BWET Amplify Commodity Trust

The BDRY Benchmark Portfolio maintains long-only positions in Freight Futures. The BDRY Benchmark Portfolio includes a combination of Capesize, Panamax and Supramax Freight Futures. More specifically, the BDRY Benchmark Portfolio includes 50% exposure in Capesize Freight Futures contracts, 40% exposure in Panamax Freight Futures contracts and 10% exposure in Supramax Freight Futures contracts. The BDRY Benchmark Portfolio does not include and BDRY does not invest in swaps, non-cleared dry bulk freight forwards or other over-the-counter derivative instruments that are not cleared through exchanges or clearing houses. BDRY may hold exchange-traded options on Freight Futures. The BDRY Benchmark Portfolio is maintained by Breakwave and will be rebalanced annually. The Freight Futures currently constituting the BDRY Benchmark Portfolio, as well as the daily holdings of BDRY are available on BDRY’s website at www.drybulketf.com.

When establishing positions in Freight Futures, BDRY will be required to deposit initial margin with a value of approximately 10% to 40% of the notional value of each Freight Futures position at the time it is established. These margin requirements are established and subject to change from time to time by the relevant exchanges, clearing houses or BDRY’s Futures Commissions Merchant (“FCM”), Marex Financial Ltd. (formerly ED&F Man Capital Markets, Inc.) On a daily basis, BDRY is obligated to pay, or entitled to receive, variation margin in an amount equal to the change in the daily settlement level of its Freight Futures positions. Any assets not required to be posted as margin with the FCM may be held at BDRY’s custodian or remain with the FCM in cash or cash equivalents, as discussed below.

BDRY was created to provide investors with a cost-effective and convenient way to gain exposure to daily changes in the price of Freight Futures. BDRY is intended to be used as a diversification opportunity as part of a complete portfolio, not a complete investment program.

The Fund will incur certain expenses in connection with its operations. The Fund will hold cash or cash equivalents such as U.S. Treasuries or other high credit quality, short-term fixed-income or similar securities for direct investment or as collateral for the Freight futures and for other liquidity purposes and to meet redemptions that may be necessary on an ongoing basis. These expenses and income from the cash and cash equivalent holdings may cause imperfect correlation between changes in the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) and changes in the Benchmark Portfolio, because the Benchmark Portfolio does not reflect expenses or income. The Fund may also realize interest income from its holdings in U.S. Treasuries or other market rate instruments.

The Fund seeks to trade its positions prior to maturity; accordingly, natural market forces may cost the Fund while rebalancing. Each time the Fund seeks to reconstitute its positions, barring movement in the underlying securities, the futures and option prices may be higher or lower. Such differences in price, barring a movement in the price of the underlying security, will constitute “roll yield” and may inhibit the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Several factors determine the total return from investing in a futures contract position. One factor that impacts the total return that will result from investing in near month futures contracts and “rolling” those contracts forward each month is the price relationship between the current near month contract and the next month contract.

The CTA will close existing positions when it determines it would be appropriate to do so and reinvest the proceeds in other positions. Positions may also be closed out to meet orders for redemption baskets.

BWET commenced investment operations on May 3, 2023. BWET commenced trading on NYSE Arca on May 3, 2023 and trades under the symbol “BWET.”

BWET’s investment objective is to provide investors with exposure to the daily change in the price of crude oil tanker freight futures, before expenses and liabilities of the Fund, by tracking the performance of a portfolio (the “BWET Benchmark Portfolio”) mainly consisting of the nearest calendar quarter of futures contracts on specified indexes (each a “Reference Index”) that measure prices for shipping crude oil (“Freight Futures”). Freight Futures reflect market expectations for the future cost of transporting crude oil. Each Reference Index is published each United Kingdom business day by the London-based Baltic Exchange Ltd. (the “Baltic Exchange”) and measures the charter rate for crude oil in a specific size category of cargo ship and for a specific route. The two Reference Indexes are as follows:

The value of the TD3C Index and the TD20 Index is disseminated at 4:00 p.m. London Time by the Baltic Exchange. Such Reference Index information also is widely disseminated by Reuters, Bloomberg and/or other major market data vendors. 

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially all of its assets in the Freight Futures currently constituting the BWET Benchmark Portfolio. The BWET Benchmark Portfolio includes a combination of TD3C and TD20 Freight Futures. More specifically, the Benchmark Portfolio includes 90% exposure in TD3C Freight Futures contracts and 10% exposure in TD20 Freight Futures contracts to maturity and settles them in cash. At any given time, the average maturity of the futures held by the Fund will be approximately 50 to 70 days.

The BWET Benchmark Portfolio does not include and BWET does not invest in swaps, non-cleared freight forwards or other over-the-counter derivative instruments that are not cleared through exchanges or clearing houses. BWET may hold exchange-traded options on Freight Futures. The BWET Benchmark Portfolio is maintained by Breakwave and will be rebalanced annually. The Freight Futures currently constituting the BWET Benchmark Portfolio, as well as the daily holdings of BWET are available on BWET’s website at www.tankeretf.com.

When establishing positions in Freight Futures, BWET will be required to deposit initial margin with a value of approximately 10% to 40% of the notional value of each Freight Futures position at the time it is established. These margin requirements are established and subject to change from time to time by the relevant exchanges, clearing houses or BWET’s FCM, Marex Financial Ltd. On a daily basis, BWET is obligated to pay, or entitled to receive, variation margin in an amount equal to the change in the daily settlement level of its Freight Futures positions. Any assets not required to be posted as margin with the FCM maybe held at BWET’s custodian or remain with the FCM in cash or cash equivalents, as discussed below.

BWET was created to provide investors with a cost-effective and convenient way to gain exposure to daily changes in the price of Freight Futures. BWET is intended to be used as a diversification opportunity as part of a complete portfolio, not a complete investment program.

The Fund will incur certain expenses in connection with its operations. The Fund will hold cash or cash equivalents such as U.S. Treasuries or other high credit quality, short-term fixed-income or similar securities for direct investment or as collateral for the Treasury Instruments and for other liquidity purposes and to meet redemptions that may be necessary on an ongoing basis. The Fund may also realize interest income from its holdings in U.S. Treasuries or other market rate instruments. These expenses and income from the cash and cash equivalent holdings may cause imperfect correlation between changes in the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”) and changes in the Benchmark Portfolio, because the Benchmark Portfolio does not reflect expenses or income.

The Fund seeks to trade its positions prior to maturity; accordingly, natural market forces may cost the Fund while rebalancing. Each time the Fund seeks to reconstitute its positions, barring movement in the underlying securities, the futures and option prices may be higher or lower. Such differences in price, barring a movement in the price of the underlying security, will constitute “roll yield” and may inhibit the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.

Several factors determine the total return from investing in a futures contract position. One factor that impacts the total return that will result from investing in near month futures contracts and “rolling” those contracts forward each month is the price relationship between the current near month contract and the next month contract.

The CTA will close existing positions when it determines it would be appropriate to do so and reinvest the proceeds in other positions. Positions may also be closed out to meet orders for redemption baskets.

Average Derivative Volume, for the three months ended September 30, 2024

Average Derivative Volume, for the period ended June 30, 2024

BREAKWAVE DRY BULK SHIPPING ETF

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments, as of September 30, 2024

BREAKWAVE DRY BULK SHIPPING ETF

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments, as of June 30, 2024

BREAKWAVE DRY BULK SHIPPING ETF

The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Combined Statements of Operations

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024

The futures contracts open at September 30, 2024 are indicative of the activity for the three months ended September 30, 2024.

BREAKWAVE DRY BULK SHIPPING ETF

The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Combined Statements of Operations

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023

The futures contracts open at September 30, 2023 are indicative of the activity for the three months ended September 30, 2023.

BREAKWAVE TANKER SHIPPING ETF

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments, as of September 30, 2024

BREAKWAVE TANKER SHIPPING ETF

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments, as of June 30, 2024

BREAKWAVE TANKER SHIPPING ETF

The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Combined Statements of Operations

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024

The futures contracts open at September 30, 2024 are indicative of the activity for the three months ended September 30, 2024.

BREAKWAVE TANKER SHIPPING ETF

The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Combined Statements of Operations

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023

The futures contracts open at September 30, 2023 are indicative of the activity for the three months ended September 30, 2023.

Each Fund has agreed to pay U.S. Bank 0.05% of average assets under management (AUM), with a $45,000 minimum annual fee payable for its administrative, accounting and transfer agent services and 0.01% of AUM, with an annual minimum of $4,800 for custody services. BDRY paid U.S. Bank $16,089 and $16,597 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, as disclosed in the Combined Statements of Operations. BWET paid U.S. Bank $15,670 and $15,036 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, as disclosed in the Combined Statements of Operations.

(c) The Distributor

Through August 13, 2023, each Fund paid ETFMG Financial LLC (the “former Distributor”), an affiliate of the Sponsor, an annual fee for statutory and wholesaling distribution services and related administrative services equal to the greater of $15,000 or 0.02% of the Fund’s average daily net assets, payable monthly. Pursuant to the respective Marketing Agent Agreements between the Sponsor, each Fund and the former Distributor, the former Distributor assisted the Sponsor and the applicable Fund with certain functions and duties relating to distribution and marketing services to the applicable Fund, including reviewing and approving marketing materials and certain regulatory compliance matters. The Distributor also assisted with the processing of creation and redemption orders.

Effective August 14, 2023, the Sponsor entered into a Marketing Agent Agreement (the “Marketing Agreement”) on behalf of the Trust and the Funds with Foreside Fund Services, LLC (“Foreside”), pursuant to which Foreside provides certain marketing services to the Funds. Each Fund pays an annual fee for such distribution services and related administrative services, with a minimum of approximately $10,000 payable annually. Pursuant to the Marketing Agent Agreement between the Sponsor, the Funds and Foreside, Foreside assists the Sponsor and the Funds with certain functions and duties relating to distribution and marketing services to the Funds, including reviewing and approving marketing materials and certain regulatory compliance matters. Foreside also assists with the processing of creation and redemption orders. Foreside’s principal business office is located in Portland, ME.

BDRY incurred $3,937 and $3,949 in distribution and related administrative services for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, as disclosed in the Combined Statements of Operations. BWET incurred $1,833 and $3,947 in distribution and related administrative services for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, as disclosed in the Combined Statements of Operations.

BDRY pays the Sponsor an annual fee for wholesale support services of $25,000 plus 0.12% of BDRY’s average daily net assets, payable monthly. BWET pays the Sponsor an annual fee for wholesale support services of $15,000 plus 0.15% of BWET’s average daily net assets, payable monthly.

BDRY incurred $15,266 and $26,018 in wholesale support fees for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, as disclosed in the Combined Statements of Operations. BWET incurred $4,827 and $5,094 in wholesale support fees for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, as disclosed in the Combined Statements of Operations.

(d) The Commodity Broker

Marex Financial Ltd., registered in England, serves as each Fund’s clearing broker (the “Commodity Broker”). In its capacity as clearing broker, the Commodity Broker executes and clears the Fund’s futures transactions and performs certain administrative services for the Funds.

The Funds pay respective brokerage commissions, including applicable exchange fees, National Futures Association (“NFA”) fees, give–up fees, pit brokerage fees and other transaction related fees and expenses charged in connection with trading activities in CFTC regulated investments. Brokerage commissions on futures contracts are recognized on a half-turn basis.

The Sponsor does not expect annual brokerage commissions and fees to exceed 0.40% for BDRY and 1.35% for BWET (excluding the impact on each Fund of creation and/or redemption activity) of the net asset value of BDRY and BWET, respectively, for execution and clearing services on behalf of the Funds, although the actual amount of brokerage commissions and fees in any year or any part of any year may be greater. The effects of trading spreads, financing costs associated with financial instruments, and costs relating to the purchase of U.S. Treasury Securities or similar high credit quality short-term fixed-income or similar securities are not included in the foregoing analysis. BDRY incurred $69,277 and $192,298 in brokerage commissions and fees for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, as disclosed in the Combined Statements of Operations. BWET incurred $10,370 and $15,504 in brokerage commissions and fees for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, as disclosed in the Combined Statement of Operations.

(e) The Trustee

Under the Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement (the “Trust Agreement”) for each Fund, Wilmington Trust Company, the Trustee of each of the Funds (the “Trustee”) serves as the sole trustee of each Fund in the State of Delaware. The Trustee will accept service of legal process on the Funds in the State of Delaware and will make certain filings under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act. Under the Trust Agreement for each Fund, the Sponsor has the exclusive management and control of all aspects of the business of the Funds. The Trustee does not owe any other duties to the Funds, the Sponsor or the Shareholders of the Funds. The Trustee has no duty or liability to supervise or monitor the performance of the Sponsor, nor does the Trustee have any liability for the acts or omissions of the Sponsor. BDRY incurred $644 and $628 in trustee fees for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, which is included in Trustees Fees in the Combined Statements of Operations. BWET incurred $644 and $628 in trustee fees for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, as disclosed in the Combined Statement of Operations.

(f) Routine Offering, Operational, Administrative and Other Ordinary Expenses

The Sponsor, in accordance with the BDRY Expense Cap limitation paid, after the waiver of the CTA fee for BDRY by Breakwave, if any, all of the routine offering, operational, administrative and other ordinary expenses of BDRY in excess of 3.50% (excluding brokerage commissions and interest expense) of BDRY’s average daily net assets, including, but not limited to, accounting and computer services, the fees and expenses of the Trustee, Administrator, Custodian, Transfer Agent and Distributor, legal and accounting fees and expenses, tax return preparation expenses, filing fees, and printing, mailing and duplication costs. BDRY incurred $424,449 and $701,671 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, in routine offering, operational, administrative or other ordinary expenses.

The CTA fee waiver for BDRY by Breakwave was $92,369 and $-0- for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

In addition, the assumption of Fund expenses above the BDRY Expense Cap by the Sponsor, pursuant to the undertaking (as discussed in Note 4a), amounted to $-0- and $-0- for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

The Sponsor, in accordance with the BWET Expense Cap limitation paid, after the waiver of a portion of the CTA fee for BWET by Breakwave, all of the routine offering, operational, administrative and other ordinary expenses of BWET in excess of 3.50% (excluding brokerage commissions and interest expense) of BWET’s average daily net assets, including, but not limited to, accounting and computer services, the fees and expenses of the Trustee, Administrator, Custodian, Transfer Agent and Distributor, legal and accounting fees and expenses, tax return preparation expenses, filing fees, and printing, mailing and duplication costs. BWET incurred $119,002 and $145,141 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, in routine offering, operational, administrative or other ordinary expenses.

The CTA fee waiver for BWET by Breakwave was $10,193 and $12,783 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

In addition, the assumption of Fund expenses above the BWET Expense Cap by the Sponsor, pursuant to the undertaking (as discussed in Note 4a), amounted to $73,835 and $86,109 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

(g) Organizational and Offering Costs

Expenses incurred in connection with organizing BDRY and BWET and up to the offering of their Shares upon commencement of their investment operations on March 22, 2018 and May 3, 2023, respectively, were paid by the Sponsor and Breakwave without reimbursement.

Accordingly, all such expenses are not reflected in the Combined Statements of Operations. The Funds will bear the costs of their continuous offering of Shares and ongoing offering expenses. Such ongoing offering costs will be included as a portion of the Routine Offering, Operational, Administrative and Other Ordinary Expenses. These costs will include registration fees for regulatory agencies and all legal, accounting, printing and other expenses associated therewith.

(h) Extraordinary Fees and Expenses

The Funds will pay all extraordinary fees and expenses, if any. Extraordinary fees and expenses are fees and expenses which are nonrecurring and unusual in nature, such as legal claims and liabilities, litigation costs or indemnification or other unanticipated expenses. Such extraordinary fees and expenses, by their nature, are unpredictable in terms of timing and amount. For the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, BDRY did not incur such expenses. For the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, BWET did not incur such expenses.

BREAKWAVE TANKER SHIPPING ETF

Summary of Share Transactions for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2024

BREAKWAVE TANKER SHIPPING ETF

Summary of Share Transactions for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2023

Similar to other futures contracts, the Freight Futures curve shape could be either in “contango” (where the futures curve is upward sloping with next futures price higher than the current one) or “backwardation” (where each the next futures price is lower than the current one). Contango curves are generally characterized by negative roll cost, as the expiring contract value is lower that the next prompt contract value, assuming the same lot size. That means there could be losses incurred when the contracts are rolled each period (“Negative Roll Risk”) and such losses are independent of the Freight Futures price level.

The Russia Ukraine war poses an increasing risk for global economic growth. Major economic sanctions against Russia are having a considerable impact on oil and gas prices, given the dependence of the EU on oil and gas exports out of Russia combined with limited spare capacity of such commodities globally. Energy prices have increased significantly, leading to major inflationary pressures in the major developed countries that rely heavily on oil and gas exports out of Russia. In the case of BDRY, the combined Russia/Ukraine region account for approximately one quarter of global grain production, one of the main cargoes transported by dry bulk vessels, while coal and iron ore exports out of the region have also been reduced. The above factors can have a material negative impact on demand for dry bulk transportation, while slower economic growth could also negatively affect demand for dry bulk commodities in the rest of the word, leading to lower dry bulk freight rates.

The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is having a profound impact on global commodities prices including grain and coal, two of the most important commodities for dry bulk shipping. Given the importance of the region in export volumes for both grains and coal, a prolonged stoppage could lead to significantly lower freight rates and thus a decline in freight futures prices and a decline in the value of BDRY. Although coal supplies could potentially be sourced from elsewhere partly mitigating the negative impact of the lost volumes, global grain production capacity is limited, and thus the impact of the lost volumes could not be easily mitigated. In addition, the recent geopolitical turmoil has led to an increase in government protectionism when it comes to commodities, and if such a trend continues, it could lead to lower bulk commodities trading globally over the long term. The impact of such a scenario on dry bulk shipping will be negative, leading to lower spot rates and as a result lower freight futures prices and a decline in the value of BDRY.

In the case of BWET, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has also had a profound impact on oil prices and as a result on tanker rates and might continue to impact the level of tanker rates for years to come. Russia accounts for more than 10% of global oil production. Sanctions put in place to limit the exports of crude oil and refined products from Russia has caused a reshuffling in tanker trade patterns and has led to increasing volatility in tanker freight rates. With limited seaborne crude exports out of Russia, refiners and oil traders have been seeking alternative sources for feedstock crude, causing major disruptions in the traditional crude oil trading patterns. Volatility in tanker rates has increased, especially for tankers carrying refined products. As volatility of spot charter rates increases, higher trading volumes in freight futures would be expected as market participants tend to increase their hedging requirements. In addition, oil price volatility has increased significantly, impacting tanker spot rate freight rates.

The Hamas-Israel conflict has stoked fears of oil supply instability in the Middle East and globally. While not having an immediate impact on global oil production or tanker trade patterns, escalation or expansion of hostilities, interventions by other groups or nations, the imposition of economic sanctions on any of the oil producing nations, disruption of shipping transit in the Straits of Hormuz or other significant trade routes, or similar outcomes could lead to oil supply instability. The conflict is ongoing and, should it escalate and expand toother oil producing nations in the region, it may have a profound negative impact on oil prices and, as a result, the supply and demand for freight that could have a negative impact on spot freight rates for dry bulk and liquid freight and on Freight Futures.

In addition, The People’s Republic of China (“China”) accounts for a sizable part of oil demand, and changes in the economic and political environment in China and policies adopted by the government to regulate its economy may have a material adverse effect on tanker charter rates and as a result, Freight Futures.

(b) Liquidity Risk

In certain circumstances, such as the disruption of the orderly markets for the futures contracts or Financial Instruments in which the Fund invest, the Funds might not be able to dispose of certain holdings quickly or at prices that represent what the market value may have been in an orderly market. Futures and option positions cannot always be liquidated at the desired price. It is difficult to execute a trade at a specific price when there is a relatively small volume of buy and sell orders in a market. A market disruption can also make it difficult to liquidate a position. The large size of the positions that the Funds may acquire increases the risk of illiquidity both by making its positions more difficult to liquidate and by potentially increasing losses while trying to do so. Such a situation may prevent the Funds from limiting losses, realizing gains or achieving a high correlation with the applicable Benchmark Portfolio.

(c) Natural Disaster/Epidemic Risk 

Natural or environmental disasters, such as earthquakes, fires, floods, hurricanes, tsunamis and other severe weather-related phenomena generally, and widespread disease, including pandemics and epidemics (for example, the novel coronavirus COVID-19), have been and can be highly disruptive to economies and markets and have recently led, and may continue to lead, to increased market volatility and significant market losses. Such natural disaster and health crises could exacerbate political, social, and economic risks previously mentioned, and result in significant breakdowns, delays, shutdowns, social isolation, and other disruptions to important global, local and regional supply chains affected, with potential corresponding results on the operating performance of the Funds and their investments. A climate of uncertainty and panic, including the contagion of infectious viruses or diseases, may adversely affect global, regional, and local economies and reduce the availability of potential investment opportunities, and increases the difficulty of performing due diligence and modeling market conditions, potentially reducing the accuracy of financial projections. Under these circumstances, the Funds may have difficulty achieving their investment objectives which may adversely impact performance. Further, such events can be highly disruptive to economies and markets, significantly disrupt the operations of individual companies (including, but not limited to, the Funds’ Sponsor and third party service providers), sectors, industries, markets, securities and commodity exchanges, currencies, interest and inflation rates, credit ratings, investor sentiment, and other factors affecting the value of the Funds’ investments. These factors can cause substantial market volatility. exchange trading suspensions and closures and can impact the ability of the Funds to complete redemptions and otherwise affect each Fund’s performance and the Funds’ trading in the secondary market. A widespread crisis may also affect the global economy in ways that cannot necessarily be foreseen at the current time. How long such events will last and whether they will continue or recur cannot be predicted. Impacts from these events could have significant impact on the Funds’ performance, resulting in losses to the Funds.