Defiance
Daily Target 2X Long HIMS ETF (HIMZ)
Defiance
Daily Target 2X Long IONQ ETF (IONX)
Defiance
Daily Target 2X Long RKLB ETF (RKLX)
Defiance
Daily Target 2X Long CVNA ETF (CVNX)
Defiance
Daily Target 2X Long HOOD ETF (HOOX)
Defiance
Daily Target 2X Long VST ETF (VSTL)
Defiance
Daily Target 2X Long JPM ETF (JPX)
Defiance
Daily Target 2X Long PENN ETF (PENX)
Defiance
Daily Target 2X Long SOUN ETF (SOUX)
Defiance
Daily Target 2X Long MRVL ETF (MRVX)
Defiance
Daily Target 2X Long RGTI ETF (RGTX)
Each listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC
PROSPECTUS
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) has not approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Each Fund seeks daily leveraged investment results and is intended to be used as a short-term trading vehicle.
Each Fund attempts to provide daily investment results that correspond to two times (200%) the share price performance of an underlying stock (an “Underlying Security”).
The Funds are not intended to be used by, and are not appropriate for, investors who do not intend to actively monitor and manage their portfolios. The Funds are very different from most mutual funds and exchange-traded funds. Investors should note that:
(1) Each Fund pursues a daily leveraged investment objective, which means that the Fund is riskier than alternatives that do not use leverage because the Fund magnify the performance of its Underlying Security.
(2) Seeking to replicate daily leveraged performances of an Underlying Security’s share price means that the return of a Fund for a period longer than a full trading day will be the product of a series of daily returns for each trading day during such period held.
As a consequence, especially in periods of market volatility, the volatility of an Underlying Security’s share price may affect the corresponding Fund’s return as much as, or more than, the return of the Underlying Security’s shares. The performance of a Fund for periods longer or shorter than a single day will very likely differ in amount, and possibly even direction, from 200% of the daily return of its Underlying Security’s shares for the same period, before accounting for fees and expenses. The Funds may not perform as expected.
The Funds are not suitable for all investors. The Funds are designed to be utilized only by sophisticated investors, such as traders and active investors employing dynamic strategies. Investors in the Funds should:
(a) understand the risks associated with the use of leverage;
(b) understand the consequences of seeking daily leveraged investment results; and
(c) intend to actively monitor and manage their investments.
Investors who do not understand the Funds, or do not intend to actively manage their funds and monitor their investments, should not buy shares of the Funds.
There is no assurance that any Fund will achieve its investment objective and an investment in a Fund could lose a substantial amount of money over a short period of time. The Funds are not a complete investment program.
The Funds’ investment adviser will not attempt to position a Fund’s portfolio to ensure that the Fund does not gain or lose more than a maximum percentage of its net asset value on a given trading day.
As a consequence, if an Underlying Security’s share price referenced by a Fund decreases by more than 50% on a given trading day, the corresponding Fund’s investors could lose all of their money.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SUMMARY INFORMATION
Important Information About the Fund
The Defiance Daily Target 2X Long HIMS ETF (the “Fund”) seeks daily leveraged investment results of two times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of Hims & Hers Health Inc. (NYSE: HIMS) (the “Underlying Security” or “HIMS”). Because the Fund seeks daily leveraged investment results, it is very different from most other exchange-traded funds. It is also riskier than alternatives that do not use leverage.
The return for investors that invest for periods longer or shorter than a trading day should not be expected to be 200% of the performance of the Underlying Security’s shares for the period. The return of the Fund for a period longer than a trading day will be the result of each trading day’s compounded return during such period held, which will very likely differ from 200% of the return of the Underlying Security’s shares for that period. Holding shares of the Fund for longer than a single day and higher volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares increase the impact of compounding on an investor’s returns, which may have a negative or positive impact on an investor’s returns. During periods of higher Underlying Security share price volatility, the volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares may affect the Fund’s return as much as, or more than, the return of the Underlying Security’s shares. The impact of compounding will impact each shareholder differently depending on the period of time an investment in the Fund is held and the volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares during a shareholder’s holding period of an investment in the Fund. See “Principal Investment Risks – Compounding and Market Volatility Risk” below for an example of how volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares may affect the Fund’s return as much as, or more than, the return of the Underlying Security’s shares.
The Fund is not suitable for all investors. The Fund is designed to be utilized only by knowledgeable investors who understand the potential consequences of seeking daily leveraged (2X) investment results, understand the risks associated with the use of leverage, and are willing to monitor their portfolios frequently. The Fund is not intended to be used by, and is not appropriate for, investors who do not intend to actively monitor and manage their portfolios. For periods longer than a single day, the Fund will lose money if the Underlying Security’s performance is flat, and it is possible that the Fund will lose money even if the Underlying Security’s performance increases over a period longer than a single day. An investor could lose the full principal value of his/her investment within a single day.
The Fund seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, of two times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of Hims & Hers Health Inc. (NYSE: HIMS). The Fund does not seek to achieve its stated investment objective for a period other than a single trading day.
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund (“Shares”). You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the table and Example below.
| Management Fee | % | ||||
| Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees | |||||
| Other Expenses(2) | % | ||||
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(3) | % | ||||
| (1) | |||||
| (2) | |||||
| (3) | |||||
1
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem or hold all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The Example does not take into account brokerage commissions that you may pay on your purchases and sales of Shares. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
| 1 Year | 3 Years |
| $ |
$ |
The Fund
pays 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 Shares are held in
a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in total annual fund
operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. For the
fiscal period of March 12, 2025 (commencement of operations) to April 30, 2025,
the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was
The Fund is an actively managed exchange traded fund (“ETF”) that attempts to achieve two times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of the Underlying Security by employing derivatives, namely swap agreements and/or listed options contracts. The Fund aims to achieve this daily percentage change for a single day, and not for any other period. A “single day” means the period “from the close of regular trading on one trading day to the close on the next trading day.”
If the Fund encounters limitations in implementing its strategies, whether due to market conditions, derivative availability, counterparty issues, or other factors, the Fund may not achieve investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to two times (2x) the daily performance of the Underlying Security, and may return substantially less during such periods. During such periods, the Fund’s actual leverage levels may differ substantially from its intended target, both intraday and at the close of trading, potentially resulting in significantly lower returns.
The Fund may enter into one or more swap agreements with financial institutions for a specified period, which may range from one day to longer than a year. Through each swap agreement, the Fund and the financial institution will agree to exchange the return (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on the Underlying Security’s share price. The gross return (meaning the return before deducting any fees or expenses) to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties is calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” (meaning the face amount of the instrument) e.g., the return on or change in value of a particular dollar amount representing the Underlying Security.
The Fund may also utilize listed options to seek to achieve leveraged 2X exposure to the Underlying Security. The Fund will primarily employ short-dated (a month or less) in-the-money call options (options with strike prices below the current market price of the Underlying Security, offering immediate intrinsic value). Additionally, the Fund may use other option strategies to produce similar exposure to the Underlying Security, like buying calls and selling puts with identical strike prices. These options allow the Fund to adjust its leverage strategy in response to market conditions, liquidity constraints, or other factors that may affect the availability or pricing of swap agreements. The use of listed options provides additional flexibility in pursuing the Fund’s daily investment objective. In situations where swap availability is constrained, the Fund may rely more heavily on options contracts. Additionally, the Fund may use options in response to changing market dynamics. However, the use of option contracts is typically less efficient than swaps and may increase the likelihood that the Fund is unable to achieve its daily 2X objective.
At the end of each day, the Fund’s swaps and options are valued using market valuations and the Fund’s investment adviser rebalances the Fund’s holdings in an attempt to maintain leveraged exposure for the Fund equal to approximately 200% of the Underlying Security’s share price.
For examples of a hypothetical investment in the Fund, see the section in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Information About the Fund – Principal Investment Strategies.”
Fund performance for periods greater than one single day is primarily (but not solely) a function of the following factors: a) the Underlying Security volatility; b) the Underlying Security’s performance; c) period of time; d) financing rates associated with leveraged exposure; and e) other Fund expenses.
The Fund will hold assets to serve as collateral for its derivatives positions. For those collateral holdings, the Fund may invest in (1) U.S. Government securities, such as bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury; (2) money market funds; (3) short term bond ETFs; and/or (4) corporate debt securities, such as commercial paper and other short-term unsecured promissory notes issued by businesses that are rated investment grade or of comparable quality.
2
The Fund is classified as “non-diversified” under the 1940 Act. The Fund’s strategy is expected to result in a high annual portfolio turnover rate.
Because of daily rebalancing and the compounding of each day’s return over time, the return of the Fund for periods longer than a single day will be the result of each day’s returns compounded over the period, which will very likely differ from 200% of the return of the Underlying Security’s shares over the same period. The Fund will lose money if the Underlying Security’s performance is flat over time, and because of daily rebalancing, the Underlying Security’s shares’ volatility and the effects of compounding, the Fund may lose money over time while the Underlying Security’s performance increases over a period longer than a single day. As a consequence, investors should not plan to hold shares of the Fund unmonitored for periods longer than a single trading day.
HIMS & HERS HEALTH, INC. (“HIMS”)
Hims & Hers Health, Inc. is a consumer-first health and wellness platform focused on providing modern personalized health and wellness solutions to consumers. HIMS offers access to a range of health and wellness products and services available for customers to purchase through its websites and mobile applications. HIMS is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Per HIMS’s most recent Form 10-K filing, the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity of HIMS held by non-affiliates as of June 28, 2024 was $3.9 billion.
HIMS is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Information provided to or filed with the SEC by HIMS pursuant to the Exchange Act can be located by reference to the SEC file number 001-38986 through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, information regarding HIMS may be obtained from other sources including, but not limited to, press releases, newspaper articles and other publicly disseminated documents.
This document relates only to the securities offered hereby and does not relate to the shares of HIMS or other securities of Hims & Hers Health, Inc. The Fund has derived all disclosures contained in this document regarding HIMS from the publicly available documents. None of the Fund, the Trust, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates has participated in the preparation of such publicly available offering documents or made any due diligence inquiry regarding such documents with respect to HIMS. None of the Fund, the Trust, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates makes any representation that such publicly available documents or any other publicly available information regarding HIMS is accurate or complete. Furthermore, the Fund cannot give any assurance that all events occurring prior to the date hereof (including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of the publicly available documents described above) that would affect the trading price of HIMS (and therefore the share price of the Fund at the time we price the securities) have been publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any such events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning HIMS could affect the value received with respect to the securities and therefore the value of the securities.
None of the Fund, the Trust, the Adviser, or their respective affiliates makes any representation to you as to the performance of HIMS.
NONE OF THE FUND, TIDAL TRUST II, OR TIDAL INVESTMENTS LLC IS AFFILIATED, CONNECTED, OR ASSOCIATED WITH HIMS & HERS HEALTH, INC. THE FUND WAS NOT DEVELOPED OR CREATED BY, AND IS NOT SPONSORED, ENDORSED, OR APPROVED BY, HIMS & HERS HEALTH, INC.
Moreover, Hims & Hers Health, Inc. has not participated in the development of the Fund’s investment strategy. Hims & Hers Health, Inc. does not select or approve the Fund’s portfolio holdings, nor does it participate in the construction, design, or implementation of the Fund. Hims & Hers Health, Inc. does not provide any assurances, guarantees, or representations regarding the Fund or its performance. Nothing herein shall be construed as an offer of any security by Hims & Hers Health, Inc.
None of the Fund, the Trust, the Adviser, or their respective affiliates claim any ownership interest in any trademarks owned by HIMS or its affiliates. All rights in the trademarks are reserved by their respective owners.
Due to the Fund’s investment strategy, the Fund’s investment exposure is concentrated in the same industry as that assigned to the Underlying Security. As of the date of the Prospectus, HIMS is assigned to the Healthcare Providers & Services industry.
3
Principal Investment Risks
The principal risks of investing in the Fund are summarized below. As with any investment, there is a risk that you could lose all or a portion of your investment in the Fund. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) per Share, trading price, yield, total return, and/or ability to meet its investment objective. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the section in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Information About the Fund—Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund.”
An
investment in the Fund entails risk.
Each risk summarized below is considered a “principal risk” of investing in the Fund, regardless of the order in which it appears.
HIMS Risks. The Fund invests in swap contracts and options that are based on the share price of HIMS. This subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it owned shares of HIMS, even though it does not. By virtue of the Fund’s investments in swap contracts and options that are based on the value of HIMS, the Fund may also be subject to the following risks:
Indirect Investment in HIMS Risk. HIMS is not affiliated with the Trust, the Fund, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates and is not involved with this offering in any way and has no obligation to consider your Shares in taking any corporate actions that might affect the value of Shares. Investors in the Fund will not have voting rights and will not be able to influence management of HIMS but will be exposed to the performance of HIMS (the Underlying Security). Investors in the Fund will not have the right to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to the Underlying Security but will be subject to declines in the performance of the Underlying Security.
HIMS Trading Risk. The trading price of HIMS may be subject to volatility and could experience wide fluctuations due to various factors. Short sellers may also play a significant role in trading HIMS, potentially affecting the supply and demand dynamics and contributing to market price volatility. Public perception and external factors beyond the company’s control may influence HIMS’s stock price disproportionately. Additionally, following periods of market volatility, companies have faced securities class action litigation. Any adverse judgment or future stockholder litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources. In the event of a halt in trading of HIMS, trading in shares of related funds may be impacted, either temporarily or indefinitely.
HIMS Performance Risk. HIMS may fail to meet its publicly announced guidelines or other expectations about its business, which could cause the price of HIMS to decline. HIMS provides guidance regarding its expected financial and business performance, such as projections regarding sales and production, as well as anticipated future revenues, gross margins, profitability and cash flows. Correctly identifying key factors affecting business conditions and predicting future events is inherently an uncertain process, and the guidance HIMS provides may not ultimately be accurate. If HIMS’s guidance is not accurate or varies from actual results due to its inability to meet the assumptions or the impact on its financial performance that could occur as a result of various risks and uncertainties, the market value of common stock issued by HIMS could decline significantly.
Healthcare Providers & Services Industry Risks. The healthcare providers and services industry can be significantly affected by changing economic conditions, evolving patient demographics, and fluctuations in demand for healthcare services. Profitability in this industry is often dependent on reimbursement rates from government programs and private payors, as well as the ability to manage operational costs effectively. Changes in healthcare regulations and policies, including those related to insurance coverage and reimbursement, can materially impact the industry. Companies in the healthcare providers and services industry are subject to extensive and frequently changing government regulation, which may affect the scope of their activities, the rates they can charge for services, and their compliance costs. Additionally, the industry faces risks related to litigation, operational disruptions, and evolving technologies that may alter traditional service delivery models.
Business Risks. HIMS’s limited operating history and evolving business model make it difficult to evaluate its prospects, and fluctuations in its operational results and key performance metrics could lead to unmet investor expectations. The ability to expand offerings, attract and retain customers, and navigate evolving privacy, healthcare, and regulatory frameworks is critical; failure in these areas could materially and adversely impact HIMS’s business and financial condition. HIMS operates in highly competitive markets, facing challenges from established healthcare providers, retailers, pharmaceutical companies, and technology firms, which may affect its competitive position. Additionally, the success of HIMS is heavily reliant on its brand reputation, relationships with healthcare providers and medical groups, and compliance with complex healthcare and pharmacy regulations. Security breaches, data loss, legal proceedings, or regulatory changes could harm its operations and reputation. HIMS may require additional capital to support growth, which may not be available on favorable terms. Furthermore, its dual-class stock structure concentrates voting power with the company’s CEO, limiting investors’ influence on critical decisions.
4
Regulatory Investigation Risk. As of the date of this Prospectus, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) is investigating the business practices of HIMS. Specifically, the FTC is reportedly examining whether HIMS makes it unduly difficult for customers to cancel their recurring subscriptions. In addition, the FTC is reportedly investigating the truthfulness and transparency of HIMS’ advertising, especially concerning compounded prescription drugs and their risks. At this time, it is not clear where this investigation will lead. However, it is possible that the FTC will assert improper practices by HIMS, which could negatively impact the share price of HIMS. In addition, the investigation has resulted in increased volatility for HIMS stock.
Single Issuer Risk. Issuer-specific attributes may cause an investment in the Fund to be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment which diversifies risk or the market generally. The value of the Fund, which focuses on an individual security, may be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole and may perform differently from the value of a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole. Additionally, the Fund will seek to employ its investment strategy as it relates to the underlying issuer regardless of whether there are significant corporate actions such as restructurings, enforcement activity, or acquisitions or periods adverse market, economic, or other conditions and will not seek to take temporary defensive positions during such periods.
Compounding and Market Volatility Risk. The Fund has a daily leveraged investment objective and the Fund’s performance for periods greater than a trading day will be the result of each day’s returns compounded over the period, which is very likely to differ from two times (200%) the Underlying Security’s performance, before the Fund’s management fee and other expenses. Compounding affects all investments but has a more significant impact on funds that aim to replicate leveraged daily returns and that rebalance daily. For the Fund aiming to replicate two times the daily performance of an Underlying Security, if adverse daily performance of the Underlying Security reduces the amount of a shareholder’s investment, any further adverse daily performance will lead to a smaller dollar loss because the shareholder’s investment had already been reduced by the prior adverse performance. Equally, however, if favorable daily performance of the Underlying Security increases the amount of a shareholder’s investment, the dollar amount lost due to future adverse performance will increase because the shareholder’s investment has increased.
The effect of compounding becomes more pronounced as the Underlying Security’s volatility and the holding period increase. The impact of compounding will impact each shareholder differently depending on the period of time an investment in the Fund is held and the volatility of the Underlying Security during a shareholder’s holding period of an investment in the Fund.
The chart below provides examples of how the Underlying Security’s volatility could affect the Fund’s performance. The chart illustrates the impact of two factors that affect the Fund’s performance – the Underlying Security’s volatility and the Underlying Security’s performance. The Underlying Security’s performance shows the percentage change in the share price of the Underlying Security over the specified time period, while the Underlying Security’s volatility is a statistical measure of the magnitude of fluctuations in the returns during that time period. As illustrated below, even if the Underlying Security’s performance over two equal time periods is identical, different Underlying Security volatility (i.e., in magnitude of fluctuations in the share price of the Underlying Security) during the two time periods could result in drastically different Fund performance for the two time periods because of compounding daily returns during the time periods.
Fund performance for periods greater than one single day can be estimated given any set of assumptions for the following factors: a) the Underlying Security volatility; b) the Underlying Security performance; c) period of time; d) financing rates associated with leveraged exposure; and e) other Fund expenses. The chart shows estimated Fund returns for a number of combinations of Underlying Security volatility and Underlying Security performance over a one-year period. Performance shown in the chart assumes that: (i) there were no Fund expenses; (ii) borrowing/lending rates (to obtain leveraged exposure) of 0%. If Fund expenses and/or actual borrowing/lending rates were reflected the estimated returns would be different than those shown. Particularly during periods of higher Underlying Security volatility, compounding will cause results for periods longer than a trading day to vary from two times (200%) the performance of the Underlying Security.
As shown in the chart below, the Fund would be expected to lose 6.1% if there was no change in the share price of the Underlying Security over a one-year period during which the Underlying Security experienced annualized volatility of 25%. If the Underlying Security’s annualized volatility were to rise to 75%, the hypothetical loss for a one-year period would widen to approximately -43%. At higher ranges of volatility, there is a chance of a significant loss of value in the Fund, even if there were no change in the share price of the Underlying Security. For instance, if the Underlying Security’s annualized volatility is 100%, the Fund would be expected to lose 63.2% of its value, even if the cumulative Underlying Security change in the share price of the Underlying Security for the year was 0%.
Areas shaded red (or dark gray) represent those scenarios where the Fund can be expected to return less than two times (200%) the performance of the Underlying Security and those shaded green (or light gray) represent those scenarios where the Fund can be expected to return more than two times (200%) the performance of the Underlying Security. The Fund’s actual performance may be significantly better or worse than the performance shown below as a result of any of the factors discussed above or in the “Daily Correlation/Tracking Risk” below.
5
| Estimated
Returns of 200% or Two Times Performance of the Underlying Security |
|||||||
| Underlying Security Performance | One Year Volatility Rate | ||||||
| One
Year Underlying Security |
2X
Times (200%) the One Year Performance |
10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 100% | |
| -60% | -120% | -84.2% | -85.0% | -87.5% | -90.9% | -94.1% | |
| -50% | -100% | -75.2% | -76.5% | -80.5% | -85.8% | -90.8% | |
| -40% | -80% | -64.4% | -66.2% | -72.0% | -79.5% | -86.8% | |
| -30% | -60% | -51.5% | -54.0% | -61.8% | -72.1% | -82.0% | |
| -20% | -40% | -36.6% | -39.9% | -50.2% | -63.5% | -76.5% | |
| -10% | -20% | -19.8% | -23.9% | -36.9% | -53.8% | -70.2% | |
| 0% | 0% | -1.0% | -6.1% | -22.1% | -43.0% | -63.2% | |
| 10% | 20% | 19.8% | 13.7% | -5.8% | -31.1% | -55.5% | |
| 20% | 40% | 42.6% | 35.3% | 12.1% | -18.0% | -47.0% | |
| 30% | 60% | 67.3% | 58.8% | 31.6% | -3.7% | -37.8% | |
| 40% | 80% | 94.0% | 84.1% | 52.6% | 11.7% | -27.9% | |
| 50% | 100% | 122.8% | 111.4% | 75.2% | 28.2% | -17.2% | |
| 60% | 120% | 153.5% | 140.5% | 99.4% | 45.9% | -5.8% | |
The Underlying Security’s annualized historical volatility rate for the five-year period ended June 30, 2025 was 80.31%. The Underlying Security’s highest volatility rate for any one calendar year during this period was 89.85% and volatility for a shorter period of time may have been substantially higher. The Underlying Security’s annualized performance during this period was 37.43%. Historical Underlying Security volatility and performance are not indications of what Underlying Security volatility and performance will be in the future.
Daily Correlation/Tracking Risk. There is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve a high degree of leveraged correlation to the Underlying Security and therefore achieve its daily leveraged investment objective. To achieve a high degree of leveraged correlation with the Underlying Security, the Fund seeks to rebalance its portfolio daily to keep exposure consistent with its daily leveraged investment objective. The possibility of the Fund being materially over- or under-exposed to the Underlying Security increases on days when the Underlying Security is volatile near the close of the trading day. Market disruptions, regulatory restrictions and extreme volatility will also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to adjust exposure to the required levels. If there is a significant intra-day market event and/or the Underlying Security experiences a significant increase or decline, the Fund may not meet its investment objective, be able to rebalance its portfolio appropriately, or may experience significant premiums or discounts, or widened bid-ask spreads.
The Fund may have difficulty achieving its daily leveraged investment objective due to fees, expenses, transaction costs, financing costs related to the use of derivatives, investments in ETFs, directly or indirectly, income items, valuation methodology, accounting standards and disruptions or illiquidity in the markets for the securities or derivatives held by the Fund. The Fund may be subject to large movements of assets into and out of the Fund, potentially resulting in the Fund being over- or under-exposed to the Underlying Security. The Fund may take or refrain from taking positions to improve the tax efficiency or to comply with various regulatory restrictions, either of which may negatively impact the Fund’s leveraged correlation to the Underlying Security.
Leverage Risk. The Fund obtains investment exposure in excess of its net assets by utilizing leverage and may lose more money in market conditions that are adverse to its investment objective than a fund that does not utilize leverage. An investment in the Fund is exposed to the risk that a decline in the daily performance of the Underlying Security will be magnified. This means that an investment in the Fund will be reduced by an amount equal to 2% for every 1% daily decline in the share price of the Underlying Security, not including the costs of financing leverage and other operating expenses, which would further reduce its value. The Fund could theoretically lose an amount greater than its net assets in the event the share price of the Underlying Security declines more than 50%. Leverage will also have the effect of magnifying any differences in the Fund performance’s correlation with the Underlying Security’s share price.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive value from the underlying reference asset or assets, such as stocks, bonds, or funds (including ETFs), interest rates or indexes. The Fund’s investments in derivatives may pose risks in addition to, and greater than, those associated with directly investing in securities or other ordinary investments, including risk related to the market, leverage, imperfect daily correlations with underlying investments or the Fund’s other portfolio holdings, higher price volatility, lack of availability, counterparty risk, liquidity, valuation and legal restrictions. The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The use of derivatives may result in larger losses or smaller gains than directly investing in securities. When the Fund uses derivatives, there may be imperfect correlation between the share price of the Underlying Security and the derivative, which may prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objective. Because derivatives often require only a limited initial investment, the use of derivatives may expose the Fund to losses in excess of those amounts initially invested.
6
The Fund will be subject to regulatory constraints relating to level of value at risk that the Fund may incur through its derivative portfolio. To the extent the Fund exceeds these regulatory thresholds over an extended period, the Fund may determine that it is necessary to make adjustments to the Fund’s investment strategy, including the desired daily leveraged performance for the Fund.
In addition, the Fund’s investments in derivatives are subject to the following risks:
Swap Agreements. The use of swap transactions is a highly specialized activity, which 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 counterparties for those swap agreements. If the Adviser is unable to enter into swap agreements that provide leveraged exposure to the Underlying Security, the Fund may not meet its stated investment objective. Additionally, any financing, borrowing or other costs associated with using swap transactions may also 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 derivatives 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 or underlying 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 a basket of securities.
If the Underlying Security has a dramatic move that causes a material decline in the Fund’s net assets, the terms of a swap agreement between the Fund and its counterparty may permit the counterparty to immediately 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 achieve exposure consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. This may prevent the Fund from achieving its leveraged investment objective, even if the Underlying Security later reverses all or a portion of its movement.
Options Contracts. The use of options contracts involves investment strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The prices of options are volatile and are influenced by, among other things, actual and anticipated changes in the value of the underlying instrument, including the anticipated volatility, which are affected by fiscal and monetary policies and by national and international political, changes in the actual or implied volatility or the reference asset, the time remaining until the expiration of the option contract and economic events. The value of the options contracts in which the Fund invests are substantially influenced by the value of the Underlying Security. The Fund may experience substantial downside from specific option positions and certain option positions held by the Fund may expire worthless. The options held by the Fund are exercisable at the strike price on their expiration date. As an option approaches its expiration date, its value typically increasingly moves with the value of the underlying instrument. However, prior to such date, the value of an option generally does not increase or decrease at the same rate as the underlying instrument. There may at times be an imperfect correlation between the movement in values options contracts and the underlying instrument, and there may at times not be a liquid secondary market for certain options contracts. The value of the options held by the Fund will be determined based on market quotations or other recognized pricing methods. Additionally, as the Fund intends to continuously maintain indirect exposure to the Underlying Security through the use of options contracts, as the options contracts it holds are exercised or expire it will enter into new options contracts, a practice referred to as “rolling.” If the expiring options contracts do not generate proceeds enough to cover the cost of entering into new options contracts, the Fund may experience losses. The use of options to generate leverage introduces additional risks, including significant potential losses if the market moves unfavorably. The leverage inherent in options can amplify both gains and losses, leading to increased volatility and potential for substantial losses, particularly in periods of market uncertainty or low liquidity. Additionally, the Fund may incur losses if the value of the Underlying Security moves against its positions, potentially resulting in a complete loss of the premium paid.
Counterparty Risk. The Fund is subject to counterparty risk by virtue of its investments in derivatives which exposes the Fund to the risk that the counterparty will not fulfill its obligation to the Fund. Counterparty risk may arise because of the counterparty’s financial condition (i.e., financial difficulties, bankruptcy, or insolvency), market activities and developments, or other reasons, whether foreseen or not. A counterparty’s inability to fulfill its obligation may result in significant financial loss to the Fund and the Fund may be unable to recover its investment from such counterparty or may obtain a limited and/or delayed recovery.
Counterparties may seek to hedge their exposure to individual clients (such as the Fund) by establishing offsetting exposures with other clients, however, there is no guarantee that counterparties will do so under all circumstances. Should a counterparty (e.g., a swap counterparty) terminate its relationship with the Fund, the Fund will seek to utilize other counterparties to seek to maintain its exposures. In addition, the Fund may use options contracts to seek to generate the leverage necessary to implement its strategy. The use of options contracts introduces distinct risks, including heightened volatility, particularly intraday. While options may provide an ancillary benefit of mitigating some losses under specific scenarios, such as severe market downturns, their inherent leverage and rapid price fluctuations can amplify the Fund’s performance volatility and lead to greater risks of substantial losses. Refer to “Derivatives Risk – Options Contracts” for additional information on the risks of investing in options.
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In addition, the Fund may enter into swap agreements with a limited number of counterparties, which may increase the Fund’s exposure to counterparty credit risk. Further, there is a risk that no suitable counterparties will be willing to enter into, or continue to enter into, transactions with the Fund and, as a result, the Fund may not be able to achieve its investment objective.
Intra-Day Investment Risk. The Fund seeks investment results from the close of the market on a given trading day until the close of the market on the subsequent trading day. The exact exposure of an investment in the Fund intraday in the secondary market is a function of the difference between the share price of the Underlying Security at the market close on the first trading day and the share price of the Underlying Security at the time of purchase. If the share price of the Underlying Security rises, the Fund’s net assets will rise by approximately twice the amount as the Fund’s exposure. Conversely, if the share price of the Underlying Security declines, the Fund’s net assets will decline by approximately two times the amount as the Fund’s exposure. Thus, an investor that purchases Shares intra-day may experience performance that is greater than, or less than, the Fund’s stated leveraged performance of the Underlying Security.
If there is a significant intra-day market event and/or the securities of the Underlying Security experience a significant increase or decrease, the Fund may not meet its investment objective or rebalance its portfolio appropriately.
Fixed Income Securities Risk. When the Fund invests in fixed income securities, the value of your investment in the Fund will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Typically, a rise in interest rates causes a decline in the value of fixed income securities owned by the Fund. In general, the market price of fixed income securities with longer maturities will increase or decrease more in response to changes in interest rates than shorter-term securities. Other risk factors include credit risk (the debtor may default), extension risk (an issuer may exercise its right to repay principal on a fixed rate obligation held by the Fund later than expected), and prepayment risk (the debtor may pay its obligation early, reducing the amount of interest payments). These risks could affect the value of a particular investment by the Fund, possibly causing the Fund’s Share price and total return to be reduced and fluctuate more than other types of investments.
Rebalancing Risk. If for any reason the Fund is unable to rebalance all or a portion of its portfolio, or if all or a portion of the portfolio is rebalanced incorrectly, the Fund’s investment exposure may not be consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. In these instances, the Fund may have investment exposure to the Underlying Security that is significantly greater or less than its stated investment objective. As a result, the Fund may be exposed to leverage risk because it had not been properly rebalanced and may not achieve its investment objective.
ETF Risks
Authorized Participants, Market Makers, and Liquidity Providers Concentration Risk. The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that are authorized to purchase and redeem Shares directly from the Fund (known as “Authorized Participants” or “APs”). In addition, there may be a limited number of market makers and/or liquidity providers in the marketplace. To the extent either of the following events occur, Shares may trade at a material discount to NAV and possibly face delisting: (i) APs exit the business or otherwise become unable to process creation and/or redemption orders and no other APs step forward to perform these services; or (ii) market makers and/or liquidity providers exit the business or significantly reduce their business activities and no other entities step forward to perform their functions.
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.
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Trading. Although Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, such as The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC (the “Exchange”), and may be traded on U.S. exchanges other than the Exchange, there can be no assurance that Shares will trade with any volume, or at all, on any stock exchange. In stressed market conditions, the liquidity of Shares may begin to mirror the liquidity of the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings, which can be significantly less liquid than Shares. This adverse effect on liquidity for the Fund’s shares may lead to wider bid-ask spreads and differences between the market price of the Fund’s shares and the underlying value of the shares.
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.”
Economic and Market Risk. Economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets or issuers in other countries or regions. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform in comparison to securities in the general financial markets, a particular financial market, or other asset classes, due to a number of factors, including inflation (or expectations for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, market instability, financial system instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers, regulatory events, other governmental trade or market control programs and related geopolitical events. In addition, the value of the Fund’s investments may be negatively affected by the occurrence of global events such as war, terrorism, environmental disasters, natural disasters or events, country instability, and infectious disease epidemics or pandemics. The imposition by the U.S. of tariffs on goods imported from foreign countries and reciprocal tariffs levied on U.S. goods by those countries also may lead to volatility and instability in domestic and foreign markets.
High Portfolio Turnover Risk. Daily rebalancing of the Fund’s holdings pursuant to its daily investment objective causes a much greater number of portfolio transactions when compared to most ETFs. Additionally, active market trading of the Fund’s Shares on exchanges (such as the Exchange), could cause more frequent creation and redemption activities, which could increase the number of portfolio transactions. Frequent and active trading may lead to higher transaction costs because of increased broker commissions resulting from such transactions. In addition, there is the possibility of significantly increased short-term capital gains (which will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income when distributed to them). The Fund calculates portfolio turnover without including the short-term cash instruments or derivative transactions that comprise the majority of the Fund’s trading. As such, if the Fund’s extensive use of derivative instruments were reflected, the calculated portfolio turnover rate would be significantly higher.
Tracking Error Risk. Tracking error is the divergence of the Fund’s performance from that of its investment objective which aims to replicate two times the daily percentage change in the price of the Underlying Security. Tracking error may occur for a number of reasons. Tracking error may occur because of transaction costs, the Fund’s holding of cash, differences in accrual of dividends, being under- or overexposed to the Underlying Security or the need to meet new or existing regulatory requirements. Tracking error risk may be heightened during times of market volatility or other unusual market conditions such as market disruptions. The Fund may be required to deviate from its investment objectives, and therefore experience tracking error, as a result of market restrictions or other legal reasons, including regulatory limits or other restrictions on securities that may be purchased by the Adviser and its affiliates.
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. Certain market conditions or restrictions may prevent the Fund from limiting losses, realizing gains or achieving a high correlation with the Underlying Security. 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.
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Money Market Instrument Risk. The Fund may use a variety of money market instruments for cash management purposes, including money market funds, depositary accounts and repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are contracts in which a seller of securities agrees to buy the securities back at a specified time and price. Repurchase agreements may be subject to market and credit risk related to the collateral securing the repurchase agreement. Money market instruments may lose money.
Newer Fund Risk. The Fund is a recently organized management investment company with a limited operating history. As a result, prospective investors have a limited track record on which to base their investment decisions.
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. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.
Trading Halt Risk. Although the Underlying Security’s shares are listed for trading on an exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for such shares will be available at all times and the Exchange may halt trading of such shares in certain circumstances. A halt in trading in the Underlying Security’s shares is expected, in turn, to result in a halt in the trading in the Fund’s Shares. Trading in the Underlying Security’s and/or Fund’s Shares on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in the Underlying Security’s and/or Fund’s Shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in Underlying Security’s and/or Fund’s Shares on an exchange is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to exchange “circuit breaker” rules.” In the event of a trading halt for an extended period of time, the Fund may be unable to execute arrangements with swap counterparties that are necessary to implement the Fund’s investment strategy.
Operational Risk. The Fund is subject to risks arising from various operational factors, including, but not limited to, human error, processing and communication errors, errors of the Fund’s service providers, counterparties or other third-parties, failed or inadequate processes and technology or systems failures. The Fund relies on third-parties for a range of services, including custody. Any delay or failure relating to engaging or maintaining such service providers may affect the Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective. Although the Fund and the Fund’s investment advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures, there is no way to completely protect against such risks.
U.S. Government and U.S. Agency Obligations Risk. The Fund may invest in securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. Government obligations include securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, such as the U.S. Treasury. Payment of principal and interest on U.S. Government obligations may be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States or may be backed solely by the issuing or guaranteeing agency or instrumentality itself. In the latter case, the investor must look principally to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment, which agency or instrumentality may be privately owned. There can be no assurance that the U.S. Government would provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities (including government-sponsored enterprises) where it is not obligated to do so.
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 (the “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 and options 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 and options 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.
10
Management
Investment Adviser: Tidal Investments LLC serves as investment adviser to the Fund.
Portfolio Managers:
The following individuals are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.
Qiao Duan, CFA, Portfolio Manager for the Adviser, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2025.
Christopher P. Mullen, Portfolio Manager for the Adviser has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2025.
Purchase and Sale of Shares
The Fund issues and redeems Shares at NAV only in large blocks known as “Creation Units,” which only APs (typically, broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities (the “Deposit Securities”) and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.
Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, such as the Exchange, and individual Shares may only be bought and sold in the secondary market through brokers at market prices, rather than NAV. Because Shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, Shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).
An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase Shares (the “bid” price) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for Shares (the “ask” price) when buying or selling Shares in the secondary market. This difference in bid and ask prices is often referred to as the “bid-ask spread.”
Information regarding the Fund’s NAV, market price, how often Shares traded on the Exchange at a premium or discount, and bid-ask spreads can be found on the Fund’s website at https://www.defianceetfs.com.
Tax Information
Fund distributions are generally taxable as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains (or a combination), unless an investment is in an individual retirement account (“IRA”) or other tax-advantaged account. Distributions on investments made through tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawal of assets from those accounts.
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Financial Intermediary Compensation
If you purchase Shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), the Adviser or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange-traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training, or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.
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Important Information About the Fund
The Defiance Daily Target 2X Long IONQ ETF (the “Fund”) seeks daily leveraged investment results of two times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of IonQ, Inc. (NYSE: IONQ) (the “Underlying Security” or “IONQ”). Because the Fund seeks daily leveraged investment results, it is very different from most other exchange-traded funds. It is also riskier than alternatives that do not use leverage.
The return for investors that invest for periods longer or shorter than a trading day should not be expected to be 200% of the performance of the Underlying Security’s shares for the period. The return of the Fund for a period longer than a trading day will be the result of each trading day’s compounded return during such period held, which will very likely differ from 200% of the return of the Underlying Security’s shares for that period. Holding shares of the Fund for longer than a single day and higher volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares increase the impact of compounding on an investor’s returns, which may have a negative or positive impact on an investor’s returns. During periods of higher Underlying Security share price volatility, the volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares may affect the Fund’s return as much as, or more than, the return of the Underlying Security’s shares. The impact of compounding will impact each shareholder differently depending on the period of time an investment in the Fund is held and the volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares during a shareholder’s holding period of an investment in the Fund. See “Principal Investment Risks – Compounding and Market Volatility Risk” below for an example of how volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares may affect the Fund’s return as much as, or more than, the return of the Underlying Security’s shares.
The Fund is not suitable for all investors. The Fund is designed to be utilized only by knowledgeable investors who understand the potential consequences of seeking daily leveraged (2X) investment results, understand the risks associated with the use of leverage, and are willing to monitor their portfolios frequently. The Fund is not intended to be used by, and is not appropriate for, investors who do not intend to actively monitor and manage their portfolios. For periods longer than a single day, the Fund will lose money if the Underlying Security’s performance is flat, and it is possible that the Fund will lose money even if the Underlying Security’s performance increases over a period longer than a single day. An investor could lose the full principal value of his/her investment within a single day.
The Fund seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, of two times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of IonQ, Inc. (NYSE: IONQ). The Fund does not seek to achieve its stated investment objective for a period other than a single trading day.
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund (“Shares”). You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the table and Example below.
| Management Fee | % | ||||
| Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees | |||||
| Other Expenses(2) | % | ||||
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(3) | % | ||||
| (1) | |||||
| (2) | |||||
| (3) | |||||
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This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem or hold all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The Example does not take into account brokerage commissions that you may pay on your purchases and sales of Shares. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
| 1 Year | 3 Years |
| $ |
$ |
The Fund
pays 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 Shares are held in
a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in total annual fund
operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. For the
fiscal period of March 11, 2025 (commencement of operations) to April 30, 2025,
the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was
The Fund is an actively managed exchange traded fund (“ETF”) that attempts to achieve two times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of the Underlying Security by employing derivatives, namely swap agreements and/or listed options contracts. The Fund aims to achieve this daily percentage change for a single day, and not for any other period. A “single day” means the period “from the close of regular trading on one trading day to the close on the next trading day.”
If the Fund encounters limitations in implementing its strategies, whether due to market conditions, derivative availability, counterparty issues, or other factors, the Fund may not achieve investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to two times (2x) the daily performance of the Underlying Security, and may return substantially less during such periods. During such periods, the Fund’s actual leverage levels may differ substantially from its intended target, both intraday and at the close of trading, potentially resulting in significantly lower returns.
The Fund may enter into one or more swap agreements with financial institutions for a specified period, which may range from one day to longer than a year. Through each swap agreement, the Fund and the financial institution will agree to exchange the return (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on the Underlying Security’s share price. The gross return (meaning the return before deducting any fees or expenses) to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties is calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” (meaning the face amount of the instrument) e.g., the return on or change in value of a particular dollar amount representing the Underlying Security.
The Fund may also utilize listed options to seek to achieve leveraged 2X exposure to the Underlying Security. The Fund will primarily employ short-dated (a month or less) in-the-money call options (options with strike prices below the current market price of the Underlying Security, offering immediate intrinsic value). Additionally, the Fund may use other option strategies to produce similar exposure to the Underlying Security, like buying calls and selling puts with identical strike prices. These options allow the Fund to adjust its leverage strategy in response to market conditions, liquidity constraints, or other factors that may affect the availability or pricing of swap agreements. The use of listed options provides additional flexibility in pursuing the Fund’s daily investment objective. In situations where swap availability is constrained, the Fund may rely more heavily on options contracts. Additionally, the Fund may use options in response to changing market dynamics. However, the use of option contracts is typically less efficient than swaps and may increase the likelihood that the Fund is unable to achieve its daily 2X objective.
At the end of each day, the Fund’s swaps and options are valued using market valuations and the Fund’s investment adviser rebalances the Fund’s holdings in an attempt to maintain leveraged exposure for the Fund equal to approximately 200% of the Underlying Security’s share price.
For examples of a hypothetical investment in the Fund, see the section in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Information About the Fund – Principal Investment Strategies,”
Fund performance for periods greater than one single day is primarily (but not solely) a function of the following factors: a) the Underlying Security volatility; b) the Underlying Security’s performance; c) period of time; d) financing rates associated with leveraged exposure; and e) other Fund expenses.
The Fund will hold assets to serve as collateral for its derivatives positions. For those collateral holdings, the Fund may invest in (1) U.S. Government securities, such as bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury; (2) money market funds; (3) short term bond ETFs; and/or (4) corporate debt securities, such as commercial paper and other short-term unsecured promissory notes issued by businesses that are rated investment grade or of comparable quality.
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The Fund is classified as “non-diversified” under the 1940 Act. The Fund’s strategy is expected to result in a high annual portfolio turnover rate.
Because of daily rebalancing and the compounding of each day’s return over time, the return of the Fund for periods longer than a single day will be the result of each day’s returns compounded over the period, which will very likely differ from 200% of the return of the Underlying Security’s shares over the same period. The Fund will lose money if the Underlying Security’s performance is flat over time, and because of daily rebalancing, the Underlying Security’s shares’ volatility and the effects of compounding, the Fund may lose money over time while the Underlying Security’s performance increases over a period longer than a single day. As a consequence, investors should not plan to hold shares of the Fund unmonitored for periods longer than a single trading day.
IONQ, INC. (“IONQ”)
IonQ, Inc. sells quantum computing hardware together with related maintenance and support. IONQ also sells access to several quantum computers of various qubit capacities and is in the process of researching and developing technologies for quantum computers with increasing computational capabilities. IONQ is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Per IONQ’s most recent Form 10-K filing, the aggregate market value of the voting stock of IONQ held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2024 was $1.2 billion.
IONQ is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Information provided to or filed with the SEC by IONQ pursuant to the Exchange Act can be located by reference to the SEC file number 001-39694 through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, information regarding IONQ may be obtained from other sources including, but not limited to, press releases, newspaper articles and other publicly disseminated documents.
This document relates only to the securities offered hereby and does not relate to the shares of IONQ or other securities of IonQ, Inc. The Fund has derived all disclosures contained in this document regarding IONQ from the publicly available documents. None of the Fund, the Trust, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates has participated in the preparation of such publicly available offering documents or made any due diligence inquiry regarding such documents with respect to IONQ. None of the Fund, the Trust, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates makes any representation that such publicly available documents or any other publicly available information regarding IONQ is accurate or complete. Furthermore, the Fund cannot give any assurance that all events occurring prior to the date hereof (including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of the publicly available documents described above) that would affect the trading price of IONQ (and therefore the share price of the Fund at the time we price the securities) have been publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any such events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning IONQ could affect the value received with respect to the securities and therefore the value of the securities.
None of the Fund, the Trust, the Adviser, or their respective affiliates makes any representation to you as to the performance of IONQ.
NONE OF THE FUND, TIDAL TRUST II, OR TIDAL INVESTMENTS LLC IS AFFILIATED, CONNECTED, OR ASSOCIATED WITH IONQ, INC. THE FUND WAS NOT DEVELOPED OR CREATED BY, AND IS NOT SPONSORED, ENDORSED, OR APPROVED BY, IONQ, INC.
Moreover, IonQ, Inc. has not participated in the development of the Fund’s investment strategy. IonQ, Inc. does not select or approve the Fund’s portfolio holdings, nor does it participate in the construction, design, or implementation of the Fund. IonQ, Inc. does not provide any assurances, guarantees, or representations regarding the Fund or its performance. Nothing herein shall be construed as an offer of any security by IonQ, Inc.
None of the Fund, the Trust, the Adviser, or their respective affiliates claim any ownership interest in any trademarks owned by IONQ or its affiliates. All rights in the trademarks are reserved by their respective owners.
Due to the Fund’s investment strategy, the Fund’s investment exposure is concentrated in the same industry as that assigned to the Underlying Security. As of the date of the Prospectus, IONQ is assigned to the Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals industry.
15
Principal Investment Risks
The principal risks of investing in the Fund are summarized below. As with any investment, there is a risk that you could lose all or a portion of your investment in the Fund. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) per Share, trading price, yield, total return, and/or ability to meet its investment objective. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the section in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Information About the Fund—Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund.”
An
investment in the Fund entails risk.
Each risk summarized below is considered a “principal risk” of investing in the Fund, regardless of the order in which it appears.
IONQ Risks. The Fund invests in swap contracts and options that are based on the share price of IONQ. This subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it owned shares of IONQ, even though it does not. By virtue of the Fund’s investments in swap contracts and options that are based on the value of IONQ, the Fund may also be subject to the following risks:
Indirect Investment in IONQ Risk. IONQ is not affiliated with the Trust, the Fund, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates and is not involved with this offering in any way and has no obligation to consider your Shares in taking any corporate actions that might affect the value of Shares. Investors in the Fund will not have voting rights and will not be able to influence management of IONQ but will be exposed to the performance of IONQ (the Underlying Security). Investors in the Fund will not have the right to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to the Underlying Security but will be subject to declines in the performance of the Underlying Security.
IONQ Trading Risk. The trading price of IONQ may be subject to volatility and could experience wide fluctuations due to various factors. Short sellers may also play a significant role in trading IONQ, potentially affecting the supply and demand dynamics and contributing to market price volatility. Public perception and external factors beyond the company’s control may influence IONQ’s stock price disproportionately. Additionally, following periods of market volatility, companies have faced securities class action litigation. Any adverse judgment or future stockholder litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources. In the event of a halt in trading of IONQ, trading in shares of related funds may be impacted, either temporarily or indefinitely.
IONQ Performance Risk. IONQ may fail to meet its publicly announced guidelines or other expectations about its business, which could cause the price of IONQ to decline. IONQ provides guidance regarding its expected financial and business performance, such as projections regarding sales and production, as well as anticipated future revenues, gross margins, profitability and cash flows. Correctly identifying key factors affecting business conditions and predicting future events is inherently an uncertain process, and the guidance IONQ provides may not ultimately be accurate. If IONQ’s guidance is not accurate or varies from actual results due to its inability to meet the assumptions or the impact on its financial performance that could occur as a result of various risks and uncertainties, the market value of common stock issued by IONQ could decline significantly.
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Risks. Companies in the technology hardware, storage, and peripherals industry may face intense competition, both domestically and internationally, which can pressure profit margins and market share. These companies often rely on complex supply chains and third-party providers for components, manufacturing, and services. Supply chain disruptions, including the unavailability of critical materials or components, price increases, or delays in production, can adversely affect operations. Many companies in this industry depend on a limited number of suppliers or suppliers concentrated in specific geographic regions, which may increase vulnerability to geopolitical risks, natural disasters, or regulatory changes. Identifying and qualifying alternative suppliers can be time-consuming and costly, with no guarantee of availability. Additionally, operations may be impacted by resource constraints, including shortages of electricity, rare earth elements, or other essential materials. Companies in this industry are also exposed to cybersecurity threats, intellectual property risks, and evolving technological standards, which may increase operational costs and hinder competitiveness.
Business Risks: IONQ is an early-stage business with a limited operating history, a history of operating losses, and an expectation of significant expenses and losses for the foreseeable future. IONQ faces challenges scaling its business, managing growth, and effectively executing its strategies in a nascent and volatile quantum computing industry. The company’s success is highly dependent on its ability to develop scalable quantum computing systems, achieve cost reductions, and maintain competitive positioning in a rapidly evolving market. There is no assurance that IONQ’s technology will achieve broad market adoption, particularly given the technical and economic challenges of the quantum computing sector.
IONQ’s reliance on key employees and its ability to retain talent with specialized knowledge is critical to its operations. Additionally, much of its revenue is concentrated among a few customers, making the business vulnerable to contract terminations or customer loss. Dependence on proprietary ion trap technology and specific isotopic materials introduces supply chain risks, while compatibility with industry-standard software and hardware remains a concern. Intellectual property risks, including the loss or compromise of trade secrets, inability to maintain patent protections, or litigation claims, could harm the company’s competitive edge.
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IONQ is also exposed to risks related to international expansion, government contracts, and regulatory changes, including tariffs and trade restrictions. Operational disruptions, cybersecurity threats, and adverse global economic conditions could further impact IONQ’s growth and profitability. If IONQ fails to meet market expectations or achieve forecasted growth, its stock price and long-term prospects could be materially affected.
Single Issuer Risk. Issuer-specific attributes may cause an investment in the Fund to be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment which diversifies risk or the market generally. The value of the Fund, which focuses on an individual security, may be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole and may perform differently from the value of a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole. Additionally, the Fund will seek to employ its investment strategy as it relates to the underlying issuer regardless of whether there are significant corporate actions such as restructurings, enforcement activity, or acquisitions or periods adverse market, economic, or other conditions and will not seek to take temporary defensive positions during such periods.
Compounding and Market Volatility Risk. The Fund has a daily leveraged investment objective and the Fund’s performance for periods greater than a trading day will be the result of each day’s returns compounded over the period, which is very likely to differ from two times (200%) the Underlying Security’s performance, before the Fund’s management fee and other expenses. Compounding affects all investments but has a more significant impact on funds that aim to replicate leveraged daily returns and that rebalance daily. For the Fund aiming to replicate two times the daily performance of an Underlying Security, if adverse daily performance of the Underlying Security reduces the amount of a shareholder’s investment, any further adverse daily performance will lead to a smaller dollar loss because the shareholder’s investment had already been reduced by the prior adverse performance. Equally, however, if favorable daily performance of the Underlying Security increases the amount of a shareholder’s investment, the dollar amount lost due to future adverse performance will increase because the shareholder’s investment has increased.
The effect of compounding becomes more pronounced as the Underlying Security’s volatility and the holding period increase. The impact of compounding will impact each shareholder differently depending on the period of time an investment in the Fund is held and the volatility of the Underlying Security during a shareholder’s holding period of an investment in the Fund.
The chart below provides examples of how the Underlying Security’s volatility could affect the Fund’s performance. The chart illustrates the impact of two factors that affect the Fund’s performance – the Underlying Security’s volatility and the Underlying Security’s performance. The Underlying Security’s performance shows the percentage change in the share price of the Underlying Security over the specified time period, while the Underlying Security’s volatility is a statistical measure of the magnitude of fluctuations in the returns during that time period. As illustrated below, even if the Underlying Security’s performance over two equal time periods is identical, different Underlying Security volatility (i.e., in magnitude of fluctuations in the share price of the Underlying Security) during the two time periods could result in drastically different Fund performance for the two time periods because of compounding daily returns during the time periods.
Fund performance for periods greater than one single day can be estimated given any set of assumptions for the following factors: a) the Underlying Security volatility; b) the Underlying Security performance; c) period of time; d) financing rates associated with leveraged exposure; and e) other Fund expenses. The chart shows estimated Fund returns for a number of combinations of Underlying Security volatility and Underlying Security performance over a one-year period. Performance shown in the chart assumes that: (i) there were no Fund expenses; (ii) borrowing/lending rates (to obtain leveraged exposure) of 0%. If Fund expenses and/or actual borrowing/lending rates were reflected the estimated returns would be different than those shown. Particularly during periods of higher Underlying Security volatility, compounding will cause results for periods longer than a trading day to vary from two times (200%) the performance of the Underlying Security.
As shown in the chart below, the Fund would be expected to lose 6.1% if there was no change in the share price of the Underlying Security over a one-year period during which the Underlying Security experienced annualized volatility of 25%. If the Underlying Security’s annualized volatility were to rise to 75%, the hypothetical loss for a one-year period would widen to approximately -43%. At higher ranges of volatility, there is a chance of a significant loss of value in the Fund, even if there were no change in the share price of the Underlying Security. For instance, if the Underlying Security’s annualized volatility is 100%, the Fund would be expected to lose 63.2% of its value, even if the cumulative Underlying Security change in the share price of the Underlying Security for the year was 0%.
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Areas shaded red (or dark gray) represent those scenarios where the Fund can be expected to return less than two times (200%) the performance of the Underlying Security and those shaded green (or light gray) represent those scenarios where the Fund can be expected to return more than two times (200%) the performance of the Underlying Security. The Fund’s actual performance may be significantly better or worse than the performance shown below as a result of any of the factors discussed above or in the “Daily Correlation/Tracking Risk” below.
| Estimated
Returns of 200% or Two Times Performance of the Underlying Security |
|||||||
| Underlying Security Performance | One Year Volatility Rate | ||||||
| One
Year Underlying Security |
2X
Times (200%) the One Year Performance |
10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 100% | |
| -60% | -120% | -84.2% | -85.0% | -87.5% | -90.9% | -94.1% | |
| -50% | -100% | -75.2% | -76.5% | -80.5% | -85.8% | -90.8% | |
| -40% | -80% | -64.4% | -66.2% | -72.0% | -79.5% | -86.8% | |
| -30% | -60% | -51.5% | -54.0% | -61.8% | -72.1% | -82.0% | |
| -20% | -40% | -36.6% | -39.9% | -50.2% | -63.5% | -76.5% | |
| -10% | -20% | -19.8% | -23.9% | -36.9% | -53.8% | -70.2% | |
| 0% | 0% | -1.0% | -6.1% | -22.1% | -43.0% | -63.2% | |
| 10% | 20% | 19.8% | 13.7% | -5.8% | -31.1% | -55.5% | |
| 20% | 40% | 42.6% | 35.3% | 12.1% | -18.0% | -47.0% | |
| 30% | 60% | 67.3% | 58.8% | 31.6% | -3.7% | -37.8% | |
| 40% | 80% | 94.0% | 84.1% | 52.6% | 11.7% | -27.9% | |
| 50% | 100% | 122.8% | 111.4% | 75.2% | 28.2% | -17.2% | |
| 60% | 120% | 153.5% | 140.5% | 99.4% | 45.9% | -5.8% | |
The Underlying Security’s annualized historical volatility rate for the period of January 4, 2021 to June 30, 2025 (the maximum period available) was 90.79%. The Underlying Security’s highest volatility rate for any one calendar year during this period was 94.41% and volatility for a shorter period of time may have been substantially higher. The Underlying Security’s annualized performance during this period was 35.06%. Historical Underlying Security volatility and performance are not indications of what Underlying Security volatility and performance will be in the future.
Daily Correlation/Tracking Risk. There is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve a high degree of leveraged correlation to the Underlying Security and therefore achieve its daily leveraged investment objective. To achieve a high degree of leveraged correlation with the Underlying Security, the Fund seeks to rebalance its portfolio daily to keep exposure consistent with its daily leveraged investment objective. The possibility of the Fund being materially over- or under-exposed to the Underlying Security increases on days when the Underlying Security is volatile near the close of the trading day. Market disruptions, regulatory restrictions and extreme volatility will also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to adjust exposure to the required levels. If there is a significant intra-day market event and/or the Underlying Security experiences a significant increase or decline, the Fund may not meet its investment objective, be able to rebalance its portfolio appropriately, or may experience significant premiums or discounts, or widened bid-ask spreads.
The Fund may have difficulty achieving its daily leveraged investment objective due to fees, expenses, transaction costs, financing costs related to the use of derivatives, investments in ETFs, directly or indirectly, income items, valuation methodology, accounting standards and disruptions or illiquidity in the markets for the securities or derivatives held by the Fund. The Fund may be subject to large movements of assets into and out of the Fund, potentially resulting in the Fund being over- or under-exposed to the Underlying Security. The Fund may take or refrain from taking positions to improve the tax efficiency or to comply with various regulatory restrictions, either of which may negatively impact the Fund’s leveraged correlation to the Underlying Security.
Leverage Risk. The Fund obtains investment exposure in excess of its net assets by utilizing leverage and may lose more money in market conditions that are adverse to its investment objective than a fund that does not utilize leverage. An investment in the Fund is exposed to the risk that a decline in the daily performance of the Underlying Security will be magnified. This means that an investment in the Fund will be reduced by an amount equal to 2% for every 1% daily decline in the share price of the Underlying Security, not including the costs of financing leverage and other operating expenses, which would further reduce its value. The Fund could theoretically lose an amount greater than its net assets in the event the share price of the Underlying Security declines more than 50%. Leverage will also have the effect of magnifying any differences in the Fund performance’s correlation with the Underlying Security’s share price.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive value from the underlying reference asset or assets, such as stocks, bonds, or funds (including ETFs), interest rates or indexes. The Fund’s investments in derivatives may pose risks in addition to, and greater than, those associated with directly investing in securities or other ordinary investments, including risk related to the market, leverage, imperfect daily correlations with underlying investments or the Fund’s other portfolio holdings, higher price volatility, lack of availability, counterparty risk, liquidity, valuation and legal restrictions. The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The use of derivatives may result in larger losses or smaller gains than directly investing in securities. When the Fund uses derivatives, there may be imperfect correlation between the share price of the Underlying Security and the derivative, which may prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objective. Because derivatives often require only a limited initial investment, the use of derivatives may expose the Fund to losses in excess of those amounts initially invested.
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The Fund will be subject to regulatory constraints relating to level of value at risk that the Fund may incur through its derivative portfolio. To the extent the Fund exceeds these regulatory thresholds over an extended period, the Fund may determine that it is necessary to make adjustments to the Fund’s investment strategy, including the desired daily leveraged performance for the Fund.
In addition, the Fund’s investments in derivatives are subject to the following risks:
Swap Agreements. The use of swap transactions is a highly specialized activity, which 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 counterparties for those swap agreements. If the Adviser is unable to enter into swap agreements that provide leveraged exposure to the Underlying Security, the Fund may not meet its stated investment objective. Additionally, any financing, borrowing or other costs associated with using swap transactions may also 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 derivatives 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 or underlying 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 a basket of securities.
If the Underlying Security has a dramatic move that causes a material decline in the Fund’s net assets, the terms of a swap agreement between the Fund and its counterparty may permit the counterparty to immediately 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 achieve exposure consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. This may prevent the Fund from achieving its leveraged investment objective, even if the Underlying Security later reverses all or a portion of its movement.
Options Contracts. The use of options contracts involves investment strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The prices of options are volatile and are influenced by, among other things, actual and anticipated changes in the value of the underlying instrument, including the anticipated volatility, which are affected by fiscal and monetary policies and by national and international political, changes in the actual or implied volatility or the reference asset, the time remaining until the expiration of the option contract and economic events. The value of the options contracts in which the Fund invests are substantially influenced by the value of the Underlying Security. The Fund may experience substantial downside from specific option positions and certain option positions held by the Fund may expire worthless. The options held by the Fund are exercisable at the strike price on their expiration date. As an option approaches its expiration date, its value typically increasingly moves with the value of the underlying instrument. However, prior to such date, the value of an option generally does not increase or decrease at the same rate as the underlying instrument. There may at times be an imperfect correlation between the movement in values options contracts and the underlying instrument, and there may at times not be a liquid secondary market for certain options contracts. The value of the options held by the Fund will be determined based on market quotations or other recognized pricing methods. Additionally, as the Fund intends to continuously maintain indirect exposure to the Underlying Security through the use of options contracts, as the options contracts it holds are exercised or expire it will enter into new options contracts, a practice referred to as “rolling.” If the expiring options contracts do not generate proceeds enough to cover the cost of entering into new options contracts, the Fund may experience losses. The use of options to generate leverage introduces additional risks, including significant potential losses if the market moves unfavorably. The leverage inherent in options can amplify both gains and losses, leading to increased volatility and potential for substantial losses, particularly in periods of market uncertainty or low liquidity. Additionally, the Fund may incur losses if the value of the Underlying Security moves against its positions, potentially resulting in a complete loss of the premium paid.
Counterparty Risk. The Fund is subject to counterparty risk by virtue of its investments in derivatives which exposes the Fund to the risk that the counterparty will not fulfill its obligation to the Fund. Counterparty risk may arise because of the counterparty’s financial condition (i.e., financial difficulties, bankruptcy, or insolvency), market activities and developments, or other reasons, whether foreseen or not. A counterparty’s inability to fulfill its obligation may result in significant financial loss to the Fund and the Fund may be unable to recover its investment from such counterparty or may obtain a limited and/or delayed recovery.
Counterparties may seek to hedge their exposure to individual clients (such as the Fund) by establishing offsetting exposures with other clients, however, there is no guarantee that counterparties will do so under all circumstances. Should a counterparty (e.g., a swap counterparty) terminate its relationship with the Fund, the Fund will seek to utilize other counterparties to seek to maintain its exposures. In addition, the Fund may use options contracts to seek to generate the leverage necessary to implement its strategy. The use of options contracts introduces distinct risks, including heightened volatility, particularly intraday. While options may provide an ancillary benefit of mitigating some losses under specific scenarios, such as severe market downturns, their inherent leverage and rapid price fluctuations can amplify the Fund’s performance volatility and lead to greater risks of substantial losses. Refer to “Derivatives Risk – Options Contracts” for additional information on the risks of investing in options.
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In addition, the Fund may enter into swap agreements with a limited number of counterparties, which may increase the Fund’s exposure to counterparty credit risk. Further, there is a risk that no suitable counterparties will be willing to enter into, or continue to enter into, transactions with the Fund and, as a result, the Fund may not be able to achieve its investment objective.
Intra-Day Investment Risk. The Fund seeks investment results from the close of the market on a given trading day until the close of the market on the subsequent trading day. The exact exposure of an investment in the Fund intraday in the secondary market is a function of the difference between the share price of the Underlying Security at the market close on the first trading day and the share price of the Underlying Security at the time of purchase. If the share price of the Underlying Security rises, the Fund’s net assets will rise by approximately twice the amount as the Fund’s exposure. Conversely, if the share price of the Underlying Security declines, the Fund’s net assets will decline by approximately two times the amount as the Fund’s exposure. Thus, an investor that purchases Shares intra-day may experience performance that is greater than, or less than, the Fund’s stated leveraged performance of the Underlying Security.
If there is a significant intra-day market event and/or the securities of the Underlying Security experience a significant increase or decrease, the Fund may not meet its investment objective or rebalance its portfolio appropriately.
Fixed Income Securities Risk. When the Fund invests in fixed income securities, the value of your investment in the Fund will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Typically, a rise in interest rates causes a decline in the value of fixed income securities owned by the Fund. In general, the market price of fixed income securities with longer maturities will increase or decrease more in response to changes in interest rates than shorter-term securities. Other risk factors include credit risk (the debtor may default), extension risk (an issuer may exercise its right to repay principal on a fixed rate obligation held by the Fund later than expected), and prepayment risk (the debtor may pay its obligation early, reducing the amount of interest payments). These risks could affect the value of a particular investment by the Fund, possibly causing the Fund’s Share price and total return to be reduced and fluctuate more than other types of investments.
Rebalancing Risk. If for any reason the Fund is unable to rebalance all or a portion of its portfolio, or if all or a portion of the portfolio is rebalanced incorrectly, the Fund’s investment exposure may not be consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. In these instances, the Fund may have investment exposure to the Underlying Security that is significantly greater or less than its stated investment objective. As a result, the Fund may be exposed to leverage risk because it had not been properly rebalanced and may not achieve its investment objective.
ETF Risks
Authorized Participants, Market Makers, and Liquidity Providers Concentration Risk. The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that are authorized to purchase and redeem Shares directly from the Fund (known as “Authorized Participants” or “APs”). In addition, there may be a limited number of market makers and/or liquidity providers in the marketplace. To the extent either of the following events occur, Shares may trade at a material discount to NAV and possibly face delisting: (i) APs exit the business or otherwise become unable to process creation and/or redemption orders and no other APs step forward to perform these services; or (ii) market makers and/or liquidity providers exit the business or significantly reduce their business activities and no other entities step forward to perform their functions.
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.
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Trading. Although Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, such as The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC (the “Exchange”), and may be traded on U.S. exchanges other than the Exchange, there can be no assurance that Shares will trade with any volume, or at all, on any stock exchange. In stressed market conditions, the liquidity of Shares may begin to mirror the liquidity of the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings, which can be significantly less liquid than Shares. This adverse effect on liquidity for the Fund’s shares may lead to wider bid-ask spreads and differences between the market price of the Fund’s shares and the underlying value of the shares.
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.”
Economic and Market Risk. Economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets or issuers in other countries or regions. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform in comparison to securities in the general financial markets, a particular financial market, or other asset classes, due to a number of factors, including inflation (or expectations for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, market instability, financial system instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers, regulatory events, other governmental trade or market control programs and related geopolitical events. In addition, the value of the Fund’s investments may be negatively affected by the occurrence of global events such as war, terrorism, environmental disasters, natural disasters or events, country instability, and infectious disease epidemics or pandemics. The imposition by the U.S. of tariffs on goods imported from foreign countries and reciprocal tariffs levied on U.S. goods by those countries also may lead to volatility and instability in domestic and foreign markets.
High Portfolio Turnover Risk. Daily rebalancing of the Fund’s holdings pursuant to its daily investment objective causes a much greater number of portfolio transactions when compared to most ETFs. Additionally, active market trading of the Fund’s Shares on exchanges (such as the Exchange), could cause more frequent creation and redemption activities, which could increase the number of portfolio transactions. Frequent and active trading may lead to higher transaction costs because of increased broker commissions resulting from such transactions. In addition, there is the possibility of significantly increased short-term capital gains (which will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income when distributed to them). The Fund calculates portfolio turnover without including the short-term cash instruments or derivative transactions that comprise the majority of the Fund’s trading. As such, if the Fund’s extensive use of derivative instruments were reflected, the calculated portfolio turnover rate would be significantly higher.
Tracking Error Risk. Tracking error is the divergence of the Fund’s performance from that of its investment objective which aims to replicate two times the daily percentage change in the price of the Underlying Security. Tracking error may occur for a number of reasons. Tracking error may occur because of transaction costs, the Fund’s holding of cash, differences in accrual of dividends, being under- or overexposed to the Underlying Security or the need to meet new or existing regulatory requirements. Tracking error risk may be heightened during times of market volatility or other unusual market conditions such as market disruptions. The Fund may be required to deviate from its investment objectives, and therefore experience tracking error, as a result of market restrictions or other legal reasons, including regulatory limits or other restrictions on securities that may be purchased by the Adviser and its affiliates.
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. Certain market conditions or restrictions may prevent the Fund from limiting losses, realizing gains or achieving a high correlation with the Underlying Security. 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.
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Money Market Instrument Risk. The Fund may use a variety of money market instruments for cash management purposes, including money market funds, depositary accounts and repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are contracts in which a seller of securities agrees to buy the securities back at a specified time and price. Repurchase agreements may be subject to market and credit risk related to the collateral securing the repurchase agreement. Money market instruments may lose money.
Newer Fund Risk. The Fund is a recently organized management investment company with a limited operating history. As a result, prospective investors have a limited track record on which to base their investment decisions.
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. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.
Trading Halt Risk. Although the Underlying Security’s shares are listed for trading on an exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for such shares will be available at all times and the Exchange may halt trading of such shares in certain circumstances. A halt in trading in the Underlying Security’s shares is expected, in turn, to result in a halt in the trading in the Fund’s Shares. Trading in the Underlying Security’s and/or Fund’s Shares on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in the Underlying Security’s and/or Fund’s Shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in Underlying Security’s and/or Fund’s Shares on an exchange is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to exchange “circuit breaker” rules.” In the event of a trading halt for an extended period of time, the Fund may be unable to execute arrangements with swap counterparties that are necessary to implement the Fund’s investment strategy.
Operational Risk. The Fund is subject to risks arising from various operational factors, including, but not limited to, human error, processing and communication errors, errors of the Fund’s service providers, counterparties or other third-parties, failed or inadequate processes and technology or systems failures. The Fund relies on third-parties for a range of services, including custody. Any delay or failure relating to engaging or maintaining such service providers may affect the Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective. Although the Fund and the Fund’s investment advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures, there is no way to completely protect against such risks.
U.S. Government and U.S. Agency Obligations Risk. The Fund may invest in securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. Government obligations include securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, such as the U.S. Treasury. Payment of principal and interest on U.S. Government obligations may be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States or may be backed solely by the issuing or guaranteeing agency or instrumentality itself. In the latter case, the investor must look principally to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment, which agency or instrumentality may be privately owned. There can be no assurance that the U.S. Government would provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities (including government-sponsored enterprises) where it is not obligated to do so.
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 (the “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 and options 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 and options 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.
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Management
Investment Adviser: Tidal Investments LLC serves as investment adviser to the Fund.
Portfolio Managers:
The following individuals are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.
Qiao Duan, CFA, Portfolio Manager for the Adviser, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2025.
Christopher P. Mullen, Portfolio Manager for the Adviser has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2025.
Purchase and Sale of Shares
The Fund issues and redeems Shares at NAV only in large blocks known as “Creation Units,” which only APs (typically, broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities (the “Deposit Securities”) and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.
Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, such as the Exchange, and individual Shares may only be bought and sold in the secondary market through brokers at market prices, rather than NAV. Because Shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, Shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).
An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase Shares (the “bid” price) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for Shares (the “ask” price) when buying or selling Shares in the secondary market. This difference in bid and ask prices is often referred to as the “bid-ask spread.”
Information regarding the Fund’s NAV, market price, how often Shares traded on the Exchange at a premium or discount, and bid-ask spreads can be found on the Fund’s website at https://www.defianceetfs.com.
Tax Information
Fund distributions are generally taxable as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains (or a combination), unless an investment is in an individual retirement account (“IRA”) or other tax-advantaged account. Distributions on investments made through tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawal of assets from those accounts.
Financial Intermediary Compensation
If you purchase Shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), the Adviser or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange-traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training, or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.
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Important Information About the Fund
The Defiance Daily Target 2X Long RKLB ETF (the “Fund”) seeks daily leveraged investment results of two times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of Rocket Lab Corporation (NASDAQ: RKLB) (the “Underlying Security” or “RKLB”). Because the Fund seeks daily leveraged investment results, it is very different from most other exchange-traded funds. It is also riskier than alternatives that do not use leverage.
The return for investors that invest for periods longer or shorter than a trading day should not be expected to be 200% of the performance of the Underlying Security’s shares for the period. The return of the Fund for a period longer than a trading day will be the result of each trading day’s compounded return during such period held, which will very likely differ from 200% of the return of the Underlying Security’s shares for that period. Holding shares of the Fund for longer than a single day and higher volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares increase the impact of compounding on an investor’s returns, which may have a negative or positive impact on an investor’s returns. During periods of higher Underlying Security share price volatility, the volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares may affect the Fund’s return as much as, or more than, the return of the Underlying Security’s shares. The impact of compounding will impact each shareholder differently depending on the period of time an investment in the Fund is held and the volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares during a shareholder’s holding period of an investment in the Fund. See “Principal Investment Risks – Compounding and Market Volatility Risk” below for an example of how volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares may affect the Fund’s return as much as, or more than, the return of the Underlying Security’s shares.
The Fund is not suitable for all investors. The Fund is designed to be utilized only by knowledgeable investors who understand the potential consequences of seeking daily leveraged (2X) investment results, understand the risks associated with the use of leverage, and are willing to monitor their portfolios frequently. The Fund is not intended to be used by, and is not appropriate for, investors who do not intend to actively monitor and manage their portfolios. For periods longer than a single day, the Fund will lose money if the Underlying Security’s performance is flat, and it is possible that the Fund will lose money even if the Underlying Security’s performance increases over a period longer than a single day. An investor could lose the full principal value of his/her investment within a single day.
The Fund seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, of two times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of Rocket Lab Corporation (NASDAQ: RKLB). The Fund does not seek to achieve its stated investment objective for a period other than a single trading day.
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund (“Shares”). You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the table and Example below.
| Management Fee | % | ||||
| Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees | |||||
| Other Expenses(2) | % | ||||
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(3) | % | ||||
| (1) | |||||
| (2) | |||||
| (3) | |||||
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This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem or hold all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The Example does not take into account brokerage commissions that you may pay on your purchases and sales of Shares. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
| 1 Year | 3 Years |
| $ |
$ |
The Fund
pays 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 Shares are held in
a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in total annual fund
operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. For the
fiscal period of March 12, 2025 (commencement of operations) to April 30, 2025,
the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was
The Fund is an actively managed exchange traded fund (“ETF”) that attempts to achieve two times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of the Underlying Security by employing derivatives, namely swap agreements and/or listed options contracts. The Fund aims to achieve this daily percentage change for a single day, and not for any other period. A “single day” means the period “from the close of regular trading on one trading day to the close on the next trading day.”
If the Fund encounters limitations in implementing its strategies, whether due to market conditions, derivative availability, counterparty issues, or other factors, the Fund may not achieve investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to two times (2x) the daily performance of the Underlying Security, and may return substantially less during such periods. During such periods, the Fund’s actual leverage levels may differ substantially from its intended target, both intraday and at the close of trading, potentially resulting in significantly lower returns.
The Fund may enter into one or more swap agreements with financial institutions for a specified period, which may range from one day to longer than a year. Through each swap agreement, the Fund and the financial institution will agree to exchange the return (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on the Underlying Security’s share price. The gross return (meaning the return before deducting any fees or expenses) to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties is calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” (meaning the face amount of the instrument) e.g., the return on or change in value of a particular dollar amount representing the Underlying Security.
The Fund may also utilize listed options to seek to achieve leveraged 2X exposure to the Underlying Security. The Fund will primarily employ short-dated (a month or less) in-the-money call options (options with strike prices below the current market price of the Underlying Security, offering immediate intrinsic value). Additionally, the Fund may use other option strategies to produce similar exposure to the Underlying Security, like buying calls and selling puts with identical strike prices. These options allow the Fund to adjust its leverage strategy in response to market conditions, liquidity constraints, or other factors that may affect the availability or pricing of swap agreements. The use of listed options provides additional flexibility in pursuing the Fund’s daily investment objective. In situations where swap availability is constrained, the Fund may rely more heavily on options contracts. Additionally, the Fund may use options in response to changing market dynamics. However, the use of option contracts is typically less efficient than swaps and may increase the likelihood that the Fund is unable to achieve its daily 2X objective.
At the end of each day, the Fund’s swaps and options are valued using market valuations and the Fund’s investment adviser rebalances the Fund’s holdings in an attempt to maintain leveraged exposure for the Fund equal to approximately 200% of the Underlying Security’s share price.
For examples of a hypothetical investment in the Fund, see the section in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Information About the Fund – Principal Investment Strategies.”
Fund performance for periods greater than one single day is primarily (but not solely) a function of the following factors: a) the Underlying Security volatility; b) the Underlying Security’s performance; c) period of time; d) financing rates associated with leveraged exposure; and e) other Fund expenses.
The Fund will hold assets to serve as collateral for its derivatives positions. For those collateral holdings, the Fund may invest in (1) U.S. Government securities, such as bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury; (2) money market funds; (3) short term bond ETFs; and/or (4) corporate debt securities, such as commercial paper and other short-term unsecured promissory notes issued by businesses that are rated investment grade or of comparable quality.
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The Fund is classified as “non-diversified” under the 1940 Act. The Fund’s strategy is expected to result in a high annual portfolio turnover rate.
Because of daily rebalancing and the compounding of each day’s return over time, the return of the Fund for periods longer than a single day will be the result of each day’s returns compounded over the period, which will very likely differ from 200% of the return of the Underlying Security’s shares over the same period. The Fund will lose money if the Underlying Security’s performance is flat over time, and because of daily rebalancing, the Underlying Security’s shares’ volatility and the effects of compounding, the Fund may lose money over time while the Underlying Security’s performance increases over a period longer than a single day. As a consequence, investors should not plan to hold shares of the Fund unmonitored for periods longer than a single trading day.
Rocket Lab Corporation (NASDAQ: RKLB)
Rocket Lab Corporation is a leading aerospace company that specializes in small satellite launch services, spacecraft manufacturing, and advanced space systems. The company provides reliable and cost-effective access to orbit through its Electron rocket, develops satellite platforms such as Photon for various applications, and is advancing the development of its medium-lift Neutron rocket. RKLB is listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”). According to RKLB’s most recent Form 10-K filing, the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2024, was approximately $1.73 billion.
RKLB is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Information provided to or filed with the SEC by RKLB pursuant to the Exchange Act can be located by reference to the SEC file number 001-39560 through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Additional information regarding RKLB may be obtained from press releases, news articles, and other publicly available documents.
This document relates only to the securities offered hereby and does not relate to the shares of RKLB or other securities of Rocket Lab Corporation. The Fund has derived all disclosures contained in this document regarding RKLB from the publicly available documents. None of the Fund, the Trust, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates has participated in the preparation of such publicly available offering documents or made any due diligence inquiry regarding such documents with respect to RKLB. None of the Fund, the Trust, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates makes any representation that such publicly available documents or any other publicly available information regarding RKLB is accurate or complete. Furthermore, the Fund cannot give any assurance that all events occurring prior to the date hereof (including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of the publicly available documents described above) that would affect the trading price of RKLB (and therefore the share price of the Fund at the time we price the securities) have been publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any such events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning RKLB could affect the value received with respect to the securities and therefore the value of the securities.
None of the Fund, the Trust, the Adviser, or their respective affiliates makes any representation to you as to the performance of RKLB.
NONE OF THE FUND, TIDAL TRUST II, OR TIDAL INVESTMENTS LLC IS AFFILIATED, CONNECTED, OR ASSOCIATED WITH ROCKET LAB CORPORATION THE FUND WAS NOT DEVELOPED OR CREATED BY, AND IS NOT SPONSORED, ENDORSED, OR APPROVED BY, ROCKET LAB CORPORATION.
Moreover, Rocket Lab Corporation has not participated in the development of the Fund’s investment strategy. Rocket Lab Corporation does not select or approve the Fund’s portfolio holdings, nor does it participate in the construction, design, or implementation of the Fund. Rocket Lab Corporation does not provide any assurances, guarantees, or representations regarding the Fund or its performance. Nothing herein shall be construed as an offer of any security by Rocket Lab Corporation.
None of the Fund, the Trust, the Adviser, or their respective affiliates claim any ownership interest in any trademarks owned by RKLB or its affiliates. All rights in the trademarks are reserved by their respective owners.
Due to the Fund’s investment strategy, the Fund’s investment exposure is concentrated in the same industry as that assigned to the Underlying Security. As of the date of the Prospectus, RKLB is assigned to the Aerospace & Defense industry.
Principal Investment Risks
The principal risks of investing in the Fund are summarized below. As with any investment, there is a risk that you could lose all or a portion of your investment in the Fund. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) per Share, trading price, yield, total return, and/or ability to meet its investment objective. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the section in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Information About the Fund—Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund.”
26
An
investment in the Fund entails risk.
Each risk summarized below is considered a “principal risk” of investing in the Fund, regardless of the order in which it appears.
RKLB Risks. The Fund invests in swap contracts and options that are based on the share price of RKLB. This subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it owned shares of RKLB, even though it does not. By virtue of the Fund’s investments in swap contracts and options that are based on the value of RKLB, the Fund may also be subject to the following risks:
Indirect Investment in RKLB Risk. RKLB is not affiliated with the Trust, the Fund, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates and is not involved with this offering in any way and has no obligation to consider your Shares in taking any corporate actions that might affect the value of Shares. Investors in the Fund will not have voting rights and will not be able to influence management of RKLB but will be exposed to the performance of RKLB (the Underlying Security). Investors in the Fund will not have the right to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to the Underlying Security but will be subject to declines in the performance of the Underlying Security.
RKLB Trading Risk. The trading price of RKLB may be subject to volatility and could experience wide fluctuations due to various factors. Short sellers may also play a significant role in trading RKLB, potentially affecting the supply and demand dynamics and contributing to market price volatility. Public perception and external factors beyond the company’s control may influence RKLB’s stock price disproportionately. Additionally, following periods of market volatility, companies have faced securities class action litigation. Any adverse judgment or future stockholder litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources. In the event of a halt in trading of RKLB, trading in shares of related funds may be impacted, either temporarily or indefinitely.
RKLB Performance Risk. RKLB may fail to meet its publicly announced guidelines or other expectations about its business, which could cause the price of RKLB to decline. RKLB provides guidance regarding its expected financial and business performance, such as projections regarding sales and production. Correctly identifying key factors affecting business conditions and predicting future events is inherently an uncertain process, and the guidance RKLB provides may not ultimately be accurate. If RKLB’s guidance is not accurate or varies from actual results due to its inability to meet the assumptions or the impact on its financial performance that could occur as a result of various risks and uncertainties, the market value of common stock issued by RKLB could decline significantly.
Aerospace & Defense Industry Risks. Companies in the aerospace and defense industry are subject to risks stemming from their reliance on government budgets and spending priorities, which can fluctuate due to political and economic pressures. These companies often operate in highly competitive markets and may face challenges from both domestic and international competitors. The aerospace and defense industry is also affected by geopolitical tensions, trade policies, and regulatory changes that can impact market access and operational efficiency. Aerospace and defense companies typically rely on complex supply chains for specialized components and materials. Disruptions in these supply chains, whether due to shortages, price increases, or geopolitical factors, can significantly affect production and profitability. Additionally, technological advancements are critical for maintaining competitiveness in this sector, but the high cost and uncertain outcomes of research and development efforts may pose financial risks. Companies in this industry face heightened cybersecurity risks due to the sensitive nature of their technologies, and breaches can lead to operational disruptions, reputational damage, and regulatory scrutiny. Long-term fixed-cost contracts, which are common in this sector, may expose companies to financial losses if costs exceed estimates. Furthermore, environmental and safety regulations, as well as export controls, tariffs, and trade restrictions, impose significant compliance costs and may limit market opportunities. The aerospace and defense industry is inherently cyclical and influenced by global political and economic developments, which can contribute to earnings volatility and investment risks.
Business Risks. RKLB has experienced rapid growth, with its employee base and operations expanding substantially in recent years, placing considerable demands on its management, operational infrastructure, and financial resources. Continued growth is dependent on RKLB’s ability to scale its revenue, improve operational efficiencies, and maintain profitability while effectively managing its increasingly complex organizational structure. Failure to integrate acquisitions, enhance business processes, or address evolving customer and market demands could adversely affect RKLB’s growth prospects.
RKLB operates in competitive markets for rocket launch services, mission services, spacecraft, and spacecraft components, facing challenges from established players and new entrants. RKLB’s success relies on its ability to anticipate and respond to macroeconomic and industry-specific changes, hire and retain talent, and maintain high levels of customer satisfaction. Additionally, interruptions from information technology failures, cybersecurity breaches, or other infrastructure issues could disrupt operations. RKLB’s ability to comply with applicable regulations and adapt to changes in the industry also presents ongoing risks.
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While RKLB has demonstrated significant revenue growth in recent years, future revenue generation and growth are uncertain. Rising operating expenses may outpace revenue growth, potentially harming profitability and the company’s overall financial condition. Failure to address these risks could materially impact RKLB’s business and long-term prospects.
Intellectual Property and Cyber Security Risk. Any significant disruption in or unauthorized access to RKLB’s computer systems or those of third parties that RKLB utilizes in its operations, including those relating to cybersecurity or arising from cyber-attacks, could result in a loss or degradation of service, unauthorized disclosure of data, or theft or tampering of intellectual property, any of which could materially adversely impact RKLB’s business.
Single Issuer Risk. Issuer-specific attributes may cause an investment in the Fund to be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment which diversifies risk or the market generally. The value of the Fund, which focuses on an individual security, may be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole and may perform differently from the value of a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole. Additionally, the Fund will seek to employ its investment strategy as it relates to the underlying issuer regardless of whether there are significant corporate actions such as restructurings, enforcement activity, or acquisitions or periods adverse market, economic, or other conditions and will not seek to take temporary defensive positions during such periods.
Compounding and Market Volatility Risk. The Fund has a daily leveraged investment objective and the Fund’s performance for periods greater than a trading day will be the result of each day’s returns compounded over the period, which is very likely to differ from two times (200%) the Underlying Security’s performance, before the Fund’s management fee and other expenses. Compounding affects all investments but has a more significant impact on funds that aim to replicate leveraged daily returns and that rebalance daily. For the Fund aiming to replicate two times the daily performance of an Underlying Security, if adverse daily performance of the Underlying Security reduces the amount of a shareholder’s investment, any further adverse daily performance will lead to a smaller dollar loss because the shareholder’s investment had already been reduced by the prior adverse performance. Equally, however, if favorable daily performance of the Underlying Security increases the amount of a shareholder’s investment, the dollar amount lost due to future adverse performance will increase because the shareholder’s investment has increased.
The effect of compounding becomes more pronounced as the Underlying Security’s volatility and the holding period increase. The impact of compounding will impact each shareholder differently depending on the period of time an investment in the Fund is held and the volatility of the Underlying Security during a shareholder’s holding period of an investment in the Fund.
The chart below provides examples of how the Underlying Security’s volatility could affect the Fund’s performance. The chart illustrates the impact of two factors that affect the Fund’s performance – the Underlying Security’s volatility and the Underlying Security’s performance. The Underlying Security’s performance shows the percentage change in the share price of the Underlying Security over the specified time period, while the Underlying Security’s volatility is a statistical measure of the magnitude of fluctuations in the returns during that time period. As illustrated below, even if the Underlying Security’s performance over two equal time periods is identical, different Underlying Security volatility (i.e., in magnitude of fluctuations in the share price of the Underlying Security) during the two time periods could result in drastically different Fund performance for the two time periods because of compounding daily returns during the time periods.
Fund performance for periods greater than one single day can be estimated given any set of assumptions for the following factors: a) the Underlying Security volatility; b) the Underlying Security performance; c) period of time; d) financing rates associated with leveraged exposure; and e) other Fund expenses. The chart shows estimated Fund returns for a number of combinations of Underlying Security volatility and Underlying Security performance over a one-year period. Performance shown in the chart assumes that: (i) there were no Fund expenses; (ii) borrowing/lending rates (to obtain leveraged exposure) of 0%. If Fund expenses and/or actual borrowing/lending rates were reflected the estimated returns would be different than those shown. Particularly during periods of higher Underlying Security volatility, compounding will cause results for periods longer than a trading day to vary from two times (200%) the performance of the Underlying Security.
As shown in the chart below, the Fund would be expected to lose 6.1% if there was no change in the share price of the Underlying Security over a one-year period during which the Underlying Security experienced annualized volatility of 25%. If the Underlying Security’s annualized volatility were to rise to 75%, the hypothetical loss for a one-year period would widen to approximately -43%. At higher ranges of volatility, there is a chance of a significant loss of value in the Fund, even if there were no change in the share price of the Underlying Security. For instance, if the Underlying Security’s annualized volatility is 100%, the Fund would be expected to lose 63.2% of its value, even if the cumulative Underlying Security change in the share price of the Underlying Security for the year was 0%.
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Areas shaded red (or dark gray) represent those scenarios where the Fund can be expected to return less than two times (200%) the performance of the Underlying Security and those shaded green (or light gray) represent those scenarios where the Fund can be expected to return more than two times (200%) the performance of the Underlying Security. The Fund’s actual performance may be significantly better or worse than the performance shown below as a result of any of the factors discussed above or in the “Daily Correlation/Tracking Risk” below.
| Estimated
Returns of 200% or Two Times Performance of the Underlying Security |
|||||||
| Underlying Security Performance | One Year Volatility Rate | ||||||
| One
Year Underlying Security |
2X
Times (200%) the One Year Performance |
10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 100% | |
| -60% | -120% | -84.2% | -85.0% | -87.5% | -90.9% | -94.1% | |
| -50% | -100% | -75.2% | -76.5% | -80.5% | -85.8% | -90.8% | |
| -40% | -80% | -64.4% | -66.2% | -72.0% | -79.5% | -86.8% | |
| -30% | -60% | -51.5% | -54.0% | -61.8% | -72.1% | -82.0% | |
| -20% | -40% | -36.6% | -39.9% | -50.2% | -63.5% | -76.5% | |
| -10% | -20% | -19.8% | -23.9% | -36.9% | -53.8% | -70.2% | |
| 0% | 0% | -1.0% | -6.1% | -22.1% | -43.0% | -63.2% | |
| 10% | 20% | 19.8% | 13.7% | -5.8% | -31.1% | -55.5% | |
| 20% | 40% | 42.6% | 35.3% | 12.1% | -18.0% | -47.0% | |
| 30% | 60% | 67.3% | 58.8% | 31.6% | -3.7% | -37.8% | |
| 40% | 80% | 94.0% | 84.1% | 52.6% | 11.7% | -27.9% | |
| 50% | 100% | 122.8% | 111.4% | 75.2% | 28.2% | -17.2% | |
| 60% | 120% | 153.5% | 140.5% | 99.4% | 45.9% | -5.8% | |
The Underlying Security’s annualized historical volatility rate for the period of September 24, 2020 to June 30, 2025 (the maximum period available) was 73.22%. The Underlying Security’s highest volatility rate for any one calendar year during this period was 74.60% and volatility for a shorter period of time may have been substantially higher. The Underlying Security’s annualized performance during this period was 29.50%. Historical Underlying Security volatility and performance are not indications of what Underlying Security volatility and performance will be in the future.
Daily Correlation/Tracking Risk. There is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve a high degree of leveraged correlation to the Underlying Security and therefore achieve its daily leveraged investment objective. To achieve a high degree of leveraged correlation with the Underlying Security, the Fund seeks to rebalance its portfolio daily to keep exposure consistent with its daily leveraged investment objective. The possibility of the Fund being materially over- or under-exposed to the Underlying Security increases on days when the Underlying Security is volatile near the close of the trading day. Market disruptions, regulatory restrictions and extreme volatility will also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to adjust exposure to the required levels. If there is a significant intra-day market event and/or the Underlying Security experiences a significant increase or decline, the Fund may not meet its investment objective, be able to rebalance its portfolio appropriately, or may experience significant premiums or discounts, or widened bid-ask spreads.
The Fund may have difficulty achieving its daily leveraged investment objective due to fees, expenses, transaction costs, financing costs related to the use of derivatives, investments in ETFs, directly or indirectly, income items, valuation methodology, accounting standards and disruptions or illiquidity in the markets for the securities or derivatives held by the Fund. The Fund may be subject to large movements of assets into and out of the Fund, potentially resulting in the Fund being over- or under-exposed to the Underlying Security. The Fund may take or refrain from taking positions to improve the tax efficiency or to comply with various regulatory restrictions, either of which may negatively impact the Fund’s leveraged correlation to the Underlying Security.
Leverage Risk. The Fund obtains investment exposure in excess of its net assets by utilizing leverage and may lose more money in market conditions that are adverse to its investment objective than a fund that does not utilize leverage. An investment in the Fund is exposed to the risk that a decline in the daily performance of the Underlying Security will be magnified. This means that an investment in the Fund will be reduced by an amount equal to 2% for every 1% daily decline in the share price of the Underlying Security, not including the costs of financing leverage and other operating expenses, which would further reduce its value. The Fund could theoretically lose an amount greater than its net assets in the event the share price of the Underlying Security declines more than 50%. Leverage will also have the effect of magnifying any differences in the Fund performance’s correlation with the Underlying Security’s share price.
29
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive value from the underlying reference asset or assets, such as stocks, bonds, or funds (including ETFs), interest rates or indexes. The Fund’s investments in derivatives may pose risks in addition to, and greater than, those associated with directly investing in securities or other ordinary investments, including risk related to the market, leverage, imperfect daily correlations with underlying investments or the Fund’s other portfolio holdings, higher price volatility, lack of availability, counterparty risk, liquidity, valuation and legal restrictions. The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The use of derivatives may result in larger losses or smaller gains than directly investing in securities. When the Fund uses derivatives, there may be imperfect correlation between the share price of the Underlying Security and the derivative, which may prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objective. Because derivatives often require only a limited initial investment, the use of derivatives may expose the Fund to losses in excess of those amounts initially invested.
The Fund will be subject to regulatory constraints relating to level of value at risk that the Fund may incur through its derivative portfolio. To the extent the Fund exceeds these regulatory thresholds over an extended period, the Fund may determine that it is necessary to make adjustments to the Fund’s investment strategy, including the desired daily leveraged performance for the Fund.
In addition, the Fund’s investments in derivatives are subject to the following risks:
Swap Agreements. The use of swap transactions is a highly specialized activity, which 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 counterparties for those swap agreements. If the Adviser is unable to enter into swap agreements that provide leveraged exposure to the Underlying Security, the Fund may not meet its stated investment objective. Additionally, any financing, borrowing or other costs associated with using swap transactions may also 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 derivatives 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 or underlying 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 a basket of securities.
If the Underlying Security has a dramatic move that causes a material decline in the Fund’s net assets, the terms of a swap agreement between the Fund and its counterparty may permit the counterparty to immediately 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 achieve exposure consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. This may prevent the Fund from achieving its leveraged investment objective, even if the Underlying Security later reverses all or a portion of its movement.
Options Contracts. The use of options contracts involves investment strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The prices of options are volatile and are influenced by, among other things, actual and anticipated changes in the value of the underlying instrument, including the anticipated volatility, which are affected by fiscal and monetary policies and by national and international political, changes in the actual or implied volatility or the reference asset, the time remaining until the expiration of the option contract and economic events. The value of the options contracts in which the Fund invests are substantially influenced by the value of the Underlying Security. The Fund may experience substantial downside from specific option positions and certain option positions held by the Fund may expire worthless. The options held by the Fund are exercisable at the strike price on their expiration date. As an option approaches its expiration date, its value typically increasingly moves with the value of the underlying instrument. However, prior to such date, the value of an option generally does not increase or decrease at the same rate as the underlying instrument. There may at times be an imperfect correlation between the movement in values options contracts and the underlying instrument, and there may at times not be a liquid secondary market for certain options contracts. The value of the options held by the Fund will be determined based on market quotations or other recognized pricing methods. Additionally, as the Fund intends to continuously maintain indirect exposure to the Underlying Security through the use of options contracts, as the options contracts it holds are exercised or expire it will enter into new options contracts, a practice referred to as “rolling.” If the expiring options contracts do not generate proceeds enough to cover the cost of entering into new options contracts, the Fund may experience losses. The use of options to generate leverage introduces additional risks, including significant potential losses if the market moves unfavorably. The leverage inherent in options can amplify both gains and losses, leading to increased volatility and potential for substantial losses, particularly in periods of market uncertainty or low liquidity. Additionally, the Fund may incur losses if the value of the Underlying Security moves against its positions, potentially resulting in a complete loss of the premium paid.
Counterparty Risk. The Fund is subject to counterparty risk by virtue of its investments in derivatives which exposes the Fund to the risk that the counterparty will not fulfill its obligation to the Fund. Counterparty risk may arise because of the counterparty’s financial condition (i.e., financial difficulties, bankruptcy, or insolvency), market activities and developments, or other reasons, whether foreseen or not. A counterparty’s inability to fulfill its obligation may result in significant financial loss to the Fund and the Fund may be unable to recover its investment from such counterparty or may obtain a limited and/or delayed recovery.
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Counterparties may seek to hedge their exposure to individual clients (such as the Fund) by establishing offsetting exposures with other clients, however, there is no guarantee that counterparties will do so under all circumstances. Should a counterparty (e.g., a swap counterparty) terminate its relationship with the Fund, the Fund will seek to utilize other counterparties to seek to maintain its exposures. In addition, the Fund may use options contracts to seek to generate the leverage necessary to implement its strategy. The use of options contracts introduces distinct risks, including heightened volatility, particularly intraday. While options may provide an ancillary benefit of mitigating some losses under specific scenarios, such as severe market downturns, their inherent leverage and rapid price fluctuations can amplify the Fund’s performance volatility and lead to greater risks of substantial losses. Refer to “Derivatives Risk – Options Contracts” for additional information on the risks of investing in options.
In addition, the Fund may enter into swap agreements with a limited number of counterparties, which may increase the Fund’s exposure to counterparty credit risk. Further, there is a risk that no suitable counterparties will be willing to enter into, or continue to enter into, transactions with the Fund and, as a result, the Fund may not be able to achieve its investment objective.
Intra-Day Investment Risk. The Fund seeks investment results from the close of the market on a given trading day until the close of the market on the subsequent trading day. The exact exposure of an investment in the Fund intraday in the secondary market is a function of the difference between the share price of the Underlying Security at the market close on the first trading day and the share price of the Underlying Security at the time of purchase. If the share price of the Underlying Security rises, the Fund’s net assets will rise by approximately twice the amount as the Fund’s exposure. Conversely, if the share price of the Underlying Security declines, the Fund’s net assets will decline by approximately two times the amount as the Fund’s exposure. Thus, an investor that purchases Shares intra-day may experience performance that is greater than, or less than, the Fund’s stated leveraged performance of the Underlying Security.
If there is a significant intra-day market event and/or the securities of the Underlying Security experience a significant increase or decrease, the Fund may not meet its investment objective or rebalance its portfolio appropriately.
Fixed Income Securities Risk. When the Fund invests in fixed income securities, the value of your investment in the Fund will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Typically, a rise in interest rates causes a decline in the value of fixed income securities owned by the Fund. In general, the market price of fixed income securities with longer maturities will increase or decrease more in response to changes in interest rates than shorter-term securities. Other risk factors include credit risk (the debtor may default), extension risk (an issuer may exercise its right to repay principal on a fixed rate obligation held by the Fund later than expected), and prepayment risk (the debtor may pay its obligation early, reducing the amount of interest payments). These risks could affect the value of a particular investment by the Fund, possibly causing the Fund’s Share price and total return to be reduced and fluctuate more than other types of investments.
Rebalancing Risk. If for any reason the Fund is unable to rebalance all or a portion of its portfolio, or if all or a portion of the portfolio is rebalanced incorrectly, the Fund’s investment exposure may not be consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. In these instances, the Fund may have investment exposure to the Underlying Security that is significantly greater or less than its stated investment objective. As a result, the Fund may be exposed to leverage risk because it had not been properly rebalanced and may not achieve its investment objective.
ETF Risks
Authorized Participants, Market Makers, and Liquidity Providers Concentration Risk. The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that are authorized to purchase and redeem Shares directly from the Fund (known as “Authorized Participants” or “APs”). In addition, there may be a limited number of market makers and/or liquidity providers in the marketplace. To the extent either of the following events occur, Shares may trade at a material discount to NAV and possibly face delisting: (i) APs exit the business or otherwise become unable to process creation and/or redemption orders and no other APs step forward to perform these services; or (ii) market makers and/or liquidity providers exit the business or significantly reduce their business activities and no other entities step forward to perform their functions.
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.
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Trading. Although Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, such as The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC (the “Exchange”), and may be traded on U.S. exchanges other than the Exchange, there can be no assurance that Shares will trade with any volume, or at all, on any stock exchange. In stressed market conditions, the liquidity of Shares may begin to mirror the liquidity of the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings, which can be significantly less liquid than Shares. This adverse effect on liquidity for the Fund’s shares may lead to wider bid-ask spreads and differences between the market price of the Fund’s shares and the underlying value of the shares.
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.”
Economic and Market Risk. Economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets or issuers in other countries or regions. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform in comparison to securities in the general financial markets, a particular financial market, or other asset classes, due to a number of factors, including inflation (or expectations for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, market instability, financial system instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers, regulatory events, other governmental trade or market control programs and related geopolitical events. In addition, the value of the Fund’s investments may be negatively affected by the occurrence of global events such as war, terrorism, environmental disasters, natural disasters or events, country instability, and infectious disease epidemics or pandemics. The imposition by the U.S. of tariffs on goods imported from foreign countries and reciprocal tariffs levied on U.S. goods by those countries also may lead to volatility and instability in domestic and foreign markets.
High Portfolio Turnover Risk. Daily rebalancing of the Fund’s holdings pursuant to its daily investment objective causes a much greater number of portfolio transactions when compared to most ETFs. Additionally, active market trading of the Fund’s Shares on exchanges (such as the Exchange), could cause more frequent creation and redemption activities, which could increase the number of portfolio transactions. Frequent and active trading may lead to higher transaction costs because of increased broker commissions resulting from such transactions. In addition, there is the possibility of significantly increased short-term capital gains (which will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income when distributed to them). The Fund calculates portfolio turnover without including the short-term cash instruments or derivative transactions that comprise the majority of the Fund’s trading. As such, if the Fund’s extensive use of derivative instruments were reflected, the calculated portfolio turnover rate would be significantly higher.
Tracking Error Risk. Tracking error is the divergence of the Fund’s performance from that of its investment objective which aims to replicate two times the daily percentage change in the price of the Underlying Security. Tracking error may occur for a number of reasons. Tracking error may occur because of transaction costs, the Fund’s holding of cash, differences in accrual of dividends, being under- or overexposed to the Underlying Security or the need to meet new or existing regulatory requirements. Tracking error risk may be heightened during times of market volatility or other unusual market conditions such as market disruptions. The Fund may be required to deviate from its investment objectives, and therefore experience tracking error, as a result of market restrictions or other legal reasons, including regulatory limits or other restrictions on securities that may be purchased by the Adviser and its affiliates.
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. Certain market conditions or restrictions may prevent the Fund from limiting losses, realizing gains or achieving a high correlation with the Underlying Security. 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.
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Money Market Instrument Risk. The Fund may use a variety of money market instruments for cash management purposes, including money market funds, depositary accounts and repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are contracts in which a seller of securities agrees to buy the securities back at a specified time and price. Repurchase agreements may be subject to market and credit risk related to the collateral securing the repurchase agreement. Money market instruments may lose money.
Newer Fund Risk. The Fund is a recently organized management investment company with a limited operating history. As a result, prospective investors have a limited track record on which to base their investment decisions.
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. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.
Trading Halt Risk. Although the Underlying Security’s shares are listed for trading on an exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for such shares will be available at all times and the Exchange may halt trading of such shares in certain circumstances. A halt in trading in the Underlying Security’s shares is expected, in turn, to result in a halt in the trading in the Fund’s Shares. Trading in the Underlying Security’s and/or Fund’s Shares on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in the Underlying Security’s and/or Fund’s Shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in Underlying Security’s and/or Fund’s Shares on an exchange is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to exchange “circuit breaker” rules.” In the event of a trading halt for an extended period of time, the Fund may be unable to execute arrangements with swap counterparties that are necessary to implement the Fund’s investment strategy.
Operational Risk. The Fund is subject to risks arising from various operational factors, including, but not limited to, human error, processing and communication errors, errors of the Fund’s service providers, counterparties or other third-parties, failed or inadequate processes and technology or systems failures. The Fund relies on third-parties for a range of services, including custody. Any delay or failure relating to engaging or maintaining such service providers may affect the Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective. Although the Fund and the Fund’s investment advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures, there is no way to completely protect against such risks.
U.S. Government and U.S. Agency Obligations Risk. The Fund may invest in securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. Government obligations include securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, such as the U.S. Treasury. Payment of principal and interest on U.S. Government obligations may be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States or may be backed solely by the issuing or guaranteeing agency or instrumentality itself. In the latter case, the investor must look principally to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment, which agency or instrumentality may be privately owned. There can be no assurance that the U.S. Government would provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities (including government-sponsored enterprises) where it is not obligated to do so.
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 (the “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 and options 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 and options 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.
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Management
Investment Adviser: Tidal Investments LLC serves as investment adviser to the Fund.
Portfolio Managers:
The following individuals are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.
Qiao Duan, CFA, Portfolio Manager for the Adviser, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2025.
Christopher P. Mullen, Portfolio Manager for the Adviser has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2025.
Purchase and Sale of Shares
The Fund issues and redeems Shares at NAV only in large blocks known as “Creation Units,” which only APs (typically, broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities (the “Deposit Securities”) and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.
Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, such as the Exchange, and individual Shares may only be bought and sold in the secondary market through brokers at market prices, rather than NAV. Because Shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, Shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).
An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase Shares (the “bid” price) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for Shares (the “ask” price) when buying or selling Shares in the secondary market. This difference in bid and ask prices is often referred to as the “bid-ask spread.”
Information regarding the Fund’s NAV, market price, how often Shares traded on the Exchange at a premium or discount, and bid-ask spreads can be found on the Fund’s website at https://www.defianceetfs.com.
Tax Information
Fund distributions are generally taxable as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains (or a combination), unless an investment is in an individual retirement account (“IRA”) or other tax-advantaged account. Distributions on investments made through tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawal of assets from those accounts.
Financial Intermediary Compensation
If you purchase Shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), the Adviser or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange-traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training, or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.
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Important Information About the Fund
The Defiance Daily Target 2X Long CVNA ETF (the “Fund”) seeks daily leveraged investment results of two times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of Carvana Co. (NYSE Arca: CVNA) (the “Underlying Security” or “CVNA”). Because the Fund seeks daily leveraged investment results, it is very different from most other exchange-traded funds. It is also riskier than alternatives that do not use leverage.
The return for investors that invest for periods longer or shorter than a trading day should not be expected to be 200% of the performance of the Underlying Security’s shares for the period. The return of the Fund for a period longer than a trading day will be the result of each trading day’s compounded return during such period held, which will very likely differ from 200% of the return of the Underlying Security’s shares for that period. Holding shares of the Fund for longer than a single day and higher volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares increase the impact of compounding on an investor’s returns, which may have a negative or positive impact on an investor’s returns. During periods of higher Underlying Security share price volatility, the volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares may affect the Fund’s return as much as, or more than, the return of the Underlying Security’s shares. The impact of compounding will impact each shareholder differently depending on the period of time an investment in the Fund is held and the volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares during a shareholder’s holding period of an investment in the Fund. See “Principal Investment Risks – Compounding and Market Volatility Risk” below for an example of how volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares may affect the Fund’s return as much as, or more than, the return of the Underlying Security’s shares.
The Fund is not suitable for all investors. The Fund is designed to be utilized only by knowledgeable investors who understand the potential consequences of seeking daily leveraged (2X) investment results, understand the risks associated with the use of leverage, and are willing to monitor their portfolios frequently. The Fund is not intended to be used by, and is not appropriate for, investors who do not intend to actively monitor and manage their portfolios. For periods longer than a single day, the Fund will lose money if the Underlying Security’s performance is flat, and it is possible that the Fund will lose money even if the Underlying Security’s performance increases over a period longer than a single day. An investor could lose the full principal value of his/her investment within a single day.
The Fund seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, of two times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of Carvana Co. (NYSE Arca: CVNA). The Fund does not seek to achieve its stated investment objective for a period other than a single trading day.
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund (“Shares”). You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the table and Example below.
| Management Fee | % | ||||
| Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees | |||||
| Other Expenses(2) | % | ||||
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(3) | % | ||||
| (1) | |||||
| (2) | |||||
| (3) | |||||
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This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem or hold all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The Example does not take into account brokerage commissions that you may pay on your purchases and sales of Shares. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
| 1 Year | 3 Years |
| $ |
$ |
The Fund pays 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 Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in total annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. Because the Fund is newly organized, portfolio turnover information is not yet available.
The Fund is an actively managed exchange traded fund (“ETF”) that attempts to achieve two times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of the Underlying Security by employing derivatives, namely swap agreements and/or listed options contracts. The Fund aims to achieve this daily percentage change for a single day, and not for any other period. A “single day” means the period “from the close of regular trading on one trading day to the close on the next trading day.”
If the Fund encounters limitations in implementing its strategies, whether due to market conditions, derivative availability, counterparty issues, or other factors, the Fund may not achieve investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to two times (2x) the daily performance of the Underlying Security, and may return substantially less during such periods. During such periods, the Fund’s actual leverage levels may differ substantially from its intended target, both intraday and at the close of trading, potentially resulting in significantly lower returns.
The Fund may enter into one or more swap agreements with financial institutions for a specified period, which may range from one day to longer than a year. Through each swap agreement, the Fund and the financial institution will agree to exchange the return (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on the Underlying Security’s share price. The gross return (meaning the return before deducting any fees or expenses) to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties is calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” (meaning the face amount of the instrument) e.g., the return on or change in value of a particular dollar amount representing the Underlying Security.
The Fund may also utilize listed options to seek to achieve leveraged 2X exposure to the Underlying Security. The Fund will primarily employ short-dated (a month or less) in-the-money call options (options with strike prices below the current market price of the Underlying Security, offering immediate intrinsic value). Additionally, the Fund may use other option strategies to produce similar exposure to the Underlying Security, like buying calls and selling puts with identical strike prices. These options allow the Fund to adjust its leverage strategy in response to market conditions, liquidity constraints, or other factors that may affect the availability or pricing of swap agreements. The use of listed options provides additional flexibility in pursuing the Fund’s daily investment objective. In situations where swap availability is constrained, the Fund may rely more heavily on options contracts. Additionally, the Fund may use options in response to changing market dynamics. However, the use of option contracts is typically less efficient than swaps and may increase the likelihood that the Fund is unable to achieve its daily 2X objective.
At the end of each day, the Fund’s swaps and options are valued using market valuations and the Fund’s investment adviser rebalances the Fund’s holdings in an attempt to maintain leveraged exposure for the Fund equal to approximately 200% of the Underlying Security’s share price.
For examples of a hypothetical investment in the Fund, see the section in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Information About the Fund – Principal Investment Strategies.”
Fund performance for periods greater than one single day is primarily (but not solely) a function of the following factors: a) the Underlying Security volatility; b) the Underlying Security’s performance; c) period of time; d) financing rates associated with leveraged exposure; and e) other Fund expenses.
The Fund will hold assets to serve as collateral for its derivatives positions. For those collateral holdings, the Fund may invest in (1) U.S. Government securities, such as bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury; (2) money market funds; (3) short term bond ETFs; and/or (4) corporate debt securities, such as commercial paper and other short-term unsecured promissory notes issued by businesses that are rated investment grade or of comparable quality.
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The Fund is classified as “non-diversified” under the 1940 Act. The Fund’s strategy is expected to result in a high annual portfolio turnover rate.
Because of daily rebalancing and the compounding of each day’s return over time, the return of the Fund for periods longer than a single day will be the result of each day’s returns compounded over the period, which will very likely differ from 200% of the return of the Underlying Security’s shares over the same period. The Fund will lose money if the Underlying Security’s performance is flat over time, and because of daily rebalancing, the Underlying Security’s shares’ volatility and the effects of compounding, the Fund may lose money over time while the Underlying Security’s performance increases over a period longer than a single day. As a consequence, investors should not plan to hold shares of the Fund unmonitored for periods longer than a single trading day.
CARVANA CO. (“CVNA”)
CVNA is a leading e-commerce platform for buying and selling used cars. CVNA is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Per CVNA’s most recent Form 10-K filing, the aggregate market value of common stock held by non-affiliates of CVNA (based on the last reported sale price of its class A common stock on June 30, 2024 on the NYSE) was approximately $14.7 billion.
CVNA is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Information provided to or filed with the SEC by CVNA pursuant to the Exchange Act can be located by reference to the SEC file number 001-38073 through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, information regarding CVNA may be obtained from other sources including, but not limited to, press releases, newspaper articles and other publicly disseminated documents.
This document relates only to the securities offered hereby and does not relate to the shares of CVNA or other securities of CVNA. The Fund has derived all disclosures contained in this document regarding CVNA from the publicly available documents. None of the Fund, the Trust, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser, or their respective affiliates has participated in the preparation of such publicly available offering documents or made any due diligence inquiry regarding such documents with respect to CVNA. None of the Fund, the Trust, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser, or their respective affiliates makes any representation that such publicly available documents or any other publicly available information regarding CVNA is accurate or complete. Furthermore, the Fund cannot give any assurance that all events occurring prior to the date hereof (including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of the publicly available documents described above) that would affect the trading price of CVNA (and therefore the share price of the Fund at the time we price the securities) have been publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any such events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning CVNA could affect the value received with respect to the securities and therefore the value of the securities.
None of the Fund, the Trust, the Adviser, or their respective affiliates makes any representation to you as to the performance of CVNA.
NONE OF THE FUND, TIDAL TRUST II, OR TIDAL INVESTMENTS LLC IS AFFILIATED, CONNECTED, OR ASSOCIATED WITH CARVANA CO. THE FUND WAS NOT DEVELOPED OR CREATED BY, AND IS NOT SPONSORED, ENDORSED, OR APPROVED BY, CARVANA CO.
Moreover, Carvana Co. has not participated in the development of the Fund’s investment strategy. Carvana Co. does not select or approve the Fund’s portfolio holdings, nor does it participate in the construction, design, or implementation of the Fund. Carvana Co. does not provide any assurances, guarantees, or representations regarding the Fund or its performance. Nothing herein shall be construed as an offer of any security by Carvana Co.
None of the Fund, the Trust, the Adviser, or their respective affiliates claim any ownership interest in any trademarks owned by CVNA or its affiliates. All rights in the trademarks are reserved by their respective owners.
Due to the Fund’s investment strategy, the Fund’s investment exposure is concentrated in (or substantially exposed to) the same industry as that assigned to CVNA. As of the date of the Prospectus, CVNA is assigned to the Specialty Retail industry.
Principal Investment Risks
The principal risks of investing in the Fund are summarized below. As with any investment, there is a risk that you could lose all or a portion of your investment in the Fund. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) per Share, trading price, yield, total return, and/or ability to meet its investment objective. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the section in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Information About the Fund—Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund.”
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An
investment in the Fund entails risk.
Each risk summarized below is considered a “principal risk” of investing in the Fund, regardless of the order in which it appears.
CVNA Risks. The Fund invests in swap contracts and options that are based on the share price of CVNA. This subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it owned shares of CVNA, even though it does not. By virtue of the Fund’s investments in swap contracts and options that are based on the value of CVNA, the Fund may also be subject to the following risks:
Indirect Investment in CVNA Risk. CVNA is not affiliated with the Trust, the Fund, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates and is not involved with this offering in any way and has no obligation to consider your Shares in taking any corporate actions that might affect the value of Shares. Investors in the Fund will not have voting rights and will not be able to influence management of CVNA but will be exposed to the performance of CVNA (the Underlying Security). Investors in the Fund will not have the right to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to the Underlying Security but will be subject to declines in the performance of the Underlying Security.
CVNA Trading Risk. The trading price of CVNA may be subject to volatility and could experience wide fluctuations due to various factors. Short sellers may also play a significant role in trading CVNA, potentially affecting the supply and demand dynamics and contributing to market price volatility. Public perception and external factors beyond the company’s control may influence CVNA’s stock price disproportionately. Additionally, following periods of market volatility, companies have faced securities class action litigation. Any adverse judgment or future stockholder litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources. In the event of a halt in trading of CVNA, trading in shares of related funds may be impacted, either temporarily or indefinitely.
CVNA Performance Risk. CVNA may fail to meet its publicly announced guidelines or other expectations about its business, which could cause the price of CVNA to decline. CVNA provides guidance regarding its expected financial and business performance, such as projections regarding sales and production, as well as anticipated future revenues, gross margins, profitability and cash flows. Correctly identifying key factors affecting business conditions and predicting future events is inherently an uncertain process, and the guidance CVNA provides may not ultimately be accurate. If CVNA’s guidance is not accurate or varies from actual results due to its inability to meet the assumptions or the impact on its financial performance that could occur as a result of various risks and uncertainties, the market value of common stock issued by CVNA could decline significantly.
Automotive Industry Risk. The automotive retail industry is subject to significant risks that can impact both profitability and competitiveness. The industry is highly dependent on consumer demand, which can be influenced by various factors such as economic conditions, consumer confidence, fuel prices, and preferences for particular vehicle types. Economic downturns or decreases in consumer spending can lead to reduced vehicle sales, impacting the profitability of automotive retailers. Effective inventory management is essential to avoid excess holding costs, obsolescence, and missed sales opportunities. Additionally, the industry’s reliance on auto lending and financing means that changes in interest rates, lending standards, and credit availability can greatly influence consumer purchasing behavior. Regulatory compliance is another crucial aspect, as automotive retailers must adhere to various consumer protection, advertising, financing, and environmental standards, with non-compliance resulting in substantial fines, legal costs, and reputational damage.
Business Risks. CVNA has experienced rapid growth, requiring substantial capital investment and placing significant demands on its management, infrastructure, and financial resources. Its ability to sustain growth depends on efficiently managing inventory, scaling operations, and improving profitability, while challenges in sourcing and selling vehicles, along with reliance on automotive finance receivables, expose it to credit market disruptions and regulatory risks. Operating in a highly competitive industry, CVNA’s success relies on maintaining strong customer experiences, enhancing its brand, and staying innovative, with failure to do so risking market share and growth. Macroeconomic factors, including fluctuating demand, supply chain disruptions, rising interest rates, and inflation, further impact its financial stability, alongside dependencies on key logistics and lender partnerships. Additionally, heavy reliance on proprietary technology systems poses operational and reputational risks from potential failures or cybersecurity breaches.
Single Issuer Risk. Issuer-specific attributes may cause an investment in the Fund to be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment which diversifies risk or the market generally. The value of the Fund, which focuses on an individual security, may be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole and may perform differently from the value of a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole. Additionally, the Fund will seek to employ its investment strategy as it relates to the underlying issuer regardless of whether there are significant corporate actions such as restructurings, enforcement activity, or acquisitions or periods adverse market, economic, or other conditions and will not seek to take temporary defensive positions during such periods.
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Compounding and Market Volatility Risk. The Fund has a daily leveraged investment objective and the Fund’s performance for periods greater than a trading day will be the result of each day’s returns compounded over the period, which is very likely to differ from two times (200%) the Underlying Security’s performance, before the Fund’s management fee and other expenses. Compounding affects all investments but has a more significant impact on funds that aim to replicate leveraged daily returns and that rebalance daily. For the Fund aiming to replicate two times the daily performance of an Underlying Security, if adverse daily performance of the Underlying Security reduces the amount of a shareholder’s investment, any further adverse daily performance will lead to a smaller dollar loss because the shareholder’s investment had already been reduced by the prior adverse performance. Equally, however, if favorable daily performance of the Underlying Security increases the amount of a shareholder’s investment, the dollar amount lost due to future adverse performance will increase because the shareholder’s investment has increased.
The effect of compounding becomes more pronounced as the Underlying Security’s volatility and the holding period increase. The impact of compounding will impact each shareholder differently depending on the period of time an investment in the Fund is held and the volatility of the Underlying Security during a shareholder’s holding period of an investment in the Fund.
The chart below provides examples of how the Underlying Security’s volatility could affect the Fund’s performance. The chart illustrates the impact of two factors that affect the Fund’s performance – the Underlying Security’s volatility and the Underlying Security’s performance. The Underlying Security’s performance shows the percentage change in the share price of the Underlying Security over the specified time period, while the Underlying Security’s volatility is a statistical measure of the magnitude of fluctuations in the returns during that time period. As illustrated below, even if the Underlying Security’s performance over two equal time periods is identical, different Underlying Security volatility (i.e., in magnitude of fluctuations in the share price of the Underlying Security) during the two time periods could result in drastically different Fund performance for the two time periods because of compounding daily returns during the time periods.
Fund performance for periods greater than one single day can be estimated given any set of assumptions for the following factors: a) the Underlying Security volatility; b) the Underlying Security performance; c) period of time; d) financing rates associated with leveraged exposure; and e) other Fund expenses. The chart shows estimated Fund returns for a number of combinations of Underlying Security volatility and Underlying Security performance over a one-year period. Performance shown in the chart assumes that: (i) there were no Fund expenses; (ii) borrowing/lending rates (to obtain leveraged exposure) of 0%. If Fund expenses and/or actual borrowing/lending rates were reflected the estimated returns would be different than those shown. Particularly during periods of higher Underlying Security volatility, compounding will cause results for periods longer than a trading day to vary from two times (200%) the performance of the Underlying Security.
As shown in the chart below, the Fund would be expected to lose 6.1% if there was no change in the share price of the Underlying Security over a one-year period during which the Underlying Security experienced annualized volatility of 25%. If the Underlying Security’s annualized volatility were to rise to 75%, the hypothetical loss for a one-year period would widen to approximately -43%. At higher ranges of volatility, there is a chance of a significant loss of value in the Fund, even if there were no change in the share price of the Underlying Security. For instance, if the Underlying Security’s annualized volatility is 100%, the Fund would be expected to lose 63.2% of its value, even if the cumulative Underlying Security change in the share price of the Underlying Security for the year was 0%.
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Areas shaded red (or dark gray) represent those scenarios where the Fund can be expected to return less than two times (200%) the performance of the Underlying Security and those shaded green (or light gray) represent those scenarios where the Fund can be expected to return more than two times (200%) the performance of the Underlying Security. The Fund’s actual performance may be significantly better or worse than the performance shown below as a result of any of the factors discussed above or in the “Daily Correlation/Tracking Risk” below.
| Estimated
Returns of 200% or Two Times Performance of the Underlying Security |
|||||||
| Underlying Security Performance | One Year Volatility Rate | ||||||
| One
Year Underlying Security |
2X
Times (200%) the One Year Performance |
10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 100% | |
| -60% | -120% | -84.2% | -85.0% | -87.5% | -90.9% | -94.1% | |
| -50% | -100% | -75.2% | -76.5% | -80.5% | -85.8% | -90.8% | |
| -40% | -80% | -64.4% | -66.2% | -72.0% | -79.5% | -86.8% | |
| -30% | -60% | -51.5% | -54.0% | -61.8% | -72.1% | -82.0% | |
| -20% | -40% | -36.6% | -39.9% | -50.2% | -63.5% | -76.5% | |
| -10% | -20% | -19.8% | -23.9% | -36.9% | -53.8% | -70.2% | |
| 0% | 0% | -1.0% | -6.1% | -22.1% | -43.0% | -63.2% | |
| 10% | 20% | 19.8% | 13.7% | -5.8% | -31.1% | -55.5% | |
| 20% | 40% | 42.6% | 35.3% | 12.1% | -18.0% | -47.0% | |
| 30% | 60% | 67.3% | 58.8% | 31.6% | -3.7% | -37.8% | |
| 40% | 80% | 94.0% | 84.1% | 52.6% | 11.7% | -27.9% | |
| 50% | 100% | 122.8% | 111.4% | 75.2% | 28.2% | -17.2% | |
| 60% | 120% | 153.5% | 140.5% | 99.4% | 45.9% | -5.8% | |
The Underlying Security’s annualized historical volatility rate for the five-year period ended June 30, 2025 was 110.55%. The Underlying Security’s highest volatility rate for any one calendar year during this period was 158.34% and volatility for a shorter period of time may have been substantially higher. The Underlying Security’s annualized performance during this period was 22.90%. Historical Underlying Security volatility and performance are not indications of what Underlying Security volatility and performance will be in the future.
Daily Correlation/Tracking Risk. There is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve a high degree of leveraged correlation to the Underlying Security and therefore achieve its daily leveraged investment objective. To achieve a high degree of leveraged correlation with the Underlying Security, the Fund seeks to rebalance its portfolio daily to keep exposure consistent with its daily leveraged investment objective. The possibility of the Fund being materially over- or under-exposed to the Underlying Security increases on days when the Underlying Security is volatile near the close of the trading day. Market disruptions, regulatory restrictions and extreme volatility will also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to adjust exposure to the required levels. If there is a significant intra-day market event and/or the Underlying Security experiences a significant increase or decline, the Fund may not meet its investment objective, be able to rebalance its portfolio appropriately, or may experience significant premiums or discounts, or widened bid-ask spreads.
The Fund may have difficulty achieving its daily leveraged investment objective due to fees, expenses, transaction costs, financing costs related to the use of derivatives, investments in ETFs, directly or indirectly, income items, valuation methodology, accounting standards and disruptions or illiquidity in the markets for the securities or derivatives held by the Fund. The Fund may be subject to large movements of assets into and out of the Fund, potentially resulting in the Fund being over- or under-exposed to the Underlying Security. The Fund may take or refrain from taking positions to improve the tax efficiency or to comply with various regulatory restrictions, either of which may negatively impact the Fund’s leveraged correlation to the Underlying Security.
Leverage Risk. The Fund obtains investment exposure in excess of its net assets by utilizing leverage and may lose more money in market conditions that are adverse to its investment objective than a fund that does not utilize leverage. An investment in the Fund is exposed to the risk that a decline in the daily performance of the Underlying Security will be magnified. This means that an investment in the Fund will be reduced by an amount equal to 2% for every 1% daily decline in the share price of the Underlying Security, not including the costs of financing leverage and other operating expenses, which would further reduce its value. The Fund could theoretically lose an amount greater than its net assets in the event the share price of the Underlying Security declines more than 50%. Leverage will also have the effect of magnifying any differences in the Fund performance’s correlation with the Underlying Security’s share price.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive value from the underlying reference asset or assets, such as stocks, bonds, or funds (including ETFs), interest rates or indexes. The Fund’s investments in derivatives may pose risks in addition to, and greater than, those associated with directly investing in securities or other ordinary investments, including risk related to the market, leverage, imperfect daily correlations with underlying investments or the Fund’s other portfolio holdings, higher price volatility, lack of availability, counterparty risk, liquidity, valuation and legal restrictions. The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The use of derivatives may result in larger losses or smaller gains than directly investing in securities. When the Fund uses derivatives, there may be imperfect correlation between the share price of the Underlying Security and the derivative, which may prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objective. Because derivatives often require only a limited initial investment, the use of derivatives may expose the Fund to losses in excess of those amounts initially invested.
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The Fund will be subject to regulatory constraints relating to level of value at risk that the Fund may incur through its derivative portfolio. To the extent the Fund exceeds these regulatory thresholds over an extended period, the Fund may determine that it is necessary to make adjustments to the Fund’s investment strategy, including the desired daily leveraged performance for the Fund.
In addition, the Fund’s investments in derivatives are subject to the following risks:
Swap Agreements. The use of swap transactions is a highly specialized activity, which 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 counterparties for those swap agreements. If the Adviser is unable to enter into swap agreements that provide leveraged exposure to the Underlying Security, the Fund may not meet its stated investment objective. Additionally, any financing, borrowing or other costs associated with using swap transactions may also 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 derivatives 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 or underlying 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 a basket of securities.
If the Underlying Security has a dramatic move that causes a material decline in the Fund’s net assets, the terms of a swap agreement between the Fund and its counterparty may permit the counterparty to immediately 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 achieve exposure consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. This may prevent the Fund from achieving its leveraged investment objective, even if the Underlying Security later reverses all or a portion of its movement.
Options Contracts. The use of options contracts involves investment strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The prices of options are volatile and are influenced by, among other things, actual and anticipated changes in the value of the underlying instrument, including the anticipated volatility, which are affected by fiscal and monetary policies and by national and international political, changes in the actual or implied volatility or the reference asset, the time remaining until the expiration of the option contract and economic events. The value of the options contracts in which the Fund invests are substantially influenced by the value of the Underlying Security. The Fund may experience substantial downside from specific option positions and certain option positions held by the Fund may expire worthless. The options held by the Fund are exercisable at the strike price on their expiration date. As an option approaches its expiration date, its value typically increasingly moves with the value of the underlying instrument. However, prior to such date, the value of an option generally does not increase or decrease at the same rate as the underlying instrument. There may at times be an imperfect correlation between the movement in values options contracts and the underlying instrument, and there may at times not be a liquid secondary market for certain options contracts. The value of the options held by the Fund will be determined based on market quotations or other recognized pricing methods. Additionally, as the Fund intends to continuously maintain indirect exposure to the Underlying Security through the use of options contracts, as the options contracts it holds are exercised or expire it will enter into new options contracts, a practice referred to as “rolling.” If the expiring options contracts do not generate proceeds enough to cover the cost of entering into new options contracts, the Fund may experience losses. The use of options to generate leverage introduces additional risks, including significant potential losses if the market moves unfavorably. The leverage inherent in options can amplify both gains and losses, leading to increased volatility and potential for substantial losses, particularly in periods of market uncertainty or low liquidity. Additionally, the Fund may incur losses if the value of the Underlying Security moves against its positions, potentially resulting in a complete loss of the premium paid.
Counterparty Risk. The Fund is subject to counterparty risk by virtue of its investments in derivatives which exposes the Fund to the risk that the counterparty will not fulfill its obligation to the Fund. Counterparty risk may arise because of the counterparty’s financial condition (i.e., financial difficulties, bankruptcy, or insolvency), market activities and developments, or other reasons, whether foreseen or not. A counterparty’s inability to fulfill its obligation may result in significant financial loss to the Fund and the Fund may be unable to recover its investment from such counterparty or may obtain a limited and/or delayed recovery.
Counterparties may seek to hedge their exposure to individual clients (such as the Fund) by establishing offsetting exposures with other clients, however, there is no guarantee that counterparties will do so under all circumstances. Should a counterparty (e.g., a swap counterparty) terminate its relationship with the Fund, the Fund will seek to utilize other counterparties to seek to maintain its exposures. In addition, the Fund may use options contracts to seek to generate the leverage necessary to implement its strategy. The use of options contracts introduces distinct risks, including heightened volatility, particularly intraday. While options may provide an ancillary benefit of mitigating some losses under specific scenarios, such as severe market downturns, their inherent leverage and rapid price fluctuations can amplify the Fund’s performance volatility and lead to greater risks of substantial losses. Refer to “Derivatives Risk – Options Contracts” for additional information on the risks of investing in options.
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In addition, the Fund may enter into swap agreements with a limited number of counterparties, which may increase the Fund’s exposure to counterparty credit risk. Further, there is a risk that no suitable counterparties will be willing to enter into, or continue to enter into, transactions with the Fund and, as a result, the Fund may not be able to achieve its investment objective.
Intra-Day Investment Risk. The Fund seeks investment results from the close of the market on a given trading day until the close of the market on the subsequent trading day. The exact exposure of an investment in the Fund intraday in the secondary market is a function of the difference between the share price of the Underlying Security at the market close on the first trading day and the share price of the Underlying Security at the time of purchase. If the share price of the Underlying Security rises, the Fund’s net assets will rise by approximately twice the amount as the Fund’s exposure. Conversely, if the share price of the Underlying Security declines, the Fund’s net assets will decline by approximately two times the amount as the Fund’s exposure. Thus, an investor that purchases Shares intra-day may experience performance that is greater than, or less than, the Fund’s stated leveraged performance of the Underlying Security.
If there is a significant intra-day market event and/or the securities of the Underlying Security experience a significant increase or decrease, the Fund may not meet its investment objective or rebalance its portfolio appropriately.
Fixed Income Securities Risk. When the Fund invests in fixed income securities, the value of your investment in the Fund will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Typically, a rise in interest rates causes a decline in the value of fixed income securities owned by the Fund. In general, the market price of fixed income securities with longer maturities will increase or decrease more in response to changes in interest rates than shorter-term securities. Other risk factors include credit risk (the debtor may default), extension risk (an issuer may exercise its right to repay principal on a fixed rate obligation held by the Fund later than expected), and prepayment risk (the debtor may pay its obligation early, reducing the amount of interest payments). These risks could affect the value of a particular investment by the Fund, possibly causing the Fund’s Share price and total return to be reduced and fluctuate more than other types of investments.
Rebalancing Risk. If for any reason the Fund is unable to rebalance all or a portion of its portfolio, or if all or a portion of the portfolio is rebalanced incorrectly, the Fund’s investment exposure may not be consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. In these instances, the Fund may have investment exposure to the Underlying Security that is significantly greater or less than its stated investment objective. As a result, the Fund may be exposed to leverage risk because it had not been properly rebalanced and may not achieve its investment objective.
ETF Risks
Authorized Participants, Market Makers, and Liquidity Providers Concentration Risk. The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that are authorized to purchase and redeem Shares directly from the Fund (known as “Authorized Participants” or “APs”). In addition, there may be a limited number of market makers and/or liquidity providers in the marketplace. To the extent either of the following events occur, Shares may trade at a material discount to NAV and possibly face delisting: (i) APs exit the business or otherwise become unable to process creation and/or redemption orders and no other APs step forward to perform these services; or (ii) market makers and/or liquidity providers exit the business or significantly reduce their business activities and no other entities step forward to perform their functions.
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.
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Trading. Although Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, such as The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC (the “Exchange”), and may be traded on U.S. exchanges other than the Exchange, there can be no assurance that Shares will trade with any volume, or at all, on any stock exchange. In stressed market conditions, the liquidity of Shares may begin to mirror the liquidity of the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings, which can be significantly less liquid than Shares. This adverse effect on liquidity for the Fund’s shares may lead to wider bid-ask spreads and differences between the market price of the Fund’s shares and the underlying value of the shares.
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.”
Economic and Market Risk. Economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets or issuers in other countries or regions. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform in comparison to securities in the general financial markets, a particular financial market, or other asset classes, due to a number of factors, including inflation (or expectations for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, market instability, financial system instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers, regulatory events, other governmental trade or market control programs and related geopolitical events. In addition, the value of the Fund’s investments may be negatively affected by the occurrence of global events such as war, terrorism, environmental disasters, natural disasters or events, country instability, and infectious disease epidemics or pandemics. The imposition by the U.S. of tariffs on goods imported from foreign countries and reciprocal tariffs levied on U.S. goods by those countries also may lead to volatility and instability in domestic and foreign markets.
High Portfolio Turnover Risk. Daily rebalancing of the Fund’s holdings pursuant to its daily investment objective causes a much greater number of portfolio transactions when compared to most ETFs. Additionally, active market trading of the Fund’s Shares on exchanges (such as the Exchange), could cause more frequent creation and redemption activities, which could increase the number of portfolio transactions. Frequent and active trading may lead to higher transaction costs because of increased broker commissions resulting from such transactions. In addition, there is the possibility of significantly increased short-term capital gains (which will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income when distributed to them). The Fund calculates portfolio turnover without including the short-term cash instruments or derivative transactions that comprise the majority of the Fund’s trading. As such, if the Fund’s extensive use of derivative instruments were reflected, the calculated portfolio turnover rate would be significantly higher.
Tracking Error Risk. Tracking error is the divergence of the Fund’s performance from that of its investment objective which aims to replicate two times the daily percentage change in the price of the Underlying Security. Tracking error may occur for a number of reasons. Tracking error may occur because of transaction costs, the Fund’s holding of cash, differences in accrual of dividends, being under- or overexposed to the Underlying Security or the need to meet new or existing regulatory requirements. Tracking error risk may be heightened during times of market volatility or other unusual market conditions such as market disruptions. The Fund may be required to deviate from its investment objectives, and therefore experience tracking error, as a result of market restrictions or other legal reasons, including regulatory limits or other restrictions on securities that may be purchased by the Adviser and its affiliates.
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. Certain market conditions or restrictions may prevent the Fund from limiting losses, realizing gains or achieving a high correlation with the Underlying Security. 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.
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Money Market Instrument Risk. The Fund may use a variety of money market instruments for cash management purposes, including money market funds, depositary accounts and repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are contracts in which a seller of securities agrees to buy the securities back at a specified time and price. Repurchase agreements may be subject to market and credit risk related to the collateral securing the repurchase agreement. Money market instruments may lose money.
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.
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. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.
Trading Halt Risk. Although the Underlying Security’s shares are listed for trading on an exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for such shares will be available at all times and the Exchange may halt trading of such shares in certain circumstances. A halt in trading in the Underlying Security’s shares is expected, in turn, to result in a halt in the trading in the Fund’s Shares. Trading in the Underlying Security’s and/or Fund’s Shares on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in the Underlying Security’s and/or Fund’s Shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in Underlying Security’s and/or Fund’s Shares on an exchange is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to exchange “circuit breaker” rules.” In the event of a trading halt for an extended period of time, the Fund may be unable to execute arrangements with swap counterparties that are necessary to implement the Fund’s investment strategy.
Operational Risk. The Fund is subject to risks arising from various operational factors, including, but not limited to, human error, processing and communication errors, errors of the Fund’s service providers, counterparties or other third-parties, failed or inadequate processes and technology or systems failures. The Fund relies on third-parties for a range of services, including custody. Any delay or failure relating to engaging or maintaining such service providers may affect the Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective. Although the Fund and the Fund’s investment advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures, there is no way to completely protect against such risks.
U.S. Government and U.S. Agency Obligations Risk. The Fund may invest in securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. Government obligations include securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, such as the U.S. Treasury. Payment of principal and interest on U.S. Government obligations may be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States or may be backed solely by the issuing or guaranteeing agency or instrumentality itself. In the latter case, the investor must look principally to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment, which agency or instrumentality may be privately owned. There can be no assurance that the U.S. Government would provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities (including government-sponsored enterprises) where it is not obligated to do so.
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 (the “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 and options 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 and options 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.
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Management
Investment Adviser: Tidal Investments LLC serves as investment adviser to the Fund.
Portfolio Managers:
The following individuals are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.
Qiao Duan, CFA, Portfolio Manager for the Adviser, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2025.
Christopher P. Mullen, Portfolio Manager for the Adviser has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2025.
Purchase and Sale of Shares
The Fund issues and redeems Shares at NAV only in large blocks known as “Creation Units,” which only APs (typically, broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities (the “Deposit Securities”) and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.
Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, such as the Exchange, and individual Shares may only be bought and sold in the secondary market through brokers at market prices, rather than NAV. Because Shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, Shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).
An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase Shares (the “bid” price) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for Shares (the “ask” price) when buying or selling Shares in the secondary market. This difference in bid and ask prices is often referred to as the “bid-ask spread.”
When available, information regarding the Fund’s NAV, market price, how often Shares traded on the Exchange at a premium or discount, and bid-ask spreads can be found on the Fund’s website at https://www.defianceetfs.com.
Tax Information
Fund distributions are generally taxable as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains (or a combination), unless an investment is in an individual retirement account (“IRA”) or other tax-advantaged account. Distributions on investments made through tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawal of assets from those accounts.
Financial Intermediary Compensation
If you purchase Shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), the Adviser or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange-traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training, or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.
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Important Information About the Fund
The Defiance Daily Target 2X Long HOOD ETF (the “Fund”) seeks daily leveraged investment results of two times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of Robinhood Markets, Inc. (Nasdaq: HOOD) (the “Underlying Security” or “HOOD”). Because the Fund seeks daily leveraged investment results, it is very different from most other exchange-traded funds. It is also riskier than alternatives that do not use leverage.
The return for investors that invest for periods longer or shorter than a trading day should not be expected to be 200% of the performance of the Underlying Security’s shares for the period. The return of the Fund for a period longer than a trading day will be the result of each trading day’s compounded return during such period held, which will very likely differ from 200% of the return of the Underlying Security’s shares for that period. Holding shares of the Fund for longer than a single day and higher volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares increase the impact of compounding on an investor’s returns, which may have a negative or positive impact on an investor’s returns. During periods of higher Underlying Security share price volatility, the volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares may affect the Fund’s return as much as, or more than, the return of the Underlying Security’s shares. The impact of compounding will impact each shareholder differently depending on the period of time an investment in the Fund is held and the volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares during a shareholder’s holding period of an investment in the Fund. See “Principal Investment Risks – Compounding and Market Volatility Risk” below for an example of how volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares may affect the Fund’s return as much as, or more than, the return of the Underlying Security’s shares.
The Fund is not suitable for all investors. The Fund is designed to be utilized only by knowledgeable investors who understand the potential consequences of seeking daily leveraged (2X) investment results, understand the risks associated with the use of leverage, and are willing to monitor their portfolios frequently. The Fund is not intended to be used by, and is not appropriate for, investors who do not intend to actively monitor and manage their portfolios. For periods longer than a single day, the Fund will lose money if the Underlying Security’s performance is flat, and it is possible that the Fund will lose money even if the Underlying Security’s performance increases over a period longer than a single day. An investor could lose the full principal value of his/her investment within a single day.
The Fund seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, of two times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of Robinhood Markets, Inc. (Nasdaq: HOOD). The Fund does not seek to achieve its stated investment objective for a period other than a single trading day.
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund (“Shares”). You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the table and Example below.
| Management Fee | % | ||||
| Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees | |||||
| Other Expenses(2) | % | ||||
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(3) | % | ||||
| (1) | |||||
| (2) | |||||
| (3) | |||||
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This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem or hold all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The Example does not take into account brokerage commissions that you may pay on your purchases and sales of Shares. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
| 1 Year | 3 Years |
| $ |
$ |
The Fund
pays 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 Shares are held in
a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in total annual fund
operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. For the
fiscal period of March 18, 2025 (commencement of operations) to April 30, 2025,
the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was
The Fund is an actively managed exchange traded fund (“ETF”) that attempts to achieve two times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of the Underlying Security by employing derivatives, namely swap agreements and/or listed options contracts. The Fund aims to achieve this daily percentage change for a single day, and not for any other period. A “single day” means the period “from the close of regular trading on one trading day to the close on the next trading day.”
If the Fund encounters limitations in implementing its strategies, whether due to market conditions, derivative availability, counterparty issues, or other factors, the Fund may not achieve investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to two times (2x) the daily performance of the Underlying Security, and may return substantially less during such periods. During such periods, the Fund’s actual leverage levels may differ substantially from its intended target, both intraday and at the close of trading, potentially resulting in significantly lower returns.
The Fund may enter into one or more swap agreements with financial institutions for a specified period, which may range from one day to longer than a year. Through each swap agreement, the Fund and the financial institution will agree to exchange the return (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on the Underlying Security’s share price. The gross return (meaning the return before deducting any fees or expenses) to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties is calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” (meaning the face amount of the instrument) e.g., the return on or change in value of a particular dollar amount representing the Underlying Security.
The Fund may also utilize listed options to seek to achieve leveraged 2X exposure to the Underlying Security. The Fund will primarily employ short-dated (a month or less) in-the-money call options (options with strike prices below the current market price of the Underlying Security, offering immediate intrinsic value). Additionally, the Fund may use other option strategies to produce similar exposure to the Underlying Security, like buying calls and selling puts with identical strike prices. These options allow the Fund to adjust its leverage strategy in response to market conditions, liquidity constraints, or other factors that may affect the availability or pricing of swap agreements. The use of listed options provides additional flexibility in pursuing the Fund’s daily investment objective. In situations where swap availability is constrained, the Fund may rely more heavily on options contracts. Additionally, the Fund may use options in response to changing market dynamics. However, the use of option contracts is typically less efficient than swaps and may increase the likelihood that the Fund is unable to achieve its daily 2X objective.
At the end of each day, the Fund’s swaps and options are valued using market valuations and the Fund’s investment adviser rebalances the Fund’s holdings in an attempt to maintain leveraged exposure for the Fund equal to approximately 200% of the Underlying Security’s share price.
For examples of a hypothetical investment in the Fund, see the section in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Information About the Fund – Principal Investment Strategies.”
Fund performance for periods greater than one single day is primarily (but not solely) a function of the following factors: a) the Underlying Security volatility; b) the Underlying Security’s performance; c) period of time; d) financing rates associated with leveraged exposure; and e) other Fund expenses.
The Fund will hold assets to serve as collateral for its derivatives positions. For those collateral holdings, the Fund may invest in (1) U.S. Government securities, such as bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury; (2) money market funds; (3) short term bond ETFs; and/or (4) corporate debt securities, such as commercial paper and other short-term unsecured promissory notes issued by businesses that are rated investment grade or of comparable quality.
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The Fund is classified as “non-diversified” under the 1940 Act. The Fund’s strategy is expected to result in a high annual portfolio turnover rate.
Because of daily rebalancing and the compounding of each day’s return over time, the return of the Fund for periods longer than a single day will be the result of each day’s returns compounded over the period, which will very likely differ from 200% of the return of the Underlying Security’s shares over the same period. The Fund will lose money if the Underlying Security’s performance is flat over time, and because of daily rebalancing, the Underlying Security’s shares’ volatility and the effects of compounding, the Fund may lose money over time while the Underlying Security’s performance increases over a period longer than a single day. As a consequence, investors should not plan to hold shares of the Fund unmonitored for periods longer than a single trading day.
ROBINHOOD MARKETS, INC. (“HOOD”)
HOOD is a financial services company known for its commission-free trading software application that allows users to invest in stocks, ETFs, options, and cryptocurrencies. HOOD is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”). Per HOOD’s most recent Form 10-K filing, the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates of HOOD (based on the last reported sale price of its Class A common stock on June 30, 2024 on the Nasdaq Global Select Market) was approximately $16.3 billion.
HOOD is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Information provided to or filed with the SEC by HOOD pursuant to the Exchange Act can be located by reference to SEC file number 001-40691 through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, information regarding HOOD may be obtained from other sources including, but not limited to, press releases, newspaper articles and other publicly disseminated documents.
This document relates only to the securities offered hereby and does not relate to the shares of HOOD or other securities of HOOD. The Fund has derived all disclosures contained in this document regarding HOOD from the publicly available documents. None of the Fund, the Trust, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser, or their respective affiliates has participated in the preparation of such publicly available offering documents or made any due diligence inquiry regarding such documents with respect to HOOD. None of the Fund, the Trust, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser, or their respective affiliates makes any representation that such publicly available documents or any other publicly available information regarding HOOD is accurate or complete. Furthermore, the Fund cannot give any assurance that all events occurring prior to the date hereof (including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of the publicly available documents described above) that would affect the trading price of HOOD (and therefore the share price of the Fund at the time we price the securities) have been publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any such events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning HOOD could affect the value received with respect to the securities and therefore the value of the securities.
None of the Fund, the Trust, the Adviser, or their respective affiliates makes any representation to you as to the performance of HOOD.
NONE OF THE FUND, TIDAL TRUST II, OR TIDAL INVESTMENTS LLC IS AFFILIATED, CONNECTED, OR ASSOCIATED WITH ROBINHOOD MARKETS, INC. THE FUND WAS NOT DEVELOPED OR CREATED BY, AND IS NOT SPONSORED, ENDORSED, OR APPROVED BY, ROBINHOOD MARKETS, INC.
Moreover, Robinhood Markets, Inc. has not participated in the development of the Fund’s investment strategy. Robinhood Markets, Inc. does not select or approve the Fund’s portfolio holdings, nor does it participate in the construction, design, or implementation of the Fund. Robinhood Markets, Inc. does not provide any assurances, guarantees, or representations regarding the Fund or its performance. Nothing herein shall be construed as an offer of any security by Robinhood Markets, Inc.
None of the Fund, the Trust, the Adviser, or their respective affiliates claim any ownership interest in any trademarks owned by HOOD or its affiliates. All rights in the trademarks are reserved by their respective owners.
Due to the Fund’s investment strategy, the Fund’s investment exposure is concentrated in (or substantially exposed to) the same industry as that assigned to HOOD. As of the date of the Prospectus, HOOD is assigned to the Capital Markets industry.
48
Principal Investment Risks
The principal risks of investing in the Fund are summarized below. As with any investment, there is a risk that you could lose all or a portion of your investment in the Fund. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) per Share, trading price, yield, total return, and/or ability to meet its investment objective. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the section in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Information About the Fund—Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund.”
An
investment in the Fund entails risk.
Each risk summarized below is considered a “principal risk” of investing in the Fund, regardless of the order in which it appears.
HOOD Risks. The Fund invests in swap contracts and options that are based on the share price of HOOD. This subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it owned shares of HOOD, even though it does not. By virtue of the Fund’s investments in swap contracts and options that are based on the value of HOOD, the Fund may also be subject to the following risks:
Indirect Investment in HOOD Risk. HOOD is not affiliated with the Trust, the Fund, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates and is not involved with this offering in any way and has no obligation to consider your Shares in taking any corporate actions that might affect the value of Shares. Investors in the Fund will not have voting rights and will not be able to influence management of HOOD but will be exposed to the performance of HOOD (the Underlying Security). Investors in the Fund will not have the right to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to the Underlying Security but will be subject to declines in the performance of the Underlying Security.
HOOD Trading Risk. The trading price of HOOD may be subject to volatility and could experience wide fluctuations due to various factors. Short sellers may also play a significant role in trading HOOD, potentially affecting the supply and demand dynamics and contributing to market price volatility. Public perception and external factors beyond the company’s control may influence HOOD’s stock price disproportionately. Additionally, following periods of market volatility, companies have faced securities class action litigation. Any adverse judgment or future stockholder litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources. In the event of a halt in trading of HOOD, trading in shares of related funds may be impacted, either temporarily or indefinitely.
HOOD Performance Risk. HOOD may fail to meet its publicly announced guidelines or other expectations about its business, which could cause the price of HOOD to decline. HOOD provides guidance regarding its expected financial and business performance, such as projections regarding sales and production, as well as anticipated future revenues, gross margins, profitability and cash flows. Correctly identifying key factors affecting business conditions and predicting future events is inherently an uncertain process, and the guidance HOOD provides may not ultimately be accurate. If HOOD’s guidance is not accurate or varies from actual results due to its inability to meet the assumptions or the impact on its financial performance that could occur as a result of various risks and uncertainties, the market value of common stock issued by HOOD could decline significantly.
HOOD Operational Risks. HOOD’s plans to venture into new international markets introduces significant uncertainties that may not yield desired outcomes. Operations are subject to complex and evolving laws, with non-compliance posing threats to HOOD’s business. Past and potential future regulatory investigations, settlements, and litigation could lead to substantial costs and reputational damage. Intense competition from rivals with greater resources threatens HOOD’s market position and revenue. Failure to retain existing customers or attract new ones, coupled with reduced usage of products and services, may result in declining revenue. Moreover, failure to develop and monetize innovative offerings could diminish competitiveness and revenue streams.
Dependence on complex software and systems entails the risk of interruptions, instability, and flaws, potentially disrupting operations. Reliance on third-party entities for critical functions exposes the company to risks associated with their performance. Additionally, incorporating AI technologies presents business, compliance, and reputational risks. Cybersecurity breaches targeting the company’s systems or customer data could lead to significant financial and reputational damage. Failure to maintain required net capital levels may result in restrictions and regulatory actions.
Risks associated with the effectiveness of compliance and risk management policies and procedures may impact operations under different market conditions. Operating in the highly volatile cryptocurrency market exposes the company to uncertainties and fluctuations affecting trading volumes and revenues.
Regulatory uncertainties surrounding cryptocurrency classification and compliance could lead to scrutiny, fines, and penalties. The complexity of rapidly evolving and difficult-to-interpret cryptocurrency laws and regulations poses challenges and compliance risks. Offering payment and spending services introduces risks related to illegal payments, customer asset loss, disputes, and liabilities. Future issuances of stock may lead to significant dilution, impacting shareholder value. Lastly, concentrated voting power with founders and multi-class stock structures limit shareholder influence over company decisions.
49
Factors that affect transaction-based revenue, such as reduced spreads in securities pricing, reduced levels of trading activity generally, changes in HOOD’s business relationships with or disruption in the services provided by market makers, and any new regulation of, or any bans on, payment for order flow, or “PFOF,” and similar practices, might result in reduced profitability, increased compliance costs, and negative publicity.
Financial Exchanges and Data Industry Risks. The industry is highly susceptible to fluctuations in economic conditions, changes in market sentiment, and regulatory alterations, which can significantly affect market volatility and trading volumes. Technological disruptions or failures, including cybersecurity breaches, could compromise user data and disrupt trading activities, potentially leading to financial losses for both the company and its users. Additionally, the competitive landscape, with rapid technological advancements and the emergence of new competitors, could impact HOOD’s market share and profitability. Such factors could adversely affect HOOD’s business performance and stock price and, in turn, negatively impact the Fund.
Global Crypto Asset Trading Platform Risks. HOOD has announced plans to expand its crypto asset business. Such an expansion will subject HOOD to risks related to regulatory compliance, such as the potential for increased scrutiny, enhanced anti-money laundering (AML) and know your customer (KYC) requirements, and the need for additional licenses in various jurisdictions. Operational risks will also arise from the complexities of integrating the new platform’s operations, technology, and culture, as well as the need to bolster system security and manage a more extensive technology infrastructure. Market risks, including high volatility and liquidity management challenges, will become more pronounced. Reputational risks could emerge from potential security breaches, operational failures, or regulatory violations, affecting customer trust and market perception. Legal risks may increase due to potential litigation and intellectual property issues. Additionally, HOOD will be subject to financial risks associated with the capital investment required for the expansion.
Regulatory and Litigation Related Risks. HOOD is subject to a wide variety of local, state, federal, and international laws, regulations, licensing schemes, and industry standards in the United States, the UK, the EU and in other countries and regions in which HOOD operates. Changes in these laws and regulations, or HOOD’s failure to comply with these laws and regulations, could harm HOOD’s business. Further, HOOD has been subject to regulatory investigations, actions, and settlements and HOOD expects to continue to be subject to such proceedings in the future, which could cause HOOD to incur substantial costs or require HOOD to change HOOD’s business practices in a materially adverse manner. HOOD is involved in numerous litigations that are expensive and time consuming, and, if resolved adversely, could expose HOOD to significant liability and reputational harm.
Single Issuer Risk. Issuer-specific attributes may cause an investment in the Fund to be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment which diversifies risk or the market generally. The value of the Fund, which focuses on an individual security, may be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole and may perform differently from the value of a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole. Additionally, the Fund will seek to employ its investment strategy as it relates to the underlying issuer regardless of whether there are significant corporate actions such as restructurings, enforcement activity, or acquisitions or periods adverse market, economic, or other conditions and will not seek to take temporary defensive positions during such periods.
Compounding and Market Volatility Risk. The Fund has a daily leveraged investment objective and the Fund’s performance for periods greater than a trading day will be the result of each day’s returns compounded over the period, which is very likely to differ from two times (200%) the Underlying Security’s performance, before the Fund’s management fee and other expenses. Compounding affects all investments but has a more significant impact on funds that aim to replicate leveraged daily returns and that rebalance daily. For the Fund aiming to replicate two times the daily performance of an Underlying Security, if adverse daily performance of the Underlying Security reduces the amount of a shareholder’s investment, any further adverse daily performance will lead to a smaller dollar loss because the shareholder’s investment had already been reduced by the prior adverse performance. Equally, however, if favorable daily performance of the Underlying Security increases the amount of a shareholder’s investment, the dollar amount lost due to future adverse performance will increase because the shareholder’s investment has increased.
The effect of compounding becomes more pronounced as the Underlying Security’s volatility and the holding period increase. The impact of compounding will impact each shareholder differently depending on the period of time an investment in the Fund is held and the volatility of the Underlying Security during a shareholder’s holding period of an investment in the Fund.
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The chart below provides examples of how the Underlying Security’s volatility could affect the Fund’s performance. The chart illustrates the impact of two factors that affect the Fund’s performance – the Underlying Security’s volatility and the Underlying Security’s performance. The Underlying Security’s performance shows the percentage change in the share price of the Underlying Security over the specified time period, while the Underlying Security’s volatility is a statistical measure of the magnitude of fluctuations in the returns during that time period. As illustrated below, even if the Underlying Security’s performance over two equal time periods is identical, different Underlying Security volatility (i.e., in magnitude of fluctuations in the share price of the Underlying Security) during the two time periods could result in drastically different Fund performance for the two time periods because of compounding daily returns during the time periods.
Fund performance for periods greater than one single day can be estimated given any set of assumptions for the following factors: a) the Underlying Security volatility; b) the Underlying Security performance; c) period of time; d) financing rates associated with leveraged exposure; and e) other Fund expenses. The chart shows estimated Fund returns for a number of combinations of Underlying Security volatility and Underlying Security performance over a one-year period. Performance shown in the chart assumes that: (i) there were no Fund expenses; (ii) borrowing/lending rates (to obtain leveraged exposure) of 0%. If Fund expenses and/or actual borrowing/lending rates were reflected the estimated returns would be different than those shown. Particularly during periods of higher Underlying Security volatility, compounding will cause results for periods longer than a trading day to vary from two times (200%) the performance of the Underlying Security.
As shown in the chart below, the Fund would be expected to lose 6.1% if there was no change in the share price of the Underlying Security over a one-year period during which the Underlying Security experienced annualized volatility of 25%. If the Underlying Security’s annualized volatility were to rise to 75%, the hypothetical loss for a one-year period would widen to approximately -43%. At higher ranges of volatility, there is a chance of a significant loss of value in the Fund, even if there were no change in the share price of the Underlying Security. For instance, if the Underlying Security’s annualized volatility is 100%, the Fund would be expected to lose 63.2% of its value, even if the cumulative Underlying Security change in the share price of the Underlying Security for the year was 0%.
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Areas shaded red (or dark gray) represent those scenarios where the Fund can be expected to return less than two times (200%) the performance of the Underlying Security and those shaded green (or light gray) represent those scenarios where the Fund can be expected to return more than two times (200%) the performance of the Underlying Security. The Fund’s actual performance may be significantly better or worse than the performance shown below as a result of any of the factors discussed above or in the “Daily Correlation/Tracking Risk” below.
| Estimated
Returns of 200% or Two Times Performance of the Underlying Security |
|||||||
| Underlying Security Performance | One Year Volatility Rate | ||||||
| One
Year Underlying Security |
2X
Times (200%) the One Year Performance |
10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 100% | |
| -60% | -120% | -84.2% | -85.0% | -87.5% | -90.9% | -94.1% | |
| -50% | -100% | -75.2% | -76.5% | -80.5% | -85.8% | -90.8% | |
| -40% | -80% | -64.4% | -66.2% | -72.0% | -79.5% | -86.8% | |
| -30% | -60% | -51.5% | -54.0% | -61.8% | -72.1% | -82.0% | |
| -20% | -40% | -36.6% | -39.9% | -50.2% | -63.5% | -76.5% | |
| -10% | -20% | -19.8% | -23.9% | -36.9% | -53.8% | -70.2% | |
| 0% | 0% | -1.0% | -6.1% | -22.1% | -43.0% | -63.2% | |
| 10% | 20% | 19.8% | 13.7% | -5.8% | -31.1% | -55.5% | |
| 20% | 40% | 42.6% | 35.3% | 12.1% | -18.0% | -47.0% | |
| 30% | 60% | 67.3% | 58.8% | 31.6% | -3.7% | -37.8% | |
| 40% | 80% | 94.0% | 84.1% | 52.6% | 11.7% | -27.9% | |
| 50% | 100% | 122.8% | 111.4% | 75.2% | 28.2% | -17.2% | |
| 60% | 120% | 153.5% | 140.5% | 99.4% | 45.9% | -5.8% | |
The Underlying Security’s annualized historical volatility rate for the period of July 28, 2021 to June 30, 2025 (the maximum period available) was 73.67%. The Underlying Security’s highest volatility rate for any one calendar year during this period was 81.71% and volatility for a shorter period of time may have been substantially higher. The Underlying Security’s annualized performance during this period was 28.73%. Historical Underlying Security volatility and performance are not indications of what Underlying Security volatility and performance will be in the future.
Daily Correlation/Tracking Risk. There is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve a high degree of leveraged correlation to the Underlying Security and therefore achieve its daily leveraged investment objective. To achieve a high degree of leveraged correlation with the Underlying Security, the Fund seeks to rebalance its portfolio daily to keep exposure consistent with its daily leveraged investment objective. The possibility of the Fund being materially over- or under-exposed to the Underlying Security increases on days when the Underlying Security is volatile near the close of the trading day. Market disruptions, regulatory restrictions and extreme volatility will also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to adjust exposure to the required levels. If there is a significant intra-day market event and/or the Underlying Security experiences a significant increase or decline, the Fund may not meet its investment objective, be able to rebalance its portfolio appropriately, or may experience significant premiums or discounts, or widened bid-ask spreads.
The Fund may have difficulty achieving its daily leveraged investment objective due to fees, expenses, transaction costs, financing costs related to the use of derivatives, investments in ETFs, directly or indirectly, income items, valuation methodology, accounting standards and disruptions or illiquidity in the markets for the securities or derivatives held by the Fund. The Fund may be subject to large movements of assets into and out of the Fund, potentially resulting in the Fund being over- or under-exposed to the Underlying Security. The Fund may take or refrain from taking positions to improve the tax efficiency or to comply with various regulatory restrictions, either of which may negatively impact the Fund’s leveraged correlation to the Underlying Security.
Leverage Risk. The Fund obtains investment exposure in excess of its net assets by utilizing leverage and may lose more money in market conditions that are adverse to its investment objective than a fund that does not utilize leverage. An investment in the Fund is exposed to the risk that a decline in the daily performance of the Underlying Security will be magnified. This means that an investment in the Fund will be reduced by an amount equal to 2% for every 1% daily decline in the share price of the Underlying Security, not including the costs of financing leverage and other operating expenses, which would further reduce its value. The Fund could theoretically lose an amount greater than its net assets in the event the share price of the Underlying Security declines more than 50%. Leverage will also have the effect of magnifying any differences in the Fund performance’s correlation with the Underlying Security’s share price.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive value from the underlying reference asset or assets, such as stocks, bonds, or funds (including ETFs), interest rates or indexes. The Fund’s investments in derivatives may pose risks in addition to, and greater than, those associated with directly investing in securities or other ordinary investments, including risk related to the market, leverage, imperfect daily correlations with underlying investments or the Fund’s other portfolio holdings, higher price volatility, lack of availability, counterparty risk, liquidity, valuation and legal restrictions. The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The use of derivatives may result in larger losses or smaller gains than directly investing in securities. When the Fund uses derivatives, there may be imperfect correlation between the share price of the Underlying Security and the derivative, which may prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objective. Because derivatives often require only a limited initial investment, the use of derivatives may expose the Fund to losses in excess of those amounts initially invested.
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The Fund will be subject to regulatory constraints relating to level of value at risk that the Fund may incur through its derivative portfolio. To the extent the Fund exceeds these regulatory thresholds over an extended period, the Fund may determine that it is necessary to make adjustments to the Fund’s investment strategy, including the desired daily leveraged performance for the Fund.
In addition, the Fund’s investments in derivatives are subject to the following risks:
Swap Agreements. The use of swap transactions is a highly specialized activity, which 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 counterparties for those swap agreements. If the Adviser is unable to enter into swap agreements that provide leveraged exposure to the Underlying Security, the Fund may not meet its stated investment objective. Additionally, any financing, borrowing or other costs associated with using swap transactions may also 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 derivatives 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 or underlying 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 a basket of securities.
If the Underlying Security has a dramatic move that causes a material decline in the Fund’s net assets, the terms of a swap agreement between the Fund and its counterparty may permit the counterparty to immediately 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 achieve exposure consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. This may prevent the Fund from achieving its leveraged investment objective, even if the Underlying Security later reverses all or a portion of its movement.
Options Contracts. The use of options contracts involves investment strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The prices of options are volatile and are influenced by, among other things, actual and anticipated changes in the value of the underlying instrument, including the anticipated volatility, which are affected by fiscal and monetary policies and by national and international political, changes in the actual or implied volatility or the reference asset, the time remaining until the expiration of the option contract and economic events. The value of the options contracts in which the Fund invests are substantially influenced by the value of the Underlying Security. The Fund may experience substantial downside from specific option positions and certain option positions held by the Fund may expire worthless. The options held by the Fund are exercisable at the strike price on their expiration date. As an option approaches its expiration date, its value typically increasingly moves with the value of the underlying instrument. However, prior to such date, the value of an option generally does not increase or decrease at the same rate as the underlying instrument. There may at times be an imperfect correlation between the movement in values options contracts and the underlying instrument, and there may at times not be a liquid secondary market for certain options contracts. The value of the options held by the Fund will be determined based on market quotations or other recognized pricing methods. Additionally, as the Fund intends to continuously maintain indirect exposure to the Underlying Security through the use of options contracts, as the options contracts it holds are exercised or expire it will enter into new options contracts, a practice referred to as “rolling.” If the expiring options contracts do not generate proceeds enough to cover the cost of entering into new options contracts, the Fund may experience losses. The use of options to generate leverage introduces additional risks, including significant potential losses if the market moves unfavorably. The leverage inherent in options can amplify both gains and losses, leading to increased volatility and potential for substantial losses, particularly in periods of market uncertainty or low liquidity. Additionally, the Fund may incur losses if the value of the Underlying Security moves against its positions, potentially resulting in a complete loss of the premium paid.
Counterparty Risk. The Fund is subject to counterparty risk by virtue of its investments in derivatives which exposes the Fund to the risk that the counterparty will not fulfill its obligation to the Fund. Counterparty risk may arise because of the counterparty’s financial condition (i.e., financial difficulties, bankruptcy, or insolvency), market activities and developments, or other reasons, whether foreseen or not. A counterparty’s inability to fulfill its obligation may result in significant financial loss to the Fund and the Fund may be unable to recover its investment from such counterparty or may obtain a limited and/or delayed recovery.
Counterparties may seek to hedge their exposure to individual clients (such as the Fund) by establishing offsetting exposures with other clients, however, there is no guarantee that counterparties will do so under all circumstances. Should a counterparty (e.g., a swap counterparty) terminate its relationship with the Fund, the Fund will seek to utilize other counterparties to seek to maintain its exposures. In addition, the Fund may use options contracts to seek to generate the leverage necessary to implement its strategy. The use of options contracts introduces distinct risks, including heightened volatility, particularly intraday. While options may provide an ancillary benefit of mitigating some losses under specific scenarios, such as severe market downturns, their inherent leverage and rapid price fluctuations can amplify the Fund’s performance volatility and lead to greater risks of substantial losses. Refer to “Derivatives Risk – Options Contracts” for additional information on the risks of investing in options.
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In addition, the Fund may enter into swap agreements with a limited number of counterparties, which may increase the Fund’s exposure to counterparty credit risk. Further, there is a risk that no suitable counterparties will be willing to enter into, or continue to enter into, transactions with the Fund and, as a result, the Fund may not be able to achieve its investment objective.
Intra-Day Investment Risk. The Fund seeks investment results from the close of the market on a given trading day until the close of the market on the subsequent trading day. The exact exposure of an investment in the Fund intraday in the secondary market is a function of the difference between the share price of the Underlying Security at the market close on the first trading day and the share price of the Underlying Security at the time of purchase. If the share price of the Underlying Security rises, the Fund’s net assets will rise by approximately twice the amount as the Fund’s exposure. Conversely, if the share price of the Underlying Security declines, the Fund’s net assets will decline by approximately two times the amount as the Fund’s exposure. Thus, an investor that purchases Shares intra-day may experience performance that is greater than, or less than, the Fund’s stated leveraged performance of the Underlying Security.
If there is a significant intra-day market event and/or the securities of the Underlying Security experience a significant increase or decrease, the Fund may not meet its investment objective or rebalance its portfolio appropriately.
Fixed Income Securities Risk. When the Fund invests in fixed income securities, the value of your investment in the Fund will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Typically, a rise in interest rates causes a decline in the value of fixed income securities owned by the Fund. In general, the market price of fixed income securities with longer maturities will increase or decrease more in response to changes in interest rates than shorter-term securities. Other risk factors include credit risk (the debtor may default), extension risk (an issuer may exercise its right to repay principal on a fixed rate obligation held by the Fund later than expected), and prepayment risk (the debtor may pay its obligation early, reducing the amount of interest payments). These risks could affect the value of a particular investment by the Fund, possibly causing the Fund’s Share price and total return to be reduced and fluctuate more than other types of investments.
Rebalancing Risk. If for any reason the Fund is unable to rebalance all or a portion of its portfolio, or if all or a portion of the portfolio is rebalanced incorrectly, the Fund’s investment exposure may not be consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. In these instances, the Fund may have investment exposure to the Underlying Security that is significantly greater or less than its stated investment objective. As a result, the Fund may be exposed to leverage risk because it had not been properly rebalanced and may not achieve its investment objective.
ETF Risks
Authorized Participants, Market Makers, and Liquidity Providers Concentration Risk. The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that are authorized to purchase and redeem Shares directly from the Fund (known as “Authorized Participants” or “APs”). In addition, there may be a limited number of market makers and/or liquidity providers in the marketplace. To the extent either of the following events occur, Shares may trade at a material discount to NAV and possibly face delisting: (i) APs exit the business or otherwise become unable to process creation and/or redemption orders and no other APs step forward to perform these services; or (ii) market makers and/or liquidity providers exit the business or significantly reduce their business activities and no other entities step forward to perform their functions.
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.
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Trading. Although Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, such as The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC (the “Exchange”), and may be traded on U.S. exchanges other than the Exchange, there can be no assurance that Shares will trade with any volume, or at all, on any stock exchange. In stressed market conditions, the liquidity of Shares may begin to mirror the liquidity of the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings, which can be significantly less liquid than Shares. This adverse effect on liquidity for the Fund’s shares may lead to wider bid-ask spreads and differences between the market price of the Fund’s shares and the underlying value of the shares.
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.”
Economic and Market Risk. Economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets or issuers in other countries or regions. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform in comparison to securities in the general financial markets, a particular financial market, or other asset classes, due to a number of factors, including inflation (or expectations for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, market instability, financial system instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers, regulatory events, other governmental trade or market control programs and related geopolitical events. In addition, the value of the Fund’s investments may be negatively affected by the occurrence of global events such as war, terrorism, environmental disasters, natural disasters or events, country instability, and infectious disease epidemics or pandemics. The imposition by the U.S. of tariffs on goods imported from foreign countries and reciprocal tariffs levied on U.S. goods by those countries also may lead to volatility and instability in domestic and foreign markets.
High Portfolio Turnover Risk. Daily rebalancing of the Fund’s holdings pursuant to its daily investment objective causes a much greater number of portfolio transactions when compared to most ETFs. Additionally, active market trading of the Fund’s Shares on exchanges (such as the Exchange), could cause more frequent creation and redemption activities, which could increase the number of portfolio transactions. Frequent and active trading may lead to higher transaction costs because of increased broker commissions resulting from such transactions. In addition, there is the possibility of significantly increased short-term capital gains (which will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income when distributed to them). The Fund calculates portfolio turnover without including the short-term cash instruments or derivative transactions that comprise the majority of the Fund’s trading. As such, if the Fund’s extensive use of derivative instruments were reflected, the calculated portfolio turnover rate would be significantly higher.
Tracking Error Risk. Tracking error is the divergence of the Fund’s performance from that of its investment objective which aims to replicate two times the daily percentage change in the price of the Underlying Security. Tracking error may occur for a number of reasons. Tracking error may occur because of transaction costs, the Fund’s holding of cash, differences in accrual of dividends, being under- or overexposed to the Underlying Security or the need to meet new or existing regulatory requirements. Tracking error risk may be heightened during times of market volatility or other unusual market conditions such as market disruptions. The Fund may be required to deviate from its investment objectives, and therefore experience tracking error, as a result of market restrictions or other legal reasons, including regulatory limits or other restrictions on securities that may be purchased by the Adviser and its affiliates.
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. Certain market conditions or restrictions may prevent the Fund from limiting losses, realizing gains or achieving a high correlation with the Underlying Security. 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.
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Money Market Instrument Risk. The Fund may use a variety of money market instruments for cash management purposes, including money market funds, depositary accounts and repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are contracts in which a seller of securities agrees to buy the securities back at a specified time and price. Repurchase agreements may be subject to market and credit risk related to the collateral securing the repurchase agreement. Money market instruments may lose money.
Newer Fund Risk. The Fund is a recently organized management investment company with a limited operating history. As a result, prospective investors have a limited track record on which to base their investment decisions.
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. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.
Trading Halt Risk. Although the Underlying Security’s shares are listed for trading on an exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for such shares will be available at all times and the Exchange may halt trading of such shares in certain circumstances. A halt in trading in the Underlying Security’s shares is expected, in turn, to result in a halt in the trading in the Fund’s Shares. Trading in the Underlying Security’s and/or Fund’s Shares on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in the Underlying Security’s and/or Fund’s Shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in Underlying Security’s and/or Fund’s Shares on an exchange is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to exchange “circuit breaker” rules.” In the event of a trading halt for an extended period of time, the Fund may be unable to execute arrangements with swap counterparties that are necessary to implement the Fund’s investment strategy.
Operational Risk. The Fund is subject to risks arising from various operational factors, including, but not limited to, human error, processing and communication errors, errors of the Fund’s service providers, counterparties or other third-parties, failed or inadequate processes and technology or systems failures. The Fund relies on third-parties for a range of services, including custody. Any delay or failure relating to engaging or maintaining such service providers may affect the Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective. Although the Fund and the Fund’s investment advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures, there is no way to completely protect against such risks.
U.S. Government and U.S. Agency Obligations Risk. The Fund may invest in securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. Government obligations include securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, such as the U.S. Treasury. Payment of principal and interest on U.S. Government obligations may be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States or may be backed solely by the issuing or guaranteeing agency or instrumentality itself. In the latter case, the investor must look principally to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment, which agency or instrumentality may be privately owned. There can be no assurance that the U.S. Government would provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities (including government-sponsored enterprises) where it is not obligated to do so.
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 (the “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 and options 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 and options 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.
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Management
Investment Adviser: Tidal Investments LLC serves as investment adviser to the Fund.
Portfolio Managers:
The following individuals are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.
Qiao Duan, CFA, Portfolio Manager for the Adviser, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2025.
Christopher P. Mullen, Portfolio Manager for the Adviser has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2025.
Purchase and Sale of Shares
The Fund issues and redeems Shares at NAV only in large blocks known as “Creation Units,” which only APs (typically, broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities (the “Deposit Securities”) and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.
Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, such as the Exchange, and individual Shares may only be bought and sold in the secondary market through brokers at market prices, rather than NAV. Because Shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, Shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).
An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase Shares (the “bid” price) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for Shares (the “ask” price) when buying or selling Shares in the secondary market. This difference in bid and ask prices is often referred to as the “bid-ask spread.”
Information regarding the Fund’s NAV, market price, how often Shares traded on the Exchange at a premium or discount, and bid-ask spreads can be found on the Fund’s website at https://www.defianceetfs.com.
Tax Information
Fund distributions are generally taxable as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains (or a combination), unless an investment is in an individual retirement account (“IRA”) or other tax-advantaged account. Distributions on investments made through tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawal of assets from those accounts.
Financial Intermediary Compensation
If you purchase Shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), the Adviser or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange-traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training, or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.
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Important Information About the Fund
The Defiance Daily Target 2X Long VST ETF (the “Fund”) seeks daily leveraged investment results of two times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of Vistra Corp. (NYSE: VST) (the “Underlying Security” or “VST”). Because the Fund seeks daily leveraged investment results, it is very different from most other exchange-traded funds. It is also riskier than alternatives that do not use leverage.
The return for investors that invest for periods longer or shorter than a trading day should not be expected to be 200% of the performance of the Underlying Security’s shares for the period. The return of the Fund for a period longer than a trading day will be the result of each trading day’s compounded return during such period held, which will very likely differ from 200% of the return of the Underlying Security’s shares for that period. Holding shares of the Fund for longer than a single day and higher volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares increase the impact of compounding on an investor’s returns, which may have a negative or positive impact on an investor’s returns. During periods of higher Underlying Security share price volatility, the volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares may affect the Fund’s return as much as, or more than, the return of the Underlying Security’s shares. The impact of compounding will impact each shareholder differently depending on the period of time an investment in the Fund is held and the volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares during a shareholder’s holding period of an investment in the Fund. See “Principal Investment Risks – Compounding and Market Volatility Risk” below for an example of how volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares may affect the Fund’s return as much as, or more than, the return of the Underlying Security’s shares.
The Fund is not suitable for all investors. The Fund is designed to be utilized only by knowledgeable investors who understand the potential consequences of seeking daily leveraged (2X) investment results, understand the risks associated with the use of leverage, and are willing to monitor their portfolios frequently. The Fund is not intended to be used by, and is not appropriate for, investors who do not intend to actively monitor and manage their portfolios. For periods longer than a single day, the Fund will lose money if the Underlying Security’s performance is flat, and it is possible that the Fund will lose money even if the Underlying Security’s performance increases over a period longer than a single day. An investor could lose the full principal value of his/her investment within a single day.
The Fund seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, of two times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of Vistra Corp. (NYSE: VST). The Fund does not seek to achieve its stated investment objective for a period other than a single trading day.
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund (“Shares”). You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the table and Example below.
| Management Fee | % | ||||
| Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees | |||||
| Other Expenses(2) | % | ||||
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(3) | % | ||||
| (1) | |||||
| (2) | |||||
| (3) | |||||
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This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem or hold all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The Example does not take into account brokerage commissions that you may pay on your purchases and sales of Shares. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
| 1 Year | 3 Years |
| $ |
$ |
The Fund pays 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 Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in total annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. Because the Fund is newly organized, portfolio turnover information is not yet available.
The Fund is an actively managed exchange traded fund (“ETF”) that attempts to achieve two times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of the Underlying Security by employing derivatives, namely swap agreements and/or listed options contracts. The Fund aims to achieve this daily percentage change for a single day, and not for any other period. A “single day” means the period “from the close of regular trading on one trading day to the close on the next trading day.”
If the Fund encounters limitations in implementing its strategies, whether due to market conditions, derivative availability, counterparty issues, or other factors, the Fund may not achieve investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to two times (2x) the daily performance of the Underlying Security, and may return substantially less during such periods. During such periods, the Fund’s actual leverage levels may differ substantially from its intended target, both intraday and at the close of trading, potentially resulting in significantly lower returns.
The Fund may enter into one or more swap agreements with financial institutions for a specified period, which may range from one day to longer than a year. Through each swap agreement, the Fund and the financial institution will agree to exchange the return (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on the Underlying Security’s share price. The gross return (meaning the return before deducting any fees or expenses) to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties is calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” (meaning the face amount of the instrument) e.g., the return on or change in value of a particular dollar amount representing the Underlying Security.
The Fund may also utilize listed options to seek to achieve leveraged 2X exposure to the Underlying Security. The Fund will primarily employ short-dated (a month or less) in-the-money call options (options with strike prices below the current market price of the Underlying Security, offering immediate intrinsic value). Additionally, the Fund may use other option strategies to produce similar exposure to the Underlying Security, like buying calls and selling puts with identical strike prices. These options allow the Fund to adjust its leverage strategy in response to market conditions, liquidity constraints, or other factors that may affect the availability or pricing of swap agreements. The use of listed options provides additional flexibility in pursuing the Fund’s daily investment objective. In situations where swap availability is constrained, the Fund may rely more heavily on options contracts. Additionally, the Fund may use options in response to changing market dynamics. However, the use of option contracts is typically less efficient than swaps and may increase the likelihood that the Fund is unable to achieve its daily 2X objective.
At the end of each day, the Fund’s swaps and options are valued using market valuations and the Fund’s investment adviser rebalances the Fund’s holdings in an attempt to maintain leveraged exposure for the Fund equal to approximately 200% of the Underlying Security’s share price.
For examples of a hypothetical investment in the Fund, see the section in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Information About the Fund – Principal Investment Strategies.”
Fund performance for periods greater than one single day is primarily (but not solely) a function of the following factors: a) the Underlying Security volatility; b) the Underlying Security’s performance; c) period of time; d) financing rates associated with leveraged exposure; and e) other Fund expenses.
The Fund will hold assets to serve as collateral for its derivatives positions. For those collateral holdings, the Fund may invest in (1) U.S. Government securities, such as bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury; (2) money market funds; (3) short term bond ETFs; and/or (4) corporate debt securities, such as commercial paper and other short-term unsecured promissory notes issued by businesses that are rated investment grade or of comparable quality.
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The Fund is classified as “non-diversified” under the 1940 Act. The Fund’s strategy is expected to result in a high annual portfolio turnover rate.
Because of daily rebalancing and the compounding of each day’s return over time, the return of the Fund for periods longer than a single day will be the result of each day’s returns compounded over the period, which will very likely differ from 200% of the return of the Underlying Security’s shares over the same period. The Fund will lose money if the Underlying Security’s performance is flat over time, and because of daily rebalancing, the Underlying Security’s shares’ volatility and the effects of compounding, the Fund may lose money over time while the Underlying Security’s performance increases over a period longer than a single day. As a consequence, investors should not plan to hold shares of the Fund unmonitored for periods longer than a single trading day.
VISTRA CORP. (“VST”)
Vistra Corp. is an integrated retail electricity and power generation company operating in 20 states and the District of Columbia, including all major competitive wholesale power markets (i.e., markets where energy producers compete to sell their power directly to large buyers like utilities and energy retailers) in the U.S. The company serves approximately 4 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers with electricity and natural gas. Vistra’s generation fleet provides approximately 37,000 megawatts of capacity from a diversified mix of natural gas, nuclear, coal, solar, and battery energy storage facilities. Its integrated model combines retail electricity sales with power generation and wholesale operations to efficiently meet customer demand. VST is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Per VST’s most recent Form 10-K filing, the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 30, 2024 was $29.5 billion based upon the closing price reported for such date on NYSE.
VST is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Information provided to or filed with the SEC by VST pursuant to the Exchange Act can be located by reference to the SEC file number 001-38086 through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, information regarding VST may be obtained from other sources including, but not limited to, press releases, newspaper articles and other publicly disseminated documents.
This document relates only to the securities offered hereby and does not relate to the shares of VST or other securities of DraftKings Inc. The Fund has derived all disclosures contained in this document regarding VST from the publicly available documents. None of the Fund, the Trust, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates has participated in the preparation of such publicly available offering documents or made any due diligence inquiry regarding such documents with respect to VST. None of the Fund, the Trust, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates makes any representation that such publicly available documents or any other publicly available information regarding VST is accurate or complete. Furthermore, the Fund cannot give any assurance that all events occurring prior to the date hereof (including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of the publicly available documents described above) that would affect the trading price of VST (and therefore the share price of the Fund at the time we price the securities) have been publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any such events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning VST could affect the value received with respect to the securities and therefore the value of the securities.
None of the Fund, the Trust, the Adviser, or their respective affiliates makes any representation to you as to the performance of VST.
NONE OF THE FUND, TIDAL TRUST II, OR TIDAL INVESTMENTS LLC IS AFFILIATED, CONNECTED, OR ASSOCIATED WITH VISTRA CORP. THE FUND WAS NOT DEVELOPED OR CREATED BY, AND IS NOT SPONSORED, ENDORSED, OR APPROVED BY, VISTRA CORP.
Moreover, Vistra Corp. has not participated in the development of the Fund’s investment strategy. Vistra Corp. does not select or approve the Fund’s portfolio holdings, nor does it participate in the construction, design, or implementation of the Fund. Vistra Corp. does not provide any assurances, guarantees, or representations regarding the Fund or its performance. Nothing herein shall be construed as an offer of any security by Vistra Corp.
None of the Fund, the Trust, the Adviser, or their respective affiliates claim any ownership interest in any trademarks owned by VST or its affiliates. All rights in the trademarks are reserved by their respective owners.
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Due to the Fund’s investment strategy, the Fund’s investment exposure is concentrated in the same industry as that assigned to the Underlying Security. As of the date of the Prospectus, VST is assigned to the Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers industry.
Principal Investment Risks
The principal risks of investing in the Fund are summarized below. As with any investment, there is a risk that you could lose all or a portion of your investment in the Fund. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) per Share, trading price, yield, total return, and/or ability to meet its investment objective. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the section in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Information About the Fund—Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund.”
An
investment in the Fund entails risk.
Each risk summarized below is considered a “principal risk” of investing in the Fund, regardless of the order in which it appears.
VST Risks. The Fund invests in swap contracts and options that are based on the share price of VST. This subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it owned shares of VST, even though it does not. By virtue of the Fund’s investments in swap contracts and options that are based on the value of VST, the Fund may also be subject to the following risks:
Indirect Investment in VST Risk. VST is not affiliated with the Trust, the Fund, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates and is not involved with this offering in any way and has no obligation to consider your Shares in taking any corporate actions that might affect the value of Shares. Investors in the Fund will not have voting rights and will not be able to influence management of VST but will be exposed to the performance of VST (the Underlying Security). Investors in the Fund will not have the right to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to the Underlying Security but will be subject to declines in the performance of the Underlying Security.
VST Trading Risk. The trading price of VST may be subject to volatility and could experience wide fluctuations due to various factors. Short sellers may also play a significant role in trading VST, potentially affecting the supply and demand dynamics and contributing to market price volatility. Public perception and external factors beyond the company’s control may influence VST’s stock price disproportionately. Additionally, following periods of market volatility, companies have faced securities class action litigation. Any adverse judgment or future stockholder litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources. In the event of a halt in trading of VST, trading in shares of related funds may be impacted, either temporarily or indefinitely.
VST Performance Risk. VST may fail to meet its publicly announced guidelines or other expectations about its business, which could cause the price of VST to decline. VST provides guidance regarding its expected financial and business performance, such as projections regarding sales and production, as well as anticipated future revenues, gross margins, profitability and cash flows. Correctly identifying key factors affecting business conditions and predicting future events is inherently an uncertain process, and the guidance VST provides may not ultimately be accurate. If VST’s guidance is not accurate or varies from actual results due to its inability to meet the assumptions or the impact on its financial performance that could occur as a result of various risks and uncertainties, the market value of common stock issued by VST could decline significantly.
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry Risks. This industry includes companies involved in the generation and sale of electricity from independent power plants and renewable energy facilities such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, and battery storage. The industry is highly competitive and influenced by factors such as electricity demand, energy prices, and technological advancements. The prices of securities of companies in this industry may fluctuate widely due to general economic conditions, changes in energy market dynamics, and regulatory developments. Companies in this industry are subject to risks related to fuel supply and costs, renewable energy resource availability, and transmission infrastructure constraints. Additionally, the industry may be affected by legislative or regulatory changes, including renewable energy incentives, environmental standards, and carbon emission requirements. Operational risks, such as equipment failures, weather-related disruptions, and cybersecurity threats, can also have a significant impact on companies in this sector.
Business Risks. VST faces significant risks specific to its business operations, including exposure to fluctuations in wholesale power prices, fuel costs, and supply chain disruptions, which may adversely impact its revenues and financial performance. The company’s ability to manage commodity price risks is limited, and increased competition, regulatory changes, or government intervention in power markets could further challenge its profitability. Operating in a highly regulated industry, VST is subject to evolving environmental laws and climate change regulations that could impose substantial costs or constraints. Additionally, the capital-intensive nature of power generation, including the operation of the Comanche Peak nuclear facility, poses risks from cybersecurity threats, system failures, and extreme weather conditions. Changes in technology and energy efficiency initiatives could reduce electricity demand, impacting VST’s business model. The company also faces pressures from stakeholder expectations on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues, which may influence investor confidence and its stock performance. Further, litigation, legal proceedings, regulatory investigations or other administrative proceedings could expose VST to significant liabilities and reputational damage that could have a material adverse effect on VST.
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Single Issuer Risk. Issuer-specific attributes may cause an investment in the Fund to be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment which diversifies risk or the market generally. The value of the Fund, which focuses on an individual security, may be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole and may perform differently from the value of a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole. Additionally, the Fund will seek to employ its investment strategy as it relates to the underlying issuer regardless of whether there are significant corporate actions such as restructurings, enforcement activity, or acquisitions or periods adverse market, economic, or other conditions and will not seek to take temporary defensive positions during such periods.
Compounding and Market Volatility Risk. The Fund has a daily leveraged investment objective and the Fund’s performance for periods greater than a trading day will be the result of each day’s returns compounded over the period, which is very likely to differ from two times (200%) the Underlying Security’s performance, before the Fund’s management fee and other expenses. Compounding affects all investments but has a more significant impact on funds that aim to replicate leveraged daily returns and that rebalance daily. For the Fund aiming to replicate two times the daily performance of an Underlying Security, if adverse daily performance of the Underlying Security reduces the amount of a shareholder’s investment, any further adverse daily performance will lead to a smaller dollar loss because the shareholder’s investment had already been reduced by the prior adverse performance. Equally, however, if favorable daily performance of the Underlying Security increases the amount of a shareholder’s investment, the dollar amount lost due to future adverse performance will increase because the shareholder’s investment has increased.
The effect of compounding becomes more pronounced as the Underlying Security’s volatility and the holding period increase. The impact of compounding will impact each shareholder differently depending on the period of time an investment in the Fund is held and the volatility of the Underlying Security during a shareholder’s holding period of an investment in the Fund.
The chart below provides examples of how the Underlying Security’s volatility could affect the Fund’s performance. The chart illustrates the impact of two factors that affect the Fund’s performance – the Underlying Security’s volatility and the Underlying Security’s performance. The Underlying Security’s performance shows the percentage change in the share price of the Underlying Security over the specified time period, while the Underlying Security’s volatility is a statistical measure of the magnitude of fluctuations in the returns during that time period. As illustrated below, even if the Underlying Security’s performance over two equal time periods is identical, different Underlying Security volatility (i.e., in magnitude of fluctuations in the share price of the Underlying Security) during the two time periods could result in drastically different Fund performance for the two time periods because of compounding daily returns during the time periods.
Fund performance for periods greater than one single day can be estimated given any set of assumptions for the following factors: a) the Underlying Security volatility; b) the Underlying Security performance; c) period of time; d) financing rates associated with leveraged exposure; and e) other Fund expenses. The chart shows estimated Fund returns for a number of combinations of Underlying Security volatility and Underlying Security performance over a one-year period. Performance shown in the chart assumes that: (i) there were no Fund expenses; (ii) borrowing/lending rates (to obtain leveraged exposure) of 0%. If Fund expenses and/or actual borrowing/lending rates were reflected the estimated returns would be different than those shown. Particularly during periods of higher Underlying Security volatility, compounding will cause results for periods longer than a trading day to vary from two times (200%) the performance of the Underlying Security.
As shown in the chart below, the Fund would be expected to lose 6.1% if there was no change in the share price of the Underlying Security over a one-year period during which the Underlying Security experienced annualized volatility of 25%. If the Underlying Security’s annualized volatility were to rise to 75%, the hypothetical loss for a one-year period would widen to approximately -43%. At higher ranges of volatility, there is a chance of a significant loss of value in the Fund, even if there were no change in the share price of the Underlying Security. For instance, if the Underlying Security’s annualized volatility is 100%, the Fund would be expected to lose 63.2% of its value, even if the cumulative Underlying Security change in the share price of the Underlying Security for the year was 0%.
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Areas shaded red (or dark gray) represent those scenarios where the Fund can be expected to return less than two times (200%) the performance of the Underlying Security and those shaded green (or light gray) represent those scenarios where the Fund can be expected to return more than two times (200%) the performance of the Underlying Security. The Fund’s actual performance may be significantly better or worse than the performance shown below as a result of any of the factors discussed above or in the “Daily Correlation/Tracking Risk” below.
| Estimated
Returns of 200% or Two Times Performance of the Underlying Security |
|||||||
| Underlying Security Performance | One Year Volatility Rate | ||||||
| One
Year Underlying Security |
2X
Times (200%) the One Year Performance |
10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 100% | |
| -60% | -120% | -84.2% | -85.0% | -87.5% | -90.9% | -94.1% | |
| -50% | -100% | -75.2% | -76.5% | -80.5% | -85.8% | -90.8% | |
| -40% | -80% | -64.4% | -66.2% | -72.0% | -79.5% | -86.8% | |
| -30% | -60% | -51.5% | -54.0% | -61.8% | -72.1% | -82.0% | |
| -20% | -40% | -36.6% | -39.9% | -50.2% | -63.5% | -76.5% | |
| -10% | -20% | -19.8% | -23.9% | -36.9% | -53.8% | -70.2% | |
| 0% | 0% | -1.0% | -6.1% | -22.1% | -43.0% | -63.2% | |
| 10% | 20% | 19.8% | 13.7% | -5.8% | -31.1% | -55.5% | |
| 20% | 40% | 42.6% | 35.3% | 12.1% | -18.0% | -47.0% | |
| 30% | 60% | 67.3% | 58.8% | 31.6% | -3.7% | -37.8% | |
| 40% | 80% | 94.0% | 84.1% | 52.6% | 11.7% | -27.9% | |
| 50% | 100% | 122.8% | 111.4% | 75.2% | 28.2% | -17.2% | |
| 60% | 120% | 153.5% | 140.5% | 99.4% | 45.9% | -5.8% | |
The Underlying Security’s annualized historical volatility rate for the five-year period ended June 30, 2025 was 47.37%. The Underlying Security’s highest volatility rate for any one calendar year during this period was 56.19% and volatility for a shorter period of time may have been substantially higher. The Underlying Security’s annualized performance during this period was 59.76%. Historical Underlying Security volatility and performance are not indications of what Underlying Security volatility and performance will be in the future.
Daily Correlation/Tracking Risk. There is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve a high degree of leveraged correlation to the Underlying Security and therefore achieve its daily leveraged investment objective. To achieve a high degree of leveraged correlation with the Underlying Security, the Fund seeks to rebalance its portfolio daily to keep exposure consistent with its daily leveraged investment objective. The possibility of the Fund being materially over- or under-exposed to the Underlying Security increases on days when the Underlying Security is volatile near the close of the trading day. Market disruptions, regulatory restrictions and extreme volatility will also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to adjust exposure to the required levels. If there is a significant intra-day market event and/or the Underlying Security experiences a significant increase or decline, the Fund may not meet its investment objective, be able to rebalance its portfolio appropriately, or may experience significant premiums or discounts, or widened bid-ask spreads.
The Fund may have difficulty achieving its daily leveraged investment objective due to fees, expenses, transaction costs, financing costs related to the use of derivatives, investments in ETFs, directly or indirectly, income items, valuation methodology, accounting standards and disruptions or illiquidity in the markets for the securities or derivatives held by the Fund. The Fund may be subject to large movements of assets into and out of the Fund, potentially resulting in the Fund being over- or under-exposed to the Underlying Security. The Fund may take or refrain from taking positions to improve the tax efficiency or to comply with various regulatory restrictions, either of which may negatively impact the Fund’s leveraged correlation to the Underlying Security.
Leverage Risk. The Fund obtains investment exposure in excess of its net assets by utilizing leverage and may lose more money in market conditions that are adverse to its investment objective than a fund that does not utilize leverage. An investment in the Fund is exposed to the risk that a decline in the daily performance of the Underlying Security will be magnified. This means that an investment in the Fund will be reduced by an amount equal to 2% for every 1% daily decline in the share price of the Underlying Security, not including the costs of financing leverage and other operating expenses, which would further reduce its value. The Fund could theoretically lose an amount greater than its net assets in the event the share price of the Underlying Security declines more than 50%. Leverage will also have the effect of magnifying any differences in the Fund performance’s correlation with the Underlying Security’s share price.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive value from the underlying reference asset or assets, such as stocks, bonds, or funds (including ETFs), interest rates or indexes. The Fund’s investments in derivatives may pose risks in addition to, and greater than, those associated with directly investing in securities or other ordinary investments, including risk related to the market, leverage, imperfect daily correlations with underlying investments or the Fund’s other portfolio holdings, higher price volatility, lack of availability, counterparty risk, liquidity, valuation and legal restrictions. The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The use of derivatives may result in larger losses or smaller gains than directly investing in securities. When the Fund uses derivatives, there may be imperfect correlation between the share price of the Underlying Security and the derivative, which may prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objective. Because derivatives often require only a limited initial investment, the use of derivatives may expose the Fund to losses in excess of those amounts initially invested.
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The Fund will be subject to regulatory constraints relating to level of value at risk that the Fund may incur through its derivative portfolio. To the extent the Fund exceeds these regulatory thresholds over an extended period, the Fund may determine that it is necessary to make adjustments to the Fund’s investment strategy, including the desired daily leveraged performance for the Fund.
In addition, the Fund’s investments in derivatives are subject to the following risks:
Swap Agreements. The use of swap transactions is a highly specialized activity, which 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 counterparties for those swap agreements. If the Adviser is unable to enter into swap agreements that provide leveraged exposure to the Underlying Security, the Fund may not meet its stated investment objective. Additionally, any financing, borrowing or other costs associated with using swap transactions may also 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 derivatives 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 or underlying 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 a basket of securities.
If the Underlying Security has a dramatic move that causes a material decline in the Fund’s net assets, the terms of a swap agreement between the Fund and its counterparty may permit the counterparty to immediately 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 achieve exposure consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. This may prevent the Fund from achieving its leveraged investment objective, even if the Underlying Security later reverses all or a portion of its movement.
Options Contracts. The use of options contracts involves investment strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The prices of options are volatile and are influenced by, among other things, actual and anticipated changes in the value of the underlying instrument, including the anticipated volatility, which are affected by fiscal and monetary policies and by national and international political, changes in the actual or implied volatility or the reference asset, the time remaining until the expiration of the option contract and economic events. The value of the options contracts in which the Fund invests are substantially influenced by the value of the Underlying Security. The Fund may experience substantial downside from specific option positions and certain option positions held by the Fund may expire worthless. The options held by the Fund are exercisable at the strike price on their expiration date. As an option approaches its expiration date, its value typically increasingly moves with the value of the underlying instrument. However, prior to such date, the value of an option generally does not increase or decrease at the same rate as the underlying instrument. There may at times be an imperfect correlation between the movement in values options contracts and the underlying instrument, and there may at times not be a liquid secondary market for certain options contracts. The value of the options held by the Fund will be determined based on market quotations or other recognized pricing methods. Additionally, as the Fund intends to continuously maintain indirect exposure to the Underlying Security through the use of options contracts, as the options contracts it holds are exercised or expire it will enter into new options contracts, a practice referred to as “rolling.” If the expiring options contracts do not generate proceeds enough to cover the cost of entering into new options contracts, the Fund may experience losses. The use of options to generate leverage introduces additional risks, including significant potential losses if the market moves unfavorably. The leverage inherent in options can amplify both gains and losses, leading to increased volatility and potential for substantial losses, particularly in periods of market uncertainty or low liquidity. Additionally, the Fund may incur losses if the value of the Underlying Security moves against its positions, potentially resulting in a complete loss of the premium paid.
Counterparty Risk. The Fund is subject to counterparty risk by virtue of its investments in derivatives which exposes the Fund to the risk that the counterparty will not fulfill its obligation to the Fund. Counterparty risk may arise because of the counterparty’s financial condition (i.e., financial difficulties, bankruptcy, or insolvency), market activities and developments, or other reasons, whether foreseen or not. A counterparty’s inability to fulfill its obligation may result in significant financial loss to the Fund and the Fund may be unable to recover its investment from such counterparty or may obtain a limited and/or delayed recovery.
Counterparties may seek to hedge their exposure to individual clients (such as the Fund) by establishing offsetting exposures with other clients, however, there is no guarantee that counterparties will do so under all circumstances. Should a counterparty (e.g., a swap counterparty) terminate its relationship with the Fund, the Fund will seek to utilize other counterparties to seek to maintain its exposures. In addition, the Fund may use options contracts to seek to generate the leverage necessary to implement its strategy. The use of options contracts introduces distinct risks, including heightened volatility, particularly intraday. While options may provide an ancillary benefit of mitigating some losses under specific scenarios, such as severe market downturns, their inherent leverage and rapid price fluctuations can amplify the Fund’s performance volatility and lead to greater risks of substantial losses. Refer to “Derivatives Risk – Options Contracts” for additional information on the risks of investing in options.
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In addition, the Fund may enter into swap agreements with a limited number of counterparties, which may increase the Fund’s exposure to counterparty credit risk. Further, there is a risk that no suitable counterparties will be willing to enter into, or continue to enter into, transactions with the Fund and, as a result, the Fund may not be able to achieve its investment objective.
Intra-Day Investment Risk. The Fund seeks investment results from the close of the market on a given trading day until the close of the market on the subsequent trading day. The exact exposure of an investment in the Fund intraday in the secondary market is a function of the difference between the share price of the Underlying Security at the market close on the first trading day and the share price of the Underlying Security at the time of purchase. If the share price of the Underlying Security rises, the Fund’s net assets will rise by approximately twice the amount as the Fund’s exposure. Conversely, if the share price of the Underlying Security declines, the Fund’s net assets will decline by approximately two times the amount as the Fund’s exposure. Thus, an investor that purchases Shares intra-day may experience performance that is greater than, or less than, the Fund’s stated leveraged performance of the Underlying Security.
If there is a significant intra-day market event and/or the securities of the Underlying Security experience a significant increase or decrease, the Fund may not meet its investment objective or rebalance its portfolio appropriately.
Fixed Income Securities Risk. When the Fund invests in fixed income securities, the value of your investment in the Fund will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Typically, a rise in interest rates causes a decline in the value of fixed income securities owned by the Fund. In general, the market price of fixed income securities with longer maturities will increase or decrease more in response to changes in interest rates than shorter-term securities. Other risk factors include credit risk (the debtor may default), extension risk (an issuer may exercise its right to repay principal on a fixed rate obligation held by the Fund later than expected), and prepayment risk (the debtor may pay its obligation early, reducing the amount of interest payments). These risks could affect the value of a particular investment by the Fund, possibly causing the Fund’s Share price and total return to be reduced and fluctuate more than other types of investments.
Rebalancing Risk. If for any reason the Fund is unable to rebalance all or a portion of its portfolio, or if all or a portion of the portfolio is rebalanced incorrectly, the Fund’s investment exposure may not be consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. In these instances, the Fund may have investment exposure to the Underlying Security that is significantly greater or less than its stated investment objective. As a result, the Fund may be exposed to leverage risk because it had not been properly rebalanced and may not achieve its investment objective.
ETF Risks
Authorized Participants, Market Makers, and Liquidity Providers Concentration Risk. The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that are authorized to purchase and redeem Shares directly from the Fund (known as “Authorized Participants” or “APs”). In addition, there may be a limited number of market makers and/or liquidity providers in the marketplace. To the extent either of the following events occur, Shares may trade at a material discount to NAV and possibly face delisting: (i) APs exit the business or otherwise become unable to process creation and/or redemption orders and no other APs step forward to perform these services; or (ii) market makers and/or liquidity providers exit the business or significantly reduce their business activities and no other entities step forward to perform their functions.
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.
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Trading. Although Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, such as The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC (the “Exchange”), and may be traded on U.S. exchanges other than the Exchange, there can be no assurance that Shares will trade with any volume, or at all, on any stock exchange. In stressed market conditions, the liquidity of Shares may begin to mirror the liquidity of the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings, which can be significantly less liquid than Shares. This adverse effect on liquidity for the Fund’s shares may lead to wider bid-ask spreads and differences between the market price of the Fund’s shares and the underlying value of the shares.
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.”
Economic and Market Risk. Economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets or issuers in other countries or regions. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform in comparison to securities in the general financial markets, a particular financial market, or other asset classes, due to a number of factors, including inflation (or expectations for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, market instability, financial system instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers, regulatory events, other governmental trade or market control programs and related geopolitical events. In addition, the value of the Fund’s investments may be negatively affected by the occurrence of global events such as war, terrorism, environmental disasters, natural disasters or events, country instability, and infectious disease epidemics or pandemics. The imposition by the U.S. of tariffs on goods imported from foreign countries and reciprocal tariffs levied on U.S. goods by those countries also may lead to volatility and instability in domestic and foreign markets.
High Portfolio Turnover Risk. Daily rebalancing of the Fund’s holdings pursuant to its daily investment objective causes a much greater number of portfolio transactions when compared to most ETFs. Additionally, active market trading of the Fund’s Shares on exchanges (such as the Exchange), could cause more frequent creation and redemption activities, which could increase the number of portfolio transactions. Frequent and active trading may lead to higher transaction costs because of increased broker commissions resulting from such transactions. In addition, there is the possibility of significantly increased short-term capital gains (which will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income when distributed to them). The Fund calculates portfolio turnover without including the short-term cash instruments or derivative transactions that comprise the majority of the Fund’s trading. As such, if the Fund’s extensive use of derivative instruments were reflected, the calculated portfolio turnover rate would be significantly higher.
Tracking Error Risk. Tracking error is the divergence of the Fund’s performance from that of its investment objective which aims to replicate two times the daily percentage change in the price of the Underlying Security. Tracking error may occur for a number of reasons. Tracking error may occur because of transaction costs, the Fund’s holding of cash, differences in accrual of dividends, being under- or overexposed to the Underlying Security or the need to meet new or existing regulatory requirements. Tracking error risk may be heightened during times of market volatility or other unusual market conditions such as market disruptions. The Fund may be required to deviate from its investment objectives, and therefore experience tracking error, as a result of market restrictions or other legal reasons, including regulatory limits or other restrictions on securities that may be purchased by the Adviser and its affiliates.
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. Certain market conditions or restrictions may prevent the Fund from limiting losses, realizing gains or achieving a high correlation with the Underlying Security. 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.
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Money Market Instrument Risk. The Fund may use a variety of money market instruments for cash management purposes, including money market funds, depositary accounts and repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are contracts in which a seller of securities agrees to buy the securities back at a specified time and price. Repurchase agreements may be subject to market and credit risk related to the collateral securing the repurchase agreement. Money market instruments may lose money.
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.
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. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.
Trading Halt Risk. Although the Underlying Security’s shares are listed for trading on an exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for such shares will be available at all times and the Exchange may halt trading of such shares in certain circumstances. A halt in trading in the Underlying Security’s shares is expected, in turn, to result in a halt in the trading in the Fund’s Shares. Trading in the Underlying Security’s and/or Fund’s Shares on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in the Underlying Security’s and/or Fund’s Shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in Underlying Security’s and/or Fund’s Shares on an exchange is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to exchange “circuit breaker” rules.” In the event of a trading halt for an extended period of time, the Fund may be unable to execute arrangements with swap counterparties that are necessary to implement the Fund’s investment strategy.
Operational Risk. The Fund is subject to risks arising from various operational factors, including, but not limited to, human error, processing and communication errors, errors of the Fund’s service providers, counterparties or other third-parties, failed or inadequate processes and technology or systems failures. The Fund relies on third-parties for a range of services, including custody. Any delay or failure relating to engaging or maintaining such service providers may affect the Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective. Although the Fund and the Fund’s investment advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures, there is no way to completely protect against such risks.
U.S. Government and U.S. Agency Obligations Risk. The Fund may invest in securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. Government obligations include securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, such as the U.S. Treasury. Payment of principal and interest on U.S. Government obligations may be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States or may be backed solely by the issuing or guaranteeing agency or instrumentality itself. In the latter case, the investor must look principally to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment, which agency or instrumentality may be privately owned. There can be no assurance that the U.S. Government would provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities (including government-sponsored enterprises) where it is not obligated to do so.
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 (the “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 and options 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 and options 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.
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Management
Investment Adviser: Tidal Investments LLC serves as investment adviser to the Fund.
Portfolio Managers:
The following individuals are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.
Qiao Duan, CFA, Portfolio Manager for the Adviser, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2025.
Christopher P. Mullen, Portfolio Manager for the Adviser has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2025
Purchase and Sale of Shares
The Fund issues and redeems Shares at NAV only in large blocks known as “Creation Units,” which only APs (typically, broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities (the “Deposit Securities”) and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.
Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, such as the Exchange, and individual Shares may only be bought and sold in the secondary market through brokers at market prices, rather than NAV. Because Shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, Shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).
An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase Shares (the “bid” price) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for Shares (the “ask” price) when buying or selling Shares in the secondary market. This difference in bid and ask prices is often referred to as the “bid-ask spread.”
When available, information regarding the Fund’s NAV, market price, how often Shares traded on the Exchange at a premium or discount, and bid-ask spreads can be found on the Fund’s website at https://www.defianceetfs.com.
Tax Information
Fund distributions are generally taxable as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains (or a combination), unless an investment is in an individual retirement account (“IRA”) or other tax-advantaged account. Distributions on investments made through tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawal of assets from those accounts.
Financial Intermediary Compensation
If you purchase Shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), the Adviser or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange-traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training, or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.
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Important Information About the Fund
The Defiance Daily Target 2X Long JPM ETF (the “Fund”) seeks daily leveraged investment results of two times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) (the “Underlying Security” or “JPM”). Because the Fund seeks daily leveraged investment results, it is very different from most other exchange-traded funds. It is also riskier than alternatives that do not use leverage.
The return for investors that invest for periods longer or shorter than a trading day should not be expected to be 200% of the performance of the Underlying Security’s shares for the period. The return of the Fund for a period longer than a trading day will be the result of each trading day’s compounded return during such period held, which will very likely differ from 200% of the return of the Underlying Security’s shares for that period. Holding shares of the Fund for longer than a single day and higher volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares increase the impact of compounding on an investor’s returns, which may have a negative or positive impact on an investor’s returns. During periods of higher Underlying Security share price volatility, the volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares may affect the Fund’s return as much as, or more than, the return of the Underlying Security’s shares. The impact of compounding will impact each shareholder differently depending on the period of time an investment in the Fund is held and the volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares during a shareholder’s holding period of an investment in the Fund. See “Principal Investment Risks – Compounding and Market Volatility Risk” below for an example of how volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares may affect the Fund’s return as much as, or more than, the return of the Underlying Security’s shares.
The Fund is not suitable for all investors. The Fund is designed to be utilized only by knowledgeable investors who understand the potential consequences of seeking daily leveraged (2X) investment results, understand the risks associated with the use of leverage, and are willing to monitor their portfolios frequently. The Fund is not intended to be used by, and is not appropriate for, investors who do not intend to actively monitor and manage their portfolios. For periods longer than a single day, the Fund will lose money if the Underlying Security’s performance is flat, and it is possible that the Fund will lose money even if the Underlying Security’s performance increases over a period longer than a single day. An investor could lose the full principal value of his/her investment within a single day.
The Fund seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, of two times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM). The Fund does not seek to achieve its stated investment objective for a period other than a single trading day.
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund (“Shares”). You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the table and Example below.
| Management Fee | % | ||||
| Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees | |||||
| Other Expenses(2) | % | ||||
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(3) | % | ||||
| (1) | |||||
| (2) | |||||
| (3) | |||||
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This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem or hold all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The Example does not take into account brokerage commissions that you may pay on your purchases and sales of Shares. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
| 1 Year | 3 Years |
| $ |
$ |
The Fund pays 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 Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in total annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. Because the Fund is newly organized, portfolio turnover information is not yet available.
The Fund is an actively managed exchange traded fund (“ETF”) that attempts to achieve two times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of the Underlying Security by employing derivatives, namely swap agreements and/or listed options contracts. The Fund aims to achieve this daily percentage change for a single day, and not for any other period. A “single day” means the period “from the close of regular trading on one trading day to the close on the next trading day.”
If the Fund encounters limitations in implementing its strategies, whether due to market conditions, derivative availability, counterparty issues, or other factors, the Fund may not achieve investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to two times (2x) the daily performance of the Underlying Security, and may return substantially less during such periods. During such periods, the Fund’s actual leverage levels may differ substantially from its intended target, both intraday and at the close of trading, potentially resulting in significantly lower returns.
The Fund may enter into one or more swap agreements with financial institutions for a specified period, which may range from one day to longer than a year. Through each swap agreement, the Fund and the financial institution will agree to exchange the return (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on the Underlying Security’s share price. The gross return (meaning the return before deducting any fees or expenses) to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties is calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” (meaning the face amount of the instrument) e.g., the return on or change in value of a particular dollar amount representing the Underlying Security.
The Fund may also utilize listed options to seek to achieve leveraged 2X exposure to the Underlying Security. The Fund will primarily employ short-dated (a month or less) in-the-money call options (options with strike prices below the current market price of the Underlying Security, offering immediate intrinsic value). Additionally, the Fund may use other option strategies to produce similar exposure to the Underlying Security, like buying calls and selling puts with identical strike prices. These options allow the Fund to adjust its leverage strategy in response to market conditions, liquidity constraints, or other factors that may affect the availability or pricing of swap agreements. The use of listed options provides additional flexibility in pursuing the Fund’s daily investment objective. In situations where swap availability is constrained, the Fund may rely more heavily on options contracts. Additionally, the Fund may use options in response to changing market dynamics. However, the use of option contracts is typically less efficient than swaps and may increase the likelihood that the Fund is unable to achieve its daily 2X objective.
At the end of each day, the Fund’s swaps and options are valued using market valuations and the Fund’s investment adviser rebalances the Fund’s holdings in an attempt to maintain leveraged exposure for the Fund equal to approximately 200% of the Underlying Security’s share price.
For examples of a hypothetical investment in the Fund, see the section in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Information About the Fund – Principal Investment Strategies.”
Fund performance for periods greater than one single day is primarily (but not solely) a function of the following factors: a) the Underlying Security volatility; b) the Underlying Security’s performance; c) period of time; d) financing rates associated with leveraged exposure; and e) other Fund expenses.
The Fund will hold assets to serve as collateral for its derivatives positions. For those collateral holdings, the Fund may invest in (1) U.S. Government securities, such as bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury; (2) money market funds; (3) short term bond ETFs; and/or (4) corporate debt securities, such as commercial paper and other short-term unsecured promissory notes issued by businesses that are rated investment grade or of comparable quality.
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The Fund is classified as “non-diversified” under the 1940 Act. The Fund’s strategy is expected to result in a high annual portfolio turnover rate.
Because of daily rebalancing and the compounding of each day’s return over time, the return of the Fund for periods longer than a single day will be the result of each day’s returns compounded over the period, which will very likely differ from 200% of the return of the Underlying Security’s shares over the same period. The Fund will lose money if the Underlying Security’s performance is flat over time, and because of daily rebalancing, the Underlying Security’s shares’ volatility and the effects of compounding, the Fund may lose money over time while the Underlying Security’s performance increases over a period longer than a single day. As a consequence, investors should not plan to hold shares of the Fund unmonitored for periods longer than a single trading day.
JPMORGAN CHASE & CO. (“JPM”)
JPM is a financial holding company and a leading financial services firm based in the U.S, with operations worldwide. It is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers and small businesses, commercial banking, financial transaction processing and asset management. JPM is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Per JPM’s most recent Form 10-K filing, the aggregate market value of JPM common stock held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2024 was approximately $573.4 billion.
JPM is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Information provided to or filed with the SEC by JPM pursuant to the Exchange Act can be located by reference to the SEC file number 1-5805 through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, information regarding JPM may be obtained from other sources including, but not limited to, press releases, newspaper articles and other publicly disseminated documents.
This document relates only to the securities offered hereby and does not relate to the shares of JPM or other securities of JPM. The Fund has derived all disclosures contained in this document regarding JPM from the publicly available documents. None of the Fund, the Trust, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates has participated in the preparation of such publicly available offering documents or made any due diligence inquiry regarding such documents with respect to JPM. None of the Fund, the Trust, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates makes any representation that such publicly available documents or any other publicly available information regarding JPM is accurate or complete. Furthermore, the Fund cannot give any assurance that all events occurring prior to the date hereof (including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of the publicly available documents described above) that would affect the trading price of JPM (and therefore the share price of the Fund at the time we price the securities) have been publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any such events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning JPM could affect the value received with respect to the securities and therefore the value of the securities.
None of the Fund, the Trust, the Adviser, or their respective affiliates makes any representation to you as to the performance of JPM.
NONE OF THE FUND, THE TRUST OR ADVISER IS AFFILIATED, CONNECTED, OR ASSOCIATED WITH JPM OR JPMORGAN CHASE BANK. The Fund was not developed or created by, and is not sponsored, endorsed, or approved by JPMorgan Chase Bank.
Moreover, JPMorgan Chase Bank did not participate in the development of the Fund’s investment strategy. JPMorgan Chase Bank does not select or approve the Fund’s portfolio holdings, nor does it participate in the construction, design, or implementation of the Fund. JPMorgan Chase Bank does not provide any assurances, guarantees, or representations regarding the Fund or its performance. Nothing herein shall be construed as an offer of any security by JPMorgan Chase Bank.
An investment in the Fund is NOT an investment in JPM or in any security of JPMorgan Chase Bank.
JPM and JPMORGAN are the exclusive trademark(s) of JPMorgan Chase Bank. All rights in the trademarks are reserved by their respective owners.
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Due to the Fund’s investment strategy, the Fund’s investment exposure is concentrated in the same industry as that assigned to the Underlying Security. As of the date of the Prospectus, JPM is assigned to the Banks industry.
Principal Investment Risks
The principal risks of investing in the Fund are summarized below. As with any investment, there is a risk that you could lose all or a portion of your investment in the Fund. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) per Share, trading price, yield, total return, and/or ability to meet its investment objective. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the section in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Information About the Fund—Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund.”
An
investment in the Fund entails risk.
Each risk summarized below is considered a “principal risk” of investing in the Fund, regardless of the order in which it appears.
JPM Risks. The Fund invests in swap contracts and options that are based on the share price of JPM. This subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it owned shares of JPM, even though it does not. By virtue of the Fund’s investments in swap contracts and options that are based on the value of JPM, the Fund may also be subject to the following risks:
Indirect Investment in JPM Risk. JPM is not affiliated with the Trust, the Fund, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates and is not involved with this offering in any way and has no obligation to consider your Shares in taking any corporate actions that might affect the value of Shares. Investors in the Fund will not have voting rights and will not be able to influence management of JPM but will be exposed to the performance of JPM (the Underlying Security). Investors in the Fund will not have the right to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to the Underlying Security but will be subject to declines in the performance of the Underlying Security.
JPM Trading Risk. The trading price of JPM may be subject to volatility and could experience wide fluctuations due to various factors. Short sellers may also play a significant role in trading JPM, potentially affecting the supply and demand dynamics and contributing to market price volatility. Public perception and external factors beyond the company’s control may influence JPM’s stock price disproportionately. Additionally, following periods of market volatility, companies have faced securities class action litigation. Any adverse judgment or future stockholder litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources. In the event of a halt in trading of JPM, trading in shares of related funds may be impacted, either temporarily or indefinitely.
JPM Performance Risk. JPM may fail to meet its publicly announced guidelines or other expectations about its business, which could cause the price of JPM to decline. JPM provides guidance regarding its expected financial and business performance, such as projections regarding sales and production, as well as anticipated future revenues, gross margins, profitability and cash flows. Correctly identifying key factors affecting business conditions and predicting future events is inherently an uncertain process, and the guidance JPM provides may not ultimately be accurate. If JPM’s guidance is not accurate or varies from actual results due to its inability to meet the assumptions or the impact on its financial performance that could occur as a result of various risks and uncertainties, the market value of common stock issued by JPM could decline significantly.
Banking Industry Risk. Banks depend upon being able to obtain funds at reasonable costs and upon liquidity in the capital and credit markets to finance their lending and other operations which makes banks sensitive to changes in money market and general economic conditions. When a bank’s borrowers have financial trouble, their failure to repay the bank will adversely affect the bank’s financial situation. Banks are also highly regulated. Decisions by regulators may limit the loans banks make and the interest rates and fees they charge, and may reduce a bank’s profitability. Banks may also be subject to severe price competition. Competition is high among banking companies and failure to maintain or increase market share may result in lost market value. Events involving limited liquidity, defaults, non-performance or other adverse developments that have affected the financial services industry have in the past and may in the future lead to market-wide liquidity problems, and could negatively affect the value and of Banks. For example, in March 2023, several financial institutions experienced a larger-than-expected decline in deposits and two regional banks, Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, were placed into receivership. Although the Federal Reserve, the U.S. Department of Treasury, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation have taken measures to stabilize the financial system, uncertainty and liquidity concerns in the broader financial services industry remains. Additionally, should there be additional systemic pressure on the financial system and capital markets, there can be no assurances of the response of any government or regulator, and any response may not be as favorable to industry participants as the measures currently being pursued.
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Business Risks. JPM faces significant risks including regulatory and compliance challenges inherent in the highly regulated financial services industry, which can lead to increased costs and operational constraints due to changes in laws, regulations, or their enforcement. Economic and market conditions—such as fluctuations in interest rates, credit spreads, and economic instability—can adversely affect the firm’s consumer and wholesale banking activities, investment positions, liquidity, and capital levels. Credit risks from adverse changes in the financial condition of clients, customers, and counterparties, as well as declines in collateral values, may result in financial losses. Operational risks, including dependence on complex systems, cybersecurity threats, and the ability to attract and retain qualified employees, pose significant challenges. Reputational risks arising from employee misconduct, compliance failures, or failure to meet stakeholder expectations—including those related to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concerns—can impact the firm’s relationships and competitive position. Additionally, liquidity and capital risks, such as market-wide disruptions or the inability to meet regulatory capital requirements, could limit JPM’s ability to fund operations or support business activities.
Single Issuer Risk. Issuer-specific attributes may cause an investment in the Fund to be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment which diversifies risk or the market generally. The value of the Fund, which focuses on an individual security, may be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole and may perform differently from the value of a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole. Additionally, the Fund will seek to employ its investment strategy as it relates to the underlying issuer regardless of whether there are significant corporate actions such as restructurings, enforcement activity, or acquisitions or periods adverse market, economic, or other conditions and will not seek to take temporary defensive positions during such periods.
Compounding and Market Volatility Risk. The Fund has a daily leveraged investment objective and the Fund’s performance for periods greater than a trading day will be the result of each day’s returns compounded over the period, which is very likely to differ from two times (200%) the Underlying Security’s performance, before the Fund’s management fee and other expenses. Compounding affects all investments but has a more significant impact on funds that aim to replicate leveraged daily returns and that rebalance daily. For the Fund aiming to replicate two times the daily performance of an Underlying Security, if adverse daily performance of the Underlying Security reduces the amount of a shareholder’s investment, any further adverse daily performance will lead to a smaller dollar loss because the shareholder’s investment had already been reduced by the prior adverse performance. Equally, however, if favorable daily performance of the Underlying Security increases the amount of a shareholder’s investment, the dollar amount lost due to future adverse performance will increase because the shareholder’s investment has increased.
The effect of compounding becomes more pronounced as the Underlying Security’s volatility and the holding period increase. The impact of compounding will impact each shareholder differently depending on the period of time an investment in the Fund is held and the volatility of the Underlying Security during a shareholder’s holding period of an investment in the Fund.
The chart below provides examples of how the Underlying Security’s volatility could affect the Fund’s performance. The chart illustrates the impact of two factors that affect the Fund’s performance – the Underlying Security’s volatility and the Underlying Security’s performance. The Underlying Security’s performance shows the percentage change in the share price of the Underlying Security over the specified time period, while the Underlying Security’s volatility is a statistical measure of the magnitude of fluctuations in the returns during that time period. As illustrated below, even if the Underlying Security’s performance over two equal time periods is identical, different Underlying Security volatility (i.e., in magnitude of fluctuations in the share price of the Underlying Security) during the two time periods could result in drastically different Fund performance for the two time periods because of compounding daily returns during the time periods.
Fund performance for periods greater than one single day can be estimated given any set of assumptions for the following factors: a) the Underlying Security volatility; b) the Underlying Security performance; c) period of time; d) financing rates associated with leveraged exposure; and e) other Fund expenses. The chart shows estimated Fund returns for a number of combinations of Underlying Security volatility and Underlying Security performance over a one-year period. Performance shown in the chart assumes that: (i) there were no Fund expenses; (ii) borrowing/lending rates (to obtain leveraged exposure) of 0%. If Fund expenses and/or actual borrowing/lending rates were reflected the estimated returns would be different than those shown. Particularly during periods of higher Underlying Security volatility, compounding will cause results for periods longer than a trading day to vary from two times (200%) the performance of the Underlying Security.
As shown in the chart below, the Fund would be expected to lose 6.1% if there was no change in the share price of the Underlying Security over a one-year period during which the Underlying Security experienced annualized volatility of 25%. If the Underlying Security’s annualized volatility were to rise to 75%, the hypothetical loss for a one-year period would widen to approximately -43%. At higher ranges of volatility, there is a chance of a significant loss of value in the Fund, even if there were no change in the share price of the Underlying Security. For instance, if the Underlying Security’s annualized volatility is 100%, the Fund would be expected to lose 63.2% of its value, even if the cumulative Underlying Security change in the share price of the Underlying Security for the year was 0%.
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Areas shaded red (or dark gray) represent those scenarios where the Fund can be expected to return less than two times (200%) the performance of the Underlying Security and those shaded green (or light gray) represent those scenarios where the Fund can be expected to return more than two times (200%) the performance of the Underlying Security. The Fund’s actual performance may be significantly better or worse than the performance shown below as a result of any of the factors discussed above or in the “Daily Correlation/Tracking Risk” below.
| Estimated
Returns of 200% or Two Times Performance of the Underlying Security |
|||||||
| Underlying Security Performance | One Year Volatility Rate | ||||||
| One
Year Underlying Security |
2X
Times (200%) the One Year Performance |
10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 100% | |
| -60% | -120% | -84.2% | -85.0% | -87.5% | -90.9% | -94.1% | |
| -50% | -100% | -75.2% | -76.5% | -80.5% | -85.8% | -90.8% | |
| -40% | -80% | -64.4% | -66.2% | -72.0% | -79.5% | -86.8% | |
| -30% | -60% | -51.5% | -54.0% | -61.8% | -72.1% | -82.0% | |
| -20% | -40% | -36.6% | -39.9% | -50.2% | -63.5% | -76.5% | |
| -10% | -20% | -19.8% | -23.9% | -36.9% | -53.8% | -70.2% | |
| 0% | 0% | -1.0% | -6.1% | -22.1% | -43.0% | -63.2% | |
| 10% | 20% | 19.8% | 13.7% | -5.8% | -31.1% | -55.5% | |
| 20% | 40% | 42.6% | 35.3% | 12.1% | -18.0% | -47.0% | |
| 30% | 60% | 67.3% | 58.8% | 31.6% | -3.7% | -37.8% | |
| 40% | 80% | 94.0% | 84.1% | 52.6% | 11.7% | -27.9% | |
| 50% | 100% | 122.8% | 111.4% | 75.2% | 28.2% | -17.2% | |
| 60% | 120% | 153.5% | 140.5% | 99.4% | 45.9% | -5.8% | |
The Underlying Security’s annualized historical volatility rate for the five-year period ended June 30, 2025 was 25.71%. The Underlying Security’s highest volatility rate for any one calendar year during this period was 29.98% and volatility for a shorter period of time may have been substantially higher. The Underlying Security’s annualized performance during this period was 25.25%. Historical Underlying Security volatility and performance are not indications of what Underlying Security volatility and performance will be in the future.
Daily Correlation/Tracking Risk. There is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve a high degree of leveraged correlation to the Underlying Security and therefore achieve its daily leveraged investment objective. To achieve a high degree of leveraged correlation with the Underlying Security, the Fund seeks to rebalance its portfolio daily to keep exposure consistent with its daily leveraged investment objective. The possibility of the Fund being materially over- or under-exposed to the Underlying Security increases on days when the Underlying Security is volatile near the close of the trading day. Market disruptions, regulatory restrictions and extreme volatility will also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to adjust exposure to the required levels. If there is a significant intra-day market event and/or the Underlying Security experiences a significant increase or decline, the Fund may not meet its investment objective, be able to rebalance its portfolio appropriately, or may experience significant premiums or discounts, or widened bid-ask spreads.
The Fund may have difficulty achieving its daily leveraged investment objective due to fees, expenses, transaction costs, financing costs related to the use of derivatives, investments in ETFs, directly or indirectly, income items, valuation methodology, accounting standards and disruptions or illiquidity in the markets for the securities or derivatives held by the Fund. The Fund may be subject to large movements of assets into and out of the Fund, potentially resulting in the Fund being over- or under-exposed to the Underlying Security. The Fund may take or refrain from taking positions to improve the tax efficiency or to comply with various regulatory restrictions, either of which may negatively impact the Fund’s leveraged correlation to the Underlying Security.
Leverage Risk. The Fund obtains investment exposure in excess of its net assets by utilizing leverage and may lose more money in market conditions that are adverse to its investment objective than a fund that does not utilize leverage. An investment in the Fund is exposed to the risk that a decline in the daily performance of the Underlying Security will be magnified. This means that an investment in the Fund will be reduced by an amount equal to 2% for every 1% daily decline in the share price of the Underlying Security, not including the costs of financing leverage and other operating expenses, which would further reduce its value. The Fund could theoretically lose an amount greater than its net assets in the event the share price of the Underlying Security declines more than 50%. Leverage will also have the effect of magnifying any differences in the Fund performance’s correlation with the Underlying Security’s share price.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive value from the underlying reference asset or assets, such as stocks, bonds, or funds (including ETFs), interest rates or indexes. The Fund’s investments in derivatives may pose risks in addition to, and greater than, those associated with directly investing in securities or other ordinary investments, including risk related to the market, leverage, imperfect daily correlations with underlying investments or the Fund’s other portfolio holdings, higher price volatility, lack of availability, counterparty risk, liquidity, valuation and legal restrictions. The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The use of derivatives may result in larger losses or smaller gains than directly investing in securities. When the Fund uses derivatives, there may be imperfect correlation between the share price of the Underlying Security and the derivative, which may prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objective. Because derivatives often require only a limited initial investment, the use of derivatives may expose the Fund to losses in excess of those amounts initially invested.
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The Fund will be subject to regulatory constraints relating to level of value at risk that the Fund may incur through its derivative portfolio. To the extent the Fund exceeds these regulatory thresholds over an extended period, the Fund may determine that it is necessary to make adjustments to the Fund’s investment strategy, including the desired daily leveraged performance for the Fund.
In addition, the Fund’s investments in derivatives are subject to the following risks:
Swap Agreements. The use of swap transactions is a highly specialized activity, which 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 counterparties for those swap agreements. If the Adviser is unable to enter into swap agreements that provide leveraged exposure to the Underlying Security, the Fund may not meet its stated investment objective. Additionally, any financing, borrowing or other costs associated with using swap transactions may also 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 derivatives 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 or underlying 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 a basket of securities.
If the Underlying Security has a dramatic move that causes a material decline in the Fund’s net assets, the terms of a swap agreement between the Fund and its counterparty may permit the counterparty to immediately 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 achieve exposure consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. This may prevent the Fund from achieving its leveraged investment objective, even if the Underlying Security later reverses all or a portion of its movement.
Options Contracts. The use of options contracts involves investment strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The prices of options are volatile and are influenced by, among other things, actual and anticipated changes in the value of the underlying instrument, including the anticipated volatility, which are affected by fiscal and monetary policies and by national and international political, changes in the actual or implied volatility or the reference asset, the time remaining until the expiration of the option contract and economic events. The value of the options contracts in which the Fund invests are substantially influenced by the value of the Underlying Security. The Fund may experience substantial downside from specific option positions and certain option positions held by the Fund may expire worthless. The options held by the Fund are exercisable at the strike price on their expiration date. As an option approaches its expiration date, its value typically increasingly moves with the value of the underlying instrument. However, prior to such date, the value of an option generally does not increase or decrease at the same rate as the underlying instrument. There may at times be an imperfect correlation between the movement in values options contracts and the underlying instrument, and there may at times not be a liquid secondary market for certain options contracts. The value of the options held by the Fund will be determined based on market quotations or other recognized pricing methods. Additionally, as the Fund intends to continuously maintain indirect exposure to the Underlying Security through the use of options contracts, as the options contracts it holds are exercised or expire it will enter into new options contracts, a practice referred to as “rolling.” If the expiring options contracts do not generate proceeds enough to cover the cost of entering into new options contracts, the Fund may experience losses. The use of options to generate leverage introduces additional risks, including significant potential losses if the market moves unfavorably. The leverage inherent in options can amplify both gains and losses, leading to increased volatility and potential for substantial losses, particularly in periods of market uncertainty or low liquidity. Additionally, the Fund may incur losses if the value of the Underlying Security moves against its positions, potentially resulting in a complete loss of the premium paid.
Counterparty Risk. The Fund is subject to counterparty risk by virtue of its investments in derivatives which exposes the Fund to the risk that the counterparty will not fulfill its obligation to the Fund. Counterparty risk may arise because of the counterparty’s financial condition (i.e., financial difficulties, bankruptcy, or insolvency), market activities and developments, or other reasons, whether foreseen or not. A counterparty’s inability to fulfill its obligation may result in significant financial loss to the Fund and the Fund may be unable to recover its investment from such counterparty or may obtain a limited and/or delayed recovery.
Counterparties may seek to hedge their exposure to individual clients (such as the Fund) by establishing offsetting exposures with other clients, however, there is no guarantee that counterparties will do so under all circumstances. Should a counterparty (e.g., a swap counterparty) terminate its relationship with the Fund, the Fund will seek to utilize other counterparties to seek to maintain its exposures. In addition, the Fund may use options contracts to seek to generate the leverage necessary to implement its strategy. The use of options contracts introduces distinct risks, including heightened volatility, particularly intraday. While options may provide an ancillary benefit of mitigating some losses under specific scenarios, such as severe market downturns, their inherent leverage and rapid price fluctuations can amplify the Fund’s performance volatility and lead to greater risks of substantial losses. Refer to “Derivatives Risk – Options Contracts” for additional information on the risks of investing in options.
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In addition, the Fund may enter into swap agreements with a limited number of counterparties, which may increase the Fund’s exposure to counterparty credit risk. Further, there is a risk that no suitable counterparties will be willing to enter into, or continue to enter into, transactions with the Fund and, as a result, the Fund may not be able to achieve its investment objective.
Intra-Day Investment Risk. The Fund seeks investment results from the close of the market on a given trading day until the close of the market on the subsequent trading day. The exact exposure of an investment in the Fund intraday in the secondary market is a function of the difference between the share price of the Underlying Security at the market close on the first trading day and the share price of the Underlying Security at the time of purchase. If the share price of the Underlying Security rises, the Fund’s net assets will rise by approximately twice the amount as the Fund’s exposure. Conversely, if the share price of the Underlying Security declines, the Fund’s net assets will decline by approximately two times the amount as the Fund’s exposure. Thus, an investor that purchases Shares intra-day may experience performance that is greater than, or less than, the Fund’s stated leveraged performance of the Underlying Security.
If there is a significant intra-day market event and/or the securities of the Underlying Security experience a significant increase or decrease, the Fund may not meet its investment objective or rebalance its portfolio appropriately.
Fixed Income Securities Risk. When the Fund invests in fixed income securities, the value of your investment in the Fund will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Typically, a rise in interest rates causes a decline in the value of fixed income securities owned by the Fund. In general, the market price of fixed income securities with longer maturities will increase or decrease more in response to changes in interest rates than shorter-term securities. Other risk factors include credit risk (the debtor may default), extension risk (an issuer may exercise its right to repay principal on a fixed rate obligation held by the Fund later than expected), and prepayment risk (the debtor may pay its obligation early, reducing the amount of interest payments). These risks could affect the value of a particular investment by the Fund, possibly causing the Fund’s Share price and total return to be reduced and fluctuate more than other types of investments.
Rebalancing Risk. If for any reason the Fund is unable to rebalance all or a portion of its portfolio, or if all or a portion of the portfolio is rebalanced incorrectly, the Fund’s investment exposure may not be consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. In these instances, the Fund may have investment exposure to the Underlying Security that is significantly greater or less than its stated investment objective. As a result, the Fund may be exposed to leverage risk because it had not been properly rebalanced and may not achieve its investment objective.
ETF Risks
Authorized Participants, Market Makers, and Liquidity Providers Concentration Risk. The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that are authorized to purchase and redeem Shares directly from the Fund (known as “Authorized Participants” or “APs”). In addition, there may be a limited number of market makers and/or liquidity providers in the marketplace. To the extent either of the following events occur, Shares may trade at a material discount to NAV and possibly face delisting: (i) APs exit the business or otherwise become unable to process creation and/or redemption orders and no other APs step forward to perform these services; or (ii) market makers and/or liquidity providers exit the business or significantly reduce their business activities and no other entities step forward to perform their functions.
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.
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Trading. Although Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, such as The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC (the “Exchange”), and may be traded on U.S. exchanges other than the Exchange, there can be no assurance that Shares will trade with any volume, or at all, on any stock exchange. In stressed market conditions, the liquidity of Shares may begin to mirror the liquidity of the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings, which can be significantly less liquid than Shares. This adverse effect on liquidity for the Fund’s shares may lead to wider bid-ask spreads and differences between the market price of the Fund’s shares and the underlying value of the shares.
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.”
Economic and Market Risk. Economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets or issuers in other countries or regions. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform in comparison to securities in the general financial markets, a particular financial market, or other asset classes, due to a number of factors, including inflation (or expectations for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, market instability, financial system instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers, regulatory events, other governmental trade or market control programs and related geopolitical events. In addition, the value of the Fund’s investments may be negatively affected by the occurrence of global events such as war, terrorism, environmental disasters, natural disasters or events, country instability, and infectious disease epidemics or pandemics. The imposition by the U.S. of tariffs on goods imported from foreign countries and reciprocal tariffs levied on U.S. goods by those countries also may lead to volatility and instability in domestic and foreign markets.
High Portfolio Turnover Risk. Daily rebalancing of the Fund’s holdings pursuant to its daily investment objective causes a much greater number of portfolio transactions when compared to most ETFs. Additionally, active market trading of the Fund’s Shares on exchanges (such as the Exchange), could cause more frequent creation and redemption activities, which could increase the number of portfolio transactions. Frequent and active trading may lead to higher transaction costs because of increased broker commissions resulting from such transactions. In addition, there is the possibility of significantly increased short-term capital gains (which will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income when distributed to them). The Fund calculates portfolio turnover without including the short-term cash instruments or derivative transactions that comprise the majority of the Fund’s trading. As such, if the Fund’s extensive use of derivative instruments were reflected, the calculated portfolio turnover rate would be significantly higher.
Tracking Error Risk. Tracking error is the divergence of the Fund’s performance from that of its investment objective which aims to replicate two times the daily percentage change in the price of the Underlying Security. Tracking error may occur for a number of reasons. Tracking error may occur because of transaction costs, the Fund’s holding of cash, differences in accrual of dividends, being under- or overexposed to the Underlying Security or the need to meet new or existing regulatory requirements. Tracking error risk may be heightened during times of market volatility or other unusual market conditions such as market disruptions. The Fund may be required to deviate from its investment objectives, and therefore experience tracking error, as a result of market restrictions or other legal reasons, including regulatory limits or other restrictions on securities that may be purchased by the Adviser and its affiliates.
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. Certain market conditions or restrictions may prevent the Fund from limiting losses, realizing gains or achieving a high correlation with the Underlying Security. 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.
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Money Market Instrument Risk. The Fund may use a variety of money market instruments for cash management purposes, including money market funds, depositary accounts and repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are contracts in which a seller of securities agrees to buy the securities back at a specified time and price. Repurchase agreements may be subject to market and credit risk related to the collateral securing the repurchase agreement. Money market instruments may lose money.
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.
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. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.
Trading Halt Risk. Although the Underlying Security’s shares are listed for trading on an exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for such shares will be available at all times and the Exchange may halt trading of such shares in certain circumstances. A halt in trading in the Underlying Security’s shares is expected, in turn, to result in a halt in the trading in the Fund’s Shares. Trading in the Underlying Security’s and/or Fund’s Shares on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in the Underlying Security’s and/or Fund’s Shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in Underlying Security’s and/or Fund’s Shares on an exchange is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to exchange “circuit breaker” rules.” In the event of a trading halt for an extended period of time, the Fund may be unable to execute arrangements with swap counterparties that are necessary to implement the Fund’s investment strategy.
Operational Risk. The Fund is subject to risks arising from various operational factors, including, but not limited to, human error, processing and communication errors, errors of the Fund’s service providers, counterparties or other third-parties, failed or inadequate processes and technology or systems failures. The Fund relies on third-parties for a range of services, including custody. Any delay or failure relating to engaging or maintaining such service providers may affect the Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective. Although the Fund and the Fund’s investment advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures, there is no way to completely protect against such risks.
U.S. Government and U.S. Agency Obligations Risk. The Fund may invest in securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. Government obligations include securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, such as the U.S. Treasury. Payment of principal and interest on U.S. Government obligations may be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States or may be backed solely by the issuing or guaranteeing agency or instrumentality itself. In the latter case, the investor must look principally to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment, which agency or instrumentality may be privately owned. There can be no assurance that the U.S. Government would provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities (including government-sponsored enterprises) where it is not obligated to do so.
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 (the “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 and options 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 and options 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.
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Management
Investment Adviser: Tidal Investments LLC serves as investment adviser to the Fund.
Portfolio Managers:
The following individuals are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.
Qiao Duan, CFA, Portfolio Manager for the Adviser, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2025.
Christopher P. Mullen, Portfolio Manager for the Adviser has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2025.
Purchase and Sale of Shares
The Fund issues and redeems Shares at NAV only in large blocks known as “Creation Units,” which only APs (typically, broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities (the “Deposit Securities”) and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.
Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, such as the Exchange, and individual Shares may only be bought and sold in the secondary market through brokers at market prices, rather than NAV. Because Shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, Shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).
An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase Shares (the “bid” price) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for Shares (the “ask” price) when buying or selling Shares in the secondary market. This difference in bid and ask prices is often referred to as the “bid-ask spread.”
When available, information regarding the Fund’s NAV, market price, how often Shares traded on the Exchange at a premium or discount, and bid-ask spreads can be found on the Fund’s website at https://www.defianceetfs.com.
Tax Information
Fund distributions are generally taxable as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains (or a combination), unless an investment is in an individual retirement account (“IRA”) or other tax-advantaged account. Distributions on investments made through tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawal of assets from those accounts.
Financial Intermediary Compensation
If you purchase Shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), the Adviser or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange-traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training, or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.
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Important Information About the Fund
The Defiance Daily Target 2X Long PENN ETF (the “Fund”) seeks daily leveraged investment results of two times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of PENN Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: PENN) (the “Underlying Security” or “PENN”). Because the Fund seeks daily leveraged investment results, it is very different from most other exchange-traded funds. It is also riskier than alternatives that do not use leverage.
The return for investors that invest for periods longer or shorter than a trading day should not be expected to be 200% of the performance of the Underlying Security’s shares for the period. The return of the Fund for a period longer than a trading day will be the result of each trading day’s compounded return during such period held, which will very likely differ from 200% of the return of the Underlying Security’s shares for that period. Holding shares of the Fund for longer than a single day and higher volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares increase the impact of compounding on an investor’s returns, which may have a negative or positive impact on an investor’s returns. During periods of higher Underlying Security share price volatility, the volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares may affect the Fund’s return as much as, or more than, the return of the Underlying Security’s shares. The impact of compounding will impact each shareholder differently depending on the period of time an investment in the Fund is held and the volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares during a shareholder’s holding period of an investment in the Fund. See “Principal Investment Risks – Compounding and Market Volatility Risk” below for an example of how volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares may affect the Fund’s return as much as, or more than, the return of the Underlying Security’s shares.
The Fund is not suitable for all investors. The Fund is designed to be utilized only by knowledgeable investors who understand the potential consequences of seeking daily leveraged (2X) investment results, understand the risks associated with the use of leverage, and are willing to monitor their portfolios frequently. The Fund is not intended to be used by, and is not appropriate for, investors who do not intend to actively monitor and manage their portfolios. For periods longer than a single day, the Fund will lose money if the Underlying Security’s performance is flat, and it is possible that the Fund will lose money even if the Underlying Security’s performance increases over a period longer than a single day. An investor could lose the full principal value of his/her investment within a single day.
The Fund seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, of two times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of PENN Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: PENN). The Fund does not seek to achieve its stated investment objective for a period other than a single trading day.
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund (“Shares”). You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the table and Example below.
| Management Fee | % | ||||
| Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees | |||||
| Other Expenses(2) | % | ||||
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(3) | % | ||||
| (1) | |||||
| (2) | |||||
| (3) | |||||
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This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem or hold all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The Example does not take into account brokerage commissions that you may pay on your purchases and sales of Shares. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
| 1 Year | 3 Years |
| $ |
$ |
The Fund pays 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 Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in total annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. Because the Fund is newly organized, portfolio turnover information is not yet available.
The Fund is an actively managed exchange traded fund (“ETF”) that attempts to achieve two times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of the Underlying Security by employing derivatives, namely swap agreements and/or listed options contracts. The Fund aims to achieve this daily percentage change for a single day, and not for any other period. A “single day” means the period “from the close of regular trading on one trading day to the close on the next trading day.”
If the Fund encounters limitations in implementing its strategies, whether due to market conditions, derivative availability, counterparty issues, or other factors, the Fund may not achieve investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to two times (2x) the daily performance of the Underlying Security, and may return substantially less during such periods. During such periods, the Fund’s actual leverage levels may differ substantially from its intended target, both intraday and at the close of trading, potentially resulting in significantly lower returns.
The Fund may enter into one or more swap agreements with financial institutions for a specified period, which may range from one day to longer than a year. Through each swap agreement, the Fund and the financial institution will agree to exchange the return (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on the Underlying Security’s share price. The gross return (meaning the return before deducting any fees or expenses) to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties is calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” (meaning the face amount of the instrument) e.g., the return on or change in value of a particular dollar amount representing the Underlying Security.
The Fund may also utilize listed options to seek to achieve leveraged 2X exposure to the Underlying Security. The Fund will primarily employ short-dated (a month or less) in-the-money call options (options with strike prices below the current market price of the Underlying Security, offering immediate intrinsic value). Additionally, the Fund may use other option strategies to produce similar exposure to the Underlying Security, like buying calls and selling puts with identical strike prices. These options allow the Fund to adjust its leverage strategy in response to market conditions, liquidity constraints, or other factors that may affect the availability or pricing of swap agreements. The use of listed options provides additional flexibility in pursuing the Fund’s daily investment objective. In situations where swap availability is constrained, the Fund may rely more heavily on options contracts. Additionally, the Fund may use options in response to changing market dynamics. However, the use of option contracts is typically less efficient than swaps and may increase the likelihood that the Fund is unable to achieve its daily 2X objective.
At the end of each day, the Fund’s swaps and options are valued using market valuations and the Fund’s investment adviser rebalances the Fund’s holdings in an attempt to maintain leveraged exposure for the Fund equal to approximately 200% of the Underlying Security’s share price.
For examples of a hypothetical investment in the Fund, see the section in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Information About the Fund – Principal Investment Strategies.”
Fund performance for periods greater than one single day is primarily (but not solely) a function of the following factors: a) the Underlying Security volatility; b) the Underlying Security’s performance; c) period of time; d) financing rates associated with leveraged exposure; and e) other Fund expenses.
The Fund will hold assets to serve as collateral for its derivatives positions. For those collateral holdings, the Fund may invest in (1) U.S. Government securities, such as bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury; (2) money market funds; (3) short term bond ETFs; and/or (4) corporate debt securities, such as commercial paper and other short-term unsecured promissory notes issued by businesses that are rated investment grade or of comparable quality.
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The Fund is classified as “non-diversified” under the 1940 Act. The Fund’s strategy is expected to result in a high annual portfolio turnover rate.
Because of daily rebalancing and the compounding of each day’s return over time, the return of the Fund for periods longer than a single day will be the result of each day’s returns compounded over the period, which will very likely differ from 200% of the return of the Underlying Security’s shares over the same period. The Fund will lose money if the Underlying Security’s performance is flat over time, and because of daily rebalancing, the Underlying Security’s shares’ volatility and the effects of compounding, the Fund may lose money over time while the Underlying Security’s performance increases over a period longer than a single day. As a consequence, investors should not plan to hold shares of the Fund unmonitored for periods longer than a single trading day.
PENN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. (“PENN”)
PENN operates 43 properties across 20 states, offering casino gaming and online sports betting in 18 jurisdictions, as well as iCasino in five jurisdictions. The company manages brands such as Hollywood Casino®, L’Auberge®, ESPN BET™, and the Score Bet Sportsbook and Casino®. In August 2023, PENN formed a long-term alliance with ESPN focused on U.S. online sports betting. PENN integrates its digital and retail operations through its proprietary betting platform, in-house iCasino content studio, and the PENN Play™ loyalty program, which serves over 29 million members. PENN is listed on The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC. Per PENN’s most recent Form 10-K filing, the aggregate market value of the voting stock of PENN held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2024 was $2.9 billion.
PENN is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Information provided to or filed with the SEC by PENN pursuant to the Exchange Act can be located by reference to the SEC file number 0-24206 through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, information regarding PENN may be obtained from other sources including, but not limited to, press releases, newspaper articles and other publicly disseminated documents.
This document relates only to the securities offered hereby and does not relate to the shares of PENN or other securities of PENN. The Fund has derived all disclosures contained in this document regarding PENN from the publicly available documents. None of the Fund, the Trust, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates has participated in the preparation of such publicly available offering documents or made any due diligence inquiry regarding such documents with respect to PENN. None of the Fund, the Trust, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates makes any representation that such publicly available documents or any other publicly available information regarding PENN is accurate or complete. Furthermore, the Fund cannot give any assurance that all events occurring prior to the date hereof (including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of the publicly available documents described above) that would affect the trading price of PENN (and therefore the share price of the Fund at the time we price the securities) have been publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any such events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning PENN could affect the value received with respect to the securities and therefore the value of the securities.
None of the Fund, the Trust, the Adviser, or their respective affiliates makes any representation to you as to the performance of PENN.
NONE OF THE FUND, TIDAL TRUST II, OR TIDAL INVESTMENTS LLC IS AFFILIATED, CONNECTED, OR ASSOCIATED WITH PENN ENTERTAINMENT, INC. THE FUND WAS NOT DEVELOPED OR CREATED BY, AND IS NOT SPONSORED, ENDORSED, OR APPROVED BY, PENN ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
Moreover, PENN Entertainment, Inc. has not participated in the development of the Fund’s investment strategy. PENN Entertainment, Inc. does not select or approve the Fund’s portfolio holdings, nor does it participate in the construction, design, or implementation of the Fund. PENN Entertainment, Inc. does not provide any assurances, guarantees, or representations regarding the Fund or its performance. Nothing herein shall be construed as an offer of any security by PENN Entertainment, Inc.
None of the Fund, the Trust, the Adviser, or their respective affiliates claim any ownership interest in any trademarks owned by PENN or its affiliates. All rights in the trademarks are reserved by their respective owners.
Due to the Fund’s investment strategy, the Fund’s investment exposure is concentrated in the same industry as that assigned to the Underlying Security. As of the date of the Prospectus, PENN is assigned to the Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure industry.
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Principal Investment Risks
The principal risks of investing in the Fund are summarized below. As with any investment, there is a risk that you could lose all or a portion of your investment in the Fund. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) per Share, trading price, yield, total return, and/or ability to meet its investment objective. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the section in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Information About the Fund—Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund.”
An
investment in the Fund entails risk.
Each risk summarized below is considered a “principal risk” of investing in the Fund, regardless of the order in which it appears.
PENN Risks. The Fund invests in swap contracts and options that are based on the share price of PENN. This subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it owned shares of PENN, even though it does not. By virtue of the Fund’s investments in swap contracts and options that are based on the value of PENN, the Fund may also be subject to the following risks:
Indirect Investment in PENN Risk. PENN is not affiliated with the Trust, the Fund, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates and is not involved with this offering in any way and has no obligation to consider your Shares in taking any corporate actions that might affect the value of Shares. Investors in the Fund will not have voting rights and will not be able to influence management of PENN but will be exposed to the performance of PENN (the Underlying Security). Investors in the Fund will not have the right to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to the Underlying Security but will be subject to declines in the performance of the Underlying Security.
PENN Trading Risk. The trading price of PENN may be subject to volatility and could experience wide fluctuations due to various factors. Short sellers may also play a significant role in trading PENN, potentially affecting the supply and demand dynamics and contributing to market price volatility. Public perception and external factors beyond the company’s control may influence PENN’s stock price disproportionately. Additionally, following periods of market volatility, companies have faced securities class action litigation. Any adverse judgment or future stockholder litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources. In the event of a halt in trading of PENN, trading in shares of related funds may be impacted, either temporarily or indefinitely.
PENN Performance Risk. PENN may fail to meet its publicly announced guidelines or other expectations about its business, which could cause the price of PENN to decline. PENN provides guidance regarding its expected financial and business performance, such as projections regarding sales and production, as well as anticipated future revenues, gross margins, profitability and cash flows. Correctly identifying key factors affecting business conditions and predicting future events is inherently an uncertain process, and the guidance PENN provides may not ultimately be accurate. If PENN’s guidance is not accurate or varies from actual results due to its inability to meet the assumptions or the impact on its financial performance that could occur as a result of various risks and uncertainties, the market value of common stock issued by PENN could decline significantly.
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry Risks. Investments in the Hotels, Restaurants, and Leisure industry are subject to a variety of risks that may adversely affect the performance of the Fund. Companies in this industry are highly sensitive to changes in consumer preferences, discretionary spending, and overall economic conditions, including employment levels, disposable income, and consumer confidence. Economic downturns, inflationary pressures, and rising interest rates can significantly reduce demand for travel, dining, and leisure activities, impacting revenue and profitability.
The industry faces intense competition, with participants requiring substantial capital to maintain, improve, or expand operations. Fluctuations in labor costs, including minimum wage increases and collective bargaining activities, may result in higher operating expenses. Regulatory and compliance risks, such as health and safety standards, food safety requirements, alcohol sales regulations, and environmental laws, can impose additional costs or operational constraints. Furthermore, companies in this sector are susceptible to reputational damage from customer dissatisfaction, foodborne illnesses, or safety incidents, which could materially impact their financial condition and performance.
The industry is also exposed to risks associated with geopolitical events, pandemics, natural disasters, and climate change, which may disrupt operations, reduce customer demand, or result in temporary closures. For companies with significant international operations, currency fluctuations, trade restrictions, and political instability may also adversely impact financial results. Additionally, technological advancements and the shift to online platforms for booking, delivery, or marketing introduce competition from non-traditional market participants, increasing pressure on traditional business models.
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Business Risks. PENN faces significant risks stemming from its reliance on discretionary consumer spending, which can be adversely affected by economic downturns, competition, and regulatory changes in the highly regulated gaming and entertainment industries. The company’s expansion into sports betting and iCasino markets, including its strategic partnership with ESPN, presents operational uncertainties, including competition, user acquisition challenges, and regulatory compliance. Additionally, PENN’s substantial debt and lease obligations heighten financial risks, while its dependence on key properties, personnel, and third-party providers exposes it to potential disruptions. Climate change, labor challenges, and intellectual property issues further compound operational risks.
PENN is also subject to technology and cybersecurity risks which pose additional challenges, as it relies on third-party cloud services and mobile platforms to deliver its offerings, which could be disrupted by service interruptions or data breaches. Reputational risks, including compliance failures or unmet stakeholder expectations related to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, could harm the company’s competitive position. Legal and regulatory uncertainties, such as potential changes to taxation, consumer privacy laws, or smoking restrictions, along with ongoing litigation, add to the complexity of managing its operations and financial performance.
Single Issuer Risk. Issuer-specific attributes may cause an investment in the Fund to be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment which diversifies risk or the market generally. The value of the Fund, which focuses on an individual security, may be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole and may perform differently from the value of a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole. Additionally, the Fund will seek to employ its investment strategy as it relates to the underlying issuer regardless of whether there are significant corporate actions such as restructurings, enforcement activity, or acquisitions or periods adverse market, economic, or other conditions and will not seek to take temporary defensive positions during such periods.
Compounding and Market Volatility Risk. The Fund has a daily leveraged investment objective and the Fund’s performance for periods greater than a trading day will be the result of each day’s returns compounded over the period, which is very likely to differ from two times (200%) the Underlying Security’s performance, before the Fund’s management fee and other expenses. Compounding affects all investments but has a more significant impact on funds that aim to replicate leveraged daily returns and that rebalance daily. For the Fund aiming to replicate two times the daily performance of an Underlying Security, if adverse daily performance of the Underlying Security reduces the amount of a shareholder’s investment, any further adverse daily performance will lead to a smaller dollar loss because the shareholder’s investment had already been reduced by the prior adverse performance. Equally, however, if favorable daily performance of the Underlying Security increases the amount of a shareholder’s investment, the dollar amount lost due to future adverse performance will increase because the shareholder’s investment has increased.
The effect of compounding becomes more pronounced as the Underlying Security’s volatility and the holding period increase. The impact of compounding will impact each shareholder differently depending on the period of time an investment in the Fund is held and the volatility of the Underlying Security during a shareholder’s holding period of an investment in the Fund.
The chart below provides examples of how the Underlying Security’s volatility could affect the Fund’s performance. The chart illustrates the impact of two factors that affect the Fund’s performance – the Underlying Security’s volatility and the Underlying Security’s performance. The Underlying Security’s performance shows the percentage change in the share price of the Underlying Security over the specified time period, while the Underlying Security’s volatility is a statistical measure of the magnitude of fluctuations in the returns during that time period. As illustrated below, even if the Underlying Security’s performance over two equal time periods is identical, different Underlying Security volatility (i.e., in magnitude of fluctuations in the share price of the Underlying Security) during the two time periods could result in drastically different Fund performance for the two time periods because of compounding daily returns during the time periods.
Fund performance for periods greater than one single day can be estimated given any set of assumptions for the following factors: a) the Underlying Security volatility; b) the Underlying Security performance; c) period of time; d) financing rates associated with leveraged exposure; and e) other Fund expenses. The chart shows estimated Fund returns for a number of combinations of Underlying Security volatility and Underlying Security performance over a one-year period. Performance shown in the chart assumes that: (i) there were no Fund expenses; (ii) borrowing/lending rates (to obtain leveraged exposure) of 0%. If Fund expenses and/or actual borrowing/lending rates were reflected the estimated returns would be different than those shown. Particularly during periods of higher Underlying Security volatility, compounding will cause results for periods longer than a trading day to vary from two times (200%) the performance of the Underlying Security.
As shown in the chart below, the Fund would be expected to lose 6.1% if there was no change in the share price of the Underlying Security over a one-year period during which the Underlying Security experienced annualized volatility of 25%. If the Underlying Security’s annualized volatility were to rise to 75%, the hypothetical loss for a one-year period would widen to approximately -43%. At higher ranges of volatility, there is a chance of a significant loss of value in the Fund, even if there were no change in the share price of the Underlying Security. For instance, if the Underlying Security’s annualized volatility is 100%, the Fund would be expected to lose 63.2% of its value, even if the cumulative Underlying Security change in the share price of the Underlying Security for the year was 0%.
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Areas shaded red (or dark gray) represent those scenarios where the Fund can be expected to return less than two times (200%) the performance of the Underlying Security and those shaded green (or light gray) represent those scenarios where the Fund can be expected to return more than two times (200%) the performance of the Underlying Security. The Fund’s actual performance may be significantly better or worse than the performance shown below as a result of any of the factors discussed above or in the “Daily Correlation/Tracking Risk” below.
| Estimated
Returns of 200% or Two Times Performance of the Underlying Security |
|||||||
| Underlying Security Performance | One Year Volatility Rate | ||||||
| One
Year Underlying Security |
2X
Times (200%) the One Year Performance |
10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 100% | |
| -60% | -120% | -84.2% | -85.0% | -87.5% | -90.9% | -94.1% | |
| -50% | -100% | -75.2% | -76.5% | -80.5% | -85.8% | -90.8% | |
| -40% | -80% | -64.4% | -66.2% | -72.0% | -79.5% | -86.8% | |
| -30% | -60% | -51.5% | -54.0% | -61.8% | -72.1% | -82.0% | |
| -20% | -40% | -36.6% | -39.9% | -50.2% | -63.5% | -76.5% | |
| -10% | -20% | -19.8% | -23.9% | -36.9% | -53.8% | -70.2% | |
| 0% | 0% | -1.0% | -6.1% | -22.1% | -43.0% | -63.2% | |
| 10% | 20% | 19.8% | 13.7% | -5.8% | -31.1% | -55.5% | |
| 20% | 40% | 42.6% | 35.3% | 12.1% | -18.0% | -47.0% | |
| 30% | 60% | 67.3% | 58.8% | 31.6% | -3.7% | -37.8% | |
| 40% | 80% | 94.0% | 84.1% | 52.6% | 11.7% | -27.9% | |
| 50% | 100% | 122.8% | 111.4% | 75.2% | 28.2% | -17.2% | |
| 60% | 120% | 153.5% | 140.5% | 99.4% | 45.9% | -5.8% | |
The Underlying Security’s annualized historical volatility rate for the five-year period ended June 30, 2025 was 58.41%. The Underlying Security’s highest volatility rate for any one calendar year during this period was 63.65% and volatility for a shorter period of time may have been substantially higher. The Underlying Security’s annualized performance during this period was 10.16%. Historical Underlying Security volatility and performance are not indications of what Underlying Security volatility and performance will be in the future.
Daily Correlation/Tracking Risk. There is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve a high degree of leveraged correlation to the Underlying Security and therefore achieve its daily leveraged investment objective. To achieve a high degree of leveraged correlation with the Underlying Security, the Fund seeks to rebalance its portfolio daily to keep exposure consistent with its daily leveraged investment objective. The possibility of the Fund being materially over- or under-exposed to the Underlying Security increases on days when the Underlying Security is volatile near the close of the trading day. Market disruptions, regulatory restrictions and extreme volatility will also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to adjust exposure to the required levels. If there is a significant intra-day market event and/or the Underlying Security experiences a significant increase or decline, the Fund may not meet its investment objective, be able to rebalance its portfolio appropriately, or may experience significant premiums or discounts, or widened bid-ask spreads.
The Fund may have difficulty achieving its daily leveraged investment objective due to fees, expenses, transaction costs, financing costs related to the use of derivatives, investments in ETFs, directly or indirectly, income items, valuation methodology, accounting standards and disruptions or illiquidity in the markets for the securities or derivatives held by the Fund. The Fund may be subject to large movements of assets into and out of the Fund, potentially resulting in the Fund being over- or under-exposed to the Underlying Security. The Fund may take or refrain from taking positions to improve the tax efficiency or to comply with various regulatory restrictions, either of which may negatively impact the Fund’s leveraged correlation to the Underlying Security.
Leverage Risk. The Fund obtains investment exposure in excess of its net assets by utilizing leverage and may lose more money in market conditions that are adverse to its investment objective than a fund that does not utilize leverage. An investment in the Fund is exposed to the risk that a decline in the daily performance of the Underlying Security will be magnified. This means that an investment in the Fund will be reduced by an amount equal to 2% for every 1% daily decline in the share price of the Underlying Security, not including the costs of financing leverage and other operating expenses, which would further reduce its value. The Fund could theoretically lose an amount greater than its net assets in the event the share price of the Underlying Security declines more than 50%. Leverage will also have the effect of magnifying any differences in the Fund performance’s correlation with the Underlying Security’s share price.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive value from the underlying reference asset or assets, such as stocks, bonds, or funds (including ETFs), interest rates or indexes. The Fund’s investments in derivatives may pose risks in addition to, and greater than, those associated with directly investing in securities or other ordinary investments, including risk related to the market, leverage, imperfect daily correlations with underlying investments or the Fund’s other portfolio holdings, higher price volatility, lack of availability, counterparty risk, liquidity, valuation and legal restrictions. The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The use of derivatives may result in larger losses or smaller gains than directly investing in securities. When the Fund uses derivatives, there may be imperfect correlation between the share price of the Underlying Security and the derivative, which may prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objective. Because derivatives often require only a limited initial investment, the use of derivatives may expose the Fund to losses in excess of those amounts initially invested.
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The Fund will be subject to regulatory constraints relating to level of value at risk that the Fund may incur through its derivative portfolio. To the extent the Fund exceeds these regulatory thresholds over an extended period, the Fund may determine that it is necessary to make adjustments to the Fund’s investment strategy, including the desired daily leveraged performance for the Fund.
In addition, the Fund’s investments in derivatives are subject to the following risks:
Swap Agreements. The use of swap transactions is a highly specialized activity, which 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 counterparties for those swap agreements. If the Adviser is unable to enter into swap agreements that provide leveraged exposure to the Underlying Security, the Fund may not meet its stated investment objective. Additionally, any financing, borrowing or other costs associated with using swap transactions may also 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 derivatives 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 or underlying 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 a basket of securities.
If the Underlying Security has a dramatic move that causes a material decline in the Fund’s net assets, the terms of a swap agreement between the Fund and its counterparty may permit the counterparty to immediately 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 achieve exposure consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. This may prevent the Fund from achieving its leveraged investment objective, even if the Underlying Security later reverses all or a portion of its movement.
Options Contracts. The use of options contracts involves investment strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The prices of options are volatile and are influenced by, among other things, actual and anticipated changes in the value of the underlying instrument, including the anticipated volatility, which are affected by fiscal and monetary policies and by national and international political, changes in the actual or implied volatility or the reference asset, the time remaining until the expiration of the option contract and economic events. The value of the options contracts in which the Fund invests are substantially influenced by the value of the Underlying Security. The Fund may experience substantial downside from specific option positions and certain option positions held by the Fund may expire worthless. The options held by the Fund are exercisable at the strike price on their expiration date. As an option approaches its expiration date, its value typically increasingly moves with the value of the underlying instrument. However, prior to such date, the value of an option generally does not increase or decrease at the same rate as the underlying instrument. There may at times be an imperfect correlation between the movement in values options contracts and the underlying instrument, and there may at times not be a liquid secondary market for certain options contracts. The value of the options held by the Fund will be determined based on market quotations or other recognized pricing methods. Additionally, as the Fund intends to continuously maintain indirect exposure to the Underlying Security through the use of options contracts, as the options contracts it holds are exercised or expire it will enter into new options contracts, a practice referred to as “rolling.” If the expiring options contracts do not generate proceeds enough to cover the cost of entering into new options contracts, the Fund may experience losses. The use of options to generate leverage introduces additional risks, including significant potential losses if the market moves unfavorably. The leverage inherent in options can amplify both gains and losses, leading to increased volatility and potential for substantial losses, particularly in periods of market uncertainty or low liquidity. Additionally, the Fund may incur losses if the value of the Underlying Security moves against its positions, potentially resulting in a complete loss of the premium paid.
Counterparty Risk. The Fund is subject to counterparty risk by virtue of its investments in derivatives which exposes the Fund to the risk that the counterparty will not fulfill its obligation to the Fund. Counterparty risk may arise because of the counterparty’s financial condition (i.e., financial difficulties, bankruptcy, or insolvency), market activities and developments, or other reasons, whether foreseen or not. A counterparty’s inability to fulfill its obligation may result in significant financial loss to the Fund and the Fund may be unable to recover its investment from such counterparty or may obtain a limited and/or delayed recovery.
Counterparties may seek to hedge their exposure to individual clients (such as the Fund) by establishing offsetting exposures with other clients, however, there is no guarantee that counterparties will do so under all circumstances. Should a counterparty (e.g., a swap counterparty) terminate its relationship with the Fund, the Fund will seek to utilize other counterparties to seek to maintain its exposures. In addition, the Fund may use options contracts to seek to generate the leverage necessary to implement its strategy. The use of options contracts introduces distinct risks, including heightened volatility, particularly intraday. While options may provide an ancillary benefit of mitigating some losses under specific scenarios, such as severe market downturns, their inherent leverage and rapid price fluctuations can amplify the Fund’s performance volatility and lead to greater risks of substantial losses. Refer to “Derivatives Risk – Options Contracts” for additional information on the risks of investing in options.
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In addition, the Fund may enter into swap agreements with a limited number of counterparties, which may increase the Fund’s exposure to counterparty credit risk. Further, there is a risk that no suitable counterparties will be willing to enter into, or continue to enter into, transactions with the Fund and, as a result, the Fund may not be able to achieve its investment objective.
Intra-Day Investment Risk. The Fund seeks investment results from the close of the market on a given trading day until the close of the market on the subsequent trading day. The exact exposure of an investment in the Fund intraday in the secondary market is a function of the difference between the share price of the Underlying Security at the market close on the first trading day and the share price of the Underlying Security at the time of purchase. If the share price of the Underlying Security rises, the Fund’s net assets will rise by approximately twice the amount as the Fund’s exposure. Conversely, if the share price of the Underlying Security declines, the Fund’s net assets will decline by approximately two times the amount as the Fund’s exposure. Thus, an investor that purchases Shares intra-day may experience performance that is greater than, or less than, the Fund’s stated leveraged performance of the Underlying Security.
If there is a significant intra-day market event and/or the securities of the Underlying Security experience a significant increase or decrease, the Fund may not meet its investment objective or rebalance its portfolio appropriately.
Fixed Income Securities Risk. When the Fund invests in fixed income securities, the value of your investment in the Fund will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Typically, a rise in interest rates causes a decline in the value of fixed income securities owned by the Fund. In general, the market price of fixed income securities with longer maturities will increase or decrease more in response to changes in interest rates than shorter-term securities. Other risk factors include credit risk (the debtor may default), extension risk (an issuer may exercise its right to repay principal on a fixed rate obligation held by the Fund later than expected), and prepayment risk (the debtor may pay its obligation early, reducing the amount of interest payments). These risks could affect the value of a particular investment by the Fund, possibly causing the Fund’s Share price and total return to be reduced and fluctuate more than other types of investments.
Rebalancing Risk. If for any reason the Fund is unable to rebalance all or a portion of its portfolio, or if all or a portion of the portfolio is rebalanced incorrectly, the Fund’s investment exposure may not be consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. In these instances, the Fund may have investment exposure to the Underlying Security that is significantly greater or less than its stated investment objective. As a result, the Fund may be exposed to leverage risk because it had not been properly rebalanced and may not achieve its investment objective.
ETF Risks
Authorized Participants, Market Makers, and Liquidity Providers Concentration Risk. The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that are authorized to purchase and redeem Shares directly from the Fund (known as “Authorized Participants” or “APs”). In addition, there may be a limited number of market makers and/or liquidity providers in the marketplace. To the extent either of the following events occur, Shares may trade at a material discount to NAV and possibly face delisting: (i) APs exit the business or otherwise become unable to process creation and/or redemption orders and no other APs step forward to perform these services; or (ii) market makers and/or liquidity providers exit the business or significantly reduce their business activities and no other entities step forward to perform their functions.
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.
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Trading. Although Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, such as The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC (the “Exchange”), and may be traded on U.S. exchanges other than the Exchange, there can be no assurance that Shares will trade with any volume, or at all, on any stock exchange. In stressed market conditions, the liquidity of Shares may begin to mirror the liquidity of the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings, which can be significantly less liquid than Shares. This adverse effect on liquidity for the Fund’s shares may lead to wider bid-ask spreads and differences between the market price of the Fund’s shares and the underlying value of the shares.
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.”
Economic and Market Risk. Economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets or issuers in other countries or regions. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform in comparison to securities in the general financial markets, a particular financial market, or other asset classes, due to a number of factors, including inflation (or expectations for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, market instability, financial system instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers, regulatory events, other governmental trade or market control programs and related geopolitical events. In addition, the value of the Fund’s investments may be negatively affected by the occurrence of global events such as war, terrorism, environmental disasters, natural disasters or events, country instability, and infectious disease epidemics or pandemics. The imposition by the U.S. of tariffs on goods imported from foreign countries and reciprocal tariffs levied on U.S. goods by those countries also may lead to volatility and instability in domestic and foreign markets.
High Portfolio Turnover Risk. Daily rebalancing of the Fund’s holdings pursuant to its daily investment objective causes a much greater number of portfolio transactions when compared to most ETFs. Additionally, active market trading of the Fund’s Shares on exchanges (such as the Exchange), could cause more frequent creation and redemption activities, which could increase the number of portfolio transactions. Frequent and active trading may lead to higher transaction costs because of increased broker commissions resulting from such transactions. In addition, there is the possibility of significantly increased short-term capital gains (which will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income when distributed to them). The Fund calculates portfolio turnover without including the short-term cash instruments or derivative transactions that comprise the majority of the Fund’s trading. As such, if the Fund’s extensive use of derivative instruments were reflected, the calculated portfolio turnover rate would be significantly higher.
Tracking Error Risk. Tracking error is the divergence of the Fund’s performance from that of its investment objective which aims to replicate two times the daily percentage change in the price of the Underlying Security. Tracking error may occur for a number of reasons. Tracking error may occur because of transaction costs, the Fund’s holding of cash, differences in accrual of dividends, being under- or overexposed to the Underlying Security or the need to meet new or existing regulatory requirements. Tracking error risk may be heightened during times of market volatility or other unusual market conditions such as market disruptions. The Fund may be required to deviate from its investment objectives, and therefore experience tracking error, as a result of market restrictions or other legal reasons, including regulatory limits or other restrictions on securities that may be purchased by the Adviser and its affiliates.
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. Certain market conditions or restrictions may prevent the Fund from limiting losses, realizing gains or achieving a high correlation with the Underlying Security. 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.
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Money Market Instrument Risk. The Fund may use a variety of money market instruments for cash management purposes, including money market funds, depositary accounts and repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are contracts in which a seller of securities agrees to buy the securities back at a specified time and price. Repurchase agreements may be subject to market and credit risk related to the collateral securing the repurchase agreement. Money market instruments may lose money.
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.
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. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.
Trading Halt Risk. Although the Underlying Security’s shares are listed for trading on an exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for such shares will be available at all times and the Exchange may halt trading of such shares in certain circumstances. A halt in trading in the Underlying Security’s shares is expected, in turn, to result in a halt in the trading in the Fund’s Shares. Trading in the Underlying Security’s and/or Fund’s Shares on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in the Underlying Security’s and/or Fund’s Shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in Underlying Security’s and/or Fund’s Shares on an exchange is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to exchange “circuit breaker” rules.” In the event of a trading halt for an extended period of time, the Fund may be unable to execute arrangements with swap counterparties that are necessary to implement the Fund’s investment strategy.
Operational Risk. The Fund is subject to risks arising from various operational factors, including, but not limited to, human error, processing and communication errors, errors of the Fund’s service providers, counterparties or other third-parties, failed or inadequate processes and technology or systems failures. The Fund relies on third-parties for a range of services, including custody. Any delay or failure relating to engaging or maintaining such service providers may affect the Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective. Although the Fund and the Fund’s investment advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures, there is no way to completely protect against such risks.
U.S. Government and U.S. Agency Obligations Risk. The Fund may invest in securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. Government obligations include securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, such as the U.S. Treasury. Payment of principal and interest on U.S. Government obligations may be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States or may be backed solely by the issuing or guaranteeing agency or instrumentality itself. In the latter case, the investor must look principally to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment, which agency or instrumentality may be privately owned. There can be no assurance that the U.S. Government would provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities (including government-sponsored enterprises) where it is not obligated to do so.
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 (the “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 and options 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 and options 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.
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Management
Investment Adviser: Tidal Investments LLC serves as investment adviser to the Fund.
Portfolio Managers:
The following individuals are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.
Qiao Duan, CFA, Portfolio Manager for the Adviser, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2025.
Christopher P. Mullen, Portfolio Manager for the Adviser has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2025.
Purchase and Sale of Shares
The Fund issues and redeems Shares at NAV only in large blocks known as “Creation Units,” which only APs (typically, broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities (the “Deposit Securities”) and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.
Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, such as the Exchange, and individual Shares may only be bought and sold in the secondary market through brokers at market prices, rather than NAV. Because Shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, Shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).
An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase Shares (the “bid” price) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for Shares (the “ask” price) when buying or selling Shares in the secondary market. This difference in bid and ask prices is often referred to as the “bid-ask spread.”
When available, information regarding the Fund’s NAV, market price, how often Shares traded on the Exchange at a premium or discount, and bid-ask spreads can be found on the Fund’s website at https://www.defianceetfs.com.
Tax Information
Fund distributions are generally taxable as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains (or a combination), unless an investment is in an individual retirement account (“IRA”) or other tax-advantaged account. Distributions on investments made through tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawal of assets from those accounts.
Financial Intermediary Compensation
If you purchase Shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), the Adviser or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange-traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training, or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.
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Important Information About the Fund
The Defiance Daily Target 2X Long SOUN ETF (the “Fund”) seeks daily leveraged investment results of two times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of SoundHound AI, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOUN) (the “Underlying Security” or “SOUN”). Because the Fund seeks daily leveraged investment results, it is very different from most other exchange-traded funds. It is also riskier than alternatives that do not use leverage.
The return for investors that invest for periods longer or shorter than a trading day should not be expected to be 200% of the performance of the Underlying Security’s shares for the period. The return of the Fund for a period longer than a trading day will be the result of each trading day’s compounded return during such period held, which will very likely differ from 200% of the return of the Underlying Security’s shares for that period. Holding shares of the Fund for longer than a single day and higher volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares increase the impact of compounding on an investor’s returns, which may have a negative or positive impact on an investor’s returns. During periods of higher Underlying Security share price volatility, the volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares may affect the Fund’s return as much as, or more than, the return of the Underlying Security’s shares. The impact of compounding will impact each shareholder differently depending on the period of time an investment in the Fund is held and the volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares during a shareholder’s holding period of an investment in the Fund. See “Principal Investment Risks – Compounding and Market Volatility Risk” below for an example of how volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares may affect the Fund’s return as much as, or more than, the return of the Underlying Security’s shares.
The Fund is not suitable for all investors. The Fund is designed to be utilized only by knowledgeable investors who understand the potential consequences of seeking daily leveraged (2X) investment results, understand the risks associated with the use of leverage, and are willing to monitor their portfolios frequently. The Fund is not intended to be used by, and is not appropriate for, investors who do not intend to actively monitor and manage their portfolios. For periods longer than a single day, the Fund will lose money if the Underlying Security’s performance is flat, and it is possible that the Fund will lose money even if the Underlying Security’s performance increases over a period longer than a single day. An investor could lose the full principal value of his/her investment within a single day.
The Fund seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, of two times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of SoundHound AI, Inc. (NASDAQ: SOUN). The Fund does not seek to achieve its stated investment objective for a period other than a single trading day.
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund (“Shares”). You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the table and Example below.
| Management Fee | % | ||||
| Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees | |||||
| Other Expenses(2) | % | ||||
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(3) | % | ||||
| (1) | |||||
| (2) | |||||
| (3) | |||||
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This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem or hold all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The Example does not take into account brokerage commissions that you may pay on your purchases and sales of Shares. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
| 1 Year | 3 Years |
| $ |
$ |
The Fund pays 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 Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in total annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. Because the Fund is newly organized, portfolio turnover information is not yet available.
The Fund is an actively managed exchange traded fund (“ETF”) that attempts to achieve two times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of the Underlying Security by employing derivatives, namely swap agreements and/or listed options contracts. The Fund aims to achieve this daily percentage change for a single day, and not for any other period. A “single day” means the period “from the close of regular trading on one trading day to the close on the next trading day.”
If the Fund encounters limitations in implementing its strategies, whether due to market conditions, derivative availability, counterparty issues, or other factors, the Fund may not achieve investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to two times (2x) the daily performance of the Underlying Security, and may return substantially less during such periods. During such periods, the Fund’s actual leverage levels may differ substantially from its intended target, both intraday and at the close of trading, potentially resulting in significantly lower returns.
The Fund may enter into one or more swap agreements with financial institutions for a specified period, which may range from one day to longer than a year. Through each swap agreement, the Fund and the financial institution will agree to exchange the return (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on the Underlying Security’s share price. The gross return (meaning the return before deducting any fees or expenses) to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties is calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” (meaning the face amount of the instrument) e.g., the return on or change in value of a particular dollar amount representing the Underlying Security.
The Fund may also utilize listed options to seek to achieve leveraged 2X exposure to the Underlying Security. The Fund will primarily employ short-dated (a month or less) in-the-money call options (options with strike prices below the current market price of the Underlying Security, offering immediate intrinsic value). Additionally, the Fund may use other option strategies to produce similar exposure to the Underlying Security, like buying calls and selling puts with identical strike prices. These options allow the Fund to adjust its leverage strategy in response to market conditions, liquidity constraints, or other factors that may affect the availability or pricing of swap agreements. The use of listed options provides additional flexibility in pursuing the Fund’s daily investment objective. In situations where swap availability is constrained, the Fund may rely more heavily on options contracts. Additionally, the Fund may use options in response to changing market dynamics. However, the use of option contracts is typically less efficient than swaps and may increase the likelihood that the Fund is unable to achieve its daily 2X objective.
At the end of each day, the Fund’s swaps and options are valued using market valuations and the Fund’s investment adviser rebalances the Fund’s holdings in an attempt to maintain leveraged exposure for the Fund equal to approximately 200% of the Underlying Security’s share price.
For examples of a hypothetical investment in the Fund, see the section in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Information About the Fund – Principal Investment Strategies.”
Fund performance for periods greater than one single day is primarily (but not solely) a function of the following factors: a) the Underlying Security volatility; b) the Underlying Security’s performance; c) period of time; d) financing rates associated with leveraged exposure; and e) other Fund expenses.
The Fund will hold assets to serve as collateral for its derivatives positions. For those collateral holdings, the Fund may invest in (1) U.S. Government securities, such as bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury; (2) money market funds; (3) short term bond ETFs; and/or (4) corporate debt securities, such as commercial paper and other short-term unsecured promissory notes issued by businesses that are rated investment grade or of comparable quality.
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The Fund is classified as “non-diversified” under the 1940 Act. The Fund’s strategy is expected to result in a high annual portfolio turnover rate.
Because of daily rebalancing and the compounding of each day’s return over time, the return of the Fund for periods longer than a single day will be the result of each day’s returns compounded over the period, which will very likely differ from 200% of the return of the Underlying Security’s shares over the same period. The Fund will lose money if the Underlying Security’s performance is flat over time, and because of daily rebalancing, the Underlying Security’s shares’ volatility and the effects of compounding, the Fund may lose money over time while the Underlying Security’s performance increases over a period longer than a single day. As a consequence, investors should not plan to hold shares of the Fund unmonitored for periods longer than a single trading day.
SOUNDHOUND AI, INC. (“SOUN”)
SOUN develops proprietary conversational intelligence technology, enabling businesses to integrate voice AI into products across industries such as automotive, TV, and IoT. Its Houndify platform provides developers with access to a library of over 100 content domains, supported by patented architectures for natural language processing and machine learning. With a strong intellectual property portfolio and experienced leadership, SoundHound is positioned as a key player in the Voice AI market. SOUN is listed on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”). Per SOUN’s most recent Form 10-K filing, the aggregate market value of the voting stock of SOUN held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2024 was $1.2 billion.
SOUN is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Information provided to or filed with the SEC by SOUN pursuant to the Exchange Act can be located by reference to the SEC file number 001-40193 through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, information regarding SOUN may be obtained from other sources including, but not limited to, press releases, newspaper articles and other publicly disseminated documents.
This document relates only to the securities offered hereby and does not relate to the shares of SOUN or other securities of SOUN. The Fund has derived all disclosures contained in this document regarding SOUN from the publicly available documents. None of the Fund, the Trust, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates has participated in the preparation of such publicly available offering documents or made any due diligence inquiry regarding such documents with respect to SOUN. None of the Fund, the Trust, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates makes any representation that such publicly available documents or any other publicly available information regarding SOUN is accurate or complete. Furthermore, the Fund cannot give any assurance that all events occurring prior to the date hereof (including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of the publicly available documents described above) that would affect the trading price of SOUN (and therefore the share price of the Fund at the time we price the securities) have been publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any such events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning SOUN could affect the value received with respect to the securities and therefore the value of the securities.
None of the Fund, the Trust, the Adviser, or their respective affiliates makes any representation to you as to the performance of SOUN.
NONE OF THE FUND, TIDAL TRUST II, OR TIDAL INVESTMENTS LLC IS AFFILIATED, CONNECTED, OR ASSOCIATED WITH SOUNDHOUND AI, INC. THE FUND WAS NOT DEVELOPED OR CREATED BY, AND IS NOT SPONSORED, ENDORSED, OR APPROVED BY, SOUNDHOUND AI, INC.
Moreover, SoundHound AI, Inc. has not participated in the development of the Fund’s investment strategy. SoundHound AI, Inc. does not select or approve the Fund’s portfolio holdings, nor does it participate in the construction, design, or implementation of the Fund. SoundHound AI, Inc. does not provide any assurances, guarantees, or representations regarding the Fund or its performance. Nothing herein shall be construed as an offer of any security by SoundHound AI, Inc.
None of the Fund, the Trust, the Adviser, or their respective affiliates claim any ownership interest in any trademarks owned by SOUN or its affiliates. All rights in the trademarks are reserved by their respective owners.
Due to the Fund’s investment strategy, the Fund’s investment exposure is concentrated in the same industry as that assigned to the Underlying Security. As of the date of the Prospectus, SOUN is assigned to the Software industry.
Principal Investment Risks
The principal risks of investing in the Fund are summarized below. As with any investment, there is a risk that you could lose all or a portion of your investment in the Fund. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) per Share, trading price, yield, total return, and/or ability to meet its investment objective. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the section in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Information About the Fund—Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund.”
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An
investment in the Fund entails risk.
Each risk summarized below is considered a “principal risk” of investing in the Fund, regardless of the order in which it appears.
SOUN Risks. The Fund invests in swap contracts and options that are based on the share price of SOUN. This subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it owned shares of SOUN, even though it does not. By virtue of the Fund’s investments in swap contracts and options that are based on the value of SOUN, the Fund may also be subject to the following risks:
Indirect Investment in SOUN Risk. SOUN is not affiliated with the Trust, the Fund, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates and is not involved with this offering in any way and has no obligation to consider your Shares in taking any corporate actions that might affect the value of Shares. Investors in the Fund will not have voting rights and will not be able to influence management of SOUN but will be exposed to the performance of SOUN (the Underlying Security). Investors in the Fund will not have the right to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to the Underlying Security but will be subject to declines in the performance of the Underlying Security.
SOUN Trading Risk. The trading price of SOUN may be subject to volatility and could experience wide fluctuations due to various factors. Short sellers may also play a significant role in trading SOUN, potentially affecting the supply and demand dynamics and contributing to market price volatility. Public perception and external factors beyond the company’s control may influence SOUN’s stock price disproportionately. Additionally, following periods of market volatility, companies have faced securities class action litigation. Any adverse judgment or future stockholder litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources. In the event of a halt in trading of SOUN, trading in shares of related funds may be impacted, either temporarily or indefinitely. In particular, SOUN recently announced a delay in the filing of its annual financial statements, related to material weaknesses in SOUN’s internal control over financial reporting. This matter may contribute to increased volatility in the trading price of SOUN, and should the financial statements not be filed within required timelines, could result in SOUN stock being delisted.
Delisting Risk. SOUN announced on March 4, 2025 that it was unable to timely file its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2024 (the “Form 10-K”) in accordance with the required deadline under the federal securities laws. Subsequently, on March 11, 2025, SOUN filed its Form 10-K. However, there can be no assurance that SOUN will continue to meet its reporting obligations in a timely manner in the future. Any future failure to complete timely filings could result in SOUN’s stock being delisted from NASDAQ, which would prevent the Fund from continuing to operate.
SOUN Performance Risk. SOUN may fail to meet its publicly announced guidelines or other expectations about its business, which could cause the price of SOUN to decline. SOUN provides guidance regarding its expected financial and business performance, such as projections regarding sales and production. Correctly identifying key factors affecting business conditions and predicting future events is inherently an uncertain process, and the guidance SOUN provides may not ultimately be accurate. If SOUN’s guidance is not accurate or varies from actual results due to its inability to meet the assumptions or the impact on its financial performance that could occur as a result of various risks and uncertainties, the market value of common stock issued by SOUN could decline significantly.
Software Industry Risks: 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.
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Business Risks. SOUN faces significant risks related to its financial condition and business operations, including a history of substantial net losses and negative cash flows, with no assurance of achieving profitability. The company’s reliance on a concentrated customer base exposes it to significant revenue risks if these relationships are disrupted. Competition in the rapidly evolving Voice AI (artificial intelligence) market, regulatory and legislative developments related to the use of AI and the potential inability to attract and retain key personnel further threaten its growth and operational stability. Additionally, cybersecurity incidents, interruptions in cloud services, and challenges in complying with complex domestic and international regulations could harm its business and client relationships.
Intellectual property risks include potential claims of infringement, unauthorized use of proprietary technology, and limitations imposed by open-source software usage exposing SOUN to significant litigation or licensing expenses or being prevented from selling SOUN’s products or making SOUN’s technologies available to its customers if such claims are successful. Governance risks stem from its dual-class stock structure, which concentrates voting control with Class B shareholders, limiting the influence of Class A shareholders. These governance dynamics, coupled with limited public company experience and identified material weaknesses in internal controls, may impact investor confidence. Tax-related risks, including limitations on the use of net operating loss carryforwards, add to the uncertainty surrounding SOUN’s financial outlook.
Third-Party Risks. SOUN relies on third-party telecommunications and internet service providers, including connectivity to its cloud software, and any failure by these service providers to provide reliable services could cause SOUN to lose customers and subject it to claims for credits or damages, among other things. SOUN’s customers rely on third-party telecommunications and internet service providers to provide them with access and connectivity to SOUN’s cloud software, and changes in how telecommunication and internet service providers handle and charge for access to telecommunications and the internet could materially harm SOUN’s customer relationships, business, financial condition and operations results. SOUN’s plans to expand upon and establish new public cloud-based data centers for its U.S. and international operations may be unsuccessful and may present execution and competitive risks.
Single Issuer Risk. Issuer-specific attributes may cause an investment in the Fund to be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment which diversifies risk or the market generally. The value of the Fund, which focuses on an individual security, may be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole and may perform differently from the value of a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole. Additionally, the Fund will seek to employ its investment strategy as it relates to the underlying issuer regardless of whether there are significant corporate actions such as restructurings, enforcement activity, or acquisitions or periods adverse market, economic, or other conditions and will not seek to take temporary defensive positions during such periods.
Compounding and Market Volatility Risk. The Fund has a daily leveraged investment objective and the Fund’s performance for periods greater than a trading day will be the result of each day’s returns compounded over the period, which is very likely to differ from two times (200%) the Underlying Security’s performance, before the Fund’s management fee and other expenses. Compounding affects all investments but has a more significant impact on funds that aim to replicate leveraged daily returns and that rebalance daily. For the Fund aiming to replicate two times the daily performance of an Underlying Security, if adverse daily performance of the Underlying Security reduces the amount of a shareholder’s investment, any further adverse daily performance will lead to a smaller dollar loss because the shareholder’s investment had already been reduced by the prior adverse performance. Equally, however, if favorable daily performance of the Underlying Security increases the amount of a shareholder’s investment, the dollar amount lost due to future adverse performance will increase because the shareholder’s investment has increased.
The effect of compounding becomes more pronounced as the Underlying Security’s volatility and the holding period increase. The impact of compounding will impact each shareholder differently depending on the period of time an investment in the Fund is held and the volatility of the Underlying Security during a shareholder’s holding period of an investment in the Fund.
The chart below provides examples of how the Underlying Security’s volatility could affect the Fund’s performance. The chart illustrates the impact of two factors that affect the Fund’s performance – the Underlying Security’s volatility and the Underlying Security’s performance. The Underlying Security’s performance shows the percentage change in the share price of the Underlying Security over the specified time period, while the Underlying Security’s volatility is a statistical measure of the magnitude of fluctuations in the returns during that time period. As illustrated below, even if the Underlying Security’s performance over two equal time periods is identical, different Underlying Security volatility (i.e., in magnitude of fluctuations in the share price of the Underlying Security) during the two time periods could result in drastically different Fund performance for the two time periods because of compounding daily returns during the time periods.
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Fund performance for periods greater than one single day can be estimated given any set of assumptions for the following factors: a) the Underlying Security volatility; b) the Underlying Security performance; c) period of time; d) financing rates associated with leveraged exposure; and e) other Fund expenses. The chart shows estimated Fund returns for a number of combinations of Underlying Security volatility and Underlying Security performance over a one-year period. Performance shown in the chart assumes that: (i) there were no Fund expenses; (ii) borrowing/lending rates (to obtain leveraged exposure) of 0%. If Fund expenses and/or actual borrowing/lending rates were reflected the estimated returns would be different than those shown. Particularly during periods of higher Underlying Security volatility, compounding will cause results for periods longer than a trading day to vary from two times (200%) the performance of the Underlying Security.
As shown in the chart below, the Fund would be expected to lose 6.1% if there was no change in the share price of the Underlying Security over a one-year period during which the Underlying Security experienced annualized volatility of 25%. If the Underlying Security’s annualized volatility were to rise to 75%, the hypothetical loss for a one-year period would widen to approximately -43%. At higher ranges of volatility, there is a chance of a significant loss of value in the Fund, even if there were no change in the share price of the Underlying Security. For instance, if the Underlying Security’s annualized volatility is 100%, the Fund would be expected to lose 63.2% of its value, even if the cumulative Underlying Security change in the share price of the Underlying Security for the year was 0%.
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Areas shaded red (or dark gray) represent those scenarios where the Fund can be expected to return less than two times (200%) the performance of the Underlying Security and those shaded green (or light gray) represent those scenarios where the Fund can be expected to return more than two times (200%) the performance of the Underlying Security. The Fund’s actual performance may be significantly better or worse than the performance shown below as a result of any of the factors discussed above or in the “Daily Correlation/Tracking Risk” below.
| Estimated
Returns of 200% or Two Times Performance of the Underlying Security |
|||||||
| Underlying Security Performance | One Year Volatility Rate | ||||||
| One
Year Underlying Security |
2X
Times (200%) the One Year Performance |
10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 100% | |
| -60% | -120% | -84.2% | -85.0% | -87.5% | -90.9% | -94.1% | |
| -50% | -100% | -75.2% | -76.5% | -80.5% | -85.8% | -90.8% | |
| -40% | -80% | -64.4% | -66.2% | -72.0% | -79.5% | -86.8% | |
| -30% | -60% | -51.5% | -54.0% | -61.8% | -72.1% | -82.0% | |
| -20% | -40% | -36.6% | -39.9% | -50.2% | -63.5% | -76.5% | |
| -10% | -20% | -19.8% | -23.9% | -36.9% | -53.8% | -70.2% | |
| 0% | 0% | -1.0% | -6.1% | -22.1% | -43.0% | -63.2% | |
| 10% | 20% | 19.8% | 13.7% | -5.8% | -31.1% | -55.5% | |
| 20% | 40% | 42.6% | 35.3% | 12.1% | -18.0% | -47.0% | |
| 30% | 60% | 67.3% | 58.8% | 31.6% | -3.7% | -37.8% | |
| 40% | 80% | 94.0% | 84.1% | 52.6% | 11.7% | -27.9% | |
| 50% | 100% | 122.8% | 111.4% | 75.2% | 28.2% | -17.2% | |
| 60% | 120% | 153.5% | 140.5% | 99.4% | 45.9% | -5.8% | |
The Underlying Security’s annualized historical volatility rate for the period of April 28, 2022 to June 30, 2025 (the maximum period available) was 140.21%. The Underlying Security’s highest volatility rate for any one calendar year during this period was 134.12% and volatility for a shorter period of time may have been substantially higher. The Underlying Security’s annualized performance during this period was 7.43%. Historical Underlying Security volatility and performance are not indications of what Underlying Security volatility and performance will be in the future.
Daily Correlation/Tracking Risk. There is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve a high degree of leveraged correlation to the Underlying Security and therefore achieve its daily leveraged investment objective. To achieve a high degree of leveraged correlation with the Underlying Security, the Fund seeks to rebalance its portfolio daily to keep exposure consistent with its daily leveraged investment objective. The possibility of the Fund being materially over- or under-exposed to the Underlying Security increases on days when the Underlying Security is volatile near the close of the trading day. Market disruptions, regulatory restrictions and extreme volatility will also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to adjust exposure to the required levels. If there is a significant intra-day market event and/or the Underlying Security experiences a significant increase or decline, the Fund may not meet its investment objective, be able to rebalance its portfolio appropriately, or may experience significant premiums or discounts, or widened bid-ask spreads.
The Fund may have difficulty achieving its daily leveraged investment objective due to fees, expenses, transaction costs, financing costs related to the use of derivatives, investments in ETFs, directly or indirectly, income items, valuation methodology, accounting standards and disruptions or illiquidity in the markets for the securities or derivatives held by the Fund. The Fund may be subject to large movements of assets into and out of the Fund, potentially resulting in the Fund being over- or under-exposed to the Underlying Security. The Fund may take or refrain from taking positions to improve the tax efficiency or to comply with various regulatory restrictions, either of which may negatively impact the Fund’s leveraged correlation to the Underlying Security.
Leverage Risk. The Fund obtains investment exposure in excess of its net assets by utilizing leverage and may lose more money in market conditions that are adverse to its investment objective than a fund that does not utilize leverage. An investment in the Fund is exposed to the risk that a decline in the daily performance of the Underlying Security will be magnified. This means that an investment in the Fund will be reduced by an amount equal to 2% for every 1% daily decline in the share price of the Underlying Security, not including the costs of financing leverage and other operating expenses, which would further reduce its value. The Fund could theoretically lose an amount greater than its net assets in the event the share price of the Underlying Security declines more than 50%. Leverage will also have the effect of magnifying any differences in the Fund performance’s correlation with the Underlying Security’s share price.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive value from the underlying reference asset or assets, such as stocks, bonds, or funds (including ETFs), interest rates or indexes. The Fund’s investments in derivatives may pose risks in addition to, and greater than, those associated with directly investing in securities or other ordinary investments, including risk related to the market, leverage, imperfect daily correlations with underlying investments or the Fund’s other portfolio holdings, higher price volatility, lack of availability, counterparty risk, liquidity, valuation and legal restrictions. The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The use of derivatives may result in larger losses or smaller gains than directly investing in securities. When the Fund uses derivatives, there may be imperfect correlation between the share price of the Underlying Security and the derivative, which may prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objective. Because derivatives often require only a limited initial investment, the use of derivatives may expose the Fund to losses in excess of those amounts initially invested.
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The Fund will be subject to regulatory constraints relating to level of value at risk that the Fund may incur through its derivative portfolio. To the extent the Fund exceeds these regulatory thresholds over an extended period, the Fund may determine that it is necessary to make adjustments to the Fund’s investment strategy, including the desired daily leveraged performance for the Fund.
In addition, the Fund’s investments in derivatives are subject to the following risks:
Swap Agreements. The use of swap transactions is a highly specialized activity, which 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 counterparties for those swap agreements. If the Adviser is unable to enter into swap agreements that provide leveraged exposure to the Underlying Security, the Fund may not meet its stated investment objective. Additionally, any financing, borrowing or other costs associated with using swap transactions may also 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 derivatives 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 or underlying 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 a basket of securities.
If the Underlying Security has a dramatic move that causes a material decline in the Fund’s net assets, the terms of a swap agreement between the Fund and its counterparty may permit the counterparty to immediately 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 achieve exposure consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. This may prevent the Fund from achieving its leveraged investment objective, even if the Underlying Security later reverses all or a portion of its movement.
Options Contracts. The use of options contracts involves investment strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The prices of options are volatile and are influenced by, among other things, actual and anticipated changes in the value of the underlying instrument, including the anticipated volatility, which are affected by fiscal and monetary policies and by national and international political, changes in the actual or implied volatility or the reference asset, the time remaining until the expiration of the option contract and economic events. The value of the options contracts in which the Fund invests are substantially influenced by the value of the Underlying Security. The Fund may experience substantial downside from specific option positions and certain option positions held by the Fund may expire worthless. The options held by the Fund are exercisable at the strike price on their expiration date. As an option approaches its expiration date, its value typically increasingly moves with the value of the underlying instrument. However, prior to such date, the value of an option generally does not increase or decrease at the same rate as the underlying instrument. There may at times be an imperfect correlation between the movement in values options contracts and the underlying instrument, and there may at times not be a liquid secondary market for certain options contracts. The value of the options held by the Fund will be determined based on market quotations or other recognized pricing methods. Additionally, as the Fund intends to continuously maintain indirect exposure to the Underlying Security through the use of options contracts, as the options contracts it holds are exercised or expire it will enter into new options contracts, a practice referred to as “rolling.” If the expiring options contracts do not generate proceeds enough to cover the cost of entering into new options contracts, the Fund may experience losses. The use of options to generate leverage introduces additional risks, including significant potential losses if the market moves unfavorably. The leverage inherent in options can amplify both gains and losses, leading to increased volatility and potential for substantial losses, particularly in periods of market uncertainty or low liquidity. Additionally, the Fund may incur losses if the value of the Underlying Security moves against its positions, potentially resulting in a complete loss of the premium paid.
Counterparty Risk. The Fund is subject to counterparty risk by virtue of its investments in derivatives which exposes the Fund to the risk that the counterparty will not fulfill its obligation to the Fund. Counterparty risk may arise because of the counterparty’s financial condition (i.e., financial difficulties, bankruptcy, or insolvency), market activities and developments, or other reasons, whether foreseen or not. A counterparty’s inability to fulfill its obligation may result in significant financial loss to the Fund and the Fund may be unable to recover its investment from such counterparty or may obtain a limited and/or delayed recovery.
Counterparties may seek to hedge their exposure to individual clients (such as the Fund) by establishing offsetting exposures with other clients, however, there is no guarantee that counterparties will do so under all circumstances. Should a counterparty (e.g., a swap counterparty) terminate its relationship with the Fund, the Fund will seek to utilize other counterparties to seek to maintain its exposures. In addition, the Fund may use options contracts to seek to generate the leverage necessary to implement its strategy. The use of options contracts introduces distinct risks, including heightened volatility, particularly intraday. While options may provide an ancillary benefit of mitigating some losses under specific scenarios, such as severe market downturns, their inherent leverage and rapid price fluctuations can amplify the Fund’s performance volatility and lead to greater risks of substantial losses. Refer to “Derivatives Risk – Options Contracts” for additional information on the risks of investing in options.
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In addition, the Fund may enter into swap agreements with a limited number of counterparties, which may increase the Fund’s exposure to counterparty credit risk. Further, there is a risk that no suitable counterparties will be willing to enter into, or continue to enter into, transactions with the Fund and, as a result, the Fund may not be able to achieve its investment objective.
Intra-Day Investment Risk. The Fund seeks investment results from the close of the market on a given trading day until the close of the market on the subsequent trading day. The exact exposure of an investment in the Fund intraday in the secondary market is a function of the difference between the share price of the Underlying Security at the market close on the first trading day and the share price of the Underlying Security at the time of purchase. If the share price of the Underlying Security rises, the Fund’s net assets will rise by approximately twice the amount as the Fund’s exposure. Conversely, if the share price of the Underlying Security declines, the Fund’s net assets will decline by approximately two times the amount as the Fund’s exposure. Thus, an investor that purchases Shares intra-day may experience performance that is greater than, or less than, the Fund’s stated leveraged performance of the Underlying Security.
If there is a significant intra-day market event and/or the securities of the Underlying Security experience a significant increase or decrease, the Fund may not meet its investment objective or rebalance its portfolio appropriately.
Fixed Income Securities Risk. When the Fund invests in fixed income securities, the value of your investment in the Fund will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Typically, a rise in interest rates causes a decline in the value of fixed income securities owned by the Fund. In general, the market price of fixed income securities with longer maturities will increase or decrease more in response to changes in interest rates than shorter-term securities. Other risk factors include credit risk (the debtor may default), extension risk (an issuer may exercise its right to repay principal on a fixed rate obligation held by the Fund later than expected), and prepayment risk (the debtor may pay its obligation early, reducing the amount of interest payments). These risks could affect the value of a particular investment by the Fund, possibly causing the Fund’s Share price and total return to be reduced and fluctuate more than other types of investments.
Rebalancing Risk. If for any reason the Fund is unable to rebalance all or a portion of its portfolio, or if all or a portion of the portfolio is rebalanced incorrectly, the Fund’s investment exposure may not be consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. In these instances, the Fund may have investment exposure to the Underlying Security that is significantly greater or less than its stated investment objective. As a result, the Fund may be exposed to leverage risk because it had not been properly rebalanced and may not achieve its investment objective.
ETF Risks
Authorized Participants, Market Makers, and Liquidity Providers Concentration Risk. The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that are authorized to purchase and redeem Shares directly from the Fund (known as “Authorized Participants” or “APs”). In addition, there may be a limited number of market makers and/or liquidity providers in the marketplace. To the extent either of the following events occur, Shares may trade at a material discount to NAV and possibly face delisting: (i) APs exit the business or otherwise become unable to process creation and/or redemption orders and no other APs step forward to perform these services; or (ii) market makers and/or liquidity providers exit the business or significantly reduce their business activities and no other entities step forward to perform their functions.
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.
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Trading. Although Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, such as The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC (the “Exchange”), and may be traded on U.S. exchanges other than the Exchange, there can be no assurance that Shares will trade with any volume, or at all, on any stock exchange. In stressed market conditions, the liquidity of Shares may begin to mirror the liquidity of the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings, which can be significantly less liquid than Shares. This adverse effect on liquidity for the Fund’s shares may lead to wider bid-ask spreads and differences between the market price of the Fund’s shares and the underlying value of the shares.
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.”
Economic and Market Risk. Economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets or issuers in other countries or regions. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform in comparison to securities in the general financial markets, a particular financial market, or other asset classes, due to a number of factors, including inflation (or expectations for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, market instability, financial system instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers, regulatory events, other governmental trade or market control programs and related geopolitical events. In addition, the value of the Fund’s investments may be negatively affected by the occurrence of global events such as war, terrorism, environmental disasters, natural disasters or events, country instability, and infectious disease epidemics or pandemics. The imposition by the U.S. of tariffs on goods imported from foreign countries and reciprocal tariffs levied on U.S. goods by those countries also may lead to volatility and instability in domestic and foreign markets.
High Portfolio Turnover Risk. Daily rebalancing of the Fund’s holdings pursuant to its daily investment objective causes a much greater number of portfolio transactions when compared to most ETFs. Additionally, active market trading of the Fund’s Shares on exchanges (such as the Exchange), could cause more frequent creation and redemption activities, which could increase the number of portfolio transactions. Frequent and active trading may lead to higher transaction costs because of increased broker commissions resulting from such transactions. In addition, there is the possibility of significantly increased short-term capital gains (which will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income when distributed to them). The Fund calculates portfolio turnover without including the short-term cash instruments or derivative transactions that comprise the majority of the Fund’s trading. As such, if the Fund’s extensive use of derivative instruments were reflected, the calculated portfolio turnover rate would be significantly higher.
Tracking Error Risk. Tracking error is the divergence of the Fund’s performance from that of its investment objective which aims to replicate two times the daily percentage change in the price of the Underlying Security. Tracking error may occur for a number of reasons. Tracking error may occur because of transaction costs, the Fund’s holding of cash, differences in accrual of dividends, being under- or overexposed to the Underlying Security or the need to meet new or existing regulatory requirements. Tracking error risk may be heightened during times of market volatility or other unusual market conditions such as market disruptions. The Fund may be required to deviate from its investment objectives, and therefore experience tracking error, as a result of market restrictions or other legal reasons, including regulatory limits or other restrictions on securities that may be purchased by the Adviser and its affiliates.
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. Certain market conditions or restrictions may prevent the Fund from limiting losses, realizing gains or achieving a high correlation with the Underlying Security. 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.
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Money Market Instrument Risk. The Fund may use a variety of money market instruments for cash management purposes, including money market funds, depositary accounts and repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are contracts in which a seller of securities agrees to buy the securities back at a specified time and price. Repurchase agreements may be subject to market and credit risk related to the collateral securing the repurchase agreement. Money market instruments may lose money.
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.
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. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.
Trading Halt Risk. Although the Underlying Security’s shares are listed for trading on an exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for such shares will be available at all times and the Exchange may halt trading of such shares in certain circumstances. A halt in trading in the Underlying Security’s shares is expected, in turn, to result in a halt in the trading in the Fund’s Shares. Trading in the Underlying Security’s and/or Fund’s Shares on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in the Underlying Security’s and/or Fund’s Shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in Underlying Security’s and/or Fund’s Shares on an exchange is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to exchange “circuit breaker” rules.” In the event of a trading halt for an extended period of time, the Fund may be unable to execute arrangements with swap counterparties that are necessary to implement the Fund’s investment strategy.
Operational Risk. The Fund is subject to risks arising from various operational factors, including, but not limited to, human error, processing and communication errors, errors of the Fund’s service providers, counterparties or other third-parties, failed or inadequate processes and technology or systems failures. The Fund relies on third-parties for a range of services, including custody. Any delay or failure relating to engaging or maintaining such service providers may affect the Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective. Although the Fund and the Fund’s investment advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures, there is no way to completely protect against such risks.
U.S. Government and U.S. Agency Obligations Risk. The Fund may invest in securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. Government obligations include securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, such as the U.S. Treasury. Payment of principal and interest on U.S. Government obligations may be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States or may be backed solely by the issuing or guaranteeing agency or instrumentality itself. In the latter case, the investor must look principally to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment, which agency or instrumentality may be privately owned. There can be no assurance that the U.S. Government would provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities (including government-sponsored enterprises) where it is not obligated to do so.
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 (the “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 and options 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 and options 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.
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Management
Investment Adviser: Tidal Investments LLC serves as investment adviser to the Fund.
Portfolio Managers:
The following individuals are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.
Qiao Duan, CFA, Portfolio Manager for the Adviser, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2025.
Christopher P. Mullen, Portfolio Manager for the Adviser has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2025.
Purchase and Sale of Shares
The Fund issues and redeems Shares at NAV only in large blocks known as “Creation Units,” which only APs (typically, broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities (the “Deposit Securities”) and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.
Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, such as the Exchange, and individual Shares may only be bought and sold in the secondary market through brokers at market prices, rather than NAV. Because Shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, Shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).
An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase Shares (the “bid” price) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for Shares (the “ask” price) when buying or selling Shares in the secondary market. This difference in bid and ask prices is often referred to as the “bid-ask spread.”
When available, information regarding the Fund’s NAV, market price, how often Shares traded on the Exchange at a premium or discount, and bid-ask spreads can be found on the Fund’s website at https://www.defianceetfs.com.
Tax Information
Fund distributions are generally taxable as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains (or a combination), unless an investment is in an individual retirement account (“IRA”) or other tax-advantaged account. Distributions on investments made through tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawal of assets from those accounts.
Financial Intermediary Compensation
If you purchase Shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), the Adviser or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange-traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training, or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.
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Important Information About the Fund
The Defiance Daily Target 2X Long MRVL ETF (the “Fund”) seeks daily leveraged investment results of two times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of Marvell Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRVL) (the “Underlying Security” or “MRVL”). Because the Fund seeks daily leveraged investment results, it is very different from most other exchange-traded funds. It is also riskier than alternatives that do not use leverage.
The return for investors that invest for periods longer or shorter than a trading day should not be expected to be 200% of the performance of the Underlying Security’s shares for the period. The return of the Fund for a period longer than a trading day will be the result of each trading day’s compounded return during such period held, which will very likely differ from 200% of the return of the Underlying Security’s shares for that period. Holding shares of the Fund for longer than a single day and higher volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares increase the impact of compounding on an investor’s returns, which may have a negative or positive impact on an investor’s returns. During periods of higher Underlying Security share price volatility, the volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares may affect the Fund’s return as much as, or more than, the return of the Underlying Security’s shares. The impact of compounding will impact each shareholder differently depending on the period of time an investment in the Fund is held and the volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares during a shareholder’s holding period of an investment in the Fund. See “Principal Investment Risks – Compounding and Market Volatility Risk” below for an example of how volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares may affect the Fund’s return as much as, or more than, the return of the Underlying Security’s shares.
The Fund is not suitable for all investors. The Fund is designed to be utilized only by knowledgeable investors who understand the potential consequences of seeking daily leveraged (2X) investment results, understand the risks associated with the use of leverage, and are willing to monitor their portfolios frequently. The Fund is not intended to be used by, and is not appropriate for, investors who do not intend to actively monitor and manage their portfolios. For periods longer than a single day, the Fund will lose money if the Underlying Security’s performance is flat, and it is possible that the Fund will lose money even if the Underlying Security’s performance increases over a period longer than a single day. An investor could lose the full principal value of his/her investment within a single day.
The Fund seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, of two times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of Marvell Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRVL). The Fund does not seek to achieve its stated investment objective for a period other than a single trading day.
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund (“Shares”). You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the table and Example below.
| Management Fee | % | ||||
| Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees | |||||
| Other Expenses(2) | % | ||||
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(3) | % | ||||
| (1) | |||||
| (2) | |||||
| (3) | |||||
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This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem or hold all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The Example does not take into account brokerage commissions that you may pay on your purchases and sales of Shares. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
| 1 Year | 3 Years |
| $ |
$ |
The Fund pays 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 Shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in total annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. Because the Fund is newly organized, portfolio turnover information is not yet available.
The Fund is an actively managed exchange traded fund (“ETF”) that attempts to achieve two times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of the Underlying Security by employing derivatives, namely swap agreements and/or listed options contracts. The Fund aims to achieve this daily percentage change for a single day, and not for any other period. A “single day” means the period “from the close of regular trading on one trading day to the close on the next trading day.”
If the Fund encounters limitations in implementing its strategies, whether due to market conditions, derivative availability, counterparty issues, or other factors, the Fund may not achieve investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to two times (2x) the daily performance of the Underlying Security, and may return substantially less during such periods. During such periods, the Fund’s actual leverage levels may differ substantially from its intended target, both intraday and at the close of trading, potentially resulting in significantly lower returns.
The Fund may enter into one or more swap agreements with financial institutions for a specified period, which may range from one day to longer than a year. Through each swap agreement, the Fund and the financial institution will agree to exchange the return (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on the Underlying Security’s share price. The gross return (meaning the return before deducting any fees or expenses) to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties is calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” (meaning the face amount of the instrument) e.g., the return on or change in value of a particular dollar amount representing the Underlying Security.
The Fund may also utilize listed options to seek to achieve leveraged 2X exposure to the Underlying Security. The Fund will primarily employ short-dated (a month or less) in-the-money call options (options with strike prices below the current market price of the Underlying Security, offering immediate intrinsic value). Additionally, the Fund may use other option strategies to produce similar exposure to the Underlying Security, like buying calls and selling puts with identical strike prices. These options allow the Fund to adjust its leverage strategy in response to market conditions, liquidity constraints, or other factors that may affect the availability or pricing of swap agreements. The use of listed options provides additional flexibility in pursuing the Fund’s daily investment objective. In situations where swap availability is constrained, the Fund may rely more heavily on options contracts. Additionally, the Fund may use options in response to changing market dynamics. However, the use of option contracts is typically less efficient than swaps and may increase the likelihood that the Fund is unable to achieve its daily 2X objective.
At the end of each day, the Fund’s swaps and options are valued using market valuations and the Fund’s investment adviser rebalances the Fund’s holdings in an attempt to maintain leveraged exposure for the Fund equal to approximately 200% of the Underlying Security’s share price.
For examples of a hypothetical investment in the Fund, see the section in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Information About the Fund – Principal Investment Strategies.”
Fund performance for periods greater than one single day is primarily (but not solely) a function of the following factors: a) the Underlying Security volatility; b) the Underlying Security’s performance; c) period of time; d) financing rates associated with leveraged exposure; and e) other Fund expenses.
The Fund will hold assets to serve as collateral for its derivatives positions. For those collateral holdings, the Fund may invest in (1) U.S. Government securities, such as bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury; (2) money market funds; (3) short term bond ETFs; and/or (4) corporate debt securities, such as commercial paper and other short-term unsecured promissory notes issued by businesses that are rated investment grade or of comparable quality.
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The Fund is classified as “non-diversified” under the 1940 Act. The Fund’s strategy is expected to result in a high annual portfolio turnover rate.
Because of daily rebalancing and the compounding of each day’s return over time, the return of the Fund for periods longer than a single day will be the result of each day’s returns compounded over the period, which will very likely differ from 200% of the return of the Underlying Security’s shares over the same period. The Fund will lose money if the Underlying Security’s performance is flat over time, and because of daily rebalancing, the Underlying Security’s shares’ volatility and the effects of compounding, the Fund may lose money over time while the Underlying Security’s performance increases over a period longer than a single day. As a consequence, investors should not plan to hold shares of the Fund unmonitored for periods longer than a single trading day.
MARVELL TECHNOLOGY, INC. (“MRVL”)
MRVL supplies data infrastructure semiconductor solutions, specializing in high-performance standard and semi-custom products. As a fabless semiconductor provider (i.e., the company designs semiconductors but outsources the fabrication), the company focuses on complex System-on-a-Chip architectures, integrating analog, mixed-signal, and digital signal processing. Marvell’s intellectual property, system-level expertise, and advanced security firmware support the data economy across markets such as data centers, enterprise networking, carrier infrastructure, consumer electronics, and automotive/industrial applications. MRVL is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”). Per MRVL’s most recent Form 10-K filing, the aggregate market value of common stock held by non-affiliates of MRVL (based on the closing price per share on NASDAQ on August 2, 2024) was approximately $51.2 billion.
MRVL is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Information provided to or filed with the SEC by MRVL pursuant to the Exchange Act can be located by reference to the SEC file number 001-40357 through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, information regarding MRVL may be obtained from other sources including, but not limited to, press releases, newspaper articles and other publicly disseminated documents.
This document relates only to the securities offered hereby and does not relate to the shares of MRVL or other securities of MRVL. The Fund has derived all disclosures contained in this document regarding MRVL from the publicly available documents. None of the Fund, the Trust, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser, or their respective affiliates has participated in the preparation of such publicly available offering documents or made any due diligence inquiry regarding such documents with respect to MRVL. None of the Fund, the Trust, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser, or their respective affiliates makes any representation that such publicly available documents or any other publicly available information regarding MRVL is accurate or complete. Furthermore, the Fund cannot give any assurance that all events occurring prior to the date hereof (including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of the publicly available documents described above) that would affect the trading price of MRVL (and therefore the share price of the Fund at the time we price the securities) have been publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any such events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning MRVL could affect the value received with respect to the securities and therefore the value of the securities.
None of the Fund, the Trust, the Adviser, or their respective affiliates makes any representation to you as to the performance of MRVL.
NONE OF THE FUND, TIDAL TRUST II, OR TIDAL INVESTMENTS LLC IS AFFILIATED, CONNECTED, OR ASSOCIATED WITH MARVELL TECHNOLOGY, INC. THE FUND WAS NOT DEVELOPED OR CREATED BY, AND IS NOT SPONSORED, ENDORSED, OR APPROVED BY, MARVELL TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Moreover, Marvell Technology, Inc. has not participated in the development of the Fund’s investment strategy. Marvell Technology, Inc. does not select or approve the Fund’s portfolio holdings, nor does it participate in the construction, design, or implementation of the Fund. Marvell Technology, Inc. does not provide any assurances, guarantees, or representations regarding the Fund or its performance. Nothing herein shall be construed as an offer of any security by Marvell Technology, Inc.
None of the Fund, the Trust, the Adviser, or their respective affiliates claim any ownership interest in any trademarks owned by MRVL or its affiliates. All rights in the trademarks are reserved by their respective owners.
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Due to the Fund’s investment strategy, the Fund’s investment exposure is concentrated in (or substantially exposed to) the same industry as that assigned to MRVL. As of the date of the Prospectus, MRVL is assigned to the Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry.
Principal Investment Risks
The principal risks of investing in the Fund are summarized below. As with any investment, there is a risk that you could lose all or a portion of your investment in the Fund. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) per Share, trading price, yield, total return, and/or ability to meet its investment objective. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the section in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Information About the Fund—Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund.”
An
investment in the Fund entails risk.
Each risk summarized below is considered a “principal risk” of investing in the Fund, regardless of the order in which it appears.
MRVL Risks. The Fund invests in swap contracts and options that are based on the share price of MRVL. This subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it owned shares of MRVL, even though it does not. By virtue of the Fund’s investments in swap contracts and options that are based on the value of MRVL, the Fund may also be subject to the following risks:
Indirect Investment in MRVL Risk. MRVL is not affiliated with the Trust, the Fund, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates and is not involved with this offering in any way and has no obligation to consider your Shares in taking any corporate actions that might affect the value of Shares. Investors in the Fund will not have voting rights and will not be able to influence management of MRVL but will be exposed to the performance of MRVL (the Underlying Security). Investors in the Fund will not have the right to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to the Underlying Security but will be subject to declines in the performance of the Underlying Security.
MRVL Trading Risk. The trading price of MRVL may be subject to volatility and could experience wide fluctuations due to various factors. Short sellers may also play a significant role in trading MRVL, potentially affecting the supply and demand dynamics and contributing to market price volatility. Public perception and external factors beyond the company’s control may influence MRVL’s stock price disproportionately. Additionally, following periods of market volatility, companies have faced securities class action litigation. Any adverse judgment or future stockholder litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources. In the event of a halt in trading of MRVL, trading in shares of related funds may be impacted, either temporarily or indefinitely.
MRVL Performance Risk. MRVL may fail to meet its publicly announced guidelines or other expectations about its business, which could cause the price of MRVL to decline. MRVL provides guidance regarding its expected financial and business performance, such as projections regarding sales and production, as well as anticipated future revenues, gross margins, profitability and cash flows. Correctly identifying key factors affecting business conditions and predicting future events is inherently an uncertain process, and the guidance MRVL provides may not ultimately be accurate. If MRVL’s guidance is not accurate or varies from actual results due to its inability to meet the assumptions or the impact on its financial performance that could occur as a result of various risks and uncertainties, the market value of common stock issued by MRVL could decline significantly.
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry Risks. Competitive pressures may have a significant effect on the financial condition of semiconductor companies and, as product cycles shorten and manufacturing capacity increases, these companies may become increasingly subject to aggressive pricing, which hampers profitability. Reduced demand for end-user products, under-utilization of manufacturing capacity, and other factors could adversely impact the operating results of companies in the semiconductor sector. Semiconductor companies typically face high capital costs and may be heavily dependent on intellectual property rights. The semiconductor sector is highly cyclical, which may cause the operating results of many semiconductor companies to vary significantly. The industry is complex and global in nature, with manufacturing plants predominantly located in East Asia. Because of this, it is subject to numerous risks, including geopolitical tensions, earthquakes, and extreme weather events. The stock prices of companies in the semiconductor sector have been and likely will continue to be extremely volatile.
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Business Risks. MRVL faces significant risks from macroeconomic and geopolitical factors, including economic downturns, inflation, rising interest rates, and trade restrictions with key markets such as China. Volatility in the semiconductor and technology sectors further adds to operational uncertainty, while reliance on a concentrated customer base exposes the company to potential disruptions from order cancellations or financial instability among major clients. The company’s ability to innovate in competitive markets such as 5G, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence is critical, but supply chain disruptions, including component shortages and extended lead times, could impair production and customer sales.
Operational challenges include maintaining a competitive cost structure while relying on third-party manufacturers and managing the integration of acquisitions to achieve anticipated synergies. MRVL also faces risks from intellectual property protection, particularly in international markets, and cybersecurity threats that could disrupt operations or compromise data. Environmental and regional risks, such as climate change and natural disasters in key operational areas like Taiwan and California, as well as potential litigation and disputes over contractual obligations, could further impact the company’s financial stability and operational performance.
Single Issuer Risk. Issuer-specific attributes may cause an investment in the Fund to be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment which diversifies risk or the market generally. The value of the Fund, which focuses on an individual security, may be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole and may perform differently from the value of a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole. Additionally, the Fund will seek to employ its investment strategy as it relates to the underlying issuer regardless of whether there are significant corporate actions such as restructurings, enforcement activity, or acquisitions or periods adverse market, economic, or other conditions and will not seek to take temporary defensive positions during such periods.
Compounding and Market Volatility Risk. The Fund has a daily leveraged investment objective and the Fund’s performance for periods greater than a trading day will be the result of each day’s returns compounded over the period, which is very likely to differ from two times (200%) the Underlying Security’s performance, before the Fund’s management fee and other expenses. Compounding affects all investments but has a more significant impact on funds that aim to replicate leveraged daily returns and that rebalance daily. For the Fund aiming to replicate two times the daily performance of an Underlying Security, if adverse daily performance of the Underlying Security reduces the amount of a shareholder’s investment, any further adverse daily performance will lead to a smaller dollar loss because the shareholder’s investment had already been reduced by the prior adverse performance. Equally, however, if favorable daily performance of the Underlying Security increases the amount of a shareholder’s investment, the dollar amount lost due to future adverse performance will increase because the shareholder’s investment has increased.
The effect of compounding becomes more pronounced as the Underlying Security’s volatility and the holding period increase. The impact of compounding will impact each shareholder differently depending on the period of time an investment in the Fund is held and the volatility of the Underlying Security during a shareholder’s holding period of an investment in the Fund.
The chart below provides examples of how the Underlying Security’s volatility could affect the Fund’s performance. The chart illustrates the impact of two factors that affect the Fund’s performance – the Underlying Security’s volatility and the Underlying Security’s performance. The Underlying Security’s performance shows the percentage change in the share price of the Underlying Security over the specified time period, while the Underlying Security’s volatility is a statistical measure of the magnitude of fluctuations in the returns during that time period. As illustrated below, even if the Underlying Security’s performance over two equal time periods is identical, different Underlying Security volatility (i.e., in magnitude of fluctuations in the share price of the Underlying Security) during the two time periods could result in drastically different Fund performance for the two time periods because of compounding daily returns during the time periods.
Fund performance for periods greater than one single day can be estimated given any set of assumptions for the following factors: a) the Underlying Security volatility; b) the Underlying Security performance; c) period of time; d) financing rates associated with leveraged exposure; and e) other Fund expenses. The chart shows estimated Fund returns for a number of combinations of Underlying Security volatility and Underlying Security performance over a one-year period. Performance shown in the chart assumes that: (i) there were no Fund expenses; (ii) borrowing/lending rates (to obtain leveraged exposure) of 0%. If Fund expenses and/or actual borrowing/lending rates were reflected the estimated returns would be different than those shown. Particularly during periods of higher Underlying Security volatility, compounding will cause results for periods longer than a trading day to vary from two times (200%) the performance of the Underlying Security.
As shown in the chart below, the Fund would be expected to lose 6.1% if there was no change in the share price of the Underlying Security over a one-year period during which the Underlying Security experienced annualized volatility of 25%. If the Underlying Security’s annualized volatility were to rise to 75%, the hypothetical loss for a one-year period would widen to approximately -43%. At higher ranges of volatility, there is a chance of a significant loss of value in the Fund, even if there were no change in the share price of the Underlying Security. For instance, if the Underlying Security’s annualized volatility is 100%, the Fund would be expected to lose 63.2% of its value, even if the cumulative Underlying Security change in the share price of the Underlying Security for the year was 0%.
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Areas shaded red (or dark gray) represent those scenarios where the Fund can be expected to return less than two times (200%) the performance of the Underlying Security and those shaded green (or light gray) represent those scenarios where the Fund can be expected to return more than two times (200%) the performance of the Underlying Security. The Fund’s actual performance may be significantly better or worse than the performance shown below as a result of any of the factors discussed above or in the “Daily Correlation/Tracking Risk” below.
| Estimated
Returns of 200% or Two Times Performance of the Underlying Security |
|||||||
| Underlying Security Performance | One Year Volatility Rate | ||||||
| One
Year Underlying Security |
2X
Times (200%) the One Year Performance |
10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 100% | |
| -60% | -120% | -84.2% | -85.0% | -87.5% | -90.9% | -94.1% | |
| -50% | -100% | -75.2% | -76.5% | -80.5% | -85.8% | -90.8% | |
| -40% | -80% | -64.4% | -66.2% | -72.0% | -79.5% | -86.8% | |
| -30% | -60% | -51.5% | -54.0% | -61.8% | -72.1% | -82.0% | |
| -20% | -40% | -36.6% | -39.9% | -50.2% | -63.5% | -76.5% | |
| -10% | -20% | -19.8% | -23.9% | -36.9% | -53.8% | -70.2% | |
| 0% | 0% | -1.0% | -6.1% | -22.1% | -43.0% | -63.2% | |
| 10% | 20% | 19.8% | 13.7% | -5.8% | -31.1% | -55.5% | |
| 20% | 40% | 42.6% | 35.3% | 12.1% | -18.0% | -47.0% | |
| 30% | 60% | 67.3% | 58.8% | 31.6% | -3.7% | -37.8% | |
| 40% | 80% | 94.0% | 84.1% | 52.6% | 11.7% | -27.9% | |
| 50% | 100% | 122.8% | 111.4% | 75.2% | 28.2% | -17.2% | |
| 60% | 120% | 153.5% | 140.5% | 99.4% | 45.9% | -5.8% | |
The Underlying Security’s annualized historical volatility rate for the five-year period ended June 30, 2025 was 56.35%. The Underlying Security’s highest volatility rate for any one calendar year during this period was 63.08% and volatility for a shorter period of time may have been substantially higher. The Underlying Security’s annualized performance during this period was 17.16%. Historical Underlying Security volatility and performance are not indications of what Underlying Security volatility and performance will be in the future.
Daily Correlation/Tracking Risk. There is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve a high degree of leveraged correlation to the Underlying Security and therefore achieve its daily leveraged investment objective. To achieve a high degree of leveraged correlation with the Underlying Security, the Fund seeks to rebalance its portfolio daily to keep exposure consistent with its daily leveraged investment objective. The possibility of the Fund being materially over- or under-exposed to the Underlying Security increases on days when the Underlying Security is volatile near the close of the trading day. Market disruptions, regulatory restrictions and extreme volatility will also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to adjust exposure to the required levels. If there is a significant intra-day market event and/or the Underlying Security experiences a significant increase or decline, the Fund may not meet its investment objective, be able to rebalance its portfolio appropriately, or may experience significant premiums or discounts, or widened bid-ask spreads.
The Fund may have difficulty achieving its daily leveraged investment objective due to fees, expenses, transaction costs, financing costs related to the use of derivatives, investments in ETFs, directly or indirectly, income items, valuation methodology, accounting standards and disruptions or illiquidity in the markets for the securities or derivatives held by the Fund. The Fund may be subject to large movements of assets into and out of the Fund, potentially resulting in the Fund being over- or under-exposed to the Underlying Security. The Fund may take or refrain from taking positions to improve the tax efficiency or to comply with various regulatory restrictions, either of which may negatively impact the Fund’s leveraged correlation to the Underlying Security.
Leverage Risk. The Fund obtains investment exposure in excess of its net assets by utilizing leverage and may lose more money in market conditions that are adverse to its investment objective than a fund that does not utilize leverage. An investment in the Fund is exposed to the risk that a decline in the daily performance of the Underlying Security will be magnified. This means that an investment in the Fund will be reduced by an amount equal to 2% for every 1% daily decline in the share price of the Underlying Security, not including the costs of financing leverage and other operating expenses, which would further reduce its value. The Fund could theoretically lose an amount greater than its net assets in the event the share price of the Underlying Security declines more than 50%. Leverage will also have the effect of magnifying any differences in the Fund performance’s correlation with the Underlying Security’s share price.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive value from the underlying reference asset or assets, such as stocks, bonds, or funds (including ETFs), interest rates or indexes. The Fund’s investments in derivatives may pose risks in addition to, and greater than, those associated with directly investing in securities or other ordinary investments, including risk related to the market, leverage, imperfect daily correlations with underlying investments or the Fund’s other portfolio holdings, higher price volatility, lack of availability, counterparty risk, liquidity, valuation and legal restrictions. The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The use of derivatives may result in larger losses or smaller gains than directly investing in securities. When the Fund uses derivatives, there may be imperfect correlation between the share price of the Underlying Security and the derivative, which may prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objective. Because derivatives often require only a limited initial investment, the use of derivatives may expose the Fund to losses in excess of those amounts initially invested.
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The Fund will be subject to regulatory constraints relating to level of value at risk that the Fund may incur through its derivative portfolio. To the extent the Fund exceeds these regulatory thresholds over an extended period, the Fund may determine that it is necessary to make adjustments to the Fund’s investment strategy, including the desired daily leveraged performance for the Fund.
In addition, the Fund’s investments in derivatives are subject to the following risks:
Swap Agreements. The use of swap transactions is a highly specialized activity, which 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 counterparties for those swap agreements. If the Adviser is unable to enter into swap agreements that provide leveraged exposure to the Underlying Security, the Fund may not meet its stated investment objective. Additionally, any financing, borrowing or other costs associated with using swap transactions may also 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 derivatives 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 or underlying 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 a basket of securities.
If the Underlying Security has a dramatic move that causes a material decline in the Fund’s net assets, the terms of a swap agreement between the Fund and its counterparty may permit the counterparty to immediately 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 achieve exposure consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. This may prevent the Fund from achieving its leveraged investment objective, even if the Underlying Security later reverses all or a portion of its movement.
Options Contracts. The use of options contracts involves investment strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The prices of options are volatile and are influenced by, among other things, actual and anticipated changes in the value of the underlying instrument, including the anticipated volatility, which are affected by fiscal and monetary policies and by national and international political, changes in the actual or implied volatility or the reference asset, the time remaining until the expiration of the option contract and economic events. The value of the options contracts in which the Fund invests are substantially influenced by the value of the Underlying Security. The Fund may experience substantial downside from specific option positions and certain option positions held by the Fund may expire worthless. The options held by the Fund are exercisable at the strike price on their expiration date. As an option approaches its expiration date, its value typically increasingly moves with the value of the underlying instrument. However, prior to such date, the value of an option generally does not increase or decrease at the same rate as the underlying instrument. There may at times be an imperfect correlation between the movement in values options contracts and the underlying instrument, and there may at times not be a liquid secondary market for certain options contracts. The value of the options held by the Fund will be determined based on market quotations or other recognized pricing methods. Additionally, as the Fund intends to continuously maintain indirect exposure to the Underlying Security through the use of options contracts, as the options contracts it holds are exercised or expire it will enter into new options contracts, a practice referred to as “rolling.” If the expiring options contracts do not generate proceeds enough to cover the cost of entering into new options contracts, the Fund may experience losses. The use of options to generate leverage introduces additional risks, including significant potential losses if the market moves unfavorably. The leverage inherent in options can amplify both gains and losses, leading to increased volatility and potential for substantial losses, particularly in periods of market uncertainty or low liquidity. Additionally, the Fund may incur losses if the value of the Underlying Security moves against its positions, potentially resulting in a complete loss of the premium paid.
Counterparty Risk. The Fund is subject to counterparty risk by virtue of its investments in derivatives which exposes the Fund to the risk that the counterparty will not fulfill its obligation to the Fund. Counterparty risk may arise because of the counterparty’s financial condition (i.e., financial difficulties, bankruptcy, or insolvency), market activities and developments, or other reasons, whether foreseen or not. A counterparty’s inability to fulfill its obligation may result in significant financial loss to the Fund and the Fund may be unable to recover its investment from such counterparty or may obtain a limited and/or delayed recovery.
Counterparties may seek to hedge their exposure to individual clients (such as the Fund) by establishing offsetting exposures with other clients, however, there is no guarantee that counterparties will do so under all circumstances. Should a counterparty (e.g., a swap counterparty) terminate its relationship with the Fund, the Fund will seek to utilize other counterparties to seek to maintain its exposures. In addition, the Fund may use options contracts to seek to generate the leverage necessary to implement its strategy. The use of options contracts introduces distinct risks, including heightened volatility, particularly intraday. While options may provide an ancillary benefit of mitigating some losses under specific scenarios, such as severe market downturns, their inherent leverage and rapid price fluctuations can amplify the Fund’s performance volatility and lead to greater risks of substantial losses. Refer to “Derivatives Risk – Options Contracts” for additional information on the risks of investing in options.
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In addition, the Fund may enter into swap agreements with a limited number of counterparties, which may increase the Fund’s exposure to counterparty credit risk. Further, there is a risk that no suitable counterparties will be willing to enter into, or continue to enter into, transactions with the Fund and, as a result, the Fund may not be able to achieve its investment objective.
Intra-Day Investment Risk. The Fund seeks investment results from the close of the market on a given trading day until the close of the market on the subsequent trading day. The exact exposure of an investment in the Fund intraday in the secondary market is a function of the difference between the share price of the Underlying Security at the market close on the first trading day and the share price of the Underlying Security at the time of purchase. If the share price of the Underlying Security rises, the Fund’s net assets will rise by approximately twice the amount as the Fund’s exposure. Conversely, if the share price of the Underlying Security declines, the Fund’s net assets will decline by approximately two times the amount as the Fund’s exposure. Thus, an investor that purchases Shares intra-day may experience performance that is greater than, or less than, the Fund’s stated leveraged performance of the Underlying Security.
If there is a significant intraday market event and/or the securities of the Underlying Security experience a significant increase or decrease, the Fund may not meet its investment objective or rebalance its portfolio appropriately.
Fixed Income Securities Risk. When the Fund invests in fixed income securities, the value of your investment in the Fund will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Typically, a rise in interest rates causes a decline in the value of fixed income securities owned by the Fund. In general, the market price of fixed income securities with longer maturities will increase or decrease more in response to changes in interest rates than shorter-term securities. Other risk factors include credit risk (the debtor may default), extension risk (an issuer may exercise its right to repay principal on a fixed rate obligation held by the Fund later than expected), and prepayment risk (the debtor may pay its obligation early, reducing the amount of interest payments). These risks could affect the value of a particular investment by the Fund, possibly causing the Fund’s Share price and total return to be reduced and fluctuate more than other types of investments.
Rebalancing Risk. If for any reason the Fund is unable to rebalance all or a portion of its portfolio, or if all or a portion of the portfolio is rebalanced incorrectly, the Fund’s investment exposure may not be consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. In these instances, the Fund may have investment exposure to the Underlying Security that is significantly greater or less than its stated investment objective. As a result, the Fund may be exposed to leverage risk because it had not been properly rebalanced and may not achieve its investment objective.
ETF Risks
Authorized Participants, Market Makers, and Liquidity Providers Concentration Risk. The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that are authorized to purchase and redeem Shares directly from the Fund (known as “Authorized Participants” or “APs”). In addition, there may be a limited number of market makers and/or liquidity providers in the marketplace. To the extent either of the following events occur, Shares may trade at a material discount to NAV and possibly face delisting: (i) APs exit the business or otherwise become unable to process creation and/or redemption orders and no other APs step forward to perform these services; or (ii) market makers and/or liquidity providers exit the business or significantly reduce their business activities and no other entities step forward to perform their functions.
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.
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Trading. Although Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, such as The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC (the “Exchange”), and may be traded on U.S. exchanges other than the Exchange, there can be no assurance that Shares will trade with any volume, or at all, on any stock exchange. In stressed market conditions, the liquidity of Shares may begin to mirror the liquidity of the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings, which can be significantly less liquid than Shares. This adverse effect on liquidity for the Fund’s shares may lead to wider bid-ask spreads and differences between the market price of the Fund’s shares and the underlying value of the shares.
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.”
Economic and Market Risk. Economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets or issuers in other countries or regions. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform in comparison to securities in the general financial markets, a particular financial market, or other asset classes, due to a number of factors, including inflation (or expectations for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, market instability, financial system instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers, regulatory events, other governmental trade or market control programs and related geopolitical events. In addition, the value of the Fund’s investments may be negatively affected by the occurrence of global events such as war, terrorism, environmental disasters, natural disasters or events, country instability, and infectious disease epidemics or pandemics. The imposition by the U.S. of tariffs on goods imported from foreign countries and reciprocal tariffs levied on U.S. goods by those countries also may lead to volatility and instability in domestic and foreign markets.
High Portfolio Turnover Risk. Daily rebalancing of the Fund’s holdings pursuant to its daily investment objective causes a much greater number of portfolio transactions when compared to most ETFs. Additionally, active market trading of the Fund’s Shares on exchanges (such as the Exchange), could cause more frequent creation and redemption activities, which could increase the number of portfolio transactions. Frequent and active trading may lead to higher transaction costs because of increased broker commissions resulting from such transactions. In addition, there is the possibility of significantly increased short-term capital gains (which will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income when distributed to them). The Fund calculates portfolio turnover without including the short-term cash instruments or derivative transactions that comprise the majority of the Fund’s trading. As such, if the Fund’s extensive use of derivative instruments were reflected, the calculated portfolio turnover rate would be significantly higher.
Tracking Error Risk. Tracking error is the divergence of the Fund’s performance from that of its investment objective which aims to replicate two times the daily percentage change in the price of the Underlying Security. Tracking error may occur for a number of reasons. Tracking error may occur because of transaction costs, the Fund’s holding of cash, differences in accrual of dividends, being under- or overexposed to the Underlying Security or the need to meet new or existing regulatory requirements. Tracking error risk may be heightened during times of market volatility or other unusual market conditions such as market disruptions. The Fund may be required to deviate from its investment objectives, and therefore experience tracking error, as a result of market restrictions or other legal reasons, including regulatory limits or other restrictions on securities that may be purchased by the Adviser and its affiliates.
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. Certain market conditions or restrictions may prevent the Fund from limiting losses, realizing gains or achieving a high correlation with the Underlying Security. 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.
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Money Market Instrument Risk. The Fund may use a variety of money market instruments for cash management purposes, including money market funds, depositary accounts and repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are contracts in which a seller of securities agrees to buy the securities back at a specified time and price. Repurchase agreements may be subject to market and credit risk related to the collateral securing the repurchase agreement. Money market instruments may lose money.
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.
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. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.
Trading Halt Risk. Although the Underlying Security’s shares are listed for trading on an exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for such shares will be available at all times and the Exchange may halt trading of such shares in certain circumstances. A halt in trading in the Underlying Security’s shares is expected, in turn, to result in a halt in the trading in the Fund’s Shares. Trading in the Underlying Security’s and/or Fund’s Shares on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in the Underlying Security’s and/or Fund’s Shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in Underlying Security’s and/or Fund’s Shares on an exchange is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to exchange “circuit breaker” rules.” In the event of a trading halt for an extended period of time, the Fund may be unable to execute arrangements with swap counterparties that are necessary to implement the Fund’s investment strategy.
Operational Risk. The Fund is subject to risks arising from various operational factors, including, but not limited to, human error, processing and communication errors, errors of the Fund’s service providers, counterparties or other third-parties, failed or inadequate processes and technology or systems failures. The Fund relies on third-parties for a range of services, including custody. Any delay or failure relating to engaging or maintaining such service providers may affect the Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective. Although the Fund and the Fund’s investment advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures, there is no way to completely protect against such risks.
U.S. Government and U.S. Agency Obligations Risk. The Fund may invest in securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. Government obligations include securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, such as the U.S. Treasury. Payment of principal and interest on U.S. Government obligations may be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States or may be backed solely by the issuing or guaranteeing agency or instrumentality itself. In the latter case, the investor must look principally to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment, which agency or instrumentality may be privately owned. There can be no assurance that the U.S. Government would provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities (including government-sponsored enterprises) where it is not obligated to do so.
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 (the “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 and options 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 and options 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.
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Management
Investment Adviser: Tidal Investments LLC serves as investment adviser to the Fund.
Portfolio Managers:
The following individuals are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.
Qiao Duan, CFA, Portfolio Manager for the Adviser, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2025.
Christopher P. Mullen, Portfolio Manager for the Adviser has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2025.
Purchase and Sale of Shares
The Fund issues and redeems Shares at NAV only in large blocks known as “Creation Units,” which only APs (typically, broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities (the “Deposit Securities”) and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.
Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, such as the Exchange, and individual Shares may only be bought and sold in the secondary market through brokers at market prices, rather than NAV. Because Shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, Shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).
An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase Shares (the “bid” price) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for Shares (the “ask” price) when buying or selling Shares in the secondary market. This difference in bid and ask prices is often referred to as the “bid-ask spread.”
When available, information regarding the Fund’s NAV, market price, how often Shares traded on the Exchange at a premium or discount, and bid-ask spreads can be found on the Fund’s website at https://www.defianceetfs.com.
Tax Information
Fund distributions are generally taxable as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains (or a combination), unless an investment is in an individual retirement account (“IRA”) or other tax-advantaged account. Distributions on investments made through tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawal of assets from those accounts.
Financial Intermediary Compensation
If you purchase Shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), the Adviser or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange-traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training, or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.
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Important Information About the Fund
The Defiance Daily Target 2X Long RGTI ETF (the “Fund”) seeks daily leveraged investment results of two times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of Rigetti Computing, Inc. (Nasdaq: RGTI) (the “Underlying Security” or “RGTI”). Because the Fund seeks daily leveraged investment results, it is very different from most other exchange-traded funds. It is also riskier than alternatives that do not use leverage.
The return for investors that invest for periods longer or shorter than a trading day should not be expected to be 200% of the performance of the Underlying Security’s shares for the period. The return of the Fund for a period longer than a trading day will be the result of each trading day’s compounded return during such period held, which will very likely differ from 200% of the return of the Underlying Security’s shares for that period. Holding shares of the Fund for longer than a single day and higher volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares increase the impact of compounding on an investor’s returns, which may have a negative or positive impact on an investor’s returns. During periods of higher Underlying Security share price volatility, the volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares may affect the Fund’s return as much as, or more than, the return of the Underlying Security’s shares. The impact of compounding will impact each shareholder differently depending on the period of time an investment in the Fund is held and the volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares during a shareholder’s holding period of an investment in the Fund. See “Principal Investment Risks – Compounding and Market Volatility Risk” below for an example of how volatility of the Underlying Security’s shares may affect the Fund’s return as much as, or more than, the return of the Underlying Security’s shares.
The Fund is not suitable for all investors. The Fund is designed to be utilized only by knowledgeable investors who understand the potential consequences of seeking daily leveraged (2X) investment results, understand the risks associated with the use of leverage, and are willing to monitor their portfolios frequently. The Fund is not intended to be used by, and is not appropriate for, investors who do not intend to actively monitor and manage their portfolios. For periods longer than a single day, the Fund will lose money if the Underlying Security’s performance is flat, and it is possible that the Fund will lose money even if the Underlying Security’s performance increases over a period longer than a single day. An investor could lose the full principal value of his/her investment within a single day.
The Fund seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, of two times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of Rigetti Computing, Inc. (Nasdaq: RGTI). The Fund does not seek to achieve its stated investment objective for a period other than a single trading day.
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold, and sell shares of the Fund (“Shares”). You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the table and Example below.
| Management Fee | % | ||||
| Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees | |||||
| Other Expenses(2) | % | ||||
| Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses(3) | % | ||||
| (1) | |||||
| (2) | |||||
| (3) | |||||
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This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem or hold all of your Shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. The Example does not take into account brokerage commissions that you may pay on your purchases and sales of Shares. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
| 1 Year | 3 Years |
| $ |
$ |
The Fund
pays 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 Shares are held in
a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in total annual fund
operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Fund’s performance. For the
fiscal period of March 31, 2025 (commencement of operations) to April 30, 2025,
the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was
The Fund is an actively managed exchange traded fund (“ETF”) that attempts to achieve two times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of the Underlying Security by employing derivatives, namely swap agreements and/or listed options contracts. The Fund aims to achieve this daily percentage change for a single day, and not for any other period. A “single day” means the period “from the close of regular trading on one trading day to the close on the next trading day.”
If the Fund encounters limitations in implementing its strategies, whether due to market conditions, derivative availability, counterparty issues, or other factors, the Fund may not achieve investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to two times (2x) the daily performance of the Underlying Security, and may return substantially less during such periods. During such periods, the Fund’s actual leverage levels may differ substantially from its intended target, both intraday and at the close of trading, potentially resulting in significantly lower returns.
The Fund may enter into one or more swap agreements with financial institutions for a specified period, which may range from one day to longer than a year. Through each swap agreement, the Fund and the financial institution will agree to exchange the return (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on the Underlying Security’s share price. The gross return (meaning the return before deducting any fees or expenses) to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties is calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” (meaning the face amount of the instrument) e.g., the return on or change in value of a particular dollar amount representing the Underlying Security.
The Fund may also utilize listed options to seek to achieve leveraged 2X exposure to the Underlying Security. The Fund will primarily employ short-dated (a month or less) in-the-money call options (options with strike prices below the current market price of the Underlying Security, offering immediate intrinsic value). Additionally, the Fund may use other option strategies to produce similar exposure to the Underlying Security, like buying calls and selling puts with identical strike prices. These options allow the Fund to adjust its leverage strategy in response to market conditions, liquidity constraints, or other factors that may affect the availability or pricing of swap agreements. The use of listed options provides additional flexibility in pursuing the Fund’s daily investment objective. In situations where swap availability is constrained, the Fund may rely more heavily on options contracts. Additionally, the Fund may use options in response to changing market dynamics. However, the use of option contracts is typically less efficient than swaps and may increase the likelihood that the Fund is unable to achieve its daily 2X objective.
At the end of each day, the Fund’s swaps and options are valued using market valuations and the Fund’s investment adviser rebalances the Fund’s holdings in an attempt to maintain leveraged exposure for the Fund equal to approximately 200% of the Underlying Security’s share price.
For examples of a hypothetical investment in the Fund, see the section in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Information About the Fund – Principal Investment Strategies.”
Fund performance for periods greater than one single day is primarily (but not solely) a function of the following factors: a) the Underlying Security volatility; b) the Underlying Security’s performance; c) period of time; d) financing rates associated with leveraged exposure; and e) other Fund expenses.
The Fund will hold assets to serve as collateral for its derivatives positions. For those collateral holdings, the Fund may invest in (1) U.S. Government securities, such as bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury; (2) money market funds; (3) short term bond ETFs; and/or (4) corporate debt securities, such as commercial paper and other short-term unsecured promissory notes issued by businesses that are rated investment grade or of comparable quality.
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The Fund is classified as “non-diversified” under the 1940 Act. The Fund’s strategy is expected to result in a high annual portfolio turnover rate.
Because of daily rebalancing and the compounding of each day’s return over time, the return of the Fund for periods longer than a single day will be the result of each day’s returns compounded over the period, which will very likely differ from 200% of the return of the Underlying Security’s shares over the same period. The Fund will lose money if the Underlying Security’s performance is flat over time, and because of daily rebalancing, the Underlying Security’s shares’ volatility and the effects of compounding, the Fund may lose money over time while the Underlying Security’s performance increases over a period longer than a single day. As a consequence, investors should not plan to hold shares of the Fund unmonitored for periods longer than a single trading day.
RIGETTI COMPUTING, INC. (“RGTI”)
RGTI designs and develops integrated quantum computing systems and software to solve complex problems across industries such as finance, healthcare, and artificial intelligence. The company leverages its proprietary quantum processors and cloud-based platform to deliver quantum computing as a service (QCaaS) for commercial and research applications. RGTI is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”). Per RGTI’s most recent Form 10-K filing, the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates of RGTI (based on the closing price of its common stock on June 28, 2024 on the Nasdaq Capital Market) was approximately $166.0 million.
RGTI is registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Information provided to or filed with the SEC by RGTI pursuant to the Exchange Act can be located by reference to SEC file number 001-40140 through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, information regarding RGTI may be obtained from other sources including, but not limited to, press releases, newspaper articles and other publicly disseminated documents.
This document relates only to the securities offered hereby and does not relate to the shares of RGTI or other securities of RGTI. The Fund has derived all disclosures contained in this document regarding RGTI from the publicly available documents. None of the Fund, the Trust, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser, or their respective affiliates has participated in the preparation of such publicly available offering documents or made any due diligence inquiry regarding such documents with respect to RGTI. None of the Fund, the Trust, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser, or their respective affiliates makes any representation that such publicly available documents or any other publicly available information regarding RGTI is accurate or complete. Furthermore, the Fund cannot give any assurance that all events occurring prior to the date hereof (including events that would affect the accuracy or completeness of the publicly available documents described above) that would affect the trading price of RGTI (and therefore the share price of the Fund at the time we price the securities) have been publicly disclosed. Subsequent disclosure of any such events or the disclosure of or failure to disclose material future events concerning RGTI could affect the value received with respect to the securities and therefore the value of the securities.
None of the Fund, the Trust, the Adviser, or their respective affiliates makes any representation to you as to the performance of RGTI.
NONE OF THE FUND, TIDAL TRUST II, OR TIDAL INVESTMENTS LLC IS AFFILIATED, CONNECTED, OR ASSOCIATED WITH RIGETTI COMPUTING, INC. THE FUND WAS NOT DEVELOPED OR CREATED BY, AND IS NOT SPONSORED, ENDORSED, OR APPROVED BY, RIGETTI COMPUTING, INC.
Moreover, Rigetti Computing, Inc. has not participated in the development of the Fund’s investment strategy. Rigetti Computing, Inc. does not select or approve the Fund’s portfolio holdings, nor does it participate in the construction, design, or implementation of the Fund. Rigetti Computing, Inc. does not provide any assurances, guarantees, or representations regarding the Fund or its performance. Nothing herein shall be construed as an offer of any security by Rigetti Computing, Inc.
None of the Fund, the Trust, the Adviser, or their respective affiliates claim any ownership interest in any trademarks owned by RGTI or its affiliates. All rights in the trademarks are reserved by their respective owners.
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Due to the Fund’s investment strategy, the Fund’s investment exposure is concentrated in (or substantially exposed to) the same industry as that assigned to RGTI. As of the date of the Prospectus, RGTI is assigned to the Semiconductor & Semiconductor Equipment industry.
Principal Investment Risks
The principal risks of investing in the Fund are summarized below. As with any investment, there is a risk that you could lose all or a portion of your investment in the Fund. Some or all of these risks may adversely affect the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) per Share, trading price, yield, total return, and/or ability to meet its investment objective. For more information about the risks of investing in the Fund, see the section in the Fund’s Prospectus titled “Additional Information About the Fund—Principal Risks of Investing in the Fund.”
An
investment in the Fund entails risk.
Each risk summarized below is considered a “principal risk” of investing in the Fund, regardless of the order in which it appears.
RGTI Risks. The Fund invests in swap contracts and options that are based on the share price of RGTI. This subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it owned shares of RGTI, even though it does not. By virtue of the Fund’s investments in swap contracts and options that are based on the value of RGTI, the Fund may also be subject to the following risks:
Indirect Investment in RGTI Risk. RGTI is not affiliated with the Trust, the Fund, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates and is not involved with this offering in any way and has no obligation to consider your Shares in taking any corporate actions that might affect the value of Shares. Investors in the Fund will not have voting rights and will not be able to influence management of RGTI but will be exposed to the performance of RGTI (the Underlying Security). Investors in the Fund will not have the right to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to the Underlying Security but will be subject to declines in the performance of the Underlying Security.
RGTI Trading Risk. The trading price of RGTI may be subject to volatility and could experience wide fluctuations due to various factors. Short sellers may also play a significant role in trading RGTI, potentially affecting the supply and demand dynamics and contributing to market price volatility. Public perception and external factors beyond the company’s control may influence RGTI’s stock price disproportionately. Additionally, following periods of market volatility, companies have faced securities class action litigation. Any adverse judgment or future stockholder litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources. In the event of a halt in trading of RGTI, trading in shares of related funds may be impacted, either temporarily or indefinitely.
RGTI Performance Risk. RGTI may fail to meet its publicly announced guidelines or other expectations about its business, which could cause the price of RGTI to decline. RGTI provides guidance regarding its expected financial and business performance, such as projections regarding sales and production, as well as anticipated future revenues, gross margins, profitability and cash flows. Correctly identifying key factors affecting business conditions and predicting future events is inherently an uncertain process, and the guidance RGTI provides may not ultimately be accurate. If RGTI’s guidance is not accurate or varies from actual results due to its inability to meet the assumptions or the impact on its financial performance that could occur as a result of various risks and uncertainties, the market value of common stock issued by RGTI could decline significantly.
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry Risks. Competitive pressures may have a significant effect on the financial condition of semiconductor companies and, as product cycles shorten and manufacturing capacity increases, these companies may become increasingly subject to aggressive pricing, which hampers profitability. Reduced demand for end-user products, under-utilization of manufacturing capacity, and other factors could adversely impact the operating results of companies in the semiconductor sector. Semiconductor companies typically face high capital costs and may be heavily dependent on intellectual property rights. The semiconductor sector is highly cyclical, which may cause the operating results of many semiconductor companies to vary significantly. The industry is complex and global in nature, with manufacturing plants predominantly located in East Asia. Because of this, it is subject to numerous risks, including geopolitical tensions, earthquakes, and extreme weather events. The stock prices of companies in the semiconductor sector have been and likely will continue to be extremely volatile.
Business Risks. RGTI faces significant financial and operational risks, including the need to raise additional capital when needed to sustain its research and development efforts. With a history of operating losses, limited revenue, and reliance on public sector contracts, the company is vulnerable to economic downturns, market volatility, and delays in achieving key milestones such as the commercialization of its quantum systems. Failure to scale operations or successfully integrate new technologies could further impede growth and profitability. Material weaknesses in financial reporting controls and risks associated with complex financial instruments add to potential investor concerns.
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The quantum computing industry’s competitive and evolving nature presents challenges, with barriers such as the need for technological breakthroughs and dependence on cloud providers, third-party suppliers, and government contracts. RGTI’s ability to protect its intellectual property, adapt to stringent regulatory environments, and address supply chain disruptions is critical. Additional risks include international sales challenges, exposure to environmental and safety regulations, and susceptibility to litigation, cybersecurity threats, and product liability claims. These factors, alongside the nascent stage of the quantum computing industry, pose significant uncertainties for the company’s long-term success.
Concentrated Customer Base Risk. RGTI depends on a limited number of customers for a significant percentage of its revenue and the loss or temporary loss of a major customer for any reason could harm its financial condition. Further, a significant portion of RGTI’s revenue depends on contracts with the public sector, and RGTI’s failure to receive and maintain government contracts or changes in the contracting or fiscal policies of the public sector could have a material adverse effect on its business.
Third-Party Risk. RGTI’s business is currently dependent upon RGTI’s relationship with RGTI’s cloud providers. There are no assurances that RGTI will be able to commercialize quantum computers from RGTI’s relationships with cloud providers. RGTI relies on access to high performance third party classical computing through public clouds, high performance computing centres and on-premises computing infrastructure to deliver performant quantum solutions to customers. RGTI may not be able to maintain high quality business relationships and connectivity with these resources which could make it harder for it to reach customers or deliver solutions in a cost-effective manner. RGTI depends on certain suppliers to source products. Failure to maintain RGTI’s relationship with any of these suppliers could have a material adverse effect on RGTI’s business. RGTI has and may in the future enter into collaboration agreements and similar arrangements with third parties for the manufacturing of RGTI’s products, and these arrangements may never achieve their goals.
Single Issuer Risk. Issuer-specific attributes may cause an investment in the Fund to be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment which diversifies risk or the market generally. The value of the Fund, which focuses on an individual security, may be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole and may perform differently from the value of a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole. Additionally, the Fund will seek to employ its investment strategy as it relates to the underlying issuer regardless of whether there are significant corporate actions such as restructurings, enforcement activity, or acquisitions or periods adverse market, economic, or other conditions and will not seek to take temporary defensive positions during such periods.
Compounding and Market Volatility Risk. The Fund has a daily leveraged investment objective and the Fund’s performance for periods greater than a trading day will be the result of each day’s returns compounded over the period, which is very likely to differ from two times (200%) the Underlying Security’s performance, before the Fund’s management fee and other expenses. Compounding affects all investments but has a more significant impact on funds that aim to replicate leveraged daily returns and that rebalance daily. For the Fund aiming to replicate two times the daily performance of an Underlying Security, if adverse daily performance of the Underlying Security reduces the amount of a shareholder’s investment, any further adverse daily performance will lead to a smaller dollar loss because the shareholder’s investment had already been reduced by the prior adverse performance. Equally, however, if favorable daily performance of the Underlying Security increases the amount of a shareholder’s investment, the dollar amount lost due to future adverse performance will increase because the shareholder’s investment has increased.
The effect of compounding becomes more pronounced as the Underlying Security’s volatility and the holding period increase. The impact of compounding will impact each shareholder differently depending on the period of time an investment in the Fund is held and the volatility of the Underlying Security during a shareholder’s holding period of an investment in the Fund.
The chart below provides examples of how the Underlying Security’s volatility could affect the Fund’s performance. The chart illustrates the impact of two factors that affect the Fund’s performance – the Underlying Security’s volatility and the Underlying Security’s performance. The Underlying Security’s performance shows the percentage change in the share price of the Underlying Security over the specified time period, while the Underlying Security’s volatility is a statistical measure of the magnitude of fluctuations in the returns during that time period. As illustrated below, even if the Underlying Security’s performance over two equal time periods is identical, different Underlying Security volatility (i.e., in magnitude of fluctuations in the share price of the Underlying Security) during the two time periods could result in drastically different Fund performance for the two time periods because of compounding daily returns during the time periods.
Fund performance for periods greater than one single day can be estimated given any set of assumptions for the following factors: a) the Underlying Security volatility; b) the Underlying Security performance; c) period of time; d) financing rates associated with leveraged exposure; and e) other Fund expenses. The chart shows estimated Fund returns for a number of combinations of Underlying Security volatility and Underlying Security performance over a one-year period. Performance shown in the chart assumes that: (i) there were no Fund expenses; (ii) borrowing/lending rates (to obtain leveraged exposure) of 0%. If Fund expenses and/or actual borrowing/lending rates were reflected the estimated returns would be different than those shown. Particularly during periods of higher Underlying Security volatility, compounding will cause results for periods longer than a trading day to vary from two times (200%) the performance of the Underlying Security.
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As shown in the chart below, the Fund would be expected to lose 6.1% if there was no change in the share price of the Underlying Security over a one-year period during which the Underlying Security experienced annualized volatility of 25%. If the Underlying Security’s annualized volatility were to rise to 75%, the hypothetical loss for a one-year period would widen to approximately -43%. At higher ranges of volatility, there is a chance of a significant loss of value in the Fund, even if there were no change in the share price of the Underlying Security. For instance, if the Underlying Security’s annualized volatility is 100%, the Fund would be expected to lose 63.2% of its value, even if the cumulative Underlying Security change in the share price of the Underlying Security for the year was 0%.
Areas shaded red (or dark gray) represent those scenarios where the Fund can be expected to return less than two times (200%) the performance of the Underlying Security and those shaded green (or light gray) represent those scenarios where the Fund can be expected to return more than two times (200%) the performance of the Underlying Security. The Fund’s actual performance may be significantly better or worse than the performance shown below as a result of any of the factors discussed above or in the “Daily Correlation/Tracking Risk” below.
| Estimated
Returns of 200% or Two Times Performance of the Underlying Security |
|||||||
| Underlying Security Performance | One Year Volatility Rate | ||||||
| One
Year Underlying Security |
2X
Times (200%) the One Year Performance |
10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 100% | |
| -60% | -120% | -84.2% | -85.0% | -87.5% | -90.9% | -94.1% | |
| -50% | -100% | -75.2% | -76.5% | -80.5% | -85.8% | -90.8% | |
| -40% | -80% | -64.4% | -66.2% | -72.0% | -79.5% | -86.8% | |
| -30% | -60% | -51.5% | -54.0% | -61.8% | -72.1% | -82.0% | |
| -20% | -40% | -36.6% | -39.9% | -50.2% | -63.5% | -76.5% | |
| -10% | -20% | -19.8% | -23.9% | -36.9% | -53.8% | -70.2% | |
| 0% | 0% | -1.0% | -6.1% | -22.1% | -43.0% | -63.2% | |
| 10% | 20% | 19.8% | 13.7% | -5.8% | -31.1% | -55.5% | |
| 20% | 40% | 42.6% | 35.3% | 12.1% | -18.0% | -47.0% | |
| 30% | 60% | 67.3% | 58.8% | 31.6% | -3.7% | -37.8% | |
| 40% | 80% | 94.0% | 84.1% | 52.6% | 11.7% | -27.9% | |
| 50% | 100% | 122.8% | 111.4% | 75.2% | 28.2% | -17.2% | |
| 60% | 120% | 153.5% | 140.5% | 99.4% | 45.9% | -5.8% | |
The Underlying Security’s annualized historical volatility rate for the period of April 23, 2021 to June 30, 2025 (the maximum period available) was 128.30%. The Underlying Security’s highest volatility rate for any one calendar year during this period was 142.06% and volatility for a shorter period of time may have been substantially higher. The Underlying Security’s annualized performance during this period was 13.99%. Historical Underlying Security volatility and performance are not indications of what Underlying Security volatility and performance will be in the future.
Daily Correlation/Tracking Risk. There is no guarantee that the Fund will achieve a high degree of leveraged correlation to the Underlying Security and therefore achieve its daily leveraged investment objective. To achieve a high degree of leveraged correlation with the Underlying Security, the Fund seeks to rebalance its portfolio daily to keep exposure consistent with its daily leveraged investment objective. The possibility of the Fund being materially over- or under-exposed to the Underlying Security increases on days when the Underlying Security is volatile near the close of the trading day. Market disruptions, regulatory restrictions and extreme volatility will also adversely affect the Fund’s ability to adjust exposure to the required levels. If there is a significant intra-day market event and/or the Underlying Security experiences a significant increase or decline, the Fund may not meet its investment objective, be able to rebalance its portfolio appropriately, or may experience significant premiums or discounts, or widened bid-ask spreads.
The Fund may have difficulty achieving its daily leveraged investment objective due to fees, expenses, transaction costs, financing costs related to the use of derivatives, investments in ETFs, directly or indirectly, income items, valuation methodology, accounting standards and disruptions or illiquidity in the markets for the securities or derivatives held by the Fund. The Fund may be subject to large movements of assets into and out of the Fund, potentially resulting in the Fund being over- or under-exposed to the Underlying Security. The Fund may take or refrain from taking positions to improve the tax efficiency or to comply with various regulatory restrictions, either of which may negatively impact the Fund’s leveraged correlation to the Underlying Security.
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Leverage Risk. The Fund obtains investment exposure in excess of its net assets by utilizing leverage and may lose more money in market conditions that are adverse to its investment objective than a fund that does not utilize leverage. An investment in the Fund is exposed to the risk that a decline in the daily performance of the Underlying Security will be magnified. This means that an investment in the Fund will be reduced by an amount equal to 2% for every 1% daily decline in the share price of the Underlying Security, not including the costs of financing leverage and other operating expenses, which would further reduce its value. The Fund could theoretically lose an amount greater than its net assets in the event the share price of the Underlying Security declines more than 50%. Leverage will also have the effect of magnifying any differences in the Fund performance’s correlation with the Underlying Security’s share price.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive value from the underlying reference asset or assets, such as stocks, bonds, or funds (including ETFs), interest rates or indexes. The Fund’s investments in derivatives may pose risks in addition to, and greater than, those associated with directly investing in securities or other ordinary investments, including risk related to the market, leverage, imperfect daily correlations with underlying investments or the Fund’s other portfolio holdings, higher price volatility, lack of availability, counterparty risk, liquidity, valuation and legal restrictions. The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The use of derivatives may result in larger losses or smaller gains than directly investing in securities. When the Fund uses derivatives, there may be imperfect correlation between the share price of the Underlying Security and the derivative, which may prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objective. Because derivatives often require only a limited initial investment, the use of derivatives may expose the Fund to losses in excess of those amounts initially invested.
The Fund will be subject to regulatory constraints relating to level of value at risk that the Fund may incur through its derivative portfolio. To the extent the Fund exceeds these regulatory thresholds over an extended period, the Fund may determine that it is necessary to make adjustments to the Fund’s investment strategy, including the desired daily leveraged performance for the Fund.
In addition, the Fund’s investments in derivatives are subject to the following risks:
Swap Agreements. The use of swap transactions is a highly specialized activity, which 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 counterparties for those swap agreements. If the Adviser is unable to enter into swap agreements that provide leveraged exposure to the Underlying Security, the Fund may not meet its stated investment objective. Additionally, any financing, borrowing or other costs associated with using swap transactions may also 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 derivatives 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 or underlying 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 a basket of securities.
If the Underlying Security has a dramatic move that causes a material decline in the Fund’s net assets, the terms of a swap agreement between the Fund and its counterparty may permit the counterparty to immediately 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 achieve exposure consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. This may prevent the Fund from achieving its leveraged investment objective, even if the Underlying Security later reverses all or a portion of its movement.
Options Contracts. The use of options contracts involves investment strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The prices of options are volatile and are influenced by, among other things, actual and anticipated changes in the value of the underlying instrument, including the anticipated volatility, which are affected by fiscal and monetary policies and by national and international political, changes in the actual or implied volatility or the reference asset, the time remaining until the expiration of the option contract and economic events. The value of the options contracts in which the Fund invests are substantially influenced by the value of the Underlying Security. The Fund may experience substantial downside from specific option positions and certain option positions held by the Fund may expire worthless. The options held by the Fund are exercisable at the strike price on their expiration date. As an option approaches its expiration date, its value typically increasingly moves with the value of the underlying instrument. However, prior to such date, the value of an option generally does not increase or decrease at the same rate as the underlying instrument. There may at times be an imperfect correlation between the movement in values options contracts and the underlying instrument, and there may at times not be a liquid secondary market for certain options contracts. The value of the options held by the Fund will be determined based on market quotations or other recognized pricing methods. Additionally, as the Fund intends to continuously maintain indirect exposure to the Underlying Security through the use of options contracts, as the options contracts it holds are exercised or expire it will enter into new options contracts, a practice referred to as “rolling.” If the expiring options contracts do not generate proceeds enough to cover the cost of entering into new options contracts, the Fund may experience losses. The use of options to generate leverage introduces additional risks, including significant potential losses if the market moves unfavorably. The leverage inherent in options can amplify both gains and losses, leading to increased volatility and potential for substantial losses, particularly in periods of market uncertainty or low liquidity. Additionally, the Fund may incur losses if the value of the Underlying Security moves against its positions, potentially resulting in a complete loss of the premium paid.
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Counterparty Risk. The Fund is subject to counterparty risk by virtue of its investments in derivatives which exposes the Fund to the risk that the counterparty will not fulfill its obligation to the Fund. Counterparty risk may arise because of the counterparty’s financial condition (i.e., financial difficulties, bankruptcy, or insolvency), market activities and developments, or other reasons, whether foreseen or not. A counterparty’s inability to fulfill its obligation may result in significant financial loss to the Fund and the Fund may be unable to recover its investment from such counterparty or may obtain a limited and/or delayed recovery.
Counterparties may seek to hedge their exposure to individual clients (such as the Fund) by establishing offsetting exposures with other clients, however, there is no guarantee that counterparties will do so under all circumstances. Should a counterparty (e.g., a swap counterparty) terminate its relationship with the Fund, the Fund will seek to utilize other counterparties to seek to maintain its exposures. In addition, the Fund may use options contracts to seek to generate the leverage necessary to implement its strategy. The use of options contracts introduces distinct risks, including heightened volatility, particularly intraday. While options may provide an ancillary benefit of mitigating some losses under specific scenarios, such as severe market downturns, their inherent leverage and rapid price fluctuations can amplify the Fund’s performance volatility and lead to greater risks of substantial losses. Refer to “Derivatives Risk – Options Contracts” for additional information on the risks of investing in options.
In addition, the Fund may enter into swap agreements with a limited number of counterparties, which may increase the Fund’s exposure to counterparty credit risk. Further, there is a risk that no suitable counterparties will be willing to enter into, or continue to enter into, transactions with the Fund and, as a result, the Fund may not be able to achieve its investment objective.
Intra-Day Investment Risk. The Fund seeks investment results from the close of the market on a given trading day until the close of the market on the subsequent trading day. The exact exposure of an investment in the Fund intraday in the secondary market is a function of the difference between the share price of the Underlying Security at the market close on the first trading day and the share price of the Underlying Security at the time of purchase. If the share price of the Underlying Security rises, the Fund’s net assets will rise by approximately twice the amount as the Fund’s exposure. Conversely, if the share price of the Underlying Security declines, the Fund’s net assets will decline by approximately two times the amount as the Fund’s exposure. Thus, an investor that purchases Shares intra-day may experience performance that is greater than, or less than, the Fund’s stated leveraged performance of the Underlying Security.
If there is a significant intra-day market event and/or the securities of the Underlying Security experience a significant increase or decrease, the Fund may not meet its investment objective or rebalance its portfolio appropriately.
Fixed Income Securities Risk. When the Fund invests in fixed income securities, the value of your investment in the Fund will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Typically, a rise in interest rates causes a decline in the value of fixed income securities owned by the Fund. In general, the market price of fixed income securities with longer maturities will increase or decrease more in response to changes in interest rates than shorter-term securities. Other risk factors include credit risk (the debtor may default), extension risk (an issuer may exercise its right to repay principal on a fixed rate obligation held by the Fund later than expected), and prepayment risk (the debtor may pay its obligation early, reducing the amount of interest payments). These risks could affect the value of a particular investment by the Fund, possibly causing the Fund’s Share price and total return to be reduced and fluctuate more than other types of investments.
Rebalancing Risk. If for any reason the Fund is unable to rebalance all or a portion of its portfolio, or if all or a portion of the portfolio is rebalanced incorrectly, the Fund’s investment exposure may not be consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. In these instances, the Fund may have investment exposure to the Underlying Security that is significantly greater or less than its stated investment objective. As a result, the Fund may be exposed to leverage risk because it had not been properly rebalanced and may not achieve its investment objective.
ETF Risks
Authorized Participants, Market Makers, and Liquidity Providers Concentration Risk. The Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that are authorized to purchase and redeem Shares directly from the Fund (known as “Authorized Participants” or “APs”). In addition, there may be a limited number of market makers and/or liquidity providers in the marketplace. To the extent either of the following events occur, Shares may trade at a material discount to NAV and possibly face delisting: (i) APs exit the business or otherwise become unable to process creation and/or redemption orders and no other APs step forward to perform these services; or (ii) market makers and/or liquidity providers exit the business or significantly reduce their business activities and no other entities step forward to perform their functions.
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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.
Trading. Although Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, such as The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC (the “Exchange”), and may be traded on U.S. exchanges other than the Exchange, there can be no assurance that Shares will trade with any volume, or at all, on any stock exchange. In stressed market conditions, the liquidity of Shares may begin to mirror the liquidity of the Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings, which can be significantly less liquid than Shares. This adverse effect on liquidity for the Fund’s shares may lead to wider bid-ask spreads and differences between the market price of the Fund’s shares and the underlying value of the shares.
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.”
Economic and Market Risk. Economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets or issuers in other countries or regions. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform in comparison to securities in the general financial markets, a particular financial market, or other asset classes, due to a number of factors, including inflation (or expectations for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, market instability, financial system instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers, regulatory events, other governmental trade or market control programs and related geopolitical events. In addition, the value of the Fund’s investments may be negatively affected by the occurrence of global events such as war, terrorism, environmental disasters, natural disasters or events, country instability, and infectious disease epidemics or pandemics. The imposition by the U.S. of tariffs on goods imported from foreign countries and reciprocal tariffs levied on U.S. goods by those countries also may lead to volatility and instability in domestic and foreign markets.
High Portfolio Turnover Risk. Daily rebalancing of the Fund’s holdings pursuant to its daily investment objective causes a much greater number of portfolio transactions when compared to most ETFs. Additionally, active market trading of the Fund’s Shares on exchanges (such as the Exchange), could cause more frequent creation and redemption activities, which could increase the number of portfolio transactions. Frequent and active trading may lead to higher transaction costs because of increased broker commissions resulting from such transactions. In addition, there is the possibility of significantly increased short-term capital gains (which will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income when distributed to them). The Fund calculates portfolio turnover without including the short-term cash instruments or derivative transactions that comprise the majority of the Fund’s trading. As such, if the Fund’s extensive use of derivative instruments were reflected, the calculated portfolio turnover rate would be significantly higher.
Tracking Error Risk. Tracking error is the divergence of the Fund’s performance from that of its investment objective which aims to replicate two times the daily percentage change in the price of the Underlying Security. Tracking error may occur for a number of reasons. Tracking error may occur because of transaction costs, the Fund’s holding of cash, differences in accrual of dividends, being under- or overexposed to the Underlying Security or the need to meet new or existing regulatory requirements. Tracking error risk may be heightened during times of market volatility or other unusual market conditions such as market disruptions. The Fund may be required to deviate from its investment objectives, and therefore experience tracking error, as a result of market restrictions or other legal reasons, including regulatory limits or other restrictions on securities that may be purchased by the Adviser and its affiliates.
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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. Certain market conditions or restrictions may prevent the Fund from limiting losses, realizing gains or achieving a high correlation with the Underlying Security. 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.
Money Market Instrument Risk. The Fund may use a variety of money market instruments for cash management purposes, including money market funds, depositary accounts and repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are contracts in which a seller of securities agrees to buy the securities back at a specified time and price. Repurchase agreements may be subject to market and credit risk related to the collateral securing the repurchase agreement. Money market instruments may lose money.
Newer Fund Risk. The Fund is a recently organized management investment company with a limited operating history. As a result, prospective investors have a limited track record on which to base their investment decisions.
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. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.
Trading Halt Risk. Although the Underlying Security’s shares are listed for trading on an exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for such shares will be available at all times and the Exchange may halt trading of such shares in certain circumstances. A halt in trading in the Underlying Security’s shares is expected, in turn, to result in a halt in the trading in the Fund’s Shares. Trading in the Underlying Security’s and/or Fund’s Shares on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in the Underlying Security’s and/or Fund’s Shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in Underlying Security’s and/or Fund’s Shares on an exchange is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to exchange “circuit breaker” rules.” In the event of a trading halt for an extended period of time, the Fund may be unable to execute arrangements with swap counterparties that are necessary to implement the Fund’s investment strategy.
Operational Risk. The Fund is subject to risks arising from various operational factors, including, but not limited to, human error, processing and communication errors, errors of the Fund’s service providers, counterparties or other third-parties, failed or inadequate processes and technology or systems failures. The Fund relies on third-parties for a range of services, including custody. Any delay or failure relating to engaging or maintaining such service providers may affect the Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective. Although the Fund and the Fund’s investment advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures, there is no way to completely protect against such risks.
U.S. Government and U.S. Agency Obligations Risk. The Fund may invest in securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. Government obligations include securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, such as the U.S. Treasury. Payment of principal and interest on U.S. Government obligations may be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States or may be backed solely by the issuing or guaranteeing agency or instrumentality itself. In the latter case, the investor must look principally to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment, which agency or instrumentality may be privately owned. There can be no assurance that the U.S. Government would provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities (including government-sponsored enterprises) where it is not obligated to do so.
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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 (the “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 and options 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 and options 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.
Management
Investment Adviser: Tidal Investments LLC serves as investment adviser to the Fund.
Portfolio Managers:
The following individuals are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund.
Qiao Duan, CFA, Portfolio Manager for the Adviser, has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2025.
Christopher P. Mullen, Portfolio Manager for the Adviser has been a portfolio manager of the Fund since its inception in 2025.
Purchase and Sale of Shares
The Fund issues and redeems Shares at NAV only in large blocks known as “Creation Units,” which only APs (typically, broker-dealers) may purchase or redeem. The Fund generally issues and redeems Creation Units in exchange for a portfolio of securities (the “Deposit Securities”) and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash.
Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, such as the Exchange, and individual Shares may only be bought and sold in the secondary market through brokers at market prices, rather than NAV. Because Shares trade at market prices rather than NAV, Shares may trade at a price greater than NAV (premium) or less than NAV (discount).
An investor may incur costs attributable to the difference between the highest price a buyer is willing to pay to purchase Shares (the “bid” price) and the lowest price a seller is willing to accept for Shares (the “ask” price) when buying or selling Shares in the secondary market. This difference in bid and ask prices is often referred to as the “bid-ask spread.”
Information regarding the Fund’s NAV, market price, how often Shares traded on the Exchange at a premium or discount, and bid-ask spreads can be found on the Fund’s website at https://www.defianceetfs.com.
Tax Information
Fund distributions are generally taxable as ordinary income, qualified dividend income, or capital gains (or a combination), unless an investment is in an individual retirement account (“IRA”) or other tax-advantaged account. Distributions on investments made through tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawal of assets from those accounts.
Financial Intermediary Compensation
If you purchase Shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank) (an “Intermediary”), the Adviser or its affiliates may pay Intermediaries for certain activities related to the Fund, including participation in activities that are designed to make Intermediaries more knowledgeable about exchange-traded products, including the Fund, or for other activities, such as marketing, educational training, or other initiatives related to the sale or promotion of Shares. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the Intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Any such arrangements do not result in increased Fund expenses. Ask your salesperson or visit the Intermediary’s website for more information.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDS
Investment Objectives
The investment objective of each Fund is to seek daily investment results, before fees and expenses, of two times (200%) the daily percentage change in the share price of its Underlying Security.
An investment objective is fundamental if it cannot be changed without the consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares. The Fund’s investment objective has not been adopted as a fundamental investment policy and therefore the Fund’s investment objective may be changed without the consent of that Fund’s shareholders upon approval by the Board of Trustees (the “Board”) of Tidal Trust II (the “Trust”) and at least 60 days’ written notice to shareholders.
Each Fund has adopted a policy to have at least 80% of its net assets, plus borrowings for investment purposes, in financial instruments with economic characteristics that should perform 2X the daily performance of its Underlying Security’s shares. Each Fund’s 80% policy is non-fundamental and can be changed without shareholder approval. However, Fund shareholders would be given at least 60 days’ notice prior to any such change. To the extent swaps are used to meet the Fund’s 80% policy, the notional value of the swaps will be used when determining the Fund’s compliance.
Each Fund engages in transactions with counterparties, which may include subsidiaries of public companies. Investors should be aware that a Fund may not have recourse to the parent company for obligations of such counterparties. Consequently, a Fund is exposed to the credit risk of these counterparties, and their inability to meet the terms of their agreements could result in financial loss to the Fund.
Each Fund seeks to provide a return of up to two times the daily performance of the share price its Underlying Security.
No Fund attempts to, and no Fund should be expected to, achieve this daily percentage change for periods other than a single day. Each Fund rebalances its implied exposure on a daily basis, increasing exposure to the Underlying Security in response to that day’s gains or reducing exposure in the Underlying Security in response to that day’s losses.
The exposure to the Underlying Security received by an investor who purchases a Fund intra-day will differ from such Fund’s stated daily investment objective by an amount determined by the movement of such Underlying Security from its share price at the end of the prior day. If the Underlying Security’s share price moves in a direction favorable to the Fund between the close of the market on one trading day through the time on the next trading day when the investor purchases Fund Shares, the investor will receive less exposure to the Underlying Security than the Fund’s stated daily investment objective. Conversely, if the Underlying Security’s share price moves in a direction adverse to the Fund, the investor will receive more exposure to the Underlying Security than the Fund’s stated daily investment objective.
As used in this Prospectus, the terms “daily,” “day,” and “trading day,” mean the period from the regular close of the markets on one trading day to the regular close of the markets on the next trading day.
Each Fund is designed as a short-term trading vehicle. The Funds are intended to be used by investors who intend to actively monitor and manage their portfolios.
Shares of each Fund upon commencement of operations will be listed and traded on the Exchange, where the market prices for the Shares may be different from the intra-day value of the Shares disseminated by the Exchange and from their NAV. Unlike conventional mutual funds, Shares are not individually redeemable directly with the applicable Fund. Rather, each Fund issues and redeems Shares on a continuous basis at NAV only in large blocks of Shares called “Creation Units.” Creation Units of the Funds are issued and redeemed for cash. As a result, retail investors generally will not be able to purchase or redeem Shares directly from, or with, a Fund. Most retail investors will purchase or sell Shares in the secondary market through a broker.
The Funds are not suitable for all investors. In particular, the Funds are not suitable for investors with longer-term investment objectives. Each Fund is designed to be utilized only by sophisticated investors, such as traders and active investors employing dynamic strategies. Such investors are expected to monitor and manage their portfolios frequently. Investors in the Funds should: (a) understand the consequences of seeking daily leveraged investment results and (b) understand the risks associated with the use of leverage. Investors who do not understand the Funds or do not intend to actively manage their funds and monitor their investments should not buy any Fund.
There is no assurance that any Fund will achieve its investment objective and an investment in any Fund could lose a substantial amount of money over a short period of time. No single fund is a complete investment program.
Principal Investment Strategies
In order to achieve each Fund’s investment objective, the Adviser invests in a manner that is designed to correspond to two times (200%) the daily performance of the share price of such Fund’s Underlying Security.
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Each Fund attempts to achieve its investment objective by investing a substantial amount of its assets in financial instruments that provide exposure to its Underlying Security, such as swap agreements. At the end of each trading day, it is expected that for the 2X leveraged exposure each Fund seeks, the swap notional exposure against the Underlying Security will be approximately equal to two times the Fund’s NAV.
To achieve a swap notional exposure equal two times a Fund’s NAV at the end of each trading day, the Adviser will adjust the swap notional exposure daily by sending orders to the swap provider(s) for execution at close. Such transactions will result in trading fees to be paid by the Fund.
Each Fund will enter into swap agreements with major financial institutions for a specified period ranging from one day to more than one year whereby the respective Fund and the global financial institution will agree to exchange the return earned or realized on the underlying security. The gross returns to be exchanged or “swapped” between the parties are calculated with respect to a “notional amount,” e.g., the return on or change in value of a particular dollar amount representing the underlying security. Each trading day, the Adviser adjusts each Fund’s exposure to its underlying security consistent with the Fund’s daily leveraged investment objective. The impact of market movements during the day determines whether the portfolio needs to be repositioned. If the share price of the underlying security has risen on a given day, the value of the Fund’s net assets should rise, meaning its exposure will typically need to be increased. Conversely, if the share price of the underlying security has fallen on a given day, the value of the Fund’s net assets should fall, meaning its exposure will typically need to be reduced.
The time and manner in which a Fund rebalances its portfolio may vary from day to day at the sole discretion of the Adviser depending upon market conditions and other circumstances. Generally, at or near the close of the market at each trading day, each Fund will position its portfolio to seek to ensure that the Fund’s exposure to its underlying security is consistent with its stated investment objective. Each Fund reviews its notional exposure under each of its swap agreements, which reflects the extent of the Fund’s total investment exposure under the swap, to seek to ensure that the Fund’s exposure is in-line with its stated investment objective. The gross returns to be exchanged are calculated with respect to the notional amount and the underlying security share price returns to which the swap is linked. Swaps are typically closed out on a net basis. Thus, while the notional amount reflects a Fund’s total investment exposure under the swap, the net amount is the Fund’s current obligations (or rights) under the swap. That is the amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement. If for any reason a Fund is unable to rebalance all or a portion of its portfolio, or if all or a portion of the portfolio is rebalanced incorrectly, the Fund’s investment exposure may not be consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. As a result, a Fund may be more or less exposed to leverage risk than if it had been properly rebalanced and may not achieve its investment objective. To the extent that a Fund needs to “roll” its swap positions (i.e., enter into new swap positions with a later expiration date as the current positions approach expiration), it could be subjected to increased costs, which could negatively impact the Fund’s performance.
Additionally, to complement each Fund’s primary strategy of using swap agreements to achieve leveraged exposure, a Fund may employ listed options contracts as an additional tool to generate leverage on an as-needed basis. By incorporating listed options, such as call options, a Fund can gain leveraged exposure to the Underlying Security without relying solely on swaps. This flexibility allows the Fund to adjust its leverage strategy in response to market conditions, liquidity constraints, or other factors that may impact the availability or pricing of swap agreements. The use of options may help the Fund meet its daily investment objective more effectively under varying market conditions.
Each Fund will hold assets to serve as collateral for such Fund’s swap agreements. For those collateral holdings, each Fund may invest in (1) U.S. Government securities, such as bills, notes and bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury; (2) money market funds; (3) short term bond exchange-traded fund (ETFs); and/or (4) corporate debt securities, such as commercial paper and other short-term unsecured promissory notes issued by businesses that are rated investment grade or of comparable quality.
The Effects of Fees and Expenses on the Return of the Fund for a Single Trading Day
To create the necessary exposure, the Funds will enter into one or more swap agreements with financial institutions. The Funds will incur borrowing costs associated with the use of swaps. For instance, if an Underlying Security returns 1% on a given day, the gross expected return of applicable 2X Fund would be 2%, but the net expected return, which factors in the cost of financing the portfolio and the impact of operating expenses, would be lower.
The Funds may have difficulty in achieving their daily leveraged investment objective due to fees, expenses, transaction costs, income items, accounting standards, significant purchase and redemption activity by respective Fund shareholders and/or disruptions or a temporary lack of liquidity in the markets for the securities held by such Fund.
A Fund will be subject to regulatory constraints relating to level of value at risk that a Fund may incur through its derivative portfolio.
An exchange or market may close or issue trading halts on specific securities, or the ability to buy or sell certain securities or financial instruments may be restricted, which may result in a Fund being unable to buy or sell certain securities or financial instruments. In such circumstances, such Fund may be unable to rebalance its portfolio, may be unable to accurately price its investments and/or may incur substantial trading losses.
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If a Fund is unable to obtain sufficient exposure to its Underlying Security due to the limited availability of necessary investments or financial instruments, such Fund could, among other things, fail to meet its daily investment objective or experience increased transaction fees. Under such circumstances, the Fund could trade at significant bid-ask spreads, premiums or discounts to its NAV and could experience substantial redemptions.
A Cautionary Note to Investor’s Regarding Dramatic Underlying Security Movement. The Adviser will not attempt to position each Fund’s portfolio to ensure that a Fund does not gain or lose more than maximum percentage of its NAV on a given day. A Fund could lose an amount greater than its net assets in the event of a movement of an Underlying Security’s share price in excess of 50% in a direction adverse to the Fund (meaning a loss in the value of the Underlying Security). As a result, the risk of total loss exists.
If an Underlying Security’s share price has a dramatic loss that causes a material decline in a Fund’s net assets, the terms of the Fund’s swap agreements may permit the counterparty to immediately close out the swap transaction. In that event, a Fund may be unable to enter into another swap agreement or invest in other derivatives to achieve exposure consistent with a Fund’s investment objective. This may prevent a Fund from achieving its investment objective, even if the Underlying Security later reverses all or a portion the move, and result in significant losses.
Examples
Examples of the Impact of Daily Compounding. Because each Fund’s exposure to the applicable Underlying Security’s share price is repositioned on a daily basis, for a holding period longer than one day, the pursuit of the daily investment objective will result in daily compounding for each Fund. This means that the return of the applicable Underlying Security’s share price over a period of time greater than one day multiplied by the Fund’s daily investment objective (e.g., 200% of such return) generally will not equal such Fund’s performance over that same period. As a consequence, investors should not plan to hold shares of a Fund unmonitored for periods longer than a single trading day. This deviation increases with higher volatility in the applicable Underlying Security’s share price and longer holding periods. Further, the return for investors that invest for periods less than a full trading day or for a period different than a trading day will not be the product of the return of such Fund’s stated daily leveraged investment objective and the performance of the applicable Underlying Security’s share price for the full trading day. The actual exposure will largely be a function of the performance of the applicable Underlying Security’s share price from the end of the prior trading day. The examples assume a full daily leveraged amount of exactly 2X to the applicable Underlying Security’s share price.
Consider the following examples (each of which assumes the investor purchases and sells shares at NAV):
Example A
Amy is considering investments in two Funds, Funds A and B. Fund A is an ETF which seeks (before fees and expenses) to match the performance of the hypothetical underlying security’s share price. Fund B is a leveraged ETF and seeks daily leveraged investment results (before fees and expenses) that correspond to 200% of the daily performance of the hypothetical underlying security’s share price.
On Day 1, the hypothetical underlying security’s share price increases in value from $100 to $105, a gain of 5%. On Day 2, the hypothetical underlying security’s share price declines from $105 back to $100, a loss of 4.76%. In the aggregate, the share price of the hypothetical underlying security has not moved.
An investment in Fund A would be expected to gain 5% on Day 1 and lose 4.76% on Day 2, returning the investment its original value. The following example assumes a $100 investment in Fund A when the hypothetical underlying security’s share price is $100:
| Day | Underlying Security Share Price | Underlying
Security Performance |
Value of Fund A Investment |
| $100.00 | |||
| 1 | $105.00 | 5.00% | $105.00 |
| 2 | $100.00 | -4.76% | $100.00 |
The same $100 investment in Fund B would be expected to gain 10% on Day 1 (200% of 5%) but decline 9.52% on Day 2.
| Day | Underlying Security Performance | 200%
of Underlying Security Performance |
Value of Fund B Investment |
| $100.00 | |||
| 1 | 5.00% | 10.0% | $110.00 |
| 2 | -4.76% | -9.52% | $99.52 |
Although the percentage decline in Fund B is smaller on Day 2 than the percentage gain on Day 1, the loss is applied to a higher principal amount, so the investment in Fund B experiences a loss even when the share price of the underlying security for the two-day period has not declined (these calculations do not include the charges for fund fees and expenses).
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As you can see, an investment in Fund B has additional risks due to the effects of leverage and compounding.
An investor who purchases shares of a Fund intra-day will generally receive more, or less, than the applicable exposure to the underlying security’s share price from that point until the end of the trading day. The actual exposure will be largely a function of the performance of the underlying security from the end of the prior trading day. If a Fund’s shares are held for a period longer than a single trading day, the Fund’s performance is likely to deviate from the respective multiple return of the underlying security’s performance for the longer period. This deviation will increase with higher underlying security volatility and longer holding periods.
Examples of the Impact of Volatility of an Underlying Security. Each Fund rebalances its portfolio on a daily basis, increasing exposure in response to that day’s gains or reducing exposure in response to that day’s losses. Daily rebalancing will typically cause a Fund to lose money if the Underlying Security’s shares experience volatility. A volatility rate is a statistical measure of the magnitude of fluctuations in the underlying security’s share price returns over a defined period. For periods longer than a trading day, volatility in the performance of the Underlying Security shares from day to day is the primary cause of any disparity between a Fund’s actual returns and the returns of the share of the Underlying Security for such period. Volatility causes such disparity because it exacerbates the effects of compounding on a Fund’s returns. In addition, the effects of volatility are magnified in the Funds due to leverage. Consider the following three examples that demonstrate the effect of volatility on a hypothetical fund (each of which assumes the investor purchases and sells shares at NAV):
Example 1 – Underlying Security Experiences Low Volatility
Amy invests $10.00 in a Hypothetical 2X Fund at the close of trading on Day 1. During Day 2, the hypothetical underlying security’s share price rises from 100 to 102, a 2% gain. Amy’s investment rises 4% to $10.40. Amy holds her investment through the close of trading on Day 3, during which the hypothetical underlying security’s share price rises from 102 to 104, a gain of 1.96%. Amy’s investment rises to $10.81, a gain during Day 3 of 3.92%. For the two-day period since Amy invested in the Hypothetical 2X Fund, the hypothetical underlying security gained 4% although Amy’s investment increased by 8.1%. Because the hypothetical underlying security’s shares continued to trend upwards with low volatility, Amy’s return closely correlates to the 200% return of the return of the hypothetical underlying security’s shares for the period.
Example 2 – Underlying Security Experiences High Volatility
Now Amy invests $10.00 in a Hypothetical 2X Fund after the close of trading on Day 1. During Day 2, the hypothetical underlying security’s share price rises from 100 to 102, a 2% gain, and Amy’s investment rises 4% to $10.40. Amy continues to hold her investment through the end of Day 3, during which the hypothetical underlying security’s shares decline from 102 to 98, a loss of 3.92%. Amy’s investment declines by 7.84%, from $10.40 to $9.58. For the two-day period since Amy invested in the Hypothetical 2X Fund, the hypothetical underlying security lost 2% while Amy’s investment decreased from $10 to $9.58, a 4.2% loss. The volatility of the hypothetical underlying security’s shares affected the correlation between the hypothetical underlying security’s return for the two-day period and Amy’s return. In this situation, Amy lost more than two times the return of the hypothetical underlying security.
Example 3 – Intra-day Investment with Volatility
Examples 1 and 2 assumed that Amy purchased the Hypothetical 2X Fund at the close of trading on Day 1 and sold her investment at the close of trading on a subsequent day. However, if she made an investment intra-day, she would have received notional exposure to the underlying security’s shares determined by the performance of the underlying security’s shares from the end of the prior trading day until her time of purchase on the next trading day.
Consider the following example.
Amy invests $10.00 in a Hypothetical 2X Fund at 11 a.m. on Day 2. From the close of trading on Day 1 until 11 a.m. on Day 2, the hypothetical underlying security’s share price moved from 100 to 102, a 2% gain. In light of that gain, the Hypothetical 2X Fund beta at the point at which Amy invests is 196%. During the remainder of Day 2, the hypothetical underlying security’s share price rises from 102 to 110, a gain of 7.84%, and Amy’s investment rises 15.4% (which is the hypothetical underlying security gain of 7.84% multiplied by the 196% beta that she received) to $11.54. Amy continues to hold her investment through the close of trading on Day 3, during which the hypothetical underlying security’s share price declines from 110 to 90, a loss of 18.18%. Amy’s investment declines by 36.4%, from $11.54 to $7.34. For the period of Amy’s investment, the hypothetical underlying security’s share price declined from 102 to 90, a loss of 11.76%, while Amy’s investment decreased from $10.00 to $7.34, a 27% loss. The volatility of the hypothetical underlying security’s shares affected the correlation between the hypothetical underlying security’s return for period and Amy’s return. In this situation, Amy lost more than two times the return of the hypothetical underlying security. Amy was also hurt because she missed the first 2% move of the hypothetical underlying security and had a beta of 196% for the remainder of Day 2.
Market Volatility. The Funds seek to provide a return which is two times the daily performance of the applicable Underlying Security’s share price. The Funds do not attempt to, and should not be expected to, provide returns which are two times the return of the applicable Underlying Security’s share price for periods other than a single day. The Funds rebalance their respective portfolios on a daily basis, increasing exposure in response to that day’s gains or reducing exposure in response to that day’s losses.
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Daily rebalancing will impair each Fund’s performance if its Underlying Security’s shares experience volatility. For instance, a Fund would be expected to lose 4% (as shown in Table 1 below) if its Underlying Security’s shares provided no return over a one-year period and experienced annualized volatility of 20%. If an Underlying Security’s shares’ annualized volatility were to rise to 40%, the hypothetical loss for a one-year period for the applicable Fund widens to approximately -15%.
| Table 1 | |
| Volatility | Fund |
| Range | Loss |
| 10% | -1% |
| 20% | -4% |
| 30% | -9% |
| 40% | -15% |
| 50% | -23% |
| 60% | -33% |
| 70% | -47% |
| 80% | -55% |
| 90% | -76% |
| 100% | -84% |
Note that at higher volatility levels, there is a chance of a complete loss of Fund assets even if the share price of the applicable Underlying Security is flat. For instance, if annualized volatility of an Underlying Security’s shares were 90%, the applicable Fund would be expected to lose 76%, even if the underlying security returned 0% for the year.
Table 2 shows the annualized historical volatility rate for each Underlying Security’s shares over the five-year period (unless noted otherwise) ended June 30. 2025.
Since market volatility has negative implications for the Funds which rebalance daily, investors should be sure to monitor and manage their investments in the Funds particularly in volatile markets. The negative implications of volatility in Table 1 can be combined with the recent volatility ranges of the shares of the Underlying Securities in Table 2 to give investors some sense of the risks of holding the Funds for longer periods. Historical volatility and performance for the Underlying Securities are not likely indicative of future volatility and performance.
Table 2 – Historic Volatility of the Underlying Securities
| Underlying Security Name/Ticker | 5-Year Historical Volatility Rate |
| Hims & Hers Health Inc. (HIMS) | 80.31% |
| IonQ, Inc. (IONQ)1 | 90.79% |
| Rocket Lab Corporation (RKLB)2 | 73.22% |
| Carvana Co. (CVNA) | 110.55% |
| Robinhood Markets, Inc. (HOOD)3 | 73.67% |
| Vistra Corp. (VST) | 47.37% |
| JP Morgan Chase & Co. (JPM) | 25.71% |
| PENN Entertainment, Inc. (PENN) | 58.41% |
| SoundHound AI, Inc. (SOUN)4 | 140.21% |
| Marvell Technologies (MRVL) | 56.35% |
| Rigetti Computing, Inc. (RGTI)5 | 128.30% |
1Reflects annualized volatility over the period of January 4, 2021 to June 30, 2025 (the maximum period available).
2Reflects annualized volatility over the period of September 24, 2020 to June 30, 2025 (the maximum period available).
3Reflects annualized volatility over the period of July 28, 2021 to June 30, 2025 (the maximum period available).
4Reflects annualized volatility over the period of April 28, 2022 to June 30, 2025 (the maximum period available).
5Reflects annualized volatility over the period of April 23, 2021 to June 30, 2025 (the maximum period available).
The Projected Returns of the Funds for Intra-Day Purchases. Because each Fund rebalances its portfolio once daily, an investor who purchases Shares intra-day will likely have more, or less, than 200% investment exposure to the share price applicable Underlying Security. The exposure to the applicable Underlying Security’s shares received by an investor who purchases the Fund intra-day will differ from the Fund’s stated daily investment objective (e.g., 200%) by an amount determined by the movement of the applicable Underlying Security’s from its share price at the end of the prior day. If the Underlying Security’s share price moves in a direction favorable to the applicable Fund between the close of the market on one trading day through the time on the next trading day when the investor purchases Fund shares, the investor will receive less exposure to such Underlying Security than the stated Fund’s daily investment objective (e.g., 200%). Conversely, if an Underlying Security’s shares move in a direction adverse to the funds, the investor will receive more exposure to such Underlying Security than the stated fund daily leveraged investment objective (e.g., 200%).
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Table 3 below indicates the hypothetical exposure to the share price of the underlying security that an intra-day purchase of the Hypothetical 2X Fund would be expected to provide based upon the movement in the share price of the underlying security from the close of the market on the prior trading day. Such exposure holds until a subsequent sale on that same trading day or until the close of the market on that trading day. For instance, if the underlying security’s share price has moved 5% in a direction favorable to a Hypothetical 2X Fund, the investor would receive exposure to the performance of the underlying security from that point until the investor sells later that day or the end of the day equal to approximately 191% of the investor’s investment.
Conversely, if the underlying security’s share price moves 5% in a direction unfavorable to the Hypothetical 2X Fund, an investor at that point would receive exposure to the performance of the underlying security from that point until the investor sells later that day or the end of the day equal to approximately 211% of the investor’s investment.
The table below includes a range of hypothetical underlying security share price moves from 20% to -20% and the corresponding exposure for the Hypothetical 2X Fund. Movement of the share price of an underlying security beyond the range noted below will result in exposure further from the Hypothetical 2X Fund’s daily investment objective.
Table 3
|
Underlying Security Share Price Move |
Resulting
Exposure for Hypothetical 2X Fund |
| -20% | 267% |
| -15% | 243% |
| -10% | 225% |
| -5% | 211% |
| 0% | 200% |
| 5% | 191% |
| 10% | 183% |
| 15% | 177% |
| 20% | 171% |
The Projected Returns of the Funds for Periods Other Than a Single Trading Day. Each Fund seeks leveraged investment results on a daily basis — from the close of regular trading on one trading day to the close on the next trading day — which should not be equated with seeking an investment objective for any other period. For instance, if an Underlying Security’s shares gain 10% for a week, the applicable Fund should not be expected to provide a return of 20% for the week even if it meets its daily investment objective throughout the week. This is true because of the financing charges noted above but also because the pursuit of daily goals may result in daily compounding, which means that the return of the applicable Underlying Security over a period of time greater than one day multiplied by such Fund’s daily investment objective (e.g., 200%) will not generally equal the Fund’s performance over that same period. In addition, the effects of compounding become greater the longer shares of a Fund are held beyond a single trading day.
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The following tables set out a range of hypothetical daily performances during a given 10 trading days for a Hypothetical 2X Fund compared to the underlying security and demonstrate how changes in the underlying security’s hypothetical performance would compare to the performance of a Hypothetical 2X Fund for a trading day and cumulatively up to, and including, the entire 10 trading day period. The charts are based on a hypothetical $100 investment in hypothetical funds at NAV over a 10-trading day period and do not reflect fees or expenses of any kind.
Table 4a – The Underlying Security Lacks a Clear Trend
| Underlying Security | Hypothetical 2X Fund | |||||
| NAV | Daily Performance |
Cumulative Performance |
NAV | Daily Performance |
Cumulative Performance | |
| $100.00 | $100.00 | |||||
| Day 1 | $105.00 | 5.00% | 5.00% | $110.00 | 10.00% | 10.00% |
| Day 2 | $110.00 | 4.76% | 10.00% | $120.48 | 9.52% | 20.47% |
| Day 3 | $100.00 | -9.09% | 0.00% | $ 98.57 | -18.18% | -1.43% |
| Day 4 | $90.00 | -10.00% | -10.00% | $ 78.86 | -20.00% | -21.14% |
| Day 5 | $85.00 | -5.56% | -15.00% | $ 70.10 | -11.12% | -29.91% |
| Day 6 | $100.00 | 17.65% | 0.00% | $ 94.83 | 35.30% | -5.17% |
| Day 7 | $95.00 | -5.00% | -5.00% | $ 85.35 | -10.00% | -14.65% |
| Day 8 | $100.00 | 5.26% | 0.00% | $ 94.34 | 10.52% | -5.68% |
| Day 9 | $105.00 | 5.00% | 5.00% | $103.77 | 10.00% | 3.76% |
| Day 10 | $100.00 | -4.76% | 0.00% | $ 93.89 | -9.52% | -6.12% |
The cumulative performance of the hypothetical underlying security’s shares in Table 5 is 0% for 10 trading days. The return of the Hypothetical 2X Fund for the 10-trading day period is -6.12%. The volatility of the underlying security’s performance and lack of a clear trend results in performance for the Hypothetical 2X Fund for the period which bears little relationship to the performance of the underlying security for the 10-trading day period.
Table 5 – The Underlying Security Rises in a Clear Trend
| Underlying Security | Hypothetical 2X Fund | |||||
| NAV | Daily Performance |
Cumulative Performance |
NAV | Daily Performance |
Cumulative Performance | |
| $100.00 | $100.00 | |||||
| Day 1 | $102.00 | 2.00% | 2.00% | $104.00 | 4.00% | 4.00% |
| Day 2 | $104.00 | 1.96% | 4.00% | $108.08 | 3.92% | 8.08% |
| Day 3 | $106.00 | 1.92% | 6.00% | $112.24 | 3.84% | 12.23% |
| Day 4 | $108.00 | 1.89% | 8.00% | $116.47 | 3.78% | 16.47% |
| Day 5 | $110.00 | 1.85% | 10.00% | $120.78 | 3.70% | 20.78% |
| Day 6 | $112.00 | 1.82% | 12.00% | $125.18 | 3.64% | 25.17% |
| Day 7 | $114.00 | 1.79% | 14.00% | $129.65 | 3.58% | 29.66% |
| Day 8 | $116.00 | 1.75% | 16.00% | $134.20 | 3.50% | 34.19% |
| Day 9 | $118.00 | 1.72% | 18.00% | $138.82 | 3.44% | 38.81% |
| Day 10 | $120.00 | 1.69% | 20.00% | $143.53 | 3.38% | 43.50% |
The cumulative performance of the underlying security’s share price in Table 5 is 20% for 10 trading days. The return of the Hypothetical 2X Fund for the 10-trading day period is 43.50%. In this case, because of the positive underlying security trend, the Hypothetical 2X Fund’s gain is greater than 200% of the underlying security’s share price gain for the 10-trading day period.
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Table 6 – The Underlying Security Declines in a Clear Trend
| Underlying Security | Hypothetical 2X Fund | |||||
| NAV | Daily Performance |
Cumulative Performance |
NAV | Daily Performance |
Cumulative Performance | |
| $100.00 | $100.00 | |||||
| Day 1 | $98.00 | -2.00% | -2.00% | $ 96.00 | -4.00% | -4.00% |
| Day 2 | $96.00 | -2.04% | -4.00% | $ 92.08 | -4.08% | -7.92% |
| Day 3 | $94.00 | -2.08% | -6.00% | $ 88.24 | -4.16% | -11.75% |
| Day 4 | $92.00 | -2.13% | -8.00% | $ 84.49 | -4.26% | -15.51% |
| Day 5 | $90.00 | -2.17% | -10.00% | $ 80.82 | -4.34% | -19.17% |
| Day 6 | $88.00 | -2.22% | -12.00% | $ 77.22 | -4.44% | -22.76% |
| Day 7 | $86.00 | -2.27% | -14.00% | $ 73.71 | -4.54% | -26.27% |
| Day 8 | $84.00 | -2.33% | -16.00% | $ 70.29 | -4.66% | -29.71% |
| Day 9 | $82.00 | -2.38% | -18.00% | $ 66.94 | -4.76% | -33.05% |
| Day 10 | $80.00 | -2.44% | -20.00% | $ 63.67 | -4.88% | -36.32% |
The cumulative performance of the underlying security’s share price in Table 6 is -20% for 10 trading days. The return of the Hypothetical 2X Fund for the 10-trading day period is -36.62%. In this case, because of the negative hypothetical underlying security’s share price trend, the Hypothetical 2X Fund’s loss is less than 200% of the hypothetical underlying security’s decline for the 10-trading day period.
Manager of Managers Structure
Although the Funds are not currently sub-advised, the Funds and the Adviser have received exemptive relief from the SEC permitting the Adviser (subject to certain conditions and the approval of the Board) to change or select new unaffiliated sub-advisers without obtaining shareholder approval. The relief also permits the Adviser to materially amend the terms of agreements with an unaffiliated sub-adviser (including an increase in the fee paid by the Adviser to the unaffiliated sub-adviser (and not paid by the Fund)) or to continue the employment of an unaffiliated sub-adviser after an event that would otherwise cause the automatic termination of services with Board approval, but without shareholder approval. Shareholders will be notified of any unaffiliated sub-adviser changes. The Adviser has the ultimate responsibility, subject to oversight by the Board, to oversee a sub-adviser and recommend their hiring, termination and replacement. The exemptive relief applies to sub-advisers that are either wholly-owned by the Adviser or its parent company, as well as to unaffiliated sub-advisers, including those whose affiliation arises solely from their sub-advisory relationship.
Investments by Registered Investment Companies
Section 12(d)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) restricts investments by investment companies in the securities of other investment companies. However, registered investment companies are permitted to invest in other investment companies beyond the limits set forth in Section 12(d)(1) in rules under the 1940 Act, subject to certain conditions. The Fund may rely on Rule 12d1-4 of the 1940 Act, which provides an exemption from Section 12(d)(1) that allows the Fund to invest beyond the limits set forth in Section 12(d)(1) if the Fund satisfies certain conditions specified in Rule 12d1-4, including, among other conditions, that the Fund and its advisory group will not control (individually or in the aggregate) an acquired fund (e.g., hold more than 25% of the outstanding voting securities of an acquired fund that is a registered open-end management investment company).
Principal Risks of Investing in the Funds
There can be no assurance that the Funds will achieve their respective investment objectives. The following information is in addition to, and should be read along with, the description of each Fund’s principal investment risks in the section titled “Fund Summary— Principal Investment Risks” above. Following the underlying security risks, the Funds’ remaining principal risks are presented in alphabetical order to facilitate finding particular risks and comparing them with those of other funds. Each risk summarized below is considered a “principal risk” of investing in the Funds, regardless of the order in which it appears.
UNDERLYING SECURITY RISKS
HIMS Risks. The Fund invests in swap contracts and options that are based on the share price of HIMS. This subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it owned shares of HIMS, even though it does not. By virtue of the Fund’s investments in swap contracts and options that are based on the value of HIMS, the Fund may also be subject to the following risks:
Indirect Investment in HIMS Risk. HIMS is not affiliated with the Trust, the Fund, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates and is not involved with this offering in any way and has no obligation to consider your Shares in taking any corporate actions that might affect the value of Shares. Investors in the Fund will not have voting rights and will not be able to influence management of HIMS but will be exposed to the performance of HIMS (the Underlying Security). Investors in the Fund will not have the right to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to the Underlying Security but will be subject to declines in the performance of the Underlying Security.
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HIMS Trading Risk. The trading price of HIMS may be subject to volatility and could experience wide fluctuations due to various factors. Short sellers may also play a significant role in trading HIMS, potentially affecting the supply and demand dynamics and contributing to market price volatility. Public perception and external factors beyond the company’s control may influence HIMS’s stock price disproportionately. Additionally, following periods of market volatility, companies have faced securities class action litigation. Any adverse judgment or future stockholder litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources. In the event of a halt in trading of HIMS, trading in shares of related funds may be impacted, either temporarily or indefinitely.
HIMS Performance Risk. HIMS may fail to meet its publicly announced guidelines or other expectations about its business, which could cause the price of HIMS to decline. HIMS provides guidance regarding its expected financial and business performance, such as projections regarding sales and production, as well as anticipated future revenues, gross margins, profitability and cash flows. Correctly identifying key factors affecting business conditions and predicting future events is inherently an uncertain process, and the guidance HIMS provides may not ultimately be accurate. If HIMS’s guidance is not accurate or varies from actual results due to its inability to meet the assumptions or the impact on its financial performance that could occur as a result of various risks and uncertainties, the market value of common stock issued by HIMS could decline significantly.
Healthcare Providers & Services Industry Risks. The healthcare providers and services industry can be significantly affected by changing economic conditions, evolving patient demographics, and fluctuations in demand for healthcare services. Profitability in this industry is often dependent on reimbursement rates from government programs and private payors, as well as the ability to manage operational costs effectively. Changes in healthcare regulations and policies, including those related to insurance coverage and reimbursement, can materially impact the industry. Companies in the healthcare providers and services industry are subject to extensive and frequently changing government regulation, which may affect the scope of their activities, the rates they can charge for services, and their compliance costs. Additionally, the industry faces risks related to litigation, operational disruptions, and evolving technologies that may alter traditional service delivery models.
Business Risks. HIMS’s limited operating history and evolving business model make it difficult to evaluate its prospects, and fluctuations in its operational results and key performance metrics could lead to unmet investor expectations. The ability to expand offerings, attract and retain customers, and navigate evolving privacy, healthcare, and regulatory frameworks is critical; failure in these areas could materially and adversely impact HIMS’s business and financial condition. HIMS operates in highly competitive markets, facing challenges from established healthcare providers, retailers, pharmaceutical companies, and technology firms, which may affect its competitive position. Additionally, the success of HIMS is heavily reliant on its brand reputation, relationships with healthcare providers and medical groups, and compliance with complex healthcare and pharmacy regulations. Security breaches, data loss, legal proceedings, or regulatory changes could harm its operations and reputation. HIMS may require additional capital to support growth, which may not be available on favorable terms. Furthermore, its dual-class stock structure concentrates voting power with the company’s CEO, limiting investors’ influence on critical decisions.
Regulatory Investigation Risk. As of the date of this Prospectus, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) is investigating the business practices of HIMS. Specifically, the FTC is reportedly examining whether HIMS makes it unduly difficult for customers to cancel their recurring subscriptions. In addition, the FTC is reportedly investigating the truthfulness and transparency of HIMS’ advertising, especially concerning compounded prescription drugs and their risks. At this time, it is not clear where this investigation will lead. However, it is possible that the FTC will assert improper practices by HIMS, which could negatively impact the share price of HIMS. In addition, the investigation has resulted in increased volatility for HIMS stock.
IONQ Risks. The Fund invests in swap contracts and options that are based on the share price of IONQ. This subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it owned shares of IONQ, even though it does not. By virtue of the Fund’s investments in swap contracts and options that are based on the value of IONQ, the Fund may also be subject to the following risks:
Indirect Investment in IONQ Risk. IONQ is not affiliated with the Trust, the Fund, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates and is not involved with this offering in any way and has no obligation to consider your Shares in taking any corporate actions that might affect the value of Shares. Investors in the Fund will not have voting rights and will not be able to influence management of IONQ but will be exposed to the performance of IONQ (the Underlying Security). Investors in the Fund will not have the right to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to the Underlying Security but will be subject to declines in the performance of the Underlying Security.
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IONQ Trading Risk. The trading price of IONQ may be subject to volatility and could experience wide fluctuations due to various factors. Short sellers may also play a significant role in trading IONQ, potentially affecting the supply and demand dynamics and contributing to market price volatility. Public perception and external factors beyond the company’s control may influence IONQ’s stock price disproportionately. Additionally, following periods of market volatility, companies have faced securities class action litigation. Any adverse judgment or future stockholder litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources. In the event of a halt in trading of IONQ, trading in shares of related funds may be impacted, either temporarily or indefinitely.
IONQ Performance Risk. IONQ may fail to meet its publicly announced guidelines or other expectations about its business, which could cause the price of IONQ to decline. IONQ provides guidance regarding its expected financial and business performance, such as projections regarding sales and production, as well as anticipated future revenues, gross margins, profitability and cash flows. Correctly identifying key factors affecting business conditions and predicting future events is inherently an uncertain process, and the guidance IONQ provides may not ultimately be accurate. If IONQ’s guidance is not accurate or varies from actual results due to its inability to meet the assumptions or the impact on its financial performance that could occur as a result of various risks and uncertainties, the market value of common stock issued by IONQ could decline significantly.
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals Risks. Companies in the technology hardware, storage, and peripherals industry may face intense competition, both domestically and internationally, which can pressure profit margins and market share. These companies often rely on complex supply chains and third-party providers for components, manufacturing, and services. Supply chain disruptions, including the unavailability of critical materials or components, price increases, or delays in production, can adversely affect operations. Many companies in this industry depend on a limited number of suppliers or suppliers concentrated in specific geographic regions, which may increase vulnerability to geopolitical risks, natural disasters, or regulatory changes. Identifying and qualifying alternative suppliers can be time-consuming and costly, with no guarantee of availability. Additionally, operations may be impacted by resource constraints, including shortages of electricity, rare earth elements, or other essential materials. Companies in this industry are also exposed to cybersecurity threats, intellectual property risks, and evolving technological standards, which may increase operational costs and hinder competitiveness.
Business Risks: IONQ is an early-stage business with a limited operating history, a history of operating losses, and an expectation of significant expenses and losses for the foreseeable future. IONQ faces challenges scaling its business, managing growth, and effectively executing its strategies in a nascent and volatile quantum computing industry. The company’s success is highly dependent on its ability to develop scalable quantum computing systems, achieve cost reductions, and maintain competitive positioning in a rapidly evolving market. There is no assurance that IONQ’s technology will achieve broad market adoption, particularly given the technical and economic challenges of the quantum computing sector.
IONQ’s reliance on key employees and its ability to retain talent with specialized knowledge is critical to its operations. Additionally, much of its revenue is concentrated among a few customers, making the business vulnerable to contract terminations or customer loss. Dependence on proprietary ion trap technology and specific isotopic materials introduces supply chain risks, while compatibility with industry-standard software and hardware remains a concern. Intellectual property risks, including the loss or compromise of trade secrets, inability to maintain patent protections, or litigation claims, could harm the company’s competitive edge.
IONQ is also exposed to risks related to international expansion, government contracts, and regulatory changes, including tariffs and trade restrictions. Operational disruptions, cybersecurity threats, and adverse global economic conditions could further impact IONQ’s growth and profitability. If IONQ fails to meet market expectations or achieve forecasted growth, its stock price and long-term prospects could be materially affected.
RKLB Risks. The Fund invests in swap contracts and options that are based on the share price of RKLB. This subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it owned shares of RKLB, even though it does not. By virtue of the Fund’s investments in swap contracts and options that are based on the value of RKLB, the Fund may also be subject to the following risks:
Indirect Investment in RKLB Risk. RKLB is not affiliated with the Trust, the Fund, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates and is not involved with this offering in any way and has no obligation to consider your Shares in taking any corporate actions that might affect the value of Shares. Investors in the Fund will not have voting rights and will not be able to influence management of RKLB but will be exposed to the performance of RKLB (the Underlying Security). Investors in the Fund will not have the right to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to the Underlying Security but will be subject to declines in the performance of the Underlying Security.
RKLB Trading Risk. The trading price of RKLB may be subject to volatility and could experience wide fluctuations due to various factors. Short sellers may also play a significant role in trading RKLB, potentially affecting the supply and demand dynamics and contributing to market price volatility. Public perception and external factors beyond the company’s control may influence RKLB’s stock price disproportionately. Additionally, following periods of market volatility, companies have faced securities class action litigation. Any adverse judgment or future stockholder litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources. In the event of a halt in trading of RKLB, trading in shares of related funds may be impacted, either temporarily or indefinitely.
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RKLB Performance Risk. RKLB may fail to meet its publicly announced guidelines or other expectations about its business, which could cause the price of RKLB to decline. RKLB provides guidance regarding its expected financial and business performance, such as projections regarding sales and production. Correctly identifying key factors affecting business conditions and predicting future events is inherently an uncertain process, and the guidance RKLB provides may not ultimately be accurate. If RKLB’s guidance is not accurate or varies from actual results due to its inability to meet the assumptions or the impact on its financial performance that could occur as a result of various risks and uncertainties, the market value of common stock issued by RKLB could decline significantly.
Aerospace & Defense Industry Risks. Companies in the aerospace and defense industry are subject to risks stemming from their reliance on government budgets and spending priorities, which can fluctuate due to political and economic pressures. These companies often operate in highly competitive markets and may face challenges from both domestic and international competitors. The aerospace and defense industry is also affected by geopolitical tensions, trade policies, and regulatory changes that can impact market access and operational efficiency. Aerospace and defense companies typically rely on complex supply chains for specialized components and materials. Disruptions in these supply chains, whether due to shortages, price increases, or geopolitical factors, can significantly affect production and profitability. Additionally, technological advancements are critical for maintaining competitiveness in this sector, but the high cost and uncertain outcomes of research and development efforts may pose financial risks. Companies in this industry face heightened cybersecurity risks due to the sensitive nature of their technologies, and breaches can lead to operational disruptions, reputational damage, and regulatory scrutiny. Long-term fixed-cost contracts, which are common in this sector, may expose companies to financial losses if costs exceed estimates. Furthermore, environmental and safety regulations, as well as export controls, tariffs, and trade restrictions, impose significant compliance costs and may limit market opportunities. The aerospace and defense industry is inherently cyclical and influenced by global political and economic developments, which can contribute to earnings volatility and investment risks.
Business Risks. RKLB has experienced rapid growth, with its employee base and operations expanding substantially in recent years, placing considerable demands on its management, operational infrastructure, and financial resources. Continued growth is dependent on RKLB’s ability to scale its revenue, improve operational efficiencies, and maintain profitability while effectively managing its increasingly complex organizational structure. Failure to integrate acquisitions, enhance business processes, or address evolving customer and market demands could adversely affect RKLB’s growth prospects.
RKLB operates in competitive markets for rocket launch services, mission services, spacecraft, and spacecraft components, facing challenges from established players and new entrants. RKLB’s success relies on its ability to anticipate and respond to macroeconomic and industry-specific changes, hire and retain talent, and maintain high levels of customer satisfaction. Additionally, interruptions from information technology failures, cybersecurity breaches, or other infrastructure issues could disrupt operations. RKLB’s ability to comply with applicable regulations and adapt to changes in the industry also presents ongoing risks.
While RKLB has demonstrated significant revenue growth in recent years, future revenue generation and growth are uncertain. Rising operating expenses may outpace revenue growth, potentially harming profitability and the company’s overall financial condition. Failure to address these risks could materially impact RKLB’s business and long-term prospects.
Intellectual Property and Cyber Security Risk. Any significant disruption in or unauthorized access to RKLB’s computer systems or those of third parties that RKLB utilizes in its operations, including those relating to cybersecurity or arising from cyber-attacks, could result in a loss or degradation of service, unauthorized disclosure of data, or theft or tampering of intellectual property, any of which could materially adversely impact RKLB’s business.
CVNA Risks. The Fund invests in swap contracts and options that are based on the share price of CVNA. This subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it owned shares of CVNA, even though it does not. By virtue of the Fund’s investments in swap contracts and options that are based on the value of CVNA, the Fund may also be subject to the following risks:
Indirect Investment in CVNA Risk. CVNA is not affiliated with the Trust, the Fund, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates and is not involved with this offering in any way and has no obligation to consider your Shares in taking any corporate actions that might affect the value of Shares. Investors in the Fund will not have voting rights and will not be able to influence management of CVNA but will be exposed to the performance of CVNA (the Underlying Security). Investors in the Fund will not have the right to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to the Underlying Security but will be subject to declines in the performance of the Underlying Security.
CVNA Trading Risk. The trading price of CVNA may be subject to volatility and could experience wide fluctuations due to various factors. Short sellers may also play a significant role in trading CVNA, potentially affecting the supply and demand dynamics and contributing to market price volatility. Public perception and external factors beyond the company’s control may influence CVNA’s stock price disproportionately. Additionally, following periods of market volatility, companies have faced securities class action litigation. Any adverse judgment or future stockholder litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources. In the event of a halt in trading of CVNA, trading in shares of related funds may be impacted, either temporarily or indefinitely.
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CVNA Performance Risk. CVNA may fail to meet its publicly announced guidelines or other expectations about its business, which could cause the price of CVNA to decline. CVNA provides guidance regarding its expected financial and business performance, such as projections regarding sales and production, as well as anticipated future revenues, gross margins, profitability and cash flows. Correctly identifying key factors affecting business conditions and predicting future events is inherently an uncertain process, and the guidance CVNA provides may not ultimately be accurate. If CVNA’s guidance is not accurate or varies from actual results due to its inability to meet the assumptions or the impact on its financial performance that could occur as a result of various risks and uncertainties, the market value of common stock issued by CVNA could decline significantly.
Automotive Industry Risk. The automotive retail industry is subject to significant risks that can impact both profitability and competitiveness. The industry is highly dependent on consumer demand, which can be influenced by various factors such as economic conditions, consumer confidence, fuel prices, and preferences for particular vehicle types. Economic downturns or decreases in consumer spending can lead to reduced vehicle sales, impacting the profitability of automotive retailers. Effective inventory management is essential to avoid excess holding costs, obsolescence, and missed sales opportunities. Additionally, the industry’s reliance on auto lending and financing means that changes in interest rates, lending standards, and credit availability can greatly influence consumer purchasing behavior. Regulatory compliance is another crucial aspect, as automotive retailers must adhere to various consumer protection, advertising, financing, and environmental standards, with non-compliance resulting in substantial fines, legal costs, and reputational damage.
Business Risks. CVNA has experienced rapid growth, requiring substantial capital investment and placing significant demands on its management, infrastructure, and financial resources. Its ability to sustain growth depends on efficiently managing inventory, scaling operations, and improving profitability, while challenges in sourcing and selling vehicles, along with reliance on automotive finance receivables, expose it to credit market disruptions and regulatory risks. Operating in a highly competitive industry, CVNA’s success relies on maintaining strong customer experiences, enhancing its brand, and staying innovative, with failure to do so risking market share and growth. Macroeconomic factors, including fluctuating demand, supply chain disruptions, rising interest rates, and inflation, further impact its financial stability, alongside dependencies on key logistics and lender partnerships. Additionally, heavy reliance on proprietary technology systems poses operational and reputational risks from potential failures or cybersecurity breaches.
HOOD Risks. The Fund invests in swap contracts and options that are based on the share price of HOOD. This subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it owned shares of HOOD, even though it does not. By virtue of the Fund’s investments in swap contracts and options that are based on the value of HOOD, the Fund may also be subject to the following risks:
Indirect Investment in HOOD Risk. HOOD is not affiliated with the Trust, the Fund, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates and is not involved with this offering in any way and has no obligation to consider your Shares in taking any corporate actions that might affect the value of Shares. Investors in the Fund will not have voting rights and will not be able to influence management of HOOD but will be exposed to the performance of HOOD (the Underlying Security). Investors in the Fund will not have the right to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to the Underlying Security but will be subject to declines in the performance of the Underlying Security.
HOOD Trading Risk. The trading price of HOOD may be subject to volatility and could experience wide fluctuations due to various factors. Short sellers may also play a significant role in trading HOOD, potentially affecting the supply and demand dynamics and contributing to market price volatility. Public perception and external factors beyond the company’s control may influence HOOD’s stock price disproportionately. Additionally, following periods of market volatility, companies have faced securities class action litigation. Any adverse judgment or future stockholder litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources. In the event of a halt in trading of HOOD, trading in shares of related funds may be impacted, either temporarily or indefinitely.
HOOD Performance Risk. HOOD may fail to meet its publicly announced guidelines or other expectations about its business, which could cause the price of HOOD to decline. HOOD provides guidance regarding its expected financial and business performance, such as projections regarding sales and production, as well as anticipated future revenues, gross margins, profitability and cash flows. Correctly identifying key factors affecting business conditions and predicting future events is inherently an uncertain process, and the guidance HOOD provides may not ultimately be accurate. If HOOD’s guidance is not accurate or varies from actual results due to its inability to meet the assumptions or the impact on its financial performance that could occur as a result of various risks and uncertainties, the market value of common stock issued by HOOD could decline significantly.
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HOOD Operational Risks. HOOD’s plans to venture into new international markets introduces significant uncertainties that may not yield desired outcomes. Operations are subject to complex and evolving laws, with non-compliance posing threats to HOOD’s business. Past and potential future regulatory investigations, settlements, and litigation could lead to substantial costs and reputational damage. Intense competition from rivals with greater resources threatens HOOD’s market position and revenue. Failure to retain existing customers or attract new ones, coupled with reduced usage of products and services, may result in declining revenue. Moreover, failure to develop and monetize innovative offerings could diminish competitiveness and revenue streams.
Dependence on complex software and systems entails the risk of interruptions, instability, and flaws, potentially disrupting operations. Reliance on third-party entities for critical functions exposes the company to risks associated with their performance. Additionally, incorporating AI technologies presents business, compliance, and reputational risks. Cybersecurity breaches targeting the company’s systems or customer data could lead to significant financial and reputational damage. Failure to maintain required net capital levels may result in restrictions and regulatory actions.
Risks associated with the effectiveness of compliance and risk management policies and procedures may impact operations under different market conditions. Operating in the highly volatile cryptocurrency market exposes the company to uncertainties and fluctuations affecting trading volumes and revenues.
Regulatory uncertainties surrounding cryptocurrency classification and compliance could lead to scrutiny, fines, and penalties. The complexity of rapidly evolving and difficult-to-interpret cryptocurrency laws and regulations poses challenges and compliance risks. Offering payment and spending services introduces risks related to illegal payments, customer asset loss, disputes, and liabilities. Future issuances of stock may lead to significant dilution, impacting shareholder value. Lastly, concentrated voting power with founders and multi-class stock structures limit shareholder influence over company decisions.
Factors that affect transaction-based revenue, such as reduced spreads in securities pricing, reduced levels of trading activity generally, changes in HOOD’s business relationships with or disruption in the services provided by market makers, and any new regulation of, or any bans on, payment for order flow, or “PFOF,” and similar practices, might result in reduced profitability, increased compliance costs, and negative publicity.
Financial Exchanges and Data Industry Risks. The industry is highly susceptible to fluctuations in economic conditions, changes in market sentiment, and regulatory alterations, which can significantly affect market volatility and trading volumes. Technological disruptions or failures, including cybersecurity breaches, could compromise user data and disrupt trading activities, potentially leading to financial losses for both the company and its users. Additionally, the competitive landscape, with rapid technological advancements and the emergence of new competitors, could impact HOOD’s market share and profitability. Such factors could adversely affect HOOD’s business performance and stock price and, in turn, negatively impact the Fund.
Global Crypto Asset Trading Platform Risks. HOOD has announced plans to expand its crypto asset business. Such an expansion will subject HOOD to risks related to regulatory compliance, such as the potential for increased scrutiny, enhanced anti-money laundering (AML) and know your customer (KYC) requirements, and the need for additional licenses in various jurisdictions. Operational risks will also arise from the complexities of integrating the new platform’s operations, technology, and culture, as well as the need to bolster system security and manage a more extensive technology infrastructure. Market risks, including high volatility and liquidity management challenges, will become more pronounced. Reputational risks could emerge from potential security breaches, operational failures, or regulatory violations, affecting customer trust and market perception. Legal risks may increase due to potential litigation and intellectual property issues. Additionally, HOOD will be subject to financial risks associated with the capital investment required for the expansion.
Regulatory and Litigation Related Risks. HOOD is subject to a wide variety of local, state, federal, and international laws, regulations, licensing schemes, and industry standards in the United States, the UK, the EU and in other countries and regions in which HOOD operates. Changes in these laws and regulations, or HOOD’s failure to comply with these laws and regulations, could harm HOOD’s business. Further, HOOD has been subject to regulatory investigations, actions, and settlements and HOOD expects to continue to be subject to such proceedings in the future, which could cause HOOD to incur substantial costs or require HOOD to change HOOD’s business practices in a materially adverse manner. HOOD is involved in numerous litigations that are expensive and time consuming, and, if resolved adversely, could expose HOOD to significant liability and reputational harm.
VST Risks. The Fund invests in swap contracts and options that are based on the share price of VST. This subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it owned shares of VST, even though it does not. By virtue of the Fund’s investments in swap contracts and options that are based on the value of VST, the Fund may also be subject to the following risks:
Indirect Investment in VST Risk. VST is not affiliated with the Trust, the Fund, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates and is not involved with this offering in any way and has no obligation to consider your Shares in taking any corporate actions that might affect the value of Shares. Investors in the Fund will not have voting rights and will not be able to influence management of VST but will be exposed to the performance of VST (the Underlying Security). Investors in the Fund will not have the right to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to the Underlying Security but will be subject to declines in the performance of the Underlying Security.
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VST Trading Risk. The trading price of VST may be subject to volatility and could experience wide fluctuations due to various factors. Short sellers may also play a significant role in trading VST, potentially affecting the supply and demand dynamics and contributing to market price volatility. Public perception and external factors beyond the company’s control may influence VST’s stock price disproportionately. Additionally, following periods of market volatility, companies have faced securities class action litigation. Any adverse judgment or future stockholder litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources. In the event of a halt in trading of VST, trading in shares of related funds may be impacted, either temporarily or indefinitely.
VST Performance Risk. VST may fail to meet its publicly announced guidelines or other expectations about its business, which could cause the price of VST to decline. VST provides guidance regarding its expected financial and business performance, such as projections regarding sales and production, as well as anticipated future revenues, gross margins, profitability and cash flows. Correctly identifying key factors affecting business conditions and predicting future events is inherently an uncertain process, and the guidance VST provides may not ultimately be accurate. If VST’s guidance is not accurate or varies from actual results due to its inability to meet the assumptions or the impact on its financial performance that could occur as a result of various risks and uncertainties, the market value of common stock issued by VST could decline significantly.
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers Industry Risks. This industry includes companies involved in the generation and sale of electricity from independent power plants and renewable energy facilities such as solar, wind, hydroelectric, and battery storage. The industry is highly competitive and influenced by factors such as electricity demand, energy prices, and technological advancements. The prices of securities of companies in this industry may fluctuate widely due to general economic conditions, changes in energy market dynamics, and regulatory developments. Companies in this industry are subject to risks related to fuel supply and costs, renewable energy resource availability, and transmission infrastructure constraints. Additionally, the industry may be affected by legislative or regulatory changes, including renewable energy incentives, environmental standards, and carbon emission requirements. Operational risks, such as equipment failures, weather-related disruptions, and cybersecurity threats, can also have a significant impact on companies in this sector.
Business Risks. VST faces significant risks specific to its business operations, including exposure to fluctuations in wholesale power prices, fuel costs, and supply chain disruptions, which may adversely impact its revenues and financial performance. The company’s ability to manage commodity price risks is limited, and increased competition, regulatory changes, or government intervention in power markets could further challenge its profitability. Operating in a highly regulated industry, VST is subject to evolving environmental laws and climate change regulations that could impose substantial costs or constraints. Additionally, the capital-intensive nature of power generation, including the operation of the Comanche Peak nuclear facility, poses risks from cybersecurity threats, system failures, and extreme weather conditions. Changes in technology and energy efficiency initiatives could reduce electricity demand, impacting VST’s business model. The company also faces pressures from stakeholder expectations on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues, which may influence investor confidence and its stock performance. Further, litigation, legal proceedings, regulatory investigations or other administrative proceedings could expose VST to significant liabilities and reputational damage that could have a material adverse effect on VST.
JPM Risks. The Fund invests in swap contracts and options that are based on the share price of JPM. This subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it owned shares of JPM, even though it does not. By virtue of the Fund’s investments in swap contracts and options that are based on the value of JPM, the Fund may also be subject to the following risks:
Indirect Investment in JPM Risk. JPM is not affiliated with the Trust, the Fund, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates and is not involved with this offering in any way and has no obligation to consider your Shares in taking any corporate actions that might affect the value of Shares. Investors in the Fund will not have voting rights and will not be able to influence management of JPM but will be exposed to the performance of JPM (the Underlying Security). Investors in the Fund will not have the right to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to the Underlying Security but will be subject to declines in the performance of the Underlying Security.
JPM Trading Risk. The trading price of JPM may be subject to volatility and could experience wide fluctuations due to various factors. Short sellers may also play a significant role in trading JPM, potentially affecting the supply and demand dynamics and contributing to market price volatility. Public perception and external factors beyond the company’s control may influence JPM’s stock price disproportionately. Additionally, following periods of market volatility, companies have faced securities class action litigation. Any adverse judgment or future stockholder litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources. In the event of a halt in trading of JPM, trading in shares of related funds may be impacted, either temporarily or indefinitely.
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JPM Performance Risk. JPM may fail to meet its publicly announced guidelines or other expectations about its business, which could cause the price of JPM to decline. JPM provides guidance regarding its expected financial and business performance, such as projections regarding sales and production, as well as anticipated future revenues, gross margins, profitability and cash flows. Correctly identifying key factors affecting business conditions and predicting future events is inherently an uncertain process, and the guidance JPM provides may not ultimately be accurate. If JPM’s guidance is not accurate or varies from actual results due to its inability to meet the assumptions or the impact on its financial performance that could occur as a result of various risks and uncertainties, the market value of common stock issued by JPM could decline significantly.
Banking Industry Risk. Banks depend upon being able to obtain funds at reasonable costs and upon liquidity in the capital and credit markets to finance their lending and other operations which makes banks sensitive to changes in money market and general economic conditions. When a bank’s borrowers have financial trouble, their failure to repay the bank will adversely affect the bank’s financial situation. Banks are also highly regulated. Decisions by regulators may limit the loans banks make and the interest rates and fees they charge, and may reduce a bank’s profitability. Banks may also be subject to severe price competition. Competition is high among banking companies and failure to maintain or increase market share may result in lost market value. Events involving limited liquidity, defaults, non-performance or other adverse developments that have affected the financial services industry have in the past and may in the future lead to market-wide liquidity problems, and could negatively affect the value and of Banks. For example, in March 2023, several financial institutions experienced a larger-than-expected decline in deposits and two regional banks, Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, were placed into receivership. Although the Federal Reserve, the U.S. Department of Treasury, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation have taken measures to stabilize the financial system, uncertainty and liquidity concerns in the broader financial services industry remains. Additionally, should there be additional systemic pressure on the financial system and capital markets, there can be no assurances of the response of any government or regulator, and any response may not be as favorable to industry participants as the measures currently being pursued.
Business Risks. JPM faces significant risks including regulatory and compliance challenges inherent in the highly regulated financial services industry, which can lead to increased costs and operational constraints due to changes in laws, regulations, or their enforcement. Economic and market conditions—such as fluctuations in interest rates, credit spreads, and economic instability—can adversely affect the firm’s consumer and wholesale banking activities, investment positions, liquidity, and capital levels. Credit risks from adverse changes in the financial condition of clients, customers, and counterparties, as well as declines in collateral values, may result in financial losses. Operational risks, including dependence on complex systems, cybersecurity threats, and the ability to attract and retain qualified employees, pose significant challenges. Reputational risks arising from employee misconduct, compliance failures, or failure to meet stakeholder expectations—including those related to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) concerns—can impact the firm’s relationships and competitive position. Additionally, liquidity and capital risks, such as market-wide disruptions or the inability to meet regulatory capital requirements, could limit JPM’s ability to fund operations or support business activities.
PENN Risks. The Fund invests in swap contracts and options that are based on the share price of PENN. This subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it owned shares of PENN, even though it does not. By virtue of the Fund’s investments in swap contracts and options that are based on the value of PENN, the Fund may also be subject to the following risks:
Indirect Investment in PENN Risk. PENN is not affiliated with the Trust, the Fund, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates and is not involved with this offering in any way and has no obligation to consider your Shares in taking any corporate actions that might affect the value of Shares. Investors in the Fund will not have voting rights and will not be able to influence management of PENN but will be exposed to the performance of PENN (the Underlying Security). Investors in the Fund will not have the right to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to the Underlying Security but will be subject to declines in the performance of the Underlying Security.
PENN Trading Risk. The trading price of PENN may be subject to volatility and could experience wide fluctuations due to various factors. Short sellers may also play a significant role in trading PENN, potentially affecting the supply and demand dynamics and contributing to market price volatility. Public perception and external factors beyond the company’s control may influence PENN’s stock price disproportionately. Additionally, following periods of market volatility, companies have faced securities class action litigation. Any adverse judgment or future stockholder litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources. In the event of a halt in trading of PENN, trading in shares of related funds may be impacted, either temporarily or indefinitely.
PENN Performance Risk. PENN may fail to meet its publicly announced guidelines or other expectations about its business, which could cause the price of PENN to decline. PENN provides guidance regarding its expected financial and business performance, such as projections regarding sales and production, as well as anticipated future revenues, gross margins, profitability and cash flows. Correctly identifying key factors affecting business conditions and predicting future events is inherently an uncertain process, and the guidance PENN provides may not ultimately be accurate. If PENN’s guidance is not accurate or varies from actual results due to its inability to meet the assumptions or the impact on its financial performance that could occur as a result of various risks and uncertainties, the market value of common stock issued by PENN could decline significantly.
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Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure Industry Risks. Investments in the Hotels, Restaurants, and Leisure industry are subject to a variety of risks that may adversely affect the performance of the Fund. Companies in this industry are highly sensitive to changes in consumer preferences, discretionary spending, and overall economic conditions, including employment levels, disposable income, and consumer confidence. Economic downturns, inflationary pressures, and rising interest rates can significantly reduce demand for travel, dining, and leisure activities, impacting revenue and profitability.
The industry faces intense competition, with participants requiring substantial capital to maintain, improve, or expand operations. Fluctuations in labor costs, including minimum wage increases and collective bargaining activities, may result in higher operating expenses. Regulatory and compliance risks, such as health and safety standards, food safety requirements, alcohol sales regulations, and environmental laws, can impose additional costs or operational constraints. Furthermore, companies in this sector are susceptible to reputational damage from customer dissatisfaction, foodborne illnesses, or safety incidents, which could materially impact their financial condition and performance.
The industry is also exposed to risks associated with geopolitical events, pandemics, natural disasters, and climate change, which may disrupt operations, reduce customer demand, or result in temporary closures. For companies with significant international operations, currency fluctuations, trade restrictions, and political instability may also adversely impact financial results. Additionally, technological advancements and the shift to online platforms for booking, delivery, or marketing introduce competition from non-traditional market participants, increasing pressure on traditional business models.
Business Risks. PENN faces significant risks stemming from its reliance on discretionary consumer spending, which can be adversely affected by economic downturns, competition, and regulatory changes in the highly regulated gaming and entertainment industries. The company’s expansion into sports betting and iCasino markets, including its strategic partnership with ESPN, presents operational uncertainties, including competition, user acquisition challenges, and regulatory compliance. Additionally, PENN’s substantial debt and lease obligations heighten financial risks, while its dependence on key properties, personnel, and third-party providers exposes it to potential disruptions. Climate change, labor challenges, and intellectual property issues further compound operational risks.
PENN is also subject to technology and cybersecurity risks which pose additional challenges, as it relies on third-party cloud services and mobile platforms to deliver its offerings, which could be disrupted by service interruptions or data breaches. Reputational risks, including compliance failures or unmet stakeholder expectations related to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors, could harm the company’s competitive position. Legal and regulatory uncertainties, such as potential changes to taxation, consumer privacy laws, or smoking restrictions, along with ongoing litigation, add to the complexity of managing its operations and financial performance.
SOUN Risks. The Fund invests in swap contracts and options that are based on the share price of SOUN. This subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it owned shares of SOUN, even though it does not. By virtue of the Fund’s investments in swap contracts and options that are based on the value of SOUN, the Fund may also be subject to the following risks:
Indirect Investment in SOUN Risk. SOUN is not affiliated with the Trust, the Fund, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates and is not involved with this offering in any way and has no obligation to consider your Shares in taking any corporate actions that might affect the value of Shares. Investors in the Fund will not have voting rights and will not be able to influence management of SOUN but will be exposed to the performance of SOUN (the Underlying Security). Investors in the Fund will not have the right to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to the Underlying Security but will be subject to declines in the performance of the Underlying Security.
SOUN Trading Risk. The trading price of SOUN may be subject to volatility and could experience wide fluctuations due to various factors. Short sellers may also play a significant role in trading SOUN, potentially affecting the supply and demand dynamics and contributing to market price volatility. Public perception and external factors beyond the company’s control may influence SOUN’s stock price disproportionately. Additionally, following periods of market volatility, companies have faced securities class action litigation. Any adverse judgment or future stockholder litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources. In the event of a halt in trading of SOUN, trading in shares of related funds may be impacted, either temporarily or indefinitely. In particular, SOUN recently announced a delay in the filing of its annual financial statements, related to material weaknesses in SOUN’s internal control over financial reporting. This matter may contribute to increased volatility in the trading price of SOUN, and should the financial statements not be filed within required timelines, could result in SOUN stock being delisted.
Delisting Risk. SOUN announced on March 4, 2025 that it was unable to timely file its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2024 (the “Form 10-K”) in accordance with the required deadline under the federal securities laws. Subsequently, on March 11, 2025, SOUN filed its Form 10-K. However, there can be no assurance that SOUN will continue to meet its reporting obligations in a timely manner in the future. Any future failure to complete timely filings could result in SOUN’s stock being delisted from NASDAQ, which would prevent the Fund from continuing to operate.
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SOUN Performance Risk. SOUN may fail to meet its publicly announced guidelines or other expectations about its business, which could cause the price of SOUN to decline. SOUN provides guidance regarding its expected financial and business performance, such as projections regarding sales and production. Correctly identifying key factors affecting business conditions and predicting future events is inherently an uncertain process, and the guidance SOUN provides may not ultimately be accurate. If SOUN’s guidance is not accurate or varies from actual results due to its inability to meet the assumptions or the impact on its financial performance that could occur as a result of various risks and uncertainties, the market value of common stock issued by SOUN could decline significantly.
Software Industry Risks: 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.
Business Risks. SOUN faces significant risks related to its financial condition and business operations, including a history of substantial net losses and negative cash flows, with no assurance of achieving profitability. The company’s reliance on a concentrated customer base exposes it to significant revenue risks if these relationships are disrupted. Competition in the rapidly evolving Voice AI (artificial intelligence) market, regulatory and legislative developments related to the use of AI and the potential inability to attract and retain key personnel further threaten its growth and operational stability. Additionally, cybersecurity incidents, interruptions in cloud services, and challenges in complying with complex domestic and international regulations could harm its business and client relationships.
Intellectual property risks include potential claims of infringement, unauthorized use of proprietary technology, and limitations imposed by open-source software usage exposing SOUN to significant litigation or licensing expenses or being prevented from selling SOUN’s products or making SOUN’s technologies available to its customers if such claims are successful. Governance risks stem from its dual-class stock structure, which concentrates voting control with Class B shareholders, limiting the influence of Class A shareholders. These governance dynamics, coupled with limited public company experience and identified material weaknesses in internal controls, may impact investor confidence. Tax-related risks, including limitations on the use of net operating loss carryforwards, add to the uncertainty surrounding SOUN’s financial outlook.
Third-Party Risks. SOUN relies on third-party telecommunications and internet service providers, including connectivity to its cloud software, and any failure by these service providers to provide reliable services could cause SOUN to lose customers and subject it to claims for credits or damages, among other things. SOUN’s customers rely on third-party telecommunications and internet service providers to provide them with access and connectivity to SOUN’s cloud software, and changes in how telecommunication and internet service providers handle and charge for access to telecommunications and the internet could materially harm SOUN’s customer relationships, business, financial condition and operations results. SOUN’s plans to expand upon and establish new public cloud-based data centers for its U.S. and international operations may be unsuccessful and may present execution and competitive risks.
MRVL Risks. The Fund invests in swap contracts and options that are based on the share price of MRVL. This subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it owned shares of MRVL, even though it does not. By virtue of the Fund’s investments in swap contracts and options that are based on the value of MRVL, the Fund may also be subject to the following risks:
Indirect Investment in MRVL Risk. MRVL is not affiliated with the Trust, the Fund, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates and is not involved with this offering in any way and has no obligation to consider your Shares in taking any corporate actions that might affect the value of Shares. Investors in the Fund will not have voting rights and will not be able to influence management of MRVL but will be exposed to the performance of MRVL (the Underlying Security). Investors in the Fund will not have the right to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to the Underlying Security but will be subject to declines in the performance of the Underlying Security.
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MRVL Trading Risk. The trading price of MRVL may be subject to volatility and could experience wide fluctuations due to various factors. Short sellers may also play a significant role in trading MRVL, potentially affecting the supply and demand dynamics and contributing to market price volatility. Public perception and external factors beyond the company’s control may influence MRVL’s stock price disproportionately. Additionally, following periods of market volatility, companies have faced securities class action litigation. Any adverse judgment or future stockholder litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources. In the event of a halt in trading of MRVL, trading in shares of related funds may be impacted, either temporarily or indefinitely.
MRVL Performance Risk. MRVL may fail to meet its publicly announced guidelines or other expectations about its business, which could cause the price of MRVL to decline. MRVL provides guidance regarding its expected financial and business performance, such as projections regarding sales and production, as well as anticipated future revenues, gross margins, profitability and cash flows. Correctly identifying key factors affecting business conditions and predicting future events is inherently an uncertain process, and the guidance MRVL provides may not ultimately be accurate. If MRVL’s guidance is not accurate or varies from actual results due to its inability to meet the assumptions or the impact on its financial performance that could occur as a result of various risks and uncertainties, the market value of common stock issued by MRVL could decline significantly.
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry Risks. Competitive pressures may have a significant effect on the financial condition of semiconductor companies and, as product cycles shorten and manufacturing capacity increases, these companies may become increasingly subject to aggressive pricing, which hampers profitability. Reduced demand for end-user products, under-utilization of manufacturing capacity, and other factors could adversely impact the operating results of companies in the semiconductor sector. Semiconductor companies typically face high capital costs and may be heavily dependent on intellectual property rights. The semiconductor sector is highly cyclical, which may cause the operating results of many semiconductor companies to vary significantly. The industry is complex and global in nature, with manufacturing plants predominantly located in East Asia. Because of this, it is subject to numerous risks, including geopolitical tensions, earthquakes, and extreme weather events. The stock prices of companies in the semiconductor sector have been and likely will continue to be extremely volatile.
Business Risks. MRVL faces significant risks from macroeconomic and geopolitical factors, including economic downturns, inflation, rising interest rates, and trade restrictions with key markets such as China. Volatility in the semiconductor and technology sectors further adds to operational uncertainty, while reliance on a concentrated customer base exposes the company to potential disruptions from order cancellations or financial instability among major clients. The company’s ability to innovate in competitive markets such as 5G, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence is critical, but supply chain disruptions, including component shortages and extended lead times, could impair production and customer sales.
Operational challenges include maintaining a competitive cost structure while relying on third-party manufacturers and managing the integration of acquisitions to achieve anticipated synergies. MRVL also faces risks from intellectual property protection, particularly in international markets, and cybersecurity threats that could disrupt operations or compromise data. Environmental and regional risks, such as climate change and natural disasters in key operational areas like Taiwan and California, as well as potential litigation and disputes over contractual obligations, could further impact the company’s financial stability and operational performance.
RGTI Risks. The Fund invests in swap contracts and options that are based on the share price of RGTI. This subjects the Fund to certain of the same risks as if it owned shares of RGTI, even though it does not. By virtue of the Fund’s investments in swap contracts and options that are based on the value of RGTI, the Fund may also be subject to the following risks:
Indirect Investment in RGTI Risk. RGTI is not affiliated with the Trust, the Fund, or the Adviser, or their respective affiliates and is not involved with this offering in any way and has no obligation to consider your Shares in taking any corporate actions that might affect the value of Shares. Investors in the Fund will not have voting rights and will not be able to influence management of RGTI but will be exposed to the performance of RGTI (the Underlying Security). Investors in the Fund will not have the right to receive dividends or other distributions or any other rights with respect to the Underlying Security but will be subject to declines in the performance of the Underlying Security.
RGTI Trading Risk. The trading price of RGTI may be subject to volatility and could experience wide fluctuations due to various factors. Short sellers may also play a significant role in trading RGTI, potentially affecting the supply and demand dynamics and contributing to market price volatility. Public perception and external factors beyond the company’s control may influence RGTI’s stock price disproportionately. Additionally, following periods of market volatility, companies have faced securities class action litigation. Any adverse judgment or future stockholder litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources. In the event of a halt in trading of RGTI, trading in shares of related funds may be impacted, either temporarily or indefinitely.
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RGTI Performance Risk. RGTI may fail to meet its publicly announced guidelines or other expectations about its business, which could cause the price of RGTI to decline. RGTI provides guidance regarding its expected financial and business performance, such as projections regarding sales and production, as well as anticipated future revenues, gross margins, profitability and cash flows. Correctly identifying key factors affecting business conditions and predicting future events is inherently an uncertain process, and the guidance RGTI provides may not ultimately be accurate. If RGTI’s guidance is not accurate or varies from actual results due to its inability to meet the assumptions or the impact on its financial performance that could occur as a result of various risks and uncertainties, the market value of common stock issued by RGTI could decline significantly.
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment Industry Risks. Competitive pressures may have a significant effect on the financial condition of semiconductor companies and, as product cycles shorten and manufacturing capacity increases, these companies may become increasingly subject to aggressive pricing, which hampers profitability. Reduced demand for end-user products, under-utilization of manufacturing capacity, and other factors could adversely impact the operating results of companies in the semiconductor sector. Semiconductor companies typically face high capital costs and may be heavily dependent on intellectual property rights. The semiconductor sector is highly cyclical, which may cause the operating results of many semiconductor companies to vary significantly. The industry is complex and global in nature, with manufacturing plants predominantly located in East Asia. Because of this, it is subject to numerous risks, including geopolitical tensions, earthquakes, and extreme weather events. The stock prices of companies in the semiconductor sector have been and likely will continue to be extremely volatile.
Business Risks. RGTI faces significant financial and operational risks, including the need to raise additional capital when needed to sustain its research and development efforts. With a history of operating losses, limited revenue, and reliance on public sector contracts, the company is vulnerable to economic downturns, market volatility, and delays in achieving key milestones such as the commercialization of its quantum systems. Failure to scale operations or successfully integrate new technologies could further impede growth and profitability. Material weaknesses in financial reporting controls and risks associated with complex financial instruments add to potential investor concerns.
The quantum computing industry’s competitive and evolving nature presents challenges, with barriers such as the need for technological breakthroughs and dependence on cloud providers, third-party suppliers, and government contracts. RGTI’s ability to protect its intellectual property, adapt to stringent regulatory environments, and address supply chain disruptions is critical. Additional risks include international sales challenges, exposure to environmental and safety regulations, and susceptibility to litigation, cybersecurity threats, and product liability claims. These factors, alongside the nascent stage of the quantum computing industry, pose significant uncertainties for the company’s long-term success.
Concentrated Customer Base Risk. RGTI depends on a limited number of customers for a significant percentage of its revenue and the loss or temporary loss of a major customer for any reason could harm its financial condition. Further, a significant portion of RGTI’s revenue depends on contracts with the public sector, and RGTI’s failure to receive and maintain government contracts or changes in the contracting or fiscal policies of the public sector could have a material adverse effect on its business.
Third-Party Risk. RGTI’s business is currently dependent upon RGTI’s relationship with RGTI’s cloud providers. There are no assurances that RGTI will be able to commercialize quantum computers from RGTI’s relationships with cloud providers. RGTI relies on access to high performance third party classical computing through public clouds, high performance computing centres and on-premises computing infrastructure to deliver performant quantum solutions to customers. RGTI may not be able to maintain high quality business relationships and connectivity with these resources which could make it harder for it to reach customers or deliver solutions in a cost-effective manner. RGTI depends on certain suppliers to source products. Failure to maintain RGTI’s relationship with any of these suppliers could have a material adverse effect on RGTI’s business. RGTI has and may in the future enter into collaboration agreements and similar arrangements with third parties for the manufacturing of RGTI’s products, and these arrangements may never achieve their goals.
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Compounding and Market Volatility Risk. Each Fund has a daily leveraged investment objective and a Fund’s performance for periods greater than a trading day will be the result of each day’s returns compounded over the period, which is very likely to differ from two times (200%) the Underlying Security’s performance, before a Fund’s management fee and other expenses. Compounding affects all investments but has a more significant impact on funds that aim to replicate leveraged daily returns and that rebalance daily. For each Fund aiming to replicate two times the daily performance of its Underlying Security, if adverse daily performance of the Underlying Security reduces the amount of a shareholder’s investment, any further adverse daily performance will lead to a smaller dollar loss because the shareholder’s investment had already been reduced by the prior adverse performance. Equally, however, if favorable daily performance of the Underlying Security increases the amount of a shareholder’s investment, the dollar amount lost due to future adverse performance will increase because the shareholder’s investment has increased.
The effect of compounding becomes more pronounced as an Underlying Security’s volatility and the holding period increase. The impact of compounding will impact each shareholder differently depending on the period of time an investment in a Fund is held and the volatility of the Underlying Security during a shareholder’s holding period of an investment in the Fund.
The chart below provides examples of how an Underlying Security’s volatility could affect the corresponding Fund’s performance. The chart illustrates the impact of two factors that affect a Fund’s performance – its Underlying Security’s volatility and performance. The Underlying Security’s performance shows the percentage change in the share price of the Underlying Security over the specified time period, while the Underlying Security’s volatility is a statistical measure of the magnitude of fluctuations in the returns during that time period. As illustrated below, even if the Underlying Security’s performance over two equal time periods is identical, different Underlying Security volatility (i.e., in magnitude of fluctuations in the value of the Underlying Security) during the two time periods could result in drastically different Fund performance for the two time periods because of compounding daily returns during the time periods.
Fund performance for periods greater than one single day can be estimated given any set of assumptions for the following factors: a) the Underlying Security volatility; b) the Underlying Security performance; c) period of time; d) financing rates associated with leveraged exposure; and e) other Fund expenses. The chart shows estimated Fund returns for a number of combinations of Underlying Security volatility and Underlying Security performance over a one-year period. Performance shown in the chart assumes that: (i) there were no Fund expenses; (ii) borrowing/lending rates (to obtain leveraged exposure) of 0%. If Fund expenses and/or actual borrowing/lending rates were reflected the estimated returns would be different than those shown. Particularly during periods of higher Underlying Security volatility, compounding will cause results for periods longer than a trading day to vary from two times (200%) the performance of its Underlying Security.
As shown in the chart below, a Fund would be expected to lose 6.1% if there was no change in the share price of the Underlying Security over a one-year period during which the Underlying Security experienced annualized volatility of 25%. If the Underlying Security’s annualized volatility were to rise to 75%, the hypothetical loss for a one-year period would widen to approximately -43%. At higher ranges of volatility, there is a chance of a significant loss of value in the Fund, even if there were no change in the share price of the Underlying Security. For instance, if the Underlying Security’s annualized volatility is 100%, the Fund would be expected to lose 63.2% of its value, even if the cumulative Underlying Security change in the share price of the Underlying Security for the year was 0%.
Areas shaded red (or dark gray) represent those scenarios where a Fund can be expected to return less than two times (200%) the performance of its Underlying Security and those shaded green (or light gray) represent those scenarios where the Fund can be expected to return more than two times (200%) the performance of its Underlying Security. A Fund’s actual performance may be significantly better or worse than the performance shown below as a result of any of the factors discussed above or in the “Daily Correlation/Tracking Risk” below.
| Estimated
Returns of 200% or Two Times Performance of the Underlying Security |
|||||||
| Underlying Security Performance | One Year Volatility Rate | ||||||
| One
Year Underlying Stock |
2X
Times (200%) the One Year Performance |
10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 100% | |
| -60% | -120% | -84.2% | -85.0% | -87.5% | -90.9% | -94.1% | |
| -50% | -100% | -75.2% | -76.5% | -80.5% | -85.8% | -90.8% | |
| -40% | -80% | -64.4% | -66.2% | -72.0% | -79.5% | -86.8% | |
| -30% | -60% | -51.5% | -54.0% | -61.8% | -72.1% | -82.0% | |
| -20% | -40% | -36.6% | -39.9% | -50.2% | -63.5% | -76.5% | |
| -10% | -20% | -19.8% | -23.9% | -36.9% | -53.8% | -70.2% | |
| 0% | 0% | -1.0% | -6.1% | -22.1% | -43.0% | -63.2% | |
| 10% | 20% | 19.8% | 13.7% | -5.8% | -31.1% | -55.5% | |
| 20% | 40% | 42.6% | 35.3% | 12.1% | -18.0% | -47.0% | |
| 30% | 60% | 67.3% | 58.8% | 31.6% | -3.7% | -37.8% | |
| 40% | 80% | 94.0% | 84.1% | 52.6% | 11.7% | -27.9% | |
| 50% | 100% | 122.8% | 111.4% | 75.2% | 28.2% | -17.2% | |
| 60% | 120% | 153.5% | 140.5% | 99.4% | 45.9% | -5.8% | |
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Each Underlying Security’s annualized historical volatility rate for the five-year period (unless noted otherwise) ended June 30, 2025 was as shown in the table below. Also, each Underlying Security’s highest volatility rate for any one calendar year during this period was as shown in the applicable Fund’s summary section above and volatility for a shorter period of time may have been substantially higher. The Underlying Security’s annualized performance during this period was as shown in the applicable Fund’s summary section above. Historical Underlying Security volatility and performance are not indications of what Underlying Security volatility and performance will be in the future.
| Underlying Security Name/Ticker | 5-Year Historical Volatility Rate |
| Hims & Hers Health Inc. (HIMS) | 80.31% |
| IonQ, Inc. (IONQ)1 | 90.79% |
| Rocket Lab Corporation (RKLB)2 | 73.22% |
| Carvana Co. (CVNA) | 110.55% |
| Robinhood Markets, Inc. (HOOD)3 | 73.67% |
| Vistra Corp. (VST) | 47.37% |
| JP Morgan Chase & Co. (JPM) | 25.71% |
| PENN Entertainment, Inc. (PENN) | 58.41% |
| SoundHound AI, Inc. (SOUN)4 | 140.21% |
| Marvell Technologies (MRVL) | 56.35% |
| Rigetti Computing, Inc. (RGTI) 5 | 128.30% |
1Reflects annualized volatility over the period of January 4, 2021 to June 30, 2025 (the maximum period available).
2Reflects annualized volatility over the period of September 24, 2020 to June 30, 2025 (the maximum period available).
3Reflects annualized volatility over the period of July 28, 2021 to June 30, 2025 (the maximum period available).
4Reflects annualized volatility over the period of April 28, 2022 to June 30, 2025 (the maximum period available).
5Reflects annualized volatility over the period of April 23, 2021 to June 30, 2025 (the maximum period available).
Counterparty Risk. Each Fund is subject to counterparty risk by virtue of its investments in derivatives which exposes the Fund to the risk that the counterparty will not fulfill its obligation to the Fund. Counterparty risk may arise because of the counterparty’s financial condition (i.e., financial difficulties, bankruptcy, or insolvency), market activities and developments, or other reasons, whether foreseen or not. A counterparty’s inability to fulfill its obligation may result in significant financial loss to a Fund and the Fund may be unable to recover its investment from such counterparty or may obtain a limited and/or delayed recovery.
Counterparties may seek to hedge their exposure to individual clients (such as a Fund) by establishing offsetting exposures with other clients, however, there is no guarantee that counterparties will do so under all circumstances. Should a counterparty (e.g., a swap counterparty) terminate its relationship with a Fund, the Fund will seek to utilize other counterparties to seek to maintain its exposures. In addition, a Fund may use options contracts to seek to generate the leverage necessary to implement its strategy. The use of options contracts introduces distinct risks, including heightened volatility, particularly intraday. While options may provide an ancillary benefit of mitigating some losses under specific scenarios, such as severe market downturns, their inherent leverage and rapid price fluctuations can amplify a Fund’s performance volatility and lead to greater risks of substantial losses. Refer to “Derivatives Risk – Options Contracts” for additional information on the risks of investing in options.
In addition, each Fund may enter into swap agreements with a limited number of counterparties, which may increase the Fund’s exposure to counterparty credit risk. Further, there is a risk that no suitable counterparties will be willing to enter into, or continue to enter into, transactions with a Fund and, as a result, the Fund may not be able to achieve its investment objective.
Daily Correlation/Tracking Risk. There is no guarantee that a Fund will achieve a high degree of leveraged correlation to the Underlying Security and therefore achieve its daily leveraged investment objective. To achieve a high degree of leveraged correlation with the Underlying Security, each Fund seeks to rebalance its portfolio daily to keep exposure consistent with its daily leveraged investment objective. The possibility of a Fund being materially over- or under-exposed to its Underlying Security increases on days when the Underlying Security is volatile near the close of the trading day. Market disruptions, regulatory restrictions and extreme volatility will also adversely affect a Fund’s ability to adjust exposure to the required levels. If there is a significant intra-day market event and/or the Underlying Security experiences a significant increase or decline, a Fund may not meet its investment objective, be able to rebalance its portfolio appropriately, or may experience significant premiums or discounts, or widened bid-ask spreads.
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Each Fund may have difficulty achieving its daily leveraged investment objective due to fees, expenses, transaction costs, financing costs related to the use of derivatives, investments in ETFs, directly or indirectly, income items, valuation methodology, accounting standards and disruptions or illiquidity in the markets for the securities or derivatives held by the Fund. Each Fund may be subject to large movements of assets into and out of the Fund, potentially resulting in the Fund being over- or under-exposed to its Underlying Security. Each Fund may take or refrain from taking positions to improve the tax efficiency or to comply with various regulatory restrictions, either of which may negatively impact the Fund’s leveraged correlation to the Underlying Security.
Derivatives Risk. Derivatives are financial instruments that derive value from the underlying reference asset or assets, such as stocks, bonds, or funds (including ETFs), interest rates or indexes. Each Fund’s investments in derivatives may pose risks in addition to, and greater than, those associated with directly investing in securities or other ordinary investments, including risk related to the market, leverage, imperfect daily correlations with underlying investments or the Fund’s other portfolio holdings, higher price volatility, lack of availability, counterparty risk, liquidity, valuation and legal restrictions. The use of derivatives is a highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The use of derivatives may result in larger losses or smaller gains than directly investing in securities. When a Fund uses derivatives, there may be imperfect correlation between the share price of its Underlying Security and the derivative, which may prevent the Fund from achieving its investment objective. Because derivatives often require only a limited initial investment, the use of derivatives may expose the Fund to losses in excess of those amounts initially invested.
Each Fund will be subject to regulatory constraints relating to level of value at risk that the Fund may incur through its derivative portfolio. To the extent a Fund exceeds these regulatory thresholds over an extended period, the Fund may determine that it is necessary to make adjustments to the Fund’s investment strategy, including the desired daily leveraged performance for the Fund.
In addition, each Fund’s investments in derivatives are subject to the following risks:
Swap Agreements. The use of swap transactions is a highly specialized activity, which involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. Whether a 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 counterparties for those swap agreements. If the Adviser is unable to enter into swap agreements that provide leveraged exposure to the relevant Underlying Security, the corresponding Fund may not meet its stated investment objective. Additionally, any financing, borrowing or other costs associated with using swap transactions may also have the effect of lowering a Fund’s return.
The swap agreements in which each Fund invests are generally traded in the over-the-counter market, which generally has less transparency than exchange-traded derivatives 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 or underlying 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 a basket of securities.
If an Underlying Security has a dramatic move that causes a material decline in the corresponding Fund’s net assets, the terms of a swap agreement between the Fund and its counterparty may permit the counterparty to immediately 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 achieve exposure consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. This may prevent the Fund from achieving its leveraged investment objective, even if its Underlying Security later reverses all or a portion of its movement.
Options Contracts. The use of options contracts involves investment strategies and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio securities transactions. The prices of options are volatile and are influenced by, among other things, actual and anticipated changes in the value of the underlying instrument, including the anticipated volatility, which are affected by fiscal and monetary policies and by national and international political, changes in the actual or implied volatility or the reference asset, the time remaining until the expiration of the option contract and economic events. The value of the options contracts in which the Fund invests are substantially influenced by the value of the Underlying Security. The Fund may experience substantial downside from specific option positions and certain option positions held by the Fund may expire worthless. The options held by the Fund are exercisable at the strike price on their expiration date. As an option approaches its expiration date, its value typically increasingly moves with the value of the underlying instrument. However, prior to such date, the value of an option generally does not increase or decrease at the same rate as the underlying instrument. There may at times be an imperfect correlation between the movement in values options contracts and the underlying instrument, and there may at times not be a liquid secondary market for certain options contracts. The value of the options held by the Fund will be determined based on market quotations or other recognized pricing methods. Additionally, as the Fund intends to continuously maintain indirect exposure to the Underlying Security through the use of options contracts, as the options contracts it holds are exercised or expire it will enter into new options contracts, a practice referred to as “rolling.” If the expiring options contracts do not generate proceeds enough to cover the cost of entering into new options contracts, the Fund may experience losses. The use of options to generate leverage introduces additional risks, including significant potential losses if the market moves unfavorably. The leverage inherent in options can amplify both gains and losses, leading to increased volatility and potential for substantial losses, particularly in periods of market uncertainty or low liquidity. Additionally, the Fund may incur losses if the value of the Underlying Security moves against its positions, potentially resulting in a complete loss of the premium paid.
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ETF Risks
Authorized Participants, Market Makers, and Liquidity Providers Concentration Risk. Each Fund has a limited number of financial institutions that are authorized to purchase and redeem Shares directly from the Fund (known as “Authorized Participants” or “APs”). In addition, there may be a limited number of market makers and/or liquidity providers in the marketplace. To the extent either of the following events occur, Shares may trade at a material discount to NAV and possibly face delisting: (i) APs exit the business or otherwise become unable to process creation and/or redemption orders and no other APs step forward to perform these services; or (ii) market makers and/or liquidity providers exit the business or significantly reduce their business activities and no other entities step forward to perform their functions.
Cash Redemption Risk. Each 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, a Fund may not be able to redeem in-kind certain securities held by the Fund (e.g., derivative instruments). In such a case, a 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, a 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 a Fund, decreasing its NAV, to the extent these costs are not offset by a transaction fee payable by an authorized participant.
Costs of Buying or Selling Shares. Buying or selling Shares involves certain costs, including brokerage commissions, other charges imposed by brokers, and bid-ask spreads. The bid-ask spread represents the difference between the price at which an investor is willing to buy Shares and the price at which an investor is willing to sell Shares. The spread varies over time based on the Shares’ trading volume and market liquidity. The spread is generally lower if Shares have more trading volume and market liquidity and higher if Shares have little trading volume and market liquidity. Due to the costs of buying or selling Shares, frequent trading of Shares may reduce investment results and an investment in Shares may not be advisable for investors who anticipate regularly making small investments.
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.
Trading. Although Shares are listed on a national securities exchange, such as The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC (the “Exchange”), and may be traded on U.S. exchanges other than the Exchange, there can be no assurance that Shares will trade with any volume, or at all, on any stock exchange. In stressed market conditions, the liquidity of Shares may begin to mirror the liquidity of a Fund’s underlying portfolio holdings, which can be significantly less liquid than Shares. This adverse effect on liquidity for a Fund’s shares may lead to wider bid-ask spreads and differences between the market price of the Fund’s shares and the underlying value of the shares.
Liquidity Risk. In certain circumstances, such as the disruption of the orderly markets for the financial instruments in which a 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 a 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.”
Economic and Market Risk. Economies and financial markets throughout the world are becoming increasingly interconnected, which increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one country or region will adversely impact markets or issuers in other countries or regions. Securities in the Fund’s portfolio may underperform in comparison to securities in the general financial markets, a particular financial market, or other asset classes, due to a number of factors, including inflation (or expectations for inflation), deflation (or expectations for deflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, market instability, financial system instability, debt crises and downgrades, embargoes, tariffs, sanctions and other trade barriers, regulatory events, other governmental trade or market control programs and related geopolitical events. In addition, the value of the Fund’s investments may be negatively affected by the occurrence of global events such as war, terrorism, environmental disasters, natural disasters or events, country instability, and infectious disease epidemics or pandemics. The imposition by the U.S. of tariffs on goods imported from foreign countries and reciprocal tariffs levied on U.S. goods by those countries also may lead to volatility and instability in domestic and foreign markets.
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Fixed Income Securities Risk. When a Fund invests in fixed income securities, the value of your investment in that Fund will fluctuate with changes in interest rates. Typically, a rise in interest rates causes a decline in the value of fixed income securities owned by the Fund. In general, the market price of fixed income securities with longer maturities will increase or decrease more in response to changes in interest rates than shorter-term securities. Other risk factors include credit risk (the debtor may default), extension risk (an issuer may exercise its right to repay principal on a fixed rate obligation held by the Fund later than expected), and prepayment risk (the debtor may pay its obligation early, reducing the amount of interest payments). These risks could affect the value of a particular investment by a Fund, possibly causing the Fund’s Share price and total return to be reduced and fluctuate more than other types of investments.
High Portfolio Turnover Risk. Daily rebalancing of each Fund’s holdings pursuant to its daily investment objective causes a much greater number of portfolio transactions when compared to most ETFs. Additionally, active market trading of each Fund’s Shares on exchanges (such as the Exchange), could cause more frequent creation and redemption activities, which could increase the number of portfolio transactions. Frequent and active trading may lead to higher transaction costs because of increased broker commissions resulting from such transactions. In addition, there is the possibility of significantly increased short-term capital gains (which will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income when distributed to them). Each Fund calculates portfolio turnover without including the short-term cash instruments or derivative transactions that comprise the majority of the Fund’s trading. As such, if a Fund’s extensive use of derivative instruments were reflected, the calculated portfolio turnover rate would be significantly higher.
Intra-Day Investment Risk. Each Fund seeks investment results from the close of the market on a given trading day until the close of the market on the subsequent trading day. The exact exposure of an investment in a Fund intraday in the secondary market is a function of the difference between the share price of its Underlying Security at the market close on the first trading day and the share price of the Underlying Security at the time of purchase. If the share price of the Underlying Security rises, the Fund’s net assets will rise by approximately twice the amount as the Fund’s exposure. Conversely, if the share price of the Underlying Security declines, the Fund’s net assets will decline by approximately two times the amount as the Fund’s exposure. Thus, an investor that purchases Shares intra-day may experience performance that is greater than, or less than, the Fund’s stated leveraged performance of the Underlying Security.
If there is a significant intra-day market event and/or the securities of the Underlying Security experience a significant increase or decrease, a Fund may not meet its investment objective or rebalance its portfolio appropriately.
Leverage Risk. Each Fund obtains investment exposure in excess of its net assets by utilizing leverage and may lose more money in market conditions that are adverse to its investment objective than a fund that does not utilize leverage. An investment in a Fund is exposed to the risk that a decline in the daily performance of its Underlying Security will be magnified. This means that an investment in a Fund will be reduced by an amount equal to 2% for every 1% daily decline in the share prices of the Underlying Security, not including the costs of financing leverage and other operating expenses, which would further reduce its value. The Fund could theoretically lose an amount greater than its net assets in the event the share price of the Underlying Security declines more than 50%. Leverage will also have the effect of magnifying any differences in the Fund performance’s correlation with the Underlying Security’s share price.
Liquidity Risk. Some securities held by a 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 a Fund is forced to sell an illiquid security at an unfavorable time or price, the Fund may be adversely impacted. Certain market conditions or restrictions may prevent a Fund from limiting losses, realizing gains or achieving a high correlation with the Underlying Security. 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 Funds.
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Money Market Instrument Risk. Each Fund may use a variety of money market instruments for cash management purposes, including money market funds, depositary accounts and repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are contracts in which a seller of securities agrees to buy the securities back at a specified time and price. Repurchase agreements may be subject to market and credit risk related to the collateral securing the repurchase agreement. Money market instruments may lose money.
New Fund Risk. Each Fund is a recently organized management investment company with limited or no operating history. As a result, prospective investors have a limited or no track record or history on which to base their investment decisions.
Non-Diversification Risk. Because each 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 a Fund’s overall value to decline to a greater degree than if the Fund held a more diversified portfolio. This may increase the Fund’s volatility and cause the performance of a relatively smaller number of issuers to have a greater impact on the Fund’s performance.
Operational Risk. Each Fund is subject to risks arising from various operational factors, including, but not limited to, human error, processing and communication errors, errors of the Fund’s service providers, counterparties or other third-parties, failed or inadequate processes and technology or systems failures. Each Fund relies on third-parties for a range of services, including custody. Any delay or failure relating to engaging or maintaining such service providers may affect a Fund’s ability to meet its investment objective. Although the Funds and the Funds’ investment advisor seek to reduce these operational risks through controls and procedures, there is no way to completely protect against such risks.
Rebalancing Risk. If for any reason a Fund is unable to rebalance all or a portion of its portfolio, or if all or a portion of the portfolio is rebalanced incorrectly, the Fund’s investment exposure may not be consistent with the Fund’s investment objective. In these instances, the Fund may have investment exposure to its Underlying Security that is significantly greater or less than its stated investment objective. As a result, a Fund may be exposed to leverage risk because it had not been properly rebalanced and may not achieve its investment objective.
Single Issuer Risk. Issuer-specific attributes may cause an investment in a Fund to be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment which diversifies risk or the market generally. The value of each Fund, which focuses on an individual security, may be more volatile than a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole and may perform differently from the value of a traditional pooled investment or the market as a whole. Additionally, each Fund will seek to employ its investment strategy as it relates to the underlying issuer regardless of whether there are significant corporate actions such as restructurings, enforcement activity, or acquisitions or periods adverse market, economic, or other conditions and will not seek to take temporary defensive positions during such periods.
Tax Risk. In order to qualify for the favorable tax treatment generally available to regulated investment companies, a Fund must satisfy certain diversification and other requirements. In particular, each Fund generally may not acquire a security if, as a result of the acquisition, more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s assets would be invested in (a) issuers in which the Fund has, in each case, invested more than 5% of the Fund’s assets and (b) issuers more than 10% of whose outstanding voting securities are owned by the Fund. The application of these requirements to certain investments (including swaps) that may be entered into by the Funds is unclear. The IRS has never definitively stated how assets such as swaps or futures or forward contracts should be valued for purposes of these diversification tests. The better view is that such contracts should be valued for these purposes at the amount for which a Fund could settle them, and not the full value of any reference security. In addition, the application of these requirements to a Fund’s investment objective is not clear, particularly because the Fund’s investment objective focuses on the performance of the stock of a single issuer. If a Fund were to fail to qualify as a regulated investment company, it would be taxed in the same manner as an ordinary corporation, and distributions to its shareholders would not be deductible by the Fund in computing its taxable income.
Tracking Error Risk. Tracking error is the divergence of a Fund’s performance from that of its investment objective which aims to replicate two times the daily percentage change in the price of its Underlying Security. Tracking error may occur for a number of reasons. Tracking error may occur because of transaction costs, a Fund’s holding of cash, differences in accrual of dividends, being under- or overexposed to the Underlying Security or the need to meet new or existing regulatory requirements. Tracking error risk may be heightened during times of market volatility or other unusual market conditions such as market disruptions. Each Fund may be required to deviate from its investment objectives, and therefore experience tracking error, as a result of market restrictions or other legal reasons, including regulatory limits or other restrictions on securities that may be purchased by the Adviser and its affiliates.
Trading Halt Risk. Although each Underlying Security’s shares are listed for trading on an exchange, there can be no assurance that an active trading market for such shares will be available at all times and the Exchange may halt trading of such shares in certain circumstances. A halt in trading in an Underlying Security’s shares is expected, in turn, to result in a halt in the trading in the corresponding Fund’s Shares. Trading in an Underlying Security’s and/or the corresponding Fund’s Shares on the Exchange may be halted due to market conditions or for reasons that, in the view of the Exchange, make trading in the Underlying Security’s and/or Fund’s Shares inadvisable. In addition, trading in each Underlying Security’s and/or Fund’s Shares on an exchange is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary market volatility pursuant to exchange “circuit breaker” rules.” In the event of a trading halt for an extended period of time, the relevant Fund may be unable to execute arrangements with swap counterparties that are necessary to implement the Fund’s investment strategy.
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U.S. Government and U.S. Agency Obligations Risk. Each Fund may invest in securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities. U.S. Government obligations include securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. Government, its agencies or instrumentalities, such as the U.S. Treasury. Payment of principal and interest on U.S. Government obligations may be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States or may be backed solely by the issuing or guaranteeing agency or instrumentality itself. In the latter case, the investor must look principally to the agency or instrumentality issuing or guaranteeing the obligation for ultimate repayment, which agency or instrumentality may be privately owned. There can be no assurance that the U.S. Government would provide financial support to its agencies or instrumentalities (including government-sponsored enterprises) where it is not obligated to do so.
PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
Information about each Fund’s daily portfolio holdings is, or will be, available on the Funds’ website at https://www.defianceetfs.com.
A complete description of each Fund’s policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of a Fund’s portfolio holdings is available in the Fund’s SAI.
MANAGEMENT
Investment Adviser
Tidal Investments LLC (the “Adviser”), located at 234 West Florida Street, Suite 203, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53204, is an SEC registered investment adviser and a Delaware limited liability company. Tidal was founded in March 2012 and is dedicated to understanding, researching and managing assets within the expanding ETF universe. As of July 31, 2025, Tidal had assets under management of approximately $43.31 billion and served as the investment adviser or sub-adviser for 257 registered funds.
Tidal serves as investment adviser to the Funds and has overall responsibility for the general management and administration of the Funds pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with the Trust, on behalf of each Fund (the “Advisory Agreement”). The Adviser is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Funds’ portfolios, including determining the securities purchased and sold by each Fund and trading portfolio securities for each Fund, subject to the supervision of the Board. The Adviser also arranges for sub-advisory, transfer agency, custody, fund administration, and all other related services necessary for the Fund to operate. For the services provided to the Funds, each Fund pays the Adviser a unitary management fee of 1.29%, which is calculated daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate based on such Fund’s average daily net assets.
Under the Advisory Agreement, in exchange for a single unitary management fee from the Fund, the Adviser has agreed to pay all expenses incurred by such Fund except for interest charges on any borrowings made for investment purposes, dividends and other expenses on securities sold short, taxes, brokerage commissions and other expenses incurred in placing orders for the purchase and sale of securities and other investment instruments, acquired fund fees and expenses, accrued deferred tax liability, extraordinary expenses, distribution fees and expenses paid by a Fund under any distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, and the unitary management fee payable to the Adviser (collectively, the “Excluded Expenses”).
A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement for each Fund having commenced operations is available in the annual certified shareholder report on Form N-CSR for the period ending April 30, 2025.
Portfolio Managers
The following individuals (each, a “Portfolio Manager”) have served as portfolio managers of each Fund since inception. Ms. Duan and Mr. Mullen are jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of each Fund.
Qiao Duan, CFA, Portfolio Manager for the Adviser
Qiao Duan serves as Portfolio Manager at the Adviser, having joined the firm in October 2020. From February 2017 to October 2020, she was an execution Portfolio Manager at Exponential ETFs, where she managed research and analysis relating to all Exponential ETF strategies. Ms. Duan previously served as a portfolio manager for the Exponential ETFs from their inception in May 2019 until October 2020. Ms. Duan received a Master of Science in Quantitative Finance and Risk Management from the University of Michigan in 2016 and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics from Xiamen University in 2014. She holds the CFA designation.
Christopher P. Mullen, Portfolio Manager for the Adviser
Christopher P. Mullen serves as Portfolio Manager at the Adviser, having joined the firm in January 2024. From September 2019 to December 2023, he was a Portfolio Manager at Vest Financial LLC, where he managed exchange-traded funds, mutual funds and retirement fund portfolios. Mr. Mullen previously served as a Senior Portfolio Analyst at ProShares Advisors LLC from September 2016 until September 2019. Prior to that, Mr. Mullen served as associate portfolio manager at USCF Investments LLC from February 2013 to September 2016. Mr. Mullen received a Master of Business Administration from the University of Maryland. He also holds a dual bachelor’s degree in global politics and history from Marquette University.
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CFA® is a registered trademark owned by the CFA Institute.
The Funds’ SAI provides additional information about each portfolio manager’s compensation structure, other accounts that each portfolio manager manages, and each portfolio manager’s ownership of Shares.
Fund Sponsor
The Adviser has entered into a fund sponsorship agreement with Defiance ETFs, LLC (“Defiance”) pursuant to which Defiance is a sponsor to the Funds. Under these arrangements, Defiance has agreed to provide financial support (as described below) to the Funds. Every month, unitary management fees for the Funds are calculated and paid to the Adviser, and the Adviser retains a portion of the unitary management fees from the Funds.
In return for their financial support for the Funds, the Adviser has agreed to pay Defiance a portion of any remaining profits generated by unitary management fee the Funds. If the amount of the unitary management fees for a Fund exceeds the Fund’s operating expenses and the Adviser-retained amount, that excess amount is considered “remaining profit.” In that case, the Adviser will pay a portion of the remaining profits to Defiance.
Further, if the amount of the unitary management fee for a Fund is less than the Fund’s operating expenses and the Adviser-retained amount, Defiance is obligated to reimburse the Adviser for a portion of the shortfall.
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HOW TO BUY AND SELL SHARES
Each Fund issues and redeems Shares only in Creation Units at the NAV per share next determined after receipt of an order from an AP. Only APs may acquire Shares directly from a Fund, and only APs may tender their Shares for redemption directly to the Funds, at NAV. APs must be a member or participant of a clearing agency registered with the SEC and must execute a Participant Agreement that has been agreed to by the Distributor (defined below), and that has been accepted by a Fund’s transfer agent, with respect to purchases and redemptions of Creation Units. Once created, Shares trade in the secondary market in quantities less than a Creation Unit.
In order to purchase Creation Units of a Fund, an AP must generally deposit a designated portfolio of equity securities (the “Deposit Securities”) and/or a designated amount of U.S. cash. Purchases and redemptions of Creation Units primarily with cash, rather than through in-kind delivery of portfolio securities, may cause the Funds to incur certain costs. These costs could include brokerage costs or taxable gains or losses that it might not have incurred if it had made redemption in-kind. These costs could be imposed on a Fund, and thus decrease the Fund’s NAV, to the extent that the costs are not offset by a transaction fee payable by an AP.
Most investors buy and sell Shares in secondary market transactions through brokers. Individual Shares are listed for trading on the secondary market on the Exchange and can be bought and sold throughout the trading day like other publicly traded securities.
When buying or selling Shares through a broker, you will incur customary brokerage commissions and charges, and you may pay some or all of the spread between the bid and the offer price in the secondary market on each leg of a round trip (purchase and sale) transaction. In addition, because secondary market transactions occur at market prices, you may pay more than NAV when you buy Shares, and receive less than NAV when you sell those Shares.
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 record owner of all outstanding Shares.
Investors owning Shares are beneficial owners as shown on the records of DTC or its participants. DTC serves as the securities depository for all Shares. DTC’s participants 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 stock 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 upon the procedures of DTC and its participants. These procedures are the same as those that apply to any other securities that you hold in book-entry or “street name” through your brokerage account.
Frequent Purchases and Redemptions of Shares
None of the Funds imposes any restrictions on the frequency of purchases and redemptions of Shares. In determining not to approve a written, established policy, the Board evaluated the risks of market timing activities by a Fund’s shareholders. Purchases and redemptions by APs, who are the only parties that may purchase or redeem Shares directly with a Fund, are an essential part of the ETF process and help keep Share trading prices in line with the NAV. As such, the Funds accommodate frequent purchases and redemptions by APs. However, the Board has also determined that frequent purchases and redemptions for cash may increase tracking error and portfolio transaction costs and may lead to the realization of capital gains. To minimize these potential consequences of frequent purchases and redemptions, each Fund employs fair value pricing and may impose transaction fees on purchases and redemptions of Creation Units to cover the custodial and other costs incurred by such Fund in effecting trades. In addition, the Funds and the Adviser reserve the right to reject any purchase order at any time.
Determination of Net Asset Value
Each Fund’s NAV is calculated as of the scheduled close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), generally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, each day the NYSE is open for regular business. The NAV for the Funds is calculated by dividing such Fund’s net assets by its Shares outstanding.
In calculating its NAV, each Fund generally value its assets on the basis of market quotations, last sale prices, or estimates of value furnished by a pricing service or brokers who make markets in such instruments. If such information is not available for a security held by a Fund or is determined to be unreliable, the security will be valued at fair value estimates under guidelines established by the Adviser (as described below).
Additionally, each Fund values swap agreements based on the nature of the underlying reference asset or index. The Funds may use the closing price of the underlying reference asset, as provided by independent pricing services, or evaluated prices generated by pricing vendors’ models. The Funds value exchange-traded options at the composite mean price, calculated as the average of the highest bid and lowest ask prices across the exchanges on which the option is principally traded.
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Fair Value Pricing
The Board has designated the Adviser as the “valuation designee” for the Fund under Rule 2a-5 of the 1940 Act, subject to its oversight. The Adviser has adopted procedures and methodologies, which have been approved by the Board, to fair value Fund investments whose market prices are not “readily available” or are deemed to be unreliable. For example, such circumstances may arise when: (i) an investment has been delisted or has had its trading halted or suspended; (ii) an investment’s primary pricing source is unable or unwilling to provide a price; (iii) an investment’s primary trading market is closed during regular market hours; or (iv) an investment’s value is materially affected by events occurring after the close of the investment’s primary trading market. Generally, when fair valuing an investment, the Adviser will take into account all reasonably available information that may be relevant to a particular valuation including, but not limited to, fundamental analytical data regarding the issuer, information relating to the issuer’s business, recent trades or offers of the investment, general and/or specific market conditions, and the specific facts giving rise to the need to fair value the investment. Fair value determinations are made in good faith and in accordance with the fair value methodologies included in the Adviser’s valuation procedures. The Adviser will fair value Fund investments whose market prices are not “readily available” or are deemed to be unreliable. The Adviser will fair value Fund investments whose market prices are not “readily available” or are deemed to be unreliable. Due to the subjective and variable nature of fair value pricing, there can be no assurance that the Adviser will be able to obtain the fair value assigned to the investment upon the sale of such investment.
Delivery of Shareholder Documents – Householding
Householding is an option available to certain investors of the Funds. Householding is a method of delivery, based on the preference of the individual investor, in which a single copy of certain shareholder documents can be delivered to investors who share the same address, even if their accounts are registered under different names. Householding for the Funds is available through certain broker-dealers. If you are interested in enrolling in householding and receiving a single copy of prospectuses and other shareholder documents, please contact your broker-dealer. If you are currently enrolled in householding and wish to change your householding status, please contact your broker-dealer.
DIVIDENDS, DISTRIBUTIONS, AND TAXES
Dividends and Distributions
The Funds intend to pay out dividends and interest income, if any, annually, and distribute any net realized capital gains to its shareholders at least annually.
The Funds will declare and pay income and capital gain distributions, if any, in cash. Distributions in cash may be reinvested automatically in additional whole Shares only if the broker through whom you purchased Shares makes such option available. Your broker is responsible for distributing the income and capital gain distributions to you.
Taxes
The following discussion is a summary of some important U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to investments in the Funds. Your investment in a Fund may have other tax implications. Please consult your tax advisor about the tax consequences of an investment in Shares, including the possible application of foreign, state, and local tax laws.
Each Fund intends to qualify each year for treatment as a Regulated Investment Company (a “RIC”) under the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”). If it meets certain minimum distribution requirements, a RIC is not subject to tax at the fund level on income and gains from investments that are timely distributed to shareholders. However, a Fund’s failure to qualify as a RIC or to meet minimum distribution requirements would result (if certain relief provisions were not available) in fund-level taxation and, consequently, a reduction in income available for distribution to shareholders.
Unless your investment in Shares is made through a tax-exempt entity or tax-advantaged account, such as an IRA plan, you need to be aware of the possible tax consequences when a Fund makes distributions, when you sell your Shares listed on the Exchange, and when you purchase or redeem Creation Units (institutional investors only).
The following general discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences is based on provisions of the Code and the regulations issued thereunder as in effect on the date of this SAI. New legislation, as well as administrative changes or court decisions, may significantly change the conclusions expressed herein, and may have a retroactive effect with respect to the transactions contemplated herein.
Taxes on Distributions. For federal income tax purposes, distributions of net investment income are generally taxable as ordinary income or qualified dividend income. Taxes on distributions of net capital gains (if any) are determined by how long the Fund owned the investments that generated them, rather than how long a shareholder has owned their Shares. Sales of assets held by a Fund for more than one year generally result in long-term capital gains and losses, and sales of assets held by such Fund for one year or less generally result in short-term capital gains and losses. Distributions of a Fund’s net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses) that are reported by such Fund as capital gain dividends (“Capital Gain Dividends”) will be taxable as long-term capital gains. Distributions of short-term capital gain will generally be taxable as ordinary income. Dividends and distributions are generally taxable to you whether you receive them in cash or reinvest them in additional Shares.
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Distributions reported by a Fund as “qualified dividend income” are generally taxed to non-corporate shareholders at rates applicable to long-term capital gains, provided certain holding period and other requirements are met. “Qualified dividend income” generally is income derived from dividends paid by U.S. corporations or certain foreign corporations that are either incorporated in a U.S. possession or eligible for tax benefits under certain U.S. income tax treaties. In addition, dividends that a Fund receives in respect of stock of certain foreign corporations may be qualified dividend income if that stock is readily tradable on an established U.S. securities market. Corporate shareholders may be entitled to a dividends-received deduction for the portion of dividends they receive from a Fund that are attributable to dividends received by such Fund from U.S. corporations, subject to certain limitations. Given the investment strategies of the Funds, it is unlikely that any dividends paid by a Fund will be qualified dividends or be eligible for the corporate dividends paid deduction.
Shortly after the close of each calendar year, you will be informed of the character of any distributions received from a Fund.
In addition to the federal income tax, certain individuals, trusts, and estates may be subject to a Net Investment Income (“NII”) tax of 3.8%. The NII tax is imposed on the lesser of: (i) a taxpayer’s investment income, net of deductions properly allocable to such income; or (ii) the amount by which such taxpayer’s modified adjusted gross income exceeds certain thresholds ($250,000 for married individuals filing jointly, $200,000 for unmarried individuals and $125,000 for married individuals filing separately). Each Fund’s distributions are includable in a shareholder’s investment income for purposes of this NII tax. In addition, any capital gain realized by a shareholder upon a sale or redemption of shares of a Fund is includable in such shareholder’s investment income for purposes of this NII tax.
In general, your distributions are subject to federal income tax for the year in which they are paid. Certain distributions paid in January, however, may be treated as paid on December 31 of the prior year. Distributions are generally taxable even if they are paid from income or gains earned by a Fund before your investment (and thus were included in the Shares’ NAV when you purchased your Shares).
You may wish to avoid investing in a Fund shortly before a dividend or other distribution, because such a distribution will generally be taxable even though it may economically represent a return of a portion of your investment.
If you are neither a resident nor a citizen of the United States or if you are a foreign entity, distributions (other than Capital Gain Dividends) paid to you by a Fund will generally be subject to a U.S. withholding tax at the rate of 30%, unless a lower treaty rate applies. The Funds may, under certain circumstances, report all or a portion of a dividend as an “interest-related dividend” or a “short-term capital gain dividend,” which would generally be exempt from this 30% U.S. withholding tax, provided certain other requirements are met.
Under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”), the Funds may be required to withhold a generally nonrefundable 30% tax on distributions of net taxable income paid to (A) certain “foreign financial institutions” unless such foreign financial institution agrees to verify, monitor, and report to the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) the identity of certain of its account-holders, among other items (or unless such entity is otherwise deemed compliant under the terms of an intergovernmental agreement between the United States and the foreign financial institution’s country of residence), and (B) certain “non-financial foreign entities” unless such entity certifies to the Fund that it does not have any substantial U.S. owners or provides the name, address, and taxpayer identification number of each substantial U.S. owner, among other items. This FATCA withholding tax could also affect a Fund’s return on its investments in foreign securities or affect a shareholder’s return if the shareholder holds its Fund shares through a foreign intermediary. You are urged to consult your tax adviser regarding the application of this FATCA withholding tax to your investment in a Fund and the potential certification, compliance, due diligence, reporting, and withholding obligations to which you may become subject in order to avoid this withholding tax.
Each Fund (or a financial intermediary, such as a broker, through which a shareholder owns Shares) generally is required to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage of the taxable distributions and sale or redemption proceeds paid to any shareholder who fails to properly furnish a correct taxpayer identification number, who has underreported dividend or interest income, or who fails to certify that they are not subject to such withholding.
Taxes When Shares are Sold on the Exchange
Any capital gain or loss realized upon a sale of Shares generally is treated as a long-term capital gain or loss if Shares have been held for more than one year and as a short-term capital gain or loss if Shares have been held for one year or less. However, any capital loss on a sale of Shares held for six months or less is treated as long-term capital loss to the extent of Capital Gain Dividends paid with respect to such Shares. Any loss realized on a sale will be disallowed to the extent Shares of a Fund are acquired, including through reinvestment of dividends, within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the sale of substantially identical Shares.
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Taxes on Purchases and Redemptions of Creation Units
An AP having the U.S. dollar as its functional currency for U.S. federal income tax purposes who exchanges securities for Creation Units generally recognizes a gain or a loss. The gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the value of the Creation Units at the time of the exchange and the exchanging AP’s aggregate basis in the securities delivered plus the amount of any cash paid for the Creation Units. An AP who exchanges Creation Units for securities will generally recognize a gain or loss equal to the difference between the exchanging AP’s basis in the Creation Units and the aggregate U.S. dollar market value of the securities received, plus any cash received for such Creation Units. The IRS may assert, however, that a loss that is realized upon an exchange of securities for Creation Units may not be currently deducted under the rules governing “wash sales” (for an AP who does not mark-to-market their holdings) or on the basis that there has been no significant change in economic position. Persons exchanging securities should consult their own tax advisor with respect to whether wash sale rules apply and when a loss might be deductible.
Any capital gain or loss realized upon redemption of Creation Units is generally treated as long-term capital gain or loss if Shares comprising the Creation Units have been held for more than one year and as a short-term capital gain or loss if such Shares have been held for one year or less.
The Funds may include a payment of cash in addition to, or in place of, the delivery of a basket of securities upon the redemption of Creation Units. The Funds may sell portfolio securities to obtain the cash needed to distribute redemption proceeds. This may cause the Funds to recognize investment income and/or capital gains or losses that they might not have recognized if they had completely satisfied the redemption in-kind. As a result, the Funds may be less tax efficient if they include such a cash payment in the proceeds paid upon the redemption of Creation Units.
Important Tax Considerations When Purchasing Fund Shares
If you are investing through a taxable account, you should carefully consider the timing of your investment relative to a Fund’s distribution schedule. Purchasing Fund shares shortly before a distribution may increase your tax liability, a situation commonly referred to as “buying a dividend.”
When a Fund makes a distribution, its share price typically drops by an amount roughly equal to the distribution. As a hypothetical example, if you invest $5,000 to purchase 250 shares at $20 per share on December 15, and the Fund pays a $1 per share distribution on December 16, the share price would adjust to $19 (ignoring market fluctuations). Although your total investment value remains $5,000 (250 shares × $19 in share value plus 250 shares × $1 distribution), you would owe taxes on the $250 distribution, even if you reinvest the distribution rather than receiving it in cash.
Distributions are taxable to shareholders even if they are paid from income or gains realized by a Fund before you invested, and even if they were reflected in the purchase price of the shares. Consequently, you may incur taxes on income or gains that accrued before your investment, without corresponding benefit.
Unless you are investing through a tax-advantaged account, such as an IRA or an employer-sponsored retirement plan, you may wish to avoid purchasing Fund shares shortly before a distribution. You can minimize the potential tax impact by reviewing such Fund’s distribution schedule prior to investing. When available, information about the Fund’s distribution schedule can be found on the Fund’s website at www.defianceetfs.com.
The foregoing discussion summarizes some of the possible consequences under current federal tax law of an investment in the Funds. It is not a substitute for personal tax advice. You also may be subject to foreign, state and local tax on Fund distributions and sales of Shares. Consult your personal tax advisor about the potential tax consequences of an investment in Shares under all applicable tax laws. For more information, please see the section entitled “Federal Income Taxes” in the SAI.
DISTRIBUTION
Foreside Fund Services, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Foreside Financial Group (dba ACA Group), (the “Distributor”), the Funds’ distributor, is a broker-dealer registered with the SEC. The Distributor distributes Creation Units for the Fund on an agency basis and does not maintain a secondary market in Shares. The Distributor has no role in determining the policies of the Funds or the securities that are purchased or sold by the Funds. The Distributor’s principal address is 190 Middle Street, Suite 301, Portland, Maine 04101.
The Board has adopted a Distribution (Rule 12b-1) Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. In accordance with the Plan, the Funds are authorized to pay an amount up to 0.25% of its average daily net assets each year to pay distribution fees for the sale and distribution of its Shares.
No Rule 12b-1 fees are currently paid by the Funds, and there are no plans to impose these fees. However, in the event Rule 12b-1 fees are charged in the future, because the fees are paid out of assets of the respective Fund on an ongoing basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than certain other types of sales charges.
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PREMIUM/DISCOUNT INFORMATION
Information regarding how often Shares of the Funds traded on the Exchange at a price above (i.e., at a premium) or below (i.e., at a discount) the NAV of such Fund can be found on the Funds’ website at https://www.defianceetfs.com.
When available, information regarding the number of days in the prior six months that a Fund failed to provide the sought after leveraged returns (subject to a de minimis threshold) as well as the highest positive and negative variances during the period can be found on the Funds’ website at www.defianceetfs.com.
ADDITIONAL NOTICES
Shares are not sponsored, endorsed, or promoted by the Exchange. The Exchange is not responsible for, nor has it participated in the determination of, the timing, prices, or quantities of Shares to be issued, nor in the determination or calculation of the equation by which Shares are redeemable. The Exchange has no obligation or liability to owners of Shares in connection with the administration, marketing, or trading of Shares.
Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Exchange have any liability for any lost profits or indirect, punitive, special, or consequential damages even if notified of the possibility thereof.
The Adviser and the Funds make no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of Shares or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in any Fund particularly.
The Third Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust (“Declaration of Trust”) provides a detailed process for the bringing of derivative or direct actions by shareholders in order to permit legitimate inquiries and claims while avoiding the time, expense, distraction, and other harm that can be caused to a Fund or its shareholders as a result of spurious shareholder demands and derivative actions. Prior to bringing a derivative action, a demand by three unrelated shareholders must first be made on a Fund’s Trustees. The Declaration of Trust details various information, certifications, undertakings and acknowledgments that must be included in the demand. Following receipt of the demand, the trustees have a period of 90 days, which may be extended by an additional 60 days, to consider the demand. If a majority of the Trustees who are considered independent for the purposes of considering the demand determine that maintaining the suit would not be in the best interests of the Fund, the Trustees are required to reject the demand and the complaining shareholders may not proceed with the derivative action unless the shareholders are able to sustain the burden of proof to a court that the decision of the Trustees not to pursue the requested action was not a good faith exercise of their business judgment on behalf of the Fund. The Declaration of Trust further provides that shareholders owning Shares representing no less than a majority of a Fund’s outstanding shares must join in bringing the derivative action. If a demand is rejected, the complaining shareholders will be responsible for the costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by the Fund in connection with the consideration of the demand, if a court determines that the demand was made without reasonable cause or for an improper purpose. If a derivative action is brought in violation of the Declaration of Trust, the shareholders bringing the action may be responsible for the Fund’s costs, including attorneys’ fees, if a court determines that the action was brought without reasonable cause or for an improper purpose. The Declaration of Trust provides that no shareholder may bring a direct action claiming injury as a shareholder of the Trust, or any Fund, where the matters alleged (if true) would give rise to a claim by the Trust or by the Trust on behalf of a Fund, unless the shareholder has suffered an injury distinct from that suffered by the shareholders of the Trust, or the Fund, generally. Under the Declaration of Trust, a shareholder bringing a direct claim must be a shareholder of the Fund with respect to which the direct action is brought at the time of the injury complained of or have acquired the shares afterwards by operation of law from a person who was a shareholder at that time. The Declaration of Trust further provides that a Fund shall be responsible for payment of attorneys’ fees and legal expenses incurred by a complaining shareholder only if required by law, and any attorneys’ fees that the Fund is obligated to pay shall be calculated using reasonable hourly rates. These provisions do not apply to claims brought under the federal securities laws.
The Declaration of Trust also requires that actions by shareholders against a Fund be brought exclusively in a federal or state court located within the State of Delaware. This provision will not apply to claims brought under the federal securities laws. Limiting shareholders’ ability to bring actions only in courts located in Delaware may cause shareholders economic hardship to litigate the action in those courts, including paying for traveling expenses of witnesses and counsel, requiring retaining local counsel, and may limit shareholders’ ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that shareholders find favorable for disputes, which may discourage such actions.
156
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The Financial Highlights tables are intended to help you understand the Funds’ financial performance for the fiscal periods shown. Certain information reflects financial results for a single Fund share. The total return in each table represents the rate that an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in a Fund (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and distributions). This information has been audited by Cohen & Company, Ltd., the Funds’ independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with the Funds’ financial statements, is included in the Funds’ annual report, which is available upon request.
As of the end of the most recent fiscal year end, the Defiance Daily Target 2X Long CVNA ETF, Defiance Daily Target 2X Long SOUN ETF, Defiance Daily Target 2X Long VST ETF, Defiance Daily Target 2X Long JPM ETF, Defiance Daily Target 2X Long MRVL ETF and Defiance Daily Target 2X Long PENN ETF had not commenced operations. Therefore, Financial Highlights for those Funds are not shown.
| Financial Highlights | Defiance ETFs |
| For a share outstanding throughout the period presented. |
| Defiance Daily Target 2X Long HIMS ETF | |
|
|
Period
ended |
| PER SHARE DATA: | |
| Net asset value, beginning of period | $20.00 |
|
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: |
|
| Net investment loss (b) | (0.02) |
| Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments (c) | (4.37) |
| Total from investment operations | (4.39) |
|
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: |
|
| Net asset value, end of period | $15.61 |
|
TOTAL RETURN (d) |
-21.94% |
| SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS: | |
| Net assets, end of period (in thousands) | $17,564 |
| Ratio of expenses to average net assets (e) | 1.29% |
|
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (e) |
(1.07)% |
| Portfolio turnover rate (d)(f) | 251% |
| (a) | Inception date of the Fund was March 12, 2025. |
| (b) | Net investment income per share has been calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. |
| (c) |
Realized and unrealized gains and losses per share in the caption are balancing amounts necessary to reconcile the change in net asset value per share for the period, and may not reconcile with the aggregate gains and losses in the Statements of Operations due to share transactions for the period. |
| (d) | Not annualized for periods less than one year. |
| (e) | Annualized for periods less than one year. |
| (f) | Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions. |
157
| Financial Highlights | Defiance ETFs |
| For a share outstanding throughout the period presented. |
| Defiance Daily Target 2X Long HOOD ETF | |
|
|
Period
ended |
| PER SHARE DATA: | |
| Net asset value, beginning of period | $20.00 |
|
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: |
|
| Net investment loss (b) | (0.02) |
| Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments (c) | 6.27 |
| Total from investment operations | 6.25 |
|
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: |
|
| Net asset value, end of period | $26.25 |
|
TOTAL RETURN (d) |
31.25% |
| SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS: | |
| Net assets, end of period (in thousands) | $3,938 |
| Ratio of expenses to average net assets (e) | 1.29% |
|
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (e) |
(0.90)% |
| Portfolio turnover rate (d)(f) | 210% |
| (a) | Inception date of the Fund was March 18, 2025. |
| (b) | Net investment income per share has been calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. |
| (c) |
Realized and unrealized gains and losses per share in the caption are balancing amounts necessary to reconcile the change in net asset value per share for the period, and may not reconcile with the aggregate gains and losses in the Statements of Operations due to share transactions for the period. |
| (d) | Not annualized for periods less than one year. |
| (e) | Annualized for periods less than one year. |
| (f) | Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions. |
158
| Financial Highlights | Defiance ETFs |
| For a share outstanding throughout the period presented. |
| Defiance Daily Target 2X Long IONQ ETF | |
|
|
Period
ended |
| PER SHARE DATA: | |
| Net asset value, beginning of period | $20.00 |
|
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: |
|
| Net investment loss (b) | (0.05) |
| Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments (c) | 14.55 |
| Total from investment operations | 14.50 |
|
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: |
|
| Net asset value, end of period | $34.50 |
|
TOTAL RETURN (d) |
72.50% |
| SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS: | |
| Net assets, end of period (in thousands) | $24,153 |
| Ratio of expenses to average net assets (e) | 1.29% |
|
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (e) |
(1.13)% |
| Portfolio turnover rate (d)(f) | 314% |
| (a) | Inception date of the Fund was March 11, 2025. |
| (b) | Net investment income per share has been calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. |
| (c) |
Realized and unrealized gains and losses per share in the caption are balancing amounts necessary to reconcile the change in net asset value per share for the period, and may not reconcile with the aggregate gains and losses in the Statements of Operations due to share transactions for the period. |
| (d) | Not annualized for periods less than one year. |
| (e) | Annualized for periods less than one year. |
| (f) | Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions. |
159
| Financial Highlights | Defiance ETFs |
| For a share outstanding throughout the period presented. |
| Defiance Daily Target 2X Long RGTI ETF | |
|
|
Period
ended |
| PER SHARE DATA: | |
| Net asset value, beginning of period | $20.00 |
|
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: |
|
| Net investment loss (b) | (0.01) |
| Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments (c) | 2.80 |
| Total from investment operations | 2.79 |
|
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: |
|
| Net asset value, end of period | $22.79 |
|
TOTAL RETURN (d) |
13.95% |
| SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS: | |
| Net assets, end of period (in thousands) | $2,279 |
| Ratio of expenses to average net assets (e) | 1.29% |
|
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (e) |
(0.67)% |
| Portfolio turnover rate (d)(f) | 273% |
| (a) | Inception date of the Fund was March 31, 2025. |
| (b) | Net investment income per share has been calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. |
| (c) |
Realized and unrealized gains and losses per share in the caption are balancing amounts necessary to reconcile the change in net asset value per share for the period, and may not reconcile with the aggregate gains and losses in the Statements of Operations due to share transactions for the period. |
| (d) | Not annualized for periods less than one year. |
| (e) | Annualized for periods less than one year. |
| (f) | Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions. |
160
| Financial Highlights | Defiance ETFs |
| For a share outstanding throughout the period presented. |
| Defiance Daily Target 2X Long RKLB ETF | |
|
|
Period ended April 30, 2025 (a) |
| PER SHARE DATA: | |
| Net asset value, beginning of period | $20.00 |
|
INVESTMENT OPERATIONS: |
|
| Net investment loss (b) | (0.02) |
| Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments (c) | 4.51 |
| Total from investment operations | 4.49 |
|
LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM: |
|
| Net asset value, end of period | $24.49 |
|
TOTAL RETURN (d) |
22.50% |
| SUPPLEMENTAL DATA AND RATIOS: | |
| Net assets, end of period (in thousands) | $7,348 |
| Ratio of expenses to average net assets (e) | 1.29% |
|
Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets (e) |
(0.68)% |
| Portfolio turnover rate (d)(f) | 416% |
| (a) | Inception date of the Fund was March 12, 2025. |
| (b) | Net investment income per share has been calculated based on average shares outstanding during the period. |
| (c) |
Realized and unrealized gains and losses per share in the caption are balancing amounts necessary to reconcile the change in net asset value per share for the period, and may not reconcile with the aggregate gains and losses in the Statements of Operations due to share transactions for the period. |
| (d) | Not annualized for periods less than one year. |
| (e) | Annualized for periods less than one year. |
| (f) | Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind transactions. |
161
Defiance
Daily Target 2X Long HIMS ETF (HIMZ)
Defiance
Daily Target 2X Long IONQ ETF (IONX)
Defiance
Daily Target 2X Long RKLB ETF (RKLX)
Defiance
Daily Target 2X Long CVNA ETF (CVNX)
Defiance
Daily Target 2X Long HOOD ETF (HOOX)
Defiance
Daily Target 2X Long VST ETF (VSTL)
Defiance
Daily Target 2X Long JPM ETF (JPX)
Defiance
Daily Target 2X Long PENN ETF (PENX)
Defiance
Daily Target 2X Long SOUN ETF (SOUX)
Defiance
Daily Target 2X Long MRVL ETF (MRVX)
Defiance
Daily Target 2X Long RGTI ETF (RGTX)
| Adviser | Tidal
Investments LLC 234 West Florida Street, Suite 203 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53204 |
Administrator |
Tidal
ETF Services LLC Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53204 |
| Distributor |
Foreside
Fund Services, LLC Portland, Maine 04101 |
Sub-Administrator, Fund Accountant, and Transfer Agent |
U.S.
Bancorp Fund Services, LLC, doing business as U.S. Bank Global Fund Services 615 East Michigan Street Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53202 |
| Legal Counsel | Sullivan
& Worcester LLP 1251 Avenue of the Americas 19th Floor New York, New York 10020 |
Custodian | U.S.
Bank National Association 1555 North Rivercenter Dr. Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212 |
| Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
Cohen & Company, Ltd. 1835 Market Street, Suite 310 Philadelphia, PA 19103 |
Investors may find more information about the Funds in the following documents:
Statement of Additional Information: The Funds’ SAI provides additional details about the investments of each Fund and certain other additional information. A current SAI dated August 29, 2025, as supplemented from time to time, is on file with the SEC and is herein incorporated by reference into this Prospectus. It is legally considered a part of this Prospectus.
Annual/Semi-Annual Reports: Additional information about the Funds’ investments is available in the Funds’ annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders and in Form N-CSR. In the annual report you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected each Fund’s performance after the first fiscal year each Fund is in operation. In Form N-CSR, you will find the Fund’s annual and semi-annual financial statements after the first fiscal year each Fund is in operation.
You can obtain free copies of these documents request other information or make general inquiries about the Funds by contacting the Funds at the Defiance ETFs, c/o U.S. Bank Global Fund Services, P.O. Box 219252, Kansas City, Missouri 64121-9252 or calling (833) 333-9383.
Shareholder reports and other information about the Funds are also available:
| ● | Free of charge from the SEC’s EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov; or |
| ● | Free of charge from the Funds’ Internet website at https://www.defianceetfs.com; or |
| ● | For a fee, by e-mail request to [email protected]. |
The SAI and other information are also available from a financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) through which the Fund’s shares may be purchased or sold.
(SEC Investment Company Act File No. 811-23793)