118,992  
    2,564  

Academy Sports & Outdoors, Inc.

    167,301  
    2,262  

Acushnet Holdings Corporation

    115,226  
    981  

Advance Auto Parts, Inc.

    119,300  
    3,136  

Allison Transmission Holdings, Inc.

    141,873  
    8,273  

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.

    111,189  
    2,245  

AutoNation, Inc. (a)

    301,638  
    2,177  

Buckle, Inc.

    77,697  
    4,025  

Caleres, Inc.

    87,061  
    1,528  

Carter’s, Inc.

    109,894  
    387  

Cavco Industries, Inc. (a)

    122,965  
    19,474  

Chico’s FAS, Inc. (a)

    107,107  
    1,435  

Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc.

    203,612  
    414  

Dillard’s, Inc. - Class A

    127,380  
    3,344  

Ethan Allen Interiors, Inc.

    91,826  
    3,684  

Foot Locker, Inc.

    146,218  
    1,973  

Genesco, Inc. (a)

    72,764  
    4,168  

Gentex Corporation

    116,829  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

18

 

 

Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF

 

Schedule of Investments
March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

Shares

 

Security Description

 

Value

 
       

COMMON STOCKS — 97.5% (Continued)

       
       

Consumer, Cyclical — 35.6% (b) (Continued)

       
    4,307  

Guess?, Inc.

  $ 83,814  
    1,296  

Hibbett, Inc.

    76,438  
    3,193  

HNI Corporation

    88,893  
    2,920  

Kontoor Brands, Inc.

    141,299  
    4,254  

La-Z-Boy, Inc.

    123,706  
    1,614  

Malibu Boats, Inc. -Class A (a)

    91,110  
    3,155  

MarineMax, Inc. (a)

    90,706  
    1,967  

Methode Electronics, Inc.

    86,312  
    2,192  

Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. - Class A

    86,168  
    2,307  

ODP Corporation (a)

    103,769  
    937  

Oxford Industries, Inc.

    98,938  
    1,180  

Polaris, Inc.

    130,543  
    4,471  

PulteGroup, Inc.

    260,570  
    1,983  

PVH Corporation

    176,804  
    2,203  

Rush Enterprises, Inc. - Class A

    120,284  
    7,990  

Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. (a)

    124,484  
    2,512  

Signet Jewelers, Ltd.

    195,383  
    1,751  

Skyline Champion Corporation (a)

    131,728  
    3,805  

Tapestry, Inc.

    164,034  
    4,651  

Taylor Morrison Home Corporation (a)

    177,947  
    1,709  

Thor Industries, Inc.

    136,105  
    2,235  

Titan Machinery, Inc. (a)

    68,056  
    3,459  

Toll Brothers, Inc.

    207,644  
    6,354  

Tri Pointe Homes, Inc. (a)

    160,883  
    10,860  

Under Armour, Inc. - Class A (a)

    103,061  
    4,455  

Urban Outfitters, Inc. (a)

    123,493  
    813  

Veritiv Corporation

    109,869  
    3,347  

Victoria’s Secret & Company (a)

    114,300  
    3,979  

Vista Outdoor, Inc. (a)

    110,258  
    1,386  

Whirlpool Corporation

    182,980  
    1,593  

Williams-Sonoma, Inc.

    193,804  
    1,925  

Winnebago Industries, Inc.

    111,073  
    3,790  

World Fuel Services Corporation

    96,834  
              6,610,162  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

19

 

 

Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF

 

Schedule of Investments
March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

Shares

 

Security Description

 

Value

 
       

COMMON STOCKS — 97.5% (Continued)

       
       

Consumer, Non-cyclical — 17.4%

       
    2,288  

ABM Industries, Inc.

  $ 102,823  
    13,816  

Albertsons Companies, Inc. - Class A

    287,097  
    1,216  

Amedisys, Inc. (a)

    89,437  
    4,384  

Corcept Therapeutics, Inc. (a)

    94,957  
    3,985  

DENTSPLY SIRONA, Inc.

    156,531  
    6,283  

Exelixis, Inc. (a)

    121,953  
    997  

Grand Canyon Education, Inc. (a)

    113,558  
    3,301  

H&R Block, Inc.

    116,360  
    7,354  

Healthcare Services Group, Inc.

    102,000  
    8,275  

Innoviva, Inc. (a)

    93,094  
    7,323  

Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a)

    77,038  
    2,579  

John Wiley & Sons, Inc. - Class A

    99,988  
    1,531  

Kforce, Inc.

    96,820  
    2,064  

Korn Ferry

    106,791  
    1,813  

ManpowerGroup, Inc.

    149,627  
    748  

Medifast, Inc.

    77,545  
    6,335  

Pediatrix Medical Group, Inc. (a)

    94,455  
    6,509  

Perdoceo Education Corporation (a)

    87,416  
    2,999  

Premier, Inc. - Class A

    97,078  
    6,685  

PROG Holdings, Inc. (a)

    159,036  
    1,715  

Robert Half International, Inc.

    138,178  
    3,033  

SpartanNash Company

    75,218  
    3,558  

Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (a)

    124,637  
    1,141  

Strategic Education, Inc.

    102,496  
    2,877  

Stride, Inc. (a)

    112,922  
    2,514  

Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a)

    91,082  
    1,661  

TriNet Group, Inc. (a)

    133,893  
    724  

WEX, Inc. (a)

    133,136  
              3,235,166  
       

Energy — 3.8%

       
    2,374  

California Resources Corporation

    91,399  
    11,522  

Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. (a)

    89,180  
    7,249  

NOW, Inc. (a)

    80,827  
    1,871  

PDC Energy, Inc.

    120,081  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

20

 

 

Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF

 

Schedule of Investments
March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

Shares

 

Security Description

 

Value

 
       

COMMON STOCKS — 97.5% (Continued)

       
       

Energy — 3.8% (Continued)

       
    5,042  

Peabody Energy Corporation (a)

  $ 129,075  
    10,082  

SunCoke Energy, Inc.

    90,536  
    2,890  

Warrior Met Coal, Inc.

    106,092  
              707,190  
       

Financial — 4.0%

       
    3,710  

Artisan Partners Asset Management, Inc. - Class A

    118,646  
    983  

Jones Lang LaSalle, Inc. (a)

    143,017  
    2,174  

SEI Investments Company

    125,114  
    3,855  

Victory Capital Holdings, Inc. - Class A

    112,836  
    520  

Virtus Investment Partners, Inc.

    99,003  
    12,437  

Western Union Company

    138,672  
              737,288  
       

Industrial — 19.8%

       
    2,216  

A.O. Smith Corporation

    153,236  
    671  

Acuity Brands, Inc.

    122,612  
    1,953  

Apogee Enterprises, Inc.

    84,467  
    1,321  

ArcBest Corporation

    122,087  
    1,460  

Arrow Electronics, Inc. (a)

    182,310  
    1,085  

Atkore, Inc. (a)

    152,421  
    2,295  

Barnes Group, Inc.

    92,443  
    1,590  

Boise Cascade Company

    100,568  
    4,841  

Dorian LPG, Ltd.

    96,530  
    911  

Eagle Materials, Inc.

    133,689  
    831  

EMCOR Group, Inc.

    135,112  
    644  

Encore Wire Corporation

    119,353  
    4,448  

Frontdoor, Inc. (a)

    124,010  
    27,930  

GrafTech International, Ltd.

    135,740  
    2,532  

Hillenbrand, Inc.

    120,346  
    3,234  

Masco Corporation

    160,794  
    1,139  

Masonite International Corporation (a)

    103,387  
    1,594  

MasTec, Inc. (a)

    150,537  
    1,799  

Matson, Inc.

    107,346  
    1,695  

Mohawk Industries, Inc. (a)

    169,873  
    1,865  

Owens Corning

    178,667  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

21

 

 

Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF

 

Schedule of Investments
March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

Shares

 

Security Description

 

Value

 
       

COMMON STOCKS — 97.5% (Continued)

       
       

Industrial — 19.8% (Continued)

       
    2,971  

Ryerson Holding Corporation

  $ 108,085  
    1,699  

Sanmina Corporation (a)

    103,622  
    1,695  

Sturm Ruger & Company, Inc.

    97,361  
    1,785  

TD SYNNEX Corporation

    172,770  
    6,049  

TTM Technologies, Inc. (a)

    81,601  
    1,347  

UFP Industries, Inc.

    107,046  
    4,508  

Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.

    101,971  
    5,581  

WestRock Company

    170,053  
              3,688,037  
       

Technology — 8.7%

       
    4,203  

ACI Worldwide, Inc. (a)

    113,397  
    10,453  

Adeia, Inc.

    92,613  
    462  

CACI International, Inc. (a) - Class A

    136,881  
    2,259  

Donnelley Financial Solutions, Inc. (a)

    92,303  
    8,924  

DXC Technology Company (a)

    228,097  
    1,017  

IPG Photonics Corporation (a)

    125,406  
    2,279  

Kulicke & Soffa Industries, Inc.

    120,081  
    2,254  

Lumentum Holdings, Inc. (a)

    121,739  
    1,344  

MKS Instruments, Inc.

    119,105  
    2,984  

NetScout Systems, Inc. (a)

    85,492  
    1,800  

Qorvo, Inc. (a)

    182,826  
    1,044  

Synaptics, Inc. (a)

    116,041  
    2,176  

TTEC Holdings, Inc.

    81,012  
              1,614,993  
       

TOTAL COMMON STOCKS (Cost $16,968,943)

    18,117,090  
                 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

22

 

 

Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF

 

Schedule of Investments
March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

 

Shares

 

Security Description

 

Value

 
       

MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS — 1.7%

       
       

Energy — 1.1%

       
    5,089  

Alliance Resource Partners LP

  $ 102,645  
    6,207  

Black Stone Minerals LP

    97,388  
              200,033  
       

Financial — 0.6%

       
    3,111  

AllianceBernstein Holding LP

    113,738  
       

TOTAL MASTER LIMITED PARTNERSHIPS (Cost $320,887)

    313,771  
                 
       

SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS — 0.8%

       
    145,212  

First American Government Obligations Fund - Class X, 4.65% (c)

    145,212  
       

TOTAL SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS (Cost $145,212)

    145,212  
       

TOTAL INVESTMENTS — 100.0% (Cost $17,435,042)

    18,576,073  
       

Other Assets in Excess of Liabilities — 0.0% (d)

    1,679  
       

NET ASSETS — 100.0%

  $ 18,577,752  

 

Percentages are stated as a percent of net assets.

(a)

Non-income producing security.

(b)

To the extent that the Fund invests more heavily in particular sectors of the economy, its performance will be especially sensitive to developments that significantly affect those sectors. See Note 7 in Notes to Financial Statements.

(c)

Rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of March 31, 2023.

(d)

Represents less than 0.05% of net assets.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

23

 

 

Distillate Capital ETFs

 

Statements of Assets and Liabilities
March 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

   

Distillate U.S.
Fundamental
Stability &
Value ETF

   

Distillate
International
Fundamental
Stability &
Value ETF

   

Distillate Small/
Mid Cash Flow
ETF

 

ASSETS

                       

Investments in securities, at value *

  $ 1,012,697,893     $ 16,723,547     $ 18,576,073  

Receivable for capital shares sold

    3,219,897              

Dividends and interest receivable

    482,103       88,034       9,979  

Foreign currency, at value*

          4        

Total assets

    1,016,399,893       16,811,585       18,586,052  
                         

LIABILITIES

                       

Payable for securities purchased

    3,217,352              

Management fees payable

    324,496       7,558       8,300  

Total liabilities

    3,541,848       7,558       8,300  
                         

NET ASSETS

  $ 1,012,858,045     $ 16,804,027     $ 18,577,752  
                         

Net Assets Consist of:

                       

Paid-in capital

  $ 1,021,716,192     $ 22,811,061     $ 17,086,778  

Total distributable earnings (accumulated deficit)

    (8,858,147 )     (6,007,034 )     1,490,974  

Net assets

  $ 1,012,858,045     $ 16,804,027     $ 18,577,752  
                         

Net Asset Value:

                       

Net assets

  $ 1,012,858,045     $ 16,804,027     $ 18,577,752  

Shares outstanding ^

    23,475,000       750,000       650,000  

Net asset value, offering and redemption price per share

  $ 43.15     $ 22.41     $ 28.58  
                         

* Identified cost:

                       

Investments in securities

  $ 965,125,073     $ 16,760,411     $ 17,435,042  

Foreign currency

          14        

 

^

No par value, unlimited number of shares authorized.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

24

 

 

Distillate Capital ETFs

 

Statements of Operations
For the Six-Months/Period Ended March 31, 2023
(Unaudited)

 

   

Distillate U.S.
Fundamental
Stability &
Value ETF

   

Distillate
International
Fundamental
Stability &
Value ETF

   

Distillate Small/
Mid Cash Flow
ETF
(1)

 

INCOME

                       

Dividends*

  $ 8,250,380     $ 164,807     $ 118,139  

Interest

    7,292       774       1,242  

Total investment income

    8,257,672       165,581       119,381  
                         

EXPENSES

                       

Management fees

    1,751,945       42,564       36,573  

Total expenses

    1,751,945       42,564       36,573  
                         

Net investment income (loss)

    6,505,727       123,017       82,808  
                         

REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS

                       

Net realized gain (loss) on:

                       

Investments

    (40,123,636 )     (2,179,455 )     347,730  

Foreign currency

          (8,816 )      

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:

                       

Investments

    168,989,585       5,596,270       1,141,031  

Foreign currency translation

          1,762        

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments

    128,865,949       3,409,761       1,488,761  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

  $ 135,371,676     $ 3,532,778     $ 1,571,569  
                         

* Net of foreign withholding taxes

  $     $ 24,129     $  

 

(1)

The Fund commenced operations on October 5, 2022. The information presented is for the period from October 5, 2022 to March 31, 2023.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

25

 

 

Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   

Six-Months
Ended
March 31,
2023
(Unaudited)

   

Year Ended
September 30,
2022

 

OPERATIONS

               

Net investment income (loss)

  $ 6,505,727     $ 8,820,791  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

    (40,123,636 )     35,057,726  

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

    168,989,585       (146,740,546 )

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    135,371,676       (102,862,029 )
                 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

               

Net distributions to shareholders

    (7,258,348 )     (8,075,108 )

Total distributions to shareholders

    (7,258,348 )     (8,075,108 )
                 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

               

Proceeds from shares sold

    210,038,972       732,799,160  

Payments for shares redeemed

    (46,878,092 )     (274,052,500 )

Transaction fees (Note 6)

          4  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions (a)

    163,160,880       458,746,664  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

  $ 291,274,208     $ 347,809,527  
                 

NET ASSETS

               

Beginning of period/year

  $ 721,583,837     $ 373,774,310  

End of period/year

  $ 1,012,858,045     $ 721,583,837  

 

(a)

A summary of capital share transactions is as follows:

 

   

Shares

   

Shares

 

Shares sold

    5,050,000       16,775,000  

Shares redeemed

    (1,150,000 )     (6,325,000 )

Net increase (decrease)

    3,900,000       10,450,000  

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

26

 

 

Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   

Six-Months
Ended
March 31,
2023
(Unaudited)

   

Year Ended
September 30,
2022

 

OPERATIONS

               

Net investment income (loss)

  $ 123,017     $ 738,973  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency

    (2,188,271 )     (3,389,327 )

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments and foreign currency translation

    5,598,032       (4,369,337 )

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    3,532,778       (7,019,691 )
                 

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

               

Net distributions to shareholders

    (196,957 )     (669,811 )

Total distributions to shareholders

    (196,957 )     (669,811 )
                 

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

               

Proceeds from shares sold

    1,106,735       4,859,410  

Payments for shares redeemed

    (7,381,440 )      

Transaction fees (Note 6)

    2,538       2,080  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions (a)

    (6,272,167 )     4,861,490  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

  $ (2,936,346 )   $ (2,828,012 )
                 

NET ASSETS

               

Beginning of period/year

  $ 19,740,373     $ 22,568,385  

End of period/year

  $ 16,804,027     $ 19,740,373  

 

(a)

A summary of capital share transactions is as follows:

 

   

Shares

   

Shares

 

Shares sold

    50,000       200,000  

Shares redeemed

    (400,000 )      

Net increase (decrease)

    (350,000 )     200,000  

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

27

 

 

Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

   

Period Ended
March 31,
2023
(1)
(Unaudited)

 

OPERATIONS

       

Net investment income (loss)

  $ 82,808  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments

    347,730  

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments

    1,141,031  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

    1,571,569  
         

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS

       

Net distributions to shareholders

    (80,595 )

Total distributions to shareholders

    (80,595 )
         

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

       

Proceeds from shares sold

    21,650,075  

Payments for shares redeemed

    (4,563,297 )

Net increase (decrease) in net assets derived from capital share transactions (a)

    17,086,778  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

  $ 18,577,752  
         

NET ASSETS

       

Beginning of period

  $  

End of period

  $ 18,577,752  

 

(a)

A summary of capital share transactions is as follows:

 

   

Shares

 

Shares sold

    825,000  

Shares redeemed

    (175,000 )

Net increase (decrease)

    650,000  

 

(1)

Fund commenced operations on October 5, 2022. The information presented is for the period from October 5, 2022 to March 31, 2023.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

28

 

 

Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

 

Financial Highlights

For a capital share outstanding throughout the period/year

 

   

Six-Months
Ended
March 31,
2023

   

Year Ended September 30,

   

Period
Ended
September
30,

 
   

(Unaudited)

   

2022

   

2021

   

2020

   

2019 (1)

 

Net asset value, beginning of period/year

  $ 36.86     $ 40.96     $ 32.61     $ 27.86     $ 25.00  
                                         

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                                       

Net investment income (loss) (2)

    0.30       0.58       0.46       0.44       0.38  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments (7)

    6.31       (4.17 )     8.51       4.61       2.58  

Total from investment operations

    6.61       (3.59 )     8.97       5.05       2.96  
                                         

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:

                                       

Distributions from:

                                       

Net investment income

    (0.32 )     (0.51 )     (0.62 )     (0.30 )     (0.10 )

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.32 )     (0.51 )     (0.62 )     (0.30 )     (0.10 )
                                         

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

                                       

Transaction fees (Note 6)

          0.00 (3)                   
                                         

Net asset value, end of period/year

  $ 43.15     $ 36.86     $ 40.96     $ 32.61     $ 27.86  
                                         

Total return

    17.98 %(4)     -8.91 %     27.68 %     18.20 %     11.93 %(4)
                                         

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

                                       

Net assets at end of period/year (000’s)

  $ 1,012,858     $ 721,584     $ 373,774     $ 179,355     $ 43,874  
                                         

RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:

                                       

Expenses to average net assets

    0.39 %(5)     0.39 %     0.39 %     0.39 %     0.39 %(5)

Net investment income (loss) to average net assets

    1.45 %(5)     1.36 %     1.17 %     1.45 %     1.55 %(5)

Portfolio turnover rate (6)

    61 %(4)     78 %     73 %     58 %     69 %(4)

 

(1)

Commencement of operations on October 23, 2018.

(2)

Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period/year.

(3)

Less than $0.005.

(4)

Not annualized.

(5)

Annualized.

(6)

Excludes the impact of in-kind transactions.

(7)

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 Statements of Operations due to share transactions for the period.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

29

 

 

Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

 

Financial Highlights

For a capital share outstanding throughout the period/year

 

   

Six-Months
Ended
March 31,
2023
(Unaudited)

   

Year Ended
September 30,
2022

   

Period
Ended
September 30,
2021
(1)

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 17.95     $ 25.08     $ 25.05  
                         

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                       

Net investment income (loss) (2)

    0.16       0.72       0.59  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency (7)

    4.58       (7.21 )     (0.12 )

Total from investment operations

    4.74       (6.49 )     0.47  
                         

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:

                       

Distributions from:

                       

Net investment income

    (0.28 )     (0.64 )     (0.44 )

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.28 )     (0.64 )     (0.44 )
                         

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

                       

Transaction fees (Note 6)

    0.00 (3)      0.00 (3)      0.00 (3) 
                         

Net asset value, end of period/year

  $ 22.41     $ 17.95     $ 25.08  
                         

Total return

    26.57 %(4)     -26.26 %     1.78 %(4)
                         

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

                       

Net assets at end of period/year (000’s)

  $ 16,804     $ 19,740     $ 22,568  
                         

RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:

                       

Expenses to average net assets

    0.55 %(5)     0.55 %     0.55 %(5)

Net investment income (loss) to average net assets

    1.59 %(5)     3.12 %     2.78 %(5)

Portfolio turnover rate (6)

    41 %(4)     102 %     57 %(4)

 

(1)

Commencement of operations on December 14, 2020.

(2)

Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period/year.

(3)

Less than $0.005.

(4)

Not annualized.

(5)

Annualized.

(6)

Excludes the impact of in-kind transactions.

(7)

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 Statements of Operations due to share transactions for the period.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

30

 

 

Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF

 

Financial Highlights

For a capital share outstanding throughout the period

 

   

Period Ended
March 31,
2023
(1)
(Unaudited)

 

Net asset value, beginning of period

  $ 24.90  
         

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

       

Net investment income (loss) (2)

    0.17  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments (6)

    3.65  

Total from investment operations

    3.82  
         

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:

       

Distributions from:

       

Net investment income

    (0.14 )

Total distributions to shareholders

    (0.14 )
         

Net asset value, end of period

  $ 28.58  
         

Total return

    15.40 %(3)
         

SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:

       

Net assets at end of period (000’s)

  $ 18,578  
         

RATIOS TO AVERAGE NET ASSETS:

       

Expenses to average net assets

    0.55 %(4)

Net investment income (loss) to average net assets

    1.25 %(4)

Portfolio turnover rate (5)

    17 %(3)

 

(1)

Commencement of operations on October 5, 2022.

(2)

Calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period.

(3)

Not annualized.

(4)

Annualized.

(5)

Excludes the impact of in-kind transactions.

(6)

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 Statements of Operations due to share transactions for the period.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

31

 

 

Distillate Capital ETFs

 

Notes to Financial Statements

March 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION

 

Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF and Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF are each a diversified series and Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF is a non-diversified series (individually each a “Fund” or collectively the “Funds”) 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 U.S. 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 Funds’ shares is registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The investment objective of the Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF is to track the performance, before fees and expenses, of the Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value Index. The investment objective of the Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF is to track the performance, before fees and expenses, of the Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value Index. The investment objective of Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF is to seek capital appreciation. Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF commenced operations on October 23, 2018, Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF commenced operations on December 14, 2020, and Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF commenced operations on October 5, 2022.

 

The end of the reporting period for the Funds is March 31, 2023, and the period covered by these Notes to Financial Statements is the six-month period from October 1, 2022 through March 31, 2023 for Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF and Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF, and the period from October 5, 2022 through March 31, 2023 for Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF (each respectively, the “current fiscal period”).

 

NOTE 2 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

The Funds are investment companies 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 Funds. 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®

 

32

 

 

Distillate Capital ETFs

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

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.

 

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 Funds’ 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 Funds may cause the NAV of the shares to differ significantly from the NAV that would be calculated without regard to such considerations.

 

As described above, the Funds utilize various methods to measure the fair value of their investments on a recurring basis. U.S. GAAP establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation methods. The three levels of inputs are:

 

 

Level 1–

Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Funds have 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 Funds’ 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.

 

33

 

 

Distillate Capital ETFs

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

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.

 

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 Funds’ investments as of the end of the current fiscal period:

 

Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

Assets(1)

 

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

   

Total

 

Common Stocks

  $ 1,012,572,719     $     $     $ 1,012,572,719  

Short-Term Investments

    125,174                   125,174  

Total Investments in Securities

  $ 1,012,697,893     $     $     $ 1,012,697,893  

 

Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

Assets(2)

 

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

   

Total

 

Common Stocks

  $ 16,683,198     $     $     $ 16,683,198  

Short-Term Investments

    40,349                   40,349  

Total Investments in Securities

  $ 16,723,547     $     $     $ 16,723,547  

 

34

 

 

Distillate Capital ETFs

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF

Assets(1)

 

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

   

Total

 

Common Stocks

  $ 18,117,090     $     $     $ 18,117,090  

Master Limited Partnerships

    313,771                   313,771  

Short-Term Investments

    145,212                   145,212  

Total Investments in Securities

  $ 18,576,073     $     $     $ 18,576,073  

 

(1)

See Schedule of Investments for breakout of investments by sector classifications.

(2)

See Schedule of Investments for breakout of investments by country classifications.

 

During the current fiscal period, the Funds did not recognize any transfers to or from Level 3.

 

 

B.

Federal Income Taxes. The Funds’ 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 their net investment income and net capital gains to shareholders. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required. The Funds plan to file U.S. Federal and various state and local tax returns. Each Fund recognizes the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only when the position is more likely than not to be sustained. Management has analyzed each 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 Funds recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits on uncertain tax positions as income tax expense in the Statements of Operations. During the current fiscal period, the Funds did not incur any interest or penalties.

 

 

C.

Foreign Currency. Investment securities and other assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts at the date of valuation. Purchases and sales of investment securities and income and expense items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollar amounts on the respective dates of such transactions. The Funds do not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from

 

35

 

 

Distillate Capital ETFs

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

changes in market prices of securities held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments. The Funds report net realized foreign exchange gains or losses that arise from sales of foreign currencies, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on securities transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends, interest, and foreign withholding taxes recorded on the Funds’ books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received or paid. Net unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses arise from changes in the fair values of assets and liabilities, other than investments in securities at fiscal period end, resulting from changes in exchange rates.

 

 

D.

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 dividend income or separately disclosed, if any, are recorded at the fair value of the security received. Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends, if any, have been provided for in accordance with the Funds’ understanding of the applicable tax rules and regulations.

 

 

E.

Distributions to Shareholders. Distributions to shareholders from net investment income and net realized gains on securities are declared and paid by the Funds at least annually. Distributions are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

 

 

F.

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.

 

 

G.

Share Valuation. The NAV per share of each Fund is calculated by dividing the sum of the value of the securities held by each Fund, plus cash and other assets, minus all liabilities (including estimated accrued expenses) by the total number of outstanding shares of each Fund, rounded to the nearest cent. The Funds’ 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 each Fund is equal to the Fund’s NAV per share.

 

 

H.

Guarantees and Indemnifications. In the normal course of business, the Funds enters into contracts with service providers that contain general indemnification clauses. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these

 

36

 

 

Distillate Capital ETFs

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be against the Funds that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the Funds expects the risk of loss to be remote.

 

 

I.

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 and primarily relate to redemptions in-kind. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, the following table shows the reclassifications made:

 

   

Distributable
Earnings
(Accumulated
Deficit)

   

Paid-In
Capital

 

Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

  $ (48,689,637 )   $ 48,689,637  

Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

           

Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF

    N/A       N/A  

 

During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, the Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF realized $48,689,637 and the Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF realized $— in net capital gains resulting from in-kind redemptions in which shareholders exchanged Fund shares for securities held by the Fund rather than for cash. Because such gains are not taxable to the Fund, and are not distributed to shareholders, they have been reclassified from distributable earnings (accumulated deficit) to paid-in capital.

 

 

J.

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. Effective April 3, 2023, the Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF and the Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF investment objectives will change from tracking the performance, before fees and expenses, of the Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value Index and the Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value Index, respectively, to seeking long-term capital appreciation.

 

There were no other events or transactions that occurred during the period subsequent to the end of the current fiscal period that materially impacted the amounts or disclosures in the Funds’ financial statements.

 

37

 

 

Distillate Capital ETFs

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

NOTE 3 – COMMITMENTS AND OTHER RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Distillate Capital Partners, LLC (the “Adviser”) serves as the investment adviser and index provider to the Funds. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement (“Advisory Agreement”), between the Trust, on behalf of the Funds, and the Adviser, the Adviser provides investment advice to the Funds and oversees the day-to-day operations of the Funds, subject to the direction and control of the Board and the officers of the Trust. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser is responsible for arranging, in consultation with Vident Investment Advisory, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”), transfer agency, custody, fund administration and accounting, and other related services necessary for the Funds to operate. Under the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser has agreed to pay all expenses of the Funds, except for: the fee paid to the Adviser pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, interest charges on any borrowings, dividends and other expenses on securities sold short, 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, and distribution (12b-1) fees and expenses. For services provided to the Funds, Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF pays the Adviser at an annual rate of 0.39% based on the Fund’s average daily net assets, and Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF and Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF each pay the Adviser at an annual rate of 0.55% based on each Fund’s average daily net assets, calculated daily and paid monthly. The Adviser is responsible for paying the Sub-Adviser.

 

U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, doing business as U.S. Bank Global Fund Services (“Fund Services” or Administrator”), acts as the Funds’ Administrator and, in that capacity, performs various administrative and accounting services for the Funds. The Administrator prepares various federal and state regulatory filings, reports and returns for the Funds, including regulatory compliance monitoring and financial reporting; prepares reports and materials to be supplied to the Board; monitors the activities of the Funds’ Custodian, transfer agent, and fund accountant. Fund Services also serves as the transfer agent and fund accountant to the Funds. U.S. Bank N.A. (the “Custodian”), an affiliate of Fund Services, serves as the Funds’ Custodian.

 

A Trustee and all officers of the Trust are affiliated with the Administrator and Custodian.

 

38

 

 

Distillate Capital ETFs

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

NOTE 4 – PURCHASES AND SALES OF SECURITIES

 

During the current fiscal period, purchases and sales of securities by the Funds, excluding short-term securities and in-kind transactions were as follow:

 

   

Purchases

   

Sales

 

Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

  $ 551,092,506     $ 550,627,090  

Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

    6,327,200       6,730,678  

Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF

    2,536,632       2,617,870  

 

During the current fiscal period, there were no purchases or sales of U.S. Government securities.

 

During the current fiscal period, in-kind transactions associated with creations and redemptions were as follow:

 

   

In-Kind
Purchases

   

In-Kind
Sales

 

Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

  $ 210,039,614     $ 47,067,417  

Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

    927,164       6,830,250  

Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF

    21,562,320       4,527,158  

 

NOTE 5 – INCOME TAX INFORMATION

 

The amount and character of tax basis distributions and composition of net assets, including distributable earnings (accumulated deficit) are finalized at fiscal year-end; accordingly, tax basis balances have not been determined for the current fiscal period.

 

39

 

 

Distillate Capital ETFs

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

The components of distributable earnings (accumulated deficit) and cost basis of investments and net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) for federal income tax purposes at September 30, 2022 were as follows:

 

   

Distillate
U.S.
Fundamental
Stability &
Value ETF

   

Distillate
International
Fundamental
Stability &
Value ETF

 

Tax cost of investments

  $ 849,451,491     $ 25,510,315  

Gross tax unrealized appreciation

    18,523,435       524,517  

Gross tax unrealized depreciation

    (146,464,202 )     (6,369,417 )

Net tax unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

    (127,940,767 )     (5,844,900 )

Undistributed ordinary income

    865,602       127,241  

Undistributed long-term capital gain

           

Other accumulated gain (loss)

    (9,896,310 )     (3,625,196 )

Distributable earnings (accumulated deficit)

    (136,971,475 )     (9,342,855 )

 

Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF commenced operations on October 5, 2022, and therefore did not appear in the above table.

 

The difference between the cost basis for financial statement and federal income tax purposes is primarily due to timing differences in recognizing losses on 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 period subsequent to October 31 and December 31, respectively. For the taxable year ended September 30, 2022, Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF and Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF did not elect to defer any post-October capital losses or late-year ordinary losses.

 

As of September 30, 2022, the Funds had the following capital loss carryforwards with no expiration date:

 

   

Short-Term

   

Long-Term

 

Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

  $ 9,896,310     $  

Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

    3,216,833       408,363  

Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF

    N/A       N/A  

 

40

 

 

Distillate Capital ETFs

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, there was no capital loss carryforward utilized.

 

The tax character of distributions paid by the Funds during the year/period ended September 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021 were as follows:

 

   

Ordinary Income

 
   

Year Ended
September 30,
2022

   

Year/Period
Ended
September 30,
2021

 

Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

  $ 8,075,108     $ 4,389,202  

Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

    669,811       353,200  

Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF

    N/A       N/A  

 

NOTE 6 – SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

Shares of the Funds are listed and trade on the New York Stock Exchange Arca, Inc. (“NYSE Arca”). Market prices for the shares may be different from their NAV. The Funds issue and redeem 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 Units, shares are not redeemable securities of the Funds. 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 the shares directly from the Funds. 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 Funds currently offer one class of shares, which have 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 Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF and Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF is $300, payable to the Custodian. The standard fixed transaction fee for Distillate International Fundamental

 

41

 

 

Distillate Capital ETFs

 

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Stability & Value ETF is $1,000, payable to the Custodian. The fixed transaction fee may be waived on certain orders if the Funds’ Custodian has determined to waive some or all 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% as a percentage of the value of the Creation Units subject to the transaction. Variable fees are imposed to compensate the Funds for the transaction costs associated with the cash transactions. Variable fees received by the Funds, if any, are displayed in the Capital Shares Transactions section of the Statements of Changes in Net Assets. The Funds may issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest, with no par value. Shares of the Fund have equal rights and privileges.

 

NOTE 7 – RISKS

 

Sector Risk (Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF and Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF only). To the extent that the Fund invests more heavily in particular sectors of the economy, its performance will be especially sensitive to developments that significantly affect those sectors.

 

Foreign Securities Risk (Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF only). Investments in non-U.S. securities involve certain risks that may not be present with investments in U.S. securities. For example, investments in non-U.S. securities may be subject to risk of loss due to foreign currency fluctuations or to political or economic instability. Investments in non-U.S. securities also may be subject to withholding or other taxes and may be subject to additional trading, settlement, custodial, and operational risks. These and other factors can make investments in the Fund more volatile and potentially less liquid than other types of investments. Companies in many foreign markets are not subject to the same degree of regulatory requirements, accounting standards or auditor oversight as companies in the U.S., and as a result, information about the securities in which the Fund invests may be less reliable or complete. Foreign markets often have less reliable securities valuations and greater risk associated with the custody of securities than the U.S. There may be significant obstacles to obtaining information necessary for investigations into or litigation against companies and shareholders may have limited legal remedies.

 

42

 

 

Distillate Capital ETFs

 

Expense Examples

For the Period Ended March 31, 2023 (Unaudited)

 

As a shareholder of the Funds, 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 Funds 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 period as indicated in the following Expense Example tables.

 

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 the 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 Funds’ actual expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year before expenses, which is not the Funds’ 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 Funds 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.

 

43

 

 

Distillate Capital ETFs

 

Expense ExampleS

For the Period Ended March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

 

Beginning
Account Value
October 1, 2022

Ending
Account Value
March 31, 2023

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
(1)

Actual

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,179.80

$2.12

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,022.99

$1.97

 

Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

 

Beginning
Account Value
October 1, 2022

Ending
Account Value
March 31, 2022

Expenses
Paid During
the Period
(2)

Actual

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,265.70

$3.11

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,022.19

$2.77

 

Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF

 

Beginning
Account Value
October 5, 2022
(3)

Ending
Account Value
March 31, 2023

Expenses
Paid During
the Period

Actual

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,154.00

$2.87(4)

Hypothetical (5% annual return before expenses)

$ 1,000.00

$ 1,022.19

$2.77(5)

 

(1)

The dollar amounts shown as expenses paid during the period are equal to the annualized expense ratio, 0.39%, multiplied by the average account value during the six-month period, multiplied by 182/365, to reflect the one-half year period.

(2)

The dollar amounts shown as expenses paid during the period are equal to the annualized expense ratio, 0.55%, multiplied by the average account value during the six-month period, multiplied by 182/365, to reflect the one-half year period.

(3)

Fund commencement.

(4)

The dollar amount shown as expenses paid during the period is equal to the annualized expense ratio, 0.55%, multiplied by the average account value during the period, multiplied by 177/365, to reflect the period.

(5)

The dollar amount shown as expenses paid during the period is equal to the annualized expense ratio, 0.55%, multiplied by the average account value during the six-month period, multiplied by 182/365, to reflect the one-half year period.

 

44

 

 

Distillate Capital ETFs

 

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.

 

45

 

 

Distillate Capital ETFs

 

Approval of Advisory Agreement & Board Consideration

(Unaudited)

 

Pursuant to Section 15(c) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”), at a meeting held on July 21, 2022 (the “Meeting”), the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of ETF Series Solutions (the “Trust”) considered the approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”) between Distillate Capital Partners LLC (the “Adviser”) and the Trust, on behalf of Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF (the “Fund”), and the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement (the “Sub-Advisory Agreement”) (together, the “Agreements”) among the Adviser, the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and Vident Investment Advisory, LLC (the “Sub-Adviser”), each for an initial two-year term.

 

Prior to the Meeting, the Board, including the Trustees who are not parties to the Agreements or “interested persons” of any party thereto, as defined in the 1940 Act (the “Independent Trustees”), reviewed written materials (the “Materials”), including information from the Adviser and Sub-Adviser regarding, among other things: (i) the nature, extent, and quality of the services to be provided by the Adviser and Sub-Adviser; (ii) the cost of the services to be provided and the profits expected to be realized by the Adviser, Sub-Adviser, or their affiliates from services rendered to the Fund; (iii) comparative fee and expense data for the Fund and other investment companies with similar investment objectives, including a report prepared by Barrington Partners, an independent third party, that compares the Fund’s proposed management fee and expenses to those of relevant peer groups (the “Barrington Report”); (iv) the extent to which any economies of scale might be realized as the Fund grows and whether the advisory fee for the Fund reflects these economies of scale for the benefit of the Fund; (v) any other financial benefits to the Adviser, Sub-Adviser, and their affiliates resulting from services rendered to the Fund; and (vi) other factors the Board deemed to be relevant.

 

The Board also considered that the Adviser and Sub-Adviser, along with other service providers of the Fund, had provided written updates on the firm over the course of the year with respect to their roles as investment adviser and sub-adviser, respectively, to other series in the Trust. The Board considered that information alongside the Materials in its consideration of whether the Agreements should be approved. Additionally, representatives from the Adviser provided an oral overview of the Fund’s strategy, the services to be provided to the Fund by the Adviser, and additional information about the Adviser’s personnel and operations. The Board then discussed the Materials and the Adviser’s oral presentation, as well as any other relevant information received by the Board at the Meeting and at prior meetings, and deliberated on the approval of the Agreements in light of this information.

 

Approval of the Advisory Agreement with the Adviser

 

Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services to be Provided. The Trustees considered the scope of services to be provided under the Advisory Agreement, noting that the Adviser will be providing investment management services to the Fund. In considering

 

46

 

 

Distillate Capital ETFs

 

Approval of Advisory Agreement & Board Consideration

(Unaudited) (Continued)

 

the nature, extent, and quality of the services to be provided by the Adviser, the Board considered the quality of the Adviser’s compliance infrastructure and past reports from the Trust’s Chief Compliance Officer (“CCO”) regarding the CCO’s review of the Adviser’s compliance program, as well as the Board’s experience with the Adviser as the investment adviser to other series of the Trust. The Board noted that it had also previously received copies of the Adviser’s registration form and financial statements, as well as the Adviser’s response to a detailed series of questions that included, among other things, information about the Adviser’s decision-making process, the background and experience of the firm’s key personnel, and the firm’s compliance policies, marketing practices, and brokerage information, as well as details about the Fund.

 

The Board also considered the services to be provided to the Fund, including oversight of the Fund’s proposed sub-adviser, monitoring the Fund’s adherence to its investment restrictions and compliance with the Fund’s policies and procedures and applicable securities regulations, as well as monitoring the extent to which the Fund achieves its investment objective as an actively managed fund.

 

Historical Performance. The Board noted that the Fund had not yet commenced operations and concluded that the performance of the Fund, thus, was not a relevant factor in the context of the Board’s deliberations on the Advisory Agreement. The Board also considered that the Fund is actively managed. Consequently, with respect to the Fund’s future performance, the Board will focus on the Adviser’s services, including its oversight of the Sub-Adviser’s day-to-day management of the Fund.

 

Cost of Services to be Provided and Economies of Scale. The Board then reviewed the Fund’s proposed net expense ratio, the full amount of which was anticipated to be the “unified fee” (described below), and compared the Fund’s net expense ratio to its Peer Group and Selected Peer Group (each defined below). The Board noted that the Fund’s proposed net expense ratio was within the lower range of net expense ratios of funds selected by Barrington Partners as most comparable (the “Peer Group”). The Board also noted that the Fund’s proposed net expense ratio was within the range of net expense ratios for a group of the Fund’s most direct competitors, as selected by the Adviser (the “Selected Peer Group”). The funds included by the Adviser in the Selected Peer Group include funds that invest in small-cap stocks and focus on value and other fundamental factors similar to those identified in the Fund’s principal investment strategy.

 

The Board took into consideration that the Adviser would charge a “unified fee,” meaning the Fund would pay no expenses other than the advisory fee and, if applicable, certain other costs such as interest, brokerage, acquired fund fees and expenses, extraordinary expenses and, to the extent it is implemented, fees pursuant

 

47

 

 

Distillate Capital ETFs

 

Approval of Advisory Agreement & Board Consideration

(Unaudited) (Continued)

 

to a Distribution and/or Shareholder Servicing (12b-1) Plan. The Board noted that the Adviser would be responsible for compensating the Trust’s other service providers and paying the Fund’s other expenses out of the Adviser’s own fee and resources.

 

The Board then considered the Adviser’s financial resources and information regarding the Adviser’s ability to support its management of the Fund and obligations under the unified fee arrangement, noting that the Adviser had provided its financial statements for the Board’s review. The Board also evaluated the compensation and benefits expected to be received by the Adviser from its relationship with the Fund, taking into account an analysis of the Adviser’s anticipated profitability with respect to the Fund at various Fund asset levels as well as the financial resources the Adviser had committed and proposed to commit to its business. The Board determined such analyses were not a significant factor given that the Fund had not yet commenced operations and, consequently, the future size of the Fund and the Adviser’s future profitability were generally unpredictable.

 

The Board considered the Fund’s expenses and the structure of the Fund’s advisory fee with respect to potential economies of scale. The Board noted that the Fund’s fee structure did not contain any breakpoint reductions as the Fund’s assets grow but considered that the Fund’s fee structure is a unified fee. The Board concluded that the current fee structure reflects a sharing of economies of scale between the Adviser and the Fund at the Fund’s current asset level. The Board also noted its intention to monitor fees as the Fund grows in size and assess whether advisory fee breakpoints may be warranted.

 

Conclusion. No single factor was determinative of the Board’s decision to approve the Advisory Agreement; rather, the Board based its determination on the total mix of information available to it. Based on a consideration of all the factors in their totality, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, unanimously determined that the Advisory Agreement, including the compensation payable under the agreement, was fair and reasonable to the Fund. The Board, including the Independent Trustees, unanimously determined that the approval of the Advisory Agreement was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

 

Approval of the Sub-Advisory Agreement with the Sub-Adviser

 

Nature, Extent, and Quality of Services to be Provided. The Board considered the scope of services to be provided to the Fund under the Sub-Advisory Agreement, noting that the Sub-Adviser will be providing investment management services to the Fund and currently serves as sub-adviser to other series in the Trust. The Board noted the responsibilities that the Sub-Adviser would have as the Fund’s investment sub-adviser, including: responsibility for the general management of the day-to-day investment and reinvestment of the assets of the Fund; determining the daily baskets

 

48

 

 

Distillate Capital ETFs

 

Approval of Advisory Agreement & Board Consideration

(Unaudited) (Continued)

 

of deposit securities and cash components; executing portfolio security trades for purchases and redemptions of the Fund’s shares conducted on a cash-in-lieu basis; oversight of general portfolio compliance with applicable securities laws, regulations, and investment restrictions; responsibility for daily monitoring of portfolio exposures and quarterly reporting to the Board; and implementation of Board directives as they relate to the Fund.

 

In considering the nature, extent, and quality of the services to be provided by the Sub-Adviser, the Board considered reports of the Trust’s CCO with respect to the Sub-Adviser’s compliance program and the Sub-Adviser’s experience providing investment management services to other ETFs, including other series of the Trust. The Trustees further noted that they had received and reviewed the Sub-Adviser’s Materials, including the Sub-Adviser’s response to a detailed series of questions regarding its business operations, key personnel, investment decision-making process, and compliance policies, and they had reviewed additional detailed information about the Sub-Adviser at previous Board meetings. The Board also considered the Sub-Adviser’s resources and capacity with respect to portfolio management, compliance, and operations given the number of funds for which it would serve as sub-adviser.

 

Historical Performance. The Board noted that the Fund had not yet commenced operations. Consequently, the Board determined that performance was not a relevant consideration in the context of the Board’s deliberations on the Sub-Advisory Agreement. The Board also considered that the Fund is actively managed. Consequently, with respect to the Fund’s future performance, the Board will focus on the Sub-Adviser’s services, including the day-to-day management of the Fund by the portfolio managers.

 

Costs of Services to be Provided and Economies of Scale. The Board then reviewed the advisory fee to be paid by the Adviser to the Sub-Adviser for its services to the Fund. The Board considered the fees to be paid to the Sub-Adviser would be paid by the Adviser from the fee the Adviser receives from the Fund and noted that the fee reflected an arm’s-length negotiation between the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser. The Board further determined the sub-advisory fee reflects an appropriate allocation of the advisory fee paid to the Adviser given the work performed by each firm and noted that the sub-advisory fees were generally in line with those charged by the Sub-Adviser in connection with other funds managed by the Sub-Adviser. The Board also evaluated the compensation and benefits expected to be received by the Sub-Adviser from its relationship with the Fund, taking into account an analysis of the Sub-Adviser’s estimated profitability with respect to the Fund at various Fund asset levels.

 

The Board expressed the view that the Sub-Adviser might realize economies of scale in managing the Fund as assets grow in size. The Board further noted that because the Fund pays the Adviser a unified fee, any benefits from breakpoints in the sub-advisory fee schedule would accrue to the Adviser, rather than Fund shareholders.

 

49

 

 

Distillate Capital ETFs

 

Approval of Advisory Agreement & Board Consideration

(Unaudited) (Continued)

 

Consequently, the Board determined that it would monitor fees as the Fund grows to determine whether economies of scale were being effectively shared with the Fund and its shareholders.

 

Conclusion. No single factor was determinative of the Board’s decision to approve the Sub-Advisory Agreement; rather, the Board based its determination on the total mix of information available to it. Based on a consideration of all the factors in their totality, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, unanimously determined that the Sub-Advisory Agreement, including the compensation payable under the agreement, was fair and reasonable to the Fund. The Board, including the Independent Trustees, unanimously determined that the approval of the Sub-Advisory Agreement was in the best interests of the Fund and its shareholders.

 

50

 

 

Distillate Capital ETFs

 

Federal Tax Information

(Unaudited)

 

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022, certain dividends paid by the Funds may be subject to the maximum tax rate of 23.8%, as provided for by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003.

 

The percentage of dividends declared from ordinary income designated as qualified dividend income was as follows:

 

Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

100.00%

Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

100.00%

Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF

N/A

 

For corporate shareholders, the percentage of ordinary income distributions qualifying for the corporate dividends received deduction for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 was as follows:

 

Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

100.00%

Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

0.00%

Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF

N/A

 

The percentage of taxable ordinary income distributions that are designated as short-term capital gain distributions under Internal Revenue Section 871(k)(2)(C) for each Fund was as follows:

 

Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

0.00%

Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

0.00%

Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF

N/A

 

51

 

 

Distillate Capital ETFs

 

Foreign Tax Credit Pass Through

(Unaudited)

 

Pursuant to Section 853 of the Internal Revenue code, the Funds designate the following amounts as foreign taxes paid for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022. Foreign taxes paid for purposes of Section 853 may be less than actual foreign taxes paid for financial statement purposes.

   

Creditable
Foreign Tax
Credit Paid

   

Per Share
Amount

   

Portion of
Ordinary Income
Distribution
Derived from
Foreign Sourced
Income

 

Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

  $     $     $  

Distillate International Stability & Value ETF

    93,312       0.87567034       100.00 %

Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF

    N/A       N/A       N/A  

 

Foreign taxes paid or withheld should be included in taxable income with an offsetting deduction from gross income or as a credit for taxes paid to foreign governments.

 

Above figures may differ from those cited elsewhere in this report due to differences in the calculation of income and gains under U.S. GAAP purposes and Internal Revenue Service purposes.

 

Shareholders are strongly advised to consult their own tax advisers with respect to the tax consequences of their investments in the Funds.

 

Information About Portfolio Holdings
(Unaudited)

 

The Funds file their complete schedules of portfolio holdings for their first and third fiscal quarters with the SEC on Part F of Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Part F of Form N-PORT is available without charge, upon request, by calling toll-free at (800) 617-0004. Furthermore, you may obtain the Part F of Form N-PORT on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or the Funds’ website at https://distillatefunds.com. The Funds’ portfolio holdings are posted on their website at https://distillatefunds.com daily.

 

52

 

 

Distillate Capital ETFs

 

Information About Proxy Voting

(Unaudited)

 

A description of the policies and procedures the Funds use to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities is provided in the Statement of Additional Information (“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 Funds’ website at https://distillatefunds.com.

 

When available, information regarding how the Funds 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.

 

Information About the Funds’ Trustees
(Unaudited)

 

The SAI includes additional information about the Funds’ Trustees and is available without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 617-0004 or by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or by accessing the Funds’ website at https://distillatefunds.com.

 

Frequency Distribution of Premiums and Discounts
(Unaudited)

 

Information regarding how often shares of the Funds trade on an exchange at a price above (i.e., at a premium) or below (i.e., at a discount) the NAV of the Funds is available without charge, on the Funds’ website at https://distillatefunds.com.

 

53

 

 

Adviser and Index Provider

Distillate Capital Partners, LLC
53 West Jackson Blvd, Suite 530
Chicago, Illinois 60604

 

Sub-Adviser

Vident Investment Advisory, LLC
1125 Sanctuary Parkway, Suite 515
Alpharetta, Georgia 30009

 

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

 

Distillate U.S. Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

Symbol – DSTL
CUSIP – 26922A321

 

Distillate International Fundamental Stability & Value ETF

Symbol – DSTX
CUSIP – 26922B501

 

Distillate Small/Mid Cash Flow ETF

Symbol – DSMC
CUSIP – 26922B667