Satellite Communications and Space Industry Risk. Companies engaged in satellite communications and/or the space industry may be significantly impacted by rapid and significant technological advancements in the satellite communications and space industry that result in the obsolescence of a company’s products and/or services. Satellite companies are subject to competition from other satellite companies as well as terrestrial industries. Companies in the space industry may face significant competition from new entrants, including both governments and the private sector, and are thus subject to increased risk relative to companies operating in more established industries. Increased competition may result in the need for significant capital expenditures by these companies. These companies rely, to a large extent, on U.S. Government and non-U.S. government demand for their products and services and may be significantly affected by changes in government regulations and spending. Changes to an administration’s priorities with respect to space exploration and scientific discovery may result in budgetary cuts, government staff reductions, and/or program closures, which in turn may impact the profitability of these companies. Satellite companies are also subject to regulatory risks relating to the allocation of orbital positions and spectrum under the International Telecommunication Union as well as other regulatory bodies in foreign countries. These companies also rely upon obtaining government authorization to license and/or operate ground facilities used to operate their satellites and/or relay data. If a company fails to obtain or maintain regulatory authorizations with respect to orbital positions, spectrum, or associated ground facilities, the company may not be able to operate its existing satellites or expand its operations. Satellite companies are also subject to manufacturing delays, launch delays or failures, and operational and environmental risks (e.g., signal interference or space debris) that could limit their ability to utilize satellites needed to deliver services to customers. Such companies may also be subject to additional risks if they do not carry commercial launch or in-orbit insurance covering the full value of their satellites. In addition, these companies are heavily dependent upon patent and intellectual property rights. A company’s success in obtaining or protecting a patent related to satellite communications technologies, including the associated costs, are critical factors that may affect a company’s profitability. 

Communication Services Sector Risk. Communication companies are particularly vulnerable to the potential obsolescence of products and services due to technological advancement and the innovation of competitors. Companies in the communications services sector may also be affected by other competitive pressures, such as pricing competition, as well as research and development costs, substantial capital requirements and government regulation. Additionally, fluctuating domestic and international demand, shifting demographics and often unpredictable changes in consumer tastes can drastically affect a communication company’s profitability. While all companies may be susceptible to network security breaches, certain companies in the communications services sector may be particular targets of hacking and potential theft of proprietary or consumer information or disruptions in service, which could have a material adverse effect on their businesses.

Short Selling Risk. The Fund may make short sales of securities, which involves selling a security it does not own in anticipation that the price of the security will decline. Short sales may involve substantial risk and leverage. Short sales expose the Fund to the risk that it will be required to buy (“cover”) the security sold short when the security has appreciated in value or is unavailable, thus resulting in a loss to the Fund. Short sales also involve the risk that losses may exceed the amount invested and may be unlimited.

Management Risk. The risk that the investment techniques and risk analyses applied by the investment adviser will not produce the desired results and that legislative, regulatory, or tax developments may affect the investment techniques available to the investment adviser and the individual portfolio manager in connection with managing the Fund. There is no guarantee that the investment objective of the Fund will be achieved.

Futures Contracts. Risks of futures contracts include: (i) an imperfect correlation between the value of the futures contract and the underlying asset; (ii) possible lack of a liquid secondary market; (iii) the inability to close a futures contract when desired; (iv) losses caused by unanticipated market movements, which may be unlimited; (v) an obligation for the Fund to make daily cash payments to maintain its required margin, particularly at times when the Fund may have insufficient cash; and (vi) unfavorable execution prices from rapid selling. Unlike equities, which typically entitle the holder to a continuing stake in a corporation, futures contracts normally specify a certain date for settlement in cash based on the reference asset. As the futures contracts approach expiration, they may be replaced by similar contracts that have a later expiration. This process is referred to as “rolling.” If the market for these contracts is in “contango,” meaning that the prices of futures contracts in the nearer months are lower than the price of contracts in the distant months, the sale of the near-term month contract would be at a lower price than the longer-term contract, resulting in a cost to “roll” the futures contract. The actual realization of a potential roll cost will be dependent upon the difference in price of the near and distant contract.

Swap Agreements. The use of swap transactions is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. Whether the Fund will be successful in using swap agreements to achieve its investment goal depends on the ability of the Adviser to structure such swap agreements in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and to identify appropriate counterparties. If the Adviser is unable to enter into swap agreements that provide the desired synthetic exposure to the underlying security, the Fund may not meet its stated investment objective. Additionally, any financing, transaction, or other costs associated with using swap transactions may have the effect of lowering the Fund’s return. 

The swap agreements in which the Fund invests are generally traded in the over-the-counter market, which generally has less transparency than exchange-traded derivative instruments. In a standard swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined reference assets, securities, or instruments. The gross return to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties is calculated based on a notional amount or the return on or change in value of a particular dollar amount invested in the reference asset.

If the underlying security experiences a significant price movement that causes a material change in the Fund’s net assets, the terms of a swap agreement between the Fund and its counterparty may permit the counterparty to close out the swap transaction with the Fund. In that event, the Fund may be unable to enter into another swap agreement or invest in other derivatives to maintain exposure consistent with its investment objective. This may temporarily reduce the Fund’s ability to maintain its intended level of synthetic exposure until replacement transactions can be established.

Certain of the swap agreements entered into by the Fund may be unfunded total return swaps, pursuant to which the Fund does not make an initial investment of the full notional amount of the swap. As a result, the Fund is exposed to the risk that its counterparty will be unable to meet its obligations under the swap agreement, and the Fund’s exposure to a counterparty generally equals the net amount owed to the Fund based on the daily change in value of the reference asset. In the event of a counterparty default or insolvency, the Fund may incur losses in excess of the collateral, if any, posted by the counterparty, and the timing and amount of any recovery may be uncertain. In addition, the use of unfunded swap agreements may create economic leverage for the Fund, which may magnify gains and losses and increase the volatility of the Fund’s returns.

Counterparty Risk. To the extent contemplated by its investment strategy, the Fund may use derivative instruments, such as options, swaps, futures contracts and other instruments, to obtain or manage investment exposure. Derivatives may be subject to counterparty risk, meaning the risk that a counterparty, clearing member or clearing house will be unwilling or unable to perform its obligations to the Fund due to bankruptcy, insolvency, financial distress, operational failure or other default. If a counterparty or clearing member defaults, the Fund may lose the expected benefit of the transaction, experience delays or costs in recovering collateral or other amounts owed to it, or be required to enter into replacement transactions on less favorable terms, if at all. The Fund also may be unable to implement its investment strategy effectively if suitable counterparties or clearing members are unavailable.

ETF Risks

Cash Redemption Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy may require it to redeem Shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds. For example, the Fund may not be able to redeem in-kind certain securities held by the Fund (e.g., derivative instruments). In such a case, the Fund may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize a capital gain that it might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used. By paying out higher annual capital gain distributions, investors may be subjected to increased capital gains taxes. The costs associated with cash redemptions may include brokerage costs that the Fund may not have incurred if it had made the redemptions in-kind. These costs could be imposed on the Fund, decreasing its NAV, to the extent these costs are not offset by a transaction fee payable by an authorized participant.

Shares May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all ETFs, Shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. Although it is expected that the market price of Shares will approximate the Fund’s NAV, there may be times when the market price of Shares is more than the NAV intra-day (premium) or less than the NAV intra-day (discount) due to supply and demand of Shares or during periods of market volatility. This risk is heightened in times of market volatility, periods of steep market declines, and periods when there is limited trading activity for Shares in the secondary market, in which case such premiums or discounts may be significant.

Liquidity Risk. In certain circumstances, such as the disruption of the orderly markets for the financial instruments in which the Fund invests, the Fund might not be able to acquire or dispose of certain holdings quickly or at prices that represent true market value in the judgment of the Adviser. Markets for the financial instruments in which the Fund invests may be disrupted by a number of events, including but not limited to economic crises, health crises, natural disasters, excessive volatility, new legislation, or regulatory changes inside or outside of the U.S. These situations may have an impact on the liquidity of the Fund’s own shares.

Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in securities or other instruments of non-U.S. issuers involve certain risks not involved in domestic investments and may experience more rapid and extreme changes in value than investments in securities of U.S. companies. Financial markets in foreign countries often are not as developed, efficient, or liquid as financial markets in the United States, and therefore, the prices of non-U.S. securities and instruments can be more volatile. In addition, the Fund will be subject to risks associated with adverse political and economic developments in foreign countries, which may include the imposition of economic sanctions. Generally, there is less readily available and reliable information about non-U.S. issuers due to less rigorous disclosure or accounting standards and regulatory practices. Investments in foreign companies’ securities, including investments via depositary receipts, are subject to special risks, including the following:

Liquidity Risk. Some securities held by the Fund may be difficult to sell or be illiquid, particularly during times of market turmoil. Markets for securities or financial instruments could be disrupted by a number of events, including, but not limited to, an economic crisis, natural disasters, epidemics/pandemics, new legislation or regulatory changes inside or outside the United States. Illiquid securities may be difficult to value, especially in changing or volatile markets. If the Fund is forced to sell an illiquid security at an unfavorable time or price, the Fund may be adversely impacted. There is no assurance that a security that is deemed liquid when purchased will continue to be liquid. Market illiquidity may cause losses for the Fund.

New Fund Risk. The Fund is a recently organized management investment company with no operating history. As a result, prospective investors do not have a track record or history on which to base their investment decisions.

IPO/SPAC/de-SPAC Risk. The Fund may invest in companies that have recently completed an IPO, are derived from a SPAC, or are derived from a de-SPAC business combination, including SPACs that have not yet completed a business combination (“Pre-Combination” SPACs). These companies may be unseasoned and lack a trading history, a track record of reporting to investors, and widely available research coverage. IPOs and stocks derived from SPACs or de-SPAC business combinations are thus often subject to extreme price volatility and speculative trading. These stocks may have above-average price appreciation in connection with the IPO or relevant transaction prior to the Fund’s purchase. The price of stocks selected may not continue to appreciate and the performance of these stocks may not replicate the performance exhibited in the past. In addition, IPOs and stocks derived from SPACs or de-SPAC business combinations may share similar illiquidity risks of private equity and venture capital. The ownership of many IPOs and stocks derived from SPACs or de-SPACs often includes large holdings by venture capital and private equity investors who seek to sell their shares in the public market in the months following an IPO or relevant transaction when shares restricted by lock-up are released, causing greater volatility and possible downward pressure during the time that locked-up shares are released, and SPAC investments may involve additional risks, including pricing misalignment, limited publicly available information, dependence on the sponsor’s ability to identify and consummate a business combination, potential conflicts of interest, and, in the case of Pre-Combination SPACs, the risk that a suitable business combination is not completed within a specified time period, which may result in liquidation of the SPAC.

Tax Risk. The Fund intends to elect and to qualify each year to be treated as a regulated investment company (a “RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Code”). As a RIC, the Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the portion of its net investment income and net capital gain that it distributes to shareholders, provided that it satisfies certain requirements of the Code. If the Fund does not qualify as a RIC for any taxable year and certain relief provisions are not available, the Fund’s taxable income will be subject to tax at the Fund level and to a further tax at the shareholder level when such income is distributed. To comply with the asset diversification test applicable to a RIC, the Fund will attempt to ensure that the value of swap contracts on shares of a single issuer does not exceed 25% of the Fund’s value at the close of any quarter. If the value of swap contracts on shares of a single issuer were to exceed 25% of the Fund’s total assets at the end of a tax quarter, the Fund, generally, has a grace period to cure such lack of compliance. If the Fund fails to timely cure, it may no longer be eligible to be treated as a RIC.

Non-Diversification Risk. Because the Fund is “non-diversified,” it may invest a greater percentage of its assets in the securities of a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers than if it was a diversified fund. As a result, a decline in the value of an investment in a single issuer or a smaller number of issuers could cause the Fund’s overall value to decline to a greater degree than if the Fund held a more diversified portfolio.

Short Selling Risk. The Fund may make short sales of securities, which involves selling a security it does not own in anticipation that the price of the security will decline. Short sales may involve substantial risk and leverage. Short sales expose the Fund to the risk that it will be required to buy (“cover”) the security sold short when the security has appreciated in value or is unavailable, thus resulting in a loss to the Fund. Short sales also involve the risk that losses may exceed the amount invested and may be unlimited.

Management Risk. The risk that the investment techniques and risk analyses applied by the investment adviser will not produce the desired results and that legislative, regulatory, or tax developments may affect the investment techniques available to the investment adviser and the individual portfolio manager in connection with managing the Fund. There is no guarantee that the investment objective of the Fund will be achieved.

Futures Contracts. Risks of futures contracts include: (i) an imperfect correlation between the value of the futures contract and the underlying asset; (ii) possible lack of a liquid secondary market; (iii) the inability to close a futures contract when desired; (iv) losses caused by unanticipated market movements, which may be unlimited; (v) an obligation for the Fund to make daily cash payments to maintain its required margin, particularly at times when the Fund may have insufficient cash; and (vi) unfavorable execution prices from rapid selling. Unlike equities, which typically entitle the holder to a continuing stake in a corporation, futures contracts normally specify a certain date for settlement in cash based on the reference asset. As the futures contracts approach expiration, they may be replaced by similar contracts that have a later expiration. This process is referred to as “rolling.” If the market for these contracts is in “contango,” meaning that the prices of futures contracts in the nearer months are lower than the price of contracts in the distant months, the sale of the near-term month contract would be at a lower price than the longer-term contract, resulting in a cost to “roll” the futures contract. The actual realization of a potential roll cost will be dependent upon the difference in price of the near and distant contract.

Swap Agreements. The use of swap transactions is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. Whether the Fund will be successful in using swap agreements to achieve its investment goal depends on the ability of the Adviser to structure such swap agreements in accordance with the Fund’s investment objective and to identify appropriate counterparties. If the Adviser is unable to enter into swap agreements that provide the desired synthetic exposure to the underlying security, the Fund may not meet its stated investment objective. Additionally, any financing, transaction, or other costs associated with using swap transactions may have the effect of lowering the Fund’s return. 

The swap agreements in which the Fund invests are generally traded in the over-the-counter market, which generally has less transparency than exchange-traded derivative instruments. In a standard swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the return (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined reference assets, securities, or instruments. The gross return to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties is calculated based on a notional amount or the return on or change in value of a particular dollar amount invested in the reference asset.

If the underlying security experiences a significant price movement that causes a material change in the Fund’s net assets, the terms of a swap agreement between the Fund and its counterparty may permit the counterparty to close out the swap transaction with the Fund. In that event, the Fund may be unable to enter into another swap agreement or invest in other derivatives to maintain exposure consistent with its investment objective. This may temporarily reduce the Fund’s ability to maintain its intended level of synthetic exposure until replacement transactions can be established.

Certain of the swap agreements entered into by the Fund may be unfunded total return swaps, pursuant to which the Fund does not make an initial investment of the full notional amount of the swap. As a result, the Fund is exposed to the risk that its counterparty will be unable to meet its obligations under the swap agreement, and the Fund’s exposure to a counterparty generally equals the net amount owed to the Fund based on the daily change in value of the reference asset. In the event of a counterparty default or insolvency, the Fund may incur losses in excess of the collateral, if any, posted by the counterparty, and the timing and amount of any recovery may be uncertain. In addition, the use of unfunded swap agreements may create economic leverage for the Fund, which may magnify gains and losses and increase the volatility of the Fund’s returns.

Counterparty Risk. To the extent contemplated by its investment strategy, the Fund may use derivative instruments, such as options, swaps, futures contracts and other instruments, to obtain or manage investment exposure. Derivatives may be subject to counterparty risk, meaning the risk that a counterparty, clearing member or clearing house will be unwilling or unable to perform its obligations to the Fund due to bankruptcy, insolvency, financial distress, operational failure or other default. If a counterparty or clearing member defaults, the Fund may lose the expected benefit of the transaction, experience delays or costs in recovering collateral or other amounts owed to it, or be required to enter into replacement transactions on less favorable terms, if at all. The Fund also may be unable to implement its investment strategy effectively if suitable counterparties or clearing members are unavailable.

ETF Risks

Cash Redemption Risk. The Fund’s investment strategy may require it to redeem Shares for cash or to otherwise include cash as part of its redemption proceeds. For example, the Fund may not be able to redeem in-kind certain securities held by the Fund (e.g., derivative instruments). In such a case, the Fund may be required to sell or unwind portfolio investments to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Fund to recognize a capital gain that it might not have recognized if it had made a redemption in-kind. As a result, the Fund may pay out higher annual capital gain distributions than if the in-kind redemption process was used. By paying out higher annual capital gain distributions, investors may be subjected to increased capital gains taxes. The costs associated with cash redemptions may include brokerage costs that the Fund may not have incurred if it had made the redemptions in-kind. These costs could be imposed on the Fund, decreasing its NAV, to the extent these costs are not offset by a transaction fee payable by an authorized participant.

Shares May Trade at Prices Other Than NAV. As with all ETFs, Shares may be bought and sold in the secondary market at market prices. Although it is expected that the market price of Shares will approximate the Fund’s NAV, there may be times when the market price of Shares is more than the NAV intra-day (premium) or less than the NAV intra-day (discount) due to supply and demand of Shares or during periods of market volatility. This risk is heightened in times of market volatility, periods of steep market declines, and periods when there is limited trading activity for Shares in the secondary market, in which case such premiums or discounts may be significant.

Liquidity Risk. In certain circumstances, such as the disruption of the orderly markets for the financial instruments in which the Fund invests, the Fund might not be able to acquire or dispose of certain holdings quickly or at prices that represent true market value in the judgment of the Adviser. Markets for the financial instruments in which the Fund invests may be disrupted by a number of events, including but not limited to economic crises, health crises, natural disasters, excessive volatility, new legislation, or regulatory changes inside or outside of the U.S. These situations may have an impact on the liquidity of the Fund’s own shares.

Foreign Securities Risk. Investments in securities or other instruments of non-U.S. issuers involve certain risks not involved in domestic investments and may experience more rapid and extreme changes in value than investments in securities of U.S. companies. Financial markets in foreign countries often are not as developed, efficient, or liquid as financial markets in the United States, and therefore, the prices of non-U.S. securities and instruments can be more volatile. In addition, the Fund will be subject to risks associated with adverse political and economic developments in foreign countries, which may include the imposition of economic sanctions. Generally, there is less readily available and reliable information about non-U.S. issuers due to less rigorous disclosure or accounting standards and regulatory practices. Investments in foreign companies’ securities, including investments via depositary receipts, are subject to special risks, including the following:

Liquidity Risk. Some securities held by the Fund may be difficult to sell or be illiquid, particularly during times of market turmoil. Markets for securities or financial instruments could be disrupted by a number of events, including, but not limited to, an economic crisis, natural disasters, epidemics/pandemics, new legislation or regulatory changes inside or outside the United States. Illiquid securities may be difficult to value, especially in changing or volatile markets. If the Fund is forced to sell an illiquid security at an unfavorable time or price, the Fund may be adversely impacted. There is no assurance that a security that is deemed liquid when purchased will continue to be liquid. Market illiquidity may cause losses for the Fund.

New Fund Risk. The Fund is a recently organized management investment company with no operating history. As a result, prospective investors do not have a track record or history on which to base their investment decisions.

IPO/SPAC/de-SPAC Risk. The Fund may invest in companies that have recently completed an IPO, are derived from a SPAC, or are derived from a de-SPAC business combination, including SPACs that have not yet completed a business combination (“Pre-Combination” SPACs). These companies may be unseasoned and lack a trading history, a track record of reporting to investors, and widely available research coverage. IPOs and stocks derived from SPACs or de-SPAC business combinations are thus often subject to extreme price volatility and speculative trading. These stocks may have above-average price appreciation in connection with the IPO or relevant transaction prior to the Fund’s purchase. The price of stocks selected may not continue to appreciate and the performance of these stocks may not replicate the performance exhibited in the past. In addition, IPOs and stocks derived from SPACs or de-SPAC business combinations may share similar illiquidity risks of private equity and venture capital. The ownership of many IPOs and stocks derived from SPACs or de-SPACs often includes large holdings by venture capital and private equity investors who seek to sell their shares in the public market in the months following an IPO or relevant transaction when shares restricted by lock-up are released, causing greater volatility and possible downward pressure during the time that locked-up shares are released, and SPAC investments may involve additional risks, including pricing misalignment, limited publicly available information, dependence on the sponsor’s ability to identify and consummate a business combination, potential conflicts of interest, and, in the case of Pre-Combination SPACs, the risk that a suitable business combination is not completed within a specified time period, which may result in liquidation of the SPAC.

Tax Risk. The Fund intends to elect and to qualify each year to be treated as a regulated investment company (a “RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Code”). As a RIC, the Fund will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the portion of its net investment income and net capital gain that it distributes to shareholders, provided that it satisfies certain requirements of the Code. If the Fund does not qualify as a RIC for any taxable year and certain relief provisions are not available, the Fund’s taxable income will be subject to tax at the Fund level and to a further tax at the shareholder level when such income is distributed. To comply with the asset diversification test applicable to a RIC, the Fund will attempt to ensure that the value of swap contracts on shares of a single issuer does not exceed 25% of the Fund’s value at the close of any quarter. If the value of swap contracts on shares of a single issuer were to exceed 25% of the Fund’s total assets at the end of a tax quarter, the Fund, generally, has a grace period to cure such lack of compliance. If the Fund fails to timely cure, it may no longer be eligible to be treated as a RIC.

Artificial Intelligence Risk. Issuers engaged in artificial intelligence typically have high research and capital expenditures and, as a result, their profitability can vary widely, if they are profitable at all. The space in which they are engaged is highly competitive and issuers’ products and services may become obsolete very quickly. These companies are heavily dependent on intellectual property rights and may be adversely affected by loss or impairment of those rights. The issuers are also subject to legal, regulatory and political changes that may have a large impact on their profitability. A failure in an issuer’s product or even questions about the safety of the product could be devastating to the issuer, especially if it is the marquee product of the issuer. It can be difficult to accurately capture what qualifies as an artificial intelligence company.

Datacenter Industry Risk. The datacenter industry faces numerous challenges that could significantly impact the financial performance of companies operating within this sector. As technological advancements accelerate and demand for data processing and storage grows, datacenter companies must continuously upgrade infrastructure and expand capacity, leading to high capital expenditures and increased operational costs. The highly competitive nature of the industry often results in aggressive pricing strategies that compress profit margins. Additionally, fluctuations in demand for data services, driven by economic conditions and shifts in technology trends, can lead to under-utilization of capacity, negatively affecting revenue streams and overall profitability. Furthermore, companies must navigate complex regulatory environments and manage significant energy consumption and environmental impact, adding to operational burdens and costs. 

Software Industry Risk. The software industry can be significantly affected by intense competition, aggressive pricing, technological innovations, and product obsolescence. Companies in the software industry are subject to significant competitive pressures, such as aggressive pricing, new market entrants, competition for market share, short product cycles due to an accelerated rate of technological developments and the potential for limited earnings and/or falling profit margins. These companies also face the risks that new services, equipment or technologies will not be accepted by consumers and businesses or will become rapidly obsolete. These factors can affect the profitability of these companies and, as a result, the value of their securities. Also, patent protection is integral to the success of many companies in this industry, and profitability can be affected materially by, among other things, the cost of obtaining (or failing to obtain) patent approvals, the cost of litigating patent infringement and the loss of patent protection for products (which significantly increases pricing pressures and can materially reduce profitability with respect to such products). In addition, many software companies have limited operating histories. Prices of these companies’ securities historically have been more volatile than other securities, especially over the short term.