As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 24, 2024 .
Registration Nos. 333-209996
811-22736
811-22736
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
Form N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
☒
Pre-Effective Amendment No.
☐
Post-Effective Amendment No. 36
☒
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
☒
Amendment No. 37
☒
(Check Appropriate Box or Boxes)
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
290 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (800) 345-6611
| Daniel J. Beckman c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC 290 Congress Street Boston, Massachusetts 02210 |
Ryan C. Larrenaga, Esq. c/o Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC 290 Congress Street Boston, Massachusetts 02210 |
(Name and Address of Agents for Service)
Approximate Date of Proposed Public Offering:
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box)
☐ Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
☒ On May 1, 2024 pursuant to paragraph (b)
☐ 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
☐ On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
☐ 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
☐ On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of rule 485.
If appropriate, check the following box:
☐ This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.
This Post-Effective Amendment relates solely to the Registrant’s Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF series. Information contained in the Registrant’s Registration Statement relating to any other series of the Registrant is neither amended nor superseded hereby.
Prospectus
Beta Advantage® ETFs
Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF
| Ticker Symbol |
| CRED |
This prospectus provides important information about Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF (the Fund), a passively managed exchange-traded fund (ETF) and series of Columbia ETF Trust I (the Trust), that you should know before investing. Please read it carefully and keep it for future reference.
These securities have not been approved or disapproved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), nor has the SEC passed upon the adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Shares of the Fund are listed and traded on NYSE Arca, Inc. (the Exchange).
No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus and the Fund's Statement of Additional Information (SAI) dated May 1, 2024 (which is incorporated by reference into this prospectus and is legally a part of this prospectus) and, if given or made, such information or representations may not be relied upon as having been authorized by us.
Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF
Summary of the Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF (the Fund) seeks investment results that, before fees and expenses, closely correspond to the performance of the Beta Advantage® Lionstone Research Enhanced REIT Index (the Index).
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of the Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions, to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the table and example below. If such expenses were reflected, the expenses set forth below would be higher.
| Annual Fund Operating Expenses (expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment) | |
| Management fees(a) |
% |
| Distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees |
% |
| Other expenses |
% |
| Total annual Fund operating expenses |
% |
(a)
Example
The following example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. The example illustrates the hypothetical expenses that you would incur over the time periods indicated (whether or not shares are redeemed), and assumes that:
■
you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the periods indicated,
■
your investment has a 5% return each year, and
■
the Fund’s total annual operating expenses remain the same as shown in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table above.
Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on the assumptions listed above, your costs (based on estimated Fund expenses) would be:
| |
1 year |
3 years |
5 years |
10 years |
| |
$ |
$ |
$ |
$ |
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund may pay transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover rate may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example, affect the Fund’s performance. For the fiscal period from April 26, 2023 (commencement of operations) to December 31, 2023, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 2 % of the average value of its portfolio.
Prospectus 2024
3
Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF
Summary of the Fund (continued)
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund is an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that seeks to replicate the performance of the Beta Advantage® Lionstone Research Enhanced REIT Index (the Index). The Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in the component securities of the Index. The Index reflects a rules-based strategic beta approach to investing in the companies that comprise the FTSE Nareit All Equity REITs Index (the Starting Universe), which is a broad measure of the performance of publicly listed U.S real estate investment trusts (REITs). The Index is comprised of a subset of the companies within the Starting Universe selected based on a proprietary scoring system that takes into account multiple quantitative factors, including quality, value and company catalyst factors. Like the Starting Universe, the Index and the Fund typically hold only common stocks. The Fund may invest in companies of any size, including small- and mid-cap companies.
The Index was developed by the Fund’s investment adviser, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager), in collaboration with its real estate investment advisory subsidiary, Lionstone Partners, LLC (Lionstone). The Index is sponsored and administered by Columbia Management, and is calculated by Solactive AG (the Index Calculation Agent).
The Fund uses a replication strategy to track the performance of the Index, whereby the Fund invests in or has investment exposure to substantially all the component securities of the Index in approximately the same proportions as in the Index. However, under various circumstances, including circumstances under which it may not be possible or practicable to purchase all of the securities in the Index, or in the same weightings, the Fund may purchase or have investment exposure to a sample of the securities in the Index in proportions expected to replicate generally the performance of the Index as a whole. There may also be instances in which the Fund may overweight (or underweight) an Index holding, purchase (or sell) instruments not in the Index as a substitute for one or more securities in the Index or utilize various combinations of other available investment techniques in seeking to replicate the performance of the Index.
The Fund may sell securities or other holdings that are represented in the Index or purchase securities or make other investments that are not yet represented in the Index in anticipation of their removal from or addition to the Index.
Neither the Investment Manager nor Lionstone provides day-to-day management of the Fund’s assets based on its view of the investment merits of a security, nor do they conduct fundamental investment research or analysis, or seek to forecast or otherwise consider market movements, conditions or trends in the day-to-day management of the Fund’s assets. The Fund pursues its investment objective of correlating performance with the Index regardless of market conditions and does not take defensive positions.
The methodology applied to select Index holdings and weightings does not set limits on sector or industry exposures. To the extent the Index is concentrated in a sector or industry, the Fund will be concentrated in that sector or industry. The Index (and therefore the Fund) will concentrate in the real estate industry.
The Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in other securities or instruments not included within the Index that the Investment Manager believes will help the Fund replicate the performance of the Index.
The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it can invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of fewer issuers than can a diversified fund.
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Real Estate-Related Investment Risk, Passive Investment Risk, Correlation/Tracking Error Risk, and New Fund Risk, among others. Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money . The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The significance of any specific risk to an investment in the Fund will vary over time depending on the composition of the Fund's portfolio, market conditions, and other factors. You should read all of the risk information below carefully, because any one or more of these risks may result in losses to the Fund.
4
Prospectus 2024
Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF
Summary of the Fund (continued)
Authorized Participant Concentration Risk. Only an Authorized Participant (as defined below) may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with the Fund. The Fund has a limited number of institutions that may act as Authorized Participants, none of which are or will be obligated to engage in creation or redemption transactions. To the extent that these institutions exit the business or are unable or unwilling to proceed with creation and/or redemption orders with respect to the Fund and no other Authorized Participant is able or willing to step forward to create or redeem Creation Units, Fund shares may trade at a greater premium or discount between the market price and the NAV of the Fund’s shares and/or wider bid/ask spreads than those experienced by other ETFs. Additionally, the Fund could possibly face trading halts and/or delisting from the Exchange. This risk is heightened in times of market stress, including at both the Fund share level and at the Fund holdings level.
Changing Distribution Level Risk. The Fund normally expects to receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amounts paid by the Fund will vary and generally depend on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Correlation/Tracking Error Risk. The Fund’s value will generally decline when the performance of the securities within the Index declines. A number of factors may affect the Fund’s ability to achieve a high degree of correlation with the Index, and there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve a high degree of correlation. Failure to achieve a high degree of correlation may prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objective. In addition, the Fund bears management and other expenses and transaction costs in trading securities or other instruments, which the Index does not bear. The Fund, unlike the Index, is subject to regulatory requirements that can limit the Fund’s investments relative to what the Index can hold. Accordingly, the Fund’s performance will likely fail to match the performance of the Index, after taking expenses into account, as well as regulatory limitations. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
Early/Late Close/Trading Halt Risk. An exchange or market may close early, close late or issue trading halts on specific securities, or the ability to buy or sell certain securities may be restricted, which may result in the Fund being unable to buy or sell these securities. In these circumstances, the Fund may be unable to reconstitute its portfolio, may be unable to accurately price its investments, may incur substantial trading losses and/or may be prevented from sufficiently tracking the performance of the Index.
Fund Shares Liquidity Risk. Although the Fund’s shares are listed on the Exchange, there can be no assurance that an active, liquid or otherwise orderly trading market for shares will be established or maintained by market makers or Authorized Participants, particularly in times of stressed market conditions. There is no guarantee that the Fund will be able to attract market makers and Authorized Participants. There is no obligation for market makers to make a market in the Fund’s shares or for Authorized Participants to submit purchase or redemption orders for creation units. Accordingly, if such parties determine not to perform their respective functions, this could, such as during times of market stress, in turn, lead to variances between the market price of the Fund’s shares and the underlying value of those shares and bid/ask spreads could widen. Trading in Fund shares on the Exchange also may be disrupted or even halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in Fund shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in Fund shares on the Exchange may be subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to the Exchange “circuit breaker” rules. There also can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Fund’s shares will continue to be met or will remain unchanged.
Index Methodology and Provider Risk. The Fund seeks performance that corresponds to the performance of the Index. There is no guarantee or assurance that the Index will achieve high, or even positive, returns. The Index may underperform more traditional indices. In turn, the Fund could lose value while other indices or measures of market performance increase in value or performance. In addition, the Fund may be subject to the risk that the Index Provider may commit errors in Index computation, construction and reconstitution, despite any of the Index Provider’s procedures designed to prevent such occurrences and due diligence conducted by the Investment Manager. Errors may result in a negative performance impact to the Fund and its shareholders. The Index is owned and/or was developed by the Investment Manager.
Prospectus 2024
5
Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF
Summary of the Fund (continued)
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly or below expectations, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance of an issuer may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters, military confrontations and actions, war, other conflicts, terrorism, disease/virus outbreaks, epidemics or other events, conditions and factors which may impair the value of your investment in the Fund and could result in a greater premium or discount between the market price and the NAV of the Fund's shares and wider bid/ask spreads than those experienced by other ETFs.
■
Small- and Mid-Cap Stock Risk. Investments in small- and mid-capitalization companies (small- and mid-cap companies) often involve greater risks than investments in larger, more established companies (larger companies) because small- and mid-cap companies tend to have less predictable earnings and may lack the management experience, financial resources, product diversification and competitive strengths of larger companies. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may be less liquid and more volatile than the securities of larger companies.
Market Price Relative to NAV Risk. Shares of the Fund may trade at prices that vary from Fund NAV. Shares of the Fund are listed for trading on the Exchange and are bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices that may differ, in some cases significantly, from their NAV. The NAV of the Fund will generally fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings. The market prices of shares, however, will generally fluctuate in response to changes in NAV, as well as the relative supply of, and demand for, Fund shares on the Exchange. Fund shares may trade at a greater premium or discount between the market price and the NAV of the Fund's shares and/or wider bid/ask spreads than those experienced by other ETFs. The Investment Manager cannot predict whether Fund shares will trade below, at or above their NAV. Price differences may result because of, among other factors, supply and demand forces in the secondary trading market for Fund shares. It is expected that these forces generally will be closely related to, but not identical to, the same forces influencing the prices of the Fund’s holdings. In this regard, if a shareholder purchases Fund shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses. Different investment strategies or techniques, including those intended to be defensive in nature, including, as examples, stop loss orders to sell an ETF’s shares in the secondary market during negative market events or conditions, such as a “flash crash” or other market disruptions, may not work as intended and may produce significant losses to investors. Investors should consult their financial intermediary prior to using any such investment strategies or techniques, or before investing in the Fund.
Market Risk. The Fund may incur losses due to declines in the value of one or more securities in which it invests. These declines may be due to factors affecting a particular issuer, or the result of, among other things, political, regulatory, market, economic or social developments affecting the relevant market(s) more generally. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in equity, credit and/or fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to price or value hard-to-value assets in thinly traded and closed markets and could cause significant redemptions and operational challenges. Global economies and financial markets are increasingly interconnected, and conditions and events in one country, region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market. These risks may be magnified if certain events or developments adversely interrupt the global supply chain; in these and other circumstances, such risks might affect companies worldwide. As a result, local, regional or global events such as terrorism, war, other conflicts, natural disasters, disease/virus outbreaks and epidemics or other public health issues, recessions, depressions or other events – or the potential for such events – could have a significant negative impact on global economic and market conditions and could result in a greater premium or discount between the market price and the NAV of the Fund's shares and wider bid/ask spreads than those experienced by other ETFs.
New Fund Risk. The Fund is a newly formed ETF. Accordingly, investors in the Fund bear the risk that the Fund may not be successful, which could result in the Fund being liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and/or at a time that may not be favorable to shareholders. Such a liquidation could have negative tax consequences for shareholders.
6
Prospectus 2024
Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF
Summary of the Fund (continued)
Non-Diversified Fund Risk. The Fund is non-diversified, which generally means that it may invest a greater percentage of its total assets in the securities of fewer issuers than a “diversified” fund. This increases the risk that a change in the value of any one investment held by the Fund could affect the overall value of the Fund more than it would affect that of a diversified fund holding a greater number of investments. Accordingly, the Fund's value will likely be more volatile than the value of a more diversified fund.
Passive Investment Risk. The Fund is not actively managed and may be affected by a general decline in market segments related to its Index’s investment exposures. The Fund invests in securities or instruments included in, or believed by the portfolio managers to be representative of, the Index regardless of their investment merits. The Fund does not seek temporary defensive positions when markets decline or appear overvalued.
Quantitative and Other Models Risk. Quantitative models and the LES framework used in selecting securities for inclusion in the Index may cause the Fund to underperform other investment strategies. Flaws or errors in such tools' assumptions, design, execution, or data inputs may adversely affect Fund performance. These tools may not perform as expected and may underperform in certain market environments including in stressed or volatile market conditions. There can be no assurance that the use of these tools for Index construction will be beneficial to the Fund seeking to track it.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. In a rising interest rate environment, the stock prices of real estate-related investments may decline and the borrowing costs of these companies may increase. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended. Because the value of REITs and other real estate-related companies may fluctuate widely in response to changes in factors affecting the real estate markets, the value of an investment in the Fund may be more volatile than the value of an investment in a fund that is invested in a more diverse range of market sectors.
Secondary Market Trading Risk. Investors buying or selling Fund shares will pay brokerage commissions or other charges imposed by brokers as determined by that broker. Brokerage commissions are often a fixed amount and may be a significant proportional cost for investors seeking to buy or sell relatively small amounts of Fund shares.
Performance Information
When available, the Fund intends to compare its performance to the performance of the Beta Advantage® Lionstone Research Enhanced REIT Index and the FTSE Nareit All Equity REITs Index.
When available, updated performance information can be obtained by calling toll-free 800.426.3750 or visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com/etfs .
Fund Management
Investment Manager: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC
| Portfolio Management |
Title |
Role with Fund |
Managed Fund Since |
| Christopher Lo, CFA |
Senior Portfolio Manager |
Lead Portfolio Manager |
2023 |
Prospectus 2024
7
Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF
Summary of the Fund (continued)
| Portfolio Management |
Title |
Role with Fund |
Managed Fund Since |
| Henry Hom, CFA |
Senior Portfolio Manager |
Portfolio Manager |
2023 |
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
The Fund issues and redeems shares only through Authorized Participants (intermediaries, typically broker-dealers who have executed an agreement with the Fund's distributor that governs transactions in Fund creation units) in large blocks of shares, typically 50,000 shares, called Creation Units. Creation Units are issued and redeemed typically for an in-kind basket of securities. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, the Fund shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund.
Individual shares may only be purchased and sold on secondary markets through a financial intermediary, such as a broker-dealer or a bank. Because the Fund’s shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (a premium) or less than NAV (a discount). You may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase shares of the ETF (bid) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for shares of the ETF (ask) when buying or selling shares in the secondary market (the bid/ask spread). Recent information, including information regarding the Fund’s NAV, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid/ask spread, is available at columbiathreadneedleus.com/etfs.
Tax Information
Distributions you receive from the Fund are taxed as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes, except to the extent designated as net capital gain, qualified dividend or return of capital and may also be subject to state or local taxes, unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged retirement plan account or are a tax-exempt investor.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), the Fund and its related companies may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your financial advisor to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your financial advisor or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.
8
Prospectus 2024
Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF
More Information About the Fund
Investment Objective
Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF (the Fund) seeks investment results that, before fees and expenses, closely correspond to the performance of the Beta Advantage® Lionstone Research Enhanced REIT Index (the Index). The Fund’s investment objective is not a fundamental policy and may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. Because any investment involves risk, there is no assurance the Fund’s investment objective will be achieved.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Fund is an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that seeks to replicate the performance of the Beta Advantage® Lionstone Research Enhanced REIT Index (the Index). The Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets (including the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes) in the component securities of the Index. The Index reflects a rules-based strategic beta approach to investing in the companies that comprise the FTSE Nareit All Equity REITs Index (the Starting Universe), which is a broad measure of the performance of publicly listed U.S real estate investment trusts (REITs). The Index is comprised of a subset of the companies within the Starting Universe selected based on a proprietary scoring system that takes into account multiple quantitative factors, including quality, value and company catalyst factors. Like the Starting Universe, the Index and the Fund typically hold only common stocks. The Fund may invest in companies of any size, including small- and mid-cap companies.
The Index was developed by the Fund’s investment adviser, Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (Columbia Management or the Investment Manager), in collaboration with its real estate investment advisory subsidiary, Lionstone Partners, LLC (Lionstone). The Index is sponsored and administered by Columbia Management, and is calculated by Solactive AG (the Index Calculation Agent).
The Fund uses a replication strategy to track the performance of the Index, whereby the Fund invests in or has investment exposure to substantially all the component securities of the Index in approximately the same proportions as in the Index. However, under various circumstances, including circumstances under which it may not be possible or practicable to purchase all of the securities in the Index, or in the same weightings, the Fund may purchase or have investment exposure to a sample of the securities in the Index in proportions expected to replicate generally the performance of the Index as a whole. There may also be instances in which the Fund may overweight (or underweight) an Index holding, purchase (or sell) instruments not in the Index as a substitute for one or more securities in the Index or utilize various combinations of other available investment techniques in seeking to replicate the performance of the Index.
The Fund may sell securities or other holdings that are represented in the Index or purchase securities or make other investments that are not yet represented in the Index in anticipation of their removal from or addition to the Index.
Neither the Investment Manager nor Lionstone provides day-to-day management of the Fund’s assets based on its view of the investment merits of a security, nor do they conduct fundamental investment research or analysis, or seek to forecast or otherwise consider market movements, conditions or trends in the day-to-day management of the Fund’s assets. The Fund pursues its investment objective of correlating performance with the Index regardless of market conditions and does not take defensive positions.
The methodology applied to select Index holdings and weightings does not set limits on sector or industry exposures. To the extent the Index is concentrated in a sector or industry, the Fund will be concentrated in that sector or industry. The Index (and therefore the Fund) will concentrate in the real estate industry.
The Fund may invest up to 20% of its assets in other securities or instruments not included within the Index that the Investment Manager believes will help the Fund replicate the performance of the Index.
The Fund is non-diversified, which means that it can invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of fewer issuers than can a diversified fund.
The Fund’s investment policy with respect to 80% of its assets may be changed by the Fund’s Board of Trustees without shareholder approval as long as shareholders are given 60 days’ advance written notice of the change. Additionally, shareholders will be given 60 days’ notice of any change to the Fund’s investment objective made to comply with the SEC rule governing investment company names.
Prospectus 2024
9
Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF
More Information About the Fund (continued)
Principal Risks
An investment in the Fund involves risks, including Real Estate-Related Investment Risk, Passive Investment Risk, Correlation/Tracking Error Risk, and New Fund Risk, among others. Descriptions of these and other principal risks of investing in the Fund are provided below. There is no assurance that the Fund will achieve its investment objective and you may lose money. The value of the Fund’s holdings may decline, and the Fund’s net asset value (NAV) and share price may go down. An investment in the Fund is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other government agency. The significance of any specific risk to an investment in the Fund will vary over time depending on the composition of the Fund's portfolio, market conditions, and other factors. You should read all of the risk information below carefully, because any one or more of these risks may result in losses to the Fund.
Authorized Participant Concentration Risk. Only an Authorized Participant may engage in creation or redemption transactions directly with the Fund. The Fund has a limited number of institutions that may act as Authorized Participants, none of which are or will be obligated to engage in creation or redemption transactions. To the extent that these institutions exit the business or are unable or unwilling to proceed with creation and/or redemption orders with respect to the Fund and no other Authorized Participant is able or willing to step forward to create or redeem Creation Units, Fund shares may trade at a greater premium or discount between the market price and the NAV of the Fund’s shares and/or wider bid/ask spreads than those experienced by other ETFs. Additionally, the Fund could possibly face trading halts and/or delisting from the Exchange. This risk is heightened in times of market stress, including at both the Fund share level and at the Fund holdings level.
Changing Distribution Level Risk. The Fund normally expects to receive income which may include interest, dividends and/or capital gains, depending upon its investments. The distribution amounts paid by the Fund will vary and generally depend on the amount of income the Fund earns (less expenses) on its portfolio holdings, and capital gains or losses it recognizes. A decline in the Fund’s income or net capital gains arising from its investments may reduce its distribution level.
Correlation/Tracking Error Risk. The Fund’s value will generally decline when the performance of the securities within the Index declines. A number of factors may affect the Fund’s ability to achieve a high degree of correlation with the Index, and there is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve a high degree of correlation. Failure to achieve a high degree of correlation may prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objective. The factors that may adversely affect the Fund’s correlation with the Index include, among others, the size of the Fund’s portfolio, fees, expenses, transaction costs, income items, valuation methodology, accounting standards, the effectiveness of sampling techniques (if applicable), changes in the Index and disruptions or illiquidity in the markets for the securities or other instruments in which the Fund invests. While the Fund typically seeks to track the performance of the Index by investing all, or substantially all, of its assets in the components of the Index in approximately the same proportion as their weighting in the Index, at times, the Fund may not have investment exposure to all components of the Index, or its weighting of investment exposure to such components may be different from that of the Index. In addition, the Fund may invest in securities or other instruments not included in the Index. The Fund may take or refrain from taking investment positions for various reasons, such as tax efficiency purposes, or to comply with regulatory restrictions, which may negatively affect the Fund’s correlation with the Index. The Fund may also be subject to large movements of assets into and out of the Fund, potentially resulting in the Fund being over- or under-exposed to certain components of the Index and may be impacted by Index reconstitutions and Index rebalancing events. Additionally, the Fund's foreign investments may trade on markets that may not be open on the same day or at the same time as the Fund, which may cause a difference between the changes in the daily performance of the Fund and changes in the level of the Index. Furthermore, the Fund may need to execute currency trades that due to regulatory, legal and operational constraints will occur at a later date than the trading of the related security. Currency holdings may be valued at a different time and at different rates than that used by the Index. Holding cash balances may detract from the Fund’s ability to track the Index. In addition, the Fund’s NAV may deviate from the Index if the Fund fair values a portfolio security at a price other than the price used by the Index for that security. The Fund also bears management and other expenses and transaction costs in trading securities or other instruments, which the Index does not bear. The Fund, unlike the Index, is subject to regulatory requirements that can limit the Fund’s investments relative to what the Index can hold. The Fund, unlike the Index, is subject to Office of Foreign Assets
10
Prospectus 2024
Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF
More Information About the Fund (continued)
Control and other regulatory restrictions, including, for example, restrictions on the ability of the Fund to invest in or hold certain securities. If the Fund is restricted from investing in or holding a security that was a component of the Index, and the Index did not remove such security, timely or at all, the Fund’s ability to track the Index could be negatively impacted. Accordingly, the Fund’s performance will likely fail to match the performance of the Index, after taking expenses into account, as well as regulatory limitations. Any of these factors could decrease correlation between the performance of the Fund and the Index and may hinder the Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.
Early/Late Close/Trading Halt Risk. An exchange or market may close early, close late or issue trading halts on specific securities, or the ability to buy or sell certain securities may be restricted, which may result in the Fund being unable to buy or sell these securities. In these circumstances, the Fund may be unable to reconstitute its portfolio, may be unable to accurately price its investments, may incur substantial trading losses and/or may be prevented from sufficiently tracking the performance of the Index.
Fund Shares Liquidity Risk. Although the Fund’s shares are listed on the Exchange, there can be no assurance that an active, liquid or otherwise orderly trading market for shares will be established or maintained by market makers or Authorized Participants, particularly in times of stressed market conditions. There is no guarantee that the Fund will be able to attract market makers and Authorized Participants. There is no obligation for market makers to make a market in the Fund’s shares or for Authorized Participants to submit purchase or redemption orders for creation units. Accordingly, if such parties determine not to perform their respective functions, this could, such as during times of market stress, in turn, lead to variances between the market price of the Fund’s shares and the underlying value of those shares and bid/ask spreads could widen. Trading in Fund shares on the Exchange also may be disrupted or even halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in Fund shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in Fund shares on the Exchange may be subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to the Exchange “circuit breaker” rules. There also can be no assurance that the requirements of the Exchange necessary to maintain the listing of the Fund’s shares will continue to be met or will remain unchanged.
Index Methodology and Provider Risk. The Fund seeks performance that corresponds to the performance of the Index. There is no guarantee or assurance that the Index will achieve high, or even positive, returns. The Index may underperform more traditional indices. In turn, the Fund could lose value while other indices or measures of market performance increase in value or performance. In addition, the Fund may be subject to the risk that the Index Provider may commit errors in Index computation, construction and reconstitution, despite any of the Index Provider’s procedures designed to prevent such occurrences and due diligence conducted by the Investment Manager. Errors may result in a negative performance impact to the Fund and its shareholders. The Index is owned and/or was developed by the Investment Manager.
Issuer Risk. An issuer in which the Fund invests or to which it has exposure may perform poorly or below expectations, and the value of its securities may therefore decline, which may negatively affect the Fund’s performance. Underperformance of an issuer may be caused by poor management decisions, competitive pressures, breakthroughs in technology, reliance on suppliers, labor problems or shortages, corporate restructurings, fraudulent disclosures, natural disasters, military confrontations and actions, war, other conflicts, terrorism, disease/virus outbreaks, epidemics or other events, conditions and factors which may impair the value of your investment in the Fund and could result in a greater premium or discount between the market price and the NAV of the Fund's shares and wider bid/ask spreads than those experienced by other ETFs.
■
Small- and Mid-Cap Stock Risk. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies can, in certain circumstances, have a higher potential for gains than securities of larger companies but are more likely to have more risk than larger companies. For example, small- and mid-cap companies may be more vulnerable to market downturns and adverse business or economic events than larger companies because they may have more limited financial resources and business operations. Small- and mid-cap companies are also more likely than larger companies to have more limited product lines and operating histories and to depend on smaller and generally less experienced management teams. Securities of small- and mid-cap companies may trade less frequently and in smaller volumes and may be less liquid and fluctuate more sharply in value than securities of larger companies. When the Fund takes significant positions in small- and mid-cap companies with limited trading volumes, the liquidation of those
Prospectus 2024
11
Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF
More Information About the Fund (continued)
positions, particularly in a distressed market, could be prolonged and result in Fund investment losses that would affect the value of your investment in the Fund. In addition, some small- and mid-cap companies may not be widely followed by the investment community, which can lower the demand for their stocks.
Market Price Relative to NAV Risk. Shares of the Fund may trade at prices that vary from Fund NAV. Shares of the Fund are listed for trading on the Exchange and are bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices that may differ, in some cases significantly, from their NAV. The NAV of the Fund will generally fluctuate with changes in the market value of the Fund’s holdings. The market prices of shares, however, will generally fluctuate in response to changes in NAV, as well as the relative supply of, and demand for, Fund shares on the Exchange. Fund shares may trade at a greater premium or discount between the market price and the NAV of the Fund's shares and/or wider bid/ask spreads than those experienced by other ETFs. The Investment Manager cannot predict whether Fund shares will trade below, at or above their NAV. Price differences may result because of, among other factors, supply and demand forces in the secondary trading market for Fund shares. It is expected that these forces generally will be closely related to, but not identical to, the same forces influencing the prices of the Fund’s holdings. In this regard, if a shareholder purchases Fund shares at a time when the market price is at a premium to the NAV or sells shares at a time when the market price is at a discount to the NAV, the shareholder may sustain losses. Different investment strategies or techniques, including those intended to be defensive in nature, including, as examples, stop loss orders to sell an ETF’s shares in the secondary market during negative market events or conditions, such as a “flash crash” or other market disruptions, may not work as intended and may produce significant losses to investors. Investors should consult their financial intermediary prior to using any such investment strategies or techniques, or before investing in the Fund.
Market Risk. The Fund may incur losses due to declines in the value of one or more securities in which it invests. These declines may be due to factors affecting a particular issuer, or the result of, among other things, political, regulatory, market, economic or social developments affecting the relevant market(s) more generally. In addition, turbulence in financial markets and reduced liquidity in equity, credit and/or fixed income markets may negatively affect many issuers, which could adversely affect the Fund’s ability to price or value hard-to-value assets in thinly traded and closed markets and could cause significant redemptions and operational challenges. Global economies and financial markets are increasingly interconnected, and conditions and events in one country, region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market. These risks may be magnified if certain events or developments adversely interrupt the global supply chain; in these and other circumstances, such risks might affect companies worldwide. As a result, local, regional or global events such as terrorism, war, other conflicts, natural disasters, disease/virus outbreaks and epidemics or other public health issues, recessions, depressions or other events – or the potential for such events – could have a significant negative impact on global economic and market conditions and could result in a greater premium or discount between the market price and the NAV of the Fund's shares and wider bid/ask spreads than those experienced by other ETFs.
The large-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022 has resulted in sanctions and market disruptions, including declines in regional and global stock markets, unusual volatility in global commodity markets and significant devaluations of Russian currency. The extent and duration of the military action are impossible to predict but could continue to be significant. Market disruption caused by the Russian military action, and any countermeasures or responses thereto (including international sanctions, a downgrade in a country’s credit rating, purchasing and financing restrictions, boycotts, tariffs, changes in consumer or purchaser preferences, cyberattacks and espionage) could continue to have severe adverse impacts on regional and/or global securities and commodities markets, including markets for oil and natural gas. These impacts may include reduced market liquidity, distress in credit markets, further disruption of global supply chains, increased risk of inflation, and limited access to investments in certain international markets and/or issuers. These developments and other related events could negatively impact Fund performance.
New Fund Risk. The Fund is a newly formed ETF. Accordingly, investors in the Fund bear the risk that the Fund may not be successful, which could result in the Fund being liquidated at any time without shareholder approval and/or at a time that may not be favorable to shareholders. Such a liquidation could have negative tax consequences for shareholders.
12
Prospectus 2024
Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF
More Information About the Fund (continued)
Non-Diversified Fund Risk. The Fund is non-diversified, which generally means that it may invest a greater percentage of its total assets in the securities of fewer issuers than a “diversified” fund. This increases the risk that a change in the value of any one investment held by the Fund could affect the overall value of the Fund more than it would affect that of a diversified fund holding a greater number of investments. Accordingly, the Fund's value will likely be more volatile than the value of a more diversified fund.
Passive Investment Risk. The Fund is not actively managed and may be affected by a general decline in market segments related to its Index’s investment exposures. The Fund invests in securities or instruments included in, or believed by the portfolio managers to be representative of, the Index regardless of their investment merits. The Fund does not seek temporary defensive positions when markets decline or appear overvalued.
Quantitative and Other Models Risk. Quantitative models and the LES framework used in selecting securities for inclusion in the Index may cause the Fund to underperform other investment strategies for short or long periods of time. Performance will depend upon the quality and accuracy of the assumptions, theories and framework upon which such investment tools are based. The success of these tools will depend upon their accurate reflection of market conditions, with proper adjustments as market conditions change over time. Adjustments, or lack of adjustments, to the tool, including as conditions change, as well as any errors or imperfections in the tool, could adversely affect Fund performance. The performance of these tools depends upon the quality of its design and effective execution under actual market conditions. Even a well-designed tool cannot be expected to perform well in all market conditions or across all time intervals. These tools may underperform in certain market environments including stressed or volatile market conditions. It is not possible or practicable for these tools to factor in all relevant, available data. There is no guarantee that the data actually utilized in these tools will be the most accurate data available or be free from errors. There can be no assurance that the use of these tools for Index construction will be beneficial to the Fund seeking to track it.
Real Estate-Related Investment Risk. Investments in real estate investment trusts (REITs) subject the Fund to, among other things, risks similar to those of direct investments in real estate and the real estate industry in general. These include risks related to general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of financing and changes in interest rates or property values. REITs are entities that either own properties or make construction or mortgage loans, and also may include operating or finance companies. The value of interests in a REIT may be affected by, among other factors, changes in the value of the underlying properties owned by the REIT, changes in the prospect for earnings and/or cash flow growth of the REIT itself, defaults by borrowers or tenants, market saturation, decreases in market rates for rents, and other economic, political, or regulatory matters affecting the real estate industry, including REITs. REITs and similar non-U.S. entities depend upon specialized management skills, may have limited financial resources, may have less trading volume in their securities, and may be subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than the overall securities markets. In a rising interest rate environment, the stock prices of real estate-related investments may decline and the borrowing costs of these companies may increase. REITs are also subject to the risk of failing to qualify for favorable tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The failure of a REIT to continue to qualify as a REIT for tax purposes can materially and adversely affect its value. Some REITs (especially mortgage REITs) are affected by risks similar to those associated with investments in debt securities including changes in interest rates and the quality of credit extended. Because the value of REITs and other real estate-related companies may fluctuate widely in response to changes in factors affecting the real estate markets, the value of an investment in the Fund may be more volatile than the value of an investment in a fund that is invested in a more diverse range of market sectors.
Secondary Market Trading Risk. Investors buying or selling Fund shares will pay brokerage commissions or other charges imposed by brokers as determined by that broker. Brokerage commissions are often a fixed amount and may be a significant proportional cost for investors seeking to buy or sell relatively small amounts of shares. In addition, secondary market investors will also incur the cost of the difference between the price that an investor is willing to pay for Fund shares (the bid price) and the price at which an investor is willing to sell Fund shares (the ask price). This difference in bid and ask prices is often referred to as the “spread” or “bid/ask spread.” The bid/ask spread varies over time for Fund shares based on trading volume and market liquidity, and is generally lower if the Fund’s shares have more trading volume and market liquidity and higher if the Fund’s shares have little trading volume and market liquidity. Further, increased market volatility may cause widening of bid/ask spreads.
Prospectus 2024
13
Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF
More Information About the Fund (continued)
How the Fund Differs from Traditional Mutual Funds
Redeemability. Traditional mutual fund shares may be bought from, and redeemed with, the issuing fund for cash at NAV typically calculated once at the end of each business day. Shares of an ETF, by contrast, cannot be purchased from or redeemed with the ETF except by or through Authorized Participants, and then typically for an in-kind basket of securities. Except when aggregated in Creation Units, the Fund shares are not redeemable securities of the Fund. In addition, ETFs issue and redeem shares on a continuous basis only in large blocks of shares, typically 50,000 shares (which is the case for the Fund), called Creation Units.
Exchange Listing. Unlike traditional mutual fund shares, the Fund’s shares are listed for trading on the Exchange. Investors can purchase and sell shares on the secondary market through a broker or other financial intermediary (collectively, financial intermediary(ies)). There can be no assurance that the Fund's shares will continue to trade on the Exchange or that the Fund's shares will continue to meet the requirements for listing or trading on the Exchange. Investors purchasing shares in the secondary market through a brokerage account or with the assistance of a financial intermediary may be subject to brokerage commissions and charges. Secondary-market transactions do not occur at NAV, but at market prices that change throughout the day, based on the supply of, and demand for, shares and on changes in the prices of the Fund’s portfolio holdings. The market price of shares may differ from the NAV of the Fund. The difference between market price of shares and the NAV of the Fund is called a premium when the market price is above the reported NAV and called a discount when the market price is below the reported NAV. The market price of the Fund's shares may deviate significantly from the NAV of the shares, for example, in times of extreme market volatility or other conditions.
Tax Treatment. The Fund’s structure may provide for enhanced tax efficiency relative to a traditional mutual fund’s structure. Specifically, to the extent the Fund redeems its shares in kind, the distribution of portfolio securities to meet such redemption requests may mitigate certain adverse tax consequences associated with traditional mutual fund shares to continuing Fund shareholders. This is because traditional mutual funds typically sell portfolio securities to obtain cash to meet redemptions and, as necessary, may recognize taxable gains in connection with such sales. By contrast, to the extent the Fund redeems its shares in kind, as opposed to in cash, the Fund’s in-kind redemption mechanism will potentially reduce, relative to a traditional mutual fund, taxable gains resulting from redemptions. However, the Fund cannot predict to what extent, if any, it will redeem its shares in kind rather than in cash, particularly during the Fund’s growth stages when portfolio changes are more likely to be implemented within the Fund rather than through the in-kind redemption mechanism. Nor can the Fund predict the extent to which any such in-kind redemptions will reduce the taxable gain recognized in connection therewith.
ETFs generally are able to make in-kind redemptions and avoid being taxed on gain on the distributed portfolio securities at the Fund level. Because the Fund may effect redemptions partly or entirely in cash, rather than in-kind distributions, it may be required to sell portfolio securities in order to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. If the Fund recognizes gain on these sales, this generally will cause the Fund to recognize gain it might not otherwise have recognized, or to recognize such gain sooner than would otherwise be required if it were to distribute portfolio securities in-kind. The Fund generally intends to distribute these gains to shareholders to avoid being taxed on this gain at the Fund level and otherwise comply with the special tax rules that apply to it. This strategy may cause shareholders to be subject to tax on gains they would not otherwise be subject to, or at an earlier date than, if they had made an investment in a different ETF. Moreover, cash transactions may have to be carried out over several days if the securities market is relatively illiquid and may involve considerable brokerage fees and taxes. These brokerage fees and taxes, which will be higher than if the Fund sold and redeemed its shares principally in-kind, will be passed on to purchasers and redeemers of Creation Units in the form of creation and redemption transaction fees.
Additional Investment Strategies and Policies
This section describes certain investment strategies and policies that the Fund may utilize in pursuit of its investment objective and some additional factors and risks involved with investing in the Fund.
14
Prospectus 2024
Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF
More Information About the Fund (continued)
The Fund may consider changing the Index at any time, including if, for example: the Index becomes unavailable; the Board believes that the Index no longer serves shareholder investment needs or that another index may better serve their needs; or the financial or economic environment makes it difficult for the Fund’s investment results to correspond sufficiently to the Index. If the Fund determines to change the Index, it will assess the appropriateness of the Fund's current name in light of the new index.
20% Asset Policy
In addition to any instruments mentioned in the Fund’s principal investment strategies, the Fund may also invest in derivatives, including futures (including equity futures and index futures), options (including options on futures) and swaps (including portfolio and total return swaps), as well as cash, cash equivalents and money market instruments, such as repurchase agreements and money market funds (including affiliated money market funds).
Investment Guidelines
As a general matter, and except as specifically described in the discussion of the Fund's principal investment strategies in this prospectus or as otherwise required by the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), the rules and regulations thereunder and any applicable exemptive relief, whenever an investment policy or limitation states a percentage of the Fund's assets that may be invested in any security or other asset or sets forth a policy regarding an investment standard, compliance with that percentage limitation or standard will be determined solely at the time of the Fund's investment in the security or asset.
Holding Other Kinds of Investments
The Fund may hold other investments that are not part of its principal investment strategies but that are for the purpose of seeking to assist the Fund in tracking the performance of the Index. These investments and their risks are described below and/or in the SAI. The Fund may choose not to invest in certain securities described in this prospectus and in the SAI, although it has the ability to do so. Information on the Fund’s holdings can be found in the Fund’s shareholder reports or by visiting columbiathreadneedleus.com/etfs.
Transactions in Derivatives
The Fund may enter into derivative transactions. Derivatives are financial contracts whose values are, for example, based on (or “derived” from) traditional securities (such as a stock or bond), assets (such as a commodity like gold or a foreign currency), reference rates (such as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (commonly known as SOFR)) or market indices (such as the Standard & Poor’s 500® Index). The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. Derivatives involve special risks and may result in losses or may limit the Fund’s potential gain from favorable market movements. Derivative strategies often involve leverage, which may exaggerate a loss, potentially causing the Fund to lose more money than it would have lost had it invested in the underlying security or other asset directly. The values of derivatives may move in unexpected ways, especially in unusual market conditions, and may result in increased volatility in the value of the derivative and/or the Fund’s shares, among other consequences. The use of derivatives may also increase the amount of taxes payable by shareholders holding shares in a taxable account. Other risks arise from the Fund’s potential inability to terminate or to sell derivative positions. A liquid secondary market may not always exist for the Fund’s derivative positions at times when the Fund might wish to terminate or to sell such positions. Over-the-counter instruments (investments not traded on an exchange) may be illiquid, and transactions in derivatives traded in the over-the-counter market are subject to the risk that the other party will not meet its obligations. The use of derivatives also involves the risks of mispricing or improper valuation and that changes in the value of the derivative may not correlate perfectly with the underlying security, asset, reference rate or index. The Fund also may not be able to find a suitable derivative transaction counterparty, and thus may be unable to engage in derivative transactions when it is deemed favorable to do so, or at all. U.S. federal legislation has been enacted that provides for new clearing, margin, reporting and registration requirements for participants in the derivatives market. These changes could restrict and/or impose significant costs or other burdens upon the Fund’s participation in derivatives transactions. The U.S. government and the European Union (and some other jurisdictions) have enacted regulations and similar requirements that prescribe clearing, margin, reporting and registration requirements for participants in the derivatives market. These requirements are evolving and their
Prospectus 2024
15
Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF
More Information About the Fund (continued)
ultimate impact on the Fund remains unclear, but such impact could include restricting and/or imposing significant costs or other burdens upon the Fund’s participation in derivatives transactions. Additionally, regulations governing the use of derivatives by registered investment companies, such as the Fund, require, among other things, that a fund that invests in derivative instruments beyond a specified limited amount to apply a value-at-risk-based limit to its portfolio and establish a comprehensive derivatives risk management program. As of the date of this prospectus, the Fund is not required to maintain a comprehensive derivatives risk management program given its more limited use of derivatives. For more information on the risks of derivative investments and strategies, see the SAI.
Affiliated Funds Investing in the Fund
The Investment Manager or an affiliate serves as investment adviser to funds using the Columbia brand (Columbia Funds), including those that are structured as “fund-of-funds”, and provides asset-allocation services to (i) shareholders by investing in shares of other Columbia Funds, which may include the Fund (collectively referred to in this section as Underlying Funds), and (ii) discretionary managed accounts (collectively referred to as affiliated products) that invest exclusively in Underlying Funds. These affiliated products, individually or collectively, may own a significant percentage of the outstanding shares of one or more Underlying Funds, and the Investment Manager seeks to balance potential conflicts of interest between the affiliated products and the Underlying Funds in which they invest. The affiliated products’ investment in the Underlying Funds may have the effect of creating economies of scale, possibly resulting in lower expense ratios for the Underlying Funds, because the affiliated products may own substantial portions of the shares of Underlying Funds. However, redemption of Underlying Fund shares by one or more affiliated products could cause the expense ratio of an Underlying Fund to increase, as its fixed costs would be spread over a smaller asset base. Because of large positions of certain affiliated products, the Underlying Funds may experience relatively large inflows and outflows of cash due to affiliated products’ purchases and sales of Underlying Fund shares. Although the Investment Manager or its affiliate may seek to minimize the impact of these transactions where possible, for example, by structuring them over a reasonable period of time or through other measures, Underlying Funds may experience increased expenses as they buy and sell portfolio securities to manage the cash flow effect related to these transactions. Further, when the Investment Manager or its affiliate structures transactions over a reasonable period of time in order to manage the potential impact of the buy and sell decisions for the affiliated products, those affiliated products, including funds-of-funds, may pay more or less (for purchase activity), or receive more or less (for redemption activity), for shares of the Underlying Funds than if the transactions were executed in one transaction. In addition, substantial redemptions by affiliated products within a short period of time could require the Underlying Fund to liquidate positions more rapidly than would otherwise be desirable, which may have the effect of reducing or eliminating potential gain or causing it to realize a loss. In order to meet such redemptions, an Underlying Fund may be forced to sell its liquid (or more liquid) positions, leaving the Underlying Fund holding, post-redemption, a relatively larger position in illiquid investments (i.e., any investment that the Fund reasonably expects cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment) or less liquid securities. Substantial redemptions may also adversely affect the ability of the Underlying Fund to implement its investment strategy. The Investment Manager or its affiliate also has a conflict of interest in determining the allocation of affiliated products’ assets among the Underlying Funds, as it earns different fees from the various Underlying Funds.
Investing in Money Market Funds
The Fund may invest cash in, or hold as collateral for certain investments, shares of registered or unregistered money market funds, including funds advised by the Investment Manager or its affiliates. These funds are not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or any other government agency. The Fund and its shareholders indirectly bear a portion of the expenses of any money market fund or other fund in which the Fund may invest.
Fund Website and Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings
Information about the Fund may be found at columbiathreadneedleus.com/etfs. Among other things, this website includes the Summary Prospectus, this prospectus and the SAI, the Fund’s annual and semiannual reports and information on the Fund’s net asset value, market price, premiums/discounts, and bid-ask spreads, among other information.
16
Prospectus 2024
Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF
More Information About the Fund (continued)
Each day the Fund is open for business, it publicly disseminates the Fund’s full portfolio holdings as of the close of the previous business day through its website at columbiathreadneedleus.com/etfs. In addition, the In-Kind Creation Basket and In-Kind Redemption Basket, which identify the securities and share quantities which may be delivered in exchange for purchases and redemptions of Creation Units as discussed below and in the SAI, are publicly disseminated each business day prior to the opening of trading on the Exchange via the National Securities Clearing Corporation (NSCC).
Additional Information on Portfolio Turnover
A fund that replaces, or turns over, more than 100% of its investments in a year may be considered to have a high portfolio turnover rate. A high portfolio turnover rate can generate larger distributions of short-term capital gains to shareholders, which for individuals are generally taxable at higher rates than long-term capital gains for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Also, a high portfolio turnover rate can mean higher brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, which could reduce a fund’s returns. In general, the greater the volume of buying and selling by a fund, the greater the impact that brokerage commissions and other transaction costs will have on its returns. The Fund may sell securities regardless of how long they’ve been held. A higher portfolio turnover rate may reduce the relative potential tax efficiency of the Fund compared with traditional mutual funds except potentially in cases where accomplished through redemptions in kind. You'll find the Fund's portfolio turnover rate for its most recent fiscal period in the Fees and Expenses of the Fund — Portfolio Turnover section of this prospectus and portfolio turnover rates for the past five years or since inception, if the Fund has been in operation for less than five years, in the Financial Highlights section of this prospectus.
Understanding Annual Fund Operating Expenses
The Fund’s annual operating expenses, as presented in the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table in the Fees and Expenses of the Fund section of this prospectus, generally are based on estimated expenses for the Fund’s current fiscal year and are expressed as a percentage (expense ratio). The expense ratio reflects the Fund’s fee arrangements as of the date of this prospectus. The Fund’s annual operating expenses are comprised of (i) investment management fees, (ii) distribution and/or service fees, and (iii) other expenses. No distribution or service fees are currently paid by the Fund, and there are no current plans to impose these fees.
Prospectus 2024
17
Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF
More Information About the Fund (continued)
Primary Service Provider Contracts
The Fund enters into contractual arrangements (Service Provider Contracts) with various service providers, including, among others, the Investment Manager, Lionstone, the administrator, the distributor, the transfer agent and the Fund’s custodian. The Fund’s Service Provider Contracts are solely among the parties thereto. Shareholders are not parties to, or intended to be third-party beneficiaries of, any Service Provider Contracts. Further, this prospectus, the SAI and any Service Provider Contracts are not intended to give rise to any agreement, duty, special relationship or other obligation between the Fund and any investor, or give rise to any contractual, tort or other rights in any individual shareholder, group of shareholders or other person, including any right to assert a fiduciary or other duty, enforce the Service Provider Contracts against the parties or to seek any remedy thereunder, either directly or on behalf of the Fund. Nothing in the previous sentence should be read to suggest any waiver of any rights under federal or state securities laws.
The Investment Manager
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC is located at 290 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210 and serves as investment adviser to the Columbia Funds, including the Fund. The Investment Manager is a registered investment adviser and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (Ameriprise Financial). The Investment Manager’s management experience covers all major asset classes, including equity securities, debt instruments and money market instruments. In addition to serving as an investment adviser to traditional mutual funds, exchange-traded funds and closed-end funds, the Investment Manager acts as an investment adviser for itself, its affiliates, individuals, corporations, retirement plans, private investment companies and financial intermediaries.
Subject to oversight by the Board, the Investment Manager manages the day-to-day operations of the Fund.
The Beta Advantage® Lionstone Research Enhanced REIT Index is sponsored and administered by Columbia Management and calculated by Solactive AG, an unaffiliated third-party entity, which also acts as the calculation agent for the index and has day-to-day responsibility for calculating the intra-day value of these indices.
The SEC has issued an order that permits the Investment Manager, subject to the approval of the Board, to appoint affiliated and unaffiliated subadvisers by entering into subadvisory agreements with them, and to change in material respects the terms of those subadvisory agreements, including the fees paid thereunder, for the Fund without first obtaining shareholder approval, thereby avoiding the expense and delays typically associated with obtaining shareholder approval. The Fund furnishes shareholders with information about new subadvisers retained in reliance on the order within 90 days after hiring the subadviser. The Investment Manager and its affiliates may have other relationships, including significant financial relationships, with current or potential subadvisers or their affiliates, which may create certain conflicts of interest. When making recommendations to the Board to appoint or to change a subadviser, or to change the terms of a subadvisory agreement, the Investment Manager discloses to the Board the nature of any such material relationships. The SEC has issued a separate order that permits the Board to approve new subadvisory agreements or material changes to existing subadvisory agreements at a meeting that is not in person, provided that the Trustees are able to participate in the meeting using a means of communication that allows them to hear each other simultaneously during the meeting and other conditions of the order are satisfied. At present, the Investment Manager has not engaged any investment subadviser for the Fund.
The Fund pays the Investment Manager a fee for its investment advisory services. The fee is calculated as a percentage of the daily net assets of the Fund and is paid monthly. In return for this fee (which is sometimes referred to as a unitary or unified fee), the Investment Manager has agreed to pay the operating costs and expenses of the Fund other than the following expenses, which will be paid by the Fund: taxes, interest incurred on borrowing by the Fund, if any, brokerage fees and commissions, interest and fee expense related to the Fund’s participation in inverse floater structures and any other portfolio transaction expenses, infrequent and/or unusual expenses, including without limitation litigation expenses, distribution and/or service fees, expenses incurred in connection with lending securities, and any other expenses approved by the Board. For the Fund’s most recent fiscal year, investment advisory services fees paid to the Investment Manager by the Fund amounted to 0.33% of average daily net assets of the Fund, before any applicable reimbursements.
18
Prospectus 2024
Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF
More Information About the Fund (continued)
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the renewal of the investment management services agreement with the Investment Manager is available in the Fund’s semiannual report to shareholders for the fiscal period ended June 30, 2023.
Portfolio Managers
Information about the portfolio managers primarily responsible for overseeing the Fund’s investments is shown below. The SAI provides additional information about the portfolio managers, including information relating to compensation, other accounts managed by the portfolio managers, and ownership by the portfolio managers of Fund shares.
| Portfolio Management |
Title |
Role with Fund |
Managed Fund Since |
| Christopher Lo, CFA |
Senior Portfolio Manager |
Lead Portfolio Manager |
2023 |
| Henry Hom, CFA |
Senior Portfolio Manager |
Portfolio Manager |
2023 |
Dr. Lo joined one of the Columbia Management legacy firms or acquired business lines in 1998. Dr. Lo began his investment career in 1998 and earned a B.S. and M.E. from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, an M.B.A. from the Stern School of Business at New York University and a doctoral degree in professional studies (DPS) from Pace University, with a concentration in finance and international economics.
Mr. Hom joined the Investment Manager in 2007. Mr. Hom began his investment career in 2007 and earned a B.A. in economics from Boston University.
Other Service Providers
ALPS Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor), 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, CO 80203, serves as the distributor of Creation Units for the Fund on an agency basis. The Distributor does not maintain a secondary market in shares.
BNY Mellon Corporation (BNY Mellon), 240 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10286, is the administrator, fund accountant, transfer agent and custodian for the Fund.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 45 South Seventh Street, Suite 3400, Minneapolis, MN 55402, serves as the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm. The independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for auditing the annual financial statements of the Fund.
Index Calculation Agent
Solactive AG, with offices at 1 Platz Der Einheit, Frankfurt, Hessen, 60327, Germany, is the index calculation agent of the Beta Advantage® Lionstone Research Enhanced REIT Index.
Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates — Certain Conflicts of Interest
The Investment Manager provides various services to the Fund and other Columbia Funds for which it is compensated. Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates may also provide other services to these funds and be compensated for them.
The Investment Manager and its affiliates may provide investment advisory and other services to other clients and customers substantially similar to those provided to the Columbia Funds. These activities, and other financial services activities of Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, may present actual and potential conflicts of interest and introduce certain investment constraints.
Ameriprise Financial is a major financial services company, engaged in a broad range of financial activities beyond the fund-related activities of the Investment Manager, including, among others, insurance, broker-dealer (sales and trading), asset management, banking and other financial activities. These additional activities may involve multiple advisory, financial, insurance and other interests in securities and other instruments, and in companies that issue securities and other instruments, that may be bought, sold or held by the Columbia Funds.
Prospectus 2024
19
Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF
More Information About the Fund (continued)
Conflicts of interest and limitations that could affect a Columbia Fund may arise from, for example, the following:
■
compensation and other benefits received by the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates related to the management/administration of a Columbia Fund and the sale of its shares;
■
the allocation of, and competition for, investment opportunities among the Fund, other funds and accounts advised/managed by the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates, or Ameriprise Financial itself and its affiliates;
■
separate and potentially divergent management of a Columbia Fund and other funds and accounts advised/managed by the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates;
■
regulatory and other investment restrictions on investment activities of the Investment Manager and other Ameriprise Financial affiliates and accounts advised/managed by them;
■
insurance and other relationships of Ameriprise Financial affiliates with companies and other entities in which a Columbia Fund invests; and
■
regulatory and other restrictions relating to the sharing of information between Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates, including the Investment Manager, and a Columbia Fund.
The Investment Manager and Ameriprise Financial have adopted various policies and procedures that are intended to identify, monitor and address conflicts of interest. However, there is no assurance that these policies, procedures and disclosures will be effective.
Additional information about Ameriprise Financial and the types of conflicts of interest and other matters referenced above is set forth in the Investment Management and Other Services — Other Roles and Relationships of Ameriprise Financial and its Affiliates — Certain Conflicts of Interest section of the SAI. Investors in the Columbia Funds should carefully review these disclosures and consult with their financial advisor if they have any questions.
Certain Legal Matters
Ameriprise Financial and certain of its affiliates are involved in the normal course of business in legal proceedings which include regulatory inquiries, arbitration and litigation, including class actions concerning matters arising in connection with the conduct of their activities as part of a diversified financial services firm. Ameriprise Financial believes that the Fund is not currently the subject of, and that neither Ameriprise Financial nor any of its affiliates are the subject of, any pending legal, arbitration or regulatory proceedings that are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Fund or the ability of Ameriprise Financial or its affiliates to perform under their contracts with the Fund. Information regarding certain pending and settled legal proceedings may be found in the Fund’s shareholder reports and in the SAI. Additionally, Ameriprise Financial is required to make quarterly (10-Q), annual (10-K) and, as necessary, 8-K filings with the SEC on legal and regulatory matters that relate to Ameriprise Financial and its affiliates. Copies of these filings may be obtained by accessing the SEC website at sec.gov.
20
Prospectus 2024
Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF
Buying and Selling Fund Shares
Shares are issued or redeemed by the Fund at NAV per share only in Creation Units of 50,000 shares. As of March 31, 2024, the value of one Creation Unit of the Fund was $1,057,741.60.
Shares trade on the secondary market, which is where most retail investors will buy and sell shares. It is expected that only a limited number of institutional investors will purchase and redeem shares directly from the Fund. Thus, certain information in this prospectus is not relevant to most retail investors. For example, information about buying and redeeming Creation Units directly from the Fund and about transaction fees imposed on such purchases and redemptions is not relevant to most retail investors.
Except when aggregated in Creation Units, the Fund’s shares are not redeemable with the Fund. Additional information about the procedures regarding creation and redemption of Creation Units (including the cut-off times for receipt of creation and redemption orders) is included in the SAI.
Buying and Selling Fund Shares on the Secondary Market
The Fund issues or redeems its shares at NAV per share only in Creation Units and only to Authorized Participants (or APs). Most investors will buy and sell shares in secondary market transactions through brokers or other financial intermediaries, and therefore must have an account with them to buy and sell shares. Shares can be bought or sold through your financial intermediary throughout the trading day like shares of any publicly traded issuer. When buying or selling shares through a financial intermediary, you will incur customary brokerage commissions and charges, and you may pay some or all of the spread between the bid and the offered prices in the secondary market for shares. The price at which you buy or sell shares (i.e., the market price) may be more (a premium to) or less than (a discount to) the NAV of the shares. Unless imposed by your financial intermediary, there is no minimum dollar amount you must invest in the Fund and no minimum number of shares you must buy. The Fund accommodates frequent purchases and redemptions of Creation Units by Authorized Participants and does not place a limit on purchases or redemptions of Creation Units by these investors. The Fund reserves the right, but does not have the obligation, to reject any purchase or redemption transaction at any time.
Shares of the Fund are listed on the Exchange under the symbol: CRED
The Exchange is generally open Monday through Friday and is closed for weekends and the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth National Independence Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
For information about buying and selling shares on the Exchange or in the secondary markets, please contact your financial intermediary.
Book Entry. Shares are held in book entry form, which means that no stock certificates are issued. The Depository Trust Company (DTC), or its nominee, is the registered owner of all outstanding shares of the Fund and is recognized as the owner of all shares. Participants in DTC include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other institutions that directly or indirectly maintain a custodial relationship with DTC. As a beneficial owner of shares, you are not entitled to receive physical delivery of Fund Shares certificates or to have shares registered in your name, and you are not considered a registered owner of shares. Therefore, to exercise any right as an owner of shares, you must rely on the procedures of DTC and its participants. These procedures are the same as those that apply to any stocks that you hold in book entry or “street name” through your brokerage account. Your account information will be maintained by your financial intermediary, which will provide you with account statements, confirmations of your purchases and sales of shares, and tax information. Your financial intermediary also will be responsible for distributing income dividends and capital gain distributions and for ensuring that you receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund.
Share Trading Prices. The trading prices of the Fund’s shares may differ from the Fund’s daily NAV and can be affected by market forces of supply and demand for the Fund’s shares, the prices of the Fund’s investments, economic conditions and other factors. The Exchange or another market information provider intends to disseminate the approximate value of the Fund’s portfolio every fifteen seconds. This approximate value should not be viewed as a “real-time” update of the NAV of the Fund because the approximate value may not be calculated in the same manner as the NAV, which is computed once a day. The quotations for certain investments may not be updated during
Prospectus 2024
21
Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF
Buying and Selling Fund Shares (continued)
U.S. trading hours if such holdings do not trade in the U.S., except such quotations may be updated to reflect currency fluctuations. The Fund is not involved in, or responsible for, the calculation or dissemination of the approximate values and makes no warranty as to the accuracy of these values.
Additional Information About Buying and Selling Fund Shares
Continuous Offering. Authorized Participants should be aware of certain legal risks unique to investors purchasing Creation Units directly from the Fund. Because shares may be issued on an ongoing basis, a “distribution” of shares could be occurring at any time. Certain activities that Authorized Participants perform with respect to the sale of shares could, depending on the circumstances, result in Authorized Participants being deemed to be a participant in the distribution, in a manner that could render Authorized Participants a statutory underwriter and subject Authorized Participants to the prospectus delivery and liability provisions of the Securities Act. For example, Authorized Participants could be deemed a statutory underwriter if Authorized Participants purchase Creation Units from the issuing Fund, break them down into the constituent shares, and sell those shares directly to customers, or if Authorized Participants choose to couple the creation of a supply of new shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market demand for shares. Whether a person is an underwriter for purposes of the Securities Act depends upon all of the facts and circumstances pertaining to that person’s activities, and the examples mentioned here should not be considered a complete description of all the activities that could cause Authorized Participants to be deemed an underwriter.
Broker-dealer firms should also note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are effecting transactions in shares, whether or not participating in the distribution of shares, are generally required to deliver a prospectus. This is because the prospectus delivery exemption in Section 4(3) of the Securities Act is not available in respect of such transactions as a result of Section 24(d) of the 1940 Act. As a result, broker-dealer firms should note that dealers who are not “underwriters” but are participating in a distribution (as opposed to engaging in ordinary secondary market transactions), and thus dealing with shares as part of an unsold allotment within the meaning of Section 4(3)(C) of the Securities Act, will be unable to take advantage of the prospectus delivery exemption provided by Section 4(3) of the Securities Act. For delivery of prospectuses to exchange members, the prospectus delivery mechanism of Rule 153 under the Securities Act is only available with respect to transactions on a national exchange.
Active Investors and Market Timing
The Board has determined not to adopt policies and procedures designed to prevent or monitor for frequent purchases and redemptions of the Fund’s shares because investors primarily transact in Fund shares on the secondary market. Frequent trading of shares on the secondary market does not disrupt portfolio management, increase the Fund’s trading costs, lead to realization of capital gains or otherwise harm Fund shareholders because these trades do not involve the issuance or redemption of Fund shares.
The Fund sells and redeems its shares at NAV only in Creation Units pursuant to the terms of a Participant Agreement between an Authorized Participant and the Distributor, and accepted by the Transfer Agent, principally in exchange for a basket of securities. With respect to such trades directly with the Fund to the extent effected in-kind (i.e., for securities), they generally would not cause the harmful effects that may result from frequent cash trades.
The Board recognizes that to the extent that the Fund allows or requires trades to be effected in whole or in part in cash, those trades could result in dilution to a Fund and increased transaction costs, which could negatively impact the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. The Board also recognizes, however, that direct trading by Authorized Participants is critical to ensuring that the Fund’s shares trade at or close to NAV. Further, the Fund may employ fair valuation pricing to minimize the potential for dilution. Moreover, the Fund imposes transaction fees on purchases and redemptions of Creation Units reflecting the fact that the Fund’s costs increase in those circumstances. The Fund reserves the right to impose additional restrictions on disruptive, excessive or short-term purchases.
22
Prospectus 2024
Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF
Buying and Selling Fund Shares (continued)
Distribution and Service Fees
The Board has approved, and the Fund has adopted, a distribution and service plan (the Plan) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Under the Plan, the Fund is authorized to pay distribution fees to the Distributor and other firms that provide distribution and shareholder services (Service Providers). If a Service Provider provides such services, the Fund may pay fees at an annual rate not to exceed 0.25% of average daily net assets, pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act.
No distribution or service fees are currently paid by the Fund, and there are no current plans to impose these fees. Future payments may be made under the Plan without any further shareholder approval. In the event Rule 12b-1 fees are charged, over time they would increase the cost of an investment in the Fund.
Determination of Net Asset Value
FUNDamentals
NAV Calculation
The Fund calculates its NAV as follows:
NAV = (Value of assets) – (Liabilities)
Number of outstanding shares
Number of outstanding shares
FUNDamentals
Business Days
A business day is any day that the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is open. A business day typically ends at the close of regular trading on the NYSE, usually at 4:00 p.m. Eastern time. If the NYSE is scheduled to close early, the business day will be considered to end as of the time of the NYSE’s scheduled close. For purposes of this section only, the Fund will not treat an intraday unscheduled disruption in NYSE trading or an intraday unscheduled closing as a close of regular trading on the NYSE for these purposes and will price its shares as of the regularly scheduled closing time for that day (typically, 4:00 p.m. Eastern time). Nonetheless, the NAV of Fund shares may be determined at such other time or times (in addition to or in lieu of the time set forth above) as the Fund’s Board may approve or ratify. On holidays and other days when the NYSE is closed, the Fund’s NAV is not calculated and the Fund does not accept buy or sell orders. However, the value of the Fund’s assets may still be affected on such days to the extent that the Fund holds foreign securities that trade on days that foreign securities markets are open.
Equity securities listed on an exchange are typically valued at the closing price or last trade on their primary exchange at the close of business of the NYSE. Equity securities without a readily available closing price or that are not listed on any exchange are typically valued at the mean between the closing bid and asked prices. Other equity securities, debt securities and other assets are valued differently. For instance, bank loans trading in the secondary market are fair valued unless market quotations are readily available, fixed income investments maturing in 60 days or less are valued primarily using the amortized cost method, unless this methodology results in a valuation that does not approximate the market value of these securities, and those maturing in excess of 60 days are valued based on prices obtained from a pricing service, if available (which may represent market values or fair values). Investments in other open-end funds are valued at their published NAVs. The value of the Fund’s portfolio securities is determined in accordance with the valuation policy approved by the Board (the Valuation Policy). Pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act, the Board has designated the Investment Manager as the Fund’s valuation designee. The Investment Manager, in turn, has authorized its valuation committee to make fair value determinations and to carry out supervisory and certain other functions relating to the valuation of Fund portfolio securities, pursuant to the Valuation Policy.
Prospectus 2024
23
Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF
Buying and Selling Fund Shares (continued)
If a market price is not readily available or is deemed not to reflect market value for a portfolio security, the Investment Manager will determine the price based on a determination of the security's fair value pursuant to the Valuation Policy. In addition, the Investment Manager may use fair valuation techniques to price securities that trade on a foreign exchange when a significant event has occurred after the foreign exchange closes but before the time at which the Fund's share price is calculated. Foreign exchanges typically close before the time at which Fund share prices are calculated, and may be closed altogether on some days when the Fund is open. Such significant events affecting a foreign security may include, but are not limited to: (1) corporate actions, earnings announcements, litigation or other events impacting a single issuer; (2) governmental action that affects securities in one sector or country; (3) natural disasters or armed conflicts affecting a country or region; or (4) significant domestic or foreign market fluctuations. The Fund uses various criteria in determining whether a foreign security's market price is readily available and reflective of market value and, if not, the fair value of the security.
Fair valuation may have the effect of reducing stale pricing arbitrage opportunities presented by the pricing of Fund shares. However, when the Investment Manager uses fair valuation to price equity securities, it may value those securities higher or lower than another fund or manager would. Also, fair valuation of Fund holdings may cause the Fund's performance to diverge to a greater degree from the performance of various benchmark indices used to compare the Fund's performance because indices generally do not use fair valuation techniques. Because of the judgment involved in fair valuation decisions, there can be no assurance that the value ascribed to a particular security is accurate.
24
Prospectus 2024
Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF
Distributions and Taxes
Distributions to Shareholders
A fund can make money two ways:
■
It can earn income on its investments. Examples of fund income are interest paid on money market instruments and dividends paid on common stocks.
■
A fund can also have capital gains if the value of its investments increases. While a fund continues to hold an investment, any gain is generally unrealized. If the fund sells an investment, it generally will realize a capital gain if it sells that investment for a higher price than its adjusted cost basis, and will generally realize a capital loss if it sells that investment for a lower price than its adjusted cost basis. Capital gains and losses are either short-term or long-term, depending on whether the fund holds the securities for one year or less (short-term) or more than one year (long-term).
Funds make payments of fund earnings to shareholders, distributing them among all shareholders of the fund. As a shareholder, you are entitled to your portion of a fund's distributed income, including capital gains. Reinvesting your distributions buys you more shares of a fund — which lets you take advantage of the potential for compound growth. Putting the money you earn back into your investment means it, in turn, may earn even more money (or be exposed to additional losses, if the fund earns a negative return). Over time, the power of compounding has the potential to significantly increase the value of your investment. There is no assurance, however, that you'll earn more money if you reinvest your distributions rather than receive them in cash.
Brokers may make available to their customers who own shares the DTC book-entry dividend reinvestment service. To determine whether the dividend reinvestment service is available and whether there is a commission or other charge for using this service, consult your broker. Brokers may require Fund shareholders to adhere to specific procedures and timetables. If this service is available and used, dividend distributions of both income and net realized gains will be automatically reinvested in additional whole shares of the distributing Fund purchased in the secondary market. Without this service, investors would receive their distributions in cash.
The Fund intends to pay out, in the form of distributions to shareholders, a sufficient amount of its income and gains so that the Fund will qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company and generally will not have to pay any federal income or excise tax. The Fund generally intends to distribute any net realized capital gain (whether long-term or short-term gain) at least once a year. Normally, the Fund will declare and pay distributions of net investment income according to the following schedule:
| Declaration and Distribution Schedule | |
| Declarations |
Quarterly |
| Distributions |
Quarterly |
The Fund may declare or pay distributions of net investment income more frequently.
Each time a distribution is made, the NAV per share is reduced by the amount of the distribution.
The Fund generally pays cash distributions within five business days after the distribution was declared. If you sell all of your shares after the record date, but before the payment date, for a distribution, you'll normally receive that distribution in cash within five business days after the sale was made.
Unless you are a tax-exempt investor or holding Fund shares through a tax-advantaged account (such as a 401(k) plan or IRA), you should consider avoiding buying Fund shares shortly before the Fund makes a distribution (other than distributions of net investment income that are declared daily) of net investment income or net realized capital gain, because doing so can cost you money in taxes to the extent the distribution consists of taxable income or gains. This is because you will, in effect, receive part of your purchase price back in the distribution. This is known as “buying a dividend.” To avoid “buying a dividend,” before you invest in a Fund, check the Fund's distribution schedule, which is available at the Columbia Funds' website, columbiathreadneedleus.com, and/or by calling 800.426.3750.
Prospectus 2024
25
Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF
Distributions and Taxes (continued)
Taxes
You should be aware of the following considerations applicable to the Fund:
■
The Fund intends to qualify and to be eligible for treatment each year as a regulated investment company. A regulated investment company generally is not subject to tax at the fund level on income and gains from investments that are distributed to shareholders. However, the Fund's failure to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company would result in Fund-level taxation, and consequently, a reduction in income available for distribution to you and in the NAV of your shares. Even if the Fund qualifies for treatment as a regulated investment company, the Fund may be subject to federal excise tax on certain undistributed income or gains.
■
Otherwise taxable distributions generally are taxable to you when paid, whether they are paid in cash or automatically reinvested in additional Fund shares. Dividends paid in January are deemed paid on December 31 of the prior year if the dividend was declared and payable to shareholders of record in October, November, or December of such prior year.
■
Distributions of the Fund's ordinary income and net short-term capital gain, if any, generally are taxable to you as ordinary income. Distributions of the Fund's net long-term capital gain, if any, generally are taxable to you as long-term capital gain. Whether capital gains are long-term or short-term is determined by how long the Fund has owned the investments that generated them, rather than how long you have owned your shares. Certain events may require the Fund to sell significant amounts of appreciated securities and make large dividends relative to the Fund’s NAV. Such events may include portfolio rebalancing or fund mergers. The Fund generally provides estimates of expected capital gain dividends (if any) prior to the distribution on columbiathreadneedleus.com/etfs.
■
From time to time, a distribution from the Fund could constitute a return of capital. A return of capital is a return of an amount of your original investment and is not a distribution of income or capital gain from the Fund. Therefore, a return of capital is not taxable to you so long as the amount of the distribution does not exceed your tax basis in your Fund shares. A return of capital reduces your tax basis in your Fund shares, with any amounts exceeding such basis generally taxable as capital gain.
■
If you are an individual and you meet certain holding period and other requirements for your Fund shares, a portion of your distributions may be treated as “qualified dividend income” taxable at the lower net long-term capital gain rates instead of the higher ordinary income rates. Qualified dividend income is income attributable to the Fund's dividends received from certain U.S. and foreign corporations, as long as the Fund meets certain holding period and other requirements for the stock producing such dividends.
■
Certain high-income individuals (as well as estates and trusts) are subject to a 3.8% tax on net investment income. For individuals, the 3.8% tax applies to the lesser of (1) the amount (if any) by which the taxpayer's modified adjusted gross income exceeds certain threshold amounts or (2) the taxpayer's “net investment income.” Net investment income generally includes for this purpose dividends, including any capital gain dividends, paid by the Fund, and net gains recognized on the sale, redemption or exchange of shares of the Fund.
■
Certain derivative instruments when held in the Fund's portfolio subject the Fund to special tax rules, the effect of which may be to, among other things, accelerate income to the Fund, defer Fund losses, cause adjustments in the holding periods of Fund portfolio securities, or convert capital gains into ordinary income, short-term capital losses into long-term capital losses or long-term capital gains into short-term capital gains. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and/or character of distributions to shareholders.
■
Generally, a Fund realizes a capital gain or loss on an option when the option expires, or when it is exercised, sold or otherwise terminated. However, if an option is a “section 1256 contract,” which includes most traded options on a broad-based index, and the Fund holds such option at the end of its taxable year, the Fund is deemed to sell such option at fair market value at such time and recognize any gain or loss thereon, which is generally deemed to be 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gain or loss, as described further in the SAI.
■
Income and proceeds received by the Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to foreign taxes. If at the end of the taxable year more than 50% of the value of the Fund's assets consists of securities of foreign corporations, and the Fund makes a special election, you will generally be required to include in your income for
26
Prospectus 2024
Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF
Distributions and Taxes (continued)
U.S. federal income tax purposes your share of the qualifying foreign income taxes paid by the Fund in respect of its foreign portfolio securities. You may be able to claim a foreign tax credit or deduction in respect of this amount, subject to certain limitations. There is no assurance that the Fund will make this election for a taxable year, even if it is eligible to do so.
■
A sale, redemption or exchange of Fund shares is a taxable event. This includes redemptions where you are paid in securities. Your sales, redemptions and exchanges of Fund shares, including those paid in securities or other instruments, usually will result in a taxable capital gain or loss to you, equal to the difference between the amount you receive for your shares (or are deemed to have received in the case of exchanges) and your adjusted tax basis in the shares, which is generally the amount you paid (or are deemed to have paid in the case of exchanges) for them. Any such capital gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or loss if you have held your Fund shares for more than one year at the time of sale or exchange. In certain circumstances, capital losses may be converted from short-term to long-term; in other circumstances, capital losses may be disallowed under the “wash sale” rules.
■
Your broker will be responsible for furnishing tax reporting information for Fund shares held in a nonqualified account, shareholder reports, and other communications from the Fund. For sales or exchanges of Fund shares acquired in a nonqualified account after 2011, your broker is required to report basis and holding period information to you and the IRS. Your broker may offer a choice of basis calculation methods. Contact your broker to determine which basis methods are available for your account.
■
The Fund or, in the case of sales of Fund shares in the secondary market, your broker, will generally be required by federal law to withhold tax on any distributions and proceeds paid to you if you have not provided a correct taxpayer identification number (TIN) or have not certified to the Fund or its agent, or your broker, as the case may be, that withholding does not apply.
■
For Authorized Participants Purchasing and Redeeming in Creation Units: An Authorized Participant that exchanges equity securities for one or more Creation Units will generally recognize a gain or a loss on the exchange. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between (i) the market value of the Creation Unit(s) at the time and, (ii) the exchanger’s aggregate basis in the securities surrendered plus (or minus) the Cash Component paid (or received). A person who redeems one or more Creation Units for equity securities will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between (i) the exchanger’s basis in the Creation Unit(s) and, (ii) the aggregate market value of the securities received plus (or minus) the Cash Component received (or paid). The IRS, however, may assert that a loss realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Unit(s) cannot be deducted currently under the rules governing “wash sales,” or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position. Persons exchanging securities should consult their own tax advisors with respect to whether wash sale rules apply and when a loss might be deductible. Any capital gain or loss realized upon a redemption of one or more Creation Units is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the Creation Unit(s) have been held for more than one year and as short-term capital gain or loss if they have been held for one year or less. If you purchase or redeem Creation Units, you will be sent a confirmation statement showing how many shares you purchased or sold and at what price.
FUNDamentals
Taxes
The information provided above is only a summary of how U.S. federal income taxes may affect your investment in the Fund. It is not intended as a substitute for careful tax planning. Your investment in the Fund may have other tax implications. It does not apply to certain types of investors who may be subject to special rules, including foreign or tax-exempt investors or those holding Fund shares through a tax-advantaged account, such as a 401(k) plan or IRA. Please see the SAI for more detailed tax information. You should consult with your own tax advisor about the particular tax consequences to you of an investment in the Fund, including the effect of any foreign, state and local taxes, and the effect of possible changes in applicable tax laws.
Prospectus 2024
27
Premium/Discount Information
Information regarding how often the shares of the Fund traded on the Exchange at a price above (at a premium) or below (at a discount) the NAV of the Fund during the past four calendar quarters can be found at columbiathreadneedleus.com/etfs.
| Web site information | |
| Fund |
Internet address |
| Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF |
https://www.columbiathreadneedleus.com/investment-products/details/?cusip=19761L110 |
28
Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF
Financial Highlights
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance for the past five fiscal years or, if shorter, the Fund’s period of operations. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total return in the table represents the rate that an investor would have earned (or lost) on an investment in the Fund assuming all dividends and distributions had been reinvested. Total Return at NAV is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the net asset value at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at net asset value during the period and redemption on the last day of the period. Total Return at Market Price is calculated assuming an initial investment made at the market price at the beginning of the period, reinvestment of all dividends and distributions at market price during the period and redemption on the last day of the period. The total return would have been lower if certain expenses had not been reimbursed/waived by the Investment Manager. Market Price returns are based on closing prices reported by the Fund's primary listing exchange (typically 4 pm ET close). These returns do not represent the returns an investor would receive if shares were traded at other times. Total return and portfolio turnover are not annualized for periods of less than one year. The ratios of expenses and net investment income are annualized for periods of less than one year. The portfolio turnover rate is calculated without regard to purchase and sales transactions of short-term instruments, certain derivatives and in-kind transactions, if any. If such transactions were included, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate may be higher. This information has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Fund’s financial statements, is included in the Fund’s annual report, which is available upon request.
| |
Year Ended December 31 2023(a) |
| Per share data |
|
| Net asset value, beginning of year |
$19.79 |
| Income (loss) from investment operations: |
|
| Net investment income |
0.50 |
| Net realized and unrealized gain |
1.84 |
| Total from investment operations |
2.34 |
| Less distributions to shareholders: |
|
| Net investment income |
(0.51 ) |
| Net realized gains |
(0.08 ) |
| Total distribution to shareholders |
(0.59 ) |
| Net asset value, end of year |
$21.54 |
| Total Return at NAV |
12.10 % |
| Total Return at Market Price |
12.67 % |
| Ratios to average net assets: |
|
| Total gross expenses(b) |
0.33 % |
| Total net expenses(b)(c) |
0.33 % |
| Net investment income |
3.66 % |
| Supplemental data |
|
| Net assets, end of year (in thousands) |
$3,232 |
| Portfolio turnover |
2 % |
(a)
The Fund commenced operations on April 26, 2023. Per share data and total return reflect activity from that date.
(b)
In addition to the fees and expenses that the Fund bears directly, the Fund indirectly bears a pro rata share of the fees and expenses of any other funds in which it invests. Such indirect expenses are not included in the Fund’s reported expense ratios.
(c)
Total net expenses include the impact of certain fee waivers/expense reimbursements made by the Investment Manager and certain of its affiliates, if applicable.
Prospectus 2024
29
Columbia Research Enhanced Real Estate ETF
290 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210
Boston, MA 02210
Additional Information About the Fund
Additional information about the Fund’s investments is available in the Fund’s annual and semiannual reports to shareholders. In the annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Fund’s performance during its last fiscal year. The SAI also provides additional information about the Fund and its policies. The SAI, which has been filed with the SEC, is legally part of this prospectus (incorporated by reference). To obtain these documents free of charge, to request other information about the Fund and to make shareholder inquiries, please contact the Fund as follows:
By Mail: Columbia Funds
290 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210
290 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210
By Telephone: 800.426.3750
Online: columbiathreadneedleus.com/etfs
Information on the Fund’s net asset value, market price, premiums and discounts, and bid-ask spreads can be found on the Fund's website at columbiathreadneedleus.com/etfs.
Reports and other information about the Fund are also available in the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You can receive copies of this information, for a duplication fee, by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov.
The investment company registration number of Columbia ETF Trust I, of which the Fund is a series, is 811-22736.
Columbia Threadneedle Investments is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies.
© 2024 Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC. All rights reserved.
PRO322_12_P01_(05/24)
