As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 7, 2014
1933 Act Registration No. 333-139186
1940 Act Registration No. 811-21987
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
x
Pre-Effective
Amendment No. _
¨
Post-Effective Amendment No.
14
x
and/or
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
x
Amendment No.
15
x
ALPS VARIABLE INVESTMENT TRUST
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
1290 BROADWAY, SUITE 1100
DENVER, COLORADO 80203
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)(Zip Code)
Registrants Telephone Number, Including Area Code:
(303) 623-2577
DAVID T. BUHLER, SECRETARY
ALPS VARIABLE INVESTMENT TRUST
1290 BROADWAY, SUITE 1100
DENVER, COLORADO 80203
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
Copy to:
PETER H. SCHWARTZ,
ESQ.
DAVIS GRAHAM & STUBBS LLP
1550 SEVENTEENTH STREET, SUITE 500
DENVER, COLORADO 80202
303-892-9400
-------------------------
Approximate date of proposed public offering: As soon as practicable after the effective date of the Registration Statement.
It is proposed this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
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immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b)
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x
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on April 30, 2014 pursuant to paragraph (b)
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60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
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on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1)
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75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2)
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on April 7, 2014 pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485.
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If appropriate, check the following box:
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This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment.
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PROSPECTUS
ALPS VARIABLE INVESTMENT TRUST
Ibbotson Conservative ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio: Class I (N/A) and Class II (CETFX)
Ibbotson Income and Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio: Class I (N/A) and Class II (IETFX)
Ibbotson Balanced ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio: Class I (N/A) and Class II (BETFX)
Ibbotson Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio: Class I (N/A) and Class II (GETFX)
Ibbotson Aggressive Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio: Class I (N/A) and Class II (AGTFX)
Ibbotson MVP ETF Portfolio: Class I (N/A), Class II (MVPTX) and Class III (METFX)
ALPS/Alerian Energy Infrastructure Portfolio: Class I (N/A) and Class III (ALEFX)
April 30, 2014
The
Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved the Trusts shares or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
Table of Contents
IBBOTSON CONSERVATIVE ETF ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
Investment Objective
The Portfolio seeks to provide
investors with current income and preservation of capital.
Fees and Expenses of the Portfolio
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio. The table does not reflect expenses
incurred from investing through a separate account or qualified plan and does not reflect variable annuity or life insurance contract charges. If it did, the overall fees and expenses would be higher.
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Annual
Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
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Class I
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Class II
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Management Fee
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0.45
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%
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0.45
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%
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Distribution and/or Service (12b-1)
Fees
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0.00
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%
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0.25
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%
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Other Expenses
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0.13
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%
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0.13
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%
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Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses
(1)
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0.15
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%
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0.15
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%
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
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0.73
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%
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0.98
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%
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Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement
(2)
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(0.05)
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%
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(0.05)
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%
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee
Waiver/Expense Reimbursements
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0.68
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%
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0.93
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%
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(1) The operating expenses in this fee table will not correlate to the expense ratio in the
Portfolios financial statements (or the financial highlights in its prospectus) because the financial statements include only the direct operating expenses incurred by the Portfolio, not the indirect costs of investing in the Underlying ETFs.
(2) ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the Adviser) and Ibbotson Associates, Inc. (the Subadviser) have contractually
agreed to jointly waive
the management fee and subadvisory fee, respectively, and/or reimburse expenses so that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursements (not including distribution and/or service (12b-1)
fees, acquired fund fees and expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed a maximum of
0.53% of the Class I
or Class II shares average daily net assets through April 29,
2015. This
agreement may only be terminated during the period by the Board of Trustees of ALPS Variable Investment Trust.
Example
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The
Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, you reinvest all
dividends and capital gains distributions and that the Portfolios operating expenses remain the same. After one year, the Example does not take into consideration the Advisers and Subadvisers agreement to waive fees or reimburse
expenses. The Example does not include expenses incurred from investing through a separate account or qualified plan. If the Example included these expenses, the figures shown would be higher. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower,
based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
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1 year
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3 years
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5 years
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10 years
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Class
I
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$69
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$228
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$401
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$901
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Class II
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$95
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$307
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$537
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$1,196
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Portfolio Turnover
The Portfolio 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. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolios performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the
Portfolios turnover rate was 19% of the average value of the Portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Portfolio invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes,
in securities of exchange-traded funds (each, an Underlying ETF and collectively, the Underlying ETFs). For the purposes
1
of this 80% investment policy, net assets are measured at the time of purchase. The Portfolio is a Fund-of-Funds and seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily
in a portfolio of Underlying ETFs. Each Underlying ETF, in turn, in an attempt to approximate the investment performance of its benchmark, invests in a variety of U.S. and foreign equity, debt, commodities, money market securities, futures, and
other instruments. The investment policies of the various Underlying ETFs are described generally in the section called Information about the Underlying ETFs in the Portfolios Prospectus. The Portfolio may also seek to achieve
its investment objective by investing in Exchange Traded Notes (ETN). ETNs are generally senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities which are issued by a sponsor, and their returns are based on the performance of an underlying
market index, usually in the natural resource or commodity markets, minus an annual expense or fee.
The Portfolio typically expects to
allocate its investments in Underlying ETFs such that 80% of such allocation is invested in Underlying ETFs that invest primarily in fixed-income securities and money market instruments (Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs) and approximately
20% of such allocation is invested in Underlying ETFs that invest primarily in equity securities of large, medium and small sized companies, and may include other investments such as commodities and commodity futures (Non-Fixed Income
Underlying ETFs). However, under normal market conditions, the Portfolio may from time to time invest approximately 70-90% of such allocation in Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs and 10-30% of such allocation in Non-Fixed Income Underlying
ETFs. Additional Information on the Portfolios Investment Strategies can be found in the Portfolios Prospectus.
Principal Risks of
Investing in the Portfolio
The main risks of investing in the Portfolio are below. Like all investments in securities, you risk
losing money by investing in the Portfolio. An investment in the Portfolio is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Additional Information on the
Portfolios Principal Investment Risks can be found in the prospectus.
Management Risk
. Any errors in the
Subadvisers judgment in setting the Portfolios asset allocation ranges may result in significant losses in the Portfolios investment in such security, which can also result in possible losses overall for the Portfolio.
Fund of Funds Risks.
The Portfolio is a Fund-of-Funds that invests in Underlying ETFs, and the Portfolios
shareholders will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses of the Underlying ETF in addition to the Portfolios own fees and expenses. As a result, your cost of investing will be higher than the cost of investing
directly in the Underlying ETFs and may be higher than mutual funds that invest directly in stocks and bonds.
ETF Risks
.
Underlying ETFs are subject to the following risks: (i) the market price of an Underlying ETFs shares may trade above or below net asset value; (ii) there may be an inactive trading market for an Underlying ETF; (iii) the
Underlying ETF may employ an investment strategy that utilizes high leverage ratios; (iv) trading of an Underlying ETFs shares may be halted, delisted, or suspended on the listing exchange; and (v) the Underlying ETF may fail to
achieve close correlation with the index that it tracks.
Asset Concentration Risk
.
To the extent that the Portfolio
holds positions in Underlying ETFs that invest in a particular sector or asset class, the Portfolio is subject to an increased risk that its investments in that particular sector may decline because of changing expectations for the performance of
that sector.
Derivatives Risk
. Since the value of these instruments derive from an underlying asset, currency, or index,
investments in these Underlying ETFs may involve the risks that (i) the value of derivatives may rise or fall more rapidly than other investments, and the risk that an Underlying ETF may lose more than the amount invested in the derivative
instrument in the first place, and (ii) other parties to the derivative contract may fail to meet their obligations.
Non-Diversification Risk.
The Portfolio is non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the Underlying ETFs in
which the portfolio invests may also be non-diversified. This means that the Portfolio and Underlying ETFs have the ability to take larger positions in a smaller number of issuers than a Portfolio or Underlying ETF that is classified as
diversified and the value of the Portfolios shares may be volatile and fluctuate more than shares of a diversified fund that invests in a broader range of securities.
Market Timing Risk.
The Portfolio may invest in shares of Underlying ETFs which in turn may invest in securities that may be
susceptible to market timing or time zone arbitrage. Because the Portfolio is unable to monitor the Underlying ETFs policies and procedures with respect to market timing, performance of the Underlying ETFs may be diluted due to market timing
and, therefore, may affect the performance of the Portfolio.
Exchange Traded Notes (ETN) Risks.
ETNs are debt
securities that are linked to an underlying index and its valuation is derived, in part, from the index to which it is linked. ETNs, however, also bear the characteristics and risks of fixed-income securities, including credit risk and change
in rating risk.
Fixed-Income Underlying ETF Risks
. A Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs investments will expose the Portfolio to
certain risks that may
2
have an adverse effect on the Portfolios performance. These risks include (i)
Credit Risk
,
(ii)
Change in Rating Risk
, (iii)
Interest
Rate Risk
, (iv)
Duration Risk,
(v)
Emerging Markets Risk
and (vi)
High-Yield Risk
.
Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETF Risks.
A Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs investments will expose the Portfolio to certain risks
that may have an adverse effect on the Portfolios performance. These risks include (i)
Equity Securities Risk
,
(ii)
Foreign Securities Risk
, (iii)
Emerging Markets Risk
,
(iv)
Commodity Risk
, and (v)
Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Risk
.
Performance
The bar charts and tables on the following pages provide an indication of the risk of investing in the Portfolio by showing changes in the
Portfolios Class I performance from year to year and by showing how the Portfolios average annual returns for one year, five years and since inception compared with those of a widely recognized, unmanaged index of securities, as
appropriate. The Dow Jones Conservative U.S. Portfolio Index is the Portfolios primary benchmark and is a broad measure of market performance that reflects a conservative asset allocation portfolio by aggregating the performance of a portfolio
constituting 20% of the Dow Jones All Stock Portfolio and 80% of the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. The Dow Jones All Stock Portfolio consists of six equally weighted sub-sets of the U.S. equities markets segregated first by market
capitalization (large, mid and small company stocks) with each market capitalization then further sub divided based on growth and value investing styles. The Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an index comprised of government securities,
mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities and corporate securities to simulate the universe of bonds in the U.S. bond market. The 20% S&P 500 Index/73% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index/7% The Bank of America Merrill Lynch
(BoA ML) 3 Month Treasury Bill Index is the Portfolios secondary benchmark. This blend portfolio attempts to reflect the performance of a conservative asset allocation portfolio made of the aforementioned widely accepted benchmarks at their
respective target weightings. The S&P 500 Index consists of the 500 largest stocks in the U.S. equity markets and is a widely accepted barometer of the market due to its current representation of approximately 75% of the total U.S. equities
market. The Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BoA ML) 3 Month Treasury Bill Index is an unmanaged index of Treasury securities maturing in 90 days that assumes reinvestment of all income. Each index figure does not reflect any deduction for fees,
expenses or taxes.
Class II shares would have similar annual returns because all Classes of shares are invested in the same portfolio
of securities, although annual returns will differ to the extent the Classes do not have the same expenses. Currently, the annual expense ratio of the Class I shares is lower than the estimated expense ratio of the Class II shares. Accordingly,
performance would have been lower if Class II expenses were reflected. The bar charts and performance tables assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Returns do not reflect separate account, insurance contract or qualified plan fees
and/or charges. The Portfolios past performance does not necessarily indicate how it will perform in the future. Best Quarter and Worst Quarter figures apply only to the period covered by the chart. Updated performance information is available
on the Portfolios website at www.alpsfunds.com or by calling 1-866-432-2926.
Best Quarter: 09/30/2009
4.91%
Worst
Quarter: 09/30/2008 (3.27%)
3
Average Annual Total Returns
(for the periods ended December 31, 2013)
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1 Year
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5 Years
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Since Inception
(April 30, 2007)
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Ibbotson Conservative ETF Asset
Allocation Portfolio Class I
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2.77%
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5.36%
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3.77%
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Ibbotson Conservative ETF Asset
Allocation Portfolio Class II
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2.56%
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5.09%
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3.48%
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Dow Jones Conservative U.S. Portfolio
Index
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4.67%
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7.52%
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5.78%
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20% S&P 500 Index/73% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index /7%
The Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BoA ML) 3 Month Treasury Bill Index
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4.33%
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6.93%
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4.98%
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Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser
ALPS Advisors, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Portfolio and Ibbotson Associates, Inc. is the investment sub-adviser to the Portfolio.
Portfolio Managers
Scott
Wentsel, CFA, CFP
®
,
Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager. Mr. Wentsel joined Ibbotson Associates, Inc. (Ibbotson Associates) in 2005. He has managed the
Portfolio since its inception in 2007.
Jared Watts
, Portfolio Manager. Mr. Watts joined Ibbotson Associates in 2006.
Mr. Watts has managed the Portfolio since its inception in 2007.
Carrie Scherkenbach
, Portfolio
Manager. Mrs. Scherkenbach joined Ibbotson Associates in 1999. Mrs. Scherkenbach has managed the Portfolio since its inception in 2007.
Brian Huckstep, CFA
®
,
Portfolio Manager. Mr. Huckstep joined Ibbotson
Associates in 2005. Mr. Huckstep has managed the Portfolio since July 2012.
Tax Information
The Portfolios distributions are not taxable if you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a variable insurance
contract. Such tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawals of monies from those arrangements. However, if the Portfolios distributions are taxable, the distributions will be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains.
Financial Intermediary Compensation
This Portfolio is only offered as an underlying investment option for variable insurance contracts and to qualified plans. The Portfolio and
its related companies may make payments to sponsoring insurance companies, their affiliates or other financial intermediaries for distribution and/or other services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing insurance companies
to include the Portfolio as an underlying investment option in a variable insurance contract. In addition, these payments may be a factor that another financial intermediary considers in including the Portfolio as an investment option under a
qualified plan. The prospectus or other offering documents for variable insurance contracts or plans may also contain additional information about these payments.
IBBOTSON INCOME AND GROWTH ETF ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
Investment Objective
The Portfolio
seeks to provide investors with current income and capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Portfolio
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio. The table does not reflect expenses
incurred from investing through a separate account or qualified plan and does not reflect variable annuity or life insurance contract charges. If it did, the overall fees and expenses would be higher.
4
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Annual
Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
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Class I
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Class II
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Management Fee
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0.45
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%
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0.45
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%
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Distribution and/or Service (12b-1)
Fees
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0.00
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%
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0.25
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%
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Other Expenses
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0.08
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%
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0.08
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%
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Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses
(1)
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0.16
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%
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0.16
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%
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
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0.69
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%
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0.94
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%
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Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement
(2)
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0.00
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%
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0.00
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%
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Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee
Waiver/Expense Reimbursements
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0.69
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%
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0.94
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%
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(1) The operating expenses in this fee table will not correlate to the expense ratio in the
Portfolios financial statements (or the financial highlights in its prospectus) because the financial statements include only the direct operating expenses incurred by the Portfolio, not the indirect costs of investing in the Underlying ETFs.
(2) ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the Adviser) and Ibbotson Associates, Inc. (the Subadviser) have contractually
agreed to jointly waive
the management fee and subadvisory fee, respectively, and/or reimburse expenses so that
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursements (not including distribution and/or service
(12b-1) fees, acquired fund fees and expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed a maximum of
0.53% of the Class I
or Class II shares average daily net assets through April 29,
2015.
This agreement may only be terminated during the period by the Board of Trustees of ALPS Variable Investment Trust.
Example
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The
Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, you reinvest all
dividends and capital gains distributions and that the Portfolios operating expenses remain the same. After one year, the Example does not take into consideration the Advisers and Subadvisers agreement to waive fees or reimburse
expenses. The Example does not include expenses incurred from investing through a separate account or qualified plan. If the Example included these expenses, the figures shown would be higher. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower,
based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
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1 year
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3 years
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5 years
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10 years
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Class
I
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$70
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$221
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$384
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$858
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Class II
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$96
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$300
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$520
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$1,154
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Portfolio Turnover
The Portfolio 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. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolios performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the
Portfolios turnover rate was 12% of the average value of the Portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Portfolio invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes,
in securities of exchange-traded funds (each, an Underlying ETF and collectively, the Underlying ETFs). For the purposes of this 80% investment policy, net assets are measured at the time of purchase. The Portfolio is a
Fund-of-Funds and seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of Underlying ETFs. Each Underlying ETF, in turn, in an attempt to approximate the investment performance of its benchmark, invests in a
variety of U.S. and foreign equity, debt, commodities, money market securities, futures, and other instruments. The investment policies of the various Underlying ETFs are described generally in the section called Information about the
Underlying ETFs in the Portfolios Prospectus. The Portfolio may also seek to achieve its investment objective by investing in Exchange Traded Notes (ETN). ETNs are generally senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities
which are issued by a sponsor, and their returns are based on the performance of an underlying market index, usually in the natural resource or commodity markets, minus an annual expense or fee.
The Portfolio typically expects to allocate its investments in Underlying ETFs such that 60% of such allocation is invested in Underlying ETFs
that invest primarily in fixed-income securities and money market instruments (Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs) and approximately 40% of such allocation is invested in Underlying ETFs that invest primarily in equity securities of large,
medium and small sized companies, and may include other investments such as commodities and commodity futures (Non-Fixed Income Underlying
5
ETFs). However, under normal market conditions, the Portfolio may from time to time invest approximately 50-70% of such allocation in Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs and 30-50% of such
allocation in Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs. Additional Information on the Portfolios Investment Strategies can be found in the Portfolios Prospectus.
Principal Risks of Investing in the Portfolio
The main risks of investing in the Portfolio are below. Like all investments in securities, you risk losing money by investing in the
Portfolio. An investment in the Portfolio is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Additional Information on the Portfolios Principal Investment
Risks can be found in the prospectus.
Management Risk
. Any errors in the Subadvisers judgment in setting the
Portfolios asset allocation ranges may result in significant losses in the Portfolios investment in such security, which can also result in possible losses overall for the Portfolio.
Fund of Funds Risks.
The Portfolio is a Fund-of-Funds that invests in Underlying ETFs, and the Portfolios
shareholders will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses of the Underlying ETF in addition to the Portfolios own fees and expenses. As a result, your cost of investing will be higher than the cost of investing
directly in the Underlying ETFs and may be higher than mutual funds that invest directly in stocks and bonds.
ETF Risks
.
Underlying ETFs are subject to the following risks: (i) the market price of an Underlying ETFs shares may trade above or below net asset value; (ii) there may be an inactive trading market for an Underlying ETF; (iii) the
Underlying ETF may employ an investment strategy that utilizes high leverage ratios; (iv) trading of an Underlying ETFs shares may be halted, delisted, or suspended on the listing exchange; and (v) the Underlying ETF may fail to
achieve close correlation with the index that it tracks.
Asset Concentration Risk
.
To the extent that the Portfolio
holds positions in Underlying ETFs that invest in a particular sector or asset class, the Portfolio is subject to an increased risk that its investments in that particular sector may decline because of changing expectations for the performance of
that sector.
Derivatives Risk
. Since the value of these instruments derive from an underlying asset, currency, or index,
investments in these Underlying ETFs may involve the risks that (i) the value of derivatives may rise or fall more rapidly than other investments, and the risk that an Underlying ETF may lose more than the amount invested in the derivative
instrument in the first place, and (ii) other parties to the derivative contract may fail to meet their obligations.
Non-Diversification Risk.
The Portfolio is non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the Underlying ETFs in
which the portfolio invests may also be non-diversified. This means that the Portfolio and Underlying ETFs have the ability to take larger positions in a smaller number of issuers than a Portfolio or Underlying ETF that is classified as
diversified and the value of the Portfolios shares may be volatile and fluctuate more than shares of a diversified fund that invests in a broader range of securities.
Market Timing Risk.
The Portfolio may invest in shares of Underlying ETFs which in turn may invest in securities that may be
susceptible to market timing or time zone arbitrage. Because the Portfolio is unable to monitor the Underlying ETFs policies and procedures with respect to market timing, performance of the Underlying ETFs may be diluted due to market timing
and, therefore, may affect the performance of the Portfolio.
Exchange Traded Notes (ETN) Risks.
ETNs are debt
securities that are linked to an underlying index and its valuation is derived, in part, from the index to which it is linked. ETNs, however, also bear the characteristics and risks of fixed-income securities, including credit risk and change
in rating risk.
Fixed-Income Underlying ETF Risks
. A Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs investments will expose the Portfolio to
certain risks that may have an adverse effect on the Portfolios performance. These risks include (i)
Credit Risk
,
(ii)
Change in Rating Risk
, (iii)
Interest Rate Risk
,
(iv)
Duration Risk
, (v)
Emerging Markets Risk
and (vi)
High-Yield Risk
.
Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETF Risks.
A Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs investments will expose the Portfolio to certain risks
that may have an adverse effect on the Portfolios performance. These risks include (i)
Equity Securities Risk
,
(ii)
Foreign Securities Risk
, (iii)
Emerging Markets Risk
,
(iv)
Commodity Risk
, and (v)
Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Risk
.
Performance
The bar charts and tables on the following pages provide an indication of the risk of investing in the Portfolio by showing changes in the
Portfolios Class I performance from year to year and by showing how the Portfolios average annual returns for one year, five years and since inception compared with those of a widely recognized, unmanaged index of securities, as
appropriate. The Dow Jones Moderately
6
Conservative U.S. Portfolio Index is the Portfolios primary benchmark. It is a broad measure of market performance that reflects a moderately conservative asset allocation portfolio by
aggregating the performance of a portfolio constituting 40% of the Dow Jones All Stock Portfolio and 60% of the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. The Dow Jones All Stock Portfolio consists of six equally weighted sub-sets of the U.S.
equities markets segregated first by market capitalization (large, mid and small company stocks) with each market capitalization then further sub divided based on growth and value investing styles. The Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is
an index comprised of government securities, mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities and corporate securities to simulate the universe of bonds in the U.S. bond market. The 40% S&P 500 Index/55% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond
Index/5% The Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BoA ML) 3 Month Treasury Bill Index is the Portfolios secondary benchmark. This blend portfolio attempts to reflect the performance of a moderately conservative asset allocation portfolio made of the
aforementioned widely accepted benchmarks at their respective target weightings. The S&P 500 Index consists of the 500 largest stocks in the U.S. equity markets and is a widely accepted barometer of the market due to its current representation
of approximately 75% of the total U.S. equities market. The Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BoA ML) 3 Month Treasury Bill Index is an unmanaged index of Treasury securities maturing in 90 days that assumes reinvestment of all income. Each index
figure does not reflect any deduction for fees, expenses or taxes.
Class II shares would have similar annual returns because all Classes
of shares are invested in the same portfolio of securities, although annual returns will differ to the extent the Classes do not have the same expenses. Currently, the annual expense ratio of the Class I shares is lower than the estimated expense
ratio of the Class II shares. Accordingly, performance would have been lower if Class II expenses were reflected. The bar charts and performance tables assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Returns do not reflect separate account,
insurance contract or qualified plan fees and/or charges. The Portfolios past performance does not necessarily indicate how it will perform in the future. Best Quarter and Worst Quarter figures apply only to the period covered by the chart.
Updated performance information is available on the Portfolios website at
www.alpsfunds.com
or by calling 1-866-432-2926.
Best Quarter: 6/30/2009
8.54%
Worst
Quarter: 12/31/2008 (7.40)%
Average Annual Total Returns
(for the periods ended December 31, 2013)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
5 Years
|
|
Since
Inception
(April 30,
2007)
|
Ibbotson Income and Growth ETF Asset
Allocation Portfolio Class I
|
|
7.58%
|
|
7.91%
|
|
3.79%
|
Ibbotson Income and Growth ETF Asset
Allocation Portfolio Class II
|
|
7.33%
|
|
7.62%
|
|
3.53%
|
Dow Jones Moderately Conservative U.S.
Portfolio Index
|
|
12.48%
|
|
11.04%
|
|
6.08%
|
40% S&P
500 Index/55% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index/5%
The Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BoA ML) 3 Month
Treasury Bill Index
|
|
10.81%
|
|
9.77%
|
|
5.35%
|
Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser
7
ALPS Advisors, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Portfolio and Ibbotson Associates, Inc. is
the investment sub-adviser to the Portfolio.
Portfolio Managers
Scott Wentsel, CFA, CFP
®
,
Vice President and Senior Portfolio
Manager. Mr. Wentsel joined Ibbotson Associates, Inc. (Ibbotson Associates) in 2005. He has managed the Portfolio since its inception in 2007.
Jared Watts
, Portfolio Manager. Mr. Watts joined Ibbotson Associates in 2006. Mr. Watts has managed the Portfolio since its
inception in 2007.
Carrie Scherkenbach
, Portfolio Manager. Mrs. Scherkenbach joined Ibbotson Associates in 1999.
Mrs. Scherkenbach has managed the Portfolio since its inception in 2007.
Brian Huckstep, CFA
®
,
Portfolio Manager. Mr. Huckstep joined Ibbotson Associates in 2005. Mr. Huckstep has managed the Portfolio since July 2012.
Tax Information
The Portfolios
distributions are not taxable if you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a variable insurance contract. Such tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawals of monies from those arrangements. However, if the
Portfolios distributions are taxable, the distributions will be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains.
Financial Intermediary Compensation
This Portfolio is only offered as an underlying investment option for variable insurance contracts and to qualified plans. The
Portfolio and its related companies may make payments to sponsoring insurance companies, their affiliates or other financial intermediaries for distribution and/or other services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing
insurance companies to include the Portfolio as an underlying investment option in a variable insurance contract. In addition, these payments may be a factor that another financial intermediary considers in including the Portfolio as an investment
option under a qualified plan. The prospectus or other offering documents for variable insurance contracts or plans may also contain additional information about these payments.
IBBOTSON BALANCED ETF ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
Investment Objective
The Portfolio seeks to provide
investors with capital appreciation and some current income.
Fees and Expenses of the Portfolio
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio. The table does not reflect expenses
incurred from investing through a separate account or qualified plan and does not reflect variable annuity or life insurance contract charges. If it did, the overall fees and expenses would be higher.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
|
|
|
|
Class I
|
|
|
|
Class II
|
|
|
Management Fee
|
|
|
|
0.45
|
|
%
|
|
0.45
|
|
%
|
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1)
Fees
|
|
|
|
0.00
|
|
%
|
|
0.25
|
|
%
|
Other Expenses
|
|
|
|
0.07
|
|
%
|
|
0.07
|
|
%
|
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses
(1)
|
|
|
|
0.15
|
|
%
|
|
0.15
|
|
%
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
|
|
|
0.67
|
|
%
|
|
0.92
|
|
%
|
Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement
(2)
|
|
|
|
0.00
|
|
%
|
|
0.00
|
|
%
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee
Waiver/Expense Reimbursements
|
|
|
|
0.67
|
|
%
|
|
0.92
|
|
%
|
(1) The operating expenses in this fee table will not correlate to the expense ratio in the
Portfolios financial statements (or the financial highlights in its prospectus) because the financial statements include only the direct operating expenses incurred by the Portfolio, not the indirect costs of investing in the Underlying ETFs.
(2) ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the Adviser) and Ibbotson Associates, Inc. (the Subadviser) have contractually
agreed to jointly waive
the management fee and subadvisory fee, respectively, and/or reimburse expenses so that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursements (not including distribution and/or
8
service (12b-1) fees, acquired fund fees and expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed a maximum of
0.53% of the Class I
or Class II shares
average daily net assets through April 29,
2015. This agreement may only be terminated during the period by the Board of Trustees of ALPS Variable Investment Trust.
Example
This Example is intended to
help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end
of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, you reinvest all dividends and capital gains distributions and that the Portfolios operating expenses remain the same. After one year, the Example
does not take into consideration the Advisers and Subadvisers agreement to waive fees or reimburse expenses. The Example does not include expenses incurred from investing through a separate account or qualified plan. If the Example
included these expenses, the figures shown would be higher. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 year
|
|
|
|
3 years
|
|
|
|
5 years
|
|
|
|
10 years
|
Class
I
|
|
|
|
$68
|
|
|
|
$214
|
|
|
|
$373
|
|
|
|
$834
|
Class II
|
|
|
|
$94
|
|
|
|
$293
|
|
|
|
$509
|
|
|
|
$1,130
|
Portfolio Turnover
The Portfolio 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. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolios performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the
Portfolios turnover rate was 11% of the average value of the Portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Portfolio invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes,
in securities of exchange-traded funds (each, an Underlying ETF and collectively, the Underlying ETFs). For the purposes of this 80% investment policy, net assets are measured at the time of purchase. The Portfolio is a
Fund-of-Funds and seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of Underlying ETFs. Each Underlying ETF, in turn, in an attempt to approximate the investment performance of its benchmark, invests in a
variety of U.S. and foreign equity, debt, commodities, money market securities, futures, and other instruments. The investment policies of the various Underlying ETFs are described generally in the section called Information about the
Underlying ETFs in the Portfolios Prospectus. The Portfolio may also seek to achieve its investment objective by investing in Exchange Traded Notes (ETN). ETNs are generally senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities
which are issued by a sponsor, and their returns are based on the performance of an underlying market index, usually in the natural resource or commodity markets, minus an annual expense or fee.
The Portfolio typically expects to allocate its investments in Underlying ETFs such that 40% of such allocation is invested in Underlying ETFs
that invest primarily in fixed-income securities and money market instruments (Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs) and approximately 60% of such allocation is invested in Underlying ETFs that invest primarily in equity securities of large,
medium and small sized companies, and may include other investments such as commodities and commodity futures (Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs). However, under normal market conditions, the Portfolio typically may, from time to
time, invest approximately 30-50% of such allocation in Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs and 50-70% of such allocation in Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs. Additional Information on the Portfolios Investment Strategies can be found in the
Portfolios Prospectus.
Principal Risks of Investing in the Portfolio
The main risks of investing in the Portfolio are below. Like all investments in securities, you risk losing money by investing in the
Portfolio. An investment in the Portfolio is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Additional Information on the Portfolios Principal Investment
Risks can be found in the prospectus.
Management Risk
. Any errors in the Subadvisers judgment in setting the
Portfolios asset allocation ranges may result in significant losses in the Portfolios investment in such security, which can also result in possible losses overall for the Portfolio.
Fund of Funds Risks.
The Portfolio is a Fund-of-Funds that invests in Underlying ETFs, and the Portfolios
shareholders will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses of the Underlying ETF in addition to the Portfolios own fees and expenses. As a result, your cost of investing will be higher than the cost of investing
directly in the Underlying ETFs and may be higher than mutual
9
funds that invest directly in stocks and bonds.
ETF Risks
. Underlying ETFs
are subject to the following risks: (i) the market price of an Underlying ETFs shares may trade above or below net asset value; (ii) there may be an inactive trading market for an Underlying ETF; (iii) the Underlying ETF may
employ an investment strategy that utilizes high leverage ratios; (iv) trading of an Underlying ETFs shares may be halted, delisted, or suspended on the listing exchange; and (v) the Underlying ETF may fail to achieve close
correlation with the index that it tracks.
Asset Concentration Risk
.
To the extent that the Portfolio holds positions
in Underlying ETFs that invest in a particular sector or asset class, the Portfolio is subject to an increased risk that its investments in that particular sector may decline because of changing expectations for the performance of that sector.
Derivatives Risk
. Since the value of these instruments derive from an underlying asset, currency, or index, investments in these
Underlying ETFs may involve the risks that (i) the value of derivatives may rise or fall more rapidly than other investments, and the risk that an Underlying ETF may lose more than the amount invested in the derivative instrument in the first
place, and (ii) other parties to the derivative contract may fail to meet their obligations.
Non-Diversification
Risk.
The Portfolio is non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the Underlying ETFs in which the portfolio invests may also be non-diversified. This means that the Portfolio and Underlying ETFs have the ability to
take larger positions in a smaller number of issuers than a Portfolio or Underlying ETF that is classified as diversified and the value of the Portfolios shares may be volatile and fluctuate more than shares of a diversified fund
that invests in a broader range of securities.
Market Timing Risk.
The Portfolio may invest in shares of Underlying ETFs
which in turn may invest in securities that may be susceptible to market timing or time zone arbitrage. Because the Portfolio is unable to monitor the Underlying ETFs policies and procedures with respect to market timing, performance of the
Underlying ETFs may be diluted due to market timing and, therefore, may affect the performance of the Portfolio.
Exchange Traded Notes
(ETN) Risks.
ETNs are debt securities that are linked to an underlying index and its valuation is derived, in part, from the index to which it is linked. ETNs, however, also bear the characteristics and risks of fixed-income
securities, including credit risk and change in rating risk.
Fixed-Income Underlying ETF Risks
. A Fixed-Income Underlying
ETFs investments will expose the Portfolio to certain risks that may have an adverse effect on the Portfolios performance. These risks include (i)
Credit Risk
,
(ii)
Change in Rating Risk
,
(iii)
Interest Rate Risk
, (iv)
Duration Risk,
(v)
Emerging Markets Risk
and (vi)
High-Yield Risk
.
Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETF Risks.
A Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs investments will expose the Portfolio to certain risks
that may have an adverse effect on the Portfolios performance. These risks include (i)
Equity Securities Risk
,
(ii)
Foreign Securities Risk
, (iii)
Emerging Markets Risk
,
(iv)
Commodity Risk
, and (v)
Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Risk
.
Performance
The bar charts and tables on the following pages provide an indication of the risk of investing in the Portfolio by showing changes in the
Portfolios Class I performance from year to year and by showing how the Portfolios average annual returns for one year, five years and since inception compared with those of a widely recognized, unmanaged index of securities, as
appropriate. The Dow Jones Moderate U.S. Portfolio Index is the Portfolios primary benchmark. It is a broad measure of market performance that reflects a moderate asset allocation portfolio by aggregating the performance of a portfolio
constituting 60% of the Dow Jones All Stock Portfolio and 40% of the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. The Dow Jones All Stock Portfolio consists of six equally weighted sub-sets of the U.S. equities markets segregated first by market
capitalization (large, mid and small company stocks) with each market capitalization then further sub divided based on growth and value investing styles. The Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an index comprised of government securities,
mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities and corporate securities to simulate the universe of bonds in the U.S. bond market. The 60% S&P 500 Index/38% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index/2% The Bank of America Merrill Lynch
(BoA ML) 3 Month Treasury Bill Index is the Portfolios secondary benchmark. This blend portfolio attempts to reflect the performance of a moderate asset allocation portfolio made of the aforementioned widely accepted benchmarks at their
respective target weightings. The S&P 500 Index consists of the 500 largest stocks in the U.S. equity markets and is a widely accepted barometer of the market due to its current representation of approximately 75% of the total U.S. equities
market. The Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BoA ML) 3 Month Treasury Bill Index is an unmanaged index of Treasury securities maturing in 90 days that assumes reinvestment of all income. Each index figure does not reflect any deduction for fees,
expenses or taxes.
Class II shares would have similar annual returns because all Classes of shares are invested in the same portfolio of
securities, although annual returns will differ to the extent the Classes do not have the same expenses. Currently, the annual expense ratio of the Class I shares is lower than the estimated expense ratio of the Class II shares. Accordingly,
performance would have been lower if Class II expenses were reflected. The bar charts and performance tables assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Returns do not reflect separate
12
account, insurance contract or qualified plan fees and/or charges. The Portfolios past performance does not necessarily indicate how it will perform in the future. Best Quarter and Worst
Quarter figures apply only to the period covered by the chart. Updated performance information is available on the Portfolios website at
www.alpsfunds.com
or by calling 1-866-432-2926.
Best Quarter: 6/30/2009
12.62%
Worst Quarter: 12/31/2008 (13.09)%
Average Annual Total Returns
(for the periods ended December 31, 2013)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
5 Years
|
|
Since
Inception
(April 30,
2007)
|
Ibbotson Balanced ETF Asset Allocation
Portfolio Class I
|
|
12.19%
|
|
10.65%
|
|
3.89%
|
Ibbotson Balanced ETF Asset Allocation
Portfolio Class II
|
|
11.86%
|
|
10.39%
|
|
3.63%
|
Dow Jones Moderate U.S. Portfolio
Index
|
|
19.56%
|
|
14.33%
|
|
6.44%
|
60% S&P
500 Index/38% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond
Index/2% The Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BoA ML) 3 Month
Treasury Bill Index
|
|
17.61%
|
|
12.61%
|
|
5.64%
|
Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser
ALPS Advisors, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Portfolio and Ibbotson Associates, Inc. is the investment sub-adviser to the Portfolio.
Portfolio Managers
Scott
Wentsel, CFA, CFP
®
,
Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager. Mr. Wentsel joined Ibbotson Associates, Inc. (Ibbotson Associates) in 2005. He has managed the
Portfolio since its inception in 2007.
Jared Watts
, Portfolio Manager. Mr. Watts joined Ibbotson Associates in 2006.
Mr. Watts has managed the Portfolio since its inception in 2007.
Carrie Scherkenbach
, Portfolio
Manager. Mrs. Scherkenbach joined Ibbotson Associates in 1999. Mrs. Scherkenbach has managed the Portfolio since its inception in 2007.
11
Brian Huckstep, CFA
®
,
Portfolio
Manager. Mr. Huckstep joined Ibbotson Associates in 2005. Mr. Huckstep has managed the Portfolio since July 2012.
Tax Information
The Portfolios distributions are not taxable if you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a variable insurance
contract. Such tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawals of monies from those arrangements. However, if the Portfolios distributions are taxable, the distributions will be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains.
Financial Intermediary Compensation
This Portfolio is only offered as an underlying investment option for variable insurance contracts and to qualified plans. The Portfolio and
its related companies may make payments to sponsoring insurance companies, their affiliates or other financial intermediaries for distribution and/or other services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing insurance companies
to include the Portfolio as an underlying investment option in a variable insurance contract. In addition, these payments may be a factor that another financial intermediary considers in including the Portfolio as an investment option under a
qualified plan. The prospectus or other offering documents for variable insurance contracts or plans may also contain additional information about these payments.
IBBOTSON GROWTH ETF ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
Investment Objective
The Portfolio
seeks to provide investors with capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Portfolio
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio. The table does not reflect expenses
incurred from investing through a separate account or qualified plan and does not reflect variable annuity or life insurance contract charges. If it did, the overall fees and expenses would be higher.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Fund
Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
|
|
|
|
Class I
|
|
|
|
Class II
|
|
|
Management Fee
|
|
|
|
0.45
|
|
%
|
|
0.45
|
|
%
|
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1)
Fees
|
|
|
|
0.00
|
|
%
|
|
0.25
|
|
%
|
Other Expenses
|
|
|
|
0.07
|
|
%
|
|
0.07
|
|
%
|
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses
(1)
|
|
|
|
0.15
|
|
%
|
|
0.15
|
|
%
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
|
|
|
0.67
|
|
%
|
|
0.92
|
|
%
|
Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement
(2)
|
|
|
|
0.00
|
|
%
|
|
0.00
|
|
%
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee
Waiver/Expense Reimbursements
|
|
|
|
0.67
|
|
%
|
|
0.92
|
|
%
|
(1) The operating expenses in this fee table will not correlate to the expense ratio in the
Portfolios financial statements (or the financial highlights in its prospectus) because the financial statements include only the direct operating expenses incurred by the Portfolio, not the indirect costs of investing in the Underlying ETFs.
(2) ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the Adviser) and Ibbotson Associates, Inc. (the Subadviser) have contractually
agreed to jointly waive
the management fee and subadvisory fee, respectively, and/or reimburse expenses so that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursements (not including distribution and/or service (12b-1)
fees, acquired fund fees and expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed a maximum of
0.53% of the Class I
or Class II shares average daily net assets through April 29,
2015. This
agreement may only be terminated during the period by the Board of Trustees of ALPS Variable Investment Trust.
Example
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The
Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, you reinvest all
dividends and capital gains distributions and that the Portfolios operating expenses remain the same. After one year, the Example does not take into consideration the Advisers and Subadvisers agreement to waive fees or reimburse
expenses. The Example does not include expenses incurred from investing through a separate account or qualified plan. If the Example included these expenses, the figures shown would be higher. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower,
based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 year
|
|
|
|
3 years
|
|
|
|
5 years
|
|
|
|
10 years
|
Class
I
|
|
|
|
$68
|
|
|
|
$214
|
|
|
|
$373
|
|
|
|
$834
|
Class II
|
|
|
|
$94
|
|
|
|
$293
|
|
|
|
$509
|
|
|
|
$1,130
|
Portfolio Turnover
The Portfolio 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. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolios performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the
Portfolios turnover rate was 6% of the average value of the Portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Portfolio invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes,
in securities of exchange-traded funds (each, an Underlying ETF and collectively, the Underlying ETFs). For the purposes of this 80% investment policy, net assets are measured at the time of purchase. The Portfolio is a
Fund-of-Funds and seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of Underlying ETFs. Each Underlying ETF, in turn, in an attempt to approximate the investment performance of its benchmark, invests in a
variety of U.S. and foreign equity, debt, commodities, money market securities, futures, and other instruments. The investment policies of the various Underlying ETFs are described generally in the section called Information about the
Underlying ETFs in the Portfolios Prospectus. The Portfolio may also seek to achieve its investment objective by investing in Exchange Traded Notes (ETN). ETNs are generally senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities
which are issued by a sponsor, and their returns are based on the performance of an underlying market index, usually in the natural resource or commodity markets, minus an annual expense or fee.
The Portfolio typically expects to allocate its investments in Underlying ETFs such that 20% of such allocation is invested in Underlying ETFs
that invest primarily in fixed-income securities and money market instruments (Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs) and approximately 80% of such allocation is invested in Underlying ETFs that invest primarily in equity securities of large,
medium and small sized companies, and may include other investments such as commodities and commodity futures (Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs). However, under normal market conditions, the Portfolio may, from time to time, invest
approximately 10-30% of such allocation in Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs and 70-90% of such allocation in Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs. Additional Information on the Portfolios Investment Strategies can be found in the Portfolios
Prospectus.
Principal Risks of Investing in the Portfolio
The main risks of investing in the Portfolio are below. Like all investments in securities, you risk losing money by investing in the
Portfolio. Any investment in the Portfolio is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Additional Information on the Portfolios Principal Investment
Risks can be found in the prospectus.
Management Risk
. Any errors in the Subadvisers judgment in setting the
Portfolios asset allocation ranges may result in significant losses in the Portfolios investment in such security, which can also result in possible losses overall for the Portfolio.
Fund of Funds Risks.
The Portfolio is a Fund-of-Funds that invests in Underlying ETFs, and the Portfolios
shareholders will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses of the Underlying ETF in addition to the Portfolios own fees and expenses. As a result, your cost of investing will be higher than the cost of investing
directly in the Underlying ETFs and may be higher than mutual funds that invest directly in stocks and bonds.
ETF Risks
.
Underlying ETFs are subject to the following risks: (i) the market price of an Underlying ETFs shares may trade above or below net asset value; (ii) there may be an inactive trading market for an Underlying ETF; (iii) the
Underlying ETF may employ an investment strategy that utilizes high leverage ratios; (iv) trading of an Underlying ETFs shares may be halted, delisted, or suspended on the listing exchange; and (v) the Underlying ETF may fail to
achieve close correlation with the index that it tracks.
Asset Concentration Risk
.
To the extent that the Portfolio
holds positions in Underlying ETFs that invest in a particular sector or asset class, the Portfolio is subject to an increased risk that its investments in that particular sector may decline because of changing expectations for the performance of
that sector.
Derivatives Risk
. Since the value of these instruments derive from an underlying asset, currency, or index,
investments in these Underlying ETFs may involve the risks that (i) the value of derivatives may rise or fall more rapidly than other investments, and the risk that an Underlying ETF may lose more than the amount invested in the derivative
instrument in the first place, and (ii) other parties to the
13
derivative contract may fail to meet their obligations.
Non-Diversification
Risk.
The Portfolio is non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the Underlying ETFs in which the portfolio invests may also be non-diversified. This means that the Portfolio and Underlying ETFs have the ability to
take larger positions in a smaller number of issuers than a Portfolio or Underlying ETF that is classified as diversified and the value of the Portfolios shares may be volatile and fluctuate more than shares of a diversified fund
that invests in a broader range of securities.
Market Timing Risk.
The Portfolio may invest in shares of Underlying ETFs
which in turn may invest in securities that may be susceptible to market timing or time zone arbitrage. Because the Portfolio is unable to monitor the Underlying ETFs policies and procedures with respect to market timing, performance of the
Underlying ETFs may be diluted due to market timing and, therefore, may affect the performance of the Portfolio.
Exchange Traded Notes
(ETN) Risks.
ETNs are debt securities that are linked to an underlying index and its valuation is derived, in part, from the index to which it is linked. ETNs, however, also bear the characteristics and risks of fixed-income
securities, including credit risk and change in rating risk.
Fixed-Income Underlying ETF Risks
. A Fixed-Income Underlying
ETFs investments will expose the Portfolio to certain risks that may have an adverse effect on the Portfolios performance. These risks include (i)
Credit Risk
,
(ii)
Change in Rating Risk
,
(iii)
Interest Rate Risk
, (iv)
Duration Risk,
(v)
Emerging Markets Risk
and (vi)
High-Yield Risk
.
Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETF Risks.
A Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs investments will expose the Portfolio to certain risks
that may have an adverse effect on the Portfolios performance. These risks include (i)
Equity Securities Risk
,
(ii)
Foreign Securities Risk
, (iii)
Emerging Markets Risk
,
(iv)
Commodity Risk
, and (v)
Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Risk
.
Performance
The bar charts and tables on the following pages provide an indication of the risk of investing in the Portfolio by showing changes in the
Portfolios Class I performance from year to year and by showing how the Portfolios average annual returns for one year, five years and since inception compared with those of a widely recognized, unmanaged index of securities, as
appropriate. The Dow Jones Moderately Aggressive U.S. Portfolio Index is the Portfolios primary benchmark. It is a broad measure of market performance that reflects a moderately aggressive asset allocation portfolio by aggregating the
performance of a portfolio constituting 80% of the Dow Jones All Stock Portfolio and 20% of the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index. The Dow Jones All Stock Portfolio consists of six equally weighted sub-sets of the U.S. equities markets
segregated first by market capitalization (large, mid and small company stocks) with each market capitalization then further sub divided based on growth and value investing styles. The Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an index comprised
of government securities, mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities and corporate securities to simulate the universe of bonds in the U.S. bond market. The 80% S&P 500 Index/20% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is the
Portfolios secondary benchmark. This blend portfolio attempts to reflect the performance of a moderately aggressive asset allocation portfolio made of the aforementioned widely accepted benchmarks at their respective target weightings. The
S&P 500 Index consists of the 500 largest stocks in the U.S. equity markets and is a widely accepted barometer of the market due to its current representation of approximately 75% of the total U.S. equities market. Each index figure does not
reflect any deduction for fees, expenses or taxes.
Class II shares would have similar annual returns because all Classes of shares are
invested in the same portfolio of securities, although annual returns will differ to the extent the Classes do not have the same expenses. Currently, the annual expense ratio of the Class I shares is lower than the estimated expense ratio of the
Class II shares. Accordingly, performance would have been lower if Class II expenses were reflected. The bar charts and performance tables assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Returns do not reflect separate account, insurance
contract or qualified plan fees and/or charges. The Portfolios past performance does not necessarily indicate how it will perform in the future. Best Quarter and Worst Quarter figures apply only to the period covered by the chart. Updated
performance information is available on the Portfolios website at
www.alpsfunds.com
or by calling 1-866-432-2926.
14
Best Quarter: 6/30/2009
16.96%
Worst Quarter:
12/31/2008 (18.08)%
Average Annual Total Returns
(for the periods ended December 31, 2013)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
5 Years
|
|
Since Inception
(April 30, 2007)
|
Ibbotson Growth ETF Asset Allocation
Portfolio Class I
|
|
16.78%
|
|
12.73%
|
|
3.57%
|
Ibbotson Growth ETF Asset Allocation
Portfolio Class II
|
|
16.54%
|
|
12.46%
|
|
3.29%
|
Dow Jones Moderately Aggressive U.S. Portfolio
Index
|
|
26.79%
|
|
17.52%
|
|
6.65%
|
80% S&P 500 Index/20% Barclays Capital U.S.
Aggregate Bond Index
|
|
24.78%
|
|
15.35%
|
|
5.75%
|
Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser
ALPS Advisors, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Portfolio and Ibbotson Associates, Inc. is the investment sub-adviser to the Portfolio.
Portfolio Managers
Scott
Wentsel, CFA, CFP
®
,
Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager. Mr. Wentsel joined Ibbotson Associates, Inc. (Ibbotson Associates) in 2005. He has managed the
Portfolio since its inception in 2007.
Jared Watts
, Portfolio Manager. Mr. Watts joined Ibbotson Associates in 2006.
Mr. Watts has managed the Portfolio since its inception in 2007.
Carrie Scherkenbach
, Portfolio
Manager. Mrs. Scherkenbach joined Ibbotson Associates in 1999. Mrs. Scherkenbach has managed the Portfolio since its inception in 2007.
Brian Huckstep, CFA
®
,
Portfolio Manager. Mr. Huckstep joined Ibbotson
Associates in 2005. Mr. Huckstep has managed the Portfolio since July 2012.
Tax Information
The Portfolios distributions are not taxable if you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a variable insurance
contract. Such tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawals of monies from those arrangements. However, if the Portfolios distributions are taxable, the distributions will be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains.
15
Financial Intermediary Compensation
This Portfolio is only offered as an underlying investment option for variable insurance contracts and to qualified plans. The Portfolio and
its related companies may make payments to sponsoring insurance companies, their affiliates or other financial intermediaries for distribution and/or other services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing insurance companies
to include the Portfolio as an underlying investment option in a variable insurance contract. In addition, these payments may be a factor that another financial intermediary considers in including the Portfolio as an investment option under a
qualified plan. The prospectus or other offering documents for variable insurance contracts or plans may also contain additional information about these payments.
IBBOTSON AGGRESSIVE GROWTH ETF ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
Investment Objective
The Portfolio
seeks to provide investors with capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Portfolio
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio. The table does not reflect expenses
incurred from investing through a separate account or qualified plan and does not reflect variable annuity or life insurance contract charges. If it did, the overall fees and expenses would be higher.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Fund
Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
|
|
|
|
Class I
|
|
|
|
Class II
|
|
|
Management Fee
|
|
|
|
0.45
|
|
%
|
|
0.45
|
|
%
|
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1)
Fees
|
|
|
|
0.00
|
|
%
|
|
0.25
|
|
%
|
Other Expenses
|
|
|
|
0.10
|
|
%
|
|
0.10
|
|
%
|
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses
(1)
|
|
|
|
0.16
|
|
%
|
|
0.16
|
|
%
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
|
|
|
0.71
|
|
%
|
|
0.96
|
|
%
|
Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement
(2
), (3
)
|
|
|
|
(0.03)
|
|
%
|
|
(0.03)
|
|
%
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee
Waiver/Expense Reimbursements
|
|
|
|
0.68%
|
|
%
|
|
0.93%
|
|
%
|
(1) The operating expenses in this fee table will not correlate to the expense ratio in the
Portfolios financial statements (or the financial highlights in its prospectus) because the financial statements include only the direct operating expenses incurred by the Portfolio, not the indirect costs of investing in the Underlying ETFs.
(2) ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the Adviser) and Ibbotson Associates, Inc. (the Subadviser) have contractually
agreed to jointly waive
the management fee and subadvisory fee, respectively, and/or reimburse expenses so that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursements (not including distribution and/or service (12b-1)
fees, acquired fund fees and expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed a maximum of
0.53% of the Class I
or Class II shares average daily net assets through April 29,
2015. This
agreement may only be terminated during the period by the Board of Trustees of ALPS Variable Investment Trust.
(3) ALPS
Distributors, Inc. (ADI), an affiliate of ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. (the Distributor) serves as the distributor to certain of the Underlying ETFs in which the Portfolio has invested, and in such capacity
receives a distribution fee. In addition to the agreement to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses described above, this fee table reflects the Advisers agreement to waive a portion of its advisory fee from the Portfolio in an amount equal to
the portion of the distribution fee received by ADI from such Underlying ETFs attributable to the Portfolios investment in the Underlying ETFs, for so long as ADI acts as distributor to the Portfolio and the Underlying ETFs.
Example
This Example is intended to
help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end
of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, you reinvest all dividends and capital gains distributions and that the Portfolios operating expenses remain the same. After one year, the Example
does not take into consideration the Advisers and Subadvisers agreement to waive fees or reimburse expenses. The Example does not include expenses incurred from investing through a separate account or qualified plan. If the Example
included these expenses, the figures shown would be higher. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 year
|
|
|
|
3 years
|
|
|
|
5 years
|
|
|
|
10 years
|
Class
I
|
|
|
|
$69
|
|
|
|
$224
|
|
|
|
$392
|
|
|
|
$879
|
Class II
|
|
|
|
$95
|
|
|
|
$303
|
|
|
|
$528
|
|
|
|
$1,174
|
16
Portfolio Turnover
The Portfolio 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. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolios performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the
Portfolios turnover rate was 8% of the average value of the Portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Portfolio invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes,
in securities of exchange-traded funds (each, an Underlying ETF and collectively, the Underlying ETFs). For the purposes of this 80% investment policy, net assets are measured at the time of purchase. The Portfolio is a
Fund-of-Funds and seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of Underlying ETFs. Each Underlying ETF, in turn, in an attempt to approximate the investment performance of its benchmark, invests in a
variety of U.S. and foreign equity, debt, commodities, money market securities, futures, and other instruments. The investment policies of the various Underlying ETFs are described generally in the section called Information about the
Underlying ETFs in the Portfolios Prospectus. The Portfolio may also seek to achieve its investment objective by investing in Exchange Traded Notes (ETN). ETNs are generally senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities
which are issued by a sponsor, and their returns are based on the performance of an underlying market index, usually in the natural resource or commodity markets, minus an annual expense or fee.
The Portfolio typically expects to allocate its investments in Underlying ETFs such that 10% of such allocation is invested in Underlying ETFs
that invest primarily in fixed-income securities and money market instruments (Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs) and approximately 90% of such allocation is invested in Underlying ETFs that invest primarily in equity securities of large,
medium and small sized companies, and may include other investments such as commodities and commodity futures (Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs). However, under normal market conditions, the Portfolio may, from time to time, invest
approximately 0-20% of such allocation in Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs and 80-100% of such allocation in Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs. Additional Information on the Portfolios Investment Strategies can be found in the Portfolios
Prospectus.
Principal Risks of Investing in the Portfolio
The main risks of investing in the Portfolio are below. Like all investments in securities, you risk losing money by investing in the
Portfolio. An investment in the Portfolio is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Additional Information on the Portfolios Principal Investment
Risks can be found in the prospectus.
Management Risk
. Any errors in the Subadvisers judgment in setting the
Portfolios asset allocation ranges may result in significant losses in the Portfolios investment in such security, which can also result in possible losses overall for the Portfolio.
Fund of Funds Risks.
The Portfolio is a Fund-of-Funds that invests in Underlying ETFs, and the Portfolios
shareholders will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses of the Underlying ETF in addition to the Portfolios own fees and expenses. As a result, your cost of investing will be higher than the cost of investing
directly in the Underlying ETFs and may be higher than mutual funds that invest directly in stocks and bonds.
ETF Risks
.
Underlying ETFs are subject to the following risks: (i) the market price of an Underlying ETFs shares may trade above or below net asset value; (ii) there may be an inactive trading market for an Underlying ETF; (iii) the
Underlying ETF may employ an investment strategy that utilizes high leverage ratios; (iv) trading of an Underlying ETFs shares may be halted, delisted, or suspended on the listing exchange; and (v) the Underlying ETF may fail to
achieve close correlation with the index that it tracks.
Asset Concentration Risk
.
To the extent that the Portfolio
holds positions in Underlying ETFs that invest in a particular sector or asset class, the Portfolio is subject to an increased risk that its investments in that particular sector may decline because of changing expectations for the performance of
that sector.
Derivatives Risk
. Since the value of these instruments derive from an underlying asset, currency, or index,
investments in these Underlying ETFs may involve the risks that (i) the value of derivatives may rise or fall more rapidly than other investments, and the risk that an Underlying ETF may lose more than the amount invested in the derivative
instrument in the first place, and (ii) other parties to the derivative contract may fail to meet their obligations.
Non-Diversification Risk.
The Portfolio is non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the Underlying ETFs in
17
which the portfolio invests may also be non-diversified. This means that the Portfolio and Underlying ETFs have the ability to take larger positions in a smaller number of issuers than a
Portfolio or Underlying ETF that is classified as diversified and the value of the Portfolios shares may be volatile and fluctuate more than shares of a diversified fund that invests in a broader range of securities.
Market Timing Risk.
The Portfolio may invest in shares of Underlying ETFs which in turn may invest in securities that may be
susceptible to market timing or time zone arbitrage. Because the Portfolio is unable to monitor the Underlying ETFs policies and procedures with respect to market timing, performance of the Underlying ETFs may be diluted due to market timing
and, therefore, may affect the performance of the Portfolio.
Exchange Traded Notes (ETN) Risks.
ETNs are debt
securities that are linked to an underlying index and its valuation is derived, in part, from the index to which it is linked. ETNs, however, also bear the characteristics and risks of fixed-income securities, including credit risk and change
in rating risk.
Fixed-Income Underlying ETF Risks
. A Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs investments will expose the Portfolio to
certain risks that may have an adverse effect on the Portfolios performance. These risks include (i)
Credit Risk
,
(ii)
Change in Rating Risk
, (iii)
Interest Rate Risk
,
(iv)
Duration Risk
, (v)
Emerging Markets Risk
and (vi)
High-Yield Risk
.
Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETF Risks.
A Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs investments will expose the Portfolio to certain risks
that may have an adverse effect on the Portfolios performance. These risks include (i)
Equity Securities Risk
,
(ii)
Foreign Securities Risk
, (iii)
Emerging Markets Risk
,
(iv)
Commodity Risk
, and (v)
Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Risk
.
Performance
The bar charts and tables on the following pages provide an indication of the risk of investing in the Portfolio by showing changes in the
Portfolios Class I performance from year to year and by showing how the Portfolios average annual returns for one year, five years and since inception compared with those of a widely recognized, unmanaged index of securities, as
appropriate. The Dow Jones Aggressive U.S. Portfolio Index is the Portfolios primary benchmark. It is a broad measure of market performance that reflects an aggressive asset allocation portfolio by aggregating the performance of a portfolio
constituting 100% of the Dow Jones All Stock Portfolio. The Dow Jones All Stock Portfolio consists of six equally weighted sub-sets of the U.S. equities markets segregated first by market capitalization (large, mid and small company stocks) with
each market capitalization then further sub divided based on growth and value investing styles. The Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an index comprised of government securities, mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities and
corporate securities to simulate the universe of bonds in the U.S. bond market. The 90% S&P 500 Index/10% Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is the Portfolios secondary benchmark. This blend portfolio attempts to reflect the
performance of an aggressive asset allocation portfolio made of the aforementioned widely accepted benchmarks at their respective target weightings. The S&P 500 Index consists of the 500 largest stocks in the U.S. equity markets and is a widely
accepted barometer of the market due to its current representation of approximately 75% of the total U.S. equities market. Each index figure does not reflect any deduction for fees, expenses or taxes.
Class II shares would have similar annual returns because all Classes of shares are invested in the same portfolio of securities, although
annual returns will differ to the extent the Classes do not have the same expenses. Currently, the annual expense ratio of the Class I shares is lower than the estimated expense ratio of the Class II shares. Accordingly, performance would have been
lower if Class II expenses were reflected. The bar charts and performance tables assume reinvestment of dividends and distributions. Returns do not reflect separate account, insurance contract or qualified plan fees and/or charges. The
Portfolios past performance does not necessarily indicate how it will perform in the future. Best Quarter and Worst Quarter figures apply only to the period covered by the chart. Updated performance information is available on the
Portfolios website at
www.alpsfunds.com
or by calling 1-866-432-2926.
18
Best Quarter: 6/30/2009
19.29%
Worst Quarter: 12/31/2008 (21.38)%
Average Annual Total Returns
(for the periods ended December 31, 2013)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Year
|
|
5 Years
|
|
Since
Inception
(April 30,
2007)
|
Ibbotson Aggressive Growth ETF Asset
Allocation Portfolio Class I
|
|
18.53%
|
|
13.77%
|
|
3.03%
|
Ibbotson Aggressive Growth ETF Asset
Allocation Portfolio Class II
|
|
18.12%
|
|
13.44%
|
|
2.75%
|
Dow Jones Aggressive U.S. Portfolio
Index
|
|
34.32%
|
|
20.87%
|
|
6.90%
|
90% S&P 500 Index/10% Barclays Capital U.S.
Aggregate Bond Index
|
|
28.54%
|
|
16.66%
|
|
5.72%
|
Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser
ALPS Advisors, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Portfolio and Ibbotson Associates, Inc. is the investment sub-adviser to the Portfolio.
Portfolio Managers
Scott
Wentsel, CFA, CFP
®
,
Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager. Mr. Wentsel joined Ibbotson Associates, Inc. (Ibbotson Associates) in 2005. He has managed the
Portfolio since its inception in 2007.
Jared Watts
, Portfolio Manager. Mr. Watts joined Ibbotson Associates in 2006.
Mr. Watts has managed the Portfolio since its inception in 2007.
Carrie Scherkenbach
, Portfolio
Manager. Mrs. Scherkenbach joined Ibbotson Associates in 1999. Mrs. Scherkenbach has managed the Portfolio since its inception in 2007.
Brian Huckstep, CFA
®
,
Portfolio Manager. Mr. Huckstep joined Ibbotson
Associates in 2005. Mr. Huckstep has managed the Portfolio since July 2012.
Tax Information
The Portfolios distributions are not taxable if you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a variable insurance
contract. Such tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawals of monies from those arrangements. However, if the Portfolios
19
distributions are taxable, the distributions will be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains.
Financial Intermediary Compensation
This Portfolio is only offered as an underlying investment option for variable insurance contracts and to qualified plans. The Portfolio and
its related companies may make payments to sponsoring insurance companies, their affiliates or other financial intermediaries for distribution and/or other services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing insurance companies
to include the Portfolio as an underlying investment option in a variable insurance contract. In addition, these payments may be a factor that another financial intermediary considers in including the Portfolio as an investment option under a
qualified plan. The prospectus or other offering documents for variable insurance contracts or plans may also contain additional information about these payments.
IBBOTSON MVP ETF PORTFOLIO
Investment Objective
The Portfolio
seeks to provide investors with capital appreciation and some current income while managing the Portfolios absolute level of volatility.
Fees
and Expenses of the Portfolio
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the
Portfolio. The table does not reflect expenses incurred from investing through a separate account or qualified plan and does not reflect variable annuity or life insurance contract charges. If it did, the overall fees and expenses would be higher.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Fund
Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your
investment)
|
|
|
|
Class I
|
|
|
|
Class II
|
|
|
|
Class III
|
|
|
Management Fee
|
|
|
|
0.45
|
|
%
|
|
0.45
|
|
%
|
|
0.45
|
|
%
|
Distribution and/or Service (12b-1)
Fees
|
|
|
|
0.00
|
|
%
|
|
0.25
|
|
%
|
|
0.25
|
|
%
|
Other Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholder Service Fee
|
|
|
|
0.00
|
|
%
|
|
0.00
|
|
%
|
|
0.25
|
|
%
|
Other Portfolio Expenses
(1)
|
|
|
|
0.08
|
|
%
|
|
0.08
|
|
%
|
|
0.08
|
|
%
|
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses
(1)(2)
|
|
|
|
0.16
|
|
%
|
|
0.16
|
|
%
|
|
0.16
|
|
%
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
|
|
|
0.69
|
|
%
|
|
0.94
|
|
%
|
|
1.19
|
|
%
|
Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursement
(3)
|
|
|
|
0.00
|
|
%
|
|
0.00
|
|
%
|
|
0.00
|
|
%
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee
Waiver/Expense Reimbursements
|
|
|
|
0.69
|
|
%
|
|
0.94
|
|
%
|
|
1.19
|
|
%
|
(1) Other Portfolio Expenses and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are based
on estimated amounts for the Portfolios initial fiscal year of operations.
(2) The operating expenses in this fee table
will not correlate to the expense ratio in the Portfolios financial statements (or the financial highlights in its prospectus) because the financial statements include only the direct operating expenses incurred by the Portfolio, not the
indirect costs of investing in the Underlying ETFs.
(3) ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the Adviser) and Ibbotson Associates,
Inc. (the Subadviser) have contractually agreed to jointly waive
the management fee and subadvisory fee, respectively, and/or reimburse expenses so that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursements
(not including distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees, Shareholder Service fees, acquired fund fees and expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed a maximum of 0.53% of the Class I
, Class II
or
Class III shares average daily net assets through April 29,
2015. This agreement may only be terminated during the period by the Board of Trustees of ALPS Variable Investment Trust.
Example
This Example is intended to
help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end
of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, you reinvest all dividends and capital gains distributions and that the Portfolios operating expenses remain the same. After one year, the Example
does not take into consideration the Advisers and Subadvisers agreement to waive fees or reimburse expenses. The Example does not include expenses incurred from investing through a separate account or qualified plan. If the Example
included these expenses, the figures shown would be higher. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
20
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 year
|
|
|
|
3 years
|
Class I
|
|
|
|
$70
|
|
|
|
$221
|
Class II
|
|
|
|
$96
|
|
|
|
$300
|
Class III
|
|
|
|
$121
|
|
|
|
$378
|
Portfolio Turnover
The Portfolio 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. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolios performance.
Principal Investment Strategies
The
Portfolio invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in securities of exchange-traded funds (each, an Underlying ETF and collectively, the
Underlying ETFs). For the purposes of this 80% investment policy, net assets are measured at the time of purchase. The Portfolio is a Fund-of-Funds and seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in
a portfolio of Underlying ETFs. Each Underlying ETF, in turn, in an attempt to approximate the investment performance of its benchmark, invests in a variety of U.S. and foreign equity, debt, commodities, money market securities, futures, and other
instruments. The investment policies of the various Underlying ETFs are described generally in the section called Information about the Underlying ETFs in the Portfolios Prospectus. The Portfolio may also seek to achieve its
investment objective by investing in Exchange Traded Notes (ETN). ETNs are generally senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities which are issued by a sponsor, and their returns are based on the performance of an underlying market
index, usually in the natural resource or commodity markets, minus an annual expense or fee.
The Subadvisers strategy utilizes a
quantitative model to control the Portfolios exposure to market volatility. The Subadviser tactically manages the underlying positions held within the Portfolio with the goal of achieving a target volatility level of approximately 9% to 11%.
Volatility is a measure of the magnitude of up and down fluctuations in the aggregate value of the Portfolios underlying positions. To achieve this target volatility level, the Portfolio will reduce the underlying positions that have
historically exhibited higher levels of volatility when expected volatility is rising. When expected volatility is dropping, the Portfolio will increase the underlying positions that have historically exhibited higher levels of volatility. To
implement the tactical shifts in the underlying positions, the Portfolio may invest in financial derivatives (both index futures and index options) to control the absolute level of volatility. Additionally, the Portfolio may seek to hedge against
the possibility of short-term negative equity market events. To help protect against potential short-term negative equity market events, the Portfolio may hold positions in either index futures or index options.
The Portfolio seeks exposure to a broad mix of asset classes. The Portfolio may invest, without limitation, in Underlying ETFs that invest
primarily in fixed-income securities and money market instruments (Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs) and in Underlying ETFs that invest primarily in equity securities of large, medium and small sized companies, and may include other
investments such as commodities and commodity futures (Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs). Additional Information on the Portfolios Investment Strategies can be found in the Portfolios Prospectus.
Principal Risks of Investing in the Portfolio
The main risks of investing in the Portfolio are below. Like all investments in securities, you risk losing money by investing in the
Portfolio. An investment in the Portfolio is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Additional Information on the Portfolios Principal Investment
Risks can be found in the prospectus.
Management Risk
. Any errors in the Subadvisers judgment in setting the
Portfolios asset allocation ranges may result in significant losses in the Portfolios investment in such security, which can also result in possible losses overall for the Portfolio.
Fund of Funds Risks.
The Portfolio is a Fund-of-Funds that invests in Underlying ETFs, and the Portfolios
shareholders will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses of the Underlying ETF in addition to the Portfolios own fees and expenses. As a result, your cost of investing will be higher than the cost of investing
directly in the Underlying ETFs and may be higher than mutual funds that invest directly in stocks and bonds.
ETF Risks
.
Underlying ETFs are subject to the following risks: (i) the market price of an Underlying ETFs shares may trade above or below net asset value; (ii) there may be an inactive trading market for an Underlying ETF; (iii) the
Underlying ETF may employ an investment strategy that utilizes high leverage ratios; (iv) trading of an Underlying ETFs shares may be halted, delisted, or suspended on
21
the listing exchange; and (v) the Underlying ETF may fail to achieve close correlation with the index that it tracks.
Asset Concentration Risk
.
To the extent that the Portfolio holds positions in Underlying ETFs that invest in a particular
sector or asset class, the Portfolio is subject to an increased risk that its investments in that particular sector may decline because of changing expectations for the performance of that sector.
Derivatives Risk
. Since the value of these instruments derive from an underlying asset, currency, or index, investments in these
Underlying ETFs may involve the risks that (i) the value of derivatives may rise or fall more rapidly than other investments, and the risk that an Underlying ETF may lose more than the amount invested in the derivative instrument in the first
place, and (ii) other parties to the derivative contract may fail to meet their obligations. In addition, derivatives used by the Portfolio for hedging purposes may have an imperfect correlation to the assets held by the Portfolio and may not
adequately protect against losses by, or may result in greater losses for, the Portfolio.
Hedging Risk.
The Portfolios
hedging activities, although designed to help offset negative movements in the markets for the Portfolios investments, will not always be successful. Moreover, hedging can cause the Portfolio to lose money and can reduce the opportunity for
gain. Among other things, these negative effects can occur if the market moves in a direction that the Subadviser does not expect or if the Portfolio cannot close out its position in a hedging instrument.
Non-Diversification Risk.
The Portfolio is non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the Underlying ETFs in
which the portfolio invests may also be non-diversified. This means that the Portfolio and Underlying ETFs have the ability to take larger positions in a smaller number of issuers than a Portfolio or Underlying ETF that is classified as
diversified and the value of the Portfolios shares may be volatile and fluctuate more than shares of a diversified fund that invests in a broader range of securities.
Market Timing Risk.
The Portfolio may invest in shares of Underlying ETFs which in turn may invest in securities that may be
susceptible to market timing or time zone arbitrage. Because the Portfolio is unable to monitor the Underlying ETFs policies and procedures with respect to market timing, performance of the Underlying ETFs may be diluted due to market timing
and, therefore, may affect the performance of the Portfolio.
Exchange Traded Notes (ETN) Risks.
ETNs are debt
securities that are linked to an underlying index and its valuation is derived, in part, from the index to which it is linked. ETNs, however, also bear the characteristics and risks of fixed-income securities, including credit risk and change
in rating risk.
Fixed-Income Underlying ETF Risks
. A Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs investments will expose the Portfolio to
certain risks that may have an adverse effect on the Portfolios performance. These risks include (i)
Credit Risk
,
(ii)
Change in Rating Risk
, (iii)
Interest Rate Risk
,
(iv)
Duration Risk,
(v)
Emerging Markets Risk
and (vi)
High-Yield Risk
.
Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETF Risks.
A Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs investments will expose the Portfolio to certain risks
that may have an adverse effect on the Portfolios performance. These risks include (i)
Equity Securities Risk
,
(ii)
Foreign Securities Risk
, (iii)
Emerging Markets Risk
,
(iv)
Commodity Risk
, and (v)
Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Risk
.
New Portfolio
Risk.
The Portfolio does not yet have a full year of performance history for investors to evaluate. In addition, the Portfolio may not have significant operating history upon which to base estimations of accrued tax liabilities.
Performance
As of the date of this
Prospectus, the Portfolio has not yet commenced investment operations. When the Portfolio has completed a full calendar year of investment operations, this section will include charts that show annual total returns, highest and lowest quarterly
returns and average annual total returns compared to benchmarks selected for the Portfolio. Updated performance information will be available on the Portfolios website at www.alpsfunds.com or by calling 1-866-432-2926.
Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser
ALPS
Advisors, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Portfolio and Ibbotson Associates, Inc. is the investment sub-adviser to the Portfolio.
Portfolio
Managers
Scott Wentsel, CFA, CFP
®
,
Vice President and Senior
Portfolio Manager. Mr. Wentsel joined Ibbotson Associates, Inc. (Ibbotson Associates) in 2005. He has managed the Portfolio since its inception.
Jared Watts
, Portfolio Manager. Mr. Watts joined Ibbotson Associates in 2006. Mr. Watts has managed the Portfolio since its
inception.
22
Carrie Scherkenbach
, Portfolio Manager. Mrs. Scherkenbach joined Ibbotson
Associates in 1999. Mrs. Scherkenbach has managed the Portfolio since its inception.
Brian Huckstep, CFA
®
,
Portfolio Manager. Mr. Huckstep joined Ibbotson Associates in 2005. Mr. Huckstep has managed the Portfolio since its inception.
Tax Information
The Portfolios
distributions are not taxable if you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a variable insurance contract. Such tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawals of monies from those arrangements. However, if the
Portfolios distributions are taxable, the distributions will be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains.
Financial Intermediary Compensation
This Portfolio is only offered as an underlying investment option for variable insurance contracts and to qualified plans. The
Portfolio and its related companies may make payments to sponsoring insurance companies, their affiliates or other financial intermediaries for distribution and/or other services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing
insurance companies to include the Portfolio as an underlying investment option in a variable insurance contract. In addition, these payments may be a factor that another financial intermediary considers in including the Portfolio as an investment
option under a qualified plan. The prospectus or other offering documents for variable insurance contracts or plans may also contain additional information about these payments.
ALPS/ALERIAN ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE PORTFOLIO
Investment Objective
The Portfolio
seeks investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the price and yield performance of its underlying index, the Alerian Energy Infrastructure Index (the Index).
Fees and Expenses of the Portfolio
This
table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio. The table does not reflect expenses incurred from investing through a separate account or qualified plan and does not reflect variable annuity or
life insurance contract charges. If it did, the overall fees and expenses would be higher.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
|
|
|
|
Class I
|
|
|
|
Class III
|
|
|
Management
Fee
|
|
|
|
0.70
|
|
%
|
|
0.70
|
|
%
|
Distribution
and/or Service (12b-1) Fees
|
|
|
|
0.00
|
|
%
|
|
0.25
|
|
%
|
Other
Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholder
Service Fees
|
|
|
|
0.00
|
|
%
|
|
0.25
|
|
%
|
Other
Portfolio Expenses
|
|
|
|
2.41
|
|
%
|
|
1.02
|
|
%
|
Total Annual
Fund Operating Expenses
|
|
|
|
3.11
|
|
%
|
|
2.22
|
|
%
|
Fee
Waiver/Expense Reimbursement
(
1)
|
|
|
|
(2.31)
|
|
%
|
|
(0.92)
|
|
%
|
Total Annual
Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursements
|
|
|
|
0.80
|
|
%
|
|
1.30
|
|
%
|
(1) ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the Adviser) has contractually agreed to waive
the management fee and/or reimburse expenses so that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursements (not including
distribution and/or
service (12b-1) Fees, Shareholder Service Fees, acquired fund
fees and expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed a maximum of 0.80% of either Class I or Class III shares average daily net assets through April 29, 2015. This agreement may only be terminated during the
period by the Board of Trustees of ALPS Variable Investment Trust.
Example
This Example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The
Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, you reinvest all
dividends and capital gains distributions and that the Portfolios operating expenses remain the same. After one year, the Example does not take into consideration the Advisers agreement to waive fees or reimburse expenses. The
Example does not include expenses incurred from investing through a separate account or qualified plan. If the Example included these expenses, the figures shown would be higher. Although your actual costs
23
may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 year
|
|
|
|
3 years
|
|
|
|
5 years
|
|
|
|
10 years
|
Class I
|
|
|
|
$82
|
|
|
|
$742
|
|
|
|
$1,427
|
|
|
|
$3,254
|
Class
III
|
|
|
|
$132
|
|
|
|
$606
|
|
|
|
$1,105
|
|
|
|
$2,479
|
Portfolio Turnover
The Portfolio 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. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolios performance. During the period from May 1, 2013 through
December 31, 2013, the Portfolios turnover rate was 26% of the average value of the Portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Portfolio employs a passive management or indexing investment approach designed to track the
performance of the Index. Developed by Alerian, the Index is intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of the North American Energy Infrastructure sector. North American Energy Infrastructure sector companies own and
operate assets that are used in the energy sector to provide the link between the source of energy (where it is produced) and the end user (where it is consumed).
The Index is comprised of equity securities of issuers headquartered or incorporated in the United States and Canada, such as Master Limited
Partnerships and limited liability companies taxed as partnerships (MLPs), MLP affiliates, and Energy Infrastructure Companies.
The Portfolio will normally invest at least 90% of its net assets in securities that comprise the Index (or depositary receipts based on such
securities). Under normal conditions, the Portfolio generally will invest in all of the securities that comprise the Index in proportion to their weightings in the Index; however, under various circumstances, it may not be possible or
practicable to purchase all of the securities in the Index in those weightings. In those circumstances, the Portfolio may purchase a sample of the securities in the Index or utilize various combinations of other available investment techniques in
seeking performance which corresponds to the performance of the Index.
Pursuant to Section 851(b)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the Code), the Portfolio may invest no more than 25% of the value of its total assets in the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships, which include MLPs.
Unlike direct investments in MLPs, income and losses from the Alerian Portfolios investments in MLPs will not directly flow through to
the personal tax returns of shareholders. The Alerian Portfolio will report distributions from its investments, including MLPs, made to shareholders annually on Form 1099. Shareholders will not, solely by virtue of their status as Alerian Portfolio
shareholders, be treated as engaged in the business conducted by underlying MLPs for federal or state income tax purposes or for purposes of the tax on unrelated business income of tax-exempt organizations.
Master Limited Partnerships
MLPs are
publicly traded partnerships engaged in, among other things, the transportation, storage and processing of minerals and natural resources, and are treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes. By confining their operations to these
specific activities, MLP interests, or units, are able to trade on public securities exchanges exactly like the shares of a corporation, without entity level income taxation. To qualify as an MLP and not be taxed as a corporation for income tax
purposes, a partnership must, for any taxable year, receive at least 90% of its income from qualifying sources as set forth in Section 7704(d) of the Code. These qualifying sources include, among other things, certain natural resource-based
activities such as the processing, transportation and storage of any mineral or natural resources. MLPs generally have two classes of owners, the general partner and limited partners. The general partner of an MLP is typically owned by a major
energy company, an investment fund, the direct management of the MLP, or is an entity owned by one or more of such parties. The general partner may be structured as a private or publicly traded corporation or other entity. The general partner
typically controls the operations and management of the MLP through an up to 2% equity interest in the MLP plus, in many cases, ownership of common units and subordinated units. Limited partners typically own the remainder of the partnership,
through ownership of common units, and have a limited role in the partnerships operations and management.
MLP Affiliates
MLP affiliates own assets in MLP units or ownership interests in MLPs. MLP affiliates also include U.S. and Canadian publicly traded
24
equity securities and limited liability companies that own, directly or indirectly, general partner interests of MLPs.
Energy Infrastructure Companies
Energy
infrastructure companies (Energy Infrastructure Companies) are corporations headquartered or incorporated in the United States or Canada, including Canadian pipeline trusts and their successor companies. Energy Infrastructure Companies
provide services in support of infrastructure assets such as pipelines, petroleum and natural gas storage, and natural resource processing. These entities separately report the transportation, storage, and/or processing of energy commodities as a
distinct business segment on their consolidated financial statements.
Canadian pipeline trusts have as their principal underlying
business the ownership and operation of pipelines or other energy distribution assets. These trusts typically generate cash flow through the levy of fixed rate transportation tolls based on product throughput. Canadian pipeline trusts may be treated
as corporations or partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If a Canadian pipeline trust is treated as a partnership, such Canadian pipeline trust may be an inappropriate investment for the Portfolio, or may count toward the 25% limit on
qualified publicly traded partnerships that may be held by the Portfolio, as discussed above.
Principal Risks of Investing in the Portfolio
The main risks of investing in the Portfolio are below. Like all investments in securities, you risk losing money by investing in
the Portfolio. An investment in the Portfolio is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Additional Information on the Portfolios Principal
Investment Risks can be found in the prospectus.
Investment Risk.
An investment in the Portfolio is subject to investment risk
including the possible loss of the entire principal amount that you invest.
Market Risk.
The market value of a security may
decline due to general market conditions that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or
adverse investor sentiment generally. A securitys market value also may decline because of factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs and competitive conditions within an
industry.
Industry Specific Risks.
The Portfolio invests primarily in companies engaged in the energy infrastructure sector. Such
companies are subject to risks specific to the industry they serve including, but not limited to, the following:
|
|
|
reduced volumes of natural gas or other energy commodities available for transporting, processing or storing;
|
|
|
|
new construction risks and acquisition risk which can limit growth potential;
|
|
|
|
a sustained reduced demand for crude oil, natural gas and refined petroleum products resulting from a recession or an increase in market price or
higher taxes;
|
|
|
|
changes in the regulatory environment;
|
|
|
|
rising interest rates which could result in a higher cost of capital and drive investors into other investment opportunities; and
|
|
|
|
threats of attack by terrorists.
|
MLP Risk.
Investments in securities of MLPs involve risks that differ from investments in common stock including risks related to
limited control and limited rights to vote on matters affecting the MLP, risks related to potential conflicts of interest between the MLP and the MLPs general partner, cash flow risks, as described in more detail in the Prospectus. MLP common
units and other equity securities can be affected by macro-economic and other factors affecting the stock market in general, expectations of interest rates, investor sentiment towards MLPs or the energy sector, changes in a particular issuers
financial condition, or unfavorable or unanticipated poor performance of a particular issuer (in the case of MLPs, generally measured in terms of distributable cash flow). Prices of common units of individual MLPs and other equity securities also
can be affected by fundamentals unique to the partnership or company, including earnings power and coverage ratios.
MLP Tax Risk.
MLPs are treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes and do not pay U.S. federal income tax at the entity level. Rather, each partner is allocated a share of the MLPs income, gains, losses, deductions and expenses. A change in
current tax law, or a change in the underlying business mix of a given MLP, could result in an MLP being treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which would result in such MLP being subject to U.S. federal income tax on its
taxable income. The classification of an MLP as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes would have the effect of reducing the amount of cash available for distribution by the MLP. Thus, if any of the MLPs owned by the Portfolio were
treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes, it could result in a reduction in the value of your investment in the Portfolio and reduced distributions.
25
MLP Affiliate Risk.
The performance of securities issued by MLP affiliates primarily
depends on the performance of an MLP. As such, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and distributions for MLP affiliates primarily depend on an MLPs results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. The risks and
uncertainties that affect the MLP, its results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and distributions also affect the value of securities held by the MLP affiliates.
Equity Securities Risk.
Common stock, MLP common units and other equity securities may be affected by macro-economic and other factors
affecting the stock market in general, including without limitation, expectations of interest rates, investor sentiment towards the natural resources sector, changes in an issuers financial condition, and poor performance of a particular
issuer.
Large-Cap, Mid-Cap and Small-Cap Companies Risk.
The Portfolios investment in larger companies is subject to the
risk that larger companies are sometimes unable to attain the high growth rates of successful, smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion. Securities of mid-cap and small-cap companies may be more volatile and less
liquid than the securities of large-cap companies.
Non-U.S. Securities Risk.
Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers
(including Canadian issuers) involve risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities and instruments of U.S. issuers. Non-U.S. securities exchanges, brokers and companies may be subject to less government supervision and regulation
than exists in the U.S. Dividend and interest income may be subject to withholding and other non-U.S. taxes, which may adversely affect the net return on such investments. There may be difficulty in obtaining or enforcing a court judgment abroad. In
addition, it may be difficult to effect repatriation of capital invested in certain countries. When investing in securities issued by non-U.S. issuers, there is also the risk that the value of such an investment, measured in U.S. dollars, will
decrease because of unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates.
Liquidity Risk.
Although common units of MLPs trade on the
NYSE, the NASDAQ, and the NYSE MKT, certain MLP and other securities may trade less frequently than those of larger companies due to their smaller capitalizations. In the event certain MLP and other securities experience limited trading volumes, the
prices of such securities may display abrupt or erratic movements at times. Additionally, it may be more difficult for the Portfolio to buy and sell significant amounts of such securities without an unfavorable impact on prevailing market prices. As
a result, these securities may be difficult to dispose of at a fair price at the times when the Adviser believes it is desirable to do so. The Portfolios investment in securities that are less actively traded or over time experience decreased
trading volume may restrict its ability to take advantage of other market opportunities or to dispose of securities. This also may affect adversely the Portfolios ability to make dividend distributions to you.
Issuer Specific Risk.
The value of an individual security or particular type of security can be more volatile than the market as a
whole and can perform differently from the value of the market as a whole. The value of securities of smaller issues can be more volatile than that of larger issues.
Concentration Risk.
Under normal circumstances, and to the extent consistent with the Portfolios investment objective of seeking
investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the price and yield performance of the Index, the Portfolio concentrates its investments in the North American Energy Infrastructure industry. A fund that invests primarily
in a particular sector could experience greater volatility than funds investing in a broader range of industries.
Non-Diversification
Risk.
The Portfolio is non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940. This means that the Portfolio has the ability to take larger positions in a smaller number of issuers than a Portfolio that is classified as
diversified and the value of the Portfolios shares may be volatile and fluctuate more than shares of a diversified fund that invests in a broader range of securities.
Replication Management Risk.
Unlike many investment companies, the Portfolio is not actively managed. Therefore, it may not
necessarily sell a security solely because the securitys issuer is in financial difficulty unless that security is removed from the Index.
Non-Correlation Risk.
The Portfolios return may not match the return of the Index for a number of reasons. For example, the
Portfolio incurs a number of operating expenses not applicable to the Index, and incurs costs in buying and selling securities, especially when rebalancing the Portfolios securities holdings to reflect changes in the composition of the Index.
New Portfolio Risk.
The Portfolio does not yet have a full calendar year of performance history for investors to evaluate.
The Portfolio may not be fully invested at times, either as a result of cash flows into the Portfolio or reserves of cash held by
the Portfolio to meet redemptions and expenses. If the Portfolio utilizes a sampling approach or futures or other derivative positions, its return may not correlate as well with the return on the Index, as would be the case if it purchased all of
the stocks in the Index with the same weightings as the Index.
Performance
26
As of the date of this Prospectus, the Portfolio has not yet completed a full calendar year
of investment operations. When the Portfolio has completed a full calendar year of investment operations, this section will include charts that show annual total returns, highest and lowest quarterly returns and average annual total returns compared
to benchmarks selected for the Portfolio. Updated performance information will be available on the Portfolios website at www.alpsfunds.com or by calling 1-866-432-2926.
Investment Adviser
ALPS Advisors, Inc. is the
investment adviser to the Portfolio.
Portfolio Managers
Michael Akins,
Senior Vice President, Index Management, of the Adviser. Mr. Akins has managed the Portfolio since its inception.
Tax Information
The
Portfolios distributions are not taxable if you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a variable insurance contract. Such tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawals of monies from those arrangements.
However, if the Portfolios distributions are taxable, the distributions will be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains. A portion of the Portfolios distributions is also expected to be treated as a return of capital for tax purposes.
Return of capital distributions are not taxable to you, but reduce your tax basis in your Portfolio Shares.
Financial Intermediary Compensation
This Portfolio is only offered as an underlying investment option for variable insurance contracts and to qualified plans. The
Portfolio and its related companies may make payments to sponsoring insurance companies, their affiliates or other financial intermediaries for distribution and/or other services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing
insurance companies to include the Portfolio as an underlying investment option in a variable insurance contract. In addition, these payments may be a factor that another financial intermediary considers in including the Portfolio as an investment
option under a qualified plan. The prospectus or other offering documents for variable insurance contracts or plans may also contain additional information about these payments.
27
THE PORTFOLIOS
This Prospectus describes seven of the portfolios (the Portfolios) of ALPS Variable Investment Trust, a Delaware statutory trust
(the Trust). The Portfolios are investment vehicles for variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. The Portfolios also may be used as investment vehicles for qualified pension and retirement plans and certain
registered and unregistered separate accounts. Shares of the Portfolios (Shares) are offered only to participating insurance companies and their separate accounts to fund the benefits of variable annuity contracts and variable life
insurance policies, qualified pensions, retirement plans or registered and unregistered separate accounts. Shares are not offered to the general public.
There are eight Portfolios in the Trust: Ibbotson Conservative ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio, Ibbotson Income and Growth ETF Asset Allocation
Portfolio, Ibbotson Balanced ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio, Ibbotson Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio, Ibbotson Aggressive Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio, Ibbotson MVP ETF Portfolio (each of the foregoing an Ibbotson
Portfolio, and collectively, the Ibbotson Portfolios), ALPS/Alerian Energy Infrastructure Portfolio (the Alerian Portfolio) (each of which is described in this Prospectus) and ALPS/Stadion Tactical Defensive Portfolio
(which is not described in this Prospectus). The Ibbotson Conservative ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio, Ibbotson Income and Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio, Ibbotson Balanced ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio, Ibbotson Growth ETF Asset
Allocation Portfolio and Ibbotson Aggressive Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio each offer Class I and Class II shares. The Ibbotson MVP ETF Portfolio and ALPS/Stadion Tactical Defensive Portfolio each offer Class I, II and III shares and the
ALPS/Alerian Energy Infrastructure Portfolio offers Class I and Class III shares.
This Prospectus includes important information
about the Portfolios that you should know before investing. You should read this Prospectus and keep it for future reference. You also should read the separate account prospectus for the variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy
that you want to purchase. The separate account prospectus provided by your intermediary contains important information about the contract, your investment options, the separate accounts and expenses related to purchasing a variable annuity contract
or variable life insurance policy.
Each variable annuity contract and variable life insurance policy owner (Contract Owner)
and retirement plan participant (Participant) also incurs fees associated with the variable annuity, variable life insurance or retirement plan through which he or she invested. As a Contract Owner or Participant, you may incur
additional fees and different terms and conditions associated with your investment program that are not discussed in this Prospectus. Detailed information about the fees associated with your investment program can be found in the accompanying
disclosure document included with this Prospectus. You may incur additional fees, and be subject to different terms and conditions depending on your tax situation.
THE PORTFOLIOS PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND PRINCIPAL RISKS
IBBOTSON CONSERVATIVE ETF ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
The Board of Trustees may change the investment objective or the principal investment strategies, or both, without a shareholder vote. If
there is a material change to the investment objective or principal investment strategy, you should consider whether the Ibbotson Conservative ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio (Portfolio) remains an appropriate investment for
you. There is no guarantee that the Portfolio will achieve its investment objective.
Investment Objective
The Portfolio seeks to provide investors with current income and preservation of capital.
Principal Investment Strategies
The
Portfolio invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in securities of exchange-traded funds (each, an Underlying ETF and collectively, the
Underlying ETFs). The Portfolio will notify you in writing at least 60 days before making any changes to this policy. For the purposes of this 80% investment policy, net assets are measured at the time of purchase. The
Portfolio is a Fund-of-Funds and seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of Underlying ETFs. Each Underlying ETF, in turn, in an attempt to approximate the investment performance of its benchmark,
invests in a variety of U.S. and foreign equity, debt, commodities, money market securities, futures, and other instruments. The investment policies of the various Underlying ETFs are described generally in the section called Information
about the Underlying ETFs in this Prospectus. The Portfolio may also seek to achieve its investment objective by investing in Exchange Traded Notes (ETN). ETNs are generally senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities which
are issued by a sponsor, and their returns are based on the performance of an underlying market index, usually in the natural resource or commodity markets, minus an annual expense or fee.
The Portfolio typically expects to allocate its investments in Underlying ETFs such that 80% of such allocation is invested in Underlying ETFs
that invest primarily in fixed-income securities and money market instruments (Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs) and approximately 20% of such allocation is invested in Underlying ETFs that invest primarily in equity securities of large,
medium and small
28
sized companies, and may include other investments such as commodities and commodity futures (Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs). However, under normal market conditions, the
Portfolio may from time to time invest approximately 70-90% of such allocation in Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs and 10-30% of such allocation in Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs.
The Portfolio may invest its assets in the Underlying ETFs that collectively represent the asset classes in the target asset allocation ranges
described below. The following is a general guide regarding the anticipated allocation of assets among these asset classes. Subject to the approval of ALPS Advisors, Inc., the adviser to the Portfolio (the Adviser), Ibbotson
Associates, Inc., as the subadviser to the Portfolio (the Subadviser), may change these asset classes and the allocations from time-to-time without the approval of or notice to shareholders.
|
|
|
Asset Class
|
|
Percentage of Underlying ETF Holdings
|
|
|
Large Cap Growth U.S. Equities
|
|
0-20%
|
Large Cap Value U.S. Equities
|
|
0-20%
|
Small Cap Growth U.S. Equities
|
|
0-5%
|
Small Cap Value U.S. Equities
|
|
0-5%
|
Real Estate Investment Trusts
|
|
0-5%
|
International (non-U.S.) Equities
|
|
0-20%
|
Emerging Markets Equities
|
|
0-5%
|
Core U.S. Bonds
|
|
0-40%
|
Treasury Inflation Protected Securities
|
|
0-40%
|
Short-Term Bonds
|
|
0-80%
|
Commodities
|
|
0-10%
|
Cash
|
|
0-80%
|
High Yield Bonds
|
|
0-15%
|
Emerging Market Bonds
|
|
0-15%
|
Principal Investment Risks
Management Risk
. The Subadvisers skill in setting the Portfolios asset allocation ranges described above will play a large
part in determining whether the Portfolio is able to achieve its investment objective. If the Subadvisers projections about the prospects for individual Underlying ETFs are incorrect, such errors in judgment by the Subadviser may result in
significant losses in the Portfolios investment in such security, which can also result in possible losses overall for the Portfolio.
Fund of Funds Risks.
The Portfolio is a Fund-of-Funds that invests in Underlying ETFs, which are typically open-end
investment companies or unit investment trusts. By investing in securities of an Underlying ETF, the Portfolios shareholders will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses of the Underlying ETF in addition to the
Portfolios own fees and expenses. As a result, your cost of investing will be higher than the cost of investing directly in the Underlying ETFs and may be higher than mutual funds that invest directly in stocks and bonds. Also, the Portfolio
may be prevented from fully allocating assets to a particular Underlying ETF due to fund-of-funds investment limitations.
ETF
Risks
. Underlying ETFs are subject to the following risks: (i) the market price of an Underlying ETFs shares may trade above or below its net asset value; (ii) an active trading market for an Underlying ETFs shares may not
develop or be maintained; (iii) the Underlying ETF may employ an investment strategy that utilizes high leverage ratios; (iv) trading of an Underlying ETFs shares may be halted if the listing exchanges officials deem such
action appropriate, the shares are delisted from the exchange, or the activation of market wide circuit breakers (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally; or (v) the Underlying ETF may fail
to achieve close correlation with the index that it tracks due to a variety of factors, such as rounding of prices and changes to the index and/or regulatory policies, resulting in the deviation of the Underlying ETFs returns from that of its
corresponding index. Some Underlying ETFs may be thinly traded, and the resulting higher costs associated with respect to purchasing and selling the Underlying ETFs will be borne by the Portfolio.
Asset Concentration Risk.
The Portfolio may have positions in Underlying ETFs that invest in a particular sector or asset class. A
particular market sector or asset class can be more volatile or underperform relative to benchmarks or indexes reflecting the market as a whole. To the extent that the Portfolio holds Underlying ETFs that invest in a particular sector, the Portfolio
is subject to an increased risk that its investments in that particular sector may decline because of changing expectations for the performance of that sector.
Derivatives Risk.
Some Underlying ETFs may use derivative instruments. The value of these instruments derives from the value of an
underlying asset, currency or index. Investments in these Underlying ETFs may involve the risk that the value of derivatives may rise or fall more rapidly than other investments, and the risk that an Underlying ETF may lose more than the amount
invested in the derivative instrument in the first place. Derivative instruments also involve the risk that other parties to the derivative contract may fail to meet their
29
obligations, which could cause losses.
Non-Diversification Risk.
The
Portfolio is non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940. In addition, the Underlying ETFs in which the portfolio invests may also be non-diversified. This means that the Portfolio and Underlying ETFs have the ability to take
larger positions in a smaller number of issuers than a Portfolio or Underlying ETF that is classified as diversified. Therefore, the value of the Portfolios shares may be volatile and fluctuate more than shares of a diversified
fund that invests in a broader range of securities.
Market Timing Risk
.
The Portfolio may invest in shares of
Underlying ETFs which in turn may invest in securities such as small-capitalization stocks or securities listed on foreign exchanges that may be susceptible to market timing or time zone arbitrage. Because the Portfolio is unable to monitor the
Underlying ETFs policies and procedures with respect to market timing, performance of the Underlying ETFs may be diluted due to market timing and therefore may affect the performance of the Portfolio.
Conflicts of Interest Risk.
The Portfolio is subject to certain potential conflicts of interest arising out of the activities of its
service providers. For example, the Trusts distributor, ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., or its affiliates, currently provide distribution services to several ETFs which could be purchased as an Underlying ETF (ALPS
Clients ETFs). While the Subadviser does not currently anticipate purchasing any of the ALPS Clients ETFs as part of the allocations for the Portfolio, it is possible that the ALPS Clients ETFs could be used in a Portfolio at
some time in the future. If this situation arises, the Adviser will waive a portion of the advisory fee equal to the portion of the fees attributable to the assets of the Portfolio invested in ALPS Clients ETFs. Similarly, the Subadviser is a
wholly owned subsidiary of Morningstar, Inc. (Morningstar). Morningstar is engaged in the business of providing ratings and analysis on financial products, such as the Portfolio. A potential conflict exists since Morningstar could be
providing ratings and analysis on financial products that are subadvised by the Subadviser. The Subadviser and Morningstar have adopted procedures that address this situation. Additional information concerning these potential conflicts of interest
can be found in the Statement of Additional Information (SAI).
Exchange Traded Notes (ETN) Risks.
The
Portfolio may invest in ETNs, which are debt securities linked to an underlying index. Similar to ETFs, an ETNs valuation is derived, in part, from the value of the index to which it is linked. ETNs, however, also bear the
characteristics and risks of fixed-income securities, including credit risk and change in rating risk. ETNs will be excluded from the definition of ETFs for the purposes of determining whether at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of
any borrowings for investment purposes of the Portfolio are invested in securities of exchange-traded funds.
Fixed-Income Underlying
ETF Risks
. A Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs investments will expose the Portfolio to certain risks that may have an adverse effect on the Portfolios performance. These risks include:
Credit Risk
. The issuer of a fixed income security may not be able to make interest and principal payments when
due. Generally, the lower the credit rating of a security, the greater the risk that the issuer will default on its obligation.
Change in Rating Risk
. If a rating agency gives a debt security a lower rating, the value of the debt security
held by a Fixed-Income Underlying ETF will decline because investors will demand a higher rate of return.
Interest
Rate Risk
. The value of the Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs may fluctuate based upon changes in interest rates and market conditions. As interest rates increase, the value of the Portfolios income producing investments may go down. For
example, bonds tend to decrease in value when interest rates rise. Debt obligations with longer maturities typically offer higher yields, but are subject to greater price movements as a result of interest rate changes than debt obligations with
shorter maturities.
Duration Risk
. Prices of fixed income securities held in a Fixed-Income Underlying ETF
with longer effective maturities are more sensitive to interest rate changes than those with shorter effective maturities.
Emerging Markets Risk
. To the extent that Underlying ETFs invest in issuers located in emerging markets, the
risk associated with investing in foreign securities may be heightened by political changes, changes in taxation, or currency controls that could adversely affect the values of these investments. Emerging markets have been more volatile than the
markets of developed countries with more mature economies.
High-Yield Risk.
Investment in Underlying ETFs
which invest in high-yield or junk bonds can involve a substantial risk of loss. Junk bonds are considered to be speculative with respect to the issuers ability to pay interest and principal. These securities, which are rated below
investment grade, have a higher risk of issuer default, are subject to greater price volatility than investment grade securities and may be illiquid.
Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETF Risks.
A Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs investments will expose the Portfolio to certain risks
that may have an adverse effect on the Portfolios performance. These risks include:
30
Equity Securities Risk
.
Underlying ETF investments may be
subject to equity securities risk. The prices of stocks can rise or fall rapidly in response to developments affecting a specific company or industry, or to changing economic, political or market conditions. The Underlying ETFs investments may
decline in value if the stock markets perform poorly. There is also a risk that the Underlying ETFs investments will underperform either the securities markets generally or particular segments of the securities markets.
Foreign Securities Risk
.
Foreign securities held by a Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETF are subject to
additional risks not typically associated with investments in domestic securities. These risks may include, among others, country risks (political, diplomatic, regional conflicts, terrorism, war, social and economic instability, currency
devaluations and policies that have the effect of limiting or restricting foreign investment or the movement of assets), different trading practices, less government supervision, less publicly available information, limited trading markets and
greater volatility.
Emerging Markets Risk
. To the extent that Underlying ETFs invest in issuers located in
emerging markets, the risk associated with investing in foreign securities may be heightened by political changes, changes in taxation, or currency controls that could adversely affect the values of these investments. Emerging markets have been more
volatile than the markets of developed countries with more mature economies.
Commodity Risk.
Some of the
Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs may invest directly or indirectly in physical commodities, such as gold, silver and other precious minerals. Thus, the Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs may be affected by changes in commodity prices. Commodity
prices tend to be cyclical and can move significantly in short periods of time. In addition, new discoveries or changes in government regulations can affect the price of commodities.
Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Risk.
Through its investments in Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs, the
Portfolio may be exposed to risks similar to those associated with direct investments in real estate, including changes in interest rates, overbuilding, increased property taxes, or regulatory actions.
IBBOTSON INCOME AND GROWTH ETF ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
The Board of Trustees may change the investment objective or the principal investment strategies, or both, without a shareholder vote. If
there is a material change to the investment objective or principal investment strategy, you should consider whether the Ibbotson Income and Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio (Portfolio) remains an appropriate investment for
you. There is no guarantee that the Portfolio will achieve its investment objective.
Investment Objective
The Portfolio seeks to provide investors with current income and capital appreciation.
Principal Investment Strategies
The
Portfolio invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in securities of exchange-traded funds (each, an Underlying ETF and collectively, the
Underlying ETFs). The Portfolio will notify you in writing at least 60 days before making any changes to this policy. For the purposes of this 80% investment policy, net assets are measured at the time of purchase. The
Portfolio is a Fund-of-Funds and seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of Underlying ETFs. Each Underlying ETF, in turn, in an attempt to approximate the investment performance of its benchmark,
invests in a variety of U.S. and foreign equity, debt, commodities, money market securities, futures, and other instruments. The investment policies of the various Underlying ETFs are described generally in the section called Information
about the Underlying ETFs in this Prospectus. The Portfolio may also seek to achieve its investment objective by investing in Exchange Traded Notes (ETN). ETNs are generally senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities which
are issued by a sponsor, and their returns are based on the performance of an underlying market index, usually in the natural resource or commodity markets, minus an annual expense or fee.
The Portfolio typically expects to allocate its investments in Underlying ETFs such that 60% of such allocation is invested in Underlying ETFs
that invest primarily in fixed-income securities and money market instruments (Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs) and approximately 40% of such allocation is invested in Underlying ETFs that invest primarily in equity securities of large,
medium and small sized companies, and may include other investments such as commodities and commodity futures (Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs). However, under normal market conditions, the Portfolio may from time to time invest
approximately 50-70% of such allocation in Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs and 30-50% of such allocation in Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs.
The Portfolio may invest its assets in the Underlying ETFs that collectively represent the asset classes in the target asset allocation ranges
described below. The following is a general guide regarding the anticipated allocation of assets among these asset classes. Subject to the approval of ALPS Advisors, Inc., the adviser to the Portfolio (the Adviser), Ibbotson
Associates, Inc., as the subadviser to the Portfolio (the Subadviser), may change these asset classes and the allocations from time-to-time without the approval of or notice to shareholders.
31
|
|
|
Asset Class
|
|
Percentage of Underlying ETF
Holdings
|
|
|
Large Cap Growth U.S. Equities
|
|
0-30%
|
Large Cap Value U.S. Equities
|
|
0-30%
|
Small Cap Growth U.S. Equities
|
|
0-10%
|
Small Cap Value U.S. Equities
|
|
0-10%
|
Real Estate Investment Trusts
|
|
0-10%
|
International (non-U.S.) Equities
|
|
0-30%
|
Emerging Markets Equities
|
|
0-5%
|
Core U.S. Bonds
|
|
0-40%
|
Treasury Inflation Protected Securities
|
|
0-30%
|
Short-Term Bonds
|
|
0-60%
|
Commodities
|
|
0-10%
|
Cash
|
|
0-60%
|
High Yield Bonds
|
|
0-15%
|
Emerging Market Bonds
|
|
0-15%
|
Principal Investment Risks
Management Risk
. The Subadvisers skill in setting the Portfolios asset allocation ranges described above will play a large
part in determining whether the Portfolio is able to achieve its investment objective. If the Subadvisers projections about the prospects for individual Underlying ETFs are incorrect, such errors in judgment by the Subadviser may result in
significant losses in the Portfolios investment in such security, which can also result in possible losses overall for the Portfolio.
Fund of Funds Risks.
The Portfolio is a Fund-of-Funds that invests in Underlying ETFs, which are typically open-end
investment companies or unit investment trusts. By investing in securities of an Underlying ETF, the Portfolios shareholders will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses of the Underlying ETF in addition to the
Portfolios own fees and expenses. As a result, your cost of investing will be higher than the cost of investing directly in the Underlying ETFs and may be higher than mutual funds that invest directly in stocks and bonds. Also, the Portfolio
may be prevented from fully allocating assets to a particular Underlying ETF due to fund-of-funds investment limitations.
ETF
Risks
. Underlying ETFs are subject to the following risks: (i) the market price of an Underlying ETFs shares may trade above or below its net asset value; (ii) an active trading market for an Underlying ETFs shares may not
develop or be maintained; (iii) the Underlying ETF may employ an investment strategy that utilizes high leverage ratios; (iv) trading of an Underlying ETFs shares may be halted if the listing exchanges officials deem such
action appropriate, the shares are delisted from the exchange, or the activation of market wide circuit breakers (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally; or (v) the Underlying ETF may fail
to achieve close correlation with the index that it tracks due to a variety of factors, such as rounding of prices and changes to the index and/or regulatory policies, resulting in the deviation of the Underlying ETFs returns from that of its
corresponding index. Some Underlying ETFs may be thinly traded, and the resulting higher costs associated with respect to purchasing and selling the Underlying ETFs will be borne by the Portfolio.
Asset Concentration Risk.
The Portfolio may have positions in Underlying ETFs that invest in a particular sector or asset class. A
particular market sector or asset class can be more volatile or underperform relative to benchmarks or indexes reflecting the market as a whole. To the extent that the Portfolio holds Underlying ETFs that invest in a particular sector, the Portfolio
is subject to an increased risk that its investments in that particular sector may decline because of changing expectations for the performance of that sector.
Derivatives Risk.
Some Underlying ETFs may use derivative instruments. The value of these instruments derives from the value of an
underlying asset, currency or index. Investments in these Underlying ETFs may involve the risk that the value of derivatives may rise or fall more rapidly than other investments, and the risk that an Underlying ETF may lose more than the amount
invested in the derivative instrument in the first place. Derivative instruments also involve the risk that other parties to the derivative contract may fail to meet their obligations, which could cause losses.
Non-Diversification Risk.
The Portfolio is non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940. In addition, the
Underlying ETFs in which the portfolio invests may also be non-diversified. This means that the Portfolio and Underlying ETFs have the ability to take larger positions in a smaller number of issuers than a Portfolio or Underlying ETF that is
classified as diversified. Therefore, the
32
value of the Portfolios shares may be volatile and fluctuate more than shares of a diversified fund that invests in a broader range of securities.
Market Timing Risk
.
The Portfolio may invest in shares of Underlying ETFs which in turn may invest in securities
such as small-capitalization stocks or securities listed on foreign exchanges that may be susceptible to market timing or time zone arbitrage. Because the Portfolio is unable to monitor the Underlying ETFs policies and procedures with
respect to market timing, performance of the Underlying ETFs may be diluted due to market timing and therefore may affect the performance of the Portfolio.
Conflicts of Interest Risk.
The Portfolio is subject to certain potential conflicts of interest arising out of the activities of its
service providers. For example, the Trusts distributor, ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., or its affiliates, currently provide distribution services to several ETFs which could be purchased as an Underlying ETF (ALPS
Clients ETFs). While the Subadviser does not currently anticipate purchasing any of the ALPS Clients ETFs as part of the allocations for the Portfolio, it is possible that the ALPS Clients ETFs could be used in a Portfolio at
some time in the future. If this situation arises, the Adviser will waive a portion of the advisory fee equal to the portion of the fees attributable to the assets of the Portfolio invested in ALPS Clients ETFs. Similarly, the Subadviser is a
wholly owned subsidiary of Morningstar, Inc. (Morningstar). Morningstar is engaged in the business of providing ratings and analysis on financial products, such as the Portfolio. A potential conflict exists since Morningstar could be
providing ratings and analysis on financial products that are subadvised by the Subadviser. The Subadviser and Morningstar have adopted procedures that address this situation. Additional information concerning these potential conflicts of interest
can be found in the Statement of Additional Information (SAI).
Exchange Traded Notes (ETN) Risks.
The
Portfolio may invest in ETNs, which are debt securities linked to an underlying index. Similar to ETFs, an ETNs valuation is derived, in part, from the value of the index to which it is linked. ETNs, however, also bear the
characteristics and risks of fixed-income securities, including credit risk and change in rating risk. ETNs will be excluded from the definition of ETFs for the purposes of determining whether at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of
any borrowings for investment purposes of the Portfolio are invested in securities of exchange-traded funds.
Fixed-Income Underlying
ETF Risks
. A Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs investments will expose the Portfolio to certain risks that may have an adverse effect on the Portfolios performance. These risks include:
Credit Risk
. The issuer of a fixed income security may not be able to make interest and principal payments when
due. Generally, the lower the credit rating of a security, the greater the risk that the issuer will default on its obligation.
Change in Rating Risk
. If a rating agency gives a debt security a lower rating, the value of the debt security
held by a Fixed-Income Underlying ETF will decline because investors will demand a higher rate of return.
Interest
Rate Risk
. The value of the Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs may fluctuate based upon changes in interest rates and market conditions. As interest rates increase, the value of the Portfolios income producing investments may go down. For
example, bonds tend to decrease in value when interest rates rise. Debt obligations with longer maturities typically offer higher yields, but are subject to greater price movements as a result of interest rate changes than debt obligations with
shorter maturities.
Duration Risk
. Prices of fixed income securities held in a Fixed-Income Underlying ETF
with longer effective maturities are more sensitive to interest rate changes than those with shorter effective maturities.
Emerging Markets Risk
. To the extent that Underlying ETFs invest in issuers located in emerging markets, the
risk associated with investing in foreign securities may be heightened by political changes, changes in taxation, or currency controls that could adversely affect the values of these investments. Emerging markets have been more volatile than the
markets of developed countries with more mature economies.
High-Yield Risk.
Investment in Underlying ETFs
which invest in high-yield or junk bonds can involve a substantial risk of loss. Junk bonds are considered to be speculative with respect to the issuers ability to pay interest and principal. These securities, which are rated below
investment grade, have a higher risk of issuer default, are subject to greater price volatility than investment grade securities and may be illiquid.
Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETF Risks.
A Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs investments will expose the Portfolio to certain risks
that may have an adverse effect on the Portfolios performance. These risks include:
Equity Securities
Risk
.
Underlying ETF investments may be subject to equity securities risk. The prices of stocks can rise or fall rapidly in response to developments affecting a specific company or industry, or to changing economic, political or
market conditions. The Underlying ETFs investments may decline in value if the stock markets perform poorly. There is also a risk that the Underlying ETFs investments will underperform either the securities markets generally or
particular segments of the securities markets.
33
Foreign Securities Risk
.
Foreign securities held by a
Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETF are subject to additional risks not typically associated with investments in domestic securities. These risks may include, among others, country risks (political, diplomatic, regional conflicts, terrorism, war, social
and economic instability, currency devaluations and policies that have the effect of limiting or restricting foreign investment or the movement of assets), different trading practices, less government supervision, less publicly available
information, limited trading markets and greater volatility.
Emerging Markets Risk
. To the extent that
Underlying ETFs invest in issuers located in emerging markets, the risk associated with investing in foreign securities may be heightened by political changes, changes in taxation, or currency controls that could adversely affect the values of these
investments. Emerging markets have been more volatile than the markets of developed countries with more mature economies.
Commodity Risk.
Some of the Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs may invest directly or indirectly in physical
commodities, such as gold, silver and other precious minerals. Thus, the Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs may be affected by changes in commodity prices. Commodity prices tend to be cyclical and can move significantly in short periods of time.
In addition, new discoveries or changes in government regulations can affect the price of commodities.
Real Estate
Investment Trust (REIT) Risk.
Through its investments in Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs, the Portfolio may be exposed to risks similar to those associated with direct investments in real estate, including changes in interest rates,
overbuilding, increased property taxes, or regulatory actions.
IBBOTSON BALANCED ETF ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
The Board of Trustees may change the investment objective or the principal investment strategies, or both, without a shareholder vote. If
there is a material change to the investment objective or principal investment strategy, you should consider whether the Ibbotson Balanced ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio (Portfolio) remains an appropriate investment for you. There
is no guarantee that the Portfolio will achieve its investment objective.
Investment Objective
The Portfolio seeks to provide investors with capital appreciation and some current income.
Principal Investment Strategies
The
Portfolio invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in securities of exchange-traded funds (each, an Underlying ETF and collectively, the
Underlying ETFs). The Portfolio will notify you in writing at least 60 days before making any changes to this policy. For the purposes of this 80% investment policy, net assets are measured at the time of purchase. The
Portfolio is a Fund-of-Funds and seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of Underlying ETFs. Each Underlying ETF, in turn, in an attempt to approximate the investment performance of its benchmark,
invests in a variety of U.S. and foreign equity, debt, commodities, money market securities, futures, and other instruments. The investment policies of the various Underlying ETFs are described generally in the section called Information
about the Underlying ETFs in this Prospectus. The Portfolio may also seek to achieve its investment objective by investing in Exchange Traded Notes (ETN). ETNs are generally senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities which
are issued by a sponsor, and their returns are based on the performance of an underlying market index, usually in the natural resource or commodity markets, minus an annual expense or fee.
The Portfolio typically expects to allocate its investments in Underlying ETFs such that 40% of such allocation is invested in Underlying ETFs
that invest primarily in fixed-income securities and money market instruments (Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs) and approximately 60% of such allocation is invested in Underlying ETFs that invest primarily in equity securities of large,
medium and small sized companies, and may include other investments such as commodities and commodity futures (Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs). However, under normal market conditions, the Portfolio typically may, from time to
time, invest approximately 30-50% of such allocation in Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs and 50-70% of such allocation in Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs.
The Portfolio may invest its assets in the Underlying ETFs that collectively represent the asset classes in the target asset allocation ranges
described below. The following is a general guide regarding the anticipated allocation of assets among these asset classes. Subject to the approval of ALPS Advisors, Inc., the adviser to the Portfolio (the Adviser), Ibbotson
Associates, Inc., as the subadviser to the Portfolio (the Subadviser), may change these asset classes and the allocations from time-to-time without the approval of or notice to shareholders.
|
|
|
Asset Class
|
|
Percentage of Underlying
ETF Holdings
|
|
|
Large Cap Growth U.S. Equities
|
|
0-30%
|
34
|
|
|
Large Cap Value U.S. Equities
|
|
0-30%
|
Small Cap Growth U.S. Equities
|
|
0-15%
|
Small Cap Value U.S. Equities
|
|
0-15%
|
Real Estate Investment Trusts
|
|
0-15%
|
International (non-U.S.) Equities
|
|
0-30%
|
Emerging Markets Equities
|
|
0-10%
|
Core U.S. Bonds
|
|
0-30%
|
Treasury Inflation Protected Securities
|
|
0-20%
|
Short-Term Bonds
|
|
0-40%
|
Commodities
|
|
0-10%
|
Cash
|
|
0-40%
|
High Yield Bonds
|
|
0-15%
|
Emerging Market Bonds
|
|
0-15%
|
Principal Investment Risks
Management Risk
. The Subadvisers skill in setting the Portfolios asset allocation ranges described above will play a large
part in determining whether the Portfolio is able to achieve its investment objective. If the Subadvisers projections about the prospects for individual Underlying ETFs are incorrect, such errors in judgment by the Subadviser may result in
significant losses in the Portfolios investment in such security, which can also result in possible losses overall for the Portfolio.
Fund of Funds Risks.
The Portfolio is a Fund-of-Funds that invests in Underlying ETFs, which are typically open-end
investment companies or unit investment trusts. By investing in securities of an Underlying ETF, the Portfolios shareholders will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses of the Underlying ETF in addition to the
Portfolios own fees and expenses. As a result, your cost of investing will be higher than the cost of investing directly in the Underlying ETFs and may be higher than mutual funds that invest directly in stocks and bonds. Also, the Portfolio
may be prevented from fully allocating assets to a particular Underlying ETF due to fund-of-funds investment limitations.
ETF
Risks
. Underlying ETFs are subject to the following risks: (i) the market price of an Underlying ETFs shares may trade above or below its net asset value; (ii) an active trading market for an Underlying ETFs shares may not
develop or be maintained; (iii) the Underlying ETF may employ an investment strategy that utilizes high leverage ratios; (iv) trading of an Underlying ETFs shares may be halted if the listing exchanges officials deem such
action appropriate, the shares are delisted from the exchange, or the activation of market wide circuit breakers (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally; or (v) the Underlying ETF may fail
to achieve close correlation with the index that it tracks due to a variety of factors, such as rounding of prices and changes to the index and/or regulatory policies, resulting in the deviation of the Underlying ETFs returns from that of its
corresponding index. Some Underlying ETFs may be thinly traded, and the resulting higher costs associated with respect to purchasing and selling the Underlying ETFs will be borne by the Portfolio.
Asset Concentration Risk.
The Portfolio may have positions in Underlying ETFs that invest in a particular sector or asset class. A
particular market sector or asset class can be more volatile or underperform relative to benchmarks or indexes reflecting the market as a whole. To the extent that the Portfolio holds Underlying ETFs that invest in a particular sector, the Portfolio
is subject to an increased risk that its investments in that particular sector may decline because of changing expectations for the performance of that sector.
Derivatives Risk.
Some Underlying ETFs may use derivative instruments. The value of these instruments derives from the value of an
underlying asset, currency or index. Investments in these Underlying ETFs may involve the risk that the value of derivatives may rise or fall more rapidly than other investments, and the risk that an Underlying ETF may lose more than the amount
invested in the derivative instrument in the first place. Derivative instruments also involve the risk that other parties to the derivative contract may fail to meet their obligations, which could cause losses.
Non-Diversification Risk.
The Portfolio is non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940. In addition, the
Underlying ETFs in which the portfolio invests may also be non-diversified. This means that the Portfolio and Underlying ETFs have the ability to take larger positions in a smaller number of issuers than a Portfolio or Underlying ETF that is
classified as diversified. Therefore, the value of the Portfolios shares may be volatile and fluctuate more than shares of a diversified fund that invests in a broader range of securities.
Market Timing Risk
.
The Portfolio may invest in shares of Underlying ETFs which in turn may invest in securities
such as small-capitalization stocks or securities listed on foreign exchanges that may be susceptible to market timing or time zone arbitrage. Because the Portfolio is unable to monitor the Underlying ETFs policies and procedures with
respect to market timing, performance of the Underlying ETFs may be diluted due to market timing and therefore may affect the performance of the Portfolio.
35
Conflicts of Interest Risk.
The Portfolio is subject to certain potential conflicts of
interest arising out of the activities of its service providers. For example, the Trusts distributor, ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., or its affiliates, currently provide distribution services to several ETFs which could be
purchased as an Underlying ETF (ALPS Clients ETFs). While the Subadviser does not currently anticipate purchasing any of the ALPS Clients ETFs as part of the allocations for the Portfolio, it is possible that the ALPS
Clients ETFs could be used in a Portfolio at some time in the future. If this situation arises, the Adviser will waive a portion of the advisory fee equal to the portion of the fees attributable to the assets of the Portfolio invested in ALPS
Clients ETFs. Similarly, the Subadviser is a wholly owned subsidiary of Morningstar, Inc. (Morningstar). Morningstar is engaged in the business of providing ratings and analysis on financial products, such as the Portfolio. A
potential conflict exists since Morningstar could be providing ratings and analysis on financial products that are subadvised by the Subadviser. The Subadviser and Morningstar have adopted procedures that address this situation. Additional
information concerning these potential conflicts of interest can be found in the Statement of Additional Information (SAI).
Exchange Traded Notes (ETN) Risks.
The Portfolio may invest in ETNs, which are debt securities linked to an underlying
index. Similar to ETFs, an ETNs valuation is derived, in part, from the value of the index to which it is linked. ETNs, however, also bear the characteristics and risks of fixed-income securities, including credit risk and change in
rating risk. ETNs will be excluded from the definition of ETFs for the purposes of determining whether at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes of the Portfolio are invested in securities of
exchange-traded funds.
Fixed-Income Underlying ETF Risks
. A Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs investments will expose the
Portfolio to certain risks that may have an adverse effect on the Portfolios performance. These risks include:
Credit Risk
. The issuer of a fixed income security may not be able to make interest and principal payments when
due. Generally, the lower the credit rating of a security, the greater the risk that the issuer will default on its obligation.
Change in Rating Risk
. If a rating agency gives a debt security a lower rating, the value of the debt security
held by a Fixed-Income Underlying ETF will decline because investors will demand a higher rate of return.
Interest
Rate Risk
. The value of the Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs may fluctuate based upon changes in interest rates and market conditions. As interest rates increase, the value of the Portfolios income producing investments may go down. For
example, bonds tend to decrease in value when interest rates rise. Debt obligations with longer maturities typically offer higher yields, but are subject to greater price movements as a result of interest rate changes than debt obligations with
shorter maturities.
Duration Risk
. Prices of fixed income securities held in a Fixed-Income Underlying ETF
with longer effective maturities are more sensitive to interest rate changes than those with shorter effective maturities.
Emerging Markets Risk
. To the extent that Underlying ETFs invest in issuers located in emerging markets, the
risk associated with investing in foreign securities may be heightened by political changes, changes in taxation, or currency controls that could adversely affect the values of these investments. Emerging markets have been more volatile than the
markets of developed countries with more mature economies.
High-Yield Risk.
Investment in Underlying ETFs
which invest in high-yield or junk bonds can involve a substantial risk of loss. Junk bonds are considered to be speculative with respect to the issuers ability to pay interest and principal. These securities, which are rated below
investment grade, have a higher risk of issuer default, are subject to greater price volatility than investment grade securities and may be illiquid.
Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETF Risks.
A Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs investments will expose the Portfolio to certain risks
that may have an adverse effect on the Portfolios performance. These risks include:
Equity Securities
Risk
.
Underlying ETF investments may be subject to equity securities risk. The prices of stocks can rise or fall rapidly in response to developments affecting a specific company or industry, or to changing economic, political or
market conditions. The Underlying ETFs investments may decline in value if the stock markets perform poorly. There is also a risk that the Underlying ETFs investments will underperform either the securities markets generally or
particular segments of the securities markets.
Foreign Securities Risk
.
Foreign securities held by a
Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETF are subject to additional risks not typically associated with investments in domestic securities. These risks may include, among others, country risks (political, diplomatic, regional conflicts, terrorism, war, social
and economic instability, currency devaluations and policies that have the effect of limiting or restricting foreign investment or the movement of assets), different trading practices, less government supervision, less publicly available
information, limited trading markets and greater volatility.
Emerging Markets Risk
. To the extent that
Underlying ETFs invest in issuers located in emerging markets, the risk associated with
36
investing in foreign securities may be heightened by political changes, changes in taxation, or currency controls that could adversely affect the values of these investments. Emerging markets
have been more volatile than the markets of developed countries with more mature economies.
Commodity Risk.
Some of the Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs may invest directly or indirectly in physical commodities, such as gold, silver and other precious minerals. Thus, the Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs may be affected by changes in commodity prices.
Commodity prices tend to be cyclical and can move significantly in short periods of time. In addition, new discoveries or changes in government regulations can affect the price of commodities.
Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Risk.
Through its investments in Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs, the
Portfolio may be exposed to risks similar to those associated with direct investments in real estate, including changes in interest rates, overbuilding, increased property taxes, or regulatory actions.
IBBOTSON GROWTH ETF ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
The Board of Trustees may change the investment objective or the principal investment strategies, or both, without a shareholder vote. If
there is a material change to the investment objective or principal investment strategy, you should consider whether the Ibbotson Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio (Portfolio) remains an appropriate investment for you. There is
no guarantee that the Portfolio will achieve its investment objective.
Investment Objective
The Portfolio seeks to provide investors with capital appreciation.
Principal Investment Strategies
The
Portfolio invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in securities of exchange-traded funds (each, an Underlying ETF and collectively, the
Underlying ETFs). The Portfolio will notify you in writing at least 60 days before making any changes to this policy. For the purposes of this 80% investment policy, net assets are measured at the time of purchase. The
Portfolio is a Fund-of-Funds and seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of Underlying ETFs. Each Underlying ETF, in turn, in an attempt to approximate the investment performance of its benchmark,
invests in a variety of U.S. and foreign equity, debt, commodities, money market securities, futures, and other instruments. The investment policies of the various Underlying ETFs are described generally in the section called Information
about the Underlying ETFs in this Prospectus. The Portfolio may also seek to achieve its investment objective by investing in Exchange Traded Notes (ETN). ETNs are generally senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities which
are issued by a sponsor, and their returns are based on the performance of an underlying market index, usually in the natural resource or commodity markets, minus an annual expense or fee.
The Portfolio typically expects to allocate its investments in Underlying ETFs such that 20% of such allocation is invested in Underlying ETFs
that invest primarily in fixed-income securities and money market instruments (Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs) and approximately 80% of such allocation is invested in Underlying ETFs that invest primarily in equity securities of large,
medium and small sized companies, and may include other investments such as commodities and commodity futures (Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs). However, under normal market conditions, the Portfolio may, from time to time, invest
approximately 10-30% of such allocation in Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs and 70-90% of such allocation in Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs.
The Portfolio may invest its assets in the Underlying ETFs that collectively represent the asset classes in the target asset allocation ranges
described below. The following is a general guide regarding the anticipated allocation of assets among these asset classes. Subject to the approval of ALPS Advisors, Inc., the adviser to the Portfolio (the Adviser), Ibbotson
Associates, Inc., as the subadviser to the Portfolio (the Subadviser), may change these asset classes and the allocations from time-to-time without the approval of or notice to shareholders.
|
|
|
Asset Class
|
|
Percentage of Underlying
ETF Holdings
|
|
|
Large Cap Growth U.S. Equities
|
|
0-40%
|
Large Cap Value U.S. Equities
|
|
0-40%
|
Small Cap Growth U.S. Equities
|
|
0-20%
|
Small Cap Value U.S. Equities
|
|
0-20%
|
Real Estate Investment Trusts
|
|
0-20%
|
International (non-U.S.) Equities
|
|
0-30%
|
Emerging Markets Equities
|
|
0-10%
|
Core U.S. Bonds
|
|
0-20%
|
37
|
|
|
Treasury Inflation Protected Securities
|
|
0-10%
|
Short-Term Bonds
|
|
0-20%
|
Commodities
|
|
0-10%
|
Cash
|
|
0-20%
|
High Yield Bonds
|
|
0-15%
|
Emerging Market Bonds
|
|
0-15%
|
Principal Investment Risks
Management Risk
. The Subadvisers skill in setting the Portfolios asset allocation ranges described above will play a large
part in determining whether the Portfolio is able to achieve its investment objective. If the Subadvisers projections about the prospects for individual Underlying ETFs are incorrect, such errors in judgment by the Subadviser may result in
significant losses in the Portfolios investment in such security, which can also result in possible losses overall for the Portfolio.
Fund of Funds Risks.
The Portfolio is a Fund-of-Funds that invests in Underlying ETFs, which are typically open-end
investment companies or unit investment trusts. By investing in securities of an Underlying ETF, the Portfolios shareholders will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses of the Underlying ETF in addition to the
Portfolios own fees and expenses. As a result, your cost of investing will be higher than the cost of investing directly in the Underlying ETFs and may be higher than mutual funds that invest directly in stocks and bonds. Also, the Portfolio
may be prevented from fully allocating assets to a particular Underlying ETF due to fund-of-funds investment limitations.
ETF
Risks
. Underlying ETFs are subject to the following risks: (i) the market price of an Underlying ETFs shares may trade above or below its net asset value; (ii) an active trading market for an Underlying ETFs shares may not
develop or be maintained; (iii) the Underlying ETF may employ an investment strategy that utilizes high leverage ratios; (iv) trading of an Underlying ETFs shares may be halted if the listing exchanges officials deem such
action appropriate, the shares are delisted from the exchange, or the activation of market wide circuit breakers (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally; or (v) the Underlying ETF may fail
to achieve close correlation with the index that it tracks due to a variety of factors, such as rounding of prices and changes to the index and/or regulatory policies, resulting in the deviation of the Underlying ETFs returns from that of its
corresponding index. Some Underlying ETFs may be thinly traded, and the resulting higher costs associated with respect to purchasing and selling the Underlying ETFs will be borne by the Portfolio.
Asset Concentration Risk.
The Portfolio may have positions in Underlying ETFs that invest in a particular sector or asset class. A
particular market sector or asset class can be more volatile or underperform relative to benchmarks or indexes reflecting the market as a whole. To the extent that the Portfolio holds Underlying ETFs that invest in a particular sector, the Portfolio
is subject to an increased risk that its investments in that particular sector may decline because of changing expectations for the performance of that sector.
Derivatives Risk.
Some Underlying ETFs may use derivative instruments. The value of these instruments derives from the value of an
underlying asset, currency or index. Investments in these Underlying ETFs may involve the risk that the value of derivatives may rise or fall more rapidly than other investments, and the risk that an Underlying ETF may lose more than the amount
invested in the derivative instrument in the first place. Derivative instruments also involve the risk that other parties to the derivative contract may fail to meet their obligations, which could cause losses.
Non-Diversification Risk.
The Portfolio is non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940. In addition, the
Underlying ETFs in which the portfolio invests may also be non-diversified. This means that the Portfolio and Underlying ETFs have the ability to take larger positions in a smaller number of issuers than a Portfolio or Underlying ETF that is
classified as diversified. Therefore, the value of the Portfolios shares may be volatile and fluctuate more than shares of a diversified fund that invests in a broader range of securities.
Market Timing Risk
.
The Portfolio may invest in shares of Underlying ETFs which in turn may invest in securities
such as small-capitalization stocks or securities listed on foreign exchanges that may be susceptible to market timing or time zone arbitrage. Because the Portfolio is unable to monitor the Underlying ETFs policies and procedures with
respect to market timing, performance of the Underlying ETFs may be diluted due to market timing and therefore may affect the performance of the Portfolio.
Conflicts of Interest Risk.
The Portfolio is subject to certain potential conflicts of interest arising out of the activities of its
service providers. For example, the Trusts distributor, ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., or its affiliates, currently provide distribution services to several ETFs which could be purchased as an Underlying ETF (ALPS
Clients ETFs). While the Subadviser does not currently anticipate purchasing any of the ALPS Clients ETFs as part of the allocations for the Portfolio, it is possible that the ALPS Clients ETFs could be used in a Portfolio at
some time in the future. If this situation arises, the Adviser will waive a portion of the advisory fee equal to the portion of the fees attributable to the assets of the Portfolio invested in ALPS Clients ETFs. Similarly, the Subadviser is a
wholly owned subsidiary of Morningstar, Inc. (Morningstar). Morningstar is engaged in the business of providing ratings
38
and analysis on financial products, such as the Portfolio. A potential conflict exists since Morningstar could be providing ratings and analysis on financial products that are subadvised by the
Subadviser. The Subadviser and Morningstar have adopted procedures that address this situation. Additional information concerning these potential conflicts of interest can be found in the Statement of Additional Information (SAI).
Exchange Traded Notes (ETN) Risks.
The Portfolio may invest in ETNs, which are debt securities linked to an underlying
index. Similar to ETFs, an ETNs valuation is derived, in part, from the value of the index to which it is linked. ETNs, however, also bear the characteristics and risks of fixed-income securities, including credit risk and change in
rating risk. ETNs will be excluded from the definition of ETFs for the purposes of determining whether at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes of the Portfolio are invested in securities of
exchange-traded funds.
Fixed-Income Underlying ETF Risks
. A Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs investments will expose the
Portfolio to certain risks that may have an adverse effect on the Portfolios performance. These risks include:
Credit Risk
. The issuer of a fixed income security may not be able to make interest and principal payments when
due. Generally, the lower the credit rating of a security, the greater the risk that the issuer will default on its obligation.
Change in Rating Risk
. If a rating agency gives a debt security a lower rating, the value of the debt security
held by a Fixed-Income Underlying ETF will decline because investors will demand a higher rate of return.
Interest
Rate Risk
. The value of the Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs may fluctuate based upon changes in interest rates and market conditions. As interest rates increase, the value of the Portfolios income producing investments may go down. For
example, bonds tend to decrease in value when interest rates rise. Debt obligations with longer maturities typically offer higher yields, but are subject to greater price movements as a result of interest rate changes than debt obligations with
shorter maturities.
Duration Risk
. Prices of fixed income securities held in a Fixed-Income Underlying ETF
with longer effective maturities are more sensitive to interest rate changes than those with shorter effective maturities.
Emerging Markets Risk.
To the extent that Underlying ETFs invest in issuers located in emerging markets, the
risk associated with investing in foreign securities may be heightened by political changes, changes in taxation, or currency controls that could adversely affect the values of these investments. Emerging markets have been more volatile than the
markets of developed countries with more mature economies.
High-Yield Risk.
Investment in Underlying ETFs
which invest in high-yield or junk bonds can involve a substantial risk of loss. Junk bonds are considered to be speculative with respect to the issuers ability to pay interest and principal. These securities, which are rated below
investment grade, have a higher risk of issuer default, are subject to greater price volatility than investment grade securities and may be illiquid.
Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETF Risks.
A Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs investments will expose the Portfolio to certain risks
that may have an adverse effect on the Portfolios performance. These risks include:
Equity Securities
Risk
.
Underlying ETF investments may be subject to equity securities risk. The prices of stocks can rise or fall rapidly in response to developments affecting a specific company or industry, or to changing economic, political or
market conditions. The Underlying ETFs investments may decline in value if the stock markets perform poorly. There is also a risk that the Underlying ETFs investments will underperform either the securities markets generally or
particular segments of the securities markets.
Foreign Securities Risk
.
Foreign securities held by a
Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETF are subject to additional risks not typically associated with investments in domestic securities. These risks may include, among others, country risks (political, diplomatic, regional conflicts, terrorism, war, social
and economic instability, currency devaluations and policies that have the effect of limiting or restricting foreign investment or the movement of assets), different trading practices, less government supervision, less publicly available
information, limited trading markets and greater volatility.
Emerging Markets Risk
. To the extent that
Underlying ETFs invest in issuers located in emerging markets, the risk associated with investing in foreign securities may be heightened by political changes, changes in taxation, or currency controls that could adversely affect the values of these
investments. Emerging markets have been more volatile than the markets of developed countries with more mature economies.
Commodity Risk.
Some of the Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs may invest directly or indirectly in physical
commodities, such as gold, silver and other precious minerals. Thus, the Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs may be affected by changes in commodity prices. Commodity prices tend to be cyclical and can move significantly in short periods of time.
In addition, new
39
discoveries or changes in government regulations can affect the price of commodities.
Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Risk.
Through its investments in Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs, the
Portfolio may be exposed to risks similar to those associated with direct investments in real estate, including changes in interest rates, overbuilding, increased property taxes, or regulatory actions.
IBBOTSON AGGRESSIVE GROWTH ETF ASSET ALLOCATION PORTFOLIO
The Board of Trustees may change the investment objective or the principal investment strategies, or both, without a shareholder vote. If
there is a material change to the investment objective or principal investment strategy, you should consider whether the Ibbotson Aggressive Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio (Portfolio) remains an appropriate investment for
you. There is no guarantee that the Portfolio will achieve its investment objective.
Investment Objective
The Portfolio seeks to provide investors with capital appreciation.
Principal Investment Strategies
The
Portfolio invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes, in securities of exchange-traded funds (each, an Underlying ETF and collectively, the
Underlying ETFs). The Portfolio will notify you in writing at least 60 days before making any changes to this policy. For the purposes of this 80% investment policy, net assets are measured at the time of purchase. The
Portfolio is a Fund-of-Funds and seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of Underlying ETFs. Each Underlying ETF, in turn, in an attempt to approximate the investment performance of its benchmark,
invests in a variety of U.S. and foreign equity, debt, commodities, money market securities, futures, and other instruments. The investment policies of the various Underlying ETFs are described generally in the section called Information
about the Underlying ETFs in this Prospectus. The Portfolio may also seek to achieve its investment objective by investing in Exchange Traded Notes (ETN). ETNs are generally senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities which
are issued by a sponsor, and their returns are based on the performance of an underlying market index, usually in the natural resource or commodity markets, minus an annual expense or fee.
The Portfolio typically expects to allocate its investments in Underlying ETFs such that 10% of such allocation is invested in Underlying ETFs
that invest primarily in fixed-income securities and money market instruments (Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs) and approximately 90% of such allocation is invested in Underlying ETFs that invest primarily in equity securities of large,
medium and small sized companies, and may include other investments such as commodities and commodity futures (Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs). However, under normal market conditions, the Portfolio may, from time to time, invest
approximately 0-20% of such allocation in Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs and 80-100% of such allocation in Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs.
The Portfolio may invest its assets in the Underlying ETFs that collectively represent the asset classes in the target asset allocation ranges
described below. The following is a general guide regarding the anticipated allocation of assets among these asset classes. Subject to the approval of ALPS Advisors, Inc., the adviser to the Portfolio (the Adviser), Ibbotson
Associates, Inc., as the subadviser to the Portfolio (the Subadviser), may change these asset classes and the allocations from time-to-time without the approval of or notice to shareholders.
|
|
|
Asset Class
|
|
Percentage of Underlying ETF
Holdings
|
|
|
Large Cap Growth U.S. Equities
|
|
0-50%
|
Large Cap Value U.S. Equities
|
|
0-50%
|
Small Cap Growth U.S. Equities
|
|
0-25%
|
Small Cap Value U.S. Equities
|
|
0-25%
|
Real Estate Investment Trusts
|
|
0-25%
|
International (non-U.S.) Equities
|
|
0-40%
|
Emerging Markets Equities
|
|
0-10%
|
Core U.S. Bonds
|
|
0-10%
|
Treasury Inflation Protected Securities
|
|
0-5%
|
Short-Term Bonds
|
|
0-10%
|
Commodities
|
|
0-10%
|
Cash
|
|
0-10%
|
High Yield Bonds
|
|
0-15%
|
Emerging Market Bonds
|
|
0-15%
|
40
Principal Investment Risks
Management Risk
. The Subadvisers skill in setting the Portfolios asset allocation ranges described above will play a large
part in determining whether the Portfolio is able to achieve its investment objective. If the Subadvisers projections about the prospects for individual Underlying ETFs are incorrect, such errors in judgment by the Subadviser may result in
significant losses in the Portfolios investment in such security, which can also result in possible losses overall for the Portfolio.
Fund of Funds Risks.
The Portfolio is a Fund-of-Funds that invests in Underlying ETFs, which are typically open-end
investment companies or unit investment trusts. By investing in securities of an Underlying ETF, the Portfolios shareholders will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses of the Underlying ETF in addition to the
Portfolios own fees and expenses. As a result, your cost of investing will be higher than the cost of investing directly in the Underlying ETFs and may be higher than mutual funds that invest directly in stocks and bonds. Also, the Portfolio
may be prevented from fully allocating assets to a particular Underlying ETF due to fund-of-funds investment limitations.
ETF
Risks
. Underlying ETFs are subject to the following risks: (i) the market price of an Underlying ETFs shares may trade above or below its net asset value; (ii) an active trading market for an Underlying ETFs shares may not
develop or be maintained; (iii) the Underlying ETF may employ an investment strategy that utilizes high leverage ratios; (iv) trading of an Underlying ETFs shares may be halted if the listing exchanges officials deem such
action appropriate, the shares are delisted from the exchange, or the activation of market wide circuit breakers (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally; or (v) the Underlying ETF may fail
to achieve close correlation with the index that it tracks due to a variety of factors, such as rounding of prices and changes to the index and/or regulatory policies, resulting in the deviation of the Underlying ETFs returns from that of its
corresponding index. Some Underlying ETFs may be thinly traded, and the resulting higher costs associated with respect to purchasing and selling the Underlying ETFs will be borne by the Portfolio.
Asset Concentration Risk.
The Portfolio may have positions in Underlying ETFs that invest in a particular sector or asset class. A
particular market sector or asset class can be more volatile or underperform relative to benchmarks or indexes reflecting the market as a whole. To the extent that the Portfolio holds Underlying ETFs that invest in a particular sector, the Portfolio
is subject to an increased risk that its investments in that particular sector may decline because of changing expectations for the performance of that sector.
Derivatives Risk.
Some Underlying ETFs may use derivative instruments. The value of these instruments derives from the value of an
underlying asset, currency or index. Investments in these Underlying ETFs may involve the risk that the value of derivatives may rise or fall more rapidly than other investments, and the risk that an Underlying ETF may lose more than the amount
invested in the derivative instrument in the first place. Derivative instruments also involve the risk that other parties to the derivative contract may fail to meet their obligations, which could cause losses.
Non-Diversification Risk.
The Portfolio is non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940. In addition, the
Underlying ETFs in which the portfolio invests may also be non-diversified. This means that the Portfolio and Underlying ETFs have the ability to take larger positions in a smaller number of issuers than a Portfolio or Underlying ETF that is
classified as diversified. Therefore, the value of the Portfolios shares may be volatile and fluctuate more than shares of a diversified fund that invests in a broader range of securities.
Market Timing Risk
.
The Portfolio may invest in shares of Underlying ETFs which in turn may invest in securities
such as small-capitalization stocks or securities listed on foreign exchanges that may be susceptible to market timing or time zone arbitrage. Because the Portfolio is unable to monitor the Underlying ETFs policies and procedures with
respect to market timing, performance of the Underlying ETFs may be diluted due to market timing and therefore may affect the performance of the Portfolio.
Conflicts of Interest Risk.
The Portfolio is subject to certain potential conflicts of interest arising out of the activities of its
service providers. For example, the Trusts distributor, ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., or its affiliates, currently provide distribution services to several ETFs which could be purchased as an Underlying ETF (ALPS
Clients ETFs). While the Subadviser does not currently anticipate purchasing any of the ALPS Clients ETFs as part of the allocations for the Portfolio, it is possible that the ALPS Clients ETFs could be used in a Portfolio at
some time in the future. If this situation arises, the Adviser will waive a portion of the advisory fee equal to the portion of the fees attributable to the assets of the Portfolio invested in ALPS Clients ETFs. Similarly, the Subadviser is a
wholly owned subsidiary of Morningstar, Inc. (Morningstar). Morningstar is engaged in the business of providing ratings and analysis on financial products, such as the Portfolio. A potential conflict exists since Morningstar could be
providing ratings and analysis on financial products that are subadvised by the Subadviser. The Subadviser and Morningstar have adopted procedures that address this situation. Additional information concerning these potential conflicts of interest
can be found in the Statement of Additional Information (SAI).
Exchange Traded Notes (ETN) Risks.
The
Portfolio may invest in ETNs, which are debt securities linked to an underlying index. Similar to ETFs, an ETNs valuation is derived, in part, from the value of the index to which it is linked. ETNs, however, also bear the
characteristics and risks of fixed-income securities, including credit risk and change in rating risk. ETNs will be excluded from the
41
definition of ETFs for the purposes of determining whether at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes of the Portfolio are invested in securities of
exchange-traded funds.
Fixed-Income Underlying ETF Risks
. A Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs investments will expose the
Portfolio to certain risks that may have an adverse effect on the Portfolios performance. These risks include:
Credit Risk
. The issuer of a fixed income security may not be able to make interest and principal payments when
due. Generally, the lower the credit rating of a security, the greater the risk that the issuer will default on its obligation.
Change in Rating Risk
. If a rating agency gives a debt security a lower rating, the value of the debt security
held by a Fixed-Income Underlying ETF will decline because investors will demand a higher rate of return.
Interest
Rate Risk
. The value of the Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs may fluctuate based upon changes in interest rates and market conditions. As interest rates increase, the value of the Portfolios income producing investments may go down. For
example, bonds tend to decrease in value when interest rates rise. Debt obligations with longer maturities typically offer higher yields, but are subject to greater price movements as a result of interest rate changes than debt obligations with
shorter maturities.
Duration Risk
. Prices of fixed income securities held in a Fixed-Income Underlying ETF
with longer effective maturities are more sensitive to interest rate changes than those with shorter effective maturities.
Emerging Markets Risk
. To the extent that Underlying ETFs invest in issuers located in emerging markets, the
risk associated with investing in foreign securities may be heightened by political changes, changes in taxation, or currency controls that could adversely affect the values of these investments. Emerging markets have been more volatile than the
markets of developed countries with more mature economies.
High-Yield Risk.
Investment in Underlying ETFs
which invest in high-yield or junk bonds can involve a substantial risk of loss. Junk bonds are considered to be speculative with respect to the issuers ability to pay interest and principal. These securities, which are rated below
investment grade, have a higher risk of issuer default, are subject to greater price volatility than investment grade securities and may be illiquid.
Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETF Risks.
A Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs investments will expose the Portfolio to certain risks
that may have an adverse effect on the Portfolios performance. These risks include:
Equity Securities
Risk
.
Underlying ETF investments may be subject to equity securities risk. The prices of stocks can rise or fall rapidly in response to developments affecting a specific company or industry, or to changing economic, political or
market conditions. The Underlying ETFs investments may decline in value if the stock markets perform poorly. There is also a risk that the Underlying ETFs investments will underperform either the securities markets generally or
particular segments of the securities markets.
Foreign Securities Risk
.
Foreign securities held by a
Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETF are subject to additional risks not typically associated with investments in domestic securities. These risks may include, among others, country risks (political, diplomatic, regional conflicts, terrorism, war, social
and economic instability, currency devaluations and policies that have the effect of limiting or restricting foreign investment or the movement of assets), different trading practices, less government supervision, less publicly available
information, limited trading markets and greater volatility.
Emerging Markets Risk
. To the extent that
Underlying ETFs invest in issuers located in emerging markets, the risk associated with investing in foreign securities may be heightened by political changes, changes in taxation, or currency controls that could adversely affect the values of these
investments. Emerging markets have been more volatile than the markets of developed countries with more mature economies.
Commodity Risk.
Some of the Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs may invest directly or indirectly in physical
commodities, such as gold, silver and other precious minerals. Thus, the Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs may be affected by changes in commodity prices. Commodity prices tend to be cyclical and can move significantly in short periods of time.
In addition, new discoveries or changes in government regulations can affect the price of commodities.
Real Estate
Investment Trust (REIT) Risk.
Through its investments in Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs, the Portfolio may be exposed to risks similar to those associated with direct investments in real estate, including changes in interest rates,
overbuilding, increased property taxes, or regulatory actions.
IBBOTSON MVP ETF PORTFOLIO
42
The Board of Trustees may change the investment objective or the principal investment strategies,
or both, without a shareholder vote. If there is a material change to the investment objective or principal investment strategy, you should consider whether the Ibbotson MVP ETF Portfolio (Portfolio) remains an appropriate
investment for you. There is no guarantee that the Portfolio will achieve its investment objective.
Investment Objective
The Portfolio seeks to provide investors with capital appreciation and some current income while managing the Portfolios absolute level
of volatility.
Principal Investment Strategies
The Portfolio invests, under normal circumstances, at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes,
in securities of exchange-traded funds (each, an Underlying ETF and collectively, the Underlying ETFs). The Portfolio will notify you in writing at least 60 days before making any changes to this policy. For the
purposes of this 80% investment policy, net assets are measured at the time of purchase. The Portfolio is a Fund-of-Funds and seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in a portfolio of Underlying ETFs. Each
Underlying ETF, in turn, in an attempt to approximate the investment performance of its benchmark, invests in a variety of U.S. and foreign equity, debt, commodities, money market securities, futures, and other instruments. The investment
policies of the various Underlying ETFs are described generally in the section called Information about the Underlying ETFs in this Prospectus. The Portfolio may also seek to achieve its investment objective by investing in Exchange
Traded Notes (ETN). ETNs are generally senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities which are issued by a sponsor, and their returns are based on the performance of an underlying market index, usually in the natural resource or
commodity markets, minus an annual expense or fee.
The Subadvisers strategy utilizes a quantitative model to control the
Portfolios exposure to market volatility. The Subadviser tactically manages the underlying positions held within the Portfolio with the goal of achieving a target volatility level of approximately 9% to 11%. Volatility is a measure of the
magnitude of up and down fluctuations in the aggregate value of the Portfolios underlying positions. To achieve this target volatility level, the Portfolio will reduce the underlying positions that have historically exhibited higher levels of
volatility when expected volatility is rising. When expected volatility is dropping, the Portfolio will increase the underlying positions that have historically exhibited higher levels of volatility. To implement the tactical shifts in the
underlying positions, the Portfolio may invest in financial derivatives (both index futures and index options) to control the absolute level of volatility. Additionally, the Portfolio may seek to hedge against the possibility of short-term negative
equity market events. To help protect against potential short-term negative equity market events, the Portfolio may hold positions in either index futures or index options.
The Portfolio seeks exposure to a broad mix of asset classes. The Portfolio may invest, without limitation, in Underlying ETFs that invest
primarily in fixed-income securities and money market instruments (Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs) and in Underlying ETFs that invest primarily in equity securities of large, medium and small sized companies, and may include other
investments such as commodities and commodity futures (Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs). Additional Information on the Portfolios Investment Strategies can be found in the Portfolios Prospectus.
The Portfolio may invest its assets in the Underlying ETFs that collectively represent the asset classes in the target asset allocation ranges
described below. The following is a general guide regarding the anticipated allocation of assets among these asset classes. Subject to the approval of ALPS Advisors, Inc., the adviser to the Portfolio (the Adviser), Ibbotson
Associates, Inc., as the subadviser to the Portfolio (the Subadviser), may change these asset classes and the allocations from time-to-time without the approval of or notice to shareholders.
|
|
|
Asset Class
|
|
Percentage of Underlying ETF
Holdings
|
|
|
Large Cap Growth U.S. Equities
|
|
0-50%
|
Large Cap Value U.S. Equities
|
|
0-50%
|
Small Cap Growth U.S. Equities
|
|
0-25%
|
Small Cap Value U.S. Equities
|
|
0-25%
|
Real Estate Investment Trusts
|
|
0-10%
|
International (non-U.S.) Equities
|
|
0-40%
|
Emerging Markets Equities
|
|
0-20%
|
Core U.S. Bonds
|
|
0-80%
|
Treasury Inflation Protected Securities
|
|
0-50%
|
Short-Term Bonds
|
|
0-80%
|
Commodities
|
|
0-10%
|
Cash
|
|
0-80%
|
High Yield Bonds
|
|
0-20%
|
Emerging Market Bonds
|
|
0-15%
|
43
Principal Investment Risks
Management Risk
. The Subadvisers skill in setting the Portfolios asset allocation ranges described above will play a large
part in determining whether the Portfolio is able to achieve its investment objective. If the Subadvisers projections about the prospects for individual Underlying ETFs are incorrect, such errors in judgment by the Subadviser may result in
significant losses in the Portfolios investment in such security, which can also result in possible losses overall for the Portfolio.
Fund of Funds Risks.
The Portfolio is a Fund-of-Funds that invests in Underlying ETFs, which are typically open-end
investment companies or unit investment trusts. By investing in securities of an Underlying ETF, the Portfolios shareholders will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses of the Underlying ETF in addition to the
Portfolios own fees and expenses. As a result, your cost of investing will be higher than the cost of investing directly in the Underlying ETFs and may be higher than mutual funds that invest directly in stocks and bonds. Also, the Portfolio
may be prevented from fully allocating assets to a particular Underlying ETF due to fund-of-funds investment limitations.
ETF
Risks
. Underlying ETFs are subject to the following risks: (i) the market price of an Underlying ETFs shares may trade above or below its net asset value; (ii) an active trading market for an Underlying ETFs shares may not
develop or be maintained; (iii) the Underlying ETF may employ an investment strategy that utilizes high leverage ratios; (iv) trading of an Underlying ETFs shares may be halted if the listing exchanges officials deem such
action appropriate, the shares are delisted from the exchange, or the activation of market wide circuit breakers (which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) halts stock trading generally; or (v) the Underlying ETF may fail
to achieve close correlation with the index that it tracks due to a variety of factors, such as rounding of prices and changes to the index and/or regulatory policies, resulting in the deviation of the Underlying ETFs returns from that of its
corresponding index. Some Underlying ETFs may be thinly traded, and the resulting higher costs associated with respect to purchasing and selling the Underlying ETFs will be borne by the Portfolio.
Asset Concentration Risk.
The Portfolio may have positions in Underlying ETFs that invest in a particular sector or asset class. A
particular market sector or asset class can be more volatile or underperform relative to benchmarks or indexes reflecting the market as a whole. To the extent that the Portfolio holds Underlying ETFs that invest in a particular sector, the Portfolio
is subject to an increased risk that its investments in that particular sector may decline because of changing expectations for the performance of that sector.
Derivatives Risk.
Some Underlying ETFs may use derivative instruments. The value of these instruments derives from the value of an
underlying asset, currency or index. Investments in these Underlying ETFs may involve the risk that the value of derivatives may rise or fall more rapidly than other investments, and the risk that an Underlying ETF may lose more than the amount
invested in the derivative instrument in the first place. Derivative instruments also involve the risk that other parties to the derivative contract may fail to meet their obligations, which could cause losses. In addition, derivatives used by the
Portfolio for hedging purposes may have an imperfect correlation to the assets held by the Portfolio and may not adequately protect against losses by, or may result in greater losses for, the Portfolio.
Hedging Risk.
The Portfolios hedging activities, although designed to help offset negative movements in the markets for the
Portfolios investments, will not always be successful. Moreover, hedging can cause the Portfolio to lose money and can reduce the opportunity for gain. Among other things, these negative effects can occur if the market moves in a direction
that the Subadviser does not expect or if the Portfolio cannot close out its position in a hedging instrument.
Non-Diversification
Risk.
The Portfolio is non-diversified under the Investment Company Act of 1940. In addition, the Underlying ETFs in which the portfolio invests may also be non-diversified. This means that the Portfolio and Underlying ETFs have
the ability to take larger positions in a smaller number of issuers than a Portfolio or Underlying ETF that is classified as diversified. Therefore, the value of the Portfolios shares may be volatile and fluctuate more than shares
of a diversified fund that invests in a broader range of securities.
Market Timing Risk
.
The Portfolio may
invest in shares of Underlying ETFs which in turn may invest in securities such as small-capitalization stocks or securities listed on foreign exchanges that may be susceptible to market timing or time zone arbitrage. Because the Portfolio is
unable to monitor the Underlying ETFs policies and procedures with respect to market timing, performance of the Underlying ETFs may be diluted due to market timing and therefore may affect the performance of the Portfolio.
Conflicts of Interest Risk.
The Portfolio is subject to certain potential conflicts of interest arising out of the activities of its
service providers. For example, the Trusts distributor, ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., or its affiliates, currently provide distribution services to several ETFs which could be purchased as an Underlying ETF (ALPS
Clients ETFs). While the Subadviser does not currently anticipate purchasing any of the ALPS Clients ETFs as part of the allocations for the Portfolio, it is possible that the ALPS Clients ETFs could be used in a Portfolio at
some time in the future. If this situation arises, the Adviser will waive a portion of the advisory fee equal to the portion of the fees attributable to the assets of the Portfolio invested in ALPS Clients ETFs. Similarly, the
44
Subadviser is a wholly owned subsidiary of Morningstar, Inc. (Morningstar). Morningstar is engaged in the business of providing ratings and analysis on financial products, such as the
Portfolio. A potential conflict exists since Morningstar could be providing ratings and analysis on financial products that are subadvised by the Subadviser. The Subadviser and Morningstar have adopted procedures that address this situation.
Additional information concerning these potential conflicts of interest can be found in the Statement of Additional Information (SAI).
Exchange Traded Notes (ETN) Risks.
The Portfolio may invest in ETNs, which are debt securities linked to an underlying
index. Similar to ETFs, an ETNs valuation is derived, in part, from the value of the index to which it is linked. ETNs, however, also bear the characteristics and risks of fixed-income securities, including credit risk and change in
rating risk. ETNs will be excluded from the definition of ETFs for the purposes of determining whether at least 80% of its net assets plus the amount of any borrowings for investment purposes of the Portfolio are invested in securities of
exchange-traded funds.
Fixed-Income Underlying ETF Risks
. A Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs investments will expose the
Portfolio to certain risks that may have an adverse effect on the Portfolios performance. These risks include:
Credit Risk
. The issuer of a fixed income security may not be able to make interest and principal payments when
due. Generally, the lower the credit rating of a security, the greater the risk that the issuer will default on its obligation.
Change in Rating Risk
. If a rating agency gives a debt security a lower rating, the value of the debt security
held by a Fixed-Income Underlying ETF will decline because investors will demand a higher rate of return.
Interest
Rate Risk
. The value of the Fixed-Income Underlying ETFs may fluctuate based upon changes in interest rates and market conditions. As interest rates increase, the value of the Portfolios income producing investments may go down. For
example, bonds tend to decrease in value when interest rates rise. Debt obligations with longer maturities typically offer higher yields, but are subject to greater price movements as a result of interest rate changes than debt obligations with
shorter maturities.
Duration Risk
. Prices of fixed income securities held in a Fixed-Income Underlying ETF
with longer effective maturities are more sensitive to interest rate changes than those with shorter effective maturities.
Emerging Markets Risk
. To the extent that Underlying ETFs invest in issuers located in emerging markets, the
risk associated with investing in foreign securities may be heightened by political changes, changes in taxation, or currency controls that could adversely affect the values of these investments. Emerging markets have been more volatile than the
markets of developed countries with more mature economies.
High-Yield Risk.
Investment in Underlying ETFs
which invest in high-yield or junk bonds can involve a substantial risk of loss. Junk bonds are considered to be speculative with respect to the issuers ability to pay interest and principal. These securities, which are rated below
investment grade, have a higher risk of issuer default, are subject to greater price volatility than investment grade securities and may be illiquid.
Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETF Risks.
A Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs investments will expose the Portfolio to certain risks
that may have an adverse effect on the Portfolios performance. These risks include:
Equity Securities
Risk
.
Underlying ETF investments may be subject to equity securities risk. The prices of stocks can rise or fall rapidly in response to developments affecting a specific company or industry, or to changing economic, political or
market conditions. The Underlying ETFs investments may decline in value if the stock markets perform poorly. There is also a risk that the Underlying ETFs investments will underperform either the securities markets generally or
particular segments of the securities markets.
Foreign Securities Risk
.
Foreign securities held by a
Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETF are subject to additional risks not typically associated with investments in domestic securities. These risks may include, among others, country risks (political, diplomatic, regional conflicts, terrorism, war, social
and economic instability, currency devaluations and policies that have the effect of limiting or restricting foreign investment or the movement of assets), different trading practices, less government supervision, less publicly available
information, limited trading markets and greater volatility.
Emerging Markets Risk
. To the extent that
Underlying ETFs invest in issuers located in emerging markets, the risk associated with investing in foreign securities may be heightened by political changes, changes in taxation, or currency controls that could adversely affect the values of these
investments. Emerging markets have been more volatile than the markets of developed countries with more mature economies.
Commodity Risk.
Some of the Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs may invest directly or indirectly in physical
commodities, such as gold, silver and other precious minerals. Thus, the Non-Fixed Income Underlying ETFs may be affected by changes in
45
commodity prices. Commodity prices tend to be cyclical and can move significantly in short periods of time. In addition, new discoveries or changes in government regulations can affect the price
of commodities.
Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) Risk.
Through its investments in Non-Fixed Income
Underlying ETFs, the Portfolio may be exposed to risks similar to those associated with direct investments in real estate, including changes in interest rates, overbuilding, increased property taxes, or regulatory actions.
New Portfolio Risk.
The Portfolio has not yet commenced operations and does not yet have a full calendar year of performance history
for investors to evaluate. In addition, the Portfolio may not have significant operating history upon which to base estimations of accrued tax liabilities.
ALPS/ALERIAN ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE PORTFOLIO
The Board of Trustees may change the investment objective or the principal investment strategies, or both, without a shareholder vote. If
there is a material change to the investment objective or principal investment strategy, you should consider whether the ALPS/Alerian Energy Infrastructure Portfolio (Portfolio) remains an appropriate investment for you. There is no
guarantee that the Portfolio will achieve its investment objective.
Investment Objective
The Portfolio seeks investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the price and yield performance of its
underlying index, the Alerian Energy Infrastructure Index (the Index).
Principal Investment Strategies
The Portfolio employs a passive management or indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the
Index. Developed by Alerian, the Index is intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of the North American Energy Infrastructure sector. North American Energy Infrastructure sector companies own and operate assets that
are used in the energy sector to provide the link between the source of energy (where it is produced) and the end user (where it is consumed).
The Index is comprised of equity securities of issuers headquartered or incorporated in the United States and Canada, such as Master Limited
Partnerships and limited liability companies taxed as partnerships (MLPs), MLP affiliates, and Energy Infrastructure Companies.
The Portfolio will normally invest at least 90% of its net assets in securities that comprise the Index (or depositary receipts based on such
securities) provided that, for the reasons set forth below, the Portfolio will not invest more than 25% of the value of its assets in one or more MLPs. Under normal conditions, the Portfolio generally will invest in all of the securities that
comprise the Index in proportion to their weightings in the Index; however, under various circumstances, it may not be possible or practicable to purchase all of the securities in the Index in those weightings. In those circumstances, the Portfolio
may purchase a sample of the securities in the Index or utilize various combinations of other available investment techniques in seeking performance which corresponds to the performance of the Index.
Pursuant to Section 851(b) of the Code, the Portfolio may invest no more than 25% of the value of its total assets in the securities of
one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships, which include MLPs.
Index Construction
The Alerian Energy Infrastructure Index is intended to give investors a means of tracking the overall performance of the North American Energy
Infrastructure sector. North American Energy Infrastructure sector companies own and operate assets that are used in the energy sector to provide the link between the source of energy (where it is produced) and the end user (where it is consumed).
The Index is comprised of equity securities of issuers headquartered or incorporated in the United States and Canada, such as Master
Limited Partnerships and limited liability companies taxed as partnerships (MLPs), MLP affiliates, and corporations with energy infrastructure operations (Energy Infrastructure Companies). As of April 1, 2014, the Index
was comprised of 30 securities.
Index components are selected quarterly in connection with the reconstitution of the Index. Their
respective weights are rebalanced quarterly and equally weighed within each of the five categories of the Index. The Index rebalancing occurs quarterly on the third Friday of the last month of each calendar quarter.
Index shares of the Index components remain constant between quarters, except in the event of certain types of corporate actions,
including stock splits and reverse stock splits. Index shares of the Index are not adjusted between rebalancing dates for shares issued or shares
46
repurchased. Their respective weights are rebalanced quarterly in connection with the rebalancing of the Index.
Master Limited Partnerships
MLPs are
publicly traded partnerships engaged in, among other things, the transportation, storage and processing of minerals and natural resources, and are treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes. By confining their operations to these
specific activities, their interests, or units, are able to trade on public securities exchanges exactly like the shares of a corporation, without entity level taxation. To qualify as an MLP and not be taxed as a corporation, a partnership must, for
any taxable year, receive at least 90% of its income from qualifying sources as set forth in Section 7704(d) of the Code. These qualifying sources include, among other things, certain natural resource-based activities such as the processing,
transportation and storage of any mineral or natural resources. MLPs generally have two classes of owners, the general partner and limited partners. The general partner of an MLP is typically owned by a major energy company, an investment fund, the
direct management of the MLP, or is an entity owned by one or more of such parties. The general partner may be structured as a private or publicly traded corporation or other entity. The general partner typically controls the operations and
management of the MLP through an up to 2% equity interest in the MLP plus, in many cases, ownership of common units and subordinated units. Limited partners typically own the remainder of the partnership, through ownership of common units, and have
a limited role in the partnerships operations and management.
MLPs are typically structured such that common units and general
partner interests have first priority to receive quarterly cash distributions up to an established minimum amount (minimum quarterly distributions or MQD). Common and general partner interests also accrue arrearages in
distributions to the extent the MQD is not paid. Once common and general partner interests have been paid, subordinated units receive distributions of up to the MQD; however, subordinated units do not accrue arrearages. Distributable cash in excess
of the MQD is paid to both common and subordinated units and is distributed to both common and subordinated units generally on a pro rata basis. The general partner is also eligible to receive incentive distributions if the general partner operates
the business in a manner which results in distributions paid per common unit surpassing specified target levels. As the general partner increases cash distributions to the limited partners, the general partner receives an increasingly higher
percentage of the incremental cash distributions.
MLP Affiliates
MLP affiliates own assets in MLP units or ownership interests in MLPs. MLP affiliates also include U.S. and Canadian publicly traded equity
securities and limited liability companies that own, directly or indirectly, general partner interests of MLPs. General partner interests often confer direct board participation rights and in many cases, operating control, over the MLP. Notably, no
MLP affiliates are treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes.
Energy Infrastructure Companies
Energy Infrastructure Companies are corporations headquartered or incorporated in the United States or Canada, including Canadian pipeline
trusts and their successor companies. Energy Infrastructure Companies provide services in support of infrastructure assets such as pipelines, petroleum and natural gas storage, and natural resource processing. These entities separately report the
transportation, storage, and/or processing of energy commodities as a distinct business segment on their consolidated financial statements.
Canadian pipeline trusts have as their principal underlying business the ownership and operation of pipelines or other energy distribution
assets. These trusts typically generate cash flow through the levy of fixed rate transportation tolls based on product throughput. Canadian pipeline trusts may be treated as corporations or partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If
a Canadian pipeline trust is treated as a partnership, such Canadian pipeline trust may be an inappropriate investment for the Portfolio, or may count toward the 25% limit on qualified publicly traded partnerships that may be held by the Portfolio.
The information contained herein regarding the Index was provided by Alerian.
Principal Investment Risks
Investment Risk
.
An investment in the Portfolio is subject to investment risk including the possible loss of the entire
principal amount that you invest.
Market Risk.
The market value of a security may decline due to general market conditions
that are not specifically related to a particular company, such as real or perceived adverse economic conditions, changes in the outlook for corporate earnings, changes in interest or currency rates or adverse investor sentiment generally. A
securitys market value also may decline because of factors that affect a particular industry or industries, such as labor shortages or increased production costs and competitive conditions within an industry.
Industry Specific Risk.
Companies engaged in the energy infrastructure sector also are subject to risks specific to the industry they
serve. Risks inherent in the energy infrastructure business include the following:
47
A sustained decline in demand for crude oil, natural gas and refined petroleum
products could adversely affect revenues and cash flows. Factors that could lead to a decrease in market demand include a recession or other adverse economic conditions, an increase in the market price of the underlying commodity, higher taxes or
other regulatory actions that increase costs, or a shift in consumer demand for such products. Demand may also be adversely impacted by consumer sentiment with respect to global warming and/or by any state or federal legislation intended to promote
the use of alternative energy sources, such as bio-fuels.
Companies engaged in the energy infrastructure sector employ a
variety of means of increasing cash flow, including increasing utilization of existing facilities, expanding operations through new construction, expanding operations through acquisitions, or securing additional long-term contracts. Thus, some
companies engaged in the energy infrastructure sector may be subject to construction risk, acquisition risk or other risk factors arising from their specific business strategies. A significant slowdown in large energy companies disposition of
energy infrastructure assets and other merger and acquisition activity in the energy infrastructure industry could reduce the growth rate of cash flows received by the Portfolio from companies engaged in the energy infrastructure sector that grow
through acquisitions.
The volatility of energy commodity prices can indirectly affect certain entities that operate in
the midstream segment of the energy infrastructure industry due to the impact of prices on the volume of commodities transported, processed, stored or distributed. Most energy infrastructure entities are not subject to direct commodity price
exposure because they do not own the underlying energy commodity. Nonetheless, the price of an energy infrastructure security can be adversely affected by the perception that the performance of all such entities is directly tied to commodity prices.
The profitability of companies engaged in the energy infrastructure sector could be adversely affected by changes in the
regulatory environment. Most assets of such companies are heavily regulated by federal and state governments in diverse matters, such as the way in which such company assets are constructed, maintained and operated and the prices such companies may
charge for their services. Such regulation can change over time in scope and intensity. For example, a particular by-product of a process may be declared hazardous by a regulatory agency and unexpectedly increase production costs for a company
engaged in the energy infrastructure sector. Moreover, many state and federal environmental laws provide for civil as well as regulatory remediation, thus adding to the potential exposure such a company may face.
Extreme weather patterns, such as hurricane Ivan in 2004 and hurricane Katrina in 2005, could result in significant volatility
in the supply of energy and power and could adversely impact the value of the securities in which the Portfolio invests. This volatility may create fluctuations in commodity prices and earnings of companies in the energy infrastructure industry.
A rising interest rate environment could adversely impact the performance of companies engaged in the energy
infrastructure sector. Rising interest rates could limit the capital appreciation of equity units of such companies as a result of the increased availability of alternative investments at competitive yields. Rising interest rates may increase the
cost of capital for companies operating in this industry. A higher cost of capital could limit growth from acquisition or expansion projects, limit the ability of such entities to make or grow distributions or meet debt obligations, and adversely
affect the prices of their securities.
Since the September 11, 2001 attacks, the U.S. Government has issued public
warnings indicating that energy assets, specifically those related to pipeline infrastructure, production facilities, and transmission and distribution facilities, might be specific targets of terrorist activity. The continued threat of terrorism
and related military activity likely will increase volatility for prices in natural gas and oil and could affect the market for products of companies engaged in the energy infrastructure sector.
MLP Risk.
Investments in securities of MLPs involve risks that differ from an investment in common stock. Holders of units of MLPs have
more limited control rights and limited rights to vote on matters affecting the MLP as compared to holders of stock of a corporation.
For
example, MLP unit holders may not elect the general partner or the directors of the general partner and the MLP unit holders have limited ability to remove an MLPs general partner. MLPs are controlled by their general partners, which generally
have conflicts of interest and limited fiduciary duties to the MLP, which may permit the general partner to favor its own interests over the MLPs.
The Portfolio derives a significant amount of its cash flow from investments in equity securities of MLPs. The amount of cash that the
Portfolio will have available to pay or distribute to you depends entirely on the ability of the MLPs that the Portfolio owns to make distributions to their partners and the tax character of those distributions. Neither the Portfolio nor the Adviser
has control over the actions of underlying MLPs. The amount of cash that each individual MLP can distribute to its partners will depend on the amount of cash it generates from operations, which will vary from quarter to quarter depending on factors
affecting the energy infrastructure market generally and on factors affecting the particular business lines of the MLP. Available cash will also depend on the MLPs level of operating costs (including incentive distributions to the general
partner), level of capital expenditures, debt service requirements, acquisition costs (if any), fluctuations in working capital needs, and other factors. In addition, certain MLPs are dependent on their parents or sponsors for revenues, and a
failure by the MLPs parent or sponsor may impact the MLPs ability to make distributions. The Portfolio expects to generate significant investment income, and the Portfolios investments may not distribute the expected or anticipated
levels of cash, resulting in the risk that the Portfolio may not have the ability to make cash distributions as investors expect from MLP-focused
48
investments.
MLP Tax Risks.
MLPs are treated as partnerships for U.S.
federal income tax purposes and do not pay U.S. federal income tax at the entity level. Rather, each partner is allocated a share of the MLPs income, gains, losses, deductions and expenses.
The benefit you are expected to derive from the Portfolios investment in MLPs depends largely on the MLPs being treated as
partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a partnership, an MLP has no federal income tax liability at the entity level. If, as a result of a change in current law or a change in an MLPs business, an MLP were treated as a
corporation for federal income tax purposes, the MLP would be obligated to pay federal income tax on its income at the corporate tax rate. If an MLP were classified as a corporation for federal income tax purposes, the amount of cash available for
distribution would be reduced and part or all of the distributions the Portfolio receives might be taxed entirely as dividend income. Therefore, treatment of one or more MLPs as a corporation for federal income tax purposes could affect the
Portfolios ability to meet its investment objective and would reduce the amount of cash available to distribute to you.
The
tax treatment of publicly traded partnerships could be subject to potential legislative, judicial, or administrative changes and differing interpretations, possibly on a retroactive basis. Any such changes could negatively impact the value of an
investment in MLPs and therefore the value of your investment in the Portfolio.
MLP Affiliate Risk.
The performance of securities
issued by MLP affiliates primarily depends on the performance of an MLP. As such, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and distributions for MLP affiliates primarily depend on an MLPs results of operations, financial
condition and cash flows. The risks and uncertainties that affect the MLP, its results of operations, financial condition, cash flows and distributions also affect the value of securities held by the MLP affiliates.
Equity Securities Risk.
Common stock, MLP common units and other equity securities may be affected by macro-economic and other factors
affecting the stock market in general, including without limitation, expectations of interest rates, investor sentiment towards the natural resources sector, changes in an issuers financial condition, and poor performance of a particular
issuer.
Large-Cap, Mid-Cap and Small-Cap Companies Risk.
The Portfolios investment in larger companies is subject to
the risk that larger companies are sometimes unable to attain the high growth rates of successful, smaller companies, especially during extended periods of economic expansion. Securities of mid-cap and small-cap companies may be more volatile and
less liquid than the securities of large-cap companies.
Non-U.S. Securities Risk.
Investments in securities of non-U.S. issuers
(including Canadian issuers) involve risks not ordinarily associated with investments in securities and instruments of U.S. issuers. Non-U.S. securities exchanges, brokers and companies may be subject to less government supervision and regulation
than exists in the U.S. Dividend and interest income may be subject to withholding and other non-U.S. taxes, which may adversely affect the net return on such investments. There may be difficulty in obtaining or enforcing a court judgment abroad. In
addition, it may be difficult to effect repatriation of capital invested in certain countries. In addition, with respect to certain countries, there are risks of expropriation, confiscatory taxation, political or social instability or diplomatic
developments that could affect the Portfolios assets held in non-U.S. countries. Non-U.S. securities markets may have substantially less volume than U.S. securities markets and some non-U.S. company securities are less liquid than securities
of otherwise comparable U.S. companies. Non-U.S. markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures that could cause the Portfolio to encounter difficulties in purchasing and selling securities on such markets and may result in the
Portfolio missing attractive investment opportunities or experiencing a loss. When investing in securities issued by non-U.S. issuers, there is also the risk that the value of such an investment, measured in U.S. dollars, will decrease because of
unfavorable changes in currency exchange rates.
Liquidity Risk.
Although common units of MLPs trade on the NYSE, the NASDAQ, and
the NYSE MKT, certain MLP and other securities held by the Portfolio may trade less frequently than those of larger companies due to their smaller capitalizations. In the event certain MLP or other securities experience limited trading volumes, the
prices of such MLPs or other securities may display abrupt or erratic movements at times. Additionally, it may be more difficult for the Portfolio to buy and sell significant amounts of such securities without an unfavorable impact on prevailing
market prices. As a result, these securities may be difficult to dispose of at a fair price at the times when the Adviser believes it is desirable to do so. The Portfolios investment in securities that are less actively traded or over time
experience decreased trading volume may restrict its ability to take advantage of other market opportunities or to dispose of securities. This also may affect adversely the Portfolios ability to make dividend distributions to you.
Concentration Risk
. Under normal circumstances, and to the extent consistent with the Portfolios investment objective of seeking
investment results that correspond (before fees and expenses) generally to the price and yield performance of the Index, the Portfolio concentrates its investments in the North American Energy Infrastructure sector. A fund that invests primarily in
a particular sector could experience greater volatility than funds investing in a broader range of industries. At times, the performance of these investments may lag the performance of other industries or the market as a whole. An inherent risk
associated with any investment focus is that the Portfolio may be adversely affected if one or two of its investments perform poorly.
49
Non-Diversification Risk.
The Portfolio is a non-diversified investment company under the
1940 Act. As a result, there are no regulatory requirements under the 1940 Act that limit the proportion of the Portfolios assets that may be invested in securities of a single issuer. Accordingly, the Portfolio may invest a greater portion of
its assets in a more limited number of issuers than a diversified fund. The Portfolio will generally select its investments from the pool of North American Energy Infrastructure Companies consistent with its investment objective and policies. An
investment in the Portfolio may present greater risk to an investor than an investment in a diversified portfolio because changes in the financial condition or market assessment of a single issuer may cause greater fluctuations in the value of the
Portfolios Shares.
Replication Management Risk
. Unlike many investment companies, the Portfolio is not
actively managed. Therefore, it may not necessarily sell a security solely because the securitys issuer is in financial difficulty unless that security is removed from the Index.
Non-Correlation Risk.
The Portfolios return may not match the return of the Index for a number of reasons. For example, the
Portfolio incurs a number of operating expenses not applicable to the Index, and incurs costs in buying and selling securities, especially when rebalancing the Portfolios securities holdings to reflect changes in the composition of the
Index.
New Portfolio Risk
. The Portfolio does not yet have a full calendar year of performance history for investors to
evaluate.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE
IBBOTSON PORTFOLIOS INVESTMENT
STRATEGIES
Asset Allocation Investment Strategy
The Adviser and the Trust have engaged Ibbotson Associates, Inc. (Ibbotson or the Subadviser) to act as subadviser to
each Ibbotson Portfolio. Subject to the Advisers supervision, the Subadviser allocates each Ibbotson Portfolios assets among a variety of asset class and short-term (money market) investments by investing in Underlying ETFs. These
Underlying ETFs, in turn, may invest in a variety of U.S. and foreign equity, debt, commodities, money market securities, futures and other instruments. Ibbotson utilizes asset allocation models developed by Ibbotson to allocate each Ibbotson
Portfolios assets among the Underlying ETFs. Ibbotson uses a three step asset allocation process for these Portfolios. First, Ibbotson seeks to develop an optimal long-term strategic asset allocation model for each Ibbotson Portfolio
using different asset classes. Ibbotson uses a process called mean variance optimization (MVO) as a primary tool to develop the strategic asset class allocations. Using expected returns, standard deviations and correlations of
the different asset classes, MVO seeks to identify a combination of asset classes that is expected to maximize return for a given level of risk or minimize risk for a given level of return to develop a strategic ETF Asset Allocation Model for each
Ibbotson Portfolio.
Next, Ibbotson applies its dynamic asset allocation process. Dynamic asset allocation is the process of making
short-term deviations from the strategic ETF Asset Allocation Model based on a combination of quantitative modeling and fundamental market analysis. The goal of dynamic asset allocation overlay is to enhance the Portfolios overall risk and
return characteristics by deviating from the long-term strategic asset allocation positions. In other words, the objective of dynamic asset allocation is to outperform a strategic asset allocation model (i.e., the investment policy benchmark). The
process primarily utilizes multi-factor quantitative and qualitative signals, which include broad macroeconomic factors, valuation at the asset class level, and momentum signals, along with advanced risk budgeting techniques in order to determine
relative asset class over/under weights. Ibbotson implements the asset class over/underweights when they are expected to enhance a Portfolios returns. The magnitude of the dynamic decisions depends on factor strength and the confidence from
the analysis. Ibbotsons Investment Policy Committee meets regularly to discuss the current and future fundamental decisions, while the quantitative models run, at least, on a monthly basis.
Finally, having determined the long-term strategic ETF Asset Allocation Model and dynamic allocations for each Ibbotson Portfolio, Ibbotson
will then seek to determine the optimal combination of Underlying ETFs in order to meet the target asset allocations for each Ibbotson Portfolio. Ibbotson regularly performs screens on the universe of approved ETFs that may be used to fulfil
the target asset allocations for each Portfolio. Ibbotsons analysis in selecting and weighting the underlying ETFs from that universe may include performance analysis, tracking and trading efficiencies, and Underlying ETF expenses.
Each Ibbotson Portfolio will invest the proceeds from the sale of its shares, reinvest dividends generated from the Underlying ETFs,
reinvest other income, and redeem investments in the Underlying ETFs to provide the cash necessary to satisfy redemption requests for Ibbotson Portfolio shares. However, the portion of each Ibbotson Portfolios net assets represented by an
Underlying ETF or asset class could differ substantially over time from the target asset allocation, as the Underlying ETFs asset values may change due to market movements and portfolio management decisions. Periodically, Ibbotson will
re-evaluate each Ibbotson Portfolios asset allocation and may recommend the rebalancing of an Ibbotson Portfolios assets among Underlying ETFs to meet the target allocations. Each Ibbotson Portfolio may change its target allocation to
each asset class, the Underlying ETFs exposure to each asset class, or target allocations to each Underlying ETF (including adding or deleting Underlying ETFs) without prior approval from or notice to shareholders.
50
Decisions to sell shares of the Underlying ETFs are made for cash flow purposes, such as
redemptions or expenses, as a result of periodic rebalancing of an Ibbotson Portfolios portfolio holdings, or as an adjustment to an Underlying ETFs target asset allocation based on Ibbotsons view of the Ibbotson Portfolios
characteristics and other allocation criteria. The Adviser retains sole, ultimate authority over the asset allocation of each Ibbotson Portfolios assets and the selection of, and allocation to, the particular Underlying ETFs in which the
Ibbotson Portfolio will invest, but generally follows the views of Ibbotson.
For the Ibbotson MVP ETF Portfolio, the Subadviser utilizes
a quantitative model to control the Portfolios exposure to market volatility. The Subadviser tactically manages the underlying positions held within the Portfolio with the goal of achieving a target volatility level of approximately 9% to 11%.
To achieve this target volatility level, the Portfolio will reduce the underlying positions that have historically exhibited higher levels of volatility when expected volatility is rising. When expected volatility is dropping, the Portfolio will
increase the underlying positions that have historically exhibited higher levels of volatility. To implement the tactical shifts in the underlying positions, the Portfolio may invest in financial derivatives (both index futures and index options) to
control the absolute level of volatility. Additionally, the Portfolio may seek to hedge against the possibility of short-term negative equity market events. To help protect against potential short-term negative equity market events, the Portfolio
may hold positions in either index futures or index options.
Limitations on Investments in Underlying ETFs
Section 12(d)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), generally prohibits a Portfolio from
acquiring: (i) more than 3% of another open-end investment companys voting stock; (ii) securities of another open-end investment company with a value in excess of 5% of a Portfolios total assets; or (iii) securities of
such other open-end investment company and all other open-end investment companies owned by a Portfolio having a value in excess of 10% of the Portfolios total assets. In addition, Section 12(d)(1) generally prohibits another open-end
investment company from selling its shares to a Portfolio if, after the sale: (i) the Portfolio owns more than 3% of the other open-end investment companys voting stock or (ii) the Portfolio and other investment companies, and
companies controlled by them, own more than 10% of the voting stock of such other investment company. Some Underlying ETFs have obtained exemptive orders permitting other investment companies, such as the Ibbotson Portfolios, to acquire their
securities in excess of the Section 12(d)(1) limits of the 1940 Act. Each Ibbotson Portfolio intends to rely on such exemptive orders and to comply with the conditions specified in such exemptive orders from time to time. Any
Underlying ETF investment not subject to such exemptive orders will comply with Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act.
In addition,
with respect to investments in affiliated ETFs made pursuant to such exemptive orders, the Adviser will waive fees otherwise payable to it by an Ibbotson Portfolio in an amount at least equal to any compensation received by the Adviser
or an affiliated person of the Adviser from an Underlying ETF in connection with the investment by the Ibbotson Portfolio in the Underlying ETF. Similarly, the Subadviser will waive fees otherwise payable to the Subadviser, directly or
indirectly, by the Ibbotson Portfolio in an amount at least equal to any compensation received by the Subadviser, or an affiliated person of the Subadviser, in connection with any investment by the Ibbotson Portfolio in the Underlying ETF made at
the direction of the Subadviser. In the event that the Subadviser waives fees, the benefit of the waiver will be passed through to the Ibbotson Portfolio.
The Ibbotson Portfolios shareholders indirectly bear the expenses of the Underlying ETFs in which the Ibbotson Portfolio invests. The
Ibbotson Portfolios indirect expenses of investing in the Underlying ETFs represents the Ibbotson Portfolios pro rata portion of the cumulative expenses charged by the Underlying ETFs based on the Ibbotson Portfolios average
invested balance in each Underlying ETF, the number of days invested, and each Underlying ETFs net annual fund operating expenses for the fiscal period ending December 31, 2013. The Ibbotson Portfolios (except for the Ibbotson MVP ETF
Portfolio) each have two classes. Excluding the indirect costs of investing in the Underlying ETFs, Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses for each share class of the Ibbotson Portfolios would be as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Portfolio
|
|
Class I
|
|
Class II
|
|
Class III
|
Ibbotson Conservative ETF Asset Allocation
Portfolio
|
|
0.58%
|
|
0.83%
|
|
N/A
|
Ibbotson Income and Growth ETF Asset
Allocation Portfolio
|
|
0.53%
|
|
0.78%
|
|
N/A
|
Ibbotson Balanced ETF Asset Allocation
Portfolio
|
|
0.52%
|
|
0.77%
|
|
N/A
|
Ibbotson Growth ETF Asset Allocation
Portfolio
|
|
0.52%
|
|
0.77%
|
|
N/A
|
Ibbotson Aggressive Growth ETF Asset
Allocation Portfolio
|
|
0.55%
|
|
0.80%
|
|
N/A
|
Ibbotson MVP ETF Portfolio*
|
|
0.53%
|
|
0.78%
|
|
1.03%
|
*
|
Based on estimated amounts for the Portfolios initial fiscal year of operations.
|
Some Underlying ETFs, such as those that invest primarily in commodities and commodity futures, may not be registered as investment companies
under the 1940 Act. Therefore, the restrictions on investment discussed above would not apply to those Underlying ETFs.
Information About The Underlying ETFs
51
The Underlying ETFs in which the Ibbotson Portfolios intend to invest may change from time to
time and the Ibbotson Portfolios may invest in Underlying ETFs in addition to those described below at the discretion of the Adviser and Subadviser without prior notice to or approval of shareholders. The prospectus and SAI for each Underlying
ETF is available on the SECs website www.sec.gov.
Each Underlying ETF will normally be invested according to its investment
strategy. However, each Underlying ETF may also have the ability to invest without limitation in money market instruments or other investments for temporary defensive purposes. See Temporary Defensive Positions below.
Principal Investment Strategies of the Underlying ETFs
Each Underlying ETF utilizes a low cost passive or indexing investment approach to attempt to
approximate the investment performance of its benchmark.
The Underlying ETFs in which the Ibbotson Portfolios invest may be changed
from time to time and at any time, based on the Advisers and Subadvisers judgment.
Generally, each Underlying ETF will be
fully invested in accordance with its investment objectives and strategies. However, pending investment of cash balances, or if an Underlying ETFs portfolio manager believes that business, economic, political or financial conditions
warrant, an Underlying ETF may invest without limit in cash or money market cash equivalents, including: (1) short-term U.S. government securities; (2) certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances, and interest bearing saving
deposits of commercial banks; (3) prime quality commercial paper; and (4) repurchase agreements covering any of the foregoing securities. Should this occur, the Underlying ETF will not be pursuing its investment objective possibly
causing an affected Ibbotson Portfolio to deviate from its target asset allocation as determined by the Subadviser.
Temporary Defensive Positions
Normally, an Ibbotson Portfolio invests substantially all of its assets in Underlying ETFs to meet its investment objective. However, an
Ibbotson Portfolio may invest a portion of its assets in cash, cash equivalents, money market funds, or other investments. The Underlying ETFs may also invest a portion of their assets in money market funds, securities with remaining maturities of
less than one year, cash equivalents or may hold cash. When securities markets or economic conditions are unfavorable or unsettled, an Ibbotson Portfolio or Underlying ETF may adopt temporary defensive positions by investing up to 100% of its net
assets in securities that are highly liquid, such as high-quality money market instruments, short-term U.S. Government obligations, commercial paper or repurchase agreements, even though these positions are inconsistent with an Ibbotson
Portfolios or Underlying ETFs principal investment strategies. As a result, the Ibbotson Portfolio or Underlying ETF may not realize its investment objective if it is required to make temporary defensive investments. Furthermore, there
is no assurance that any such temporary defensive measures will work as intended.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE
ALERIAN PORTFOLIOS INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
Non-Principal Investment Strategies
As a principal investment strategy, the Alerian Portfolio will normally invest at least 90% of its net assets in component securities that
comprise the Index. As a non-principal investment strategy, the Alerian Portfolio may invest its remaining assets in money market instruments, including repurchase agreements or other funds which invest exclusively in money market instruments,
convertible securities, structured notes (notes on which the amount of principal repayment and interest payments are based on the movement of one or more specified factors, such as the movement of a particular stock or stock index), forward foreign
currency exchange contracts and in swaps, options and futures contracts. Swaps, options and futures contracts (and convertible securities and structured notes) may be used by the Alerian Portfolio in seeking performance that corresponds to the
Index, and in managing cash flows. The Alerian Portfolio will not invest in money market instruments as part of a temporary defensive strategy to protect against potential stock market declines. The Adviser anticipates that it may take approximately
three business days (i.e., each day the NYSE is open) for additions and deletions to the Index to be reflected in the portfolio composition of the Alerian Portfolio.
The Alerian Portfolio may borrow money from a bank up to a limit of 10% of the value of its total assets, but only for temporary or emergency
purposes. The Alerian Portfolio will not lend its portfolio securities.
I
ndex Provider
Alerian is the index provider for the Alerian Portfolio. Alerian is an independent company that provides objective market information and is a
leader of MLP-market intelligence, providing benchmarks, data sets, and analytics that are used extensively by a range of stakeholders such as investment banks, stock exchanges, investment professionals and consultants, and Master Limited
Partnerships. The company started its business of developing and maintaining financial indexes, including the Index, on June 1, 2006. Alerian has entered into an index licensing agreement (the Licensing Agreement) with the Adviser
to allow the Advisers use of the Index for the operation of the
52
Alerian Portfolio. The Adviser pays licensing fees to Alerian from the Advisers management fees or other resources.
Disclaimers
Alerian is the designer of the construction and methodology for the Index. Alerian, Alerian Energy Infrastructure
Index, Alerian Index Series and AMZI are service marks or trademarks of Alerian. Alerian acts as brand licensor for the Index. Alerian is not responsible for the descriptions of the Index or the Alerian Portfolio that
appear herein. Alerian is not affiliated with the Trust, the Adviser or the Distributor.
The Alerian Portfolio is not sponsored, endorsed
or promoted by Alerian. Alerian makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Alerian Portfolio or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities or commodities generally or in the
Alerian Portfolio particularly and does not guarantee the quality, accuracy or completeness of the Index or any Index data included herein or derived therefrom and assume no liability in connection with their use. The Index is determined and
composed without regard to the Adviser or the Alerian Portfolio. Alerian has no obligation to take the needs of the Adviser, the Alerian Portfolio or the shareholders of the Alerian Portfolio into consideration in connection with the foregoing.
Alerian is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of pricing or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Shares of the Alerian Portfolio or in the determination or calculation of the NAV of the Alerian Portfolio. Alerian
has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration or trading of the Alerian Portfolio.
Alerian does not guarantee the
accuracy and/or completeness of the Index or any data included therein, and Alerian shall have no liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions therein. Alerian makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the
Adviser, the Alerian Portfolio, Alerian Portfolio shareholders or any other person or entity from the use of the Index or any data included therein. Alerian makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of
merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall Alerian have any liability for any special, punitive, indirect, or
consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of the Index, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
The Adviser does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Index or any data included therein, and the Adviser shall have no
liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. The Adviser makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Alerian Portfolio, owners of the Shares of the Alerian Portfolio or any other person or entity from
the use of the Index or any data included therein. The Adviser makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Index or any data
included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall the Adviser have any liability for any special, punitive, direct, indirect, or consequential damages (including lost profits) arising out of matters relating to the use of
the Index, even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
The Alerian Energy Infrastructure Index (the Index) is the
exclusive property of GKD Index Partners LLC d/b/a Alerian, which has contracted with S&P Opco, LLC (a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC) (S&P Dow Jones Indices) to calculate and maintain the Index. S&P
®
is a registered trademark of Standard & Poors Financial Services LLC (SPFS); Dow Jones
®
is a registered
trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (Dow Jones); and these trademarks have been licensed to S&P Dow Jones Indices. Calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices and its related stylized mark(s) have been licensed for
use by Alerian.
The Alerian Portfolio is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices, SPFS, Dow Jones or any
of their affiliates (collectively, S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities). S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities do not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Alerian Portfolio or any member of the
public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Alerian Portfolio particularly or the ability of the Index to track general market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities only relationship to Alerian
with respect to the Index is the licensing of certain trademarks, service marks and trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities and for the providing of calculation and maintenance services related to the Index. S&P Dow Jones Indices
Entities are not responsible for and have not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of the Alerian Portfolio or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Alerian Portfolio or in the determination or calculation of the equation
by which the Alerian Portfolio is to be converted into cash. S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities have no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Alerian Portfolio. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC is
not an investment advisor. Inclusion of a security within the Index is not a recommendation by S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities to buy, sell, or hold such security, nor is it considered to be investment advice.
S&P DOW JONES INDICES ENTITIES DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE INDEX OR ANY DATA
RELATED THERETO OR ANY COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S&P DOW JONES INDICES ENTITIES SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR LIABILITY
FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P DOW JONES INDICES ENTITIES MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO RESULTS TO BE
OBTAINED BY ALERIAN, OWNERS OF THE ALERIAN
53
PORTFOLIO, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE INDEX OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY DATA RELATED THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P
DOW JONES INDICES ENTITIES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBLITY OF
SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE.
Master/Feeder Structure
In lieu of investing directly, a Portfolio may seek to achieve its investment objective by converting to a Master/Feeder Structure pursuant to
which a Portfolio would invest all of its investable assets in an investment company having substantially the same investment objective and policies as the Portfolio. The Master/Feeder Structure is an arrangement that allows several investment
companies with different shareholder-related features or distribution channels, but having substantially the same investment objectives, policies and restrictions, to invest all of their assets in the same portfolio instead of managing them
separately, thereby achieving certain economies of scale, reducing the operating expense associated with each Portfolio. The Statement of Additional Information (SAI) contains more information about the possible conversion to a
Master/Feeder Structure.
DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CLASSES
The Ibbotson Conservative ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio, Ibbotson Income and Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio, Ibbotson Balanced ETF
Asset Allocation Portfolio, Ibbotson Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio and Ibbotson Aggressive Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio each offer Class I and Class II shares. The Ibbotson MVP ETF Portfolio offers Class I, Class II and Class III
shares, while the ALPS/Alerian Energy Infrastructure Portfolio offers Class I and Class III shares. Each share class represents an interest in the same portfolio of securities, but each class has its own sales charge and expense structure, providing
you with different choices for meeting the needs of your situation. A Contract Owners insurance company or Participants retirement plan administrator may make one or more of the share classes available in connection with their contract
or separate account with that company. The decision as to which class of shares is best suited to your needs depends on a number of factors that you should discuss with your financial advisor.
Authorized Classes
Each Portfolio may issue one or more classes of shares, in the same or separate prospectuses, which includes Class I, Class II and Class III
(collectively, the Classes and individually, each a Class).
Class I, Class II and Class III shares are sold
without a sales load. Class II shares are offered with fees for distribution, servicing and marketing of such shares (12b-1 Fees) pursuant to a Distribution Plan. The shareholder servicing activities generally include responding to
shareholder inquiries, directing shareholder communications, account balance maintenance, and dividend posting. In addition to 12b-1 Fees, Class III shares are also offered with fees for non-distribution related services provided to shareholders
(Service Fees). Class I shares do not impose 12b-1 Fees or Service Fees. A Contract Owners insurance company or Participants retirement plan administrator may make one or more of the share classes available in connection with
their contract or separate account with that company.
The Classes of shares issued by any Portfolio will be identical in all respects
except for Class designation, allocation of certain expenses for a Class directly related to the distribution or service arrangement, or both, and voting rights. Each Class votes separately with respect to issues affecting only that Class.
Shares of all Classes will represent interests in the same investment Portfolio. Therefore, each Class is subject to the same investment objectives, policies and limitations.
Class Expenses
Each Class of shares shall bear expenses, not including advisory or custodial fees or other expenses related to the management of a
Portfolios assets, that are directly attributable to the kind or degree of services rendered to that Class (Class Expenses).
Class Expenses, including the management fee or the fee of other service providers, may be waived or reimbursed by the Portfolios
investment adviser, underwriter, or any other provider of services to the Portfolios with respect to each Class of a Portfolio on a Class by Class basis.
Exchange Privileges
Shareholders may exchange shares of one Portfolio for shares of any of the other Portfolios of the Trust which are available for sale in their
state.
MANAGEMENT OF THE PORTFOLIOS
54
Investment Adviser
ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the Adviser), located at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203, is registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission as an investment adviser. As of December 31, 2013, the Adviser provided supervisory and management services on approximately $12.14 billion in assets through closed-end funds, mutual funds and exchange-traded funds.
Subject to the authority of the Trusts Board of Trustees, the Adviser is responsible for the overall management of each Portfolios
business affairs. The Adviser invests the assets of each Portfolio, either directly or through the use of subadvisers, according to each Portfolios investment objective, policies and restrictions. The Adviser furnishes at its own
expense all of the necessary office facilities, equipment and personnel required for managing the assets of each Portfolio.
Ibbotson
Portfolios
. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement (the Ibbotson Advisory Agreement), each Ibbotson Portfolio pays the Adviser an annual management fee of 0.45% based on such Portfolios average daily net assets. The
management fee is paid on a monthly basis. The Adviser is required to pay all fees due to the Subadviser out of the management fee the Adviser receives from the Ibbotson Portfolio. The management fee paid by each Ibbotson Portfolio
(excluding the Ibbotson MVP ETF Portfolio, which has not yet commenced operations) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, expressed as a percentage of average net assets is 0.45%. The Adviser has entered into a contractual arrangement
with the Subadviser to reimburse equally 50% of each Portfolios expenses, and/or waive a portion of the advisory, subadvisory or other fees, and/or reimburse fees to the extent necessary to cap each Funds Total Annual Fund Operating
Expenses After Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursements at 0.53% of average daily net assets for each of Class I, II and III shares, as applicable, through April 29, 2015, subject to distribution and/or service (12b-1) Fees, Shareholder Service Fees,
acquired fund fees and expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions and extraordinary expenses, which may cause each Portfolios Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursements shown above to exceed the maximum amounts.
A discussion regarding the Board of Trustees basis for approving the Ibbotson Advisory Agreement with respect to each Ibbotson
Portfolio will be available in the Portfolios semi-annual shareholder report for the period ended June 30, 2014.
Alerian Portfolio
. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement (the Alerian Advisory Agreement), the Portfolio pays the
Adviser an annual management fee of 0.70% based on the Portfolios average daily net assets. The management fee is paid on a monthly basis.
The initial term of the Alerian Advisory Agreement is two years. The Board of the Trust may extend the Alerian Advisory Agreement for
additional one-year terms. The Board, shareholders of the Portfolio or the Adviser may terminate the Alerian Advisory Agreement upon sixty (60) days notice.
A discussion regarding the Board of Trustees basis for approving the Advisory Agreement with respect to the Alerian Portfolio will be
available in the Alerian Portfolios semi-annual shareholder report for the period ended June 30, 2014.
Investment Subadviser
The Adviser is responsible for selecting the subadviser to each Ibbotson Portfolio, subject to shareholder approval and applicable law, if
appropriate. The Subadviser has been engaged to manage the investments of each Ibbotson Portfolio in accordance with such Portfolios investment objective, policies and limitations and any investment guidelines established by the Adviser
and the Board of Trustees. The Subadviser is responsible, subject to the supervision and control of the Adviser and the Board of Trustees, for the purchase, retention and sale of primary Underlying ETFs and money market funds in the portion of
each Ibbotson Portfolios investment portfolio under its management. The Adviser pays the Subadviser an annual subadvisory management fee of 0.15% based on such Portfolios average daily net assets. The Adviser pays the
subadvisory management fee out of the management fee paid to the Adviser pursuant to the Advisory Agreement. The subadvisory management fee is paid on a monthly basis. The Ibbotson Portfolios are not responsible for the payment of this
subadvisory management fee.
Ibbotson Associates, Inc. (Ibbotson), the Subadviser for each Ibbotson Portfolio, located at
22 W. Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Morningstar, Inc. and a leading authority on asset allocation with expertise in capital market expectations and portfolio implementation. Approaching portfolio construction
from the top-down through a research-based investment process, its experienced consultants and portfolio managers serve mutual fund firms, banks, broker-dealers and insurance companies worldwide. Ibbotsons methodologies and services address
all investment phases, from accumulation to retirement and the transition between the two. Rooted in academic research, Ibbotsons portfolio development process establishes the foundation for all of its investment management services.
Bridging the gap between theory and practice, the process enables Ibbotson consultants and portfolio managers to build robust portfolios for institutions and investors based on sound asset allocation principles.
A discussion regarding the Board of Trustees basis for approving the subadvisory agreement with respect to each Ibbotson Portfolio will
be available in the Portfolios semi-annual shareholder report for the period ended June 30, 2014.
55
The Adviser directly manages the assets of the Alerian Portfolio, without the use of a
subadviser, in accordance with the Portfolios investment objective, policies and restrictions.
Portfolio Managers
Ibbotson Portfolios
. The individuals primarily responsible for management of the Ibbotson Portfolios are the personnel of
Ibbotson identified below (each, a Portfolio Manager and collectively, the Portfolio Managers). Ibbotson employs a team-based approach to the management of the Ibbotson Portfolios. The Portfolio Managers listed below are
collectively responsible for the day-to-day management of each Ibbotson Portfolio. No one person is principally responsible for making recommendations regarding the Ibbotson Portfolios target asset allocation and investments.
Scott Wentsel, CFA
®
,
CFP
®
,
Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager. Mr. Wentsel joined Ibbotson Associates in 2005. His responsibilities include the management of fund of funds clients and oversight
of the investment personnel within Ibbotson Associates. Mr. Wentsel has more than 20 years of investment industry experience. Prior to joining Ibbotson, Mr. Wentsel was an executive director with Morgan Stanley, where he worked primarily
on product development and management within Van Kampen Investments. Prior to Morgan Stanley, he spent 13 years with Scudder Kemper Investments, with responsibilities in their mutual fund business. Mr. Wentsel holds a bachelors degree in
economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a masters degree in business administration, with honors, from the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business with concentrations in finance and statistics.
Mr. Wentsel has managed the Portfolios since their inception in 2007.
Jared Watts
, Portfolio Manager. Mr. Watts
joined Ibbotson Associates in 2006. His responsibilities include the management of fund of funds clients across multiple financial intermediary segments. Mr. Watts helps develop and manage multiple asset allocation solutions and strategies. In
addition to conducting mutual fund research, Mr. Watts helps lead the research and implementation efforts on exchange-traded products for Morningstars Investment Management division. Mr. Watts has more than 13 years of investment
industry experience. Prior to joining Ibbotson, Mr. Watts was an Investment Manager at Allstate Financial, where he helped manage fund relationships, asset allocation efforts, and investment product research. Prior to Allstate, Mr. Watts
was at A.G. Edwards, where he conducted mutual fund and stock research. Mr. Watts holds a bachelors degree in finance from Southern Illinois University and a masters degree in business administration, with honors, from Saint Xavier
University, Graham School of Management with concentrations in portfolio management and financial analysis. Mr. Watts has managed the Portfolios since their inception in 2007.
Carrie Scherkenbach
, Portfolio Manager. Mrs. Scherkenbach joined Ibbotson Associates in 1999. Her responsibilities include the
management of fund of funds clients across multiple financial intermediary segments. Mrs. Scherkenbach helps develop and manage multiple asset allocation solutions and strategies. In addition to conducting mutual fund research,
Mrs. Scherkenbach performs asset allocation modeling, portfolio construction, and fund classification. Mrs. Scherkenbach has more than 13 years of investment industry experience. Prior to joining Ibbotson, Mrs. Scherkenbach was a
portfolio representative at GE Capital Equipment Financing. Mrs. Scherkenbach holds a bachelors degree in finance from the University of Wisconsin. Mrs. Scherkenbach has managed the Portfolios since their inception in 2007.
Brian Huckstep,
CFA
®
, Portfolio Manager. Mr. Huckstep joined Ibbotson
Associates in 2005. His responsibilities include the management of fund of funds clients across multiple financial intermediary segments. Mr. Huckstep helps develop and manage multiple asset allocation solutions and strategies. In addition to
conducting mutual fund research, Mr. Huckstep performs asset allocation modeling, portfolio construction, and fund classification. Mr. Huckstep has more than 20 years of investment industry experience. Prior to joining Ibbotson,
Mr. Huckstep was a director of data acquisition at Morningstar, where he helped manage the data collection for international offices. Prior to Morningstar, Mr. Huckstep was a Vice President at Northern Trust, where he held multiple analyst
and manager positions. Before joining Northern Trust, Mr. Huckstep was part of a commercial banking rotation program at Bank One. Mr. Huckstep holds a bachelors degree in economics from the University of Michigan and a masters
degree in business administration from the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business with concentrations in finance, strategy, and entrepreneurship. Mr. Huckstep has managed the Portfolios since July 2012.
Alerian Portfolio
. The individual identified below is primarily responsible for management of the Alerian Portfolio (the
Portfolio Manager).
Michael Akins,
Senior Vice President Index Management, of the Adviser. Mr. Akins is the
Portfolio Manager of the Portfolio and is also responsible for the refinement and implementation of the equity portfolio management process. Prior to joining the Adviser, Mr. Akins served as Deputy Chief Compliance Officer for ALPS Fund
Services. Before joining ALPS, Mr. Akins was Assistant Vice President and Compliance Officer for UMB Financial Corporation and prior to UMB, he was an Account Manager at State Street Corporation. Mr. Akins has over 10 years
financial services experience, is an Honor Graduate from the Fiduciary and Investment Risk Management School and graduated from Briar Cliff University with a B.A. in Business Administration.
The SAI provides additional information about the Portfolio Managers, including Portfolio Manager compensation, other accounts managed by the
Portfolio Managers, and each Portfolio Managers ownership of shares in the Portfolios.
56
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
Buying and Selling Shares
Each Portfolio may sell its shares only to separate accounts of various insurance companies (the Insurer(s)) and to various
qualified plans (Retirement Plans). Shares are available through investment in various Retirement Plans, or purchase of certain variable annuity contracts or life insurance policies (Contracts) issued by
Insurers. If you are a Contract Owner, the Insurer will allocate your premium payments to a Portfolio through separate accounts in accordance with your Contract.
The Retirement Plans and separate accounts of Insurers are the shareholders of record of a Portfolios shares. Any reference to the
shareholder in this Prospectus generally refers to the Retirement Plans and the Insurers separate accounts. Shareholder does not refer to the individual investor, but the Contract Owner in such separate account or
as a Participant in such Retirement Plan.
The Trust has received exemptive relief from the Securities and Exchange Commission to sell
Portfolio shares to, among others, separate accounts funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies issued by both affiliated life insurance companies and unaffiliated life insurance companies, and trustees of qualified
group pension and group retirement plans outside of the separate account context. Due to differences in tax treatment and other considerations, the interests of certain contract owners and Retirement Plans may conflict. The Trusts Board of
Trustees will monitor events in order to attempt to identify the existence of any material irreconcilable conflicts and to determine any action to be taken in response.
Each Portfolio continuously offers shares to Insurers and Retirement Plans at the net asset value (NAV) per share next determined
after the Trust or its designated agent receives and accepts a proper purchase or redemption request. Each Insurer or Retirement Plan submits purchase and redemption orders to the Trust based on allocation instructions for premium payments,
transfer instructions and surrender or partial withdrawal requests that are furnished to the Insurer by such Contract Owners or by Participants. The Insurers and Retirement Plans are designated agents of the Portfolios. The Trust, the
Adviser and the Portfolios distributor reserves the right to reject any purchase order from any party for shares of any Portfolio.
The Portfolios may refuse to sell their Shares to any Insurer or Retirement Plan or may suspend or terminate the offering of a
Portfolios Shares if such action is required by law or regulatory authority or is in the best interests of a Portfolios shareholders. It is possible that a Retirement Plan investing in the Portfolios could lose its qualified plan status
under the Internal Revenue Code, which could have adverse tax consequences on Insurer separate accounts investing in the Portfolios. The Adviser intends to monitor such Retirement Plans, and the Portfolios may discontinue sales to a Retirement Plan
and require Participants with existing investments in the Portfolios to redeem those investments if a plan loses (or in the opinion of the Adviser is at risk of losing) its qualified plan status.
Each Portfolio will ordinarily make payment for redeemed shares within seven (7) business days after the Trust or its designated agent
receives and accepts a proper redemption order. A proper redemption order will contain all the necessary information and signatures from either the Insurer or Retirement Plan required to process the redemption order. The redemption price
will be the NAV per share next determined after the Trust or its designated agent receives and accepts such instructions in proper form.
Each Portfolio may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment during any period when trading on the New York Stock
Exchange (NYSE) is restricted, or the NYSE is closed for other than weekends and national holidays; when an emergency makes it not reasonably practicable for a Portfolio to dispose of its assets or calculate its NAV; or as permitted by
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Certain Insurers, separate accounts, or Adviser affiliates may from time to time own
(beneficially or of record) or control a significant percentage of a Portfolios Shares. Redemptions by these Insurers or separate accounts of their holdings in a Portfolio may impact the Portfolios liquidity and NAV. These redemptions
may also force the Portfolio to sell securities, which may negatively impact the Portfolios brokerage costs.
If the Trustees
determine that existing conditions make cash payment undesirable, redemption payments may be made in whole or in part in securities or other property, valued for this purpose as they are valued in computing a Portfolios NAV. Shareholders
receiving an in-kind redemption may realize a gain or loss for tax purposes when liquidating acquired securities and will incur all transaction fees.
The accompanying disclosure documents for the Contracts or Retirement Plans describes the allocation, transfer, and withdrawal provisions of
such Contract or Retirement Plan. These Contracts and Retirement Plans may assess fees and expenses that are not described in this Prospectus. You should review the accompanying disclosure documents for a complete description of such fees and
expenses, if any.
Administrative Fees (Networking, Omnibus Positioning Fee)
57
Certain Insurers or other intermediaries may charge networking, omnibus account or other
administrative fees with respect to transactions in shares of the Portfolios. Transactions may be processed through the National Securities Clearing Corporation or similar systems or processed on a manual basis. These fees are paid by the Portfolios
to the Distributor, which uses such fees to reimburse intermediaries. In the event an intermediary receiving payments from the Distributor on behalf of a Portfolio converts from a networking structure to an omnibus account structure or otherwise
experiences increased costs, fees borne by the Portfolio may increase.
Valuing Shares
The price at which you buy, sell, or exchange Portfolio shares is the share price or NAV. The share price for shares of each Portfolio is
determined by adding the value of that Portfolios investments, cash and other assets, deducting liabilities, and then dividing that value by the total number of the shares outstanding of that Portfolio. Each Portfolio is open for business
each day that the NYSE is open (a Business Day). Each NAV is calculated at the close of that Business Day, which coincides with the close of regular trading of the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time). NAV is not calculated
on the days that the NYSE is closed.
When a Portfolio calculates its NAV, it values the securities it holds at market
value. Sometimes market quotes for some securities are not available or are not representative of market value. Examples would be when events occur that materially affect the value of a security at a time when the security is not trading
or when the securities are illiquid. In that case, securities may be valued in good faith at fair value, using consistently applied procedures decided on by the Trustees.
Excessive Trading and Market Timing Activities
While each Portfolio provides its shareholders with daily liquidity, their investment programs are designed to serve long-term investors.
Excessive trading and market timing activities (Disruptive Trading) in a Portfolios shares can be disruptive to the management of a Portfolio and as a result may hurt the long-term performance of a Portfolio.
For example, Disruptive Trading activities may expose long-term shareholders to additional risks, such as:
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dilution of the value of a Portfolios shares held by long-term shareholders who do not engage in this activity;
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the loss of investment opportunity by requiring an Ibbotson Portfolio to maintain more liquid assets as opposed to being able to invest such assets
in Underlying ETFs; and
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increased brokerage and administrative cost to a Portfolio due to redemption requests that are unusually large in either dollar amounts or number
of redemptions.
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In addition, each Ibbotson Portfolio may invest in shares of Underlying ETFs which in turn may invest
in securities that may be primarily listed on foreign exchanges, the impact of events that occur after the close of a foreign exchange but before the close of trading on the NYSE may present risks of time-zone arbitrage. Similarly,
each such Underlying ETF may hold certain small-capitalization (e.g., small company) stocks that are thinly traded, and these types of securities, as with securities listed on foreign exchanges, are also prone to stale pricing and other potential
pricing discrepancies (each a Market Timing strategy). An investor engaging in this type of Market Timing of an Ibbotson Portfolio is seeking to capture any pricing inefficiencies and possibly cause a dilution of the value in an
Ibbotson Portfolios NAV. Excessive Trading risks can be magnified for mutual funds that are smaller in asset size.
In order to
attempt to protect Trust investors, the Trusts Board of Trustees has adopted policies that it believes are reasonably designed to discourage Disruptive Trading. The Portfolios are typically available as an investment option under a number of
different variable insurance products of Insurers and Retirement Plans. Contract Owners of these variable insurance products and Participants of these Retirement Plans may typically transfer value among subaccounts of the Insurers separate
accounts or Retirement Plans by contacting the Insurer or Retirement Plan, as applicable. The resulting purchases and redemptions of Portfolio shares may be made through omnibus accounts of the Insurers separate account or Retirement Plan, as
applicable. The right of a Contract Owner or Participant to transfer among subaccounts is governed by a contract or plan between the Insurer or Retirement Plan and such Contract Owner or Participant, respectively. Because the record owners of the
Portfolios are generally the Insurers or Retirement Plans, and not the Contract Owners or Participants, the Trust is not ordinarily in a position to directly monitor for or uncover Disruptive Trading by Contract Owners or Participants. The terms of
these contracts or plans, the presence of financial intermediaries (including the Insurers) between the Portfolios and Contract Owners and Participants, the utilization of omnibus accounts by these intermediaries and other factors, such as state
insurance laws, may limit the Portfolios ability to detect and deter market timing.
As a consequence, the Trust typically seeks to
enlist the cooperation or assistance, through contractual arrangements or otherwise, of an Insurer, Retirement Plan or intermediary in seeking to detect, monitor and deter Disruptive Trading. An Insurer, Retirement Plan or intermediary may not have
the capability or willingness to assist to the degree or in the manner requested by the Trust. In addition, certain parties who engage in Disruptive Trading may employ a variety of techniques to avoid detection.
58
None of these tools, however, can guarantee the possibility that Disruptive Trading activity will
not occur, and the Trust cannot guarantee that monitoring by the Insurers or Retirement Plans will be 100% successful in detecting all Disruptive Trading. Consequently, there is a risk that some investors could engage in Disruptive Trading
activities.
Any shareholder who wishes to engage in a Disruptive Trading strategy should not purchase shares of any Portfolio
.
Anti-Money Laundering
Under applicable anti-money laundering regulations and other Federal regulations, purchase orders may be suspended, restricted, or canceled
and the monies may be withheld.
Contract Owners and Participants may be asked to provide additional information in order for the Trust
and its agents to verify their identities in accordance with requirements under anti-money laundering regulations. Accounts may be restricted and/or closed, and the monies withheld, pending verification of this information or as otherwise required
under these and other Federal regulations.
Distributions and Tax Consequences
The Portfolios distribute substantially all of their net income and capital gains to shareholders each year. The Portfolios pay capital
gains and income dividends annually. All dividends and capital gains distributions paid by the Portfolios will be automatically reinvested at net asset value in the Portfolios. For Contract Owners the result of automatic reinvestment of
distributions on a Portfolios performance, including the effect of dividends, is reflected in the cash value of the Contracts you own. Please see the Contract prospectus accompanying this Prospectus for more information.
The Portfolios each intend to qualify as a regulated investment company under Section 851 the Code, in order to be relieved
of Federal income tax on that part of their net investment income and realized capital gains they distribute to shareholders. To qualify, the Portfolios must meet certain relatively complex income and diversification tests. The loss of
such status would result in the Portfolios being subject to Federal income tax on their taxable income and gains.
The Trust is an
open-end registered investment company under the 1940 Act. As such, each Portfolio is generally limited under the 1940 Act to one distribution in any one taxable year of long-term capital gains realized by the Portfolio. In this regard, that portion
of a Portfolios income which consists of gain realized by the Portfolio on a sale of a security (including, in the case of the Alerian Portfolio, equity units in an MLP, other than the portion of such gain representing recapture income) may
constitute long-term capital gain subject to this limitation. Cash distributions received by the Alerian Portfolio from the MLPs in which such Portfolio invests generally will not constitute long-term capital gain, except to the extent that
(i) such MLP distributions relate to long-term capital gain realized by the MLP on a sale by the MLP of its assets or (ii) the distributions received from a particular MLP exceed such Portfolios tax basis in its equity units in such
MLP. The Alerian Portfolio does not expect that a material portion of the cash distributions it receives from MLPs in which it invests will constitute long-term capital gain.
The Alerian Portfolio may determine to distribute at least annually amounts representing the full dividend yield net of expenses on the
underlying investment securities, as if the Alerian Portfolio owned the underlying investment securities for the entire dividend period in which case some portion of each distribution may result in a return of capital. You will be notified regarding
the portion of the distribution which represents a return of capital. The Alerian Portfolio may make additional distributions and dividends at other times if the Adviser believes doing so may be necessary for the Portfolio to avoid or reduce taxes.
In addition to the diversification requirements applicable to regulated investment companies generally, Section 817(h) of the Code
and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder impose additional diversification requirements on separate accounts holding variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts. In determining whether a separate account satisfies the foregoing
diversification requirements, Section 817(h) allows a separate account to look through the to the assets of regulated investment companies in which such separate account has invested under certain conditions which the Portfolios believe that
they will satisfy. The Adviser intends to diversify investments in accordance with those requirements. The Insurers prospectuses for variable annuities policies describe the Federal income tax treatment of distributions from such
contracts to Contract Owners.
Employee benefit plans and other tax-exempt investors considering an investment in any of the
Portfolios should consult their tax advisers about the potential tax consequences of such an investment.
The foregoing is only a
short summary of important federal tax law provisions that can affect the Portfolios. Other federal, state, or local tax law provisions may also affect the Portfolios and their operations.
Because each investors tax circumstances are unique and because the tax laws are subject to change, we recommend that you consult your
tax adviser, or if applicable, the Insurer through which your investment in a particular Portfolio is made, about your investment.
59
Distribution Plans
The Board of Trustees has adopted a separate plan of distribution for each Class pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act for the Portfolios
(a Distribution Plan).
Class I Distribution Plan
The Class I shares have adopted a Defensive Distribution Plan (the Class I Distribution Plan) that recognizes that the Adviser may
use its management fees, in addition to its past profits or its other resources, to pay for expenses incurred in connection with providing services intended to result in the sale of Portfolio shares and/or shareholder support services. Under
the Class I Distribution Plan, the Adviser may pay significant amounts to intermediaries, such as banks, insurance companies, retirement plan administrators and other service providers that provide a variety of possible services. The Board of
Trustees has currently authorized such payments on behalf of the Portfolios.
Class II and III Distribution Plans
The Class II and III Distribution Plans permit the use of each Portfolios assets to compensate the Portfolios distributor, ALPS
Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. (APSD), for its services and costs in distributing shares and servicing shareholder accounts. The Class II and III Distribution Plans also recognize that the Adviser and Subadviser may use their
management fee revenues, as well as their past profits, to pay for expenses incurred in connection with providing services intended to result in the sale of shares and/or shareholder support services.
Under the Class II and III Distribution Plans, APSD receives an amount equal to 0.25% of the average annual net assets of the Class II and III
shares, respectively, of each Portfolio. All or a portion of the fees paid to APSD under the Class II and III Distribution Plans will, in turn, be paid to certain financial intermediaries as compensation for selling shares or for providing
ongoing administrative services. These services generally include responding to shareholder inquiries, directing shareholder communications, account balance maintenance, and dividend posting.
Because the fees paid under the Class II and III Distribution Plans are paid out of Portfolio assets on an on-going basis, over time these
fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than other types of sales charges.
Shareholder
Servicing Fees
The Ibbotson MVP ETF Portfolio and ALPS/Alerian Energy Infrastructure Portfolio have each adopted a shareholder
services plan (a Services Plan) with respect to Class III shares. Under the Services Plan, each Portfolio is authorized to pay third party service providers, including but not limited to insurance companies, banks and their affiliates,
other institutions, broker-dealers and Trust affiliates (Participating Organizations), for non-distribution related services to shareholders of Class III shares.
Payments under the Services Plans are calculated daily and paid monthly, and the aggregate fees on an annual basis are not to exceed 0.25% of
the average daily net asset value of the Class III shares of either Portfolio attributable to or held in the name of a Participating Organization for its clients as compensation for providing service activities pursuant to an agreement with a
Participating Organization. Any amount of such payment not paid during a Portfolios fiscal year for such service activities shall be reimbursed to such Fund as soon as practicable.
Because these shareholder services fees are paid out of assets attributable to each Portfolios Class III shares on an ongoing basis,
over time these fees will increase the cost of an investment in such shares and may cost more than other types of sales charges.
OTHER INFORMATION
Net Asset Value
The net asset value per share of each Portfolio will be determined as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange
(NYSE) each day the NYSE is open for business and will be computed by determining the aggregate market value of all assets of that Portfolio less its liabilities divided by the total number of shares outstanding. The NYSE is closed
on weekends and most national holidays. The determination of net asset value for a particular day is applicable to all applications for the purchase of shares, as well as all requests for the redemption of shares, received before the close of
regular trading on the NYSE on that day.
Foreign securities exchanges, which set the prices for foreign securities held by each
Portfolio, are not always open the same days as the NYSE, and they may be open for business on days the NYSE is not. For example, Thanksgiving Day is a holiday observed by the NYSE but not observed by foreign exchanges. In this situation,
a Portfolio would not calculate net asset value on Thanksgiving Day and the Portfolio would not buy, sell or exchange shares for investors on that day, even though activity on foreign exchanges could result in
60
changes in the net asset value of investments held by that Portfolio on that day. Purchases and sales of investment securities and income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the
exchange rates on the dates of such transactions.
Securities traded on one or more of the U.S. national securities exchanges, the NASDAQ
Stock Market or any foreign stock exchange will be valued at the last sale price or the official closing price on the exchange or system where such securities are principally traded for the Business Day as of which such value is being determined.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, where market quotations are not readily available, or in the Advisers judgment they do not
accurately reflect fair value of a security, or an event occurs after the market close but before the Portfolio is priced that materially affects the value of a security, the securities will be valued by the Adviser using fair valuation procedures
established by the Board of Trustees. Examples of potentially significant events that could materially impact a Portfolios net asset value include, but are not limited to, company specific announcements, significant market volatility, natural
disasters, armed conflicts and significant governmental actions. Fair valuation procedures may also be employed for securities such as certain derivatives, swaps, and other similar instruments for which there are no market quotations readily
available. There can be no assurance, however, that a fair valuation used by a Portfolio on any given day will more accurately reflect the market value of an investment than the closing price of such investment in its market. The value
assigned to fair-valued securities for purposes of calculating a Portfolios net asset value may differ from the securitys most recent closing market price and from the prices used by other mutual funds to calculate their net asset
values. A Portfolio may change the time at which orders are priced if the NYSE closes at a different time or an emergency exists. With respect to any portion of an Ibbotson Portfolios assets that are invested in Underlying ETFs that are
registered under the 1940 Act, the Ibbotson Portfolios net asset value is calculated based upon the net asset values of the those Underlying ETFs in which the Ibbotson Portfolios invest, and the prospectuses for those Underlying ETFs explain the
circumstances under which those Underlying ETFs will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings
The SAI contains a detailed description of each Portfolios policies and procedures with
respect to the disclosure of its portfolio holdings.
61
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand each Portfolios financial performance for the past year. Certain
information reflects financial results for a single Portfolio share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Portfolio (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and
distributions).
These financial highlights of the
Ibbotson Conservative ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio, Ibbotson Income and
Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio, Ibbotson Balanced ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio, Ibbotson Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio, Ibbotson Aggressive Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio and ALPS/Alerian Energy Infrastructure Portfolio
have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, whose report, along with the Portfolios financial statements, are included in the December 31, 2013 annual report, which is available upon request.
Ibbotson MVP ETF Portfolio
The Ibbotson
MVP ETF Portfolio has not yet commenced operations. Therefore, this Portfolio does not have financial highlights for the period ended December 31, 2013. Additional information about this Portfolios investments will be available in its
annual and semi-annual reports when they are available.
62
Ibbotson Conservative ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio Class I
Financial Highlights
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class I
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2012
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2011
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2010
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2009
|
|
|
|
PER COMMON SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value - beginning of period
|
|
$
|
11.24
|
|
|
$
|
11.03
|
|
|
$
|
11.09
|
|
|
$
|
10.54
|
|
|
$
|
9.79
|
|
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income after waiver/reimbursements
(1)
|
|
|
0.15
|
|
|
|
0.20
|
|
|
|
0.26
|
|
|
|
0.23
|
|
|
|
0.26
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments
|
|
|
0.16
|
|
|
|
0.40
|
|
|
|
0.11
|
|
|
|
0.47
|
|
|
|
0.56
|
|
|
|
Total income
from investment operations
|
|
|
0.31
|
|
|
|
0.60
|
|
|
|
0.37
|
|
|
|
0.70
|
|
|
|
0.82
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income after waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
(0.17
|
)
|
|
|
(0.18
|
)
|
|
|
(0.16
|
)
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
(0.06
|
)
|
From net realized gain
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
(0.21
|
)
|
|
|
(0.27
|
)
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
Total distributions
|
|
|
(0.31
|
)
|
|
|
(0.39
|
)
|
|
|
(0.43
|
)
|
|
|
(0.15
|
)
|
|
|
(0.07
|
)
|
|
|
Net increase/(decrease) in net asset value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.21
|
|
|
|
(0.06
|
)
|
|
|
0.55
|
|
|
|
0.75
|
|
|
|
Net asset value - end of period
|
|
$
|
11.24
|
|
|
$
|
11.24
|
|
|
$
|
11.03
|
|
|
$
|
11.09
|
|
|
$
|
10.54
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Return
*
|
|
|
2.77
|
%
|
|
|
5.48
|
%
|
|
|
3.42
|
%
|
|
|
6.67
|
%
|
|
|
8.35
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (000)
|
|
$
|
3,037
|
|
|
$
|
3,039
|
|
|
$
|
2,504
|
|
|
$
|
2,314
|
|
|
$
|
1,501
|
|
Ratios to average net assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses before waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
0.58
|
%
|
|
|
0.60
|
%
|
|
|
0.63
|
%
|
|
|
0.74
|
%
|
|
|
0.95
|
%
|
Net expenses after waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
0.53
|
%
|
|
|
0.53
|
%
|
|
|
0.51
|
%
|
|
|
0.48
|
%
|
|
|
0.48
|
%
|
Net investment income after waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
1.29
|
%
|
|
|
1.75
|
%
|
|
|
2.31
|
%
|
|
|
2.12
|
%
|
|
|
2.63
|
%
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
|
19
|
%
|
|
|
22
|
%
|
|
|
39
|
%
|
|
|
34
|
%
|
|
|
31
|
%
|
*
|
Assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions.
|
(1)
|
Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
|
63
Ibbotson Conservative ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio Class II
Financial Highlights
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class II
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2012
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2011
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2010
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2009
|
|
|
|
PER COMMON SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value - beginning of period
|
|
$
|
11.20
|
|
|
$
|
11.00
|
|
|
$
|
11.07
|
|
|
$
|
10.53
|
|
|
$
|
9.81
|
|
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income after waiver/reimbursements
(1)
|
|
|
0.12
|
|
|
|
0.17
|
|
|
|
0.24
|
|
|
|
0.20
|
|
|
|
0.24
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments
|
|
|
0.17
|
|
|
|
0.40
|
|
|
|
0.10
|
|
|
|
0.48
|
|
|
|
0.55
|
|
|
|
Total income from investment
operations
|
|
|
0.29
|
|
|
|
0.57
|
|
|
|
0.34
|
|
|
|
0.68
|
|
|
|
0.79
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income after waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
(0.15
|
)
|
|
|
(0.16
|
)
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
(0.13
|
)
|
|
|
(0.06
|
)
|
From net realized gain
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
(0.21
|
)
|
|
|
(0.27
|
)
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
Total distributions
|
|
|
(0.29
|
)
|
|
|
(0.37
|
)
|
|
|
(0.41
|
)
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
(0.07
|
)
|
|
|
Net increase/(decrease) in net asset value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.20
|
|
|
|
(0.07
|
)
|
|
|
0.54
|
|
|
|
0.72
|
|
|
|
Net asset value - end of period
|
|
$
|
11.20
|
|
|
$
|
11.20
|
|
|
$
|
11.00
|
|
|
$
|
11.07
|
|
|
$
|
10.53
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Return
*
|
|
|
2 .56
|
%
|
|
|
5 .21
|
%
|
|
|
3 .14
|
%
|
|
|
6 .48
|
%
|
|
|
8 .06
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (000)
|
|
$
|
36,295
|
|
|
$
|
35,950
|
|
|
$
|
27,460
|
|
|
$
|
19,488
|
|
|
$
|
14,744
|
|
Ratios to average net assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses before waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
0 .83
|
%
|
|
|
0 .85
|
%
|
|
|
0 .88
|
%
|
|
|
0 .99
|
%
|
|
|
1 .20
|
%
|
Net expenses after waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
0 .78
|
%
|
|
|
0 .78
|
%
|
|
|
0 .77
|
%
|
|
|
0 .73
|
%
|
|
|
0 .73
|
%
|
Net investment income after waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
1 .05
|
%
|
|
|
1 .53
|
%
|
|
|
2 .10
|
%
|
|
|
1 .88
|
%
|
|
|
2 .39
|
%
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
|
19
|
%
|
|
|
22
|
%
|
|
|
39
|
%
|
|
|
34
|
%
|
|
|
31
|
%
|
*
|
Assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions.
|
(1)
|
Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
|
64
Ibbotson Income and Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio Class I
Financial Highlights
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class I
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2012
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2011
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2010
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2009
|
|
|
|
PER COMMON SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value - beginning of period
|
|
$
|
10.41
|
|
|
$
|
10.11
|
|
|
$
|
10.25
|
|
|
$
|
9.46
|
|
|
$
|
8.41
|
|
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income after waiver/reimbursements
(1)
|
|
|
0.15
|
|
|
|
0.20
|
|
|
|
0.23
|
|
|
|
0.22
|
|
|
|
0.23
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments
|
|
|
0.63
|
|
|
|
0.63
|
|
|
|
(0.09
|
)
|
|
|
0.63
|
|
|
|
0.93
|
|
|
|
Total income from investment
operations
|
|
|
0.78
|
|
|
|
0.83
|
|
|
|
0.14
|
|
|
|
0.85
|
|
|
|
1.16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income after waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
(0.19
|
)
|
|
|
(0.20
|
)
|
|
|
(0.11
|
)
|
|
|
(0.06
|
)
|
|
|
(0.10
|
)
|
From net realized gain
|
|
|
(0.10
|
)
|
|
|
(0.33
|
)
|
|
|
(0.17
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
Total distributions
|
|
|
(0.29
|
)
|
|
|
(0.53
|
)
|
|
|
(0.28
|
)
|
|
|
(0.06
|
)
|
|
|
(0.11
|
)
|
|
|
Net increase/(decrease) in net asset value
|
|
|
0.49
|
|
|
|
0.30
|
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
0.79
|
|
|
|
1.05
|
|
|
|
Net asset value - end of period
|
|
$
|
10.90
|
|
|
$
|
10.41
|
|
|
$
|
10.11
|
|
|
$
|
10.25
|
|
|
$
|
9.46
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Return
*
|
|
|
7.58
|
%
|
|
|
8.18
|
%
|
|
|
1.37
|
%
|
|
|
9.04
|
%
|
|
|
13.72
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (000)
|
|
$
|
3,736
|
|
|
$
|
3,315
|
|
|
$
|
2,186
|
|
|
$
|
1,701
|
|
|
$
|
776
|
|
Ratios to average net assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses before waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
0.53
|
%
|
|
|
0.52
|
%
|
|
|
0.55
|
%
|
|
|
0.66
|
%
|
|
|
0.82
|
%
|
Net expenses after waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
0.53
|
%
|
|
|
0.52
|
%
|
|
|
0.51
|
%
|
|
|
0.48
|
%
|
|
|
0.48
|
%
|
Net investment income after waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
1.39
|
%
|
|
|
1.90
|
%
|
|
|
2.25
|
%
|
|
|
2.22
|
%
|
|
|
2.59
|
%
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
|
12
|
%
|
|
|
19
|
%
|
|
|
45
|
%
|
|
|
31
|
%
|
|
|
28
|
%
|
*
|
Assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions.
|
(1)
|
Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
|
65
Ibbotson Income and Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio Class II
Financial Highlights
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class II
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2012
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2011
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2010
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2009
|
|
|
|
PER COMMON SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value - beginning of period
|
|
$
|
10.81
|
|
|
$
|
10.49
|
|
|
$
|
10.64
|
|
|
$
|
9.82
|
|
|
$
|
8.73
|
|
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income after waiver/reimbursements
(1)
|
|
|
0.13
|
|
|
|
0.17
|
|
|
|
0.21
|
|
|
|
0.24
|
|
|
|
0.21
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments
|
|
|
0.65
|
|
|
|
0.66
|
|
|
|
(0.10
|
)
|
|
|
0.63
|
|
|
|
0.95
|
|
|
|
Total income from investment
operations
|
|
|
0.78
|
|
|
|
0.83
|
|
|
|
0.11
|
|
|
|
0.87
|
|
|
|
1.16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income after waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
(0.16
|
)
|
|
|
(0.18
|
)
|
|
|
(0.09
|
)
|
|
|
(0.05
|
)
|
|
|
(0.06
|
)
|
From net realized gain
|
|
|
(0.10
|
)
|
|
|
(0.33
|
)
|
|
|
(0.17
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
Total distributions
|
|
|
(0.26
|
)
|
|
|
(0.51
|
)
|
|
|
(0.26
|
)
|
|
|
(0.05
|
)
|
|
|
(0.07
|
)
|
|
|
Net increase/(decrease) in net asset value
|
|
|
0.52
|
|
|
|
0.32
|
|
|
|
(0.15
|
)
|
|
|
0.82
|
|
|
|
1.09
|
|
|
|
Net asset value - end of period
|
|
$
|
11.33
|
|
|
$
|
10.81
|
|
|
$
|
10.49
|
|
|
$
|
10.64
|
|
|
$
|
9.82
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Return
*
|
|
|
7.33
|
%
|
|
|
7.87
|
%
|
|
|
1.08
|
%
|
|
|
8.88
|
%
|
|
|
13.30
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (000)
|
|
$
|
110,724
|
|
|
$
|
109,407
|
|
|
$
|
94,049
|
|
|
$
|
76,487
|
|
|
$
|
23,595
|
|
Ratios to average net assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses before waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
0.78
|
%
|
|
|
0.77
|
%
|
|
|
0.80
|
%
|
|
|
0.90
|
%
|
|
|
1.06
|
%
|
Net expenses after waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
0.78
|
%
|
|
|
0.77
|
%
|
|
|
0.77
|
%
|
|
|
0.73
|
%
|
|
|
0.73
|
%
|
Net investment income after waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
1.14
|
%
|
|
|
1.57
|
%
|
|
|
1.98
|
%
|
|
|
2.39
|
%
|
|
|
2.33
|
%
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
|
12
|
%
|
|
|
19
|
%
|
|
|
45
|
%
|
|
|
31
|
%
|
|
|
28
|
%
|
*
|
Assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions.
|
(1)
|
Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
|
66
Ibbotson Balanced ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio Class I
Financial Highlights
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class I
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2012
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2011
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2010
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2009
|
|
|
|
PER COMMON SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value - beginning of period
|
|
$
|
10.18
|
|
|
$
|
9.74
|
|
|
$
|
10.08
|
|
|
$
|
9.08
|
|
|
$
|
7.65
|
|
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income after waiver/reimbursements
(1)
|
|
|
0.17
|
|
|
|
0.21
|
|
|
|
0.22
|
|
|
|
0.21
|
|
|
|
0.20
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments
|
|
|
1.07
|
|
|
|
0.86
|
|
|
|
(0.28
|
)
|
|
|
0.86
|
|
|
|
1.31
|
|
|
|
Total income/(loss) from
investment operations
|
|
|
1.24
|
|
|
|
1.07
|
|
|
|
(0.06
|
)
|
|
|
1.07
|
|
|
|
1.51
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income after waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
(0.18
|
)
|
|
|
(0.18
|
)
|
|
|
(0.12
|
)
|
|
|
(0.07
|
)
|
|
|
(0.07
|
)
|
From net realized gain
|
|
|
(0.06
|
)
|
|
|
(0.45
|
)
|
|
|
(0.16
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
Total distributions
|
|
|
(0.24
|
)
|
|
|
(0.63
|
)
|
|
|
(0.28
|
)
|
|
|
(0.07
|
)
|
|
|
(0.08
|
)
|
|
|
Net increase/(decrease) in net asset value
|
|
|
1.00
|
|
|
|
0.44
|
|
|
|
(0.34
|
)
|
|
|
1.00
|
|
|
|
1.43
|
|
|
|
Net asset value - end of period
|
|
$
|
11.18
|
|
|
$
|
10.18
|
|
|
$
|
9.74
|
|
|
$
|
10.08
|
|
|
$
|
9.08
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Return
*
|
|
|
12.19
|
%
|
|
|
11.00
|
%
|
|
|
(0.56
|
)%
|
|
|
11.85
|
%
|
|
|
19.74
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (000)
|
|
$
|
19,383
|
|
|
$
|
13,860
|
|
|
$
|
8,406
|
|
|
$
|
6,270
|
|
|
$
|
3,366
|
|
Ratios to average net assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses before waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
0.52
|
%
|
|
|
0.51
|
%
|
|
|
0.53
|
%
|
|
|
0.60
|
%
|
|
|
0.68
|
%
|
Net expenses after waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
0.52
|
%
|
|
|
0.51
|
%
|
|
|
0.52
|
%
|
|
|
0.48
|
%
|
|
|
0.48
|
%
|
Net investment income after waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
1.59
|
%
|
|
|
2.06
|
%
|
|
|
2.19
|
%
|
|
|
2.18
|
%
|
|
|
2.45
|
%
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
|
11
|
%
|
|
|
18
|
%
|
|
|
51
|
%
|
|
|
32
|
%
|
|
|
26
|
%
|
*
|
Assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions.
|
(1)
|
Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
|
67
Ibbotson Balanced ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio Class II
Financial Highlights
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class II
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2012
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2011
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2010
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2009
|
|
|
|
PER COMMON SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value - beginning of period
|
|
$
|
10.26
|
|
|
$
|
9.81
|
|
|
$
|
10.17
|
|
|
$
|
9.17
|
|
|
$
|
7.73
|
|
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income after waiver/reimbursements
(1)
|
|
|
0.14
|
|
|
|
0.18
|
|
|
|
0.19
|
|
|
|
0.20
|
|
|
|
0.18
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments
|
|
|
1.07
|
|
|
|
0.88
|
|
|
|
(0.29
|
)
|
|
|
0.87
|
|
|
|
1.33
|
|
|
|
Total income/(loss) from
investment operations
|
|
|
1.21
|
|
|
|
1.06
|
|
|
|
(0.10
|
)
|
|
|
1.07
|
|
|
|
1.51
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income after waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
(0.15
|
)
|
|
|
(0.16
|
)
|
|
|
(0.10
|
)
|
|
|
(0.07
|
)
|
|
|
(0.06
|
)
|
From net realized gain
|
|
|
(0.06
|
)
|
|
|
(0.45
|
)
|
|
|
(0.16
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
Total distributions
|
|
|
(0.21
|
)
|
|
|
(0.61
|
)
|
|
|
(0.26
|
)
|
|
|
(0.07
|
)
|
|
|
(0.07
|
)
|
|
|
Net increase/(decrease) in net asset value
|
|
|
1.00
|
|
|
|
0.45
|
|
|
|
(0.36
|
)
|
|
|
1.00
|
|
|
|
1.44
|
|
|
|
Net asset value - end of period
|
|
$
|
11.26
|
|
|
$
|
10.26
|
|
|
$
|
9.81
|
|
|
$
|
10.17
|
|
|
$
|
9.17
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Return
*
|
|
|
11.86
|
%
|
|
|
10.81
|
%
|
|
|
(0.89
|
)%
|
|
|
11.63
|
%
|
|
|
19.52
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (000)
|
|
$
|
199,551
|
|
|
$
|
177,384
|
|
|
$
|
146,175
|
|
|
$
|
116,197
|
|
|
$
|
52,023
|
|
Ratios to average net assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses before waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
0.77
|
%
|
|
|
0.76
|
%
|
|
|
0.78
|
%
|
|
|
0.84
|
%
|
|
|
0.92
|
%
|
Net expenses after waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
0.77
|
%
|
|
|
0.76
|
%
|
|
|
0.77
|
%
|
|
|
0.73
|
%
|
|
|
0.73
|
%
|
Net investment income after waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
1.30
|
%
|
|
|
1.68
|
%
|
|
|
1.89
|
%
|
|
|
2.13
|
%
|
|
|
2.20
|
%
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
|
11
|
%
|
|
|
18
|
%
|
|
|
51
|
%
|
|
|
32
|
%
|
|
|
26
|
%
|
*
|
Assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions.
|
(1)
|
Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
|
68
Ibbotson Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio Class I
Financial Highlights
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class I
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2012
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2011
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2010
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2009
|
|
|
|
PER COMMON SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value - beginning of period
|
|
$
|
9.48
|
|
|
$
|
9.17
|
|
|
$
|
9.75
|
|
|
$
|
8.60
|
|
|
$
|
6.93
|
|
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income after waiver/reimbursements
(1)
|
|
|
0.16
|
|
|
|
0.18
|
|
|
|
0.18
|
|
|
|
0.19
|
|
|
|
0.17
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments
|
|
|
1.42
|
|
|
|
1.02
|
|
|
|
(0.53
|
)
|
|
|
1.03
|
|
|
|
1.56
|
|
|
|
Total income/(loss) from
investment operations
|
|
|
1.58
|
|
|
|
1.20
|
|
|
|
(0.35
|
)
|
|
|
1.22
|
|
|
|
1.73
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income after waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
(0.15
|
)
|
|
|
(0.12
|
)
|
|
|
(0.07
|
)
|
|
|
(0.06
|
)
|
From net realized gain
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
(0.74
|
)
|
|
|
(0.11
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.00
|
)
(2)
|
|
|
Total distributions
|
|
|
(0.15
|
)
|
|
|
(0.89
|
)
|
|
|
(0.23
|
)
|
|
|
(0.07
|
)
|
|
|
(0.06
|
)
|
|
|
Net increase/(decrease) in net asset value
|
|
|
1.43
|
|
|
|
0.31
|
|
|
|
(0.58
|
)
|
|
|
1.15
|
|
|
|
1.67
|
|
|
|
Net asset value - end of period
|
|
$
|
10.91
|
|
|
$
|
9.48
|
|
|
$
|
9.17
|
|
|
$
|
9.75
|
|
|
$
|
8.60
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Return
*
|
|
|
16.78
|
%
|
|
|
13.24
|
%
|
|
|
(3.50
|
)%
|
|
|
14.19
|
%
|
|
|
24.94
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (000)
|
|
$
|
53,553
|
|
|
$
|
37,403
|
|
|
$
|
26,531
|
|
|
$
|
20,472
|
|
|
$
|
10,993
|
|
Ratios to average net assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses before waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
0.52
|
%
|
|
|
0.52
|
%
|
|
|
0.54
|
%
|
|
|
0.60
|
%
|
|
|
0.66
|
%
|
Net expenses after waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
0.52
|
%
|
|
|
0.52
|
%
|
|
|
0.51
|
%
|
|
|
0.48
|
%
|
|
|
0.48
|
%
|
Net investment income after waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
1.53
|
%
|
|
|
1.84
|
%
|
|
|
1.85
|
%
|
|
|
2.15
|
%
|
|
|
2.31
|
%
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
|
6
|
%
|
|
|
19
|
%
|
|
|
52
|
%
|
|
|
40
|
%
|
|
|
19
|
%
|
*
|
Assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions.
|
(1)
|
Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
|
(2)
|
Less than ($0.005) per share.
|
69
Ibbotson Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio Class II
Financial Highlights
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class II
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2012
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2011
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2010
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2009
|
|
|
|
PER COMMON SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value - beginning of period
|
|
$
|
9.36
|
|
|
$
|
9.07
|
|
|
$
|
9.65
|
|
|
$
|
8.53
|
|
|
$
|
6.89
|
|
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income after waiver/reimbursements
(1)
|
|
|
0.12
|
|
|
|
0.14
|
|
|
|
0.14
|
|
|
|
0.19
|
|
|
|
0.15
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments
|
|
|
1.42
|
|
|
|
1.02
|
|
|
|
(0.50
|
)
|
|
|
0.99
|
|
|
|
1.55
|
|
|
|
Total income/(loss) from
investment operations
|
|
|
1.54
|
|
|
|
1.16
|
|
|
|
(0.36
|
)
|
|
|
1.18
|
|
|
|
1.70
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income after waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
(0.12
|
)
|
|
|
(0.13
|
)
|
|
|
(0.11
|
)
|
|
|
(0.06
|
)
|
|
|
(0.06
|
)
|
From net realized gain
|
|
|
(0.01
|
)
|
|
|
(0.74
|
)
|
|
|
(0.11
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.00
|
)
(2)
|
|
|
Total distributions
|
|
|
(0.13
|
)
|
|
|
(0.87
|
)
|
|
|
(0.22
|
)
|
|
|
(0.06
|
)
|
|
|
(0.06
|
)
|
|
|
Net increase/(decrease) in net asset value
|
|
|
1.41
|
|
|
|
0.29
|
|
|
|
(0.58
|
)
|
|
|
1.12
|
|
|
|
1.64
|
|
|
|
Net asset value - end of period
|
|
$
|
10.77
|
|
|
$
|
9.36
|
|
|
$
|
9.07
|
|
|
$
|
9.65
|
|
|
$
|
8.53
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Return
*
|
|
|
16.54
|
%
|
|
|
12.92
|
%
|
|
|
(3.68
|
)%
|
|
|
13.86
|
%
|
|
|
24.65
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (000)
|
|
$
|
142,959
|
|
|
$
|
120,573
|
|
|
$
|
107,209
|
|
|
$
|
103,552
|
|
|
$
|
48,232
|
|
Ratios to average net assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses before waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
0.77
|
%
|
|
|
0.77
|
%
|
|
|
0.79
|
%
|
|
|
0.84
|
%
|
|
|
0.91
|
%
|
Net expenses after waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
0.77
|
%
|
|
|
0.77
|
%
|
|
|
0.76
|
%
|
|
|
0.73
|
%
|
|
|
0.73
|
%
|
Net investment income after waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
1.23
|
%
|
|
|
1.47
|
%
|
|
|
1.47
|
%
|
|
|
2.14
|
%
|
|
|
2.03
|
%
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
|
6
|
%
|
|
|
19
|
%
|
|
|
52
|
%
|
|
|
40
|
%
|
|
|
19
|
%
|
*
|
Assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions.
|
(1)
|
Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
|
(2)
|
Less than ($0.005) per share.
|
70
Ibbotson Aggressive Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio Class I
Financial Highlights
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class I
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2012
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2011
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2010
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2009
|
|
|
|
PER COMMON SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value - beginning of period
|
|
$
|
9.88
|
|
|
$
|
8.75
|
|
|
$
|
9.31
|
|
|
$
|
8.09
|
|
|
$
|
6.36
|
|
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income after waiver/reimbursements
(1)
|
|
|
0.18
|
|
|
|
0.18
|
|
|
|
0.17
|
|
|
|
0.19
|
|
|
|
0.16
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments
|
|
|
1.64
|
|
|
|
1.08
|
|
|
|
(0.62
|
)
|
|
|
1.07
|
|
|
|
1.60
|
|
|
|
Total income/(loss) from
investment operations
|
|
|
1.82
|
|
|
|
1.26
|
|
|
|
(0.45
|
)
|
|
|
1.26
|
|
|
|
1.76
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income after waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
|
(0.13
|
)
|
|
|
(0.11
|
)
|
|
|
(0.04
|
)
|
|
|
(0.03
|
)
|
From net realized gain
|
|
|
(0.08
|
)
|
|
|
(0.00
|
)
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.00
|
)
(2)
|
|
|
Total distributions
|
|
|
(0.22
|
)
|
|
|
(0.13
|
)
|
|
|
(0.11
|
)
|
|
|
(0.04
|
)
|
|
|
(0.03
|
)
|
|
|
Net increase/(decrease) in net asset value
|
|
|
1.60
|
|
|
|
1.13
|
|
|
|
(0.56
|
)
|
|
|
1.22
|
|
|
|
1.73
|
|
|
|
Net asset value - end of period
|
|
$
|
11.48
|
|
|
$
|
9.88
|
|
|
$
|
8.75
|
|
|
$
|
9.31
|
|
|
$
|
8.09
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Return
*
|
|
|
18.53
|
%
|
|
|
14.46
|
%
|
|
|
(4.85
|
)%
|
|
|
15.58
|
%
|
|
|
27.79
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (000)
|
|
$
|
20,301
|
|
|
$
|
13,256
|
|
|
$
|
8,937
|
|
|
$
|
6,745
|
|
|
$
|
3,462
|
|
Ratios to average net assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses before waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
0.55
|
%
|
|
|
0.57
|
%
|
|
|
0.60
|
%
|
|
|
0.82
|
%
|
|
|
1.28
|
%
|
Net expenses after waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
0.52
|
%
|
|
|
0.53
|
%
|
|
|
0.51
|
%
|
|
|
0.48
|
%
|
|
|
0.48
|
%
|
Net investment income after waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
1.63
|
%
|
|
|
1.91
|
%
|
|
|
1.81
|
%
|
|
|
2.27
|
%
|
|
|
2.28
|
%
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
|
8
|
%
|
|
|
23
|
%
|
|
|
43
|
%
|
|
|
77
|
%
|
|
|
27
|
%
|
*
|
Assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions.
|
(1)
|
Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
|
(2)
|
Less than ($0.005) per share.
|
71
Ibbotson Aggressive Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio Class II
Financial Highlights
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Class II
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2013
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2012
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2011
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2010
|
|
|
For the
Year Ended
December 31,
2009
|
|
|
|
PER COMMON SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value - beginning of period
|
|
$
|
9.82
|
|
|
$
|
8.70
|
|
|
$
|
9.26
|
|
|
$
|
8.06
|
|
|
$
|
6.38
|
|
INCOME/(LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income after waiver/reimbursements
(1)
|
|
|
0.14
|
|
|
|
0.14
|
|
|
|
0.13
|
|
|
|
0.31
|
|
|
|
0.13
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain/(loss) on investments
|
|
|
1.63
|
|
|
|
1.09
|
|
|
|
(0.60
|
)
|
|
|
0.92
|
|
|
|
1.61
|
|
|
|
Total income/(loss) from
investment operations
|
|
|
1.77
|
|
|
|
1.23
|
|
|
|
(0.47
|
)
|
|
|
1.23
|
|
|
|
1.74
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
DISTRIBUTIONS TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From net investment income after waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
(0.12
|
)
|
|
|
(0.11
|
)
|
|
|
(0.09
|
)
|
|
|
(0.03
|
)
|
|
|
(0.06
|
)
|
From net realized gain
|
|
|
(0.08
|
)
|
|
|
(0.00
|
)
(2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(0.00
|
)
(2)
|
|
|
Total distributions
|
|
|
(0.20
|
)
|
|
|
(0.11
|
)
|
|
|
(0.09
|
)
|
|
|
(0.03
|
)
|
|
|
(0.06
|
)
|
|
|
Net increase/(decrease) in net asset value
|
|
|
1.57
|
|
|
|
1.12
|
|
|
|
(0.56
|
)
|
|
|
1.20
|
|
|
|
1.68
|
|
|
|
Net asset value - end of period
|
|
$
|
11.39
|
|
|
$
|
9.82
|
|
|
$
|
8.70
|
|
|
$
|
9.26
|
|
|
$
|
8.06
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Return
*
|
|
|
18.12
|
%
|
|
|
14.20
|
%
|
|
|
(5.04
|
)%
|
|
|
15.21
|
%
|
|
|
27.29
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (000)
|
|
$
|
48,589
|
|
|
$
|
38,551
|
|
|
$
|
33,554
|
|
|
$
|
32,250
|
|
|
$
|
5,823
|
|
Ratios to average net assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total expenses before waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
0.80
|
%
|
|
|
0.82
|
%
|
|
|
0.84
|
%
|
|
|
1.03
|
%
|
|
|
1.55
|
%
|
Net expenses after waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
0.77
|
%
|
|
|
0.78
|
%
|
|
|
0.76
|
%
|
|
|
0.73
|
%
|
|
|
0.73
|
%
|
Net investment income after waiver/reimbursements
|
|
|
1.31
|
%
|
|
|
1.51
|
%
|
|
|
1.45
|
%
|
|
|
3.66
|
%
|
|
|
1.89
|
%
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
|
8
|
%
|
|
|
23
|
%
|
|
|
43
|
%
|
|
|
77
|
%
|
|
|
27
|
%
|
*
|
Assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions.
|
(1)
|
Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
|
(2)
|
Less than ($0.005) per share.
|
72
ALPS|Alerian Energy Infrastructure Portfolio Class I
|
|
|
|
|
For the Period
May 1, 2013
(Commencement of Operations) to
December 31, 2013
|
PER COMMON SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value - beginning of period
|
|
$ 10.00
|
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
|
|
|
Net investment income after waiver/reimbursements
(1)
|
|
0.18
|
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments
|
|
0.58
|
|
Total income from investment operations
|
|
0.76
|
|
|
|
Net increase in net asset value
|
|
0.76
|
|
Net asset value - end of period
|
|
$ 10.76
|
|
|
|
Total Return
*
|
|
7.60%
(2)
|
|
|
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (000)
|
|
$ 151
|
Ratios to average net assets:
|
|
|
Total expenses before waiver/reimbursements
|
|
3.11%
(3)
|
Net expenses after waiver/reimbursements
|
|
0.80%
(3)
|
Net investment income after waiver/ reimbursements
|
|
2.67%
(3)
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
26%
(2)
|
*
|
Assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions.
|
(1)
|
Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
|
73
ALPS|Alerian Energy Infrastructure Portfolio Class III
|
|
|
|
|
For the Period
May 1, 2013
(Commencement of Operations) to
December 31, 2013
|
PER COMMON SHARE OPERATING PERFORMANCE
|
|
|
|
|
Net asset value - beginning of period
|
|
$ 10.00
|
INCOME FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:
|
|
|
Net investment income after waiver/reimbursements
(1)
|
|
0.14
|
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments
|
|
0.58
|
|
Total income from investment operations
|
|
0.72
|
|
|
|
Net increase in net asset value
|
|
0.72
|
|
Net asset value - end of period
|
|
$ 10.72
|
|
|
|
Total Return
*
|
|
7.20%
(2)
|
|
|
RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA:
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (000)
|
|
$ 19,650
|
Ratios to average net assets:
|
|
|
Total expenses before waiver/reimbursements
|
|
2.22%
(3)
|
Net expenses after waiver/reimbursements
|
|
1.30%
(3)
|
Net investment income after waiver/ reimbursements
|
|
2.16%
(3)
|
Portfolio turnover rate
|
|
26%
(2)
|
*
|
Assumes reinvestment of any dividends and distributions.
|
(1)
|
Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
|
74
Service Providers
|
|
|
Adviser:
|
|
ALPS Advisors, Inc.
|
|
|
1290 Broadway, Suite 1100
|
|
|
Denver, CO 80203
|
|
|
|
Subadviser to the
Ibbotson Portfolios:
|
|
Ibbotson Associates, Inc.
22 West Washington Street
|
|
|
Chicago, IL 60602
|
|
|
|
Distributor:
|
|
ALPS Portfolio
|
|
|
Solutions Distributor, Inc.
|
|
|
1290 Broadway, Suite 1100
|
|
|
Denver, CO80203
|
|
|
|
Legal Counsel:
|
|
Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP
|
|
|
1550 17th Street, Suite 500
|
|
|
Denver, CO 80202
|
|
|
|
Independent Registered
|
|
Deloitte & Touche LLP
|
Public Accounting Firm
|
|
555 17
th
Street, Suite 3600
Denver, CO 80202
|
|
|
Transfer Agent:
|
|
ALPS Fund Services, Inc.
|
|
|
1290 Broadway, Suite 1100
|
|
|
Denver, CO 80203
|
|
|
|
Custodian:
|
|
State Street Bank and Trust Company
2 Avenue de Lafayette
Boston, MA
02111
|
Inquiries and Copies of Portfolio Documents
To make inquiries and to request other information, including a Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information, Annual Report, or Semi-Annual
Report, free of charge, please contact your insurance company or plan sponsor, call (866) 432.2926, or visit the Portfolios website at www.alpsfunds.com.
Additional information about each Portfolios investments is available in that Portfolios annual and semi-annual reports to
shareholders, when available. In that Portfolios annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected each Portfolios performance during its last fiscal year.
The Statement of Additional Information dated April 30, 2014 is a supplement to this Prospectus and has detailed information about each
Portfolio and its investment policies and practices. The Statement of Additional Information is incorporated into this Prospectus by reference; in other words, it is legally a part of this Prospectus, and you are considered to be aware of its
contents.
Copies of these materials, including the Statement of Additional Information, are also available, after paying a
duplication fee, from the SECs Public Reference Section at 100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549-1520. You can obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room, including information about duplication fee charges, by
calling 1-202-551-8090. This information can be obtained by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov. These materials are also available on the SEC web site at www.sec.gov.
ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., distributor
Investment Company Act File #811-21987
75
PROSPECTUS
ALPS VARIABLE INVESTMENT TRUST
ALPS/Stadion Tactical Defensive Portfolio: Class I (N/A), Class II (ALSPX) and Class III (ALSTX)
April 30, 2014
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved
the Trusts shares or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this Prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
SUMMARY SECTION
Investment Objective
The investment
objective of the ALPS/Stadion Tactical Defensive Portfolio (the Portfolio) is to seek capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the
Portfolio
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of the Portfolio. The table does not
reflect expenses incurred from investing through a separate account or qualified plan and does not reflect variable annuity or life insurance contract charges. If it did, the overall fees and expenses would be higher.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of
the value of your investment)
|
|
|
|
Class I
|
|
|
|
Class II
|
|
|
|
Class III
|
|
|
Management
Fee
|
|
|
|
0.75
|
|
%
|
|
0.75
|
|
%
|
|
0.75
|
|
%
|
Distribution
and/or Service (12b-1) Fees
|
|
|
|
0.00
|
|
%
|
|
0.25
|
|
%
|
|
0.25
|
|
%
|
Other
Expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholder
Service Fee
|
|
|
|
0.00
|
|
%
|
|
0.00
|
|
%
|
|
0.25
|
|
%
|
Other
Portfolio Expenses
(1)
|
|
|
|
0.11
|
|
%
|
|
0.11
|
|
%
|
|
0.11
|
|
%
|
Acquired Fund
Fees and Expenses
(1), (2)
|
|
|
|
0.25
|
|
%
|
|
0.25
|
|
%
|
|
0.25
|
|
%
|
Total Annual
Fund Operating Expenses
|
|
|
|
1.11
|
|
%
|
|
1.36
|
|
%
|
|
1.61
|
|
%
|
Fee
Waiver/Expense Reimbursement
(3)
|
|
|
|
(0.06)
|
|
%
|
|
(0.06)
|
|
%
|
|
(0.06)
|
|
%
|
Total Annual
Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursements
|
|
|
|
1.05
|
|
%
|
|
1.30
|
|
%
|
|
1.55
|
|
%
|
(1)
|
Other Portfolio Expenses and Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses are based on estimated amounts for the Portfolios
initial fiscal year.
|
(2) The operating expenses in this fee table will not correlate to the expense ratio in the
Portfolios financial statements (or the financial highlights in its prospectus) because the financial statements include only the direct operating expenses incurred by the Portfolio, not the indirect costs of investing in the Underlying ETFs.
(3) ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the Adviser) and Stadion Money Management, LLC (the Sub-Adviser) have
contractually agreed to jointly waive
its management fee and subadvisory fee, respectively, and/or reimburse expenses so that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursements (not including
distribution
and/or
service (12b-1)
fees, shareholder service fees, acquired fund fees and expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions and extraordinary expenses) do not exceed a maximum of
0.80% of the Portfolios Class I, Class II or Class
III shares average daily net assets through
April 29, 2015. The Adviser and Sub-Adviser will be permitted to recover, on a class-by-class basis, expenses each has borne through the agreement described above to the extent that the
Portfolios expenses in later periods fall below the annual rates set forth in the relevant agreement. The Portfolio will not be obligated to pay any such fees and expenses more than three years after the end of the fiscal year in which the fee
and expense was waived or reimbursed. This agreement may only be terminated during the period by the Board of Trustees of ALPS Variable Investment Trust.
Example
This Example is intended to
help you compare the cost of investing in the Portfolio with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The Example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Portfolio for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end
of those periods. The Example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year, you reinvest all dividends and capital gains distributions and that the Portfolios operating expenses remain the same. After one year, the Example
does not take into consideration the Advisers and Sub-Advisers agreement to waive fees and/or reimburse expenses. The Example does not include expenses incurred from investing through a separate account or qualified plan. If the
Example included these expenses, the figures shown would be higher. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions, your costs would be:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 year
|
|
|
|
3 years
|
Class
I
|
|
|
|
$107
|
|
|
|
$347
|
Class
II
|
|
|
|
$132
|
|
|
|
$425
|
Class
III
|
|
|
|
$158
|
|
|
|
$502
|
Portfolio Turnover
The Portfolio 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. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the Example, affect the Portfolios performance.
1
Principal Investment Strategies
To achieve its investment objective, the Portfolio invests primarily in and allocates its investments primarily between Fund Investments
(defined below) that the Sub-Adviser believes have the potential for capital appreciation and Cash Positions (defined below). Fund Investments include actively managed or index-based ETFs (exchange traded funds), groups of securities
related by index or sector made available through certain brokers at a discount brokerage rate (such as stock baskets, baskets of bonds or other index- or sector-based groups of related securities), and index-based mutual funds or other investment
companies. Index-based ETFs are funds traded on securities exchanges that generally hold a portfolio of common stocks or bonds designed to correspond with the performance of a securities index. Alternatively, an ETF may be actively managed in
accordance with a particular investment objective and strategy, similar to other non-index based investment companies. Cash Positions include cash and short-term, highly liquid investments such as money market instruments, U.S.
Government obligations, commercial paper, repurchase agreements and other cash or cash equivalent positions.
In allocating the
Portfolios assets, the Sub-Adviser uses a proprietary, technically driven asset allocation model to determine current risk in the broad equity markets (reflected in the Sub-Advisers model by a weighted average score) based on a number of
technical indicators examined by the Sub-Adviser. The technical indicators examined by the Sub-Adviser are primarily focused on trend analysis, such as analysis of price trends (
e.g.
, determining risk based on movements of market prices up or
down), breadth trends (
e.g.
, analyzing the ratio of the number of advancing stocks to declining stocks) and relative strength (
i.e.
, comparing risk profiles of investment alternatives such as small cap vs. large cap or growth vs.
value).
Based on its allocation model, the Sub-Adviser seeks to evaluate the risk levels for different markets and market sectors. For
example, the Sub-Adviser will use the model to make a technical determination of the risk that different markets or market sectors will decline. The Sub-Adviser then seeks to participate in markets and market sectors with low risk scores by
purchasing or increasing its exposure to Fund Investments tracking applicable equity markets or market sectors, and seeks to divest investments in markets and market sectors with high risk scores by selling interests or reducing investment exposure
in Fund Investments tracking equity markets or market sectors in favor of fixed-income Fund Investments or Cash Positions.
To
participate in markets and market sectors, the Sub-Advisers investment philosophy emphasizes purchasing Fund Investments, which the Sub-Adviser believes are a convenient way to invest in both broad market indexes (
e.g.
, the S&P 500,
Russell 2000, NASDAQ-100, MSCI EAFE, Barclays bond indexes, etc.) and market sector indexes (
e.g.
, healthcare indexes, utilities indexes, real estate indexes, etc.). The Portfolio may invest up to 100% of its portfolio in Fund
Investments that have portfolios comprised primarily of equity securities of domestic or foreign companies of any size in any sector. The Portfolio may also invest up to 100% of its portfolio in fixed-income Fund
Investments that have portfolios comprised of domestic or foreign corporate and/or government bonds issued by any size company, municipality, or government body in any sector of any maturity or yield, provided that corporate debt
obligations are investment grade securities rated in one of the four highest rating categories by any one or more nationally recognized rating agencies or, if not rated, are of equivalent quality in the opinion of the Sub-Adviser. Under
normal conditions, the sub-adviser expects total Cash Positions to range from 0% to 50% of the Portfolios assets.
Under normal conditions, the
Portfolio will generally invest as follows:
The Core Position.
Approximately 50% of the Portfolios assets will be invested in one or more broad-based equity or fixed-income Fund
Investments, such as the S&P 500 Index, the Russell 2000 Index, the S&P 400 Mid-Cap Index, the Dow Jones Industrial Index, the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, and the EAFE (Europe, Australia and Far East) Index or market sector Fund
Investments, such as those tracking healthcare, utilities, real estate, financial, technology, consumer goods or other indexes (the Core Position). The mix of investments within the Portfolios Core Position may change frequently as
the Sub-Adviser deems appropriate or necessary based upon its analysis and allocation models. However, through the Core Position, the Portfolio will be exposed to the performance of selected U.S. or international equity or debt markets as a whole,
or sector indexes, regardless of market conditions or risk.
The Satellite Position.
Approximately 50% of the Portfolios
assets will be invested primarily in market sector Fund Investments, fixed-income Fund Investments, or Cash Positions using an allocation model and risk-based ranking system (the Satellite Position). The Satellite Position is not
designed to hedge the Core Position; however, some investment positions may hedge, or have the effect of hedging, a portion of the Core Position from time to time, while some may amplify risks of the Core Position.
Principal Risks of Investing in the Portfolio
The main risks of investing in the Portfolio are below. Like all investments in securities, you risk losing money by investing in the
Portfolio. An investment in the Portfolio is not a bank deposit and is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or any other governmental agency. Additional Information on the Portfolios Principal Investment
Risks can be found in the
2
prospectus. Unless stated otherwise, the principal risks described below are applicable to the Portfolio directly and indirectly through the Fund Investments in which the Portfolio invests.
Market Risk.
Market risk refers to the risk that the value of securities held by the Portfolio may decline due to daily
fluctuations in the securities markets that are generally beyond the Advisers or Sub-Advisers control, including fluctuation in interest rates, the quality of the Portfolios investments, general economic and market conditions, and
investor sentiment. In a declining stock market, stock prices for all companies (including those in the Portfolios portfolio) may decline, regardless of their long-term prospects.
Management Risk
. Any failure by the Sub-Advisers allocation model to accurately measure market risk and appropriately react to
current and developing market trends may result in significant losses in the Portfolios investments, which can also result in possible losses overall for the Portfolio.
Equity Securities Risk.
Equity securities investments, including underlying Fund Investments with exposure to equity securities, will
expose the Portfolio to certain risks that may have an adverse effect on the Portfolios performance. These risks include (i)
Equity Securities Risk
and (ii)
Foreign Securities Risk
.
Asset Concentration Risk
.
To the extent that the Portfolio holds positions that invest in a particular sector or asset
class, the Portfolio is subject to an increased risk that its investments in that particular sector may decline because of changing expectations for the performance of that sector.
Fixed Income Risk.
Fixed income investments, including underlying Fund Investments with exposure to fixed-income securities, will
expose the Portfolio to certain risks that may have an adverse effect on the Portfolios performance. These risks include (i)
Credit Risk
,
(ii)
Change in Rating Risk
, (iii)
Interest Rate
Risk,
(iv)
Liquidity Risk
and (v)
Duration Risk.
Fund of Funds Risks.
The Portfolio
is a Fund-of-Funds that invests in ETFs or other investment companies, and the Portfolios shareholders will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any fees and expenses of such ETFs or other investment companies in addition to
the Portfolios own fees and expenses. As a result, your cost of investing will be higher than the cost of investing directly in the ETFs or other investment companies and may be higher than mutual funds that invest directly in stocks and
bonds.
ETF Risks
. ETFs are subject to the following risks: (i) the market price of an ETFs shares may trade above or
below net asset value; (ii) there may be an inactive trading market for an ETF; (iii) the ETF may employ an investment strategy that utilizes high leverage ratios; (iv) trading of an ETFs shares may be halted, delisted, or
suspended on the listing exchange; and (v) the ETF may fail to achieve close correlation with the index that it tracks.
Tracking Risk.
Fund Investments in which the Portfolio invests may not be able to replicate exactly the performance of the indices they
track because the total return generated by the securities will be reduced by transaction costs incurred in adjusting the actual balance of the securities. In addition, the Fund Investments in which the Portfolio invests may incur expenses not
incurred by their applicable indices, especially when rebalancing holdings to reflect changes in the composition of an index. Certain securities comprising the indices tracked by the Fund Investments may, from time to time, temporarily be
unavailable, which may further impede the Fund Investments ability to track their applicable indices or match their performance.
Risks Related to Portfolio Turnover.
As a result of its trading strategies, the Portfolio may sell portfolio securities without regard
to the length of time they have been held and will likely have a higher portfolio turnover rate than other mutual funds. Since portfolio turnover may involve paying brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, higher turnover generally results
in additional Fund expenses. High rates of portfolio turnover may lower the performance of the Portfolio due to these increased costs. If the Portfolio realizes capital gains when Fund Investments are sold, the Portfolio must generally distribute
those gains to shareholders, increasing the Portfolios taxable distributions.
U.S. Government Securities Risk.
Securities
issued by the U.S. government or its agencies are subject to risks related to the creditworthiness of the U.S. government. In addition, such securities may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, but rather by
a right to borrow from the U.S. government or the creditworthiness of the issuer itself. The value of any such securities may fluctuate with changes in credit ratings and market perceptions of the U.S. government and the issuers of the securities,
as well as interest rates and other risks applicable to fixed income securities generally.
Risks Related to Investments in Money
Market Mutual Funds.
Although a money market fund seeks to maintain the value of an investment at $1.00 per share, there is no assurance that it will be able to do so, and it is possible to lose money by investing in a money market fund. The
Portfolio will incur additional indirect expenses due to acquired fund fees and other costs to the extent it invests in shares of money market mutual funds.
Cash Position Risk
. The Portfolios ability to meet its investment objective may be limited to the extent it holds significant
Cash Positions in periods when markets are rising.
3
Performance
As of the date of this Prospectus, the Portfolio has not yet commenced operations. When the Portfolio has completed a full calendar year of
investment operations, this section will include charts that show annual total returns, highest and lowest quarterly returns and average annual total returns compared to benchmarks selected for the Portfolio. Updated performance information will be
available on the Portfolios website at www.alpsfunds.com or by calling 1-866-432-2926.
Investment Adviser and Sub-Adviser
ALPS Advisors, Inc. is the investment adviser to the Portfolio and Stadion Money Management, LLC (Stadion) is the investment
sub-adviser to the Portfolio.
Portfolio Managers
Brad A. Thompson, CFA
®
,
Portfolio Manager. Mr. Thompson joined
Stadion in 2009. He has managed the Portfolio since its inception.
Judson P. Doherty,
CFA
®
, Portfolio Manager. Mr. Doherty joined Stadion in 2001. He has managed the Portfolio since its inception.
Gregory L. Morris
, Portfolio Manager. Mr. Morris joined Stadion in 2004. He has managed the Portfolio since its inception.
William McGough, CFA
®
,
Portfolio Manager. Mr. McGough joined Stadion
in 2003. He has managed the Portfolio since its inception.
Tax Information
The Portfolios distributions are not taxable if you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a variable insurance
contract. Such tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawals of monies from those arrangements. However, if the Portfolios distributions are taxable, the distributions will be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains.
Financial Intermediary Compensation
This Portfolio is only offered as an underlying investment option for variable insurance contracts and to qualified plans. The Portfolio and
its related companies may make payments to sponsoring insurance companies, their affiliates or other financial intermediaries for distribution and/or other services. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing insurance companies
to include the Portfolio as an underlying investment option in a variable insurance contract. In addition, these payments may be a factor that another financial intermediary considers in including the Portfolio as an investment option under a
qualified plan. The prospectus or other offering documents for variable insurance contracts or plans may also contain additional information about these payments.
4
THE PORTFOLIO
This Prospectus describes one portfolio (the Portfolio) of ALPS Variable Investment Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the
Trust). The Portfolio is an investment vehicle for variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies. The Portfolio also may be used as an investment vehicle for qualified pension and retirement plans and certain registered
and unregistered separate accounts. Shares of the Portfolio (Shares) are offered only to participating insurance companies and their separate accounts to fund the benefits of variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance
policies, qualified pensions, retirement plans or registered and unregistered separate accounts. Shares are not offered to the general public.
There are eight portfolios in the Trust: the Ibbotson Conservative ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio, the Ibbotson Income and Growth ETF Asset
Allocation Portfolio, the Ibbotson Balanced ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio, the Ibbotson Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio, the Ibbotson Aggressive Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio, the Ibbotson MVP ETF Portfolio, the ALPS/Alerian Energy
Infrastructure Portfolio, and the Portfolio. The Ibbotson Conservative ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio, Ibbotson Income and Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio, Ibbotson Balanced ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio, Ibbotson Growth ETF Asset
Allocation Portfolio and Ibbotson Aggressive Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio each offer Class I and Class II shares. The Portfolio and the Ibbotson MVP ETF Portfolio each offers Class I, II and III shares, and the ALPS/Alerian Energy
Infrastructure Portfolio offers Class I and Class III shares.
This Prospectus includes important information about the Portfolio
that you should know before investing. You should read this Prospectus and keep it for future reference. You also should read the separate account prospectus for the variable annuity contract or variable life insurance policy that you want to
purchase. The separate account prospectus provided by your intermediary contains important information about the contract, your investment options, the separate accounts and expenses related to purchasing a variable annuity contract or variable life
insurance policy.
Each variable annuity contract and variable life insurance policy owner (Contract Owner) and retirement
plan participant (Participant) also incurs fees associated with the variable annuity, variable life insurance or retirement plan through which he or she invested. As a Contract Owner or Participant, you may incur additional fees and
different terms and conditions associated with your investment program that are not discussed in this Prospectus. Detailed information about the fees associated with your investment program can be found in the accompanying disclosure document
included with this Prospectus. You may incur additional fees, and be subject to different terms and conditions depending on your tax situation.
THE PORTFOLIOS PRINCIPAL INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND PRINCIPAL RISKS
The Board of Trustees may change the investment objective or the principal investment strategies, or both, without a shareholder vote. If
there is a material change to the investment objective or principal investment strategy, you should consider whether the ALPS/Stadion Tactical Defensive Portfolio (the Portfolio) remains an appropriate investment for you. There is
no guarantee that the Portfolio will achieve its investment objective.
Investment Objective
The investment objective of the Portfolio is to seek capital appreciation.
Principal Investment Strategies
To
achieve its investment objective, the Portfolio invests primarily in an allocation of Fund Investments and Cash Positions. In allocating the Portfolios assets, the Sub-Adviser uses a proprietary, technically driven asset allocation model to
determine current risk in the broad equity markets (reflected in the Sub-Advisers model by a weighted average score) based on a number of technical indicators examined by the Sub-Adviser. The technical indicators examined by the Sub-Adviser
are primarily focused on trend analysis, such as analysis of price trends (
e.g.
, determining risk based on movements of market prices up or down), breadth trends (
e.g.
, analyzing the ratio of the number of advancing stocks to declining
stocks) and relative strength (
i.e.
, comparing risk profiles of investment alternatives such as small cap vs. large cap or growth vs. value).
Based on its allocation model, the Sub-Adviser seeks to evaluate the risk levels for different markets and market sectors. For example, the
Sub-Adviser will use the model to make a technical determination of the risk that different markets or market sectors will decline. The Sub-Adviser then seeks to participate in markets and market sectors with low risk scores by purchasing or
increasing its exposure to Fund Investments tracking applicable equity markets or market sectors, and seeks to divest investments in markets and market sectors with high risk scores by selling interests or reducing investment exposure in Fund
Investments tracking equity markets or market sectors in favor of fixed-income Fund Investments or Cash Positions.
To participate in
markets and market sectors, the Sub-Advisers investment philosophy emphasizes purchasing Fund Investments, which the Sub-Adviser believes are a convenient way to invest in both broad market indexes (
e.g.
, the S&P 500, Russell 2000,
NASDAQ-100,
5
MSCI EAFE, Barclays bond indexes, etc.) and market sector indexes (
e.g.
, healthcare indexes, utilities indexes, real estate indexes, etc.). The Portfolio may invest up to 100% of its
portfolio in Fund Investments that have portfolios comprised of equity securities of domestic or foreign companies of any size in any sector. The Portfolio may also invest up to 100% of its portfolio in fixed-income Fund
Investments that have portfolios comprised of domestic or foreign corporate and/or government bonds issued by any size company, municipality, or government body in any sector of any maturity or yield, provided that corporate debt
obligations are investment grade securities rated in one of the four highest rating categories by any one or more nationally recognized rating agencies or, if not rated, are of equivalent quality in the opinion of the Sub-Adviser.
The Portfolio will generally invest as follows:
The Core Position.
Approximately 50% of the Portfolios
assets will be invested in one or more broad-based equity or fixed-income Fund Investments, such as the S&P 500 Index, the Russell 2000 Index, the S&P 400 Mid-Cap Index, the Dow Jones Industrial Index, the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index,
and the EAFE (Europe, Australia and Far East) Index or market sector Fund Investments, such as those tracking healthcare, utilities, real estate, financial, technology, consumer goods or other indexes (the Core Position). The mix of
investments within the Portfolios Core Position may change frequently as the Sub-Adviser deems appropriate or necessary based upon its analysis and allocation models. However, through the Core Position, the Portfolio will be exposed to the
performance of selected U.S. or international equity or debt markets as a whole, or sector indexes, regardless of market conditions or risk.
The Satellite Position.
Approximately 50% of the Portfolios
assets will be invested primarily in market sector Fund Investments, fixed-income Fund Investments, or Cash Positions using an allocation model and risk-based ranking system (the Satellite Position). The Satellite Position is not
designed to hedge the Core Position; however, some investment positions may hedge, or have the effect of hedging, a portion of the Core Position from time to time. In addition, as part of its principal investment strategy, the Satellite Position of
the Portfolio may invest up to 100% of its portfolio in Cash Positions.
The Portfolios Core Position will normally be fully
invested and not in Cash Positions in order to blend the benefits of market exposure gained through having approximately 50% of the Portfolios assets invested in broad-based equity or fixed-income market or market sector indexes in varying
market conditions with the Satellite Positions benefits of actively managing approximately 50% of the Portfolios assets using a market-sector, fixed-income and Cash Position rotation investing strategy.
As a result of its trading strategies, the Portfolio expects to engage in frequent portfolio transactions that will likely result in higher
portfolio turnover than other mutual funds. Portfolio turnover is a ratio that indicates how often the securities in a mutual funds portfolio change during a year. A higher portfolio turnover rate indicates a greater number of changes, and a
lower portfolio turnover rate indicates a smaller number of changes. Under normal circumstances, the anticipated portfolio turnover rate for the Fund is expected to be significantly greater than 100%.
The Adviser may invest the Portfolios assets directly in the same manner as the Sub-Adviser in pursuit of the Portfolios
investment objective.
Principal Investment Risks
Market Risk.
Market risk refers to the risk that the value of securities held by the Portfolio may decline due to daily fluctuations in
the securities markets that are generally beyond the Advisers or Sub-Advisers control, including fluctuation in interest rates, the quality of the Portfolios investments, general economic and market conditions, and investor
sentiment. In a declining stock market, stock prices for all companies (including those in the Portfolios portfolio) may decline, regardless of their long-term prospects.
Management Risk
. Any failure by the Sub-Advisers allocation model to accurately measure market risk and appropriately react to
current and developing market trends may result in significant losses in the Portfolios investments, which can also result in possible losses overall for the Portfolio.
Equity Securities Risk.
Equity securities investments, including underlying Fund Investments with exposure to equity securities. will
expose the Portfolio to certain risks that may have an adverse effect on the Portfolios performance. These risks include:
Equity Securities Risk
.
The prices of stocks can rise or fall rapidly in response to developments
affecting a specific company or industry, or to changing economic, political or market conditions. Equity securities may decline in value if the stock markets perform poorly. There is also a risk that equity securities will underperform either the
securities markets generally or particular segments of the securities markets.
Foreign Securities
Risk
.
Foreign securities are subject to additional risks not typically associated with investments in domestic securities. These risks may include, among others, country risks (political, diplomatic, regional conflicts, terrorism,
war, social and economic instability, currency devaluations and policies that have the effect of limiting or restricting foreign investment or the
6
movement of assets), different trading practices, less government supervision, less publicly available information, limited trading markets and greater volatility.
Asset Concentration Risk.
To the extent that the Portfolio holds positions that invest in a particular sector or asset class, the
Portfolio is subject to an increased risk that its investments in that particular sector may decline because of changing expectations for the performance of that sector. A particular market sector or asset class can be more volatile or underperform
relative to benchmarks or indexes reflecting the market as a whole. To the extent that the Portfolio holds ETFs or other investment companies that invest in a particular sector, the Portfolio is subject to an increased risk that its investments in
that particular sector may decline because of changing expectations for the performance of that sector.
Fixed Income Risk.
Fixed
income investments, including underlying Fund Investments with exposure to fixed-income securities, will expose the Portfolio to certain risks that may have an adverse effect on the Portfolios performance. These risks include:
Credit Risk
. The issuer of a fixed income security may not be able to make interest and principal payments when
due. Generally, the lower the credit rating of a security, the greater the risk that the issuer will default on its obligation.
Change in Rating Risk
. If a rating agency gives a debt security a lower rating, the value of the debt security
held will decline because investors will demand a higher rate of return.
Interest Rate Risk
. The value of
fixed income securities may fluctuate based upon changes in interest rates and market conditions. As interest rates increase, the value of the Portfolios income producing investments may go down. For example, bonds tend to decrease in value
when interest rates rise. Debt obligations with longer maturities typically offer higher yields, but are subject to greater price movements as a result of interest rate changes than debt obligations with shorter maturities.
Liquidity Risk.
Liquidity risk is the risk that a fixed income security may be difficult to sell at an
advantageous time or price due to limited market demand (resulting from a downgrade, a decline in price, or adverse conditions within the fixed income market).
Duration Risk
. Prices of fixed income securities with longer effective maturities are more sensitive to interest
rate changes than those with shorter effective maturities.
Fund of Funds Risks.
The Portfolio is a Fund-of-Funds that
invests in ETFs or other investment companies, which are typically open-end investment companies or unit investment trusts. By investing in securities of an ETF or other investment company, the Portfolios shareholders will indirectly bear its
proportionate share of any fees and expenses of the ETF or other investment company in addition to the Portfolios own fees and expenses. As a result, your cost of investing will be higher than the cost of investing directly in the ETFs or
other investment companies and may be higher than mutual funds that invest directly in stocks and bonds. Also, the Portfolio may be prevented from fully allocating assets to a particular ETF or other investment company due to fund-of-funds
investment limitations.
ETF Risks.
ETFs are subject to the following risks: (i) the market price of an ETFs shares may
trade above or below its net asset value; (ii) an active trading market for an ETFs shares may not develop or be maintained; (iii) the ETF may employ an investment strategy that utilizes high leverage ratios; (iv) trading of an
ETFs shares may be halted if the listing exchanges officials deem such action appropriate, the shares are delisted from the exchange, or the activation of market wide circuit breakers (which are tied to large decreases in
stock prices) halts stock trading generally; or (v) the ETF may fail to achieve close correlation with the index that it tracks due to a variety of factors, such as rounding of prices and changes to the index and/or regulatory policies,
resulting in the deviation of the ETFs returns from that of its corresponding index. Some ETFs may be thinly traded, and the resulting higher costs associated with respect to purchasing and selling the ETFs will be borne by the Portfolio.
Tracking Risk.
Fund Investments in which the Portfolio invests may not be able to replicate exactly the performance of the
indices they track because the total return generated by the securities will be reduced by transaction costs incurred in adjusting the actual balance of the securities. In addition, the Fund Investments in which the Portfolio invests may incur
expenses not incurred by their applicable indices, especially when rebalancing holdings to reflect changes in the composition of an index. Certain securities comprising the indices tracked by the Fund Investments may, from time to time, temporarily
be unavailable, which may further impede the Fund Investments ability to track their applicable indices or match their performance.
Risks Related to Portfolio Turnover.
As a result of its trading strategies, the Portfolio may sell portfolio securities without regard
to the length of time they have been held and will likely have a higher portfolio turnover rate than other mutual funds. Since portfolio turnover may involve paying brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, higher turnover generally results
in additional Fund expenses. High rates of portfolio turnover may lower the performance of the Portfolio due to these increased costs. If the Portfolio realizes capital gains when Fund Investments are sold, the Portfolio must generally distribute
those gains to shareholders, increasing the Portfolios taxable distributions.
U.S. Government Securities Risk.
Securities
issued by the U.S. government or its agencies are subject to risks related to the
7
creditworthiness of the U.S. government. In addition, such securities may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, but rather by a right to borrow from the
U.S. government or the creditworthiness of the issuer itself. The value of any such securities may fluctuate with changes in credit ratings and market perceptions of the U.S. government and the issuers of the securities, as well as interest rates
and other risks applicable to fixed income securities generally.
Risks Related to Investments in Money Market Mutual Funds.
Although a money market fund seeks to maintain the value of an investment at $1.00 per share, there is no assurance that it will be able to do so, and it is possible to lose money by investing in a money market fund. The Portfolio will incur
additional indirect expenses due to acquired fund fees and other costs to the extent it invests in shares of money market mutual funds.
Cash Position Risk
. The Portfolios ability to meet its investment objective may be limited to the extent it holds significant
Cash Positions in periods when markets are rising.
Conflicts of Interest Risk.
The Portfolio is subject to certain potential
conflicts of interest arising out of the activities of its service providers. For example, the Trusts distributor, ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., or its affiliates, currently provide distribution services to several ETFs which
could be purchased by the Portfolio. If this situation arises, the Adviser will waive a portion of the advisory fee equal to the portion of the fees attributable to the assets of the Portfolio invested in such ALPS client ETFs.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PORTFOLIOS INVESTMENT STRATEGIES
Cash Positions.
The Portfolio may invest in all types of Cash Positions, such as money market instruments, U.S. government obligations,
commercial paper, repurchase agreements, and other cash or cash equivalent positions.
Temporary Defensive Positions.
The Portfolio
may, from time to time, take temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with the Portfolios principal investment strategies in an attempt to respond to adverse market, economic, political, or other conditions. In such circumstances,
the Portfolio may also hold up to 100% of its portfolio in Cash Positions. When the Portfolio takes a temporary defensive position, the Portfolio may not be able to achieve its investment objective.
DESCRIPTION OF SHARE CLASSES
The Portfolio offers Class I, Class II and Class III shares. Each share class represents an interest in the same portfolio of securities, but
each class has its own sales charge and expense structure, providing you with different choices for meeting the needs of your situation. A Contract Owners insurance company or Participants retirement plan administrator may make one or
more of the share classes available in connection with their contract or separate account with that company. The decision as to which class of shares is best suited to your needs depends on a number of factors that you should discuss with your
financial advisor.
Authorized Classes
The Portfolio may issue one or more classes of shares, in the same or separate prospectuses, which includes Class I, Class II and Class III
(collectively, the Classes and individually, each a Class).
Class I, Class II and Class III shares are sold
without a sales load. Class II shares are offered with fees for distribution, servicing and marketing of such shares (12b-1 Fees) pursuant to a Distribution Plan. The shareholder servicing activities generally include responding to
shareholder inquiries, directing shareholder communications, account balance maintenance, and dividend posting. In addition to 12b-1 Fees, Class III shares are also offered with fees for non-distribution related services provided to shareholders
(Service Fees). Class I shares do not impose 12b-1 Fees or Service Fees. A Contract Owners insurance company or Participants retirement plan administrator may make one or more of the share classes available in connection with
their contract or separate account with that company.
The Classes of shares issued by the Portfolio will be identical in all respects
except for Class designation, allocation of certain expenses for a Class directly related to the distribution or service arrangement, or both, and voting rights. Each Class votes separately with respect to issues affecting only that Class.
Shares of all Classes will represent interests in the same investment Portfolio. Therefore, each Class is subject to the same investment objectives, policies and limitations.
Class Expenses
Each Class of shares shall bear expenses, not including advisory or custodial fees or other expenses related to the management of the
Portfolios assets, that are directly attributable to the kind or degree of services rendered to that Class (Class Expenses).
Class Expenses, including the management fee or the fee of other service providers, may be waived or reimbursed by the Portfolios
investment adviser, sub-adviser, underwriter, or any other provider of services to the Portfolio with respect to each Class of the Portfolio on a Class by Class basis.
8
Exchange Privileges
Shareholders may exchange shares of the Portfolio for shares of any of the other portfolios of the Trust which are available for sale in their
state.
MANAGEMENT OF THE PORTFOLIO
Investment Adviser
ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the Adviser), located at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203, is registered with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the SEC) as an investment adviser. As of December 31, 2013, the Adviser provided supervisory and management services on approximately $12.14 billion in assets through closed-end funds, mutual funds and
exchange-traded funds.
Subject to the authority of the Trusts Board of Trustees, the Adviser is responsible for the overall
management of the Portfolios business affairs. The Adviser invests the assets of the Portfolio, either directly or through the use of the Sub-Adviser, according to the Portfolios investment objective, policies and
restrictions. The Adviser furnishes at its own expense all of the necessary office facilities, equipment and personnel required for managing the assets of the Portfolio.
Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement (the Advisory Agreement), the Portfolio pays the Adviser an annual management fee of
0.75% based on the Portfolios average daily net assets. The management fee is paid on a monthly basis. The Adviser is required to pay all fees due to the Sub-Adviser out of the management fee the Adviser receives from the
Portfolio. The Adviser has entered into a contractual arrangement with the Sub-Adviser to reimburse the Portfolios expenses, and/or waive a portion of the advisory, subadvisory or other fees, to the extent necessary to cap the
Portfolios Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursements at 0.80% of average daily net assets for each of Class I, II and III through April 29, 2015, subject to distribution and/or service (12b-1) fees,
shareholder service fees, acquired fund fees and expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions and extraordinary expenses, which may cause the Portfolios Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver/Expense Reimbursements shown above to
exceed the maximum amounts. The Adviser and Sub-Adviser will be permitted to recover, on a class-by-class basis, expenses each has borne through this agreement to the extent that the Portfolios expenses in later periods fall below the annual
rates set forth in the relevant agreement. The Portfolio will not be obligated to pay any such fees and expenses more than three years after the end of the fiscal year in which the fee and expense was waived or reimbursed. One-third of this
obligation to reimburse expenses and/or waive fees is assumed by the Adviser, and two-thirds is assumed by the Sub-Adviser.
A
discussion regarding the Board of Trustees basis for approving the Advisory Agreement with respect to the Portfolio will be available in the Portfolios semi-annual shareholder report for the period ended June 30, 2014.
Investment Sub-Adviser
The Adviser is responsible for selecting the Sub-Adviser to the Portfolio, subject to shareholder approval and applicable law, if
appropriate. The Sub-Adviser has been engaged to manage the investments of the Portfolio in accordance with such Portfolios investment objective, policies and limitations and any investment guidelines established by the Adviser and the
Board of Trustees. The Sub-Adviser is responsible, subject to the supervision and control of the Adviser and the Board of Trustees, for the purchase, retention and sale of investments in the portion of the Portfolios investment portfolio
under its management. The Adviser pays the Sub-Adviser an annual subadvisory management fee of 0.50% based on the Portfolios average daily net assets. The Adviser pays the subadvisory management fee out of the management fee paid to
the Adviser pursuant to the Advisory Agreement. The subadvisory management fee is paid on a monthly basis. The Portfolio is not responsible for the payment of this subadvisory management fee.
Stadion Money Management, LLC (Sub-Adviser), the Sub-Adviser for the Portfolio, located at 1061 Cliff Dawson Road, Watkinsville,
Georgia, is a Delaware limited liability company controlled by certain investment entities controlled and managed by TA Associates, Inc. The Sub-Adviser was organized in April 2011 through a corporate reorganization whereby Stadion Money Management,
Inc. (Stadion Inc.), the Sub-Advisers predecessor firm, contributed substantially all of its business to the Sub-Adviser in exchange for interests in the Sub-Adviser. The executives and members of the advisory staff of the
Sub-Adviser have extensive experience in managing investments for clients including individuals, corporations, non-taxable entities and other business and private accounts since Stadion Inc. was founded in 1991. As of February 28, 2014, the
Sub-Adviser had approximately $5.84 billion in assets under management.
A discussion regarding the Board of Trustees basis for
approving the subadvisory agreement with respect to the Portfolio will be available in the Portfolios semi-annual shareholder report for the period ended June 30, 2014.
Portfolio Managers
9
The Portfolio is managed by a portfolio management team consisting of Brad A. Thompson, CFA,
Judson P. Doherty, CFA, Gregory L. Morris, and William McGough, CFA. Each member of the portfolio management team is jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Portfolio.
Additional Information Regarding Portfolio Managers
Judson P. Doherty, CFA
®
.
Mr. Doherty has served as President of the
Sub-Adviser (and its predecessor) since 2007. He previously served as Chief Compliance Officer of the Adviser (and its predecessor) from 2001 until 2010 and Chief Financial Officer from 2001 until 2011. Mr. Doherty received his Bachelor of Arts
degree in Economics from Vanderbilt University in 1991. Mr. Doherty also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. He has over 19 years experience in the investment consulting business, with an emphasis on mutual fund evaluation.
Gregory L. Morris.
Mr. Morris is a portfolio manager for the Sub-Adviser and has served in that capacity for the
Sub-Adviser (and its predecessor) since 2004. Mr. Morris was a principal of MurphyMorris Money Management Co. from 2000 to 2005 and served as a Trustee, Vice President, and Treasurer of MurphyMorris Investment Trust. Mr. Morris received
his Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas in 1971. Mr. Morris also graduated from the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School known as Top Gun. He has over 30 years experience in the investment
consulting business.
Brad A. Thompson, CFA
®
.
Mr. Thompson serves
as Chief Investment Officer of the Sub-Adviser and has been a Portfolio Manager and an officer of the Sub-Adviser (and its predecessor), serving in a supervisory role for portfolio management operations since 2006. He has a Bachelor of Business
Administration Degree in Finance from the University of Georgia and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation. Mr. Thompson is a member of the CFA Institute and the Bermuda Society of Financial Analysts and also holds the Chartered
Retirement Plan Specialist Designation.
William McGough, CFA
®
.
Mr. McGough is Vice President of Portfolio Management of the Sub-Adviser and has served in that capacity since joining the Sub-Adviser in 2003. He has a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from the University of Georgia and also
holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.
The Statement of Additional Information (SAI) provides additional information about
the Portfolio Managers, including Portfolio Manager compensation, other accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers, and each Portfolio Managers ownership of shares in the Portfolio.
SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION
Buying and Selling Shares
The Portfolio may sell its shares only to separate accounts of various insurance companies (the Insurer(s)) and to various
qualified plans (Retirement Plans). Shares are available through investment in various Retirement Plans, or purchase of certain variable annuity contracts or life insurance policies (Contracts) issued by
Insurers. If you are a Contract Owner, the Insurer will allocate your premium payments to the Portfolio through separate accounts in accordance with your Contract.
The Retirement Plans and separate accounts of Insurers are the shareholders of record of the Portfolios shares. Any reference to
the shareholder in this Prospectus generally refers to the Retirement Plans and the Insurers separate accounts. Shareholder does not refer to the individual investor, but the Contract Owner in such separate account
or as a Participant in such Retirement Plan.
The Trust has received exemptive relief from the SEC to sell Portfolio shares to, among
others, separate accounts funding variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies issued by both affiliated life insurance companies and unaffiliated life insurance companies, and trustees of qualified group pension and group
retirement plans outside of the separate account context. Due to differences in tax treatment and other considerations, the interests of certain contract owners and Retirement Plans may conflict. The Trusts Board of Trustees will monitor
events in order to attempt to identify the existence of any material irreconcilable conflicts and to determine any action to be taken in response.
The Portfolio continuously offers shares to Insurers and Retirement Plans at the net asset value (NAV) per share next determined
after the Trust or its designated agent receives and accepts a proper purchase or redemption request. Each Insurer or Retirement Plan submits purchase and redemption orders to the Trust based on allocation instructions for premium payments,
transfer instructions and surrender or partial withdrawal requests that are furnished to the Insurer by such Contract Owners or by Participants. The Insurers and Retirement Plans are designated agents of the Portfolio. The Trust, the
Adviser and the Portfolios distributor reserve the right to reject any purchase order from any party for shares of the Portfolio.
The Portfolio may refuse to sell its Shares to any Insurer or Retirement Plan or may suspend or terminate the offering of the Portfolios
Shares if such action is required by law or regulatory authority or is in the best interests of the Portfolios shareholders. It is possible that a
10
Retirement Plan investing in the Portfolio could lose its qualified plan status under the Internal Revenue Code, which could have adverse tax consequences on Insurer separate accounts investing
in the Portfolio. The Adviser intends to monitor such Retirement Plans, and the Portfolio may discontinue sales to a Retirement Plan and require Participants with existing investments in the Portfolio to redeem those investments if a plan loses (or
in the opinion of the Adviser is at risk of losing) its qualified plan status.
The Portfolio will ordinarily make payment for redeemed
shares within seven (7) business days after the Trust or its designated agent receives and accepts a proper redemption order. A proper redemption order will contain all the necessary information and signatures from either the Insurer or
Retirement Plan required to process the redemption order. The redemption price will be the NAV per share next determined after the Trust or its designated agent receives and accepts such instructions in proper form.
The Portfolio may suspend the right of redemption or postpone the date of payment during any period when trading on the New York Stock
Exchange (NYSE) is restricted, or the NYSE is closed for other than weekends and national holidays; when an emergency makes it not reasonably practicable for the Portfolio to dispose of its assets or calculate its NAV; or as permitted by
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Certain Insurers, separate accounts, or Adviser affiliates may from time to time own
(beneficially or of record) or control a significant percentage of the Portfolios Shares. Redemptions by these Insurers or separate accounts of their holdings in the Portfolio may impact the Portfolios liquidity and NAV. These
redemptions may also force the Portfolio to sell securities, which may negatively impact the Portfolios brokerage costs.
If the
Trustees determine that existing conditions make cash payment undesirable, redemption payments may be made in whole or in part in securities or other property, valued for this purpose as they are valued in computing the Portfolios NAV.
Shareholders receiving an in-kind redemption may realize a gain or loss for tax purposes when liquidating acquired securities and will incur all transaction fees.
The accompanying disclosure documents for the Contracts or Retirement Plans describes the allocation, transfer, and withdrawal provisions of
such Contract or Retirement Plan. These Contracts and Retirement Plans may assess fees and expenses that are not described in this Prospectus. You should review the accompanying disclosure documents for a complete description of such fees and
expenses, if any.
Administrative Fees (Networking, Omnibus Positioning Fee)
Certain Insurers or other intermediaries may charge networking, omnibus account or other administrative fees with respect to transactions in
shares of the Portfolio. Transactions may be processed through the National Securities Clearing Corporation or similar systems or processed on a manual basis. These fees are paid by the Portfolio to the distributor, which uses such fees to reimburse
intermediaries. In the event an intermediary receiving payments from the distributor on behalf of the Portfolio converts from a networking structure to an omnibus account structure or otherwise experiences increased costs, fees borne by the
Portfolio may increase.
Valuing Shares
The price at which you buy, sell, or exchange Portfolio shares is the share price or NAV. The share price for shares of the Portfolio is
determined by adding the value of the Portfolios investments, cash and other assets, deducting liabilities, and then dividing that value by the total number of the shares outstanding of the Portfolio. The Portfolio is open for business
each day that the NYSE is open (a Business Day). Each NAV is calculated at the close of that Business Day, which coincides with the close of regular trading of the NYSE (normally 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time). NAV is not calculated
on the days that the NYSE is closed.
When the Portfolio calculates its NAV, it values the securities it holds at market
value. Sometimes market quotes for some securities are not available or are not representative of market value. Examples would be when events occur that materially affect the value of a security at a time when the security is not trading
or when the securities are illiquid. In that case, securities may be valued in good faith at fair value, using consistently applied procedures decided on by the Board of Trustees.
Excessive Trading and Market Timing Activities
While the Portfolio provides its shareholders with daily liquidity, their investment programs are designed to serve long-term investors.
Excessive trading and market timing activities (Disruptive Trading) in the Portfolios shares can be disruptive to the management of the Portfolio and as a result may hurt the long-term performance of the Portfolio.
For example, Disruptive Trading activities may expose long-term shareholders to additional risks, such as:
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dilution of the value of the Portfolios shares held by long-term shareholders who do not engage in this activity;
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the loss of investment opportunity by requiring a Portfolio to maintain more liquid assets as opposed to being able to invest such
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assets in Fund Investments; and
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increased brokerage and administrative cost to the Portfolio due to redemption requests that are unusually large in either dollar amounts or number
of redemptions.
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In addition, the Portfolio may invest in shares of Fund Investments which in turn may invest in
securities that may be primarily listed on foreign exchanges, the impact of events that occur after the close of a foreign exchange but before the close of trading on the NYSE may present risks of time-zone arbitrage. Similarly,
such Fund Investments may hold certain small-capitalization (e.g., small company) stocks that are thinly traded, and these types of securities, as with securities listed on foreign exchanges, are also prone to stale pricing and other potential
pricing discrepancies (each a Market Timing strategy). An investor engaging in this type of Market Timing of the Portfolio is seeking to capture any pricing inefficiencies and possibly cause a dilution of the value in the
Portfolios NAV. Excessive Trading risks can be magnified for mutual funds that are smaller in asset size.
In order to attempt to
protect Trust investors, the Trusts Board of Trustees has adopted policies that it believes are reasonably designed to discourage Disruptive Trading. The Portfolio is typically available as an investment option under a number of different
variable insurance products of Insurers and Retirement Plans. Contract Owners of these variable insurance products and Participants of these Retirement Plans may typically transfer value among subaccounts of the Insurers separate accounts or
Retirement Plans by contacting the Insurer or Retirement Plan, as applicable. The resulting purchases and redemptions of Portfolio shares may be made through omnibus accounts of the Insurers separate account or Retirement Plan, as applicable.
The right of a Contract Owner or Participant to transfer among subaccounts is governed by a contract or plan between the Insurer or Retirement Plan and such Contract Owner or Participant, respectively. Because the record owners of the Portfolio are
generally the Insurers or Retirement Plans, and not the Contract Owners or Participants, the Trust is not ordinarily in a position to directly monitor for or uncover Disruptive Trading by Contract Owners or Participants. The terms of these contracts
or plans, the presence of financial intermediaries (including the Insurers) between the Portfolio and Contract Owners and Participants, the utilization of omnibus accounts by these intermediaries and other factors, such as state insurance laws, may
limit the Portfolios ability to detect and deter market timing.
As a consequence, the Trust typically seeks to enlist the
cooperation or assistance, through contractual arrangements or otherwise, of an Insurer, Retirement Plan or intermediary in seeking to detect, monitor and deter Disruptive Trading. An Insurer, Retirement Plan or intermediary may not have the
capability or willingness to assist to the degree or in the manner requested by the Trust. In addition, certain parties who engage in Disruptive Trading may employ a variety of techniques to avoid detection.
None of these tools, however, can guarantee the possibility that Disruptive Trading activity will not occur, and the Trust cannot guarantee
that monitoring by the Insurers or Retirement Plans will be 100% successful in detecting all Disruptive Trading. Consequently, there is a risk that some investors could engage in Disruptive Trading activities.
Any shareholder who wishes to engage in a Disruptive Trading strategy should not purchase shares of the Portfolio
.
Anti-Money Laundering
Under applicable anti-money laundering regulations and other Federal regulations, purchase orders may be suspended, restricted, or canceled
and the monies may be withheld.
Contract Owners and Participants may be asked to provide additional information in order for the Trust
and its agents to verify their identities in accordance with requirements under anti-money laundering regulations. Accounts may be restricted and/or closed, and the monies withheld, pending verification of this information or as otherwise required
under these and other Federal regulations.
Distributions and Tax Consequences
The Portfolio distributes substantially all of its net income and capital gains to shareholders each year. The Portfolio pays capital
gains and income dividends at least annually. All dividends and capital gains distributions paid by the Portfolio will be automatically reinvested at net asset value in the Portfolio. For Contract Owners the result of automatic reinvestment of
distributions on a Portfolios performance, including the effect of dividends, is reflected in the cash value of the Contracts you own. Please see the Contract prospectus accompanying this Prospectus for more information.
The Portfolio intends to qualify as a regulated investment company under Section 851 the Code, in order to be relieved of
Federal income tax on that part of its net investment income and realized capital gains it distributes to shareholders. To qualify, the Portfolio must meet certain relatively complex income and diversification tests. The loss of such
status would result in the Portfolio being subject to Federal income tax on their taxable income and gains.
The Trust is an open-end
registered investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the 1940 Act). As such, the Portfolio is generally limited under the 1940 Act to one distribution in any one taxable year of long-term capital gains realized by the
Portfolio. In this regard, that portion of a
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Portfolios income which consists of gain realized by the Portfolio on a sale of a security may constitute long-term capital gain subject to this limitation.
In addition to the diversification requirements applicable to regulated investment companies generally, Section 817(h) of the Internal
Revenue Service Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder impose additional diversification requirements on separate accounts holding variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts. In determining whether a separate account
satisfies the foregoing diversification requirements, Section 817(h) allows a separate account to look through the to the assets of regulated investment companies in which such separate account has invested under certain conditions which the
Portfolio believes that itwill satisfy. The Adviser intends to diversify investments in accordance with those requirements. The Insurers prospectuses for variable annuities policies describe the Federal income tax treatment of
distributions from such contracts to Contract Owners.
Employee benefit plans and other tax-exempt investors considering an investment in
any of the Portfolio should consult their tax advisers about the potential tax consequences of such an investment.
The foregoing is
only a short summary of important federal tax law provisions that can affect the Portfolio. Other federal, state, or local tax law provisions may also affect the Portfolio and its operations.
Because each investors tax circumstances are unique and because the tax laws are subject to change, we recommend that you consult your
tax adviser, or if applicable, the Insurer through which your investment in the Portfolio is made, about your investment.
Distribution Plans
The Board of Trustees has adopted a separate plan of distribution for each Class pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act for the Portfolio
(a Distribution Plan).
Class I Distribution Plan
The Class I shares have adopted a Defensive Distribution Plan (the Class I Distribution Plan) that recognizes that the Adviser may
use its management fees, in addition to its past profits or its other resources, to pay for expenses incurred in connection with providing services intended to result in the sale of Portfolio shares and/or shareholder support services. Under
the Class I Distribution Plan, the Adviser may pay significant amounts to intermediaries, such as banks, insurance companies, retirement plan administrators and other service providers that provide a variety of possible services. The Board of
Trustees has currently authorized such payments on behalf of the Portfolio.
Class II and III Distribution Plans
The Class II and III Distribution Plans permits the use of the Portfolios assets to compensate the Portfolios distributor, ALPS
Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. (APSD), for its services and costs in distributing shares and servicing shareholder accounts. The Class II and III Distribution Plans also recognize that the Adviser and Sub-Adviser may use
their management fee revenues, as well as their past profits, to pay for expenses incurred in connection with providing services intended to result in the sale of shares and/or shareholder support services.
Under the Class II and III Distribution Plans, APSD receives an amount equal to 0.25% of the average annual net assets of the Class II and III
shares, respectively, of the Portfolio. All or a portion of the fees paid to APSD under the Class II and III Distribution Plans will, in turn, be paid to certain financial intermediaries as compensation for selling shares or for providing
ongoing administrative services. These services generally include responding to shareholder inquiries, directing shareholder communications, account balance maintenance, and dividend posting.
Because the fees paid under the Class II and III Distribution Plans are paid out of Portfolio assets on an on-going basis, over time these
fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than other types of sales charges.
Shareholder Servicing Fees
The Portfolio has adopted a shareholder services plan (a Services Plan) with respect to Class III shares. Under the Services Plan,
the Portfolio is authorized to pay third party service providers, including but not limited to insurance companies, banks and their affiliates, other institutions, broker-dealers and Trust affiliates (Participating Organizations), for
non-distribution related services to shareholders of Class III shares.
Payments under the Services Plans are calculated daily and paid
monthly, and the aggregate fees on an annual basis are not to exceed 0.25% of the average daily net asset value of the Class III shares of the Portfolio attributable to or held in the name of a Participating Organization for its clients as
compensation for providing service activities pursuant to an agreement with a Participating Organization.
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Any amount of such payment not paid during the Portfolios fiscal year for such service activities shall be reimbursed to the Portfolio as soon as practicable.
Because these shareholder services fees are paid out of assets attributable to the Portfolios Class III shares on an ongoing basis, over
time these fees will increase the cost of an investment in such shares and may cost more than other types of sales charges.
OTHER INFORMATION
Net Asset Value
The net asset value per share of the Portfolio will be determined as of the close of regular trading on the New
York Stock Exchange (NYSE) each day the NYSE is open for business and will be computed by determining the aggregate market value of all assets of the Portfolio less its liabilities divided by the total number of shares
outstanding. The NYSE is closed on weekends and most national holidays. The determination of net asset value for a particular day is applicable to all applications for the purchase of shares, as well as all requests for the redemption of
shares, received before the close of regular trading on the NYSE on that day.
Foreign securities exchanges, which set the prices for
foreign securities held by the Portfolio, are not always open the same days as the NYSE, and they may be open for business on days the NYSE is not. For example, Thanksgiving Day is a holiday observed by the NYSE but not observed by foreign
exchanges. In this situation, the Portfolio would not calculate net asset value on Thanksgiving Day and the Portfolio would not buy, sell or exchange shares for investors on that day, even though activity on foreign exchanges could result in
changes in the net asset value of investments held by the Portfolio on that day. Purchases and sales of investment securities and income and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates on the dates of such transactions.
Securities traded on one or more of the U.S. national securities exchanges, the NASDAQ Stock Market or any foreign stock exchange will be
valued at the last sale price or the official closing price on the exchange or system where such securities are principally traded for the Business Day as of which such value is being determined.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, where market quotations are not readily available, or in the Advisers judgment they do not accurately
reflect fair value of a security, or an event occurs after the market close but before the Portfolio is priced that materially affects the value of a security, the securities will be valued by the Adviser using fair valuation procedures established
by the Board of Trustees. Examples of potentially significant events that could materially impact the Portfolios net asset value include, but are not limited to, company specific announcements, significant market volatility, natural disasters,
armed conflicts and significant governmental actions. Fair valuation procedures may also be employed for securities such as certain derivatives, swaps, and other similar instruments for which there are no market quotations readily
available. There can be no assurance, however, that a fair valuation used by the Portfolio on any given day will more accurately reflect the market value of an investment than the closing price of such investment in its market. The value
assigned to fair-valued securities for purposes of calculating the Portfolios net asset value may differ from the securitys most recent closing market price and from the prices used by other mutual funds to calculate their net asset
values. The Portfolio may change the time at which orders are priced if the NYSE closes at a different time or an emergency exists. With respect to any portion of the Portfolios assets that are invested in Fund Investments that are registered
under the 1940 Act, the Portfolio net asset value is calculated based upon the net asset values of the those Fund Investments in which the Portfolio invests, and the prospectuses for those Fund Investments explain the circumstances under which such
Fund Investments will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.
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Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings
The SAI contains a detailed description of the Portfolios policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of its portfolio
holdings.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Portfolios financial performance for the past year. Certain
information reflects financial results for a single Portfolio share. The total returns in the table represent the rate that an investor would have earned or lost on an investment in the Portfolio (assuming reinvestment of all dividends and
distributions).
The ALPS/Stadion Tactical Defensive Portfolio is newly organized and its shares were not offered during the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2013. Therefore, this Portfolio does not have financial highlights for the period ended December 31, 2013. Additional information about this Portfolios investments will be available in its annual and semi-annual
reports when they are available.
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Service Providers
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Adviser:
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ALPS Advisors, Inc.
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1290 Broadway, Suite 1100
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Denver, Colorado 80203
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Sub-Adviser to the
Portfolio:
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Stadion Money Management, LLC
1061 Cliff Dawson Road
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Watkinsville, Georgia 30677
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Distributor:
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ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributors, Inc.
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1290 Broadway, Suite 1100
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Denver, Colorado 80203
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Legal Counsel:
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Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP
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1550 17th Street, Suite 500
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Denver, Colorado 80202
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Independent Registered
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Deloitte & Touch LLP
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Public Accounting Firm
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555 17
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Street, Suite 3600
Denver, CO 80202
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Transfer Agent:
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ALPS Fund Services, Inc.
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1290 Broadway, Suite 1100
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Denver, Colorado 80203
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Custodian:
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State Street Bank and Trust Company
2 Avenue de Lafayette
Boston, MA
02111
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Inquiries and Copies of Portfolio Documents
To make inquiries and to request other information, including a Prospectus, Statement of Additional Information, Annual Report, or Semi-Annual
Report, free of charge, please contact your insurance company or plan sponsor, call (866) 432.2926, or visit the Portfolios website at www.alpsfunds.com.
Additional information about the Portfolios investments is available in the Portfolios annual and semi-annual reports to
shareholders, when available. In the Portfolios annual report, you will find a discussion of the market conditions and investment strategies that significantly affected the Portfolios performance during its last fiscal year.
The Statement of Additional Information dated April 30, 2014 is a supplement to this Prospectus and has detailed information about the
Portfolio and its investment policies and practices. The Statement of Additional Information is incorporated into this Prospectus by reference; in other words, it is legally a part of this Prospectus, and you are considered to be aware of its
contents.
Copies of these materials, including the Statement of Additional Information, are also available, after paying a
duplication fee, from the SECs Public Reference Section at 100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549-1520. You can obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room, including information about duplication fee charges, by
calling 1-202-551-8090. This information can be obtained by electronic request at the following e-mail address: publicinfo@sec.gov. These materials are also available on the SEC web site at www.sec.gov.
ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., distributor
Investment Company Act File #811-21987
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STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ALPS VARIABLE INVESTMENT TRUST
Ibbotson Conservative ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio: Class I (N/A) and Class II (CETFX)
Ibbotson Income and Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio: Class I (N/A) and Class II (IETFX)
Ibbotson Balanced ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio: Class I (N/A) and Class II (BETFX)
Ibbotson Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio: Class I (N/A) and Class II (GETFX)
Ibbotson Aggressive Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio: Class I (N/A) and Class II (AGTFX)
Ibbotson MVP ETF Portfolio: Class I (N/A), Class II (MVPTX) and Class III (METFX)
ALPS/Alerian Energy Infrastructure Portfolio: Class I (N/A) and Class III (ALEFX)
April 30, 2014
A
Prospectus for the shares of each Portfolio dated April 30, 2014 (the Prospectus), provides the basic information you should know before investing in a Portfolio. This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) is
incorporated by reference into the Prospectus; in other words, this SAI is legally part of the Prospectus. Although this SAI is not a prospectus, it contains information in addition to the information set forth in the Prospectus. It is
intended to provide additional information regarding the activities of each Portfolio and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus. The most recent annual report of ALPS Variable Investment Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the
Trust), is incorporated by reference into this SAI, and can be obtained free of charge by calling the toll-free number printed below.
You may obtain, without charge, the current Prospectus and SAI for the Portfolios by writing to your insurance company, plan sponsor or
contacting the Portfolios at (866) 432-2926. You may also visit the Portfolios website at www.alpsfunds.com.
The Portfolios
are investment vehicles for variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies (Contracts). The Portfolios also may be used as investment vehicles for qualified pension and retirement plans and certain registered and
unregistered separate accounts. Shares of the Portfolios (Shares) are offered only to participating insurance companies and their separate accounts to fund the benefits of Contracts, and to qualified pension and retirement plans and
registered and unregistered separate accounts. Shares are not offered to the general public.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
TRUST ORGANIZATION. The Portfolios are separate portfolios of the Trust, an open-end management investment company organized
as a Delaware statutory trust by a Declaration of Trust dated July 26, 2000. The name of the Trust changed from Financial Investors Variable Insurance Trust to ALPS Variable Investment Trust on April 30, 2013. The Declaration of Trust
permits the Trustees to create additional Portfolios and Classes. There are currently eight Portfolios of the Trust. This SAI relates to the Ibbotson Conservative ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio, Ibbotson Income and Growth ETF Asset Allocation
Portfolio, Ibbotson Balanced ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio, Ibbotson Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio, Ibbotson Aggressive Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio, Ibbotson MVP ETF Portfolio (each of the foregoing an Ibbotson
Portfolio, and collectively, the Ibbotson Portfolios) and the ALPS/Alerian Energy Infrastructure Portfolio (the Alerian Portfolio).
The assets of the Trust received for the issue or sale of shares of each Portfolio and all income, earnings, profits, and
proceeds thereof, subject only to the rights of creditors, are specially allocated to such Portfolio, and constitute the underlying assets of such Portfolio. The underlying assets of each Portfolio are segregated on the books of account, and are to
be charged with the liabilities with respect to such Portfolio and with a share of the general expenses of the Trust. Expenses with respect to the Trust are to be allocated in proportion to the asset value of the respective Portfolios except where
allocations of direct expense can otherwise be fairly made. The officers of the Trust, subject to the general supervision of the Trustees, have the power to determine which expenses are allocable to a given Portfolio, or which are general or
allocable to all of the Portfolios. In the event of the dissolution or liquidation of the Trust, shareholders of a Portfolio are entitled to receive as a class the underlying assets of such Portfolio available for distribution.
SHAREHOLDER AND TRUSTEE LIABILITY. The Declaration of Trust provides that the Trust shall not have any claim against
shareholders except for the payment of the purchase price of shares and requires that each agreement, obligation, or instrument entered into or executed by the Trust or the Trustees shall include a provision limiting the obligations created thereby
to the Trust and its assets. The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of each Portfolios property of any shareholders held personally liable for the obligations of each Portfolio. The Declaration of Trust also provides
that each Portfolio shall, upon request, assume the defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act or obligation of a Portfolio and satisfy any judgment thereon. Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of
shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Portfolio itself would be unable to meet its obligations. The Trustees believe that, in view of the above, the risk of personal liability to shareholders is remote.
The Declaration of Trust further provides that the Trustees, if they have exercised reasonable care, will not be liable for
any neglect or wrongdoing, but nothing in the Declaration of Trust protects a Trustee against any liability to which he would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties
involved in the conduct of his office.
Insurance companies and qualified plans will typically be each Portfolios
only shareholders of record, and pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), such shareholders may be deemed to be in control of the Portfolio. When a shareholders meeting occurs, each insurance
company generally solicits and accepts voting instructions from its Contract owners who have allocated or transferred monies for an investment in the Portfolio as of the record date of the meeting. Each shareholder then votes the Portfolios
shares that are attributable to its interests in the Portfolio in which it is entitled to vote, in proportion to the voting instructions received.
Typically for insurance companies, each Portfolio is available through separate accounts relating to both variable annuity and
variable life insurance contracts. The Portfolios do not currently foresee any material
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disadvantages to Contract owners arising from offering their shares to variable annuity and variable life insurance policy separate accounts, and the Trustees continuously monitor events for the
existence of material irreconcilable conflict between or among Contract owners. Material conflicts could arise from, for example, (i) changes in state insurance laws; (ii) changes in federal income tax laws; or (iii) differences in
voting instructions between those given by variable life owners and variable annuity owners. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises, as determined by the Board of Trustees, one or more separate accounts may withdraw their investment in the
Portfolio. This could possibly require the Portfolio to sell securities. Each insurance company will bear the expenses of establishing separate portfolios for its variable annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts if such action becomes
necessary. However, such intermediary expenses that are ultimately borne by Contract owners will likely increase due to the loss of economies of scale benefits that can be provided to separate accounts with substantial assets.
VOTING RIGHTS. Each Portfolios capital consists of shares of beneficial interest. The shares have no preemptive or
conversion rights; dividend rights, the right of redemption, and the privilege of exchange are described in the Prospectus. Shares are fully paid and nonassessable, except as set forth under the heading Shareholder and Trustee Liability
above. Shareholders representing 10% or more of the Trust or a Portfolio may, as set forth in the Declaration of Trust, call meetings of the Trust or a Portfolio for any purpose related to the Trust or Portfolio, as the case may be, including, in
the case of a meeting of the entire Trust, the purpose of voting on removal of one or more Trustees. The Trust or any Portfolio may be terminated upon the sale of its assets to another open-end management investment company, or upon liquidation and
distribution of its assets, if approved by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Trust or that Portfolio. If not so terminated, the Trust and each Portfolio will continue indefinitely.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS AND LIMITATIONS
The investment restrictions designated as fundamental in the following have been adopted by each Portfolio as
fundamental policies and may be changed only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of such Portfolio. As used in this SAI and in the prospectus, the term majority of the outstanding shares of the Portfolio
means the affirmative vote of, the lesser of:
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67% or more of the Portfolios shares present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Portfolio are
present or represented by proxy, or
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more than 50% of the Portfolios outstanding shares.
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Except for (1) under Ibbotson Portfolios Non-fundamental Investment Restrictions, (2) under Alerian Portfolio
Fundamental Investment Restrictions and (4) under Alerian Portfolio Non-Fundamental Investment Restrictions, any limitation below which involves a maximum percentage shall not be considered violated unless an excess over the
percentage occurs immediately after, and is caused by, an acquisition or encumbrance of securities or assets of, or borrowings by, the Portfolio.
Ibbotson Portfolios Fundamental Investment Restrictions
These investment restrictions provide that each Ibbotson Portfolio (as defined in the Prospectus):
(1) may not issue senior securities or borrow money other than as permitted by the 1940 Act and any rules or exemptive orders
applicable to such Portfolio thereunder.
(2) may not underwrite or participate in the marketing of securities issued by
other persons except to the extent that such Portfolio may be deemed to be an underwriter in connection with the disposition of
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portfolio securities.
(3) may not concentrate its investments in
any particular industry or industries, except that each Portfolio may invest an unlimited percentage of its assets in exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
(4) may not purchase or sell real estate as such, but this restriction shall not prevent such Portfolio from investing in
securities of companies which invest in real estate or obligations secured by real estate or interests therein.
(5) may
not invest in commodities except insofar as such investments would not require such Portfolio or its investment adviser or distributor to register as a commodity pool operator with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
(6) will not make any loans except to the extent that it acquires obligations or makes loans of its assets.
(7) may not pledge, mortgage or hypothecate its assets, except to secure permitted borrowings or indebtedness or in connection
with loans of its assets.
Ibbotson Portfolios Non-Fundamental Investment Restrictions
Non-fundamental investment restrictions may be amended by a majority vote of the Trustees of the Trust, without obtaining
shareholder approval. Under the non-fundamental investment restrictions, each Ibbotson Portfolio:
(1) may not
invest more than 15% of the value of its net assets in securities that generally could not be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately the value at which the asset is valued by such Portfolio
(illiquid securities). Notwithstanding the foregoing, securities eligible to be traded without restriction among qualified institutions pursuant to rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that are
considered to be liquid by, or pursuant to, liquidity standards adopted by the Board of Trustees will not be subject to this limitation.
(2) must, under normal circumstances, invest at least 80% of its assets (defined as net assets plus the amount of any
borrowing for investment purposes) in ETFs; provided, that shareholders of any Portfolio will be provided with at least 60 days prior notice of any change in such Portfolios policy.
Alerian Portfolio Fundamental Investment Restrictions
With respect to the Alerian Portfolios fundamental investment restriction 7, asset coverage of at least 300% (as defined
in the 1940 Act), inclusive of any amounts borrowed, must be maintained at all times.
As a matter of fundamental policy,
the Alerian Portfolio (except as otherwise noted below) may not:
(1) Invest 25% of its total assets in the
securities of issuers conducting their principal business activities in the same industry or group of industries (excluding the U.S. government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities); except that, to the extent the Portfolios Index is
concentrated in a particular industry or group of industries, the Portfolios investments will exceed this 25% limitation to the extent that it is necessary to gain exposure to the Index Components to track its Index.
(2) Borrow money, except that the Portfolio may (i) borrow money from banks for temporary or emergency purposes (but not
for leverage or the purchase of investments) up to 10% of its total assets and
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(ii) make other investments or engage in other transactions permissible under the 1940 Act that may involve a borrowing, provided that the combination of (i) and (ii) shall not exceed
33 1/3% of the value of the Portfolios total assets (including the amount borrowed), less the Portfolios liabilities (other than borrowings).
(3) Act as an underwriter of another issuers securities, except to the extent that the Portfolio may be deemed to be an
underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 in connection with the purchase and sale of portfolio securities.
(4) Make loans to other persons, except through (i) the purchase of debt securities permissible under the
Portfolios investment policies, (ii) repurchase agreements or (iii) the lending of portfolio securities, provided that no such loan of portfolio securities may be made by the Portfolio if, as a result, the aggregate of such loans
would exceed 33 1/3% of the value of the Portfolios total assets.
(5) Purchase or sell physical commodities unless
acquired as a result of ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prevent the Portfolio (i) from purchasing or selling options, futures contracts or other derivative instruments, or (ii) from investing in securities
or other instruments backed by physical commodities).
(6) Purchase or sell real estate unless acquired as a result of
ownership of securities or other instruments (but this shall not prohibit the Portfolio from purchasing or selling securities or other instruments backed by real estate or of issuers engaged in real estate activities).
(7) Issue senior securities, except as permitted under the 1940 Act.
Except for restriction (2), if a percentage restriction is adhered to at the time of investment, a later increase in
percentage resulting from a change in market value of the investment or the total assets, or the sale of a security out of the portfolio, will not constitute a violation of that restriction.
Alerian Portfolio Non-Fundamental Investment Restrictions
In addition to the foregoing fundamental investment policies, the Alerian Portfolio is also subject to the following
non-fundamental restrictions and policies, which may be changed at any time by the Board of Trustees without shareholder approval. The Alerian Portfolio may not:
(1) Sell securities short, unless the Alerian Portfolio owns or has the right to obtain securities equivalent in kind and
amount to the securities sold short at no added cost, and provided that transactions in options, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, or other derivative instruments are not deemed to constitute selling securities short.
(2) Purchase securities on margin, except that the Alerian Portfolio may obtain such short-term credits as are necessary for
the clearance of transactions; and provided that margin deposits in connection with futures contracts, options on futures contracts or other derivative instruments shall not constitute purchasing securities on margin.
(3) Purchase securities of open-end or closed-end investment companies except in compliance with the 1940 Act.
(4) Invest in illiquid securities if, as a result of such investment, more than 15% of the Alerian Portfolios net assets
would be invested in illiquid securities.
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Classification
The 1940 Act classifies mutual funds as either diversified or nondiversified. Each Portfolio is classified as
nondiversified.
Commodity Pool Operator Status
Rule 4.5 under the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA), as amended, exempts an adviser of a fund that invests in
commodity interests from registration as a commodity pool operator (CPO) provided that, among other restrictions, the adviser enters into such positions solely for bona fide hedging purposes or limits
its use of commodity interests for non-bona fide hedging purposes such that (i) the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish non-bona fide hedging positions do not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of the funds
portfolio, or (ii) the aggregate notional value of the non-bona fide hedging commodity interests do not exceed 100% of the liquidation value of the funds portfolio.
The Adviser and/or SubAdviser, as applicable, of each Portfolio intends to either: (i) comply with the requirements of
the CEA by operating the Portfolio in a manner consistent with the restrictions of Rule 4.5, including filing a notice of eligibility of exemption from registration in accordance with applicable procedures and deadlines; (ii) comply with the
requirements of the CEA by registering as a CPO or Commodity Trading Advisor (CTA), as applicable, with the CFTC and the National Futures Association; or (iii) manage the Portfolio in a manner such that the Portfolio will not be a
commodity pool under the CEA.
Master/Feeder Structure
In lieu of investing directly, the Board of Trustees may consider whether a Portfolios investment objective would be
furthered by converting to a Master/Feeder Portfolio Structure, pursuant to which the Portfolio would invest all of its investable assets in an investment company having substantially the same investment objective and policies as the
Portfolio. The Master/Feeder Portfolio Structure is an arrangement that allows several investment companies with different shareholder-related features or distribution channels, but having substantially the same investment objectives, policies
and restrictions, to combine their investments by investing all of their assets in the same portfolio instead of managing them separately.
Conversion to a Master/Feeder Portfolio Structure may serve to attract other collective investment vehicles with different
shareholder servicing or distribution arrangements and with shareholders that would not have invested in the Portfolio. In addition, a Master/Feeder Portfolio Structure may serve as an alternative for large, institutional investors in the
Portfolio who may prefer to offer separate, proprietary investment vehicles and who otherwise might establish such vehicles outside of the Portfolios current operational structure. No assurance can be given, however, that the
Master/Feeder Portfolio Structure will result in the Portfolio stabilizing its expenses or achieving greater operational efficiencies.
The Portfolios methods of operation and shareholder services would not be materially affected by its investment in
another investment company (Master Portfolio) having substantially the same investment objective and polices as the Portfolio, except that the assets of the Portfolio may be managed as part of a larger pool of assets. If the
Portfolio invested all of its assets in a Master Portfolio, it would hold beneficial interests in the Master Portfolio and the Master Portfolio would directly invest in accordance with the objectives and policies described for the
Portfolio. The Portfolio would otherwise continue its normal operation. The Board of Trustees would retain the right to withdraw the Portfolios investment from a Master Portfolio at any time it determines that it would be in the best
interest of shareholders to do so. The Portfolio would then resume investing directly in individual securities of other issuers or invest in
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another Master Portfolio.
If the Board of Trustees determines that
a conversion to a Master/Feeder Portfolio Structure is in the best interest of the Portfolios shareholders, it will consider and evaluate specific proposals prior to the implementation of a conversion. Furthermore, the Portfolios
Prospectus and SAI would be amended to reflect the implementation of the Portfolios conversion and its shareholders would be notified in advance of any such conversion.
INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS AND ASSOCIATED RISKS
The following section is applicable only to the Ibbotson Portfolios, and references to Portfolios herein are
accordingly qualified.
The Prospectus discusses the investment objectives of the Portfolios and the policies to be
employed to achieve those objectives. This section contains supplemental information concerning certain types of securities and other instruments in which the Portfolios may invest, either directly or indirectly by investing in an underlying
exchange-traded fund (each, an Underlying ETF), and certain risks attendant to such investment.
COMMODITIES. Some of the Underlying ETFs may invest directly in physical commodities, such as gold, silver and other
physical goods. Commodity prices can be extremely volatile and may be either directly or indirectly affected by a wide range of factors, including, but not limited to, changes in overall market movements, real or perceived inflationary trends,
commodity index volatility, changes in interest rates or currency exchange rates, population growth and changing demographics, and factors affecting a particular industry or commodity, such as drought, floods, or other weather conditions, livestock
disease, trade embargoes, competition from substitute products, transportation bottlenecks or shortages, fluctuations in supply and demand, tariffs, and international economic, political, and regulatory developments.
DELAYED-DELIVERY AND WHEN-ISSUED TRANSACTIONS. Each Portfolio may invest in Underlying ETFs that buy and sell securities on a
delayed-delivery or when-issued basis. These transactions involve a commitment by each Underlying ETF to purchase or sell specific securities at a predetermined price and/or yield, with payment and delivery taking place after the customary
settlement period for that type of security (and more than seven days in the future). Typically, no interest accrues to the purchaser until the security is delivered. Each Underlying ETF may receive fees for entering into delayed-delivery
transactions.
When purchasing securities on a delayed-delivery basis, each Underlying ETF assumes the rights and risks of
ownership, including the risk of price and yield fluctuations. Because an Underlying ETF is not required to pay for securities until the delivery date, these risks are in addition to the risks associated with such Underlying ETFs other
investments. If an Underlying ETF remains substantially fully invested at a time when delayed-delivery purchases are outstanding, the delayed-delivery purchases may result in a form of leverage. When delayed-delivery purchases are outstanding, an
Underlying ETF will set aside appropriate liquid assets in a segregated custodial account to cover its purchase obligations. When an Underlying ETF has sold a security on a delayed-delivery basis, an Underlying ETF does not participate in further
gains or losses with respect to the security. If the other party to a delayed-delivery transaction fails to deliver or pay for the securities, such Underlying ETF could miss a favorable price or yield opportunity, or could suffer a loss.
Each Underlying ETF may renegotiate delayed-delivery transactions after they are entered into, and may sell underlying
securities before they are delivered, which may result in capital gains or losses.
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EMERGING MARKETS AND DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. The Underlying ETFs may invest either
directly or indirectly in countries with emerging markets and developing countries. The risks associated with emerging market investments may be different from or greater than the risks associated with investing in developed countries. Some of the
currencies in emerging markets have experienced devaluations relative to the U.S. dollar, and major adjustments have been made periodically in certain of such currencies. Developing countries may impose restrictions on an Underlying ETFs
ability to repatriate investment income or capital. Even if there is no outright restriction on repatriation of investment income or capital, the mechanics of repatriation may affect certain aspects of the operations of the Underlying ETFs. Certain
developing countries also may face serious currency exchange constraints. In addition, there is generally less government supervision and regulation of exchanges, brokers, financial institutions, custodians and issuers in these countries than there
is in the United States. Governments of some developing countries exercise substantial influence over many aspects of the private sector. In some countries, the government owns or controls many companies, including the largest in the country. As
such, government actions in the future could have a significant impact on economic conditions in developing countries in these regions, which could affect private sector companies, an Underlying ETF, and the value of its securities. Furthermore,
certain developing countries are among the largest debtors to commercial banks and foreign governments. Trading in debt obligations issued or guaranteed by such governments or their agencies and instrumentalities involves a high degree of risk.
EQUITY SECURITIES. The Portfolios and Underlying ETFs may invest in equity securities. Equity securities generally include
common stocks, preferred stocks, securities convertible into common or preferred stocks, warrants to purchase common or preferred stocks and other securities with equity characteristics. Common stocks represent shares of ownership in a company and
usually carry voting rights but no guarantee of dividend payments. Preferred stocks generally pay dividends at a specified rate and have preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and liquidation. Preferred stocks generally do not
carry voting rights. Convertible securities are preferred stocks or bonds that pay a fixed dividend or interest payment and are convertible into common stock at a specified price or conversion ratio.
EXCHANGE TRADED NOTES (ETNs). ETNs generally are senior, unsecured, unsubordinated debt securities issued by a
sponsor. They are designed to provide investors a different way to gain exposure to the returns of market benchmarks, particularly those in the natural resource and commodity markets. An ETNs returns are based on the performance of a market
index minus fees and expenses. ETNs are not equity investments or investment companies, but they do share some characteristic with those investment vehicles. As with equities, ETNs can be shorted, and as with ETFs and index funds, they are designed
to track the total return performance of a benchmark index. Like ETFs, ETNs are traded on an exchange and can be bought and sold on the listed exchange. However, unlike an ETF, an ETN can be held until the ETNs maturity, at which time the
issuer will pay a return linked to the performance of the market index to which the ETN is linked minus certain fees. Unlike regular bonds, ETNs do not make periodic interest payments and principal is not protected. The market value of an ETN is
determined by supply and demand, the current performance of the market index to which the ETN is linked, and the credit rating of the ETN issuer. Some ETNs use leverage. Levered ETNs are subject to the same risk as other instruments that use
leverage in any form. While leverage allows for greater potential return, the potential for loss is also greater. The market value of ETN shares may differ from their NAV. This difference in price may be due to the fact that the supply and demand in
the market for ETN shares at any point in time is not always identical to the supply and demand in the market for the securities underlying the index that the ETN seeks to track. Thus, the Portfolios decision to sell its ETN holdings may be
limited by the availability of a secondary market. The value of an ETN may also change due to a change in the issuers credit rating. As a result, there may be times when an ETN share trades at a premium or discount to its NAV.
FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES. The Portfolios and Underlying ETFs may invest in fixed-income securities, including among others,
bonds, notes, bills, debentures, convertible securities, bank obligations,
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mortgages, and other asset-backed securities, loan participations and assignments and commercial paper. Fixed-income securities pay interest, dividends or distributions at a specified rate. The
rate may be a fixed percentage of the principal or adjusted periodically. In addition, the issuer of a fixed-income security must repay the principal amount of the security, normally within a specified time. Fixed-income securities provide more
regular income than equity securities. However, the returns on fixed-income securities are limited and normally do not increase with the issuers earnings. This limits the potential appreciation of fixed-income securities as compared to equity
securities. A securitys yield measures the annual income earned on a security as a percentage of its price. A securitys yield will increase or decrease depending upon whether it costs less (a discount) or more (a premium) than the
principal amount. If the issuer may redeem the security before its scheduled maturity, the price and yield on a discount or premium security may change based upon the probability of an early redemption. Securities with higher risks generally have
higher yields.
FOREIGN INVESTMENTS. Foreign investments purchased by each Underlying ETF can involve significant risks in
addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments. The value of securities denominated in or indexed to foreign currencies, and of dividends and interest from such securities, can change significantly when foreign currencies strengthen or weaken to
the U.S. dollar. Foreign securities markets can have less trading volume and less liquidity than U.S. markets, and prices on some foreign markets can be highly volatile. Many foreign countries lack uniform accounting and disclosure standards
comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies, and it may be more difficult to obtain reliable information regarding an issuers financial condition and operations. In addition, the costs of foreign investing, including withholding taxes,
brokerage commissions, and custodial costs, are generally higher than for U.S. investments.
Foreign markets may offer
less protection to investors than U.S. markets. Foreign issuers, brokers, and securities markets may be subject to less government supervision. Foreign security trading practices, including those involving the release of assets in advance of
payment, may involve increased risks in the event of a failed trade or the insolvency of a broker-dealer, and may involve substantial delays. It may also be difficult to enforce legal rights in foreign countries.
Investing abroad also involves different political and economic risks. Foreign investments may be affected by actions of
foreign governments adverse to the interests of U.S. investors, including the possibility of expropriation or nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation, restriction on U.S. investment or on the ability to repatriate assets or convert currency
into U.S. dollars, or other government intervention. There may be a greater possibility of default by foreign governments or foreign government-sponsored enterprises. Investments in foreign countries also involve a risk of local political, economic,
or social instability, military action or unrest, or adverse diplomatic developments. There is no assurance that an Underlying ETF will be able to anticipate or counter these potential events.
The considerations noted above generally are intensified for investments in developing countries with emerging markets.
Developing countries may have relatively unstable governments, economies based on only a few industries, and securities markets that trade a small number of securities.
Each Portfolio may indirectly through Underlying ETFs invest in foreign securities that impose restrictions on transfer within
the U.S. or to U.S. persons. Although securities subject to transfer restrictions may be marketable abroad, they may be less liquid than foreign securities of the same class that are not subject to such restrictions.
American Depositary Receipts and European Depositary Receipts (ADRs and EDRs) are certificates
evidencing ownership of shares of a foreign-based corporation held in trust by a bank or similar financial institution. Designed for use in U.S. and European securities markets, respectively, ADRs and EDRs are
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alternatives to the purchase of the underlying securities in their national markets and currencies.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS. The Portfolios and Underlying ETFs may conduct foreign currency transactions on a spot (i.e.,
cash) basis or by entering into forward contracts to purchase or sell foreign currencies at a future date and price. The Portfolios and Underlying ETFs will convert currency on a spot basis from time to time, and investors should be aware of the
costs of currency conversion. Although foreign exchange dealers generally do not charge a fee for conversion, they do realize a profit based on the difference between the prices at which they are buying and selling various currencies. Thus, a dealer
may offer to sell a foreign currency to the Portfolio or Underlying ETF at one rate, while offering a lesser rate of exchange should the Portfolio or Underlying ETF desire to resell that currency to the dealer. Forward contracts are generally traded
in an interbank market conducted directly between currency traders (usually large commercial banks) and their customers. The parties to a forward contract may agree to offset or terminate the contract before its maturity, or may hold the contract to
maturity and complete the contemplated currency exchange.
Each Portfolio or Underlying ETF may use currency forward
contracts for any purpose consistent with its investment objective. The following discussion summarizes the principal currency management strategies involving forward contracts that could be used by each Portfolio. The Portfolios or Underlying ETFs
may also use swap agreements, indexed securities, and options and futures contracts relating to foreign currencies for the same purposes.
When a Portfolio or Underlying ETF agrees to buy or sell a security denominated in a foreign currency, it may desire to
lock in the U.S. dollar price of the security. By entering into a forward contract for the purchase or sale, for a fixed amount of U.S. dollars, of the amount of foreign currency involved in the underlying security transaction, each
Portfolio or Underlying ETF will be able to protect itself against an adverse change in foreign currency values between the date the security is purchased or sold and the date on which payment is made or received. This technique is sometimes
referred to as a settlement hedge or transaction hedge. The Portfolio or Underlying ETF may also enter into forward contracts to purchase or sell a foreign currency in anticipation of future purchases or sales of securities
denominated in foreign currency, even if the specific investments have not yet been selected by the Portfolios or Underlying ETFs investment adviser.
A Portfolio or Underlying ETF may also use forward contracts to hedge against a decline in the value of existing investments
denominated in foreign currency. For example, if a Portfolio or Underlying ETF owned securities denominated in pounds sterling, it could enter into a forward contract to sell pounds sterling in return for U.S. dollars to hedge against possible
declines in the pounds value. Such a hedge, sometimes referred to as a position hedge, would tend to offset both positive and negative currency fluctuations, but would not offset changes in security values caused by other factors.
A Portfolio or Underlying ETF could also hedge the position by selling another currency expected to perform similarly to the pound sterling - for example, by entering into a forward contract to sell Deutsche marks or European Currency Units in
return for U.S. dollars. This type of hedge, sometimes referred to as a proxy hedge, could offer advantages in terms of cost, yield, or efficiency, but generally would not hedge currency exposure as effectively as a simple hedge into
U.S. dollars. Proxy hedges may result in losses if the currency used to hedge does not perform similarly to the currency in which the hedged securities are denominated.
A Portfolio or Underlying ETF may enter into forward contracts to shift its investment exposure from one currency into
another. This may include shifting exposure from U.S. dollars to a foreign currency or from one foreign currency to another foreign currency. For example, if a Portfolio or Underlying ETF held investments denominated in Deutsche marks, such
Portfolio or Underlying ETF could enter into forward contracts to sell Deutsche marks and purchase Swiss Francs. This type of strategy, sometimes known as a
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cross hedge, will tend to reduce or eliminate exposure to the currency that is sold, and increase exposure to the currency that is purchased, much as if the Portfolio or Underlying
ETF had sold a security denominated in one currency and purchased an equivalent security denominated in another. Cross-hedges protect against losses resulting from a decline in the hedged currency, but will cause the Portfolio or Underlying ETF to
assume the risk of fluctuations in the value of the currency it purchases.
Under certain conditions, SEC guidelines
require mutual funds to set aside cash or other appropriate liquid assets in a segregated custodial account to cover currency forward contracts. As required by SEC guidelines, the Portfolio or Underlying ETF will segregate assets to cover currency
forward contracts, if any, whose purpose is essentially speculative. The Portfolio or Underlying ETF will not segregate assets to cover forward contracts entered into for hedging purposes, including settlement hedges, position hedges, and proxy
hedges.
Successful use of forward currency contracts will depend on the Subadvisers or underlying advisers
skill in analyzing and predicting currency values. Forward contracts may substantially change a Portfolios or Underlying ETFs investment exposure to changes in currency exchange rates, and could result in losses to a Portfolio or
Underlying ETF if currencies do not perform as the investment adviser anticipates. For example, if a currencys value rose at a time when the investment adviser had hedged a Portfolio or Underlying ETF by selling that currency in exchange for
dollars, a Portfolio or Underlying ETF would be unable to participate in the currencys appreciation. If the Subadviser or an underlying adviser hedges currency exposure through proxy hedges, a Portfolio or Underlying ETF could realize currency
losses from the hedge and the security position at the same time if the two currencies do not move in tandem. Similarly, if the Subadviser or an underlying adviser increases a Portfolios or Underlying ETFs exposure to a foreign currency,
and that currencys value declines, the Portfolio or Underlying ETF will realize a loss. There is no assurance that the Subadvisers or underlying advisers use of forward currency contracts will be advantageous to a Portfolio or
Underlying ETF or that it will hedge at an appropriate time.
ILLIQUID INVESTMENTS. Illiquid investments are investments
that cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business at approximately the prices at which they are valued. Under guidelines established by the Trustees, ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the Adviser) and, with respect to the Ibbotson
Portfolios, Ibbotson Associates, Inc. (the Subadviser) determine the liquidity of each respective Portfolios investments and, through reports from the Adviser and/or Subadviser, the Trustees monitor investments in illiquid
instruments. In determining the liquidity of each Portfolios investments, the Adviser and/or Subadviser may consider various factors including (1) the frequency of trades and quotations, (2) the number of dealers and prospective
purchasers in the marketplace, (3) dealer undertakings to make a market, (4) the nature of the security (including any demand or tender features) and (5) the nature of the marketplace for trades (including the ability to assign or
offset each Portfolios rights and obligations relating to the investment). Investments currently considered by each Portfolio to be illiquid include repurchase agreements not entitling the holder to payment of principal and interest within
seven days, over-the-counter options, and some restricted securities determined by the Adviser or Subadviser to be illiquid. However, with respect to over-the-counter options that each Portfolio may write, all or a portion of the value of the
underlying instrument may be illiquid depending on the assets held to cover the option and the nature and terms of any agreement each Portfolio may have to close out the option before expiration. In the absence of market quotations, illiquid
investments are priced at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustees. If through a change in values, net assets or other circumstances, a Portfolio were in a position where more than 15% of its net assets were invested in illiquid
securities, the Trustees would seek to take appropriate steps to protect liquidity.
INVESTMENT COMPANIES. The Portfolios
and Underlying ETFs may invest in other investment companies as permitted under Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act. Some investment companies that are ETFs have obtained exemptive orders permitting other investment companies to acquire their
securities in excess
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of the limits of Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act. Investing in other investment companies involves substantially the same risks as investing directly in the underlying securities, but may
involve additional expenses at the investment company level. To the extent the Portfolio or an Underlying ETF invests in other investment companies, the Portfolios shareholders will indirectly incur certain duplicative fees and expenses,
including investment advisory fees. The return on such investments will be reduced by the operating expenses, including investment advisory and administration fees, of such investment funds, and will be further reduced by fund expenses, including
management fees; that is, there will be a layering of certain fees and expenses. Investments in investment companies also may involve the payment of substantial premiums above the value of such companies portfolio securities. The Portfolios
and Underlying ETFs may invest cash holdings in affiliated or non-affiliated money market funds as permitted under Section 12(d)(1) of the 1940 Act and the rules promulgated under that section.
FUTURES AND OPTIONS. The Portfolios may utilize exchange-traded futures and options contracts as permitted under CFTC rules.
Futures contracts generally provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified
commodity at a specified future time and at a specified price. Stock index futures contracts are settled daily with a payment by one party to the other of a cash amount based on the difference between the level of the stock index specified in the
contract from one day to the next. Futures contracts are standardized as to maturity date and underlying instrument and are traded on futures exchanges.
Futures traders are required to make a good faith margin deposit in cash or U.S. government securities with a broker or
custodian to initiate and maintain open positions in futures contracts. A margin deposit is intended to assure completion of the contract (delivery or acceptance of the underlying commodity or payment of the cash settlement amount) if it is not
terminated prior to the specified delivery date. Brokers may establish deposit requirements which are higher than the exchange minimums. Futures contracts are customarily purchased and sold on margin deposits which may range upward from less than 5%
of the value of the contract being traded.
After a futures contract position is opened, the value of the contract is
marked-to-market daily. If the futures contract price changes to the extent that the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, payment of additional variation margin will be required. Conversely, a change in the contract
value may reduce the required margin, resulting in a repayment of excess margin to the contract holder. Variation margin payments are made to and from the futures broker for as long as the contract remains open. In such case, the Portfolio would
expect to earn interest income on its margin deposits. Closing out an open futures position is done by taking an opposite position (buying a contract which has previously been sold, or selling a contract
previously purchased) in an identical contract to terminate the position. Brokerage commissions are incurred when a futures contract position is opened or closed.
An option on a futures contract, as contrasted with the direct investment in such a contract, gives the purchaser the right,
in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in the underlying futures contract at a specified exercise price at any time prior to the expiration date of the option. Upon exercise of an option, the delivery of the futures position by the
writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the accumulated balance in the writers futures margin account that represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract exceeds (in the case
of a call) or is less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option on the futures contract. The potential for loss related to the purchase of an option on a futures contract is limited to the premium paid for the option plus
transaction costs. Because the value of the option is fixed at the point of purchase, there are no daily cash payments by the purchaser to reflect changes in the value of the underlying contract; however, the value of the option changes daily and
that change would be reflected in the net asset value (NAV) of the Portfolios. The potential for loss related to writing call options on equity securities or indices is unlimited. The potential
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for loss related to writing put options is limited only by the aggregate strike price of the put option less the premium received.
The Portfolios may purchase and write put and call options on futures contracts that are traded on a U.S. exchange as a hedge
against changes in value of its portfolio securities, or in anticipation of the purchase of securities, and may enter into closing transactions with respect to such options to terminate existing positions. There is no guarantee that such closing
transactions can be effected.
The Adviser and Subadviser, as applicable, of the Portfolios intend to comply with the
requirements of the CEA by at all times either (i) operating the Portfolios in a manner consistent with the restrictions of Rule 4.5, including filing a notice of eligibility of exemption from registration in accordance with applicable
procedures and deadlines, and/or (ii) registering as a CPO or CTA, as applicable, with the CFTC and the NFA.
OPTIONS
PURCHASING PUT AND CALL OPTIONS. By purchasing a put option, a Portfolio or Underlying ETF obtains the right (but not the
obligation) to sell the options underlying instrument at a fixed strike price. In return for this right, a Portfolio or Underlying ETF pays the current market price for the option (known as the option premium). Options have various types of
underlying instruments, including specific securities and indexes of securities prices. A Portfolio or Underlying ETF may terminate its position in a put option it has purchased by allowing them to expire or by exercising the option. If the option
is allowed to expire, a Portfolio or Underlying ETF will lose the entire premium it paid. If a Portfolio or Underlying ETF exercises the option, it completes the sale of the underlying instrument at the strike price. A Portfolio or Underlying ETF
may also terminate a put option position by closing it out in the secondary market at its current price, if a liquid secondary market exists.
The buyer of a typical put option can expect to realize a gain if security prices fall substantially. However, if the
underlying instruments price does not fall enough to offset the cost of purchasing the option, a put buyer can expect to suffer a loss (limited to the amount of the premium paid, plus related transaction costs).
The features of call options are essentially the same as those of put options, except that the purchaser of a call option
obtains the right to purchase, rather than sell, the underlying instrument at the options strike price. A call buyer typically attempts to participate in potential price increases of the underlying instrument with risk limited to the cost of
the option if security prices fall. At the same time, the buyer can expect to suffer a loss if security prices do not rise sufficiently to offset the cost of the option.
WRITING PUT AND CALL OPTIONS. When a Portfolio or Underlying ETF writes a put option, it takes the opposite side of the
transaction from the options purchaser. In return for receipt of the premium, the Portfolio or Underlying ETF assumes the obligation to pay the strike price for the options underlying instrument if the other party to the option chooses
to exercise it. The Portfolios or Underlying ETFs may seek to terminate their positions in put options they write before exercise by closing out the options in the secondary market at their current price. If the secondary market is not liquid for a
put option a Portfolio or Underlying ETF has written, however, the Portfolio or Underlying ETF must continue to be prepared to pay the strike price while the option is outstanding, regardless of price changes, and must continue to set aside assets
to cover its position.
If security prices rise, a put writer would generally expect to profit, although its gain would be
limited to the amount of the premium it received. If security prices remain the same over time, it is likely that the writer will also profit, because it should be able to close out the option at a lower price. If security prices fall, the put
writer would expect to suffer a loss. However, this loss should be less than the loss from purchasing the
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underlying instrument directly, because the premium received for writing the option should mitigate the effects of the decline.
Writing a call option obligates each Portfolio or Underlying ETF to sell or deliver the options underlying instrument,
in return for the strike price, upon exercise of the option. The characteristics of writing call options are similar to those of writing put options, except that writing calls generally is a profitable strategy if prices remain the same or fall.
Through receipt of the option premium, a call writer mitigates the effects of a price decline. At the same time, because a call writer must be prepared to deliver the underlying instrument in return for the strike price, even if its current value is
greater, a call writer gives up some ability to participate in security price increases.
COMBINED POSITIONS. Each
Portfolio or Underlying ETF may purchase and write options in combination with each other, or in combination with forward contracts, to adjust the risk and return characteristics of the overall position. For example, a Portfolio or Underlying ETF
may purchase a put option and write a call option on the same underlying instrument, in order to construct a combined position whose risk and return characteristics are similar to selling a futures contract. Another possible combined position would
involve writing a call option at one strike price and buying a call option at a lower price, in order to reduce the risk of the written call option in the event of a substantial price increase. Because combined options positions involve multiple
trades, they result in higher transaction costs and may be more difficult to open and close out.
CORRELATION OF PRICE
CHANGES. Because there are a limited number of types of exchange-traded options contracts, it is likely that the standardized contracts available will not match a Portfolios or Underlying ETFs current or anticipated investments exactly. Each
Portfolio or Underlying ETF may invest in options contracts based on securities with different issuers, maturities, or other characteristics from the securities in which each typically invests.
Options prices can also diverge from the prices of their underlying instruments, even if the underlying instruments match a
Portfolios or Underlying ETFs investments well. Options prices are affected by such factors as current and anticipated short-term interest rates, changes in volatility of the underlying instrument, dividends, and the time remaining until
expiration of the contract, which may not affect security prices the same way. Imperfect correlation may also result from differing levels of demand in the options markets and the securities markets, from structural differences in how options and
securities are traded, or from imposition of daily price fluctuation limits or trading halts.
A Portfolio or Underlying
ETF may purchase or sell options contracts with a greater or lesser value than the securities it wishes to hedge or intends to purchase in order to attempt to compensate for differences in volatility between the contract and the securities, although
this may not be successful in all cases. If price changes in a Portfolios or Underlying ETFs options positions are poorly correlated with its other investments, the positions may fail to produce anticipated gains or result in losses that
are not offset by gains in other investments.
LIQUIDITY OF OPTIONS. There is no assurance a liquid secondary market will
exist for any particular options contract at any particular time. Options may have relatively low trading volume and liquidity if their strike prices are not close to the underlying instruments current price. On volatile trading days when the
price fluctuation limit is reached or a trading halt is imposed, it may be impossible for a Portfolio or Underlying ETF to enter into new positions or close out existing positions. If the secondary market for a contract is not liquid because of
price fluctuation limits or otherwise, it could prevent prompt liquidation of unfavorable positions, and potentially could require the Portfolios or Underlying ETF to continue to hold a position until delivery or expiration regardless of changes in
its value. As a result, a Portfolios or Underlying ETFs access to other assets held to cover its options or futures positions could also be impaired.
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OTC OPTIONS. Unlike exchange-traded options, which are standardized with respect
to the underlying instrument, expiration date, contract size, and strike price, the terms of over-the-counter (OTC) options (options not traded on exchanges) generally are established through negotiation with the other party to the
option contract. While this type of arrangement allows a Portfolio or Underlying ETF greater flexibility to tailor an option to its needs, OTC options generally involve greater credit risk than exchange-traded options, which are guaranteed by the
clearing organization of the exchanges where they are traded.
ASSET COVERAGE FOR OPTIONS POSITIONS. The Portfolios will
comply with guidelines established by the SEC with respect to coverage of options strategies by mutual funds and, if the guidelines so require, will set aside appropriate liquid assets in a segregated custodial account in the amount prescribed.
Securities held in a segregated account cannot be sold while the option strategy is outstanding, unless they are replaced with other suitable assets. As a result, there is a possibility that segregation of a large percentage of the Portfolios
assets could impede portfolio management or the Portfolios ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS. The Underlying ETFs may purchase interests in real estate investment trusts. Real estate
industry companies include, among others, equity real estate investment trusts, which own properties, and mortgage real estate investment trusts, which make construction, development, and long-term mortgage loans. Equity real estate investment
trusts may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by the trusts, while mortgage real estate investment trusts may be affected by the quality of credit extended. Equity and mortgage real estate investment trusts are
dependent upon management skill, are not diversified, and are subject to the risks of financing projects. Such trusts are also subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers, self liquidation, and the possibilities of failing to
qualify for tax-free pass-through of income under the Internal Revenue Code and failing to maintain exemption from the 1940 Act.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. Repurchase agreements are transactions in which a Portfolio or Underlying ETF purchases a security and
simultaneously commits to resell that security at an agreed upon price and date within a number of days from the date of purchase. The resale price reflects the purchase price plus an agreed upon market rate of interest which is unrelated to the
coupon rate or maturity of the purchased security. A repurchase agreement involves the obligation of the seller to pay the agreed upon price. This obligation is in effect secured by the underlying security having a value at least equal to the amount
of the agreed upon resale price. Each Portfolio or Underlying ETF may enter into a repurchase agreement with respect to any security in which it is authorized to invest. While it presently does not appear possible to eliminate all risks from the
transactions (particularly the possibility of a decline in the market value of the underlying securities, as well as delay and costs to each Portfolio or Underlying ETF in connection with bankruptcy proceedings), it is the policy of each Portfolio
to limit repurchase agreements to those parties whose creditworthiness has been reviewed and found satisfactory by the Adviser or the Subadviser, as the case may be.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS. In a reverse repurchase agreement, a Portfolio or Underlying ETF sells a portfolio security to
another party, such as a bank or broker-dealer, in return for cash and agrees to repurchase the instrument at a particular price and time. While a reverse repurchase agreement is outstanding, each Portfolio or Underlying ETF will maintain
appropriate high-grade liquid assets in a segregated custodial account to cover its obligation under the agreement. Each Portfolio or Underlying ETF will enter into reverse repurchase agreements only with parties whose creditworthiness has been
found satisfactory by the Adviser or Subadviser, as the case may be.
SECURITIES LENDING. Each Portfolio or Underlying ETF
may lend securities to parties such as broker-dealers or institutional investors. Securities lending allows the Portfolios and Underlying ETFs to retain
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ownership of the securities loaned and, at the same time, to earn additional income. Since there may be delays in the recovery of loaned securities, or even a loss of rights in collateral
supplied should the borrower fail financially, loans will be made only to parties deemed by the Adviser or Subadviser to be of good standing. Furthermore, they will only be made if, in the Advisers or Subadvisers judgment, the
consideration to be earned from such loans would justify the risk.
The Adviser and Subadviser each understand that it is
the current view of the SEC that each Portfolio may engage in loan transactions only under the following conditions: (1) each Portfolio must receive at least 100% collateral in the form of cash or cash equivalents (e.g., U.S. Treasury bills or
notes) from the borrower; (2) the borrower must increase the collateral whenever the market value of the securities loaned (determined on a daily basis) rises above the value of the collateral; (3) after giving notice, each Portfolio must
be able to terminate the loan at any time; (4) each Portfolio must receive reasonable interest on the loan or a flat fee from the borrower, as well as amounts equivalent to any dividends, interest, or other distributions on the securities
loaned and to any increase in market value; (5) each Portfolio may pay only reasonable custodian fees in connection with the loan; and (6) the Trustees must be able to vote proxies on the securities loaned, either by terminating the loan
or by entering into an alternative arrangement with the borrower.
Cash received through loan transactions may be invested
in any security in which the Portfolios are authorized to invest. Investing this cash subjects that investment, as well as the security loaned, to market forces (i.e., capital appreciation or depreciation).
TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE INVESTMENTS. A Portfolio may invest a portion of its assets in cash, cash equivalents, money market funds,
or other investments. The Underlying ETFs may also invest a portion of their assets in money market funds, securities with remaining maturities of less than one year, cash equivalents or may hold cash. When securities markets or economic conditions
are unfavorable or unsettled, a Portfolio or Underlying ETF may adopt temporary defensive positions by investing up to 100% of its net assets in securities that are highly liquid, such as high-quality money market instruments, short-term U.S.
Government obligations, commercial paper or repurchase agreements, even though these positions are inconsistent with a Portfolios or Underlying ETFs principal investment strategies. As a result, the Portfolio or Underlying ETF may not
realize its investment objective if it is required to make temporary defensive investments. Furthermore, there is no assurance that any such temporary defensive measures will work as intended.
WARRANTS. The Portfolios or Underlying ETFs may invest in warrants, which entitle the holder to buy equity securities at a
specific price during a specific period of time. Warrants may be considered more speculative than certain other types of investments in that they do not entitle a holder to dividends or voting rights with respect to the securities, which may be
purchased, nor do they represent any rights in the assets of the issuing company. The value of a warrant may be more volatile than the value of the securities underlying the warrants. Also, the value of the warrant does not necessarily change with
the value of the underlying securities and ceases to have value if it is not exercised prior to the expiration date. Warrants may be allowed to expire if the Adviser or Subadviser deems it undesirable to exercise or sell.
Alerian Portfolio
The following section
is applicable only to the Alerian Portfolio, and references to the Portfolio herein are accordingly qualified.
Investment in
the Portfolio should be made with an understanding that the value of the portfolio of securities held by the Portfolio may fluctuate in accordance with changes in the financial condition of the issuers of the portfolio securities, the value of
common stocks generally and other factors.
15
The Portfolio is not actively managed by traditional methods and therefore the adverse financial
condition of any one issuer will not result in the elimination of its securities from the portfolio securities held by the Portfolio unless the securities of such issuer are removed from its Index.
An investment in the Portfolio should also be made with an understanding that the Portfolio will not be able to replicate exactly the
performance of its Index because the total return generated by its portfolio securities will be reduced by transaction costs incurred in adjusting the actual balance of such securities and other Portfolio expenses, whereas such transaction costs and
expenses are not included in the calculation of its Index. It is also possible that for short periods of time, the Portfolio may not fully replicate the performance of its Index due to the temporary unavailability of certain Index securities in the
Secondary Market or due to other extraordinary circumstances. Such events are unlikely to continue for an extended period of time because the Portfolio is required to correct such imbalances by means of adjusting the composition of its portfolio
securities.
The Index consists of a number of components (the Index Components) selected in accordance with Alerians
methodology for such Index.
The following is not meant to be an exclusive list of all the securities and instruments in which the
Portfolio may invest, the investment strategies or activities in which it may engage, or the risks associated with both. The Portfolio may invest in instruments and securities and engage in strategies or activities other than those listed below, and
may be subject to risks that are not described here.
LOANS OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
. The Portfolio will not lend
its portfolio securities.
SENIOR SECURITIES
. In general, the Portfolio may not issue any class of senior security,
except within the limitations of the 1940 Act. These limitations allow the Portfolio to (i) borrow from banks, provided that immediately following any such borrowing there is an asset coverage of at least 300% for all Portfolio borrowings and
in the event such asset coverage falls below 300% the Portfolio will within three days or such longer period as the SEC may prescribe by rules and regulations, reduce the amount of its borrowings to an extent that the asset coverage of such
borrowings shall be at least 300%, and (ii) engage in trading practices which could be deemed to involve the issuance of a senior security, including but not limited to options, futures, forward contracts, and reverse repurchase agreements,
provided that the Portfolio earmarks or segregates liquid assets in accordance with applicable SEC regulations and interpretations.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
. The Portfolio may enter into repurchase agreements, which are agreements pursuant to which
securities are acquired by the Portfolio from a third party with the understanding that they will be repurchased by the seller at a fixed price on an agreed date. These agreements may be made with respect to any of the portfolio securities in which
the Portfolio is authorized to invest. Repurchase agreements may be characterized as loans secured by the underlying securities. The Portfolio may enter into repurchase agreements with (i) member banks of the Federal Reserve System having total
assets in excess of $500 million and (ii) securities dealers (Qualified Institutions). The Adviser will monitor the continued creditworthiness of Qualified Institutions.
The use of repurchase agreements involves certain risks. For example, if the seller of securities under a repurchase agreement
defaults on its obligation to repurchase the underlying securities, as a result of its bankruptcy or otherwise, the Portfolio will seek to dispose of such securities, which action could involve costs or delays. If the seller becomes insolvent and
subject to liquidation or reorganization under applicable bankruptcy or other laws, the Portfolios ability to dispose of the underlying securities may be restricted. Finally, it is possible that the Portfolio may not be able to substantiate
its interest in the underlying securities. To minimize this risk, the securities underlying the repurchase agreement will be
16
held by the custodian at all times in an amount at least equal to the repurchase price, including accrued interest. If the seller fails to repurchase the securities, the Portfolio may suffer a
loss to the extent proceeds from the sale of the underlying securities are less than the repurchase price.
The resale
price reflects the purchase price plus an agreed upon market rate of interest. The collateral is marked-to-market daily.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
. The Portfolio may enter into reverse repurchase agreements, which involve the sale of
securities with an agreement to repurchase the securities at an agreed-upon price, date and interest payment and have the characteristics of borrowing. The securities purchased with the funds obtained from the agreement and securities
collateralizing the agreement will have maturity dates no later than the repayment date. Generally, the effect of such transactions is that the Portfolio can recover all or most of the cash invested in the portfolio securities involved during the
term of the reverse repurchase agreement, while in many cases the Portfolio is able to keep some of the interest income associated with those securities. Such transactions are only advantageous if the Portfolio has an opportunity to earn a greater
rate of return on the cash derived from these transactions than the interest cost of obtaining the same amount of cash. Opportunities to realize earnings from the use of the proceeds equal to or greater than the interest required to be paid may not
always be available and the Portfolio intends to use the reverse repurchase technique only when the Adviser believes it will be advantageous to the Portfolio. The use of reverse repurchase agreements may exaggerate any interim increase or decrease
in the value of the Portfolios assets. The custodian bank will maintain a separate account for the Portfolio with securities having a value equal to or greater than such commitments. Under the 1940 Act, reverse repurchase agreements are
considered loans.
MONEY MARKET INSTRUMENTS
. The Portfolio may invest a portion of its assets in high-quality money
market instruments on an ongoing basis to provide liquidity. The instruments in which the Portfolio may invest include: (i) short-term obligations issued by the U.S. Government; (ii) negotiable certificates of deposit (CDs),
fixed time deposits and bankers acceptances of U.S. and foreign banks and similar institutions; (iii) commercial paper rated at the date of purchase Prime-1 by Moodys Investors Service, Inc. or A-1+ or
A-1 by Standard & Poors or, if unrated, of comparable quality as determined by the Adviser; (iv) repurchase agreements; and (v) money market mutual funds. CDs are short-term negotiable obligations of commercial
banks. Time deposits are non-negotiable deposits maintained in banking institutions for specified periods of time at stated interest rates. Bankers acceptances are time drafts drawn on commercial banks by borrowers, usually in connection with
international transactions.
INVESTMENT COMPANIES
. The Portfolio may invest in the securities of other investment
companies (including money market funds). Under the 1940 Act, the Portfolios investment in investment companies is limited to, subject to certain exceptions, (i) 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of any one investment company,
(ii) 5% of the Portfolios total assets with respect to any one investment company and (iii) 10% of the Portfolios total assets of investment companies in the aggregate.
ILLIQUID SECURITIES
. The Portfolio may invest up to an aggregate amount of 15% of its net assets in illiquid
securities. Illiquid securities include securities subject to contractual or other restrictions on resale and other instruments that lack readily available markets.
DERIVATIVES
. The Portfolio may engage in a variety of derivative transactions in accordance with the applicable
rules of the CFTC, and, to the extent applicable, the rules and regulations of certain national or foreign exchanges; however, the Portfolio is not obligated to use derivatives and makes no representation as to the availability of these
techniques at this time or at any time in the future. Generally, derivatives are financial contracts whose value depends on, or is derived from, the value of an underlying asset, reference
17
rate or index and may relate to stocks, bonds, interest rates, currencies or currency exchange rates, commodities, related indexes and other assets. The types of derivatives in which the
Portfolio may invest include, but are not limited to, interest rate, currency or stock or bond index futures contracts, currency forward contracts and currency swaps, the purchase and sale (or writing) of exchange listed and OTC put and call
options on debt and equity securities, currencies, interest rate, currency or stock index futures and fixed-income and stock indices and other financial instruments, entering into various interest rate transactions such as swaps, caps floors, and
collars, entering into equity swaps, caps and floors, the purchase and sale of indexed debt securities or trading in other similar types of instruments.
Derivatives may be used, among other reasons, as part of the Portfolios investment strategy, to attempt to protect
against possible changes in the market value of securities held or to be purchased for the Portfolios portfolio resulting from securities markets or currency exchange rate fluctuations, to protect the Portfolios unrealized gains in the
value of its securities, to facilitate the sale of those securities for investment purposes, to manage the effective maturity or duration of the Portfolios portfolio or to establish a position in the derivatives markets as a temporary
substitute for purchasing or selling particular securities or to seek to enhance the Portfolios income or gain. The Portfolio may use any or all types of derivatives which it is authorized to use at any time; no particular strategy will
dictate the use of one type of transaction rather than another, as use of any authorized derivative will be a function of numerous variables, including market conditions. The ability of the Portfolio to utilize derivatives successfully will depend
on numerous factors including the Advisers ability to predict pertinent market movements, which cannot be assured. These skills are different from those needed to select the Portfolios portfolio securities.
Subject to the constraints described above, the Portfolio may (if and to the extent so authorized) purchase and sell
interest rate, currency or stock or bond index futures contracts and enter into currency forward contracts and currency swaps; purchase and sell (or write) exchange listed and OTC put and call options on securities, loan participations and
assignments, currencies, futures contracts, indices and other financial instruments, and the Portfolio may enter into interest rate transactions, equity swaps and related transactions and other similar transactions which may be developed
to the extent the Adviser determines that they are consistent with the Portfolios investment objective and policies and applicable regulatory requirements. The Portfolios interest rate transactions may take the form of swaps,
caps, floors and collars, and the Portfolios currency transactions may take the form of currency forward contracts, currency futures contracts, currency swaps and options on currencies or currency futures contracts.
Derivatives involve special risks, including possible default by the other party to the transaction, illiquidity and, to the
extent the Advisers view as to certain market movements is incorrect, the risk that the use of derivatives could result in significantly greater losses than if it had not been used. Losses resulting from the use of derivatives will reduce the
Portfolios net asset value, and possibly income, and the losses may be significantly greater than if derivatives had not been used. The degree of the Portfolios use of derivatives may be limited by certain provisions of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. When used, derivatives may increase the amount and affect the timing and character of taxes payable by shareholders.
Rule 4.5 under the CEA, as amended, exempts an adviser of a fund that invests in commodity interests from
registration as a CPO provided that, among other restrictions, the adviser enters into such positions solely for bona fide hedging purposes or limits its use of commodity interests for non-bona fide hedging purposes such that (i) the
aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish non-bona fide hedging positions do not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of the funds portfolio, or (ii) the aggregate notional value of the non-bona fide hedging
commodity interests do not exceed 100% of the liquidation value of the funds portfolio.
18
The Adviser of the Portfolio intends to either: (i) comply with the
requirements of the CEA by operating the Portfolio in a manner consistent with the restrictions of Rule 4.5, including filing a notice of eligibility of exemption from registration in accordance with applicable procedures and deadlines;
(ii) comply with the requirements of the CEA by registering as a CPO with the CFTC and the National Futures Association; or (iii) operating the Portfolio in a manner such that the Portfolio will not be a commodity pool under
the CEA.
FUTURES AND OPTIONS
. The Portfolio may utilize exchange-traded futures and options contracts as permitted
under CFTC rules.
Futures contracts generally provide for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a
specified commodity at a specified future time and at a specified price. Stock index futures contracts are settled daily with a payment by one party to the other of a cash amount based on the difference between the level of the stock index specified
in the contract from one day to the next. Futures contracts are standardized as to maturity date and underlying instrument and are traded on futures exchanges.
Futures traders are required to make a good faith margin deposit in cash or U.S. government securities with a broker or
custodian to initiate and maintain open positions in futures contracts. A margin deposit is intended to assure completion of the contract (delivery or acceptance of the underlying commodity or payment of the cash settlement amount) if it is not
terminated prior to the specified delivery date. Brokers may establish deposit requirements which are higher than the exchange minimums. Futures contracts are customarily purchased and sold on margin deposits which may range upward from less than 5%
of the value of the contract being traded.
After a futures contract position is opened, the value of the contract is
marked-to-market daily. If the futures contract price changes to the extent that the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, payment of additional variation margin will be required. Conversely, a change in the contract
value may reduce the required margin, resulting in a repayment of excess margin to the contract holder. Variation margin payments are made to and from the futures broker for as long as the contract remains open. In such case, the Portfolio would
expect to earn interest income on its margin deposits. Closing out an open futures position is done by taking an opposite position (buying a contract which has previously been sold, or selling a contract
previously purchased) in an identical contract to terminate the position. Brokerage commissions are incurred when a futures contract position is opened or closed.
The Portfolio may use exchange-traded futures and options, together with positions in cash and money market instruments, to
simulate full investment in its Underlying Index. Under such circumstances, the Adviser may seek to utilize other instruments that it believes to be correlated to the Underlying Index components or a subset of the components.
An option on a futures contract, as contrasted with the direct investment in such a contract, gives the purchaser the right,
in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in the underlying futures contract at a specified exercise price at any time prior to the expiration date of the option. Upon exercise of an option, the delivery of the futures position by the
writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the accumulated balance in the writers futures margin account that represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract exceeds (in the case
of a call) or is less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option on the futures contract. The potential for loss related to the purchase of an option on a futures contract is limited to the premium paid for the option plus
transaction costs. Because the value of the option is fixed at the point of purchase, there are no daily cash payments by the purchaser to reflect changes in the value of the underlying contract; however, the value of the option changes daily and
that change would be reflected in the net asset value (NAV) of
19
the Portfolio. The potential for loss related to writing call options on equity securities or indices is unlimited. The potential for loss related to writing put options is limited only by the
aggregate strike price of the put option less the premium received.
The Portfolio may purchase and write put and call
options on futures contracts that are traded on a U.S. exchange as a hedge against changes in value of its portfolio securities, or in anticipation of the purchase of securities, and may enter into closing transactions with respect to such options
to terminate existing positions. There is no guarantee that such closing transactions can be effected.
The Adviser of the
Portfolio intends to comply with the requirements of the CEA by at all times either (i) operating the Portfolio in a manner consistent with the restrictions of Rule 4.5, including filing a notice of eligibility of exemption from registration in
accordance with applicable procedures and deadlines, and/or (ii) registering as a CPO with the CFTC and the NFA.
SWAP AGREEMENTS
. The Portfolio may enter into swap agreements as permitted under CFTC rules. Swap agreements are
contracts between parties in which one party agrees to make periodic payments to the other party (the Counterparty) based on the change in market value or level of a specified rate, index or asset. In return, the Counterparty agrees to
make periodic payments to the first party based on the return of a different specified rate, index or asset. Swap agreements will usually be done on a net basis, the Portfolio receiving or paying only the net amount of the two payments. The net
amount of the excess, if any, of the Portfolios obligations over its entitlements with respect to each swap is accrued on a daily basis and an amount of cash or highly liquid securities having an aggregate value at least equal to the accrued
excess is maintained in an account at the Trusts custodian bank.
The use of interest rate and index swaps is a
highly specialized activity that involves investment techniques and risks different from those associated with ordinary portfolio security transactions. These transactions generally do not involve the delivery of securities or other underlying
assets or principal.
The use of swap agreements involves certain risks. For example, if the Counterparty under a swap
agreement defaults on its obligation to make payments due from it, as a result of its bankruptcy or otherwise, the Portfolio may lose such payments altogether, or collect only a portion thereof, which collection could involve costs or delays.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
Each Portfolios portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio
securities for the fiscal year by the monthly average of the value of the portfolio securities owned by such Portfolio during the fiscal year. The calculation excludes from both the numerator and the denominator securities with maturities at
the time of acquisition of one year or less. High portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, which will be borne directly by such Portfolio. A 100% turnover rate would occur if all of
a Portfolios portfolio securities were replaced once within a one-year period.
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The Trust has adopted the following policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the securities held by
each Portfolio. The disclosure policy currently authorizes monthly dissemination of full holdings of each Portfolio with a fifteen (15) day lag. The holdings of each Portfolio will also be disclosed on a quarterly basis on forms required to be
filed with the SEC as follows: (i) portfolio holdings as of the end of the first and third fiscal quarter will be filed in Form N-Q; (ii) portfolio holdings as of the end of each six month period will be filed as part of the semi-annual
report filed on Form N-CSR; and (iii) portfolio
20
holdings as of the end of each fiscal year will be filed as part of the annual report filed on Form N-CSR. The Trusts Form N-CSRs and Form N-Qs are available on the SECs website at
www.sec.gov
.
However, the policy and procedures set forth above do not prevent the sharing of a
Portfolios holdings under the specific exceptions to disclosure provided below:
|
(1)
|
Disclosures that, in the opinion of Portfolios or Administrators counsel, are required by law;
|
|
(2)
|
Disclosures necessary for Service Providers to perform services for the Portfolios, (where Service Providers includes the Investment Advisers,
Administrator, Custodian, Fund Accountant, software or technology providers, or any other entity that has a need to know such information in order to fulfill its contractual obligations to provide services to the Portfolios);
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(3)
|
Disclosures necessary for Rating Agencies to assess applicable Portfolio ratings;
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(4)
|
Disclosures necessary to broker-dealers or banks as part of the normal buying, selling, shorting, or other transactions in Portfolio securities;
|
|
(5)
|
Disclosures to the Portfolios or Service Providers regulatory authorities, accountants, or counsel; and
|
|
(6)
|
Disclosures by the Investment Adviser of compiled data concerning accounts managed by the Investment Adviser, so long as such data is presented in
a format so as to not be identified as data of the Portfolios.
|
The Board of Trustees will periodically
review the list of entities that have received holdings of the Portfolios to ensure that the disclosure of the information was in the best interest of shareholders, identify any potential for conflicts of interest, and evaluate the effectiveness of
its current portfolio holding policy.
Only officers of the Trust and their authorized agents may approve the disclosure
of a Portfolios holdings. In all cases, eligible third parties and service providers are required to execute a non-disclosure agreement requiring the recipient to keep confidential any portfolio holdings information received and not to trade
on the nonpublic information received. Neither the Trust nor its Service Providers (or any persons affiliated with either) receives any compensation or other consideration in connection with the sharing of the Portfolios portfolio holdings.
The identity of such entities is provided below:
21
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name of Recipient
|
|
Frequency of
Holdings
Disclosure
|
|
Information
Lag
|
|
Date of
Information
|
|
Date
Provided to
Recipients
|
ALPS Advisors, Inc.
(Adviser)
|
|
Daily
|
|
None
|
|
Daily
|
|
Daily
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ibbotson Associates, Inc.
(Subadviser to
Ibbotson Portfolios)
|
|
Daily
|
|
None
|
|
Daily
|
|
Daily
|
|
|
|
|
|
ALPS Fund Services, Inc.
(Administrator)
|
|
Daily
|
|
None
|
|
Daily
|
|
Daily
|
|
|
|
|
|
State Street Bank and Trust Company
(Custodian)
|
|
Daily
|
|
None
|
|
Daily
|
|
Daily
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deloitte & Touche LLP
(Independent
Registered Public Accounting Firm)
|
|
As needed
|
|
None
|
|
As needed
|
|
As needed
|
|
|
|
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|
Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP
(Counsel)
|
|
As needed
|
|
None
|
|
As needed
|
|
As needed
|
|
|
|
|
|
FactSet Research Systems Inc.
|
|
Daily
|
|
None
|
|
Daily
|
|
Daily
|
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST
The business and affairs of the Trust are managed under the direction of the Trusts Board of Trustees in accordance with
the laws of the state of Delaware and the Trusts Declaration of Trust and Bylaws. The Trustees are responsible for major decisions relating to each Portfolios objective, policies and techniques. The Trustees also supervise the operation
of the Trust by their officers and review the investment decisions. However, the Trustees do not actively participate on a regular basis in making such decisions. Information pertaining to the Trustees and Officers of the Trust is set forth below.
Trustees, who are not deemed to be interested persons of the Trust as defined by the 1940 Act, are referred to as Independent Trustees. Trustees who are deemed to be interested persons of the Trust as defined in the 1940 Act
are referred to as Interested Trustees. Each Trustee serves for an indefinite term, until his or her resignation, death or removal.
22
The following is a list of the trustees and executive officers of the Trust and
their principal occupations over the last five years.
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name,
Address*,
and
Age
|
|
Position
with
the
Trust
|
|
Term of
Office
and Length
of
Time Served
|
|
Principal
Occupation(s)
During last 5
years
|
|
Number of
Portfolios in
Portfolio
Complex
Overseen
By
Trustee
(1)
|
|
Other
Trusteeships
Held
By
Trustee
|
Mary K. Anstine (73)
|
|
Trustee
|
|
Since
November 30, 2006
|
|
Retired. Ms. Anstine is also a Trustee of ALPS ETF Trust, Financial Investors Trust, Reaves Utility Income Fund, and the Westcore Trust.
|
|
40
|
|
Ms. Anstine is a
Trustee of ALPS ETF Trust (21 funds); Financial Investors Trust (30
funds), Reaves Utility Income Fund, and the Westcore Trust
(12 funds).
|
* The address of each trustee is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO
80203.
(1) The Portfolio Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. (or
any affiliate) or Ibbotson Associates, Inc. (or any affiliate) provides investment advisory services.
23
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name,
Address*, and
Age
|
|
Position
with
the Trust
|
|
Term of Office
and Length of
Time Served
|
|
Principal
Occupation(s)
During last 5 years
|
|
Number of
Portfolios
in
Portfolio
Complex
Overseen
By
Trustee
(1)
|
|
Other
Trusteeships
Held
By
Trustee
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David M. Swanson (57)
|
|
Trustee
|
|
Since
November 30, 2006
|
|
Mr. Swanson is Founder & Managing Partner of SwanDog Strategic Marketing. Previously, he served as Executive Vice-President of Calamos Investments (April 2004 to March 2006), Chief Operating Officer of Van Kampen
Investments (October 2002 to April 2004), and Managing Director of Morgan Stanley (February 2000 to April 2004).
|
|
8
|
|
Mr. Swanson is a Trustee of the Managed Portfolio Series (15 funds).
|
24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeremy W. Deems (37)
|
|
Trustee
|
|
Since September 8, 2010
|
|
Mr. Deems is Co-Founder, CFO and COO of Green Alpha Advisors, LLC. Mr. Deems is Co-Portfolio Manager of the
Shelton Green Alpha Fund. Prior to founding Green Alpha Advisors, Mr. Deems was CFO and Treasurer of Forward Management, LLC, an
investment
management company, ReFlow Management Co., LLC, a liquidity resourcing company, ReFlow Fund, LLC, a private investment fund, and Sutton Place Management, LLC, an administrative services company ( 1998 to June 2007).
|
|
40
|
|
Mr. Deems is a Trustee of ALPS ETF Trust (21 funds); Financial Investors Trust (30 funds); and Reaves Utility Income Fund.
|
*
The address of each trustee is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203.
(1) The Portfolio Complex includes all series of the Trust
and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. (or any affiliate) or Ibbotson Associates, Inc. (or any affiliate) provides investment advisory services.
Except for their service on the Trusts Board of Trustees, the Independent Trustees named above have not held any positions during the
past two years with any Portfolio; any investment adviser or subadviser; any underwriter of any Portfolio; or any affiliate of any Portfolio or its investment advisers or subadvisers, or underwriters.
25
INTERESTED TRUSTEES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name, Address*,
and Age
|
|
Position with
the Trust
|
|
Term of Office
and Length of
Time
Served
|
|
Principal
Occupation(s)
During last 5
years
|
|
Number of
Portfolios
in Portfolio
Complex
Overseen
by
Trustee
(1)
|
|
Other
Trusteeships
Held
By
Trustee
|
Thomas A. Carter (47)**
|
|
Trustee, Chairman, President
|
|
Since
March 10, 2009
|
|
Mr. Carter joined ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (ALPS) in 1994 and is currently President and Director of ALPS Advisors, Inc. (AAI) and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., and Director of
ALPS and ALPS Holdings, Inc.
|
|
29
|
|
Mr. Carter is a Trustee of ALPS ETF Trust (21 funds) and the Principal Real Estate Income Fund.
|
26
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Scott Wentsel (52)**
|
|
Trustee
|
|
Since
November 30, 2006
|
|
Mr. Wentsel is Chief Investment Officer, Americas for Morningstar Investment Management since February 2014. Mr. Wentsel was Senior Portfolio Manager for Ibbotson Associates, a Morningstar company, from April 2005 to
February 2014 and Mr. Wentsel was also Executive Director of Van Kampen Investments from April 2000 to April 2005.
|
|
8
|
|
None
|
* The address of each trustee is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203.
** Mr. Carter is deemed an Interested Trustee by virtue of his current relationship with ALPS Fund Services, Inc., ALPS Advisors,
Inc. and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. Mr. Wentsel is deemed an Interested Trustee by virtue of his current relationship with the Subadviser.
(1) The Portfolio Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. (or any affiliate)
or Ibbotson Associates, Inc. (or any affiliate) provides investment advisory services.
27
OFFICERS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name,
Address*, and
Age
|
|
Position with
the Trust
|
|
Term of Office
and Length of
Time
Served
|
|
Principal Occupation(s)
During last 5 years
|
Patrick D. Buchanan (42)
|
|
Treasurer
|
|
Since
March 12, 2013
|
|
Mr. Buchanan is Vice President of AAI. Mr. Buchanan joined ALPS in 2007, and because of his position with ALPS, he is deemed an affiliate of the Trust as defined under the 1940 Act. Mr. Buchanan is also Treasurer of ALPS ETF Trust
and Principal Real Estate Income Fund.
|
|
|
|
|
Melanie H. Zimdars (37)
|
|
Chief Compliance Officer
|
|
Since
December 8, 2009
|
|
Ms. Zimdars is a Deputy Chief Compliance Officer with ALPS since September 2009. Prior to joining ALPS, Ms. Zimdars served as Principal Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary for the Wasatch Funds from February 2007 to
December 2008. From November 2006 to February 2007, she served as Assistant Treasurer for the Wasatch Funds and served as a Senior Compliance Officer for Wasatch Advisors, Inc. since 2005. Ms. Zimdars is currently the CCO for Liberty
All-Star Growth Fund, Liberty All-Star Equity Fund, EGA Emerging Global Shares Trust, ALPS ETF Trust, BPV Family of Funds, Broadview Opportunity Trust and RealityShares ETF Trust. Because of her position with ALPS, Ms. Zimdars is deemed to be an
affiliate of the Trust.
|
|
|
|
|
David T. Buhler
(42)
|
|
Secretary
|
|
Since
June 8, 2010
|
|
Mr. Buhler joined ALPS Fund Services, Inc. as Associate Counsel in June 2010. Prior to joining ALPS, Mr. Buhler served as Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of Founders Asset Management LLC from 2006 to 2009. Because
of his position with ALPS, Mr. Buhler is deemed to be an affiliate of the Trust.
|
* The address of each officer is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203.
28
Additional Information About the Trustees Qualifications and Experience
The following is a brief discussion of the specific education, experience, qualifications, or skills that led to the
conclusion, as of the date of this SAI, that each person identified below should serve as a Trustee for the Trust.
Mary
K. Anstine
Ms. Anstine has been an Independent Trustee of the Trust since November 30, 2006. Currently
retired, Ms. Anstine has over 31 years of financial services experience. Most recently, she was President and CEO of HealthONE Alliance, Denver, Colorado from 1994 through 2004. From 1964 to 1994, Ms. Anstine held positions leading up to
Executive Vice President of First Interstate Bank. She was nominated to serve as a Trustee of the Trust based on her business and financial services experience.
David Swanson
Mr. Swanson has been an Independent Trustee of the Trust since November 30, 2006. In 2006, Mr. Swanson founded
SwanDog Marketing, a marketing strategy boutique serving asset and wealth managers. Mr. Swanson currently serves as SwanDogs Managing Partner. He has 35 years of senior management and marketing experience, with 26 years in financial
services. Before founding SwanDog, Mr. Swanson served as Executive Vice President and Head of Distribution for Calamos Investments, an investment management firm. As well, he previously held positions as Chief Operating Officer of Van Kampen
Investments, President and CEO of Scudder, Stevens & Clark, Canada, Ltd. and Managing Director and Head of Global Investment Products at Morgan Stanley. Mr. Swanson holds an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at
Northwestern University and a Bachelors in Journalism from Southern Illinois University. He was nominated to serve as a Trustee of the Trust based on his business, financial services and investment management experience.
Jeremy W. Deems
In 2007, Mr. Deems co-founded Green Alpha Advisors, LLC, a registered investment adviser, for which he currently serves
as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Co-Portfolio Manager of the Shelton Green Alpha Fund. Prior to co-founding Green Alpha Advisors, Mr. Deems was CFO of Forward Management, LLC, investment advisor to the Forward Funds and
Sierra Club Mutual Funds, where he was also co-portfolio manager to the Sierra Club Stock Fund. In addition, he was the CFO of ReFlow Management Co., LLC. Prior to joining Forward and ReFlow, he served as Regional Marketing Assistant within the
Investment Consulting Services Group at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter. Mr. Deems received a B.S. and a MBA in finance from Saint Marys College of California and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute
of Certified Public Accountants. He was nominated to serve as a Trustee of the Trust based on his business, financial services, accounting and investment management experience.
Thomas A. Carter
Mr. Carter has been an Interested Trustee and Chairman of the Trust since March 10, 2009. Mr. Carter joined
ALPS Fund Services, Inc., the Portfolios administrator, in 1994 and currently serves as President of ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., the Portfolios principal underwriter, and ALPS Advisors, Inc., the Portfolios
investment adviser. Before joining ALPS, Mr. Carter was with Deloitte & Touche LLP, where he worked with a diverse group of clients, primarily within the financial services industry. Mr. Carter is a Certified Public Accountant and
received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He was nominated to serve as a Trustee of the Trust based on his business, accounting,
29
financial services and investment management experience.
Scott
Wentsel CFA, CFP
®
Mr. Wentsel has been an Interested
Trustee of the Trust since November 30, 2006. Currently, Mr. Wentsel serves as Chief Investment Officer, Americas for Morningstar Investment Management which includes Ibbotson Associates, the Portfolios investment sub-adviser. Prior
to February, 2014, Mr. Wentsel was Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of Ibbotson Associates. Mr. Wentsel has over 25 years of investment industry experience. Prior to joining Ibbotson, Mr. Wentsel was an Executive Director with
Van Kampen Investments from 2000-2005 and also worked for 13 years at Scudder Kemper Investments. Mr. Wentsel has a Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts in
Economics from the University of Illinois. He was nominated to serve as a Trustee of the Trust based on his business, financial services and investment management experience.
Leadership Structure and Oversight Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for oversight of the Portfolios rests with the Trustees. The Trust has engaged ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the
Adviser) and, with respect to the Ibbotson Portfolios, Ibbotson Associates, Inc. (the Subadviser), to manage the Portfolios on a day-to day basis. The Board is responsible for overseeing the Adviser, the Subadviser and other
service providers in the operations of the Portfolios in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act, applicable provisions of state and other laws and the Trusts charter. The Board is currently composed of five members, three of whom are
Independent Trustees. The Board meets at regularly scheduled quarterly meetings each year. In addition, the Board may hold special in-person or telephonic meetings or informal conference calls to discuss specific matters that may arise or require
action between regular meetings. As described below, the Board has established a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, an Audit Committee and an Executive Committee, and may establish ad hoc committees or working groups from time to time,
to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities. The Independent Trustees have also engaged independent legal counsel to assist them in performing their oversight responsibilities.
The Board has appointed Thomas A. Carter, an Interested Trustee, to serve in the role of Chairman and President (the
Trusts Principal Executive Officer). The Chairmans role is to preside at all meetings of each Board and to act as a liaison with the Adviser, other service providers, counsel and other Trustees generally between meetings. In addition,
the Board has appointed David Swanson as Lead Independent Trustee. The Lead Independent Trustee is a spokesperson and principal point of contact for the Independent Trustees and is responsible for coordinating the activities of the Independent
Trustees, including calling regular executive sessions of the Independent Trustees; developing the agenda of each meeting together with the Chairman; and chairing the meetings of the Independent Trustees. The Chairman and Lead Independent Trustee
may also perform such other functions as may be delegated by the Board from time to time. The Board reviews matters related to its leadership structure annually. The Board has determined that the Boards leadership structure is appropriate
given the Portfolios characteristics and circumstances. These include the Trusts multiple series of Portfolio shares, each Portfolios portfolio of assets, the Portfolios net assets and the services provided by the
Trusts service providers.
Risk oversight forms part of the Boards general oversight of each Portfolio and is
addressed as part of various Board and Committee activities. As part of its regular oversight of the Portfolios, the Board, directly or through a Committee, interacts with and reviews reports from, among others, Trust management, the Adviser, the
Subadviser, the Portfolios Chief Compliance Officer, the Trusts legal counsel and the independent registered public accounting firm for the Portfolios regarding risks faced by the Portfolios. The Board, with the assistance of Trust
management and the Adviser and, with respect to the Ibbotson Portfolios, the Subadviser, reviews investment policies and risks in connection with its review of each Portfolios
30
performance. The Board has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer who oversees the implementation and testing of each Portfolios compliance program and reports to the Board regarding
compliance matters for the Portfolios and its principal service providers. In addition, as part of the Boards periodic review of the Portfolios advisory, sub-advisory and other service provider agreements, the Board may consider risk
management aspects of these service providers operations and the functions for which they are responsible.
Standing Board Committees
The Trusts Board of Trustees has established three standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Nominating and
Governance Committee, and the Executive Committee.
The Audit Committee meets periodically with the Trusts
officers and its independent auditors to review accounting matters, the adequacy of internal controls, the responsibilities and fees of the independent auditors and other matters. Members of the Audit Committee are currently Ms. Anstine,
and Messrs. Deems (Chairperson) and Swanson. Mr. Deems is an audit committee financial expert. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, the Audit Committee convened two times.
The Nominating and Governance Committee meets periodically to advise and assist the Board in selecting nominees to serve as
trustees (including considering written nominations from shareholders delivered to the Secretary of the Trust at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203) of the Trust. The Nominating and Governance Committee believes the Board generally benefits
from diversity of background, experience and views among its members, and considers this a factor in evaluating the composition of the Board, but has not adopted any specific policy in this regard. The Nominating and Governance Committee also
advises and assists the Board in establishing, implementing and executing policies, procedures and practices that assure orderly and effective governance of the Trust and effective and efficient management of all business and financial affairs of
the Trust. Members of the Nominating and Governance Committee are currently Ms. Anstine (Chairperson) and Messrs. Deems and Swanson. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, the Nominating and Governance Committee convened
once.
The Executive Committee meets periodically to take action, as authorized by the Board of Trustees, if the Board of
Trustees cannot meet. Members of the Executive Committee are currently Messrs. Carter (Chairperson), Swanson, and Wentsel. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, the Executive Committee did not convene.
At the present time there are no other standing committees of the Trusts Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees
may in the future consider establishing one or more additional committees, including but not limited to committees charged with responsibility for nomination, compensation, valuation, investment and brokerage matters.
Trustee Ownership of Portfolio Shares
As of December 31, 2013, the following table shows the dollar range of shares beneficially owned by each Trustee in the
Portfolio.
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
|
|
|
|
|
Name of Trustees
|
|
Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in the
Portfolios
|
|
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in
All Portfolios in the Trusts Family of Funds
Overseen by the Trustee
|
|
|
|
Mary K. Anstine
|
|
|
|
|
31
|
|
|
|
|
Conservative ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
None
|
|
None
|
Income and Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
None
|
|
|
Balanced ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
None
|
|
|
Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
None
|
|
|
Aggressive Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
None
|
|
|
MVP ETF Portfolio
|
|
None
|
|
|
ALPS/Alerian Energy Infrastructure Portfolio
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
David M. Swanson
|
|
|
|
|
Conservative ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
None
|
|
None
|
Income and Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
None
|
|
|
Balanced ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
None
|
|
|
Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
None
|
|
|
Aggressive Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
None
|
|
|
MVP ETF Portfolio
|
|
None
|
|
|
ALPS/Alerian Energy Infrastructure Portfolio
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeremy Deems
|
|
|
|
|
Conservative ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
None
|
|
None
|
Income and Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
None
|
|
|
Balanced ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
None
|
|
|
Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
None
|
|
|
Aggressive Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
None
|
|
|
MVP ETF Portfolio
|
|
None
|
|
|
ALPS/Alerian Energy Infrastructure Portfolio
|
|
None
|
|
|
32
INTERESTED TRUSTEES
|
|
|
|
|
Name of Trustees
|
|
Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in the
Portfolios
|
|
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity
Securities in All Portfolios in the Trusts
Family of Funds Overseen by the Trustee
|
Thomas A. Carter
|
|
|
|
|
Conservative ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
None
|
|
None
|
Income and Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
None
|
|
|
Balanced ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
None
|
|
|
Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
None
|
|
|
Aggressive Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
None
|
|
|
MVP ETF Portfolio
|
|
None
|
|
|
ALPS/Alerian Energy Infrastructure Portfolio
|
|
None
|
|
|
Scott Wentsel
|
|
|
|
|
Conservative ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
None
|
|
None
|
Income and Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
None
|
|
|
Balanced ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
None
|
|
|
Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
None
|
|
|
Aggressive Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
None
|
|
|
MVP ETF Portfolio
|
|
None
|
|
|
ALPS/Alerian Energy Infrastructure Portfolio
|
|
None
|
|
|
Prior to April 1, 2013, each Independent Trustee received an annual fee consisting of a $10,000
retainer, a per meeting fee of $2,500, and reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. Effective April 1, 2013, each Independent Trustee receives an annual fee consisting of a $16,000 retainer, a
per meeting fee of $3,500, and reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. The following chart provides certain information about the Trustee fees paid by the Trust for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2013:
|
|
|
|
|
Name of Person/Position
|
|
Aggregate Compensation
from the Trust
|
|
Aggregate Compensation
from the Portfolio
Complex
(1)
|
|
|
|
Mary K. Anstine
|
|
$30,000
|
|
$98,500
|
|
|
|
Jeremy W. Deems
|
|
$30,000
|
|
$98,500
|
33
|
|
|
|
|
David M. Swanson
|
|
$30,000
|
|
$30,000
|
(1)
|
The Portfolio Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. (or any affiliate) or
Ibbotson Associates, Inc. (or any affiliate) provides services.
|
No employee of the Adviser, Subadviser, Distributor, or
Transfer Agent receives any compensation from the Trust for acting as an officer or a Trustee of the Trust.
INVESTMENT
ADVISER AND SUBADVISER
Investment Adviser
.
ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the
Adviser) is a wholly owned subsidiary of ALPS Holdings, Inc. (ALPS Holdings). Located in Denver, Colorado, ALPS Holdings, a wholly owned subsidiary of DST Systems, Inc. (DST), is the parent of the Adviser and its
affiliates ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. as further described on pages 40 and 43. ALPS Holdings, through its affiliates, provides a wide range of fund services, including fund accounting, transfer agency,
shareholder services, active distribution, legal, tax and compliance services. The Adviser commenced business operations in December 2006 upon the acquisition of an existing investment advisory operation and is registered with the SEC as an
investment adviser. The Advisers principal address is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203. Thomas A. Carter is President of both the Adviser and the Trust, and Patrick D. Buchanan is an officer of the Adviser and Treasurer of the
Trust.
Advisory Agreement
.
Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the
Trust and the Adviser (the Advisory Agreement), and subject to the supervision and direction of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, the Adviser will, either directly or by employing suitable subadvisers: (a) act in strict conformity
with the Trusts Declaration of Trust, the Trusts Bylaws, the 1940 Act, and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended; (b) manage each Portfolios portfolio and furnish a continual investment program for each Portfolio in
accordance with such Portfolios investment objective and policies as described in the such Portfolios Prospectus; (c) make investment decisions for each Portfolio; (d) provide each Portfolio with investment research and
statistical data, advice and supervision, data processing and clerical services; (e) provide the Trust with access to certain office facilities, which may be the Advisers own offices; (f) determine what securities shall be purchased
for each Portfolio; what securities shall be held or sold by each Portfolio, and allocate assets of each Portfolios to separate sub-accounts of the approved subadvisers, and determine what portion of each Portfolios assets shall be held
uninvested; (g) review asset allocations and investment policies with the Board of Trustees of the Trust every quarter; and (h) advise and assist the officers of the Trust in taking such steps as are necessary or appropriate to carry out
the decisions of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and its committees with respect to the foregoing matters and the conduct of the business of the Portfolios. In addition, the Adviser will furnish the Trust with whatever statistical information the
Trust may reasonably request with respect to the securities that the Portfolios may hold or contemplate purchasing.
Ibbotson Portfolios
As compensation for such services, the Adviser receives a management fee (the Adviser Management Fee), payable
monthly, for the performance of its services. The annual Adviser Management Fee is equal to 0.45% of the average net assets of each Portfolio. The fees are allocated daily, based on the prior days net assets plus the current days
capital stock activity, at the class level. The Adviser Management Fee is accrued daily for the purpose of determining the offering and redemption price of the Portfolios shares.
Investment Subadviser.
Ibbotson Associates, Inc. (Subadviser or Ibbotson) is a wholly
owned subsidiary of Morningstar, Inc. (Morningstar). Founded in 1977, Ibbotson is a registered investment adviser located in Chicago, Illinois. Ibbotson provides advisory services including discretionary
34
management. Total assets under management in accounts where Ibbotson has
discretionary authority were approximately $35.7 billion as of December 31, 2013. For the past 10 years, Ibbotson has managed discretionary client funds in a similar style.
Subadvisory Agreement
.
Under the terms of the Investment Subadvisory Agreement between the Trust,
the Adviser, and the Subadviser (the Subadvisory Agreement), the Subadviser is responsible for recommending a continuous investment allocation program for the Portfolios in accordance with each Portfolios investment objectives,
policies and restrictions as stated in such Portfolios Prospectus. As compensation for such services, the Subadviser receives from the Adviser an annual Subadviser management fee (the Subadviser Management Fee), payable
monthly, for the performance of its services. The annual Subadviser Management Fee is equal to 0.15% of the average net assets of the Portfolio. The Subadviser Management Fee is accrued daily for the purpose of determining the offering and
redemption price of the Portfolios shares.
Expense Limitation Agreement
.
Under the
terms of the Expense Limitation Agreement between the Adviser and the Subadviser, for the benefit of the Ibbotson Portfolios, the Adviser and Subadviser agree to waive certain fees they are entitled to receive from the Portfolios. Specifically,
the Adviser and Subadviser agree to reimburse, equally 50% each, Portfolio expenses and/or waive a portion of the investment advisory, sub-advisory, and other fees (not including Distribution and/or Service (12b-1) fees, Shareholder Service fees,
acquired fund fees and expenses, taxes, brokerage commissions and extraordinary expenses) that the Adviser and/or Subadviser is entitled to receive to the extent necessary for the Portfolios to maintain a total annual expense ratio not exceeding
0.53% for Class I shares, Class II shares and Class III shares. Each party also agrees the waivers shall continue through the end of the period ended April 29, 2015.
A discussion regarding the Board of Trustees basis for approving the Ibbotson Portfolios Advisory and Subadvisory
Agreements with respect to each Ibbotson Portfolio will be available in the Portfolios semi-annual shareholder report for the period ended June 30, 2014.
Alerian Portfolio
As compensation for its services to the Alerian Portfolio, the Adviser receives a management fee (the Adviser Management
Fee), payable monthly, for the performance of such services. The annual Adviser Management Fee is equal to 0.70% of the average net assets of the Alerian Portfolio. The fees are allocated daily, based on the prior days net assets
plus the current days capital stock activity, at the class level. The Adviser Management Fee is accrued daily for the purpose of determining the offering and redemption price of the Portfolios shares.
Expense Limitation Agreement
.
The Adviser has contractually agreed to reimburse Portfolio expenses
and/or waive a portion of the investment advisory fee and other fees that the Adviser is entitled to receive to the extent necessary for the Portfolio to maintain a total annual expense ratio not exceeding 0.80% for Class I and Class III shares,
subject to certain excluded expenses that will be borne by the Portfolio. The Adviser and the Trust each also agrees that the waivers shall continue through the period ended April 29, 2015.
A discussion regarding the Board of Trustees basis for approving the Advisory Agreement with respect to the Alerian
Portfolio will be available in the Portfolios semi-annual shareholder report for the period ended June 30, 2014.
The following tables describe the advisory fees paid by each Portfolio that had commenced operations as of December 31,
2013, to the Adviser and the fee(s) waived, if any, by the Adviser for the last three fiscal periods.
35
Year Ended December 31, 2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Portfolio
|
|
Gross
Advisory Fees
|
|
Waiver of
Advisory Fees
|
|
Reimbursement of
Other Expenses
|
|
Net Advisory Fees
|
Conservative ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
$175,757
|
|
$(18,970)
|
|
$
|
|
$156,787
|
Income and Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
522,534
|
|
(2,747)
|
|
|
|
519,787
|
Balanced ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
922,169
|
|
|
|
|
|
922,169
|
Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
787,979
|
|
|
|
|
|
787,979
|
Aggressive Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
263,849
|
|
(14,798)
|
|
|
|
249,051
|
ALPS|Alerian Energy Infrastructure Portfolio
|
|
45,514
|
|
(45,514)
|
|
(15,329)
|
|
|
Year Ended December 31, 2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Portfolio
|
|
Gross
Advisory Fees
|
|
Waiver of
Advisory Fees
|
|
Reimbursement of
Other Expenses
|
|
Net Advisory Fees
|
Conservative ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
$148,747
|
|
$(23,529)
|
|
$
|
|
$125,218
|
Income and Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
467,826
|
|
|
|
|
|
467,826
|
Balanced ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
780,940
|
|
|
|
|
|
780,940
|
Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
660,107
|
|
|
|
|
|
660,107
|
Aggressive Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
209,564
|
|
(18,105)
|
|
|
|
191,459
|
Year Ended December 31, 2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Portfolio
|
|
Gross
Advisory Fees
|
|
Waiver of
Advisory Fees
|
|
Reimbursement of
Other Expenses
|
|
Net Advisory Fees
|
Conservative ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
$110,923
|
|
$(28,349)
|
|
$
|
|
$82,574
|
Income and Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
393,627
|
|
(28,390)
|
|
|
|
365,237
|
Balanced ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
661,369
|
|
(22,125)
|
|
|
|
639,244
|
Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
602,054
|
|
(28,508)
|
|
|
|
573,546
|
Aggressive Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
184,114
|
|
(33,228)
|
|
|
|
150,886
|
36
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
The following tables summarize the other investment activities each portfolio manager of the Portfolios, including the
portfolio managers of the Ibbotson Portfolios Subadviser (each, a Portfolio Manager). All asset numbers in the table are in millions.
Ibbotson Portfolios (as of December 31, 2013)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered Investment
Companies
|
|
Other Pooled Investment
Vehicles
|
|
Other Accounts
|
Portfolio Manager
|
|
Number
of Accounts
Managed
|
|
Total Assets
Managed
(in millions)
|
|
Number of
Accounts
Managed
|
|
Total
Assets
Managed
(in millions)
|
|
Number of
Accounts
Managed
|
|
Total Assets
Managed
(in millions)
|
Scott Wentsel, CFA
|
|
19
|
|
$3,640
|
|
0
|
|
$0
|
|
96
|
|
$50,300
|
Carrie Scherkenbach
|
|
9
|
|
$2,154
|
|
0
|
|
0
|
|
6
|
|
$43,256
|
Brian Huckstep, CFA
|
|
19
|
|
$3,640
|
|
0
|
|
0
|
|
9
|
|
$3,268
|
Jared Watts, CFA
|
|
0
|
|
$0.637
|
|
0
|
|
0
|
|
17
|
|
$2,239
|
As of December 31, 2013, no
accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers in the above table had an advisory fee based solely on investment performance of the accounts.
Alerian
Portfolio (as of December 31, 2013)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered Investment
Companies
|
|
Other Pooled Investment
Vehicles
|
|
Other Accounts
|
Portfolio Manager
|
|
Number
of
Accounts
Managed
|
|
Total Assets
Managed
(in millions)
|
|
Number of
Accounts
Managed
|
|
Total
Assets
Managed
(in
millions)
|
|
Number of
Accounts
Managed
|
|
Total
Assets
Managed
(in
millions)
|
Michael Akins
|
|
9
|
|
$9,600
|
|
0
|
|
$0
|
|
0
|
|
0
|
As of December 31, 2013, no accounts
managed by the Portfolio Manager in the above table had an advisory fee based solely on investment performance of the accounts.
Description of Material Conflicts of Interest
Ibbotson Portfolios
An affiliate of the Trusts distributor, ALPS Distributors, Inc. (ADI), acts as distributor for several
ETFs. It is possible that these ETFs could be used in the Portfolios. If this situation arises, the Adviser will waive a portion of the advisory fee equal to the portion of the fees attributable to the assets of the Portfolio invested in
such ETFs. See also Additional Information About Investment Strategies Limitations on Investments in Underlying ETFs above. The Subadviser is a wholly owned subsidiary of Morningstar, Inc. As part of its overall
operation, Morningstar is engaged in the business of providing ratings and analysis on
37
financial products. A potential conflict exists since Morningstar could be providing ratings and analysis on products that are subadvised by other business units within the
firm. Morningstar has adopted the following procedures to address this situation. First, Morningstar will not create analyst commentary for portfolios where the firm or its subsidiaries act as subadviser. This commentary is generally
subjective in nature and could represent a conflict of interest. This means that the Portfolios will not receive written analyst commentary from Morningstar. However, the Portfolios will receive Morningstar Star Ratings when they have track
records of a sufficient length. These ratings are purely quantitative and therefore cannot be biased by subjective factors. Also, the Morningstar style box assignment is primarily based on quantitative characteristics of the underlying
securities in the portfolio. The initial assignment and subsequent style box changes follow established procedures and are subject to review by personnel within the Morningstar Data business unit. A situation may occur where Ibbotson
personnel provide information to clarify style box assignment. However, the assignment process takes place independently from the Ibbotson business unit.
Morningstar is also in the business of creating indices. ETFs and an ETN have been created to track some of these indices
including indices representing the Morningstar style boxes. An example would be the iShares Morningstar Large Value Index Fund. Morningstar receives a licensing fee from the ETF/ETN manufacturer based on the assets in these
ETFs/ETN. While Ibbotson does not anticipate using these ETFs or ETN as part of the initial allocations for a Portfolio, it is possible that these ETFs or ETN could be used in a Portfolio at some time in the future. If this situation
arises, Ibbotson will waive a portion of the subadvisory fee equal to the portion of the licensing fee attributable to the assets of the Portfolio invested in such ETF/ETN, and such waived amount shall be passed through to the applicable
Portfolio. See also Additional Information About Investment Strategies Limitations on Investments in Underlying ETFs above.
Finally, Ibbotson and other Morningstar business units act as adviser, subadviser or consultant on other portfolios or fund of
funds products. These products invest in a variety of vehicles including actively managed funds, separate accounts, index funds and ETFs. Also, Ibbotson provides trading instructions to a custodian but does not do the actual trading in all of these
cases. A conflict of interest may arise between the investment strategies of the Portfolios and the other accounts managed by Ibbotson, and by other Morningstar separate business units, and in particular, the other accounts managed by the Portfolio
Managers.
Alerian Portfolio
Potential conflicts of interest may arise when the Portfolios Portfolio Manager has day-to-day management
responsibilities with respect to one or more other funds or other accounts, as is the case for the Portfolio Manager of the Portfolio.
The Adviser and the Portfolio have adopted compliance policies and procedures that are designed to address various conflicts
of interest that may arise for the Adviser and the individuals that it employs. For example, the Adviser seeks to minimize the effects of competing interests for the time and attention of Portfolio Managers by assigning Portfolio Managers to
manage funds and accounts that share a similar investment style. The Adviser has also adopted trade allocation procedures that are designed to facilitate the fair allocation of limited investment opportunities among multiple funds and accounts.
There is no guarantee, however, that the policies and procedures adopted by the Adviser and the Fund will be able to detect and/or prevent every situation in which an actual or potential conflict may appear.
Ibbotson and Alerian Portfolios
Potential conflicts that could apply to one or more of the Portfolios include:
Allocation of Limited Time and Attention. A Portfolio Manager who is responsible for managing multiple funds and/or accounts
may devote unequal time and attention to the management of those funds and/or
38
accounts. As a result, the Portfolio Manager may not be able to formulate as complete a strategy or identify equally attractive investment opportunities for each of those accounts as might
be the case if he or she were to devote substantially more attention to the management of a single fund. The effects of this potential conflict may be more pronounced where funds and/or accounts overseen by a particular Portfolio Manager have
different investment strategies.
Allocation of Limited Investment Opportunities. If a Portfolio Manager identifies a
limited investment opportunity that may be suitable for multiple funds and/or accounts, the opportunity may be allocated among these several funds or accounts, which may limit a funds ability to take full advantage of the
investment opportunity.
Pursuit of Differing Strategies. At times, a Portfolio Manager may determine that an
investment opportunity may be appropriate for only some of the funds and/or accounts for which he or she exercises investment responsibility, or may decide that certain of the funds and/or accounts should take differing positions with
respect to a particular security. In these cases, the Portfolio Manager may place separate transactions for one or more funds or accounts which may affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction, or both, to
the detriment or benefit of one or more other funds and/or accounts.
Selection of Brokers/Dealers. Portfolio Managers
may be able to select or influence the selection of the brokers and dealers that are used to execute securities transactions for the funds and/or account that they supervise. In addition to executing trades, some brokers and dealers provide
Portfolio Managers with brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act), which may result in the payment of higher brokerage fees than might have otherwise been available. These services
may be more beneficial to certain funds or accounts than to others. Although the payment of brokerage commissions is subject to the requirement that the Portfolio Manager determine in good faith that the commissions are reasonable in relation
to the value of the brokerage and research services provided to the fund, a Portfolio Managers decision as to the selection of brokers and dealers could yield disproportionate costs and benefits among the funds and/or accounts that he or she
manages.
Variation in Compensation. A conflict of interest may arise where the financial or other benefits available
to the Portfolio Manager differ among the funds and/or accounts that he or she manages. If the structure of the investment advisers management fee and/or the Portfolio Managers compensation differs among funds and/or accounts (such as
where certain funds or accounts pay higher management fees or performance-based management fees), the Portfolio Manager might be motivated to help certain funds and/or accounts over others. The Portfolio Manager might be motivated to favor funds
and/or accounts in which he or she has an interest or in which the investment adviser and/or its affiliates have interests. Similarly, the desire to maintain or raise assets under management or to enhance the Portfolio Managers performance
record or to derive other rewards, financial or otherwise, could influence the Portfolio Manager to lend preferential treatment to those funds and/or accounts that could most significantly benefit the Portfolio Manager.
Related Business Opportunities. The Adviser or its affiliates may provide more services (such as distribution or
recordkeeping) for some types of funds or accounts than for others. In such cases, a Portfolio Manager may benefit, either directly or indirectly, by devoting disproportionate attention to the management of funds and/or accounts that provide
greater overall returns to the Adviser and its affiliates.
Portfolio Manager Compensation Structure Disclosure
Ibbotson Portfolios
39
The Subadviser is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Ibbotson
Portfolios. Portfolio Managers and team members at the Subadviser who are responsible for the day-to-day management of the Portfolios are paid a base salary, plus a discretionary bonus. The bonus is determined by the business units
revenue and profitability as well as the individuals contribution to the business unit. The bonus is discretionary and is not based solely on portfolio performance.
Alerian Portfolio
The Portfolio Manager who is responsible for the day-to-day management of the Alerian Portfolio is paid a base salary, plus a
discretionary bonus. The bonus is determined by the business units revenue and profitability as well as the individuals contribution to the business unit. The bonus is discretionary and is not based specifically on portfolio
performance.
Ownership of Securities
The table below identifies ownership in the Portfolios by each Portfolio Manager:
|
|
|
Portfolio Manager
|
|
Ownership Range (as of December 31, 2013)
|
Scott Wentsel
|
|
None
|
Carrie Scherkenbach
|
|
None
|
Jared Watts
|
|
None
|
Brian Huckstep
|
|
None
|
|
|
Portfolio Manager
|
|
Ownership Range (as of December 31, 2013)
|
Michael Akins
|
|
None
|
THE DISTRIBUTOR
ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. (the Distributor), located at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO
80203, serves as the principal underwriter and national distributor for the shares of the Portfolios pursuant to a Distribution Agreement with the Trust dated as of April 30, 2013 (the Distribution Agreement). The Distributor
is registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and each states securities laws and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). The offering of the Portfolios shares is
continuous. The Distributor does not receive any compensation under the Distribution Agreement.
The Distribution
Agreement provides that the Distributor, as agent in connection with the distribution of Portfolio shares, will use its best efforts to distribute the Portfolios shares. As disclosed in the Trustee and Officer tables on pages 26 and 28,
Messrs. Thomas A. Carter and Patrick D. Buchanan are affiliated persons of the Distributor and the Trust. In addition, the Distributor is a wholly owned subsidiary of ALPS Holdings, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of DST. The Distribution
Agreement provides that, unless sooner terminated, it will continue until two years from the date of the Distribution Agreement and shall continue from year to year, subject to annual approval by (a) the Board of Trustees or a vote of a
majority of the outstanding shares, and (b) by a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of the Trust or of the Distributor by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The
Distribution Agreement may be terminated by the Trust at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a majority of the entire Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Portfolio on 60
days written notice to the Distributor, or by the Distributor at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on 60 days written notice to the Trust. The Distribution Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its
assignment.
40
The Trust has adopted distribution plans pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940
Act relating to Class I, II and Class III shares, respectively (the 12b-1 Plans).
Class I Distribution
Plan
The Class I shares have adopted a Defensive Distribution Plan (the Class I Distribution Plan)
that recognizes that the Adviser may use its management fees, in addition to its past profits or its other resources, to pay for expenses incurred in connection with providing services intended to result in the sale of Portfolio shares and/or
shareholder support services. Under the Class I Distribution Plan, the Adviser may pay significant amounts to intermediaries, such as banks, broker-dealers and other intermediaries that provide those services. The Board of Trustees has
currently authorized such payments for the Class I Portfolios.
Class II and III Distribution Plans
The Class II and III shares have each adopted an Offensive Distribution Plan (the Class II and III Distribution
Plans) that permits the use of each Portfolios assets to compensate the Distributor for its services in distributing shares and servicing shareholder accounts. The Class II and III Distribution Plans also recognize that the Adviser
and Subadviser (as applicable) may use their management fee revenues, as well as their past profits, to pay for expenses incurred in connection with providing services intended to result in the sale of shares and/or shareholder support services.
Under the Class II and III Distribution Plans, the Distributor receives an amount equal to 0.25% of the average annual
net assets of the Class II or III shares, as applicable, of each Portfolio. All or a portion of the fees paid to the Distributor under the Class II and III Distribution Plans will, in turn, be paid to certain financial intermediaries as
compensation for selling shares or for providing ongoing administrative services. These services generally include responding to financial intermediaries inquiries, directing said customers communications, account balance
maintenance and dividend posting.
Because the fees paid under the Class II and III Distribution Plans are paid out of
Portfolio assets on an on-going basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than other types of sales charges. For the reporting period ended December 31, 2013, the following table shows the 12b-1
fees that were collected for the Class II shares of each Portfolio in operation as of December 31, 2013.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Portfolio
|
|
Advertising
and
Literature
|
|
Printing
and
Postage
|
|
Compensation
to Broker-
Dealers
|
|
Compensation
to Sales
Personnel
|
|
Net Fees
|
Conservative ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
$0
|
|
$0
|
|
$90,675
|
|
$0
|
|
$90,675
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income and Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
0
|
|
0
|
|
283,958
|
|
0
|
|
283,958
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balanced ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
0
|
|
0
|
|
474,629
|
|
0
|
|
474,629
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
0
|
|
0
|
|
329,720
|
|
0
|
|
329,720
|
41
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aggressive Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
0
|
|
0
|
|
107,588
|
|
0
|
|
107,588
|
For the reporting period ended December 31, 2013, the following table shows the
12b-1 fees that were collected for the Class III shares of the ALPS/Alerian Energy Infrastructure Portfolio:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Portfolio
|
|
Advertising
and
Literature
|
|
Printing
and
Postage
|
|
Compensation
to Broker-
Dealers
|
|
Compensation
to Sales
Personnel
|
|
Net Fees
|
ALPS/Alerian Energy Infrastructure Portfolio
|
|
$0
|
|
$0
|
|
$16,025
|
|
$0
|
|
$16,025
|
Class III Shareholder Services Plan
The Ibbotson MVP ETF Portfolio and the ALPS/Alerian Energy Infrastructure Portfolio have each adopted a shareholder services
plan (a Services Plan) with respect to each Portfolios Class III shares. Under the Services Plan, each Portfolio is authorized to pay insurance companies, banks and their affiliates and other institutions, including broker-dealers
and Trust affiliates (Participating Organizations), an aggregate fee in an amount not to exceed on an annual basis 0.25% of the average daily net asset value of the Class III shares of each Portfolio attributable to or held in the
name of a Participating Organization for its clients as compensation for providing service activities pursuant to an agreement with a Participating Organization. Any amount of such payment not paid during a Portfolios fiscal year for such
service activities shall be reimbursed to the Portfolio as soon as practicable.
For the reporting period ended
December 31, 2013, the ALPS/Alerian Energy Infrastructure Portfolio paid shareholder service fees in the amount of $16,025.
Other Information
The Portfolios do not participate in joint distribution activities with any other investment company. No Independent
Trustee of the Trust has any direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the 12b-1 Plan or any related agreements.
The Adviser or Distributor may provide additional cash payments out of its own resources to financial intermediaries that
purchase shares of the Portfolios or provide other services. Such payments are in addition to any 12b-1 fees and/or shareholder services fees or other expenses paid by the Portfolios. These additional payments may be made to financial
intermediaries, including affiliates that provide shareholder servicing, sub-administration, recordkeeping and/or sub-transfer agency services, marketing support and/or access to sales meetings, sales representatives and management representatives
of the service agent. Cash
42
compensation also may be paid to service agents for inclusion of a Portfolio on a sales list, including a preferred or select sales list or in other sales programs. These payments sometimes are
referred to as revenue sharing. In some cases, these payments may create an incentive for a service agent to recommend a Portfolio to you. Please contact your financial intermediaries for details about any payments it may receive in
connection with the purchase of a Portfolio or the provisions of services to the Portfolios.
From time to time, the
Adviser or the Distributor also may provide cash or non-cash compensation to service agents in the form of: occasional gifts; occasional meals, tickets, or other entertainment; support for due diligence trips; educational conference sponsorship;
support for recognition programs; and other forms of cash or non-cash compensation permissible under broker-dealer regulations, as periodically amended.
FUND ADMINISTRATION
ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (AFS), located at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203, is a wholly owned
subsidiary of ALPS Holdings. As discussed above, ALPS Holdings is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DST and the parent of the Adviser and the Distributor. AFS serves as Administrator pursuant to a Fund Accounting and Administration Agreement
(Administration Agreement) with the Trust. As such, AFS provides all necessary bookkeeping, shareholder recordkeeping services and pricing services to each Portfolio. Under the Administration Agreement, AFS will provide
portfolio accounting services, expense accrual and payment services, fund valuation and financial reporting services, tax accounting services and compliance control services. AFS does not charge the Trust a fee in connection with providing services
under the Administration Agreement.
FUND TRANSFER AGENT
AFS, whose principal business address is shown above, also serves as Transfer Agent to each Portfolio pursuant to a Transfer
Agency and Service Agreement (TA Agreement) with the Trust. Under the TA Agreement, AFS will provide all of the customary services of a transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent including, but not limited to: (1) receiving and
processing orders to purchase or redeem shares; (2) mailing shareholder reports and prospectuses to current shareholders; and (3) providing blue sky services to monitor the number of the shares of each Portfolio sold in each state. AFS
does not charge the Trust a fee in connection with providing services under the TA Agreement.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
All orders for the purchase or sale of securities are placed on behalf of the respective Portfolio by ALPS
Advisors, Inc. (the Adviser). With respect to the Ibbotson Portfolios, such orders are based on instructions given by Ibbotson Associates, Inc. (the SubAdviser), pursuant to authority contained in each Ibbotson
Portfolios Advisory and SubAdvisory Agreements. The Adviser is also responsible for the placement of transaction orders for other investment companies and accounts for which it or its affiliates act as investment adviser. In selecting
broker-dealers, subject to applicable limitations of the federal securities laws, the Adviser considers various relevant factors, including, but not limited to, the brokers execution capability, the brokers perceived financial stability,
the brokers responsiveness to the Advisers transaction requests, and the brokers clearance and settlement capability.
Commissions for foreign investments traded on foreign exchanges will generally be higher than for U.S. investments and may not
be subject to negotiation.
Each Portfolio may execute Portfolio transactions with broker-dealers who provide research and
execution services to the Portfolios or other accounts over which the Adviser or its affiliates exercise investment discretion. Such services may include research-related computer hardware and software; and furnishing analyses and reports concerning
issuers, industries, and economic factors and trends.
43
The receipt of research from broker-dealers that execute transactions on behalf
of each Portfolio may be useful to the Adviser in rendering investment management services to each Portfolio and/or its other clients, and conversely, such information provided by broker-dealers who have executed transaction orders on behalf of
other clients may be useful to the Adviser in carrying out its obligations to each Portfolio. The receipt of such research has not reduced the Advisers normal independent research activities; however, it enables the Adviser to avoid the
additional expenses that could be incurred if it tried to develop comparable information through its own efforts. Such research is used by the Adviser in connection with its investment decision-making process with respect to one or more funds and
accounts managed by it, and may not be used, or used exclusively, with respect to the Portfolios or account generating the brokerage.
Subject to applicable limitations of the federal securities laws, broker-dealers may receive commissions for agency
transactions that are higher than the commission of other broker-dealers in recognition of their research and execution services. In order to cause each Portfolio to pay such higher commissions, the Adviser must determine in good faith that such
commissions are reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such executing broker-dealers viewed in terms of a particular transaction or the Advisers overall responsibilities to each Portfolio and
their other clients. In reaching this determination, the Adviser will not attempt to place a specific dollar value on the brokerage and research services provided or to determine what portion of the compensation should be related to those services.
The Adviser is authorized to use research services provided by and to place portfolio transactions, to the extent
permitted by law, with brokerage firms that have provided assistance in the distribution of shares of each Portfolio.
The
Alerian Portfolio may, from time to time, enter into arrangements with placement agents in connection with direct placement transactions. In evaluating placement agent proposals, the Adviser will consider each brokers access to issuers of
energy infrastructure company securities and experience in the energy infrastructure market, particularly the direct placement market. In addition to these factors, the Adviser will consider whether the proposed services are customary, whether the
proposed fee schedules are within the range of customary rates, whether any proposal would obligate us to enter into transactions involving a minimum fee, dollar amount or volume of securities, or into any transaction whatsoever, and other terms
such as indemnification provisions.
The Trustees periodically review the Advisers performance of their
responsibilities in connection with the placement of portfolio transactions on behalf of each Portfolio and review the commissions paid by each Portfolio over representative periods of time to determine if they are reasonable in relation to the
benefits to each Portfolio.
When two or more Portfolios are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same
security, the prices and amounts are allocated in accordance with a formula considered by the Trustees and each Portfolios Adviser to be equitable to each Portfolio. In some cases this system could have a detrimental effect on the price or
value of the security as far as each Portfolio is concerned. In other cases, however, the ability of each Portfolio to participate in volume transactions will produce better executions for each Portfolio. It is the current opinion of the Trustees
that the desirability of retaining the Portfolios Adviser outweighs any disadvantages to the Portfolios that may be said to exist from exposure to simultaneous transactions.
For the period January 1, 2013 through December 31, 2013 the Portfolios did not pay any commission to brokers who
were affiliated with the Trust, the Adviser, Subadviser or Distributor, or any affiliated person of these entities.
44
The following table shows the brokerage commissions paid by each Portfolio in
operation as of December 31, 2013, for the periods ended December 31, 2011, December 31, 2012, and December 31, 2013.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Portfolio
|
|
|
|
Period
Ended
12/31/13
|
|
|
|
Period
Ended
12/31/12
|
|
|
|
Period
Ended
12/31/11
|
Conservative ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
|
|
$1,931
|
|
|
|
$3,347
|
|
|
|
$4,036
|
Income and Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
|
|
4,433
|
|
|
|
8,709
|
|
|
|
13,249
|
Balanced ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
|
|
7,687
|
|
|
|
14,956
|
|
|
|
26,764
|
Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
|
|
6,069
|
|
|
|
12,270
|
|
|
|
25,672
|
Aggressive Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio
|
|
|
|
3,056
|
|
|
|
4,917
|
|
|
|
7,153
|
ALPS/Alerian Energy Infrastructure Portfolio
|
|
|
|
7,467
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
The following table shows the holders of record of 5% or more of each outstanding class of shares in operation prior to
April 30, 2014 of the Portfolios as of March 10, 2014.
Class I
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Ibbotson
Conservative
ETF Asset
Allocation
Portfolio
|
|
Ibbotson
Income
and
Growth
ETF
Asset
Allocation
Portfolio
|
|
Ibbotson
Balanced
ETF
Asset
Allocation
Portfolio
|
|
Ibbotson
Growth
ETF
Asset
Allocation
Portfolio
|
|
Ibbotson
Aggressive
Growth
ETF Asset
Allocation
Portfolio
|
|
ALPS/Alerian
Energy
Infrastructure
Portfolio
|
ALPS Fund Services, Inc.
1290 Broadway, Suite 1100
Denver, CO. 80203
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
88.19%
|
Minnesota Life Insurance Co.
400 Robert St.
North St. Paul, MN 55101
|
|
64.69%
|
|
49.97%
|
|
35.83%
|
|
79.10%
|
|
77.57%
|
|
|
Lincoln Benefit Life Insurance Co.
3100 Sanders Rd.
Northbrook, IL. 60062
|
|
22.47%
|
|
42.12%
|
|
53.79%
|
|
19.17%
|
|
19.75%
|
|
|
45
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Symetra Life Insurance
Co
777 108
th
Avenue NE, Suite 1200
Bellevue, WA 98004
|
|
11.98%
|
|
6.47%
|
|
9.44%
|
|
|
|
|
|
11.81%
|
Class II
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
Ibbotson
Conservative
ETF Asset
Allocation
Portfolio
|
|
Ibbotson
Income and
Growth
ETF Asset
Allocation
Portfolio
|
|
Ibbotson
Balanced
ETF
Asset
Allocation
Portfolio
|
|
Ibbotson
Growth
ETF
Asset
Allocation
Portfolio
|
|
Ibbotson
Aggressive
Growth
ETF
Asset
Allocation
Portfolio
|
Minnesota Life Insurance Co.
400 Robert St
North St. Paul, MN 55101
|
|
51.85%
|
|
34.60%
|
|
38.07%
|
|
25.24%
|
|
31.40%
|
Annuity Investors Life Insurance Co.
301 E. Fourth St.
Cincinnati, OH 45202
|
|
12.67%
|
|
7.94%
|
|
8.32%
|
|
20.86%
|
|
|
Jefferson National Life Insurance Co.
10350 Ormsby Park, Suite 600
Louisville KY 40223
|
|
10.72%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ohio National Life Insurance Co.
One Financial Way
Cincinnati, OH 45242
|
|
11.70%
|
|
|
|
7.39%
|
|
9.63%
|
|
13.63%
|
PHL Variable Insurance Co.
9920 Corporate Campus Dr.
Suite 1000 Louisville, KY.
40223
|
|
|
|
31.88%
|
|
18.05%
|
|
16.15%
|
|
32.47%
|
46
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Phoenix Life Insurance
Co.
15 Tech Valley Dr.
E. Greenbush, NY 12061
|
|
|
|
6.69%
|
|
5.11%
|
|
6.04%
|
|
6.17%
|
Horace Mann Life Insurance Company
1 Horace Mann Plaza
Springfield, IL 62715-0002
|
|
7.62%
|
|
5.57%
|
|
8.03%
|
|
9.14%
|
|
9.43%
|
Symetra Life Insurance Co.
777 108
th
Avenue, NE
Suite 1200
Bellevue, WA 98004
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.15%
|
Class III
|
|
|
Shareholder
|
|
ALPS/Alerian
Energy
Infrastructure
Portfolio
|
River Source Life Insurance Company
10468 Ameriprise Financial Ctr.
Minneapolis, MN
55474-0001
|
|
79.13%
|
Jefferson National
Life Insurance Company
10350 Ormsby Park, Suite 600
Louisville, KY 40223-6175
|
|
16.49%
|
The person or organizations listed above owning 25% or more of the outstanding shares
of the Portfolios may be presumed to control (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) such Portfolio. As a result, those entities would have the ability to vote a majority of the shares of the Portfolio on any matter requiring the
approval of shareholder of such Portfolio. Insofar as the Trust is aware, as of March 10, 2014, no person owned, beneficially or of record, more than 25% of the outstanding shares of the Portfolios, except for (1) Minnesota Life Insurance
Company, with respect to all of the Portfolios in operation as of April 30, 2014, (2) Lincoln Benefit Life Insurance Company, with respect to the Ibbotson Income and Growth ETF Asset
47
Allocation Portfolio and the Ibbotson Balanced ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio, (3) PHL Variable Insurance Company, with respect to the Ibbotson Income and Growth ETF Asset Allocation
Portfolio and the Ibbotson Aggressive Growth ETF Asset Allocation Portfolio, and (4) River Source Life Insurance Company, with respect to the ALPS/Alerian Energy Infrastructure Portfolio. Each of these entities is believed to hold its shares of
the Portfolios as nominee for the benefit of its clients.
As of March 10, 2014, the officers and directors as a
group own less than 1% of the outstanding class of shares of each Portfolio.
VALUATION OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
Calculation of Share Price
The net asset value per share of the Portfolio will be determined on each day when the New York Stock Exchange
(NYSE) is open for business and will be computed by taking the aggregate market value of all assets of the Portfolio less its liabilities, and dividing by the total number of shares outstanding. Each determination will be made:
|
|
|
by valuing portfolio securities, including open short positions, puts and calls, and futures contracts, which are traded on the various exchanges
including the NASDAQ National Market System or similar electronic exchange, at the last reported sales price;
|
|
|
|
by valuing portfolio securities for which a quote is readily available at the last quoted price;
|
|
|
|
by valuing portfolio securities for which no sale was reported on a particular day and securities traded on the over-the-counter market at the mean
between the last bid and asked prices; and
|
|
|
|
by valuing portfolio securities or other assets for which market quotations are not readily available at fair value in good faith and under the
supervision of the Board of Trustees, although others may do the actual calculation.
|
The price (net
asset value) of Portfolio shares is determined as of the close of the regular session of trading on the NYSE (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time), on each day the NYSE is open for business. The NYSE is ordinarily open for business on every day
except Saturdays, Sundays and the following holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Trading in Foreign Securities
Trading in foreign securities may be completed at times that vary from the closing of the NYSE. In computing net asset
value, each Portfolio values foreign securities at the latest closing price on the exchange on which they are primarily traded immediately prior to the closing of the NYSE. Some foreign currency exchange rates may also be determined at the
latest rate immediately prior to the closing of the NYSE. Foreign securities quoted in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at current rates. Occasionally, events that affect these values and exchange rates may occur
between the times at which they are determined and the closing of the NYSE. If these events materially affect the value of Portfolio securities, these securities may be valued at their fair value as determined in good faith by the Board of
Trustees.
48
ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION
Purchase of Shares
Orders for shares received by the Trust in good order prior to the close of the regular session of trading on the NYSE on each
day during such periods that the NYSE is open for trading are priced at net asset value per share computed as of the close of the regular session of trading on the NYSE. Orders received in good order after the close of the NYSE, or on a day it
is not open for trading, are priced at the close of the regular session of trading of the NYSE on the next day on which it is open for trading at the next determined net asset value per share.
Redemption of Shares
The Trust will redeem all or any portion of a shareholders shares of the Portfolio when requested in accordance with the
procedures set forth in the Redemptions section of the Prospectus. Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, a shareholders right to redeem shares and to receive payment for such shares may be suspended at times:
|
(a)
|
when the NYSE is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings;
|
|
(b)
|
when trading on that exchange is restricted for any reason;
|
|
(c)
|
when an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Portfolio of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not
reasonably practicable for the Portfolio fairly to determine the value of its net assets, provided that applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (or any succeeding governmental authority) will govern as to whether
the conditions prescribed in (b) or (c) exist; or
|
|
(d)
|
when the SEC by order permits a suspension of the right to redemption or a postponement of the date of payment on redemption.
|
In case of suspension of the right of redemption, payment of a redemption request will be made based on
the net asset value next determined after the termination of the suspension.
Supporting documents in addition to those
listed under Redemptions in the Portfolios prospectus will be required from executors, administrators, trustees, or if redemption is requested by someone other than the shareholder of record. Such documents include, but are
not restricted to, stock powers, trust instruments,
certificates of death, appointments as executor, certificates of
corporate authority and waiver of tax required in some states when settling estates.
The Trust has filed an election
pursuant to Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act that provides that each series of the Trust is obligated to redeem shares solely in cash up to $250,000 or 1% of such portfolios net asset value, whichever is less, for any one shareholder within a
90-day period. Any redemption beyond this amount may be made in proceeds other than cash. The Portfolio may make payment for redemption in securities or other property if it appears appropriate to do so in light of the Portfolios
responsibilities under the 1940 Act. Shareholders who receive redemption in kind may incur additional costs when they convert the securities or property received to cash and may receive less than the redemption value of their shares, particularly
where the securities are sold prior to maturity.
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
49
DISTRIBUTIONS. All dividends and capital gains distributions paid by the
Portfolios will be automatically reinvested, at net asset value, in additional shares of the Portfolios unless otherwise indicated. The Portfolios pay capital gains and income dividends annually. There is no fixed dividend rate and there can be no
assurance that the Portfolios will pay any dividends or realize any capital gains.
If the net asset value of shares is
reduced below a shareholders cost as a result of a distribution by the Portfolios, such distribution generally will be taxable even though it represents a return of invested capital. Investors should be careful to consider the tax implications
of buying shares of the Portfolios just prior to a distribution. The price of shares purchased at this time will include the amount of the forthcoming distribution, but the distribution will generally be taxable to the shareholder.
RETURN OF CAPITAL DISTRIBUTIONS. A portion of the Alerian Portfolios distributions are expected to consist of a
return of capital rather than a distribution of profits. Shareholders in the Alerian Portfolio who periodically receive the payment of dividends or other distributions consisting of a return of capital may be under the impression that they are
receiving net profits from the Alerian Portfolio when, in fact, they are not. Shareholders should not assume that the source of the distributions is from net profits of the Alerian Portfolio.
TAXES. Each Portfolio is treated as a separate entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes and each Portfolio intends to
qualify as a regulated investment company under the provisions of Subchapter M of the Code. As a result, the Portfolio will not be subject to U.S. Federal income tax on any net income or capital gains that it distributes to its
shareholders, that is, the insurance companies separate accounts and qualified pension and retirement plans. Generally, a regulated investment company must distribute substantially all of its ordinary income and capital gains in accordance
with a calendar year distribution requirement to avoid a nondeductible 4% excise tax imposed by Section 4982 of the Code. However, the excise tax does not apply to a Portfolio whose only shareholders are certain tax-exempt trusts or segregated
asset accounts of life insurance companies (or their affiliates) held in connection with variable contracts. The Portfolios intend to qualify for this exemption and to make distributions in accordance with the calendar year distribution
requirements, and therefore the Portfolios do not expect to be subject to this excise tax.
If any of the Portfolios fail
to qualify as a regulated investment company, such Portfolio will be treated as a C corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and be subject to federal, and potentially state, corporate income taxes on its taxable income and gains.
Furthermore, distributions to such Portfolios
shareholders will constitute ordinary dividend income to the extent of
such Portfolios earnings and profits, and insurance policy and product holders could be subject to tax on distributions received with respect to Portfolio shares. In addition, as discussed below, the failure of a Portfolio to qualify as a
regulated investment company would cause such Portfolio to fail to satisfy the diversification requirements applicable to variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts, which would result in taxation of the applicable insurance
companys separate accounts that own interests in the Portfolio, the insurance companies variable life policies and variable annuity contracts, and tax consequences to the holders thereof.
Section 817(h) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder impose certain diversification
requirements for variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts. Each Portfolio intends to comply with such diversification requirements. These requirements are in addition to the diversification requirement imposed on the Portfolios by
Subchapter M and the 1940 Act. The diversification requirements imposed by Section 817(h) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder place certain limitations on the proportion of each Portfolios assets that may be
represented by a single investment or by securities issued by a single issuer. A contract based upon a separate account will not receive favorable tax treatment as an annuity or life insurance contract unless the
50
separate account and underlying regulated investment company investments satisfy the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated
thereunder.
In determining whether a separate account is adequately diversified, the separate account can look through to
the assets of the regulated investment company in which it has invested, provided that whose beneficial interests are held wholly by the separate accounts of insurance companies or qualified pension or retirement plans, and that is accessible to the
public solely through the purchase of variable contracts. The Trust intends for each of the Portfolios to qualify for the foregoing look-through rule.
The Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 817(h) of the Code require the Portfolios assets to be
diversified so that no single investment (which includes all securities of the issuer) represents, as of the end of each calendar quarter or within 30 days thereafter, more than 55% of the value of the Portfolios total assets, no two
investments represent more than 70% of the Portfolios total assets, no three investments represent more than 80% of the Portfolios total assets and no four investments represent more than 90% of the Portfolios total assets. A
safe harbor is available to a separate account if it meets the diversification tests applicable to registered investment companies and not more than 55% of its assets constitute cash, cash items, government securities and securities of
other registered investment companies.
The applicable Regulations treat all securities of the same issuer as a single
investment. In the case of government securities, each government agency or instrumentality shall be treated as a separate issuer for the purpose of the diversification test (although not for the purpose of the safe harbor
test described above). All securities of the same issuer, all interests in the same real property project, and all interests in the same commodity are treated as a single investment.
The Trust and each of the Portfolios intends to qualify as a regulated investment company under the provisions of Subchapter M
of the Code and to comply with the diversification requirements imposed by Section 817(h) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder. The failure of any Portfolio to qualify as a regulated investment company or to satisfy
the diversification requirements under Section 817(h) of the Code would result in taxation of the applicable insurance companies separate accounts that own interests in the Portfolio, the insurance companies variable life policies
and variable annuity contracts, and tax consequences to the holders thereof.
Each Portfolio is required to furnish to
certain shareholders cost basis information indicating the holding period of those Shares purchased on or after January 1, 2012, and sold on and after that date. Unless a shareholder that is subject to the reporting requirement chooses an
acceptable alternative cost basis method, the Portfolio will report cost basis information using a default cost basis method. The Portfolio is not required to furnish such information to shareholders defined as exempt recipients under
Treasury Regulation Section 1.6045-1(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Such exempt interest shareholders generally include insurance companies and individual retirement plans. Shareholders should consult with their tax advisers to obtain more
information about how the new cost basis reporting law may apply to them.
The foregoing is only a brief summary of
important tax considerations that generally affect the Portfolios. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisers with regard to the Federal tax consequences of the purchase, ownership, or disposition of Portfolio shares, as well as the
tax consequences arising under the laws of any state, foreign country, or other taxing jurisdiction.
For a discussion of
the impact on Contract owners of income taxes an issuer may owe as a result of (i) its ownership of shares of the Portfolio, (ii) its receipt of dividends and distributions thereon, and (iii) its gains from the purchase and sale
thereof, reference should be made to the Prospectus for the Contract accompanying this Prospectus.
51
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
The Trust has delegated the responsibility for voting proxies to the Adviser as part of the Advisers general management
of the Portfolio, subject to continuing oversight by the Board. Portfolio policies and procedures are used in determining how to vote proxies relating to fund securities. A copy of the Advisers Proxy Voting Policy, Procedures, and
Guidelines can be found in Appendix A of this SAI. A summary of proxies voted by the Portfolio for the most recent 12 month period ending June 30 is available without a charge, upon request, by contacting your insurance company or plan
sponsor, on the Trusts website at www.alpsfunds.com, and filed on Form N-PX on the SECs website at www.sec.gov.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
Total Return
Average annual total return quotations that may be used in the Portfolios advertising and promotional materials are
calculated according to the following formulas:
|
|
|
|
|
P* (1+T)n = ERV
|
|
|
Where:
|
|
P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000
|
|
|
T = average annual total return
|
|
|
n = number of years
|
|
|
ERV= ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment made at the beginning of the period
|
Under the foregoing formula, the time periods used in any advertising will be based on rolling
calendar quarters, updated to the last day of the most recent quarter prior to submission of the advertising for publication. Average annual total return, or T in the above formula, is computed by finding the average annual
compounded rates of return over the period that would equate the initial amount invested to the ending redeemable value. Average annual total return assumes the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. The calculation assumes an
initial $1,000 payment and assumes all dividends and distributions by the Portfolio are reinvested at the price stated in the Prospectus on the reinvestment dates during the period, and includes all recurring fees that are charged to all shareholder
accounts.
The following formula is used to calculate average annual returns after taxes before liquidations:
|
|
|
|
|
P* (1+T)n = ATVD
|
|
|
Where:
|
|
P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000
|
|
|
T = average annual total return
|
|
|
n = number of years in the base period
|
|
|
ATVD = ending value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment made at the beginning of the base period, at the end of the base period, after
taxes on Portfolio distributions
|
|
|
|
|
but not after taxes on redemption
|
|
The following formula is used to calculate average annual returns after taxes after liquidations:
|
|
|
|
|
P* (1+T)n = ATVDR
|
52
|
|
|
Where:
|
|
P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000.
|
|
|
T = average annual total return
|
|
|
n = number of years in the base period
|
|
|
ATVDR = ending value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment made at the beginning of the base period at the end of the base period, after
taxes on Portfolio distributions and redemption.
|
The Portfolio may also calculate total return on a cumulative basis to reflect the cumulative
percentage change in value over the measuring period. The formula for calculating cumulative total return can be expressed as follows:
Cumulative Total Return = [ (ERV) - 1 ]
Other Information
The Portfolios performance data quoted in any advertising and other promotional materials represents past performance
and is not intended to predict or indicate future results. The return and principal value of an investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, and an investors redemption proceeds may be more or less than the original investment amount.
Comparison of Portfolio Performance
The performance of the Portfolio may be compared to data prepared by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., Morningstar, Inc. or
other independent services which monitor the performance of investment companies, and may be quoted in advertising in terms of its ranking in each applicable universe. In addition, the Portfolio may use performance data reported in financial
and industry publications, including Barrons, Business Week, Forbes, Fortune, Investors Daily, IBC/Donoghues Money Portfolio Report, Money Magazine, The Wall Street Journal and USA Today.
CODE OF ETHICS
The Trust, Adviser, Subadviser, and the Distributor have each adopted a Code of Ethics. These policies permit personnel
of such entities to purchase and sell securities held by the Portfolio, subject to certain policies that govern personal investing. These Codes of Ethics have been filed with the SEC as exhibits to the Trusts registration statement.
CUSTODIAN
State Street Bank and Trust Company, located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA, 02171 (the Custodian), serves as
the custodian for the Portfolios. As such, the Custodian holds in safekeeping certificated securities and cash belonging to the Portfolios and, in such capacity, is the registered owner of securities in book-entry form belonging to the Portfolios.
Upon instruction, the Custodian receives and delivers cash and securities of the Portfolios in connection with Portfolios transactions and collects all dividends and other distributions made with respect to portfolio securities. The Custodian also
maintains certain accounts and records of the Portfolios.
INDEX PROVIDER
Alerian is the index provider for the Alerian Portfolio (Index Provider). Alerian is an independent company that
provides objective market information, and is a leader of MLP-market intelligence, providing benchmarks, data sets, and analytics that are used extensively by a range of stakeholders such as investment
53
banks, stock exchanges, investment professionals and consultants, and Master Limited Partnerships. The company started its business of developing and maintaining financial indexes on June 1,
2006. Alerian has entered into an index licensing agreement (the Licensing Agreement) with the Adviser to allow the Advisers use of the Index for the operation of the Alerian Portfolio. The Adviser pays licensing fees to Alerian
from the Advisers management fees or other resources.
Alerian uses a rules-based methodology (the Index
Methodology) to construct and maintain the Index. The Index and the Index Methodology, including a list of the component securities of the Index, can be found on the Index Providers website at
www.alerian.com
.
LICENSE AGREEMENT AND DISCLAIMERS
The information contained herein regarding the Index was provided by the Index Provider.
Shares of the Alerian Portfolio are not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by Alerian. Alerian makes no representation or
warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Shares of the Alerian Portfolio or any member of the public regarding the advisability of trading in the product(s). Alerian has no obligation to take the needs of the Adviser (in its capacity as
licensee of the Index, the Licensee) or the owners of the Shares of the Alerian Portfolio into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Index. Alerian is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination
of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the Shares of the Alerian Portfolio to be listed or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Shares of the Alerian Portfolio are to be converted into cash. Alerian has no
obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Shares of the Alerian Portfolio.
Alerian does not guarantee the accuracy and/or the completeness of the Index or any data included therein and Alerian shall
have no liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions therein. Alerian makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Licensee, owners of the Shares of the Alerian Portfolio, or any other person or entity from the
use of the Index or any data included therein. Alerian makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties, of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the Index or any data included
therein, without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall Alerian have any liability for any lost profits or indirect, punitive, special or consequential damages (including lost profits), even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
There are no third party beneficiaries of any agreements or arrangements between Alerian and Licensee.
The Alerian Energy
Infrastructure Index (the Index) is the exclusive property of GKD Index Partners LLC d/b/a Alerian, which has contracted with S&P Opco, LLC (a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC) (S&P Dow Jones Indices) to
calculate and maintain the Index. S&P® is a registered trademark of Standard & Poors Financial Services LLC (SPFS); Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (Dow
Jones); and these trademarks have been licensed to S&P Dow Jones Indices. Calculated by S&P Dow Jones Indices and its related stylized mark(s) have been licensed for use by Alerian.
The Alerian Portfolio is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by S&P Dow Jones Indices, SPFS, Dow Jones or any of
their affiliates (collectively, S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities). S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities do not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of the Alerian Portfolio or any member of the
public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Alerian Portfolio particularly or the ability of the Index to track general market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities only relationship to Alerian
with respect to the Index is the licensing of certain
54
trademarks, service marks and trade names of S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities and for the providing of calculation and maintenance services related to the Index. S&P Dow Jones Indices
Entities are not responsible for and have not participated in the determination of the prices and amount of the Alerian Portfolio or the timing of the issuance or sale of the Alerian Portfolio or in the determination or calculation of the equation
by which the Alerian Portfolio is to be converted into cash. S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities have no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Alerian Portfolio. S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC is
not an investment advisor. Inclusion of a security within the Index is not a recommendation by S&P Dow Jones Indices Entities to buy, sell, or hold such security, nor is it considered to be investment advice.
S&P DOW JONES INDICES ENTITIES DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ADEQUACY, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE INDEX OR
ANY DATA RELATED THERETO OR ANY COMMUNICATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ORAL OR WRITTEN COMMUNICATION (INCLUDING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS) WITH RESPECT THERETO. S&P DOW JONES INDICES ENTITIES SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY DAMAGES OR
LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR DELAYS THEREIN. S&P DOW JONES INDICES ENTITIES MAKE NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE OR AS TO
RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY ALERIAN, OWNERS OF THE ALERIAN PORTFOLIO, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE INDEX OR WITH RESPECT TO ANY DATA RELATED THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT WHATSOEVER SHALL S&P
DOW JONES INDICES ENTITIES BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, LOSS OF PROFITS, TRADING LOSSES, LOST TIME OR GOODWILL, EVEN IF THEY HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBLITY OF
SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTING FIRM
Deloitte & Touche LLP, 555 17
th
Street,
Suite 3600, Denver, Colorado 80202, serves as the Trusts independent registered public accounting firm. The independent registered public accounting firm audits the annual financial statements for the Trust and provides other audit, tax, and
related services.
LEGAL COUNSEL
Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP, 1550 17th Street, Suite 500, Denver, Colorado 80202 serves as the Trusts legal
counsel.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The financial statements and financial highlights in the December 31, 2013 Annual Report of the Trust are incorporated in
this Statement of Additional Information by reference. The financial statements and financial highlights in the Annual Report have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, whose report thereon appears in the Annual Report. You can obtain
additional copies of such Annual Report at no charge by writing or telephoning the Trust at the address or number on the front page of this Statement of Additional Information.
55
APPENDIX A
ALPS Advisors, Inc.
Proxy Voting Policy, Procedures and Guidelines
Overview
An investment adviser that exercises voting authority over clients proxies must adopt written policies and procedures that are
reasonably designed to ensure that those proxies are voted in the best economic interests of clients. An advisers policies and procedures must address how the adviser resolves material conflicts of interest between its interests and those of
its clients. An investment adviser must comply with certain record keeping and disclosure requirements with respect to its proxy voting responsibilities. In addition, an investment adviser to ERISA accounts has an affirmative obligation to vote
proxies for an ERISA account, unless the client expressly retains proxy voting authority.
Policy Summary
With all advisory clients of AAI currently being investment companies registered under the 1940 Act, any assignment of voting
authority over the Funds voting securities is typically delegated to AAI as the Funds investment adviser, or the Funds sub-adviser by the respective Funds Board of Trustees/Directors. If the Funds day-to-day investment
decisions are performed by the Funds investment sub-adviser(s), Funds Board of Trustees/Directors may elect to delegate the responsibility of voting proxies to such sub-adviser to be voted in accordance to the sub-advisers proxy
voting policies and procedures in conformance with Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. For securities in the portfolio of a Fund that is managed by more than one sub-adviser, each sub-adviser shall make voting
decisions pursuant to their own proxy voting policies and procedures, as adopted in conformance with the Advisers Act for their respective portions of the Funds portfolio, unless directed otherwise.
ALPS Advisors, Inc. (AAI) has adopted and implemented the following policies and procedures, which it believes are reasonably
designed to: (1) ensure that proxies are voted in the best economic interest of clients and (2) address material conflicts of interest that may arise. AAI will provide clients with a copy of its policies and procedures, as they may be
updated from time to time, upon request. Information regarding AAIs proxy voting decisions is confidential. Therefore, the information may be shared on a need to know basis only, including within AAI. Advisory clients may obtain information on
how their proxies were voted by AAI. However, AAI will not selectively disclose its investment company clients proxy voting records to third parties; the investment company clients proxy records will be disclosed to shareholders by
publicly-available annual filings of each investment companys proxy voting record for 12-month periods ending June 30
th
.
POLICY:
All proxies regarding client
securities for which AAI has authority to vote will, unless AAI determines in accordance with policies stated below to refrain from voting, be voted in a manner considered by AAI to be in the best interest of AAIs clients without regard to any
resulting benefit or detriment to AAI or its affiliates. The best interest of clients is defined for this purpose as the interest of enhancing or protecting the economic value of client accounts, considered as a group rather than individually, as
AAI determines in its sole and absolute discretion. There may also be instances where a fund relies upon Section 12(d)(1)(F), and by law, the fund may be required to vote proxies in the same proportion as the vote of all other shareholders of
the acquired fund (i.e., echo vote). In the event a client believes that its other interests require a different vote, AAI will vote as the client clearly instructs, provided AAI receives such instructions in time to act accordingly.
AAI endeavors to vote, in accordance with this Policy, all proxies of which it becomes aware, subject to the
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following general exceptions (unless otherwise agreed) when AAI expects to routinely refrain from voting:
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1.
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Proxies will usually not be voted in cases where the security has been loaned from the Clients account.
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2.
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Proxies will usually not be voted in cases where AAI deems the costs to the Client and/or the administrative inconvenience of voting the security
outweigh the benefit of doing so (e.g., international issuers which impose share blocking restrictions).
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AAI seeks to
avoid the occurrence of actual or apparent material conflicts of interest in the proxy voting process by voting in accordance with predetermined voting guidelines and observing other procedures that are intended to guard against and manage conflicts
of interest (refer to Section III, Conflicts of Interest below).
PROCEDURES AND CONTROLS:
AAI has adopted the following proxy voting procedures and controls for any client securities which AAI has authority to vote on. Where proxy
voting is delegated to the sub-adviser, the sub-adviser will adopt proxy voting policies and procedures in accordance in conformance with Rule 206(4)-6 under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended.
I. PROXY COMMITTEE
AAI has established
a Proxy Committee whose standing members include Chief Compliance Officer, Deputy Chief Compliance Officer(s), Chief Investment Officer, Vice President of Investments and Head of Trading, and Vice President and Director of Index
Management & Product Oversight who participate as voting authorities on the Committee. Each standing member may designate a senior portfolio manager or a senior analyst officer to act as a substitute in a given matter on their behalf.
Additionally, the Proxy Committee regularly involves other associates (e.g., Fund CCO or Legal representative) who participate as needed to enable effective execution of the Committees responsibilities.
The Proxy Committees functions include, in part,
(a) direction of the vote on proposals where there has been a recommendation to the Proxy Committee not to vote according to the predetermined
Voting Guidelines (stated in Appendix A) or on proposals which require special, individual consideration in accordance with Section IV.C;
(b) review periodically this Proxy Voting Policy and Procedure to ensure consistency with internal policies, client disclosures and regulatory
requirements;
(c) development and modification of Voting Procedures, as stated in Section VI, as it deems appropriate or necessary.
II. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
For purposes
of this policy, a material conflict of interest is a relationship or activity engaged in by AAI, an AAI affiliate, or an AAI associate that creates an incentive (or appearance thereof) to favor the interests of AAI, the affiliate, or associate,
rather than the clients interests. For example, AAI may have a conflict of interest if either AAI has a significant business relationship with a company that is soliciting a proxy, or if an AAI associate involved in the proxy voting
decision-making process has a significant personal or family relationship with the particular company. A conflict of interest is considered to be material to the extent that a reasonable person
57
could expect the conflict to influence AAIs decision on the particular vote at issue. In all cases where there is deemed to be a material conflict of interest, AAI will seek to resolve it
in the clients best interests.
AAI follows the proxy guidelines and uses other research services provided by Institutional
Shareholder Services, Inc. (ISS) or another independent third party. In providing proxy voting services to AAI, ISS provides vote recommendations on a pre-determined policy. Generally, AAI will vote proxies based on ISS
pre-determined voting policy. In doing so, AAI demonstrates that its vote would not be a product of a conflict of interest as AAI would have little or no discretion on how the proxy was voted.
AAI has undertaken a review of ISS conflicts of interest procedures, and will continue to monitor them on an ongoing basis. In the event
that AAI determines that it would be appropriate to use another third party, it will undertake a similar conflicts of interest assessment review.
III.
PROXY VOTING GUIDELINES
A. AAIs Proxy Voting Guidelines General Practices.
The Proxy Committee has adopted the guidelines for voting proxies specified in Appendix A of this policy. AAI will use an independent,
third-party vendor to implement its proxy voting process as AAIs proxy voting agent. In general, whenever a vote is solicited, ISS or another independent third party will execute the vote according to AAIs Voting Guidelines.
B. Ability to Vote Proxies Other than as Provided by Voting Guidelines.
A portfolio manager or other party involved with a clients account may conclude that the best interest of the firms client, as
defined above, requires that a proxy be voted in a manner that differs from the predetermined proxy Voting Guidelines. In this situation, he or she will request that the Proxy Committee consider voting the proxy other than according to such
Guidelines. If any person, group, or entity requests the Proxy Committee (or any of its members) vote a proxy other than according to the predetermined Voting Guidelines, that person will furnish to the Proxy Committee a written explanation of the
reasons for the request and a description of the persons, groups, or entitys relationship, if any, with the parties proposing and/or opposing the matters adoption. The Proxy Committee may consider the matter including any
potential conflicts of interest. A research analyst or portfolio manager must disclose in in writing any inappropriate attempt to influence their recommendation or any other personal interest that they have with the issuer.
C. Other Proxy Proposals
For the
following categories of proposals either the Proxy Committee will determine how proxies related to all such proposals will be voted, or the proxies will be voted in accordance with ISS or an individual clients guidelines.
1.
New Proposals
. For each new type of proposal that is expected to be proposed to shareholders of multiple companies,
the Proxy Committee will develop a Voting Guideline which will be incorporated into this Policy.
2.
Accounts Adhering to
Taft Hartley Principles.
All proposals for these accounts will be voted according to the Taft Hartley Guidelines developed by ISS.
3.
Accounts Adhering to Socially Responsible Principles.
All proposals for these accounts will be voted according to the
Socially Responsible Guidelines developed by ISS or as specified by the client.
4.
Proxies of International Issuers which
Block Securities Sales between the Time a Shareholder submits a Proxy and the Vote
.
In general, AAI will refrain from voting such securities. However, in the exceptional
58
circumstances that AAI determines that it would be appropriate to vote such proxies, all proposals for these securities will be voted only on the specific instruction of the Proxy Committee and
to the extent practicable in accordance with the Voting Guidelines set forth in this Policy.
5.
Proxies of Investment
Company Shares.
Proposals on issues other than those specified in Section IV.A will be voted on the specific instruction of the Proxy Committee.
6.
Executive/Director Compensation.
Except as provided in Section IV.A, proposals relating to compensation of any
executive or director will be voted as recommended by ISS or as otherwise directed by the Proxy Committee.
7.
Preemptive
Rights
. Proposals to create or eliminate shareholder preemptive rights. In evaluating these proposals the Proxy Committee will consider the size of the company and the nature of its shareholder base.
IV. VOTING PROCEDURES
The Proxy
Committee has developed the following procedures to aid the voting of proxies according to the Voting Guidelines. The Proxy Committee may revise these procedures from time to time, as it deems necessary or appropriate to affect the purposes of this
Policy.
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AAI will use an independent, third-party vendor, to implement its proxy voting process as AAIs proxy voting agent. This retention is subject
to AAI continuously assessing the vendors independence from AAI and its affiliates, and the vendors ability to perform its responsibilities (and, especially, its responsibility to vote client proxies in accordance with AAIs proxy
voting guidelines) free of any actual, potential or apparent material conflicts of interests that may arise between the interests of the vendor, its affiliates, the vendors other clients and the owners, officers or employees of any such firm,
on the one hand, and AAIs clients, on the other hand. As means of performing this assessment, AAI will require various reports and notices from the vendor, as well as periodic audits of the vendors voting record and other due diligence.
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2.
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ISS will provide proxy analysis and record keeping services in addition to voting proxies on behalf of AAI in accordance with this Policy.
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3.
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On a daily basis, AAI will send to ISS a holdings file detailing each equity holding held in all accounts over which AAI has voting authority.
Information regarding equity holdings for international portfolios will be sent weekly.
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4.
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ISS will receive proxy material information from Proxy Edge or the custodian bank for the account. This will include issues to be voted upon,
together with a breakdown of holdings for AAI accounts. ISS will then reconcile information it receives from AAI with information that it has received from Proxy Edge and custodian banks. Any discrepancies will be promptly noted and resolved by ISS,
with notice to AAI.
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5.
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Whenever a vote is solicited, ISS will execute the vote according to AAIs Voting Guidelines which will be delivered by AAI to ISS as set
forth in Appendix A and anytime there is a material change to these guidelines.
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If ISS is unsure how to vote a particular proxy, ISS will issue a request for voting instructions to AAI over a secure website. AAI personnel will
check this website regularly. The request will be accompanied by a recommended vote. The recommended vote will be based upon ISS understanding of the Voting Guidelines previously delivered to ISS. AAI will promptly provide ISS with any
amendments or modifications to the Voting Guidelines if necessary. AAI will return a final instruction to vote to ISS, which ISS will record with Proxy Edge or the custodian bank as our agent.
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59
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6.
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Each time that ISS sends AAI a request to vote, the request will be accompanied by the recommended vote determined in accordance with AAIs
Voting Guidelines. ISS will vote as indicated in the request unless the client has reserved discretion, the Proxy Committee determines that the best interest of clients requires another vote, or the proposal is a matter as to which the Proxy
Committee affords special, individual consideration under Section IV.C. In such situations, ISS will vote based on the direction of the client or the Proxy Committee, as the case may be. The interests of AAIs Taft Hartley or Socially
Responsible clients may impact a proposal that normally should be voted in a certain way. ISS will inform AAI of all proposals having impact on its Taft Hartley and or Socially Responsible clients. The Proxy Voting Committee will be consulted before
a vote is placed in cases where Taft Hartley or Socially Responsible issues are presented.
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7.
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ISS will have procedures in place to ensure that a vote is cast on every security holding maintained by AAI on which a vote is solicited unless
otherwise directed by the Proxy Committee. On a yearly basis, or as required by our clients AAI will receive a report from ISS detailing AAIs voting for the previous period.
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V. SUPERVISION
Managers and supervisory
personnel are responsible for ensuring that their associates understand and follow this policy and any applicable procedures adopted by the business group to implement the policy. The Proxy Committee has ultimate responsibility for the
implementation of this Policy.
VI. ESCALATION
With the exception of conflicts of interest-related matters, issues arising under this policy should be escalated to AAIs CCO, or
designee. Issues involving potential or actual conflicts of interest should be promptly communicated to Compliance or Legal. Compliance will notify the Fund Chief Compliance Officer(s), if a material conflict of interest has arisen that deems the
attention of the respective Fund Board(s).
VII. MONITORING
AAIs Compliance Department is primarily responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the proxy voting process. The Compliance
Departments monitoring will take into account the following elements: (1) periodic review of ISS votes to ensure that ISS is accurately voting consistent with AAIs Proxy Guidelines; and (2) review of funds N-PX report to
ensure that its filed in a timely and accurate manner. Additionally, AAI will review ISS conflicts of interest policies.
VIII.
AVAILABILITY OF PROXY POLICY AND VOTING RECORD
A summary disclosure regarding the provisions of this Policy is available in
AAIs Form ADV. Upon receipt of a Clients request for more information, AAI will provide to the Client a copy of this Policy and/or how AAI voted proxies for the Client pursuant to this Policy for up to a one-year period. It is AAIs
policy not to disclose how it voted a clients proxy to third parties.
With respect to its investment company clients, AAI will not
selectively disclose its investment company clients proxy voting records; rather, ALPS will disclose such information by publicly available annual filings. AAI will create and maintain records of each investment companys proxy record for
12-month periods ended June 30
th
. AAI will compile the following information for each matter relating to a portfolio security considered at any shareholder meeting during the period covered
by the annual report and which the company was entitled to vote:
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The name of the issuer of the security;
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The exchange ticker symbol of the portfolio security (is symbol is available through reasonably practicable means);
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The Council on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures number for the portfolio security (if number is available through reasonably
practicable means);
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The shareholder meeting date;
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A brief identification of the matter voted on;
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Whether the matter was proposed by the issuer or by a security holder;
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Whether the company cast its vote on the matter;
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How the company cast its vote (e.g., for or against proposal, or abstain; for or withhold regarding the election of directors); and
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Whether the company cast its vote for or against management.
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OTHER RECORD KEEPING REQUIREMENTS
Business groups and support partners are responsible for maintaining all records necessary to evidence compliance with this policy. The
records must be properly maintained and readily accessible in order to evidence compliance with this policy.
These records include:
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Proxy Committee Meeting Minutes and Other Materials
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Analysis and Supporting Materials of Investment Management Personnel Concerning Proxy Decisions and Recommendations
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Conflicts of Interest Review Documentation, including Conflicts of Interest Forms
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Client Communications Regarding Proxy Matters
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Records should be retained for a period of not less than six years. Records must be retained in an appropriate office of AAI for the
first three years.
Dated: November 29, 2006
Amended: December, 22, 2010, February 14, 2013
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Appendix A
Summary of Proxy Voting Guidelines
AAI
has adopted Institutional Shareholder Services, Inc.s guidelines. AAI retains the right to override any of ISS guidelines on a case-by-case basis. A concise summary of ISS current Proxy Voting Guidelines can be found at
http://www.issgovernance.com/policy.
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Appendix B
Conflicts of Interest Disclosure Form
ALPS ADVISORS,
INC.
PROXY VOTING CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE FORM
1.
Company name:
2. Date of
Meeting:
3.
Referral Item(s):
4. Description of AAIs Business Relationship with Issuer of Proxy which may give rise to a conflict of interest:
5.
Describe
procedures used to address any conflict of interest:
Compliance will consider information about
AAIs significant business relationships, as well as other relevant information. The information considered by Compliance may include information regarding: (1) AAI client and other business relationships; (2) any relevant personal
conflicts; and (3) communications between investment professionals and parties outside the AAI investment division regarding the proxy matter. Compliance will consult with relevant experts, including legal counsel, as necessary.
If Compliance determines that it reasonably believes (1) AAI has a material conflict of interest, or (2) certain individuals should
be recused from participating in the proxy vote at issue, Compliance will inform the Chair of the Proxy Committee. Where a material conflict of interest is determined to have arisen in the proxy voting process, AAIs policy is to invoke one or
more of the following conflict management procedures:
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a.
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Causing the proxies to be voted in accordance with the recommendations of an independent third party (which generally will be AAIs proxy
voting agent);
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b.
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Causing the proxies to be delegated to a qualified, independent third party, which may include AAIs proxy voting agent.
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c.
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In unusual cases, with the Clients consent and upon ample notice, forwarding the proxies to AAIs clients so that they may vote the
proxies directly.
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Affiliate Investment Companies and Public Companies
AAI considers (1) proxies solicited by open-end and closed-end investment companies for which AAI or an affiliate serves as an investment
adviser or principal underwriter to present a material conflict of interest for AAI. Consequently, the proxies of such affiliates will be voted following one of the conflict management procedures discussed above.
Management of Conflicts of Interest Additional Procedures
AAI has various compliance policies and procedures in place in order to address any material conflicts of interest that might arise in this
context.
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a.
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AAIs Code of Ethics affirmatively requires that associates of AAI act in a manner whereby no actual or apparent conflict of interest may be
seen as arising between the associates interests and those of AAIs Clients.
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b.
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By assuming his or her responsibilities pursuant to this Policy, each member of the Proxy Committee (including the chairperson) and any AAI or ALPS
associate advising or acting under the supervision or oversight of the Proxy Committee undertakes:
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To disclose in writing to AAIs Chief Compliance Officer any actual or apparent personal material conflicts of interest which he or she may
have (e.g., by way of substantial ownership of securities, relationships with nominees for directorship, members of an issuers or dissidents management or otherwise) in determining whether or how AAI will vote proxies. Additionally, each
member must disclose any direct, indirect or perceived influence or attempt to influence such action which the member or associate views as being inconsistent with the purpose or provisions of this Policy or the Code of Ethics of AAI or ALPS. In the
event any member of the Proxy Committee has a conflict of interest regarding a given matter, he or she will abstain from participating in the Committees determination of whether and/or how to vote in the matter; and
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To refrain from taking into consideration, in the decision as to whether or how AAI will vote proxies the existence of any current or prospective
material business relationship between AAI, ALPS or any of their affiliates, on one hand, and any party (or its affiliates) that is soliciting or is otherwise interested in the proxies to be voted, on the other hand.
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c. In certain circumstances, AAI follows the proxy guidelines and uses other research services provided by Institutional Shareholder Services,
Inc. (ISS) or another independent third party. AAI has undertaken a review of ISS conflicts of interest procedures, and will continue to monitor them on an ongoing basis. In the event that AAI determines that it would be
appropriate to use another third party, it will undertake a similar conflicts of interest assessment review.
6. Describe any contacts
from parties outside AAI (other than routine communications from proxy solicitors) with respect to the referral item not otherwise reported in an investment professionals recommendation:
CERTIFICATION
The undersigned personnel of AAI
certifies that, to the best of his/her knowledge, any recommendation of an investment professional provided under circumstances where a conflict of interest exists was made solely on the investment merits and without regard to any other
consideration.
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
ALPS VARIABLE INVESTMENT TRUST
ALPS/Stadion Tactical Defensive Portfolio: Class I (N/A), Class II (ALSPX) and Class III (ALSTX)
April 30, 2014
A Prospectus for the shares of the Portfolio dated April 30, 2014 (the Prospectus), provides the basic information you should know
before investing in the Portfolio. This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) is incorporated by reference into the Prospectus; in other words, this SAI is legally part of the Prospectus. Although this SAI is not a
prospectus, it contains information in addition to the information set forth in the Prospectus. It is intended to provide additional information regarding the activities of the Portfolio and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectus.
The most recent annual report of ALPS Variable Investment Trust, a Delaware statutory trust (the Trust), is incorporated by reference into this SAI, and can be obtained free of charge by calling the toll-free number printed below.
You may obtain, without charge, the current Prospectus and SAI for the Portfolio by writing to your insurance company, plan sponsor or
contacting the Trust at (866) 432-2926. You may also visit the Portfolios website at www.alpsfunds.com.
The Portfolio is
an investment vehicle for variable annuity contracts and variable life insurance policies (Contracts). The Portfolio also may be used as an investment vehicle for qualified pension and retirement plans and certain registered and
unregistered separate accounts. Shares of the Portfolio (Shares) are offered only to participating insurance companies and their separate accounts to fund the benefits of Contracts, and to qualified pension and retirement plans and
registered and unregistered separate accounts. Shares are not offered to the general public.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRUST
TRUST ORGANIZATION. The Portfolio is a separate portfolio of the Trust, an open-end management investment company organized as
a Delaware statutory trust by a Declaration of Trust dated July 26, 2000. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to create additional Portfolios and Classes. On April 30, 2013, the Trust changed its name from Financial Investors
Variable Insurance Trust. There are currently eight Portfolios of the Trust.
The assets of the Trust received for
the issue or sale of shares of the Portfolio and all income, earnings, profits, and proceeds thereof, subject only to the rights of creditors, are specially allocated to such Portfolio, and constitute the underlying assets of such Portfolio. The
underlying assets of each Portfolio are segregated on the books of account, and are to be charged with the liabilities with respect to such Portfolio and with a share of the general expenses of the Trust. Expenses with respect to the Trust are to be
allocated in proportion to the asset value of the respective Portfolios except where allocations of direct expense can otherwise be fairly made. The officers of the Trust, subject to the general supervision of the Trustees, have the power to
determine which expenses are allocable to a given Portfolio, or which are general or allocable to all of the Portfolios. In the event of the dissolution or liquidation of the Trust, shareholders of a Portfolio are entitled to receive as a class the
underlying assets of such Portfolio available for distribution.
SHAREHOLDER AND TRUSTEE LIABILITY. The Declaration of
Trust provides that the Trust shall not have any claim against shareholders except for the payment of the purchase price of shares and requires that each agreement, obligation, or instrument entered into or executed by the Trust or the Trustees
shall include a provision limiting the obligations created thereby to the Trust and its assets. The Declaration of Trust provides for indemnification out of each Portfolios property of any shareholders held personally liable for the
obligations of each Portfolio. The Declaration of Trust also provides that each Portfolio shall, upon request, assume the defense of any claim made against any shareholder for any act or obligation of a Portfolio and satisfy any judgment thereon.
Thus, the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability is limited to circumstances in which the Portfolio itself would be unable to meet its obligations. The Trustees believe that, in view of the above, the risk
of personal liability to shareholders is remote.
The Declaration of Trust further provides that the Trustees, if they
have exercised reasonable care, will not be liable for any neglect or wrongdoing, but nothing in the Declaration of Trust protects a Trustee against any liability to which he would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith,
gross negligence, or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his office.
Insurance companies and
qualified plans will typically be each Portfolios only shareholders of record, and pursuant to the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), such shareholders may be deemed to be in control of the Portfolio. When a
shareholders meeting occurs, each insurance company generally solicits and accepts voting instructions from its Contract owners who have allocated or transferred monies for an investment in the Portfolio as of the record date of the meeting.
Each shareholder then votes the Portfolios shares that are attributable to its interests in the Portfolio in which it is entitled to vote, in proportion to the voting instructions received.
Typically for insurance companies, each Portfolio is available through separate accounts relating to both variable annuity and
variable life insurance contracts. The Portfolios do not currently foresee any material disadvantages to Contract owners arising from offering their shares to variable annuity and variable life insurance policy separate accounts, and the Trustees
continuously monitor events for the existence of material irreconcilable conflict between or among Contract owners and qualified pension or retirement plan participants. Material conflicts could arise from, for example, (i) changes in state
insurance laws; (ii) changes in federal income tax laws; or (iii) differences in voting instructions between those given by variable life owners and variable annuity owners. If a material irreconcilable conflict arises, as determined by
the Board of Trustees, one or more separate accounts or qualified pension or retirement plans may withdraw their investment in the Portfolio. This could possibly require the Portfolio to sell securities. Each insurance company will bear the expenses
of establishing separate portfolios for its variable annuity and variable life insurance separate accounts, and each qualified pension or retirement plan will bear the expenses of establishing separate portfolios for its qualified plan, if such
action becomes necessary. However, intermediary expenses that are ultimately borne by Contract owners or qualified plan participants will likely increase due to the loss of economies of scale benefits that can be provided to separate accounts or
qualified plans with substantial assets.
VOTING RIGHTS. Each Portfolios capital consists of shares of beneficial
interest. The shares have no preemptive or conversion rights; dividend rights, the right of redemption, and the privilege of exchange are described in the Prospectus. Shares are fully paid and nonassessable, except as set forth under the heading
Shareholder and Trustee Liability above. Shareholders representing 10% or more of the Trust or a Portfolio may, as set forth in the Declaration of Trust, call meetings of the Trust or a Portfolio for any purpose related to the Trust or
Portfolio, as the case may be, including, in the case of a meeting of the entire Trust, the purpose of voting on removal of one or more Trustees. The Trust or any Portfolio may be terminated upon the sale of its assets to another open-end management
investment company, or upon liquidation and distribution of its assets, if approved by vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Trust or that Portfolio. If not so terminated, the Trust and each Portfolio will continue
indefinitely.
INVESTMENT RESTRICTIONS AND LIMITATIONS
The investment restrictions designated as fundamental in the following have been adopted by the Portfolio as
fundamental policies and may be changed only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Portfolio. As used in this SAI and in the prospectus, the term majority of the outstanding shares of the Portfolio
means the affirmative vote of, the lesser of:
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67% or more of the Portfolios shares present at a meeting, if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Portfolio are
present or represented by proxy, or
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more than 50% of the Portfolios outstanding shares.
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Fundamental Investment Restrictions
These investment restrictions provide that the Portfolio may not:
(1) Issue senior securities, except as permitted by the 1940 Act;
(2) Borrow money (including, without limitation, borrowing to meet redemptions), except to the extent permitted under the 1940
Act. For purposes of this investment restriction, the entry into options, forward contracts, futures contracts, including those relating to indices, and options on futures contracts or indices shall not constitute borrowing;
(3) Pledge, mortgage or hypothecate its assets, except to the extent necessary to secure permitted borrowings and to the
extent related to the deposit of assets in escrow in connection with writing covered put and call options and the purchase of securities on a when-issued or forward commitment basis and collateral and initial or variation margin arrangements with
respect to options, forward contracts, futures contracts, including those relating to indices, and options on futures contracts or indices;
(4) Act as underwriter except to the extent that, in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities, the Portfolio
may be deemed to be an underwriter under certain federal securities laws;
(5) Make loans, provided that the Portfolio may
lend its portfolio securities in an amount up to 33% of total Fund assets, and provided further that, for purposes of this restriction, investment in U.S. Government obligations, short-term commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers
acceptances and repurchase agreements shall not be deemed to be the making of a loan;
(6) Purchase or sell real estate or
interests in real estate; provided, however, that the Portfolio may purchase and sell securities which are secured by real estate and securities of companies which invest or deal in real estate (including, without limitation, investments in REITs
and mortgage-backed securities);
(7) Invest 25% or more of its total assets in securities of issuers in any particular
industry. For purposes of
4
this limitation, securities of the U.S. Government (including its agencies and instrumentalities), securities of state or municipal governments and their political subdivisions and investments in
other registered investment companies are not considered to be issued by members of any industry. If the Portfolio invests in a revenue bond tied to a particular industry, the Portfolio will consider such investment to be issued by a member of the
industry to which the revenue bond is tied; and
(8) Invest directly in commodities, except that the Portfolio may invest
in securities of issuers, including other registered investment companies, whose business is related to commodities, and in derivatives or other instruments that are regarded as commodity interests under the Commodity Exchange Act.
Non-fundamental Investment Restrictions
Non-fundamental investment restrictions may be amended by a majority vote of the Trustees of the Trust, without obtaining
shareholder approval. Under the non-fundamental investment restrictions, the Portfolio may not:
(1) Purchase
securities on margin (but the Portfolio may obtain such short-term credits as may be necessary for the clearance of transactions). For purposes of this limitation, short sales of securities and futures trades, forward contracts or similar trades
requiring margin deposits or other use of a margin account are not considered purchasing securities on margin;
(2)Make
investments for the purpose of exercising control or management over a portfolio company;
(3) Invest in securities of
other registered investment companies, except as permitted under the 1940 Act;
(4) Invest in interests in oil, gas or
other mineral exploration or development programs, although the Portfolio may invest in the common stock of companies which invest in or sponsor such programs;
(5) Purchase warrants if as a result the Portfolio would then have more than 5% of its total net assets (taken at the lower of
cost or current value) invested in warrants; and
(6) Invest more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities.
With respect to the fundamental and non-fundamental investment restrictions above, if a percentage
limitation is adhered to at the time of investment, a later increase or decrease in percentage resulting from any change in value or net assets will not result in a violation of such restriction (i.e., percentage limitations are determined at the
time of purchase): provided, however, that the treatment of the fundamental restrictions related to borrowing money, investing in illiquid securities and issuing senior securities are exceptions to this general rule.
With respect to the above fundamental investment restriction on borrowing money, the entry into options, forward contracts,
futures contracts, including those relating to indices, and options on futures contracts or indices shall not constitute borrowing.
With respect to the above fundamental investment restriction on making loans, investment in U.S. Government obligations,
short-term commercial paper, certificates of deposit, bankers acceptances and repurchase agreements shall not be deemed to be the making of a loan.
With respect to the above non-fundamental investment restriction on purchasing securities on margin, short sales of securities
and futures trades, forward contracts or similar trades requiring margin deposits or other use of a margin account are not considered purchasing securities on margin.
The 1940 Act presently allows a fund to borrow from any bank (including pledging, mortgaging or hypothecating assets) in an
amount up to 33
1
⁄
3
% of its total assets and the Portfolio will, to the extent necessary, reduce its existing borrowings (within 3 days, excluding Sundays and
holidays) to comply with the provisions of the 1940 Act.
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Classification
The 1940 Act classifies mutual funds as either diversified or non-diversified. The Portfolio is classified as
diversified.
Commodity Pool Operator Status
Rule 4.5 under the Commodity Exchange Act (CEA), as amended, exempts an adviser of a fund that invests in
commodity interests from registration as a commodity pool operator (CPO) provided that, among other restrictions, the adviser enters into such positions solely for bona fide hedging purposes or limits
its use of commodity interests for non-bona fide hedging purposes such that (i) the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish non-bona fide hedging positions do not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of the funds
portfolio, or (ii) the aggregate notional value of the non-bona fide hedging commodity interests do not exceed 100% of the liquidation value of the funds portfolio.
The Adviser and/or Sub-Adviser, as applicable, of the Portfolio intends to either: (i) comply with the requirements of
the CEA by operating the Portfolio in a manner consistent with the restrictions of Rule 4.5, including filing a notice of eligibility of exemption from registration in accordance with applicable procedures and deadlines; (ii) comply with the
requirements of the CEA by registering as a CPO or Commodity Trading Advisor (CTA), as applicable, with the CFTC and the National Futures Association; or (iii) operate the Portfolio in a manner such that the Portfolio will not be a
commodity pool under the CEA.
Master/Feeder Structure
In lieu of investing directly, the Board of Trustees may consider whether the Portfolios investment objective would be
furthered by converting to a Master/Feeder Portfolio Structure, pursuant to which the Portfolio would invest all of its investable assets in an investment company having substantially the same investment objective and policies as the
Portfolio. The Master/Feeder Portfolio Structure is an arrangement that allows several investment companies with different shareholder-related features or distribution channels, but having substantially the same investment objectives, policies
and restrictions, to combine their investments by investing all of their assets in the same portfolio instead of managing them separately.
Conversion to a Master/Feeder Portfolio Structure may serve to attract other collective investment vehicles with different
shareholder servicing or distribution arrangements and with shareholders that would not have invested in the Portfolio. In addition, a Master/Feeder Portfolio Structure may serve as an alternative for large, institutional investors in the
Portfolio who may prefer to offer separate, proprietary investment vehicles and who otherwise might establish such vehicles outside of the Portfolios current operational structure. No assurance can be given, however, that the
Master/Feeder Portfolio Structure will result in the Portfolio stabilizing its expenses or achieving greater operational efficiencies.
The Portfolios methods of operation and shareholder services would not be materially affected by its investment in
another investment company (Master Portfolio) having substantially the same investment objective and polices as the Portfolio, except that the assets of the Portfolio may be managed as part of a larger pool of assets. If the
Portfolio invested all of its assets in a Master Portfolio, it would hold beneficial interests in the Master Portfolio and the Master Portfolio would directly invest in accordance with the objectives and policies described for the
Portfolio. The Portfolio would otherwise continue its normal operation. The Board of Trustees would retain the right to withdraw the Portfolios investment from a Master Portfolio at any time it determines that it would be in the best
interest of shareholders to do so. The Portfolio would then resume investing directly in individual securities of other issuers or invest in another Master Portfolio.
If the Board of Trustees determines that a conversion to a Master/Feeder Portfolio Structure is in the best interest of the
Portfolios shareholders, it will consider and evaluate specific proposals prior to the implementation of a conversion. Furthermore, the Portfolios Prospectus and SAI would be amended to reflect the implementation of the
Portfolios conversion and its shareholders would be notified in advance of any such conversion.
6
INVESTMENT INSTRUMENTS AND ASSOCIATED RISKS
The Prospectus discusses the investment objective of the Portfolio and the policies to be employed to achieve the objective.
This section contains supplemental information concerning certain types of securities and other instruments in which the Portfolio may invest, either directly or indirectly by investing in exchange-traded funds or other investment companies, and
certain risks attendant to such investment.
Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs).
As noted in the Prospectus,
the Portfolio may invest in ETFs and cash or cash equivalent positions. The shares of an ETF may be assembled in a block (typically 50,000 shares) known as a creation unit and redeemed in kind for a portfolio of the underlying securities (based on
the ETFs net asset value) together with a cash payment generally equal to accumulated dividends as of the date of redemption. Conversely, a creation unit may be purchased from the ETF by depositing a specified portfolio of the ETFs
underlying securities, as well as a cash payment generally equal to accumulated dividends of the securities (net of expenses) up to the time of deposit. The Portfolio intends to be short-term investors in ETFs, but does not intend to purchase and
redeem creation units to take advantage of short-term arbitrage opportunities. However, the Portfolio may redeem creation units for the underlying securities (and any applicable cash), and may assemble a portfolio of the underlying securities and
use it (and any required cash) to purchase creation units, if the Adviser or Sub-Adviser, as applicable, believes it is in the Portfolios interest to do so. The Portfolios ability to redeem creation units may be limited by the 1940 Act,
which provides that the ETFs will not be obligated to redeem shares held by the Portfolio in an amount exceeding one percent of their total outstanding securities during any period of less than 30 days.
There is a risk that the underlying ETFs in which the Portfolio invests may terminate due to extraordinary events that may
cause any of the service providers to the ETFs, such as the trustee or sponsor, to close or otherwise fail to perform their obligations to the ETF. Also, because the ETFs in which the Portfolio intends to principally invest may be granted licenses
by agreement to use various indices as a basis for determining their compositions and/or otherwise to use certain trade names, the ETFs may terminate if such license agreements are terminated. In addition, an ETF may terminate if its net assets fall
below a certain amount. Although the Portfolio believes that, in the event of the termination of an underlying ETF, it will be able to invest instead in shares of an alternate ETF tracking the same market index or another market index within the
same general market, there is no guarantee that shares of an alternate ETF would be available for investment at that time.
An investment in an ETF generally presents the same primary risks as an investment in a conventional fund (i.e., one that is
not exchange traded), including the risk that the general level of stock prices, or that the prices of stocks within a particular sector, may increase or decline, thereby affecting the value of the shares of an ETF. In addition, ETFs are subject to
the following risks that do not apply to conventional funds: (1) the market price of an ETFs shares may trade at a discount to its net asset value; (2) an active trading market for an ETFs shares may not develop or be
maintained; (3) trading of an ETFs shares may be halted if the listing exchange deems such action appropriate; and (4) ETF shares may be delisted from the exchange on which they trade, or activation of circuit breakers
(which are tied to large decreases in stock prices) may halt trading temporarily. ETFs are also subject to the risks of the underlying securities or sectors the ETF is designed to track.
Fixed Income ETFs.
There are risks associated with the potential investment of the Portfolios assets in fixed
income ETFs which may include credit risk, interest rate risk and maturity risk as described below:
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Credit Risk.
Credit risk is the risk that the issuer or guarantor of a fixed income security or counterparty to a transaction involving one
or more bonds in an ETFs portfolio will be unable or unwilling to make timely principal and/or interest payments, or otherwise will be unable or unwilling to honor its financial obligations. If the issuer, guarantor, or counterparty fails to
pay interest, an ETFs income may be reduced. If the issuer, guarantor, or counterparty fails to repay principal, the value of that security and of the particular ETFs shares may be reduced. ETFs may be subject to credit risk to the
extent that they invest in fixed income securities which involve a promise by a third party to honor an obligation with respect to the fixed income security. Securities rated BBB by Standard & Poors (S&P) or Fitch
Ratings, Ltd. (Fitch) or Baa by Moodys Investors Service, Inc. (Moodys) are considered investment-grade securities, but are
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somewhat riskier than more highly-rated investment-grade obligations (those rated A or better) because they are regarded as having only an adequate capacity to pay principal and interest, are
considered to lack outstanding investment characteristics, and may be speculative. Such investment-grade securities will be subject to higher credit risk and may be subject to greater fluctuations in value than higher-rated securities. Credit risk
is particularly significant for investments in junk bonds or lower than investment-grade securities.
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Interest Rate Risk.
The price of a bond or a fixed income security is dependent upon interest rates. Therefore, the share price and total
return of an ETF, when investing a significant portion of its assets in bonds or fixed income securities, will vary in response to changes in interest rates. There is the possibility that the value of an ETFs investment in bonds or fixed
income securities may fall because bonds or fixed income securities generally fall in value when interest rates rise. The longer the term of a bond or fixed income instrument, the more sensitive it will be to fluctuations in value from interest rate
changes. Changes in interest rates may have a more pronounced effect if the ETF holds a significant portion of its assets in fixed income securities with long-term maturities.
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In the case of mortgage-backed securities, rising interest rates tend to extend the term to maturity of the securities,
making them even more susceptible to interest rate changes. When interest rates drop, not only can the value of fixed income securities drop, but also the yield can drop, particularly where the yield is tied to changes in interest rates, such as
adjustable mortgages. Also when interest rates drop, the holdings of mortgage-backed securities by an ETF can reduce returns if the owners of the underlying mortgages pay off their mortgages sooner than expected since the funds prepaid must be
reinvested at lower prevailing interest rates. This is known as prepayment risk. When interest rates rise, the holdings of mortgage-backed securities by an ETF can reduce returns if the owners of the underlying mortgages pay off their mortgages
later than anticipated. This is known as extension risk.
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Maturity Risk.
Maturity risk is another factor that can affect the value of an ETFs fixed income holdings. Certain ETFs may not have a
limitation policy regarding the length of maturity for their fixed income holdings. In general, fixed income obligations with longer maturities have higher yields and a greater sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Conversely, fixed income
obligations with shorter maturities generally have lower yields but less sensitivity to changes in interest rates.
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Money Market Mutual Funds.
In order to maintain sufficient liquidity, to implement investment strategies or for
temporary defensive purposes, the Portfolio may invest a significant portion of its assets in shares of one or more money market funds. Generally, money market mutual funds are registered investment companies that seek to earn income consistent with
the preservation of capital and maintenance of liquidity by investing primarily in high quality money market instruments, including U.S. government obligations, bank obligations and high-grade corporate instruments. An investment in a money market
mutual fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Company or any other governmental agency, entity or person. While investor losses in money market mutual funds have been rare, they are possible. In addition, the Portfolio
will incur additional indirect expenses due to acquired fund fees and other costs to the extent it invests in shares of money market mutual funds.
Other Investment Companies.
As noted in the Prospectus, the Portfolio is a fund of funds. The term
fund of funds is typically used to describe investment companies whose principal investment strategy involves investing in other investment companies. Under the 1940 Act, the Portfolio may not acquire shares of another investment company
(ETFs or other investment companies) if, immediately after such acquisition, the Portfolio and its affiliated persons would hold more than 3% of the ETFs or investment companys total outstanding stock (3% Limitation).
Accordingly, the Portfolio is subject to the 3% Limitation unless (i) the ETF or the Portfolio has received an order for exemptive relief from the 3% Limitation from the SEC that is applicable to the Portfolio; and (ii) the ETF and the
Portfolio take appropriate steps to comply with any conditions in such order. The SEC has issued such exemptive orders to numerous ETFs and their investment advisers, which permit investment companies, including the Portfolio, to invest in such ETFs
(Exempted ETFs) beyond the 3% Limitation, subject to certain terms and conditions, including that such investment companies enter into an agreement with the Exempted ETF. The Trust has entered into such an agreement with a number of
Exempted ETFs so that the Portfolio will be permitted to invest in such Exempted ETFs in
8
excess of the 3% Limitation. To the extent other ETFs obtain similar exemptive relief from the SEC, the Portfolio may seek to qualify to invest in such other ETFs in excess of the 3% Limitation.
To the extent the 3% Limitation applies to certain ETFs, that limitation may prevent the Portfolio from allocating its
investments in the manner that the Adviser or Sub-Adviser considers optimal, or cause the Adviser or Sub-Adviser to select a similar basket of stocks (pre-selected groups of securities related by index or sector made available through certain
brokers at a discount brokerage rate) (Stock Baskets) or a similar index-based mutual fund or other investment company (collectively, Indexed Investments) as an alternative. The Portfolio may also invest in Indexed
Investments when the Adviser or Sub-Adviser believes they represent more attractive opportunities than similar ETFs. The Portfolios investments in other investment companies will be subject to the same 3% Limitation described above.
Under the 1940 Act, to the extent that the Portfolio relies upon Section 12(d)(1)(F) in purchasing securities issued by
another investment company, the Portfolio must either seek instructions from its shareholders with regard to the voting of all proxies with respect to its investment in such securities (ETFs and other investment companies) and vote such proxies only
in accordance with the instructions, or vote the shares held by it in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of the securities. In the event that there is a vote of ETF or other investment company shares held by the Portfolio, the
Portfolio intends to vote such shares in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of such securities.
EQUITY SECURITIES.
The Portfolio may invest in equity securities, both directly (including, without limitation,
investments in Stock Baskets) and indirectly through the Portfolios investment in shares of ETFs and other investment companies. The equity portion of the Portfolios portfolio may include common stocks traded on foreign or domestic
securities exchanges or on the over-the-counter market. In addition to common stocks, the equity portion of the Portfolios portfolio may also include preferred stocks, convertible preferred stocks, and convertible bonds. Prices of equity
securities in which the Portfolio invests may fluctuate in response to many factors, including, but not limited to, the activities of the individual companies whose securities the Portfolio owns, general market and economic conditions, interest
rates, and specific industry changes. Such price fluctuations subject the Portfolio to potential losses. In addition, regardless of any one companys particular prospects, a declining stock market may produce a decline in prices for all equity
securities, which could also result in losses for the Portfolio. Market declines may continue for an indefinite period of time, and investors should understand that during temporary or extended bear markets, the value of equity securities will
decline.
Investments in ETFs and similar securities involve certain inherent risks generally associated with investments
in a broadly-based portfolio of stocks including: (1) risks that the general level of stock prices may decline, thereby adversely affecting the value of each unit of the ETF or other security; (2) an ETF may not fully replicate the
performance of its benchmark index because of the temporary unavailability of certain index securities in the secondary market or discrepancies between the ETF and the index with respect to the weighting of securities or number of stocks held;
(3) an ETF may also be adversely affected by the performance of the specific index, market sector or group of industries on which it is based; and (4) an ETF may not track an index as well as a traditional index mutual fund because ETFs
are valued by the market and, therefore, there may be a difference between the market value and the ETFs net asset value.
FOREIGN SECURITIES.
The Portfolio may invest directly or indirectly in foreign debt or equity securities traded on U.S.
exchanges, in over-the-counter markets or in the form of American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) described below. The Portfolio may also invest in foreign currency and foreign currency-denominated securities. As noted in the Prospectus,
investing in securities issued by companies whose principal business activities are outside the United States may involve significant risks not present in domestic investments. The value of securities denominated in or indexed to foreign currencies,
and of dividends and interest from such securities, can change significantly when foreign currencies strengthen or weaken relative to the U.S. dollar. Foreign securities markets generally have less trading volume and less liquidity than U.S. markets
and prices on some foreign markets can be highly volatile. Many foreign countries lack uniform accounting and disclosure standards comparable to those applicable to U.S. companies and it may be more difficult to obtain reliable information regarding
an issuers financial condition and operations. Some foreign countries impose conditions and restrictions on foreigners ownership of interests in local issuers, including restring ownership to certain classes of investment in an issuer,
which may reduce potential investment returns and impair disposition of those
9
investments. Additional costs associated with an investment in foreign securities may include higher custodial fees than those applicable to domestic custodial arrangements, and transaction costs
of foreign currency conversions.
Foreign markets may offer less protection to investors than U.S. markets. Foreign
issuers, brokers and securities markets may be subject to less government supervision. Foreign securities trading practices, including those involving the release of assets in advance of payment, may involve increased risks in the event of a failed
trade or the insolvency of a broker-dealer, and may involve substantial delays. It may also be difficult to enforce legal rights in foreign countries because of inconsistent legal interpretations or less defined legal and regulatory provisions or
because of corruption or influence on local courts.
Investing abroad also involves different political and economic
risks. Foreign investments may be affected by actions of foreign governments adverse to the interests of U.S. investors, including the possibility of expropriation or nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation, restrictions on U.S. investment
or on the ability to repatriate assets or convert currency into U.S. dollars or other governmental intervention. There may be a greater possibility of default by foreign governments or foreign government-sponsored enterprises and securities issued
or guaranteed by foreign governments, their agencies, instrumentalities or political subdivisions, may or may not be supported by the full faith and credit and taxing power of the foreign government. Investments in foreign countries also involve a
risk of local political, economic or social instability, military action or unrest or adverse diplomatic developments. There is no assurance that the Adviser or Sub-Adviser, as applicable, will be able to anticipate these potential events or counter
their effects.
Depositary Receipts.
American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) provide a method whereby the
Portfolio may invest in securities issued by companies whose principal business activities are outside the United States. ADRs are receipts typically issued by a U.S. bank or trust company evidencing ownership of the underlying securities, and may
be issued as sponsored or unsponsored programs. In sponsored programs, an issuer has made arrangements to have its securities trade in the form of ADRs. In unsponsored programs, the issuer may not be directly involved in the creation of the program.
Although regulatory requirements with respect to sponsored and unsponsored programs are generally similar, in some cases it may be easier to obtain financial information from an issuer that participates in a sponsored program.
Foreign Currency Transactions.
Investments in foreign securities involve currency risk. Although the Portfolio may
engage in various transactions to hedge currency risk, no Fund is not required to do so. The instruments the Portfolio may use for this purpose include forward foreign currency contracts, foreign currency futures contracts and options on foreign
currencies.
A forward foreign currency contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a specified currency at a future
date which may be any fixed number of days from the date of the contract agreed upon by the parties, at a price established at the time of the contract. These contracts are entered into directly between currency traders and their customers. The
Portfolio may use these contracts to purchase or sell a foreign currency for the purpose of locking in the U.S. dollar price of foreign securities the Portfolio has agreed to purchase or the amount in U.S. dollars that the Portfolio will receive
when it has sold foreign securities.
Currency futures contracts are similar to forward currency contracts, except that
they are traded on exchanges (and have margin requirements) and are standardized as to contract size and delivery date. The Portfolio may purchase or sell foreign currency futures contracts to protect against fluctuations in the U.S. dollar values
of foreign securities. For example, the Portfolio may sell a futures contract on a foreign currency when it holds securities denominated in that currency and it anticipates a decline in the value of that currency relative to the U.S. dollar. If such
a decline were to occur, the resulting adverse effect on the value of the foreign-denominated securities may be offset, in whole or in part, by gains on the futures contract.
A currency option is the right - but not the obligation - to buy (in the case of a call) or sell (in the case of a put) a set
amount of one currency for another at a predetermined time in the future. The two parties to a currency option contract are the option buyer and the option seller/writer. The option buyer may, for an agreed upon price, purchase from the option
writer a commitment that the option writer will sell (or purchase) a specified amount of a foreign currency upon demand. The option extends only until the stated expiration date. The rate at which one currency can be purchased or
10
sold is one of the terms of the option and is called the strike price. The total description of a currency option includes the underlying currencies, the contract size, the expiration date, the
strike price and whether the option is an option to purchase the underlying currency (a call) or an option to sell the underlying currency (a put). There are two types of option expirations, American-style and European-style. American-style options
can be exercised on any business day prior to the expiration date. European-style options can be exercised at expiration only.
The use of foreign currency transactions involves risks, including the risk of imperfect correlation between movements in
futures or options prices and movements in the price of currencies which are the subject of the hedge. The successful use of foreign currency transactions also depends on the ability of the Adviser or Sub-Adviser, as applicable, to correctly
forecast interest rate movements, currency rate movements and general stock market price movements. There can be no assurance that the Advisers or Sub-Advisers judgment, as applicable, will be accurate. The use of foreign currency
transactions also exposes the Portfolio to the general risks of investing in futures and options contracts, including: the risk of an illiquid market and the risk of adverse regulatory actions. Any of these factors may cause the Portfolio to lose
money on its foreign currency transactions. The Portfolio generally does not hedge currency risks, and generally will do so, if at all, only in connection with settlements of their purchases or sales of foreign securities.
CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES.
In addition to common and preferred stocks, the Portfolio may invest directly or indirectly in
securities convertible into common stock if, for example, the Adviser or Sub-Adviser, as applicable, believes that a companys convertible securities are undervalued in the market. Convertible securities eligible for purchase by the Portfolio
include convertible bonds, convertible preferred stocks, and warrants. A warrant is an instrument issued by a corporation which gives the holder the right to subscribe to a specific amount of the corporations capital stock at a set price for a
specified period of time. Warrants do not represent ownership of the securities, but only the right to buy the securities. The price of warrants do not necessarily move parallel to the prices of their underlying securities. Warrants may be
considered speculative in that they have no voting rights, pay no dividends, and have no rights with respect to the assets of their issuing corporation. Warrant positions will not be used to increase the leverage of the Portfolio; consequently,
warrant positions are generally accompanied by cash positions equivalent to the required exercise amount. The Portfolios ability to invest in warrants may be limited by the Portfolios investment restrictions.
REAL ESTATE SECURITIES.
The Portfolio will not invest directly in real estate, but may invest in readily marketable
securities issued by companies that invest in real estate or interests therein. The Portfolio may also invest in readily marketable interests in real estate investment trusts (REITs). REITs are generally publicly traded on national stock
exchanges and in the over-the-counter market and have varying degrees of liquidity. Investments in real estate securities are subject to risks inherent in the real estate market, including risks related to changes in interest rates, possible
declines in the value of and demand for real estate, adverse general and local economic conditions, possible lack of availability of mortgage funds, overbuilding in a given market and environmental problems.
The Portfolio may invest in global real estate companies outside the U.S. These companies include, but are not limited to,
companies with similar characteristics to a REIT structure, in which revenue consists primarily of rent derived from owned, income producing real estate properties, dividend distributions as a percentage of taxable net income are high (generally
greater than 80%), debt levels are generally conservative and income derived from development activities is generally limited.
CORPORATE AND MUNICIPAL FIXED INCOME SECURITIES.
The Portfolios fixed income investments may include corporate
and municipal fixed income securities. Corporate and municipal fixed income securities purchased by the Portfolio may be of any credit quality, maturity or yield. Accordingly, the Portfolios fixed income securities may include investment
grade securities (those rated at least Baa by Moodys, BBB by S&P or Fitch or, if not rated, are of equivalent quality in the Advisers or Sub-Advisers opinion). In addition, the Portfolios fixed income securities may
include lower-rated fixed income securities including, without limitation, junk bonds. Fixed income securities rated Baa by Moodys or BBB by S&P or Fitch may be considered speculative and are subject to risks of non-payment of
interest and principal. Fixed income securities rated lower than Baa by Moodys or lower than BBB by S&P or Fitch are generally considered speculative and subject to significant risks of non-payment of interest and principal. While the
Adviser or Sub-Adviser utilize the ratings of various credit rating services as one factor in establishing creditworthiness, it relies
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primarily upon its own analysis of factors establishing creditworthiness.
MONEY MARKET INSTRUMENTS.
The Portfolio may invest directly and indirectly in money market instruments including U.S.
Government obligations or corporate debt obligations (including those subject to repurchase agreements) Money market instruments also may include Bankers Acceptances and Certificates of Deposit of domestic branches of banks, Commercial Paper,
and Variable Amount Demand Master Notes (Master Notes). Bankers Acceptances are time drafts drawn on and accepted by a bank. When a bank accepts such a time draft, it assumes liability for its payment. When
the Portfolio acquires a Bankers Acceptance, the bank that accepted the time draft is liable for payment of interest and principal when due. The Bankers Acceptance carries the full faith and credit of such bank. A Certificate
of Deposit (CD) is an unsecured, interest bearing debt obligation of a bank. Commercial Paper is an unsecured, short-term debt obligation of a bank, corporation, or other borrower. Commercial Paper maturity generally ranges from two to
270 days and is usually sold on a discounted basis rather than as an interest-bearing instrument. The Portfolio will invest directly in Commercial Paper only if it is rated in one of the top two rating categories by Moodys, S&P or Fitch
or, if not rated, is of equivalent quality in the Advisers or Sub-Advisers opinion. Commercial Paper may include Master Notes of the same quality.
Master Notes
are unsecured obligations which are redeemable upon demand of the
holder and which permit the investment of fluctuating amounts at varying rates of interest. Master Notes will be acquired by the Portfolio only through the Master Note program of the Portfolios custodian bank, acting as administrator thereof.
The Adviser or Sub-Adviser, as applicable, will monitor, on a continuous basis, the earnings power, cash flow, and other liquidity ratios of the issuer of a Master Note held by the Portfolio.
U.S. GOVERNMENT SECURITIES.
The Portfolio may invest a portion of its portfolio in U.S. government securities such as
U.S. Treasury notes, U.S. Treasury bonds, and U.S. Treasury bills, obligations guaranteed by the U.S. government such as Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC),
as well as obligations of U.S. government authorities, agencies, and instrumentalities such as Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC), Federal Housing Administration,
Federal Farm Credit Bank (FFCB), Federal Home Loan Bank, Student Loan Marketing Association (SLMA), and The Tennessee Valley Authority. U.S. government securities may be acquired subject to repurchase agreements. While
obligations of some U.S. government sponsored entities are supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government (e.g., GNMA and OPIC), several are supported by the right of the issuer to borrow from the U.S. Government (e.g. FNMA and
FHLMC), and still others are supported only by the credit of the issuer itself (e.g., SLMA and FFCB). No assurance can be given that the U.S. government will provide financial support to U.S. government agencies or instrumentalities that are not
supported by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government, since it is not obligated to do so by law. The guarantee of the U.S. government does not extend to the yield or value of the Portfolios shares.
ZERO COUPON SECURITIES.
The Portfolio may purchase zero coupon securities. Zero coupon securities do not pay interest
or principal until final maturity, unlike fixed income securities that provide periodic payments of interest (referred to as a coupon payment). Zero coupon securities are bought at a price below the amount payable at maturity. The difference between
the purchase price and the amount paid at maturity represents interest on the zero coupon security. One must wait until maturity to receive interest and principal, which increases the market and credit risks of a zero coupon security. A zero coupon
step-up security converts to a coupon security before final maturity.
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS.
The Portfolio may
invest in repurchase agreements. A repurchase agreement is a short term investment in which the purchaser acquires ownership of a U.S. Government security and the seller agrees to repurchase the security at a future time at a set price, thereby
determining the yield during the purchasers holding period. Any repurchase transaction in which the Portfolio engages will require full collateralization of the sellers obligation during the entire term of the repurchase agreement. In
the event of a bankruptcy or other default of the seller, the Portfolio could experience both delays in liquidating the underlying security and losses in value.
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS.
The Portfolio may also engage in reverse repurchase agreements. Reverse repurchase
agreements are repurchase agreements in which the Portfolio is the seller (rather than the buyer) of the securities, and agrees to repurchase them at an agreed upon time and price. A reverse repurchase agreement may be viewed as a type of borrowing
by the Portfolio. Reverse repurchase agreements are subject to credit risks. In addition, reverse repurchase agreements create leverage risks because the Portfolio must repurchase the underlying security at a
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higher price, regardless of the market value of the security at the time of repurchase.
ILLIQUID INVESTMENTS.
The Portfolio may invest up to 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities, which are
investments that cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately the prices at which they are valued. Under the supervision of the Board of Trustees, the Adviser or Sub-Adviser, as applicable,
determines the liquidity of the Portfolios investments, and through reports from the Adviser or Sub-Adviser, as applicable, the Board monitors investments in illiquid instruments. In determining the liquidity of the Portfolios
investments, the Adviser or Sub-Adviser may consider various factors including: (i) the frequency of trades and quotations; (ii) the number of dealers and prospective purchasers in the marketplace; (iii) dealer undertakings to make a
market; (iv) the nature of the security (including any demand or tender features); and (v) the nature of the marketplace for trades (including the ability to assign or offset the Portfolios rights and obligations relating to the
investment). If through a change in values, net assets, or other circumstances, the Portfolio were in a position where more than 15% of its net assets were invested in illiquid securities, it would seek to take appropriate steps to protect
liquidity. An investment in illiquid securities poses risks of potential delays in resale and uncertainty in valuation. Limitations on resale may have an adverse effect on the marketability of portfolio securities and the Portfolio may be unable to
dispose of illiquid securities promptly or at reasonable prices.
RESTRICTED SECURITIES.
Within its limitations on
investment in illiquid securities, the Portfolio may purchase restricted securities that generally can be sold in privately negotiated transactions, pursuant to an exemption from registration under the federal securities laws, or in a registered
public offering. Where registration is required, the Portfolio may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration expense and a considerable period may elapse between the time it decides to seek registration and the time the Portfolio may be
permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If during such a period adverse market conditions were to develop, the Portfolio might obtain a less favorable price than prevailed when it decided to seek registration of the
security.
FUNDING AGREEMENTS.
Within the limitations on investments in illiquid securities, the Portfolio may
invest in various types of funding agreements. A funding agreement is, in substance, an obligation of indebtedness negotiated privately between an investor and an insurance company. Funding agreements often have maturity-shortening features, such as
an unconditional put, that permit the investor to require the insurance company to return the principal amount of the funding agreement, together with accrued interest, within one year or less. Most funding agreements are not transferable by the
investor and, therefore, are illiquid, except to the extent the funding agreement is subject to a demand feature of seven days or less. An insurance company may be subject to special protection under state insurance laws, which protections may
impair the ability of the Portfolio to require prompt performance by the insurance company of its payment obligations under the funding agreement.
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS.
The Portfolio will comply with and adhere to all limitations on the manner and extent to which
it effects transactions in derivative instruments (including futures and options on such futures) imposed by the provisions of the 1940 Act applicable to the issuance of senior securities. Additionally, the Adviser, on behalf of the Portfolio, has
claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term commodity pool operator pursuant to Rule 4.5 under the CEA. Therefore, the Portfolio is not subject to regulation or registration as a commodity pool operator under the CEA.
OPTIONS.
The Portfolio may purchase and write put and call options on securities. The Portfolio may write a put or call
option only if the option is covered by the Portfolio holding a position in the underlying securities or by other means which would permit immediate satisfaction of the Portfolios obligation as writer of the option. The purchase
and writing of options involves certain risks. During the option period, the covered call writer has, in return for the premium on the option, given up the opportunity to profit from a price increase in the underlying securities above the exercise
price, but, as long as its obligation as a writer continues, has retained the risk of loss should the price of the underlying security decline. The writer of an option has no control over the time when it may be required to fulfill its obligation as
a writer of the option. Once an option writer has received an exercise notice, it cannot effect a closing purchase transaction in order to terminate its obligation under the option and must deliver the underlying securities at the exercise price. If
a put or call option purchased by the Portfolio is not sold when it has remaining value, and if the market price of the underlying security, in the case of a put, remains equal to or greater than the exercise price or, in the case of a call, remains
less than or equal to the exercise price, the Portfolio will lose its entire investment in the option.
13
Also, where a put or call option on a particular security is purchased to hedge against price movements in a related security, the price of the put or call option may move more or less than the
price of the related security. There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist when the Adviser seeks to close out an option position. Furthermore, if trading restrictions or suspensions are imposed on the options market, the Portfolio may
be unable to close out a position.
FUTURES CONTRACTS.
A futures contract is a bilateral agreement to buy or
sell a security (or deliver a cash settlement price, in the case of a contract relating to an index or otherwise not calling for physical delivery at the end of trading in the contracts) for a set price in the future. Futures contracts are
designated by boards of trade which have been designated contracts markets by the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). No purchase price is paid or received when the contract is entered into. Instead, the Portfolio,
upon entering into a futures contract (and to maintain the Portfolios open positions in futures contracts), would be required to deposit with its custodian in a segregated account in the name of the futures broker an amount of cash, U.S.
Government securities, suitable money market instruments, or liquid, high-grade fixed income securities, known as initial margin. The margin required for a particular futures contract is set by the exchange on which the contract is
traded, and may be significantly modified from time to time by the exchange during the term of the contract. Futures contracts are customarily purchased and sold on margin that may range upward from less than 5% of the value of the contract being
traded. By using futures contracts as a risk management technique, given the greater liquidity in the futures market than in the cash market, it may be possible to accomplish certain results more quickly and with lower transaction costs.
If the price of an open futures contract changes (by increase in the case of a sale or by decrease in the case of a purchase)
so that the loss on the futures contract reaches a point at which the margin on deposit does not satisfy margin requirements, the broker will require an increase in the margin. However, if the value of a position increases because of favorable price
changes in the futures contract so that the margin deposit exceeds the required margin, the broker will pay the excess to the Portfolio. These subsequent payments, called variation margin, to and from the futures broker, are made on a
daily basis as the price of the underlying assets fluctuate, making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as marking to the market. The Portfolio seeks to earn interest income on its
initial and variation margin deposits.
The Portfolio will incur brokerage fees when it purchases and sell futures
contracts. Positions taken in the futures markets are not normally held until delivery or cash settlement is required, but are instead liquidated through offsetting transactions which may result in a gain or a loss. While futures positions taken by
the Portfolio will usually be liquidated in this manner, the Portfolio may instead make or take delivery of underlying securities whenever it appears economically advantageous for the Portfolio to do so. A clearing organization associated with the
exchange on which futures are traded assumes responsibility for closing out transactions and guarantees that as between the clearing members of an exchange, the sale and purchase obligations will be performed with regard to all positions that remain
open at the termination of the contract.
Securities Index Futures Contracts.
Purchases or sales of securities
index futures contracts may be used in an attempt to protect the Portfolios current or intended investments from broad fluctuations in securities prices. A securities index futures contract does not require the physical delivery of securities,
but merely provides for profits and losses resulting from changes in the market value of the contract to be credited or debited at the close of each trading day to the respective accounts of the parties to the contract. On the contracts
expiration date, a final cash settlement occurs and the futures positions are simply closed out. Changes in the market value of a particular index futures contract reflect changes in the specified index of securities on which the future is based.
By establishing an appropriate short position in index futures, the Portfolio may also seek to protect the
value of its portfolio against an overall decline in the market for such securities. Alternatively, in anticipation of a generally rising market, the Portfolio can seek to avoid losing the benefit of apparently low current prices by establishing a
long position in securities index futures and later liquidating that position as particular securities are in fact acquired. To the extent that these hedging strategies are successful, the Portfolio will be affected to a lesser degree by
adverse overall market price movements than would otherwise be the case.
Options on Futures Contracts.
The
Portfolio may purchase exchange-traded call and put options on futures contracts and write exchange-traded call options on futures contracts. These options are traded on exchanges that are licensed and
14
regulated by the CFTC for the purpose of options trading. A call option on a futures contract gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to purchase a futures contract (assume
a long position) at a specified exercise price at any time before the option expires. A put option gives the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to sell a futures contract (assume a short position), for a
specified exercise price at any time before the option expires.
The Portfolio will write options only on futures
contracts that are covered. The Portfolio will be considered covered with respect to a put option it has written if, so long as it is obligated as a writer of the put, the Portfolio segregates with its custodian or broker (or
an affiliate thereof) cash, United States government securities or liquid securities at all times equal to or greater than the aggregate exercise price of the puts it has written (less any related margin deposited with the futures broker). The
Portfolio will be considered covered with respect to a call option it has written on a fixed income security future if, so long as it is obligated as a writer of the call, the Portfolio owns a security deliverable under the futures
contract. The Portfolio will be considered covered with respect to a call option it has written on a securities index future if the Portfolio owns securities the price changes of which are, in the opinion of the Adviser or Sub-Adviser,
expected to replicate substantially the movement of the index upon which the futures contract is based.
Upon the exercise
of a call option, the writer of the option is obligated to sell the futures contract (to deliver a long position to the option holder) at the option exercise price, which will presumably be lower than the current market price of the
contract in the futures market. Upon exercise of a put, the writer of the option is obligated to purchase the futures contract (deliver a short position to the option holder) at the option exercise price, which will presumably be higher
than the current market price of the contract in the futures market. When the holder of an option exercises it and assumes a long futures position, in the case of a call, or a short futures position, in the case of a put, its gain will be credited
to its futures margin account, while the loss suffered by the writer of the option will be debited to its account and must be immediately paid by the writer. However, as with the trading of futures, most participants in the options markets do not
seek to realize their gains or losses by exercise of their option rights. Instead, the holder of an option will usually realize a gain or loss by buying or selling an offsetting option at a market price that will reflect an increase or a decrease
from the premium originally paid.
If the Portfolio writes options on futures contracts, the Portfolio will receive a
premium but will assume a risk of adverse movement in the price of the underlying futures contract comparable to that involved in holding a futures position. If the option is not exercised, the Portfolio will realize a gain in the amount of the
premium, which may partially offset unfavorable changes in the value of securities held in or to be acquired for the Portfolio. If the option is exercised, the Portfolio will incur a loss in the option transaction, which will be reduced by the
amount of the premium it has received, but which will offset any favorable changes in the value of its portfolio securities or, in the case of a put, lower prices of securities it intends to acquire.
Options on futures contracts can be used by the Portfolio to hedge substantially the same risks as might be addressed by the
direct purchase or sale of the underlying futures contracts. If the Portfolio purchases an option on a futures contract, it may obtain benefits similar to those that would result if it held the futures position itself. Purchases of options on
futures contracts may present less risk in hedging than the purchase and sale of the underlying futures contracts since the potential loss is limited to the amount of the premium plus related transaction costs.
The purchase of put options on futures contracts may be used as a means of hedging the Portfolios portfolio against a
general decline in market prices. The purchase of a call option on a futures contract may represent a means of hedging the Portfolios portfolio against a market advance when the Portfolio is not fully invested.
The writing of a call option on a futures contract constitutes a partial hedge against declining prices of the underlying
securities. If the futures price at expiration is below the exercise price, the Portfolio will retain the full amount of the option premium, which provides a partial hedge against any decline that may have occurred in the value of the
Portfolios holdings of securities. The writing of a put option on a futures contract is analogous to the purchase of a futures contract in that it hedges against an increase in the price of securities the Portfolio intends to acquire. However,
the hedge is limited to the amount of premium received for writing the put.
Limitations on Purchase and Sale of
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts
. Options and futures can be volatile instruments and involve certain risks. If the Adviser or Sub-Adviser, as applicable, applies a hedge in the
15
Portfolios portfolio at an inappropriate time or judges market movements incorrectly, options and futures strategies may lower the Portfolios return. The Portfolio could also
experience losses if the prices of its options and futures positions were poorly correlated with its other investments, or if it could not close out its position because of an illiquid market.
In general, the Portfolio will not purchase or sell futures contracts or related options unless either (i) the futures
contracts or options thereon are purchased for bona fide hedging purposes (as defined under the CFTC regulations); or (ii) if purchased for other purposes, the sum of the amounts of initial margin deposits on the Portfolios
existing futures and premiums required to establish non-hedging positions, less the amount by which any such options positions are in-the-money (as defined under CFTC regulations) would not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of the
Portfolios total assets.
In instances involving the purchase of futures contracts or the writing of put options
thereon by the Portfolio, the Portfolio will deposit in a segregated account with its custodian an amount of cash, cash equivalents and/or appropriate securities equal to the cost of such futures contracts or options written (less any related margin
deposits), to the extent that such deposits are required under the 1940 Act.
FORWARD COMMITMENT AND WHEN-ISSUED
SECURITIES.
The Portfolio may purchase securities on a when-issued basis or for settlement at a future date if the Portfolio holds sufficient assets to meet the purchase price. In such purchase transactions, the Portfolio will not accrue
interest on the purchased security until the actual settlement. Similarly, if a security is sold for a forward date, the Portfolio will accrue the interest until the settlement of the sale. When-issued security purchases and forward commitments have
a higher degree of risk of price movement before settlement due to the extended time period between the execution and settlement of the purchase or sale. As a result, the exposure to the counterparty of the purchase or sale is increased. Although
the Portfolio would generally purchase securities on a forward commitment or when-issued basis with the intention of taking delivery, the Portfolio may sell such a security prior to the settlement date if the Adviser or Sub-Adviser felt such action
was appropriate. In such a case, the Portfolio could incur a short-term gain or loss.
SHORT SALES OF SECURITIES.
The Portfolio may make short sales, which are transactions in which the Portfolio sells a security it does not own in anticipation of a decline in the market value of that security. To complete a short sale transaction, the Portfolio will borrow the
security from a broker-dealer, which generally involves the payment of a premium and transaction costs. The Portfolio then sells the borrowed security to a buyer in the market. The Portfolio will then cover the short position by buying shares in the
market either (i) at its discretion; or (ii) when called by the broker-dealer lender. Until the security is replaced, the Portfolio is required to pay the broker-dealer lender any dividends or interest that accrues during the period of the
loan. In addition, the net proceeds of the short sale will be retained by the broker to the extent necessary to meet regulatory or other requirements, until the short position is closed out.
The Portfolio will incur a loss as a result of the short sale if the price of the security increases between the date of the
short sale and the date on which the Portfolio replaces the borrowed security. The Portfolio will realize a gain if the security declines in price between those dates. The amount of any gain will be decreased, and the amount of any loss increased by
the amount of the premium, dividends, interest or expenses the Portfolio may be required to pay in connection with a short sale. When the Portfolio makes a short sale, the Portfolio will segregate liquid assets (such as cash, U.S. Government
securities, or equity securities) on the Portfolios books and/or in a segregated account at the Portfolios custodian or broker (or an affiliate thereof) in an amount sufficient to cover the current value of the securities to be replaced
as well as any dividends, interest and/or transaction costs due to the broker-dealer lender, to the extent such deposit is required by applicable law and/or the parties involved in the transaction. In determining the amount to be segregated, any
securities that have been sold short by the Portfolio will be marked to market daily. To the extent the market price of the security sold short increases and more assets are required to meet the Portfolios short sale obligations, additional
assets will be segregated to ensure adequate coverage of the Portfolios short position obligations.
In addition,
the Portfolio may make short sales against the box, i.e., when the Portfolio sells a security short while owning securities equivalent in kind and amount to the securities sold short (or securities convertible or exchangeable into such
securities) and will hold such securities while the short sale is outstanding. The Portfolio will incur transaction
16
costs, including interest, in connection with opening, maintaining, and closing short sales against the box.
INVESTMENTS IN COMPANIES WITH BUSINESS RELATED TO COMMODITIES.
As explained under Fundamental Restrictions
in this SAI, the Portfolio does not invest directly in commodities. However, the Portfolio may from time to time invest in securities of companies whose business is related to commodities, or in registered investment companies or other companies
that invest directly or indirectly in commodities. For example, the Portfolio may invest in companies whose business is related to mining of precious or other metals (e.g., gold, silver, etc.) or registered investment companies or publicly or
privately traded companies that invest in securities of mining companies and related instruments (including, without limitation, the underlying commodities). Investments in equity securities of companies involved in mining or related precious metals
industries, and the value of the investment companies and other companies that invest in precious metals and other commodities are subject to a number of risks. For example, the prices of precious metals or other commodities can make sharp movement,
up or down, in response to cyclical economic conditions, political events or the monetary policies of various countries, any of which may adversely affect the value of companies who business is related to such commodities, or the value of investment
companies and other companies investing in such business or commodities. Furthermore, such companies are subject to risks related to fluctuations of prices and perceptions of value in commodities markets generally.
INVESTMENTS IN VOLATILITY INDICES
. The Portfolio may also utilize swaps, options, ETFs, ETNs or other instruments for
exposure to the Chicago Board Options Exchange Market Volatility Index (VIX) or another volatility index, or may invest in securities or options designed to reflect the implied volatility of an underlying market. Investors generally use
these securities to speculate or hedge against changes in implied volatility (and thereby, overall perceived risk) in the markets they track. As a general rule, volatility options indices go up when investors are unsure about the outlook for the
economy and the markets, and these indices go down when investors are content and/or confident in the outlook for the economy and the markets. These indices generally measure implied volatility based on derivatives prices (e.g., relative options
prices and spreads); however, index levels and prices of securities tracking index levels are only indicators of current investor sentiment, and are not necessarily predictive of future index levels (i.e., there is always a possibility that an index
level may go higher or lower in the future, regardless of the indexs current level).
An investment in a security
tracking a volatility index is subject to the risk that the investors interpretation of the index level is incorrect, thereby subjecting the investor to unexpected changes (or lack of changes) in the level of the relevant index and the price
of the security based on the level. Securities tracking volatility indices are also subject to the risks of flaws in the tracking methodology, as well as failures to track the index value due to market or other factors. Volatility swaps are also
subject to counterparty credit risk, since the investor may lose money if the counterparty fails to meet its obligations. In addition, investments in volatility indices through ETFs or other investment companies are also subject to the risks of
these types of securities as explained elsewhere in this SAI.
While investments in volatility indices may be used by the
Portfolio in an effort to limit losses in a sharp market decline, there is no guarantee that using such instruments would be effective in limiting losses, and the use of such instruments could impact the ability to increase returns. There are also
costs associated with entering into such investments, which can adversely impact returns.
LENDING OF PORTFOLIO
SECURITIES.
In order to generate additional income, the Portfolio may lend portfolio securities in an amount up to 33% of its total assets to broker-dealers, major banks, or other recognized domestic institutional borrowers of securities which
the Adviser or Sub-Adviser has determined are creditworthy under guidelines established by the Board. In determining whether the Portfolio will lend securities, the Adviser or Sub-Adviser, as applicable, will consider all relevant facts and
circumstances. The Portfolio may not lend securities to any company affiliated with the Adviser or Sub-Adviser. Each loan of securities will be collateralized by cash, securities, or letters of credit. The Portfolio might experience a loss if the
borrower defaults on the loan.
The borrower at all times during the loan must maintain with the Portfolio cash or cash
equivalent collateral, or provide to the Portfolio an irrevocable letter of credit equal in value to at least 100% of the value of the securities loaned. While the loan is outstanding, the borrower will pay the Portfolio any interest paid on the
loaned securities, and the Portfolio may invest the cash collateral to earn additional income. Alternatively, the Portfolio may receive an agreed-upon amount of interest income from the borrower who has delivered equivalent collateral or a letter of
credit. It is
17
anticipated that the Portfolio may share with the borrower some of the income received on the collateral for the loan or the Portfolio will be paid a premium for the loan. Loans are subject to
termination at the option of the Portfolio or the borrower at any time. The Portfolio may pay reasonable administrative and custodial fees in connection with a loan, and may pay a negotiated portion of the income earned on the cash to the borrower
or placing broker. As with other extensions of credit, there are risks of delay in recovery or even loss of rights in the collateral should the borrower fail financially.
INVESTMENTS IN SWAPS AND OTHER CREDIT DERIVATIVES.
The Portfolio may invest in swaps and other credit derivatives such
as credit default swaps (CDSs). The economic return of CDSs depends upon the performance of the reference obligations and/or the reference entities. Exposure to the credit risk of such types of assets through the purchase of CDSs
presents risks in addition to those resulting from direct purchases of such types of assets as the related reference obligations. For instance, an active market may not exist for any of the CDSs in which the Portfolio invests. As a result, the
Portfolios ability to maximize returns or minimize losses on such CDSs may be impaired. In addition, the Portfolio will usually have a contractual relationship only with the counterparty offering the CDS and not the reference obligors on the
reference obligations. As a result, the Portfolio generally will have no right directly to enforce compliance by the reference obligors with the terms of the reference obligations, no rights of set-off against the reference obligors, or any voting
or other rights of ownership with respect to the reference obligations. The Portfolio will not directly benefit from any collateral supporting such reference obligations and will not have the benefit of the remedies that would normally be available
to a holder of such reference obligations. Even if, in the case of physically settled CDSs, the Portfolio obtains such rights upon delivery of the defaulted reference obligations, the Portfolios ability to work-out effectively the
defaulted reference obligations may be significantly diminished.
CDSs also expose the Portfolio to counterparty risk. In
the event of the insolvency of the counterparty, the Portfolio will be treated as a general creditor of such counterparty and will not have any claim with respect to the reference obligations. Consequently, the Portfolio will be subject to credit
risk with respect to defaults by such counterparty as well as by the reference obligors.
When the Portfolio enters into a
short unfunded CDS, upon the occurrence of a credit event, the Portfolio has an obligation to either deliver the defaulted reference obligation or an equivalent cash payment. Similarly, when the Portfolio enters into a long unfunded CDS, upon the
occurrence of a credit event, the Portfolio has an obligation to deliver a cash payment related to such credit event. To the extent the Portfolio lacks adequate funds to satisfy these delivery requirements, the Portfolio will be required to
liquidate other Fund investments in a manner which may be inconsistent with its original investment intent and the Portfolios return may be adversely affected.
To the extent a CDS requires the Portfolio to settle physically the defaulted reference obligation, the Portfolio may be
adversely affected by the purchase price of the defaulted reference obligation. Similarly, CDS cash settlement mechanics may not accurately reflect the related credit loss and may be subject to the discretion of the party performing the calculation.
In addition, there can be losses under a CDS without a related default with respect to the referenced obligation. This occurs when the definition of a credit event in the CDS contains events that are not truly credit related and is called credit
basis risk. Also, the size of the structured notes underlying a funded CDS in relation to the size of the reference obligation affects the severity of the losses. In general, as the size of the structured notes decreases in relation to the size of
the reference obligation, the Portfolios exposure to credit risk with respect to the CDS increases. Finally, to the extent that the Portfolios swap positions are leveraged, any Portfolio losses will be magnified.
Other risks of CDSs include the cost of paying for credit protection if there are no credit events, pricing transparency when
assessing the cost of a credit default swap, and the need to fund the delivery obligation (either cash or the defaulted bonds, depending on whether the Portfolio enters into a long or short swap, respectively). The Portfolios position in CDSs
is also subject to liquidity risk, market risk, structural risk, legal risk, and interest rate risk. The Portfolio may also invest in certificates which represent an undivided interest in a pool of high yield fixed income securities
(Underlying Securities). Such securities pay principal and interest to the extent the Underlying Securities pay principal and interest. The Portfolio may, subject to certain restrictions, optionally redeem its certificates for the
related pro rata interest in the Underlying Securities. Exposure to the credit risk of such types of assets through the purchase of such certificates presents risks in addition to those resulting from direct purchases of the Underlying Securities.
Until the Portfolio redeems its certificates, the Portfolio will not have a direct contractual relationship with
18
the issuers of the Underlying Securities and will not have a right directly to enforce compliance by such issuers with the terms of the Underlying Securities, a right of set-off against such
issuers, or any direct rights of ownership with respect to the Underlying Securities. The Portfolios ability to exercise voting rights with respect to the Underlying Securities may also be limited until it redeems its certificates. The
Portfolios yield on such securities is dependent upon a number of factors, including, without limitation, the purchase price of such securities and the occurrence of any early or mandatory redemption with respect thereto. The Portfolios
investments in such certificates are also subject to prepayment risk, credit risk, liquidity risk, market risk, structural risk, legal risk, and interest rate risk.
The Portfolios ability to realize a profit from swap agreement transactions will depend upon the ability of the
financial institution with which the Portfolio enters into the transaction to meet its obligations to the Portfolio. The Portfolio may not be able to close out its swap agreement position under certain circumstances at the same time, or at the same
price, as it would if it had purchased comparable traded securities.
TEMPORARY DEFENSIVE POSITIONS.
The Portfolio
may, from time to time, take temporary defensive positions that are inconsistent with its principal investment strategies in an attempt to respond to adverse market, economic, political or other conditions. In such circumstances, the Portfolio may
also hold up to 100% of its portfolio in cash and cash equivalent positions. When the Portfolio takes a temporary defensive position, the Portfolio may not be able to achieve its investment objective.
BORROWING.
The Portfolio may, subject to the restrictions of the 1940 Act, borrow money from banks as a temporary
measure. For example, the Portfolio may borrow money to meet redemption requests or for extraordinary or emergency purposes. In the event the Portfolio should ever borrow money under these conditions, such borrowing could increase the
Portfolios costs and thus reduce the value of the Portfolios assets.
PORTFOLIO TURNOVER
The Portfolios portfolio turnover rate is calculated by dividing the lesser of purchases or sales of portfolio
securities for the fiscal year by the monthly average of the value of the portfolio securities owned by the Portfolio during the fiscal year. The calculation excludes from both the numerator and the denominator securities with maturities at the
time of acquisition of one year or less. High portfolio turnover involves correspondingly greater brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, which will be borne directly by the Portfolio. A 100% turnover rate would occur if all of the
Portfolios portfolio securities were replaced once within a one-year period.
DISCLOSURE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS
The Trust has adopted the following policies and procedures with respect to the disclosure of the securities held by
the Portfolio. The disclosure policy currently authorizes monthly dissemination of full holdings of the Portfolio with a fifteen (15) day lag. The holdings of the Portfolio will also be disclosed on a quarterly basis on forms required to be
filed with the SEC as follows: (i) portfolio holdings as of the end of the first and third fiscal quarter will be filed in Form N-Q; (ii) portfolio holdings as of the end of each six month period will be filed as part of the semi-annual
report filed on Form N-CSR; and (iii) portfolio holdings as of the end of each fiscal year will be filed as part of the annual report filed on Form N-CSR. The Trusts Form N-CSRs and Form N-Qs are available on the SECs website at
www.sec.gov
.
However, the policy and procedures set forth above do not prevent the sharing of the Portfolios
holdings under the specific exceptions to disclosure provided below:
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(1)
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Disclosures that, in the opinion of Portfolios or Administrators counsel, are required by law;
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(2)
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Disclosures necessary for Service Providers to perform services for the Portfolio, (where Service Providers includes the Adviser, Sub-Adviser,
Administrator, Custodian, Fund Accountant, software or technology providers, or any other entity that has a need to know such information in order to fulfill its contractual obligations to provide services to the Portfolio);
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(3)
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Disclosures necessary for Rating Agencies to assess applicable Portfolio ratings;
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(4)
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Disclosures necessary to broker-dealers or banks as part of the normal buying, selling, shorting, or other transactions in Portfolio securities;
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(5)
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Disclosures to the Portfolios or Service Providers regulatory authorities, accountants, or counsel; and
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(6)
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Disclosures by the Adviser of compiled data concerning accounts managed by the Investment Adviser, so long as such data is presented in a format so
as to not be identified as data of the Portfolio.
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The Board of Trustees will periodically review the
list of entities that have received holdings of the Portfolio to ensure that the disclosure of the information was in the best interest of shareholders, identify any potential for conflicts of interest, and evaluate the effectiveness of its current
portfolio holding policy.
Only officers of the Trust and their authorized agents may approve the disclosure of the
Portfolios holdings. In all cases, eligible third parties and service providers are required to execute a non-disclosure agreement requiring the recipient to keep confidential any portfolio holdings information received and not to trade on the
nonpublic information received. Neither the Trust nor its Service Providers (or any persons affiliated with either) receives any compensation or other consideration in connection with the sharing of the Portfolios portfolio holdings.
The identity of such entities is provided below:
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Name of Recipient
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Frequency of
Holdings
Disclosure
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Information
Lag
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Date of
Information
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Date
Provided
to
Recipients
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ALPS Advisors, Inc.
(Adviser)
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Daily
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None
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Daily
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Daily
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Stadion Money Management, LLC
(Sub-Adviser)
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Daily
|
|
None
|
|
Daily
|
|
Daily
|
|
|
|
|
|
ALPS Fund Services, Inc.
(Administrator)
|
|
Daily
|
|
None
|
|
Daily
|
|
Daily
|
|
|
|
|
|
State Street Bank and Trust Company
(Custodian)
|
|
Daily
|
|
None
|
|
Daily
|
|
Daily
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deloitte & Touch LLP
(Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm)
|
|
As needed
|
|
None
|
|
As needed
|
|
As needed
|
|
|
|
|
|
Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP
(Counsel)
|
|
As needed
|
|
None
|
|
As needed
|
|
As needed
|
|
|
|
|
|
FactSet Research Systems Inc.
|
|
Daily
|
|
None
|
|
Daily
|
|
Daily
|
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST
The business and affairs of the Trust are managed under the direction of the Trusts Board of Trustees in accordance with
the laws of the state of Delaware and the Trusts Declaration of Trust and Bylaws. The Trustees are responsible for major decisions relating to the Portfolios objective, policies and techniques. The Trustees also supervise the operation
of the Trust by their officers and review the investment decisions. However, the Trustees do not actively participate on a regular
20
basis in making such decisions. Information pertaining to the Trustees and Officers of the Trust is set forth below. Trustees, who are not deemed to be interested persons of the Trust
as defined by the 1940 Act, are referred to as Independent Trustees. Trustees who are deemed to be interested persons of the Trust as defined in the 1940 Act are referred to as Interested Trustees. The principal occupations
for the past five years of the Trustees and executive officers of the Trust are listed below. Each Trustee serves for an indefinite term, until his or her resignation, death or removal.
The following is a list of the trustees and executive officers of the Trust and their principal occupations over the last five
years.
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name,
Address*,
and
Age
|
|
Position
with
the
Trust
|
|
Term of
Office
and Length
of
Time
Served
|
|
Principal
Occupation(s)
During last 5
years
|
|
Number of
Portfolios in
Portfolio
Complex
Overseen
By Trustee
(1)
|
|
Other
Trusteeships
Held
By
Trustee
|
Mary K.
Anstine (73)
|
|
Trustee
|
|
Since
November 30, 2006
|
|
Retired. Ms. Anstine is also a Trustee of ALPS ETF Trust, Financial Investors Trust, Reaves Utility Income Fund, and the Westcore Trust.
|
|
40
|
|
Ms. Anstine is a
Trustee of ALPS ETF Trust (21 funds); Financial Investors Trust (30 funds), Reaves Utility Income Fund, and the Westcore Trust (12
funds).
|
* The address of each trustee is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203.
(1) The Portfolio Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. (or any affiliate)
or Stadion Money Management, LLC (or any affiliate) provides investment advisory services.
21
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name,
Address*, and
Age
|
|
Position
with
the
Trust
|
|
Term of Office
and Length of
Time
Served
|
|
Principal
Occupation(s)
During last 5 years
|
|
Number of
Portfolios in
Portfolio
Complex
Overseen
By Trustee
(1)
|
|
Other
Trusteeships
Held
By
Trustee
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David M. Swanson (57)
|
|
Trustee
|
|
Since
November 30, 2006
|
|
Mr. Swanson is Founder & Managing Partner of SwanDog Strategic Marketing. Previously, he served as Executive Vice-President of Calamos Investments (April 2004 to March 2006), Chief Operating Officer of
Van Kampen Investments (October 2002 to April 2004), and Managing Director of Morgan Stanley (February 2000 to April 2004).
|
|
8
|
|
Mr. Swanson is a Trustee of the Managed Portfolio Series (15 funds).
|
22
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jeremy W. Deems (37)
|
|
Trustee
|
|
Since September 8, 2010
|
|
Mr. Deems is Co-Founder, CFO and COO of Green Alpha Advisors, LLC. Mr. Deems is Co-Portfolio Manager of the Shelton Green Alpha Fund. Prior to founding Green Alpha Advisors, Mr. Deems was CFO and Treasurer of Forward
Management, LLC, an investment management company, ReFlow Management Co., LLC, a liquidity resourcing company, ReFlow Fund, LLC, a private investment fund, and Sutton Place Management, LLC, an administrative services company ( 1998 to June
2007).
|
|
40
|
|
Mr. Deems is a Trustee of ALPS ETF Trust (21 funds); Financial Investors Trust (30 funds); and Reaves Utility
Income Fund.
|
* The address of each trustee is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203.
(1) The Portfolio Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. (or any affiliate)
or Stadion Money Management, LLC (or any affiliate) provides investment advisory services.
Except for their service on the Trusts
Board of Trustees, the Independent Trustees named above have not held any positions during the past two years with the Trust; any investment adviser or sub-adviser thereof; any underwriter of any portfolio of the Trust; or any affiliate of any
portfolio or its investment advisers or sub-advisers, or underwriters.
23
INTERESTED TRUSTEES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name, Address*,
and Age
|
|
Position with
the Trust
|
|
Term of Office
and Length of
Time
Served
|
|
Principal
Occupation(s)
During last 5
years
|
|
Number of
Portfolios
in
Portfolio
Complex
Overseen
by
Trustee
(1)
|
|
Other
Trusteeships
Held
By
Trustee
|
Thomas A. Carter (47)**
|
|
Trustee, Chairman, President
|
|
Since
March 10, 2009
|
|
Mr. Carter joined ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (ALPS) in 1994 and is currently President and Director of ALPS Advisors, Inc. (AAI) and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., and Director of
ALPS and ALPS Holdings, Inc.
|
|
29
|
|
Mr. Carter is a Trustee of ALPS ETF Trust (21 funds) and the Principal Real Estate Income Fund.
|
24
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Scott Wentsel
(52)**
|
|
Trustee
|
|
Since
November 30, 2006
|
|
Mr. Wentsel is Chief Investment Officer, Americas for Morningstar Investment Management since February 2014. Mr. Wentsel was Senior Portfolio Manager for Ibbotson Associates, a Morningstar company, from April 2005 to
February 2014 and Mr. Wentsel was also Executive Director of Van Kampen Investments from April 2000 to April 2005.
|
|
8
|
|
None
|
* The address of each trustee is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203.
** Mr. Carter is deemed an Interested Trustee by virtue of his current relationship with ALPS Fund Services, Inc., ALPS
Advisors, Inc. and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. Mr. Wentsel is deemed an Interested Trustee by virtue of his current relationship with Ibbotson Associates, Inc., the subadviser to certain portfolios of the Trust.
(1) The Portfolio Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. (or any affiliate)
or Stadion Money Management, LLC (or any affiliate) provides investment advisory services.
25
OFFICERS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name,
Address*, and
Age
|
|
Position with
the Trust
|
|
Term of Office
and Length of
Time
Served
|
|
Principal Occupation(s)
During last 5 years
|
Patrick D. Buchanan (42)
|
|
Treasurer
|
|
Since
March 12, 2013
|
|
Mr. Buchanan is Vice President of AAI. Mr. Buchanan joined ALPS in 2007, and because of his position with ALPS, he is deemed an affiliate of the Trust as defined under the 1940 Act. Mr. Buchanan is also Treasurer of ALPS ETF Trust
and Principal Real Estate Income Fund.
|
|
|
|
|
Melanie H. Zimdars (37)
|
|
Chief Compliance Officer
|
|
Since
December 8, 2009
|
|
Ms. Zimdars is a Deputy Chief Compliance Officer with ALPS since September 2009. Prior to joining ALPS, Ms. Zimdars served as Principal Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary for the Wasatch Funds from February 2007 to
December 2008. From November 2006 to February 2007, she served as Assistant Treasurer for the Wasatch Funds and served as a Senior Compliance Officer for Wasatch Advisors, Inc. since 2005. Ms. Zimdars is currently the CCO for Liberty
All-Star Growth Fund, Liberty All-Star Equity Fund, EGA Emerging Global Shares Trust, ALPS ETF Trust, BPV Family of Funds, Broadview Opportunity Trust and RealityShares ETF Trust. Because of her position with ALPS, Ms. Zimdars is deemed to be an
affiliate of the Trust.
|
|
|
|
|
David T. Buhler
(42)
|
|
Secretary
|
|
Since
June 8, 2010
|
|
Mr. Buhler joined ALPS Fund Services, Inc. as Associate Counsel in June 2010. Prior to joining ALPS, Mr. Buhler served as Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of Founders Asset Management LLC from 2006 to 2009. Because
of his position with ALPS, Mr. Buhler is deemed to be an affiliate of the Trust.
|
* The address of each officer is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203.
Additional Information About the Trustees Qualifications and Experience
The following is a brief discussion of the specific education, experience, qualifications, or skills that led to the
conclusion, as of the date of this SAI, that each person identified below should serve as a Trustee for the Trust.
Mary
K. Anstine
Ms. Anstine has been an Independent Trustee of the Trust since November 30, 2006. Currently
retired, Ms. Anstine has over 31 years of financial services experience. Most recently, she was President and CEO of HealthONE Alliance, Denver, Colorado from 1994 through 2004. From 1964 to 1994, Ms. Anstine held positions leading up to
Executive Vice President of First Interstate Bank. She was nominated to serve as a Trustee of the Trust based on her business and
26
financial services experience.
David Swanson
Mr. Swanson has been an Independent Trustee of the Trust since November 30, 2006. In 2006, Mr. Swanson founded
SwanDog Marketing, a marketing strategy boutique serving asset and wealth managers. Mr. Swanson currently serves as SwanDogs Managing Partner. He has 35 years of senior management and marketing experience, with 26 years in financial
services. Before founding SwanDog, Mr. Swanson served as Executive Vice President and Head of Distribution for Calamos Investments, an investment management firm. As well, he previously held positions as Chief Operating Officer of Van Kampen
Investments, President and CEO of Scudder, Stevens & Clark, Canada, Ltd. and Managing Director and Head of Global Investment Products at Morgan Stanley. Mr. Swanson holds an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at
Northwestern University and a Bachelors in Journalism from Southern Illinois University. He was nominated to serve as a Trustee of the Trust based on his business, financial services and investment management experience.
Jeremy W. Deems
In 2007, Mr. Deems co-founded Green Alpha Advisors, LLC, a registered investment adviser, for which he currently serves
as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Co-Portfolio Manager of the Shelton Green Alpha Fund. Prior to co-founding Green Alpha Advisors, Mr. Deems was CFO of Forward Management, LLC, investment advisor to the Forward Funds and
Sierra Club Mutual Funds, where he was also co-portfolio manager to the Sierra Club Stock Fund. In addition, he was the CFO of ReFlow Management Co., LLC. Prior to joining Forward and ReFlow, he served as Regional Marketing Assistant within the
Investment Consulting Services Group at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter. Mr. Deems received a B.S. and a MBA in finance from Saint Marys College of California and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and a member of the American Institute
of Certified Public Accountants. He was nominated to serve as a Trustee of the Trust based on his business, financial services, accounting and investment management experience.
Thomas A. Carter
Mr. Carter has been an Interested Trustee and Chairman of the Trust since March 10, 2009. Mr. Carter joined
ALPS Fund Services, Inc., the Trusts administrator, in 1994 and currently serves as President of ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., the Trusts principal underwriter, and ALPS Advisors, Inc., the Trusts investment adviser.
Before joining ALPS, Mr. Carter was with Deloitte & Touche LLP, where he worked with a diverse group of clients, primarily within the financial services industry. Mr. Carter is a Certified Public Accountant and received his
Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He was nominated to serve as a Trustee of the Trust based on his business, accounting, financial services and investment management experience.
Scott Wentsel CFA, CFP
®
Mr. Wentsel has been an Interested Trustee of the Trust since November 30, 2006. Currently, Mr. Wentsel serves
as Chief Investment Officer, Americas for Morningstar Investment Management which includes Ibbotson Associates, the Portfolios investment sub-adviser. Prior to February, 2014, Mr. Wentsel was Vice President and Senior Portfolio Manager of
Ibbotson Associates. Mr. Wentsel has over 25 years of investment industry experience. Prior to joining Ibbotson, Mr. Wentsel was an Executive Director with Van Kampen Investments from 2000-2005 and also worked for 13 years at Scudder Kemper
Investments. Mr. Wentsel has a Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Illinois. He was nominated to serve as a Trustee of the
Trust based on his business, financial services and investment management experience.
Leadership Structure and
Oversight Responsibilities
Overall responsibility for oversight of the Portfolio rests with the Trustees. The Trust
has engaged ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the Adviser) and Stadion Money Management, LLC (the Sub-Adviser) to manage the Portfolio on a day-to day basis. The Board is responsible for overseeing the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and other
service providers in the operations of the
27
Portfolio in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act, applicable provisions of state and other laws and the Trusts charter. The Board is currently composed of five members, three of
whom are Independent Trustees. The Board meets at regularly scheduled quarterly meetings each year. In addition, the Board may hold special in-person or telephonic meetings or informal conference calls to discuss specific matters that may arise or
require action between regular meetings. As described below, the Board has established a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, an Audit Committee and an Executive Committee, and may establish ad hoc committees or working groups from time to
time, to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities. The Independent Trustees have also engaged independent legal counsel to assist them in performing their oversight responsibilities.
The Board has appointed Thomas A. Carter, an Interested Trustee, to serve in the role of Chairman and President (the
Trusts Principal Executive Officer). The Chairmans role is to preside at all meetings of each Board and to act as a liaison with the Adviser, other service providers, counsel and other Trustees generally between meetings. In addition,
the Board has appointed David Swanson as Lead Independent Trustee. The Lead Independent Trustee is a spokesperson and principal point of contact for the Independent Trustees and is responsible for coordinating the activities of the Independent
Trustees, including calling regular executive sessions of the Independent Trustees; developing the agenda of each meeting together with the Chairman; and chairing the meetings of the Independent Trustees. The Chairman and Lead Independent Trustee
may also perform such other functions as may be delegated by the Board from time to time. The Board reviews matters related to its leadership structure annually. The Board has determined that the Boards leadership structure is appropriate
given the Portfolios characteristics and circumstances. These include the Trusts multiple series of Portfolio shares, the Portfolios portfolio of assets, the Portfolios net assets and the services provided by the Trusts
service providers.
Risk oversight forms part of the Boards general oversight of each series of the Trust and is
addressed as part of various Board and Committee activities. As part of its regular oversight of the Portfolio, the Board, directly or through a Committee, interacts with and reviews reports from, among others, Trust management, the Adviser, the
Sub-Adviser, the Portfolios Chief Compliance Officer, the Trusts legal counsel and the independent registered public accounting firm for the Portfolios regarding risks faced by the Portfolio. The Board, with the assistance of Trust
management and the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser, reviews investment policies and risks in connection with its review of the Portfolios performance. The Board has appointed a Chief Compliance Officer who oversees the implementation and testing
of the Portfolios compliance program and reports to the Board regarding compliance matters for the Portfolio and its principal service providers. In addition, as part of the Boards periodic review of the Portfolios advisory,
sub-advisory and other service provider agreements, the Board may consider risk management aspects of these service providers operations and the functions for which they are responsible.
Standing Board Committees
The Trusts Board of Trustees has established three standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Nominating and
Governance Committee, and the Executive Committee.
The Audit Committee meets periodically with the Trusts officers
and its independent auditors to review accounting matters, the adequacy of internal controls, the responsibilities and fees of the independent auditors and other matters. Members of the Audit Committee are currently Ms. Anstine, and
Messrs. Deems (Chairperson) and Swanson. Mr. Deems is an audit committee financial expert. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, the Audit Committee convened twice.
The Nominating and Governance Committee meets periodically to advise and assist the Board in selecting nominees to serve as
trustees (including considering written nominations from shareholders delivered to the Secretary of the Trust at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203) of the Trust. The Nominating and Governance Committee believes the Board generally benefits
from diversity of background, experience and views among its members, and considers this a factor in evaluating the composition of the Board, but has not adopted any specific policy in this regard. The Nominating and Governance Committee also
advises and assists the Board in establishing, implementing and executing policies, procedures and practices that assure orderly and effective governance of the Trust and effective and efficient management of all business and financial affairs of
the Trust. Members of the Nominating and Governance Committee are currently Ms. Anstine (Chairperson) and Messrs. Deems and Swanson. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, the
28
Nominating and Governance Committee convened once.
The Executive
Committee meets periodically to take action, as authorized by the Board of Trustees, if the Board of Trustees cannot meet. Members of the Executive Committee are currently Messrs. Carter (Chairperson), Swanson, and Wentsel. During the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2013, the Executive Committee did not convene.
At the present time there are no other standing
committees of the Trusts Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees may in the future consider establishing one or more additional committees, including but not limited to committees charged with responsibility for nomination, compensation,
valuation, investment and brokerage matters.
Trustee Ownership of Portfolio Shares
As of December 31, 2013, the following table shows the dollar range of shares beneficially owned by each Trustee in the
Portfolio and certain other funds.
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES
|
|
|
|
|
Name of Trustees
|
|
Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in the
Portfolio
|
|
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All
Portfolios in the Trusts Family of Funds Overseen by
the
Trustee
|
|
|
|
Mary K. Anstine
|
|
None
|
|
None
|
David M. Swanson
|
|
None
|
|
None
|
Jeremy Deems
|
|
None
|
|
None
|
INTERESTED TRUSTEES
|
Name of Trustees
|
|
Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in the Portfolio
|
|
Aggregate Dollar Range of Equity Securities in All
Portfolios in the Trusts Family of Funds Overseen by
the Trustee
|
Thomas A. Carter
|
|
None
|
|
None
|
Scott Wentsel
|
|
None
|
|
None
|
Prior to April 1, 2013, each Independent Trustee received an annual fee consisting of a $10,000
retainer, a per meeting fee of $2,500, and reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. Effective April 1, 2013, each Independent Trustee received an annual fee consisting of a $16,000 retainer, a per
meeting fee of $3,500, and reimbursement for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses relating to attendance at meetings. The following chart provides certain information about the Trustee fees paid by the Trust for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2013:
|
|
|
|
|
Name of Person/Position
|
|
Aggregate Compensation
from the Trust
|
|
Aggregate Compensation
from the Portfolio
Complex
(1)
|
|
|
|
Mary K. Anstine
|
|
$30,000
|
|
$98,500
|
|
|
|
Jeremy W. Deems
|
|
$30,000
|
|
$98,500
|
|
|
|
David M. Swanson
|
|
$30,000
|
|
$30,000
|
(1)
|
The Portfolio Complex includes all series of the Trust and any other investment companies for which ALPS Advisors, Inc. (or any affiliate) or
Stadion Money Management, LLC (or any affiliate) provides services.
|
No employee of the Adviser, Sub-Adviser,
Distributor, or Transfer Agent receives any compensation from the Trust for acting
29
as an officer or a Trustee of the Trust.
INVESTMENT ADVISER AND
SUB-ADVISER
Investment Adviser
.
ALPS Advisors, Inc. (the Adviser) is a
wholly owned subsidiary of ALPS Holdings, Inc. (ALPS Holdings). Located in Denver, Colorado, ALPS Holdings, a wholly owned subsidiary of DST Systems, Inc. (DST), is the parent of the Adviser and its affiliates ALPS Portfolio
Solutions Distributor, Inc. and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. as further described on pages 33 and 34. ALPS Holdings, through its affiliates, provides a wide range of fund services, including fund accounting, transfer agency, shareholder services, active
distribution, legal, tax and compliance services. The Adviser commenced business operations in December 2006 upon the acquisition of an existing investment advisory operation and is registered with the SEC as an investment adviser. The
Advisers principal address is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203. Thomas A. Carter is President of both the Adviser and the Trust, and Patrick D. Buchanan is an officer of the Adviser and Treasurer of the Trust.
Advisory Agreement
.
Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and the
Adviser (the Advisory Agreement), and subject to the supervision and direction of the Board of Trustees of the Trust, the Adviser will, either directly or by employing suitable Sub-Advisers: (a) act in strict conformity with the
Trusts Declaration of Trust, the Trusts Bylaws, the 1940 Act, and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended; (b) manage the Portfolios portfolio and furnish a continual investment program for the Portfolio in accordance
with the Portfolios investment objective and policies as described in the Portfolios Prospectus; (c) make investment decisions for the Portfolio; (d) provide the Portfolio with investment research and statistical data, advice
and supervision, data processing and clerical services; (e) provide the Trust with access to certain office facilities, which may be the Advisers own offices; (f) determine what securities shall be purchased for the Portfolio; what
securities shall be held or sold by the Portfolio, and allocate assets of the Portfolio to separate sub-accounts of any approved sub-advisers, and determine what portion of the Portfolios assets shall be held uninvested; (g) review asset
allocations and investment policies with the Board of Trustees of the Trust every quarter; and (h) advise and assist the officers of the Trust in taking such steps as are necessary or appropriate to carry out the decisions of the Board of
Trustees of the Trust and its committees with respect to the foregoing matters and the conduct of the business of the Portfolio. In addition, the Adviser will furnish the Trust with whatever statistical information the Trust may reasonably request
with respect to the securities that the Portfolio may hold or contemplate purchasing.
As compensation for its
services to the Portfolio, the Adviser receives a management fee (the Adviser Management Fee), payable monthly, for the performance of its services. The annual Adviser Management Fee is equal to 0.75% of the average net assets of
the Portfolio. The fees are allocated daily, based on the prior days net assets plus the current days capital stock activity, at the class level. The Adviser Management Fee is accrued daily for the purpose of determining the offering and
redemption price of the Portfolios shares.
Investments.
Stadion Money Management LLC (the
Sub-Adviser or Stadion) is controlled by certain investment entities controlled and managed by TA Associates, Inc. The Sub-Adviser is a registered investment adviser located in Watkinsville, Georgia. The Sub-Adviser
provides advisory services including discretionary management. Total assets under management in accounts where Stadion has discretionary authority were approximately $5.84 billion as of February 28, 2014.
Subadvisory Agreement
.
Under the terms of the Investment Subadvisory Agreement between the Trust,
the Adviser, and the Sub-Adviser (the Subadvisory Agreement), the Sub-Adviser is responsible for recommending a continuous investment allocation program for the Portfolio in accordance with the Portfolios investment objectives,
policies and restrictions as stated in the Portfolios Prospectus. As compensation for such services, the Sub-Adviser receives from the Adviser an annual Sub-Adviser management fee (the Sub-Adviser Management Fee), payable
monthly, for the performance of its services. The annual Sub-Adviser Management Fee is equal to 0.50% of the average net assets of the Portfolio. The Sub-Adviser Management Fee is accrued daily for the purpose of determining the offering
and redemption price of the Portfolios shares.
Expense Limitation Agreement
.
Under the
terms of the Expense Limitation Agreement with the Adviser and the Sub-Adviser for the benefit of the Portfolio, the Adviser and Sub-Adviser agree to
30
waive certain fees they are entitled to receive from the Portfolio. Specifically, the Adviser and Sub-Adviser agree to reimburse Portfolio expenses and/or waive a portion of the investment
advisory, sub-advisory, and other fees that the Adviser and/or Sub-Adviser is entitled to receive to the extent necessary for the Portfolio to maintain a total annual expense ratio not exceeding 0.80% for each of Class I, Class II and Class III
shares, subject to certain excluded expenses that will be borne by the Portfolio. One-third of this obligation to reimburse expenses and/or waive fees is assumed by the Adviser, and two-thirds is assumed by the Sub-Adviser. Each party also
agrees the waivers shall continue through the end of the period ended April 29, 2015.
A discussion regarding the
Board of Trustees basis for approving the Portfolios Advisory and Subadvisory Agreements with respect to the Portfolio will be available in the Portfolios semi-annual shareholder report for the period ended June 30, 2014.
PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
The following tables summarize, as of February 28, 2014, the other investment activities of each portfolio manager of the
Portfolio, including the portfolio managers of the Portfolios Sub-Adviser (each, a Portfolio Manager). All asset numbers in the table are in millions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Registered Investment
Companies
|
|
Other Pooled Investment
Vehicles
|
|
Other Accounts
|
Portfolio Manager
|
|
Number
of Accounts
Managed
|
|
Total Assets
Managed (in
millions)
|
|
Number of
Accounts
Managed
|
|
Total Assets
Managed (in
millions)
|
|
Number of
Accounts
Managed
|
|
Total Assets
Managed (in
millions)
|
Judson P. Doherty
|
|
2
|
|
$864.07
|
|
23
|
|
$1,383.37
|
|
120,157
|
|
$3,596.41
|
Gregory L. Morris
|
|
2
|
|
$616.18
|
|
23
|
|
$1,383.37
|
|
120,157
|
|
$3,596.41
|
Brad A. Thompson
|
|
7
|
|
$616.18
|
|
23
|
|
$1,383.37
|
|
120,157
|
|
$3,596.41
|
William McGough
|
|
4
|
|
$690.15
|
|
23
|
|
$1,383.37
|
|
120,157
|
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$3,596.41
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As of February 28, 2014, no accounts managed by the Portfolio Managers in the above
table had an advisory fee based solely on investment performance of the accounts.
Description of Material
Conflicts of Interest
An affiliate of the Trusts distributor, ALPS Distributors, Inc.
(ADI), acts as distributor for several ETFs. It is possible that these ETFs could be used in the Portfolio at some time in the future. If this situation arises, the Adviser will waive a portion of the subadvisory fee equal to
the portion of the fees attributable to the assets of the Portfolio invested in such ETFs. See also Additional Information About Investment Strategies Limitations on Investments in Underlying ETFs above.
Potential conflicts that could apply to the Portfolio include:
Allocation of Limited Time and Attention. A Portfolio Manager who is responsible for managing multiple funds and/or accounts
may devote unequal time and attention to the management of those funds and/or accounts. As a result, the Portfolio Manager may not be able to formulate as complete a strategy or identify equally attractive investment opportunities for each
of those accounts as might be the case if he or she were to devote substantially more attention to the management of a single fund. The effects of this potential conflict may be more pronounced where funds and/or accounts overseen by a
particular Portfolio Manager have different investment strategies.
Allocation of Limited Investment Opportunities. If a
Portfolio Manager identifies a limited investment opportunity that may be suitable for multiple funds and/or accounts, the opportunity may be allocated among these several funds or accounts, which may limit a funds ability to
take full advantage of the investment opportunity.
Pursuit of Differing Strategies. At times, a Portfolio Manager
may determine that an investment opportunity may be
31
appropriate for only some of the funds and/or accounts for which he or she exercises investment responsibility, or may decide that certain of the funds and/or accounts should take differing
positions with respect to a particular security. In these cases, the Portfolio Manager may place separate transactions for one or more funds or accounts which may affect the market price of the security or the execution of the transaction,
or both, to the detriment or benefit of one or more other funds and/or accounts.
Selection of Brokers/Dealers. Portfolio
Managers may be able to select or influence the selection of the brokers and dealers that are used to execute securities transactions for the funds and/or account that they supervise. In addition to executing trades, some brokers and dealers
provide Portfolio Managers with brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the 1934 Act), which may result in the payment of higher brokerage fees than might have otherwise been available. These
services may be more beneficial to certain funds or accounts than to others. Although the payment of brokerage commissions is subject to the requirement that the Portfolio Manager determine in good faith that the commissions are reasonable in
relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided to the fund, a Portfolio Managers decision as to the selection of brokers and dealers could yield disproportionate costs and benefits among the funds and/or accounts that he
or she manages.
Variation in Compensation. A conflict of interest may arise where the financial or other benefits
available to the Portfolio Manager differ among the funds and/or accounts that he or she manages. If the structure of the investment advisers management fee and/or the Portfolio Managers compensation differs among funds and/or accounts
(such as where certain funds or accounts pay higher management fees or performance-based management fees), the Portfolio Manager might be motivated to help certain funds and/or accounts over others. The Portfolio Manager might be motivated to favor
funds and/or accounts in which he or she has an interest or in which the investment adviser and/or its affiliates have interests. Similarly, the desire to maintain or raise assets under management or to enhance the Portfolio Managers
performance record or to derive other rewards, financial or otherwise, could influence the Portfolio Manager to lend preferential treatment to those funds and/or accounts that could most significantly benefit the Portfolio Manager.
Related Business Opportunities. The Adviser or its affiliates may provide more services (such as distribution or
recordkeeping) for some types of funds or accounts than for others. In such cases, a Portfolio Manager may benefit, either directly or indirectly, by devoting disproportionate attention to the management of funds and/or accounts that provide
greater overall returns to the Adviser and its affiliates.
Portfolio Manager Compensation Structure
Compensation and financial arrangements with the Sub-Advisers portfolio managers is intended to be competitive and
reflective of the general success of the Sub-Adviser as a firm, as well as the general success of the funds it manages. The portfolio managers are compensated based on a fixed annual salary, bonuses, which may be based on factors such as the
Sub-Advisers profitability, assets in strategies, portfolio manager performance, and other factors that may contribute to the Sub-Advisers revenues and distributable profits, and may include an equity or other profit-sharing component.
In this regard, compensation may include a variety of components, and may vary among portfolio managers in terms of emphasis and criteria.
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Base Salary:
Each portfolio manager receives a base salary.
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Discretionary Incentive Compensation:
Portfolio managers may receive discretionary incentive compensation related to assets under management
or similar considerations, and for performance-based evaluations by the Sub-Advisers management. The Sub-Adviser also may consider a portfolio managers contributions to the firm and success of accounts (including the Portfolio) managed
by the portfolio manager.
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Additional Incentive Compensation:
Portfolio managers may be eligible to receive additional revenue or sales-based compensation tied to
achievement of asset management and assets-under-management goals determined by the Sub-Adviser from time to time. These may relate to the Sub-Advisers asset management achievements or assets under management in general, or may relate to
specific accounts (including the Portfolio) managed by a portfolio manager.
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Equity Incentives:
The Sub-Adviser may reward portfolio managers with additional remuneration based on the Sub-Advisers profitability
in accordance with the terms of an Equity Incentive Plan or individual agreements where the portfolio manager is eligible to receive equity participation (including profit distribution rights related thereto) in the Sub-Adviser.
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Profit Pool and Senior Management Arrangements:
Portfolio managers that reach certain levels of managerial responsibility or success with
and for the Sub-Adviser will be eligible to participate in a profit pool, and may also receive a senior management-level compensation package, which may include any or all of the foregoing compensation arrangements.
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Ownership of Securities
As of the date of this SAI, the Portfolio Managers did not own any shares of the Portfolio.
THE DISTRIBUTOR
ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. (the Distributor), located at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO
80203, serves as the principal underwriter and national distributor for the shares of the Portfolio pursuant to a Distribution Agreement with the Trust dated as of April 30, 2013, as amended on March 10, 2014 (the Distribution
Agreement). The Distributor is registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and each states securities laws and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). The
offering of the Portfolios shares is continuous. The Distributor does not receive any compensation under the Distribution Agreement.
The Distribution Agreement provides that the Distributor, as agent in connection with the distribution of Portfolio shares,
will use its best efforts to distribute the Portfolios shares. As disclosed in the Trustee and Officer tables on pages 24 and 26, Messrs. Thomas A. Carter and Patrick D. Buchanan are affiliated persons of the Distributor and the Trust. In
addition, the Distributor is a wholly owned subsidiary of ALPS Holdings, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of DST. The Distribution Agreement provides that, unless sooner terminated, it will continue until two years from the date of the
Distribution Agreement and shall continue from year to year, subject to annual approval by (a) the Board of Trustees or a vote of a majority of the outstanding shares, and (b) by a majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons of
the Trust or of the Distributor by vote cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval. The Distribution Agreement may be terminated by the Trust at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by vote of a
majority of the entire Board of Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Portfolio on 60 days written notice to the Distributor, or by the Distributor at any time, without the payment of any penalty, on
60 days written notice to the Trust. The Distribution Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of its assignment.
The Trust has adopted distribution plans pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act relating to Class I, II and Class III
shares, respectively (the 12b-1 Plans).
Class I Distribution Plan
The Class I shares have adopted a Defensive Distribution Plan (the Class I Distribution Plan) that recognizes that
the Adviser may use its management fees, in addition to its past profits or its other resources, to pay for expenses incurred in connection with providing services intended to result in the sale of Portfolio shares and/or shareholder support
services. Under the Class I Distribution Plan, the Adviser may pay significant amounts to intermediaries, such as banks, broker-dealers and other intermediaries that provide those services. The Board of Trustees has currently authorized
such payments for the Class I shares of the Portfolio.
Class II and III Distribution Plans
The Class II and III shares have each adopted an Offensive Distribution Plan (the Class II and III Distribution
Plans) that permits the use of the Portfolios assets to compensate the Distributor for its services in distributing shares and servicing shareholder accounts. The Class II and III Distribution Plans also recognize that the Adviser
and Sub-Adviser
33
(as applicable) may use their management fee revenues, as well as their past profits, to pay for expenses incurred in connection with providing services intended to result in the sale of shares
and/or shareholder support services.
Under the Class II and III Distribution Plans, the Distributor receives an
amount equal to 0.25% of the average annual net assets of the Class II or III shares, as applicable, of the Portfolio. All or a portion of the fees paid to the Distributor under the Class II and III Distribution Plans will, in turn, be paid to
certain financial intermediaries as compensation for selling shares or for providing ongoing administrative services. These services generally include responding to financial intermediaries inquiries, directing said customers
communications, account balance maintenance and dividend posting.
Because the fees paid under the Class II and III
Distribution Plans are paid out of Portfolio assets on an on-going basis, over time these fees will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than other types of sales charges.
Class III Shareholder Services Plan
The Portfolio has adopted a shareholder services plan (a Services Plan) with respect to the Portfolios Class
III shares. Under the Services Plan, the Portfolio is authorized to pay insurance companies, banks and their affiliates and other institutions, including broker-dealers and Trust affiliates (Participating Organizations), an aggregate fee
in an amount not to exceed on an annual basis 0.25% of the average daily net asset value of the Class III shares of the Portfolio attributable to or held in the name of a Participating Organization for its clients as compensation for providing
service activities pursuant to an agreement with a Participating Organization. Any amount of such payment not paid during the Portfolios fiscal year for such service activities shall be reimbursed to the Portfolio as soon as practicable.
Other Information
The Portfolio does not participate in joint distribution activities with any other investment company. No Independent
Trustee of the Trust has any direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the 12b-1 Plan or any related agreements.
The Adviser or Distributor may provide additional cash payments out of their own resources to financial intermediaries that
purchase shares of the Portfolio or provide other services. Such payments are in addition to any 12b-1 fees and/or shareholder services fees or other expenses paid by the Portfolio. These additional payments may be made to financial intermediaries,
including affiliates that provide shareholder servicing, sub-administration, recordkeeping and/or sub-transfer agency services, marketing support and/or access to sales meetings, sales representatives and management representatives of the service
agent. Cash compensation also may be paid to service agents for inclusion of the Portfolio on a sales list, including a preferred or select sales list or in other sales programs. These payments sometimes are referred to as revenue
sharing. In some cases, these payments may create an incentive for a service agent to recommend the Portfolio to you. Please contact your financial intermediaries for details about any payments it may receive in connection with the purchase of
the Portfolio or the provisions of services to the Portfolio.
From time to time, the Adviser or the Distributor also may
provide cash or non-cash compensation to service agents in the form of: occasional gifts; occasional meals, tickets, or other entertainment; support for due diligence trips; educational conference sponsorship; support for recognition programs; and
other forms of cash or non-cash compensation permissible under broker-dealer regulations, as periodically amended.
FUND
ADMINISTRATION
ALPS Fund Services, Inc. (AFS), located at 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203, is
a wholly owned subsidiary of ALPS Holdings. As discussed above, ALPS Holdings is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DST and the parent of the Adviser and the Distributor. AFS serves as Administrator pursuant to a Fund Accounting and Administration
Agreement (Administration Agreement) with the Trust. As such, AFS provides all necessary bookkeeping, shareholder recordkeeping services and pricing services to the Portfolio. Under the Administration Agreement, AFS will
provide portfolio accounting services, expense accrual and payment services, fund valuation and financial reporting services, tax accounting services and compliance control services. AFS does not charge the Trust a
34
fee in connection with providing services under the Administration Agreement.
FUND TRANSFER AGENT
AFS, whose principal business address is shown above, also serves as Transfer Agent to the
Portfolio pursuant to a Transfer Agency and Service Agreement (TA Agreement) with the Trust. Under the TA Agreement, AFS will provide all of the customary services of a transfer agent and dividend disbursing agent including, but not
limited to: (1) receiving and processing orders to purchase or redeem shares; (2) mailing shareholder reports and prospectuses to current shareholders; and (3) providing blue sky services to monitor the number of the shares of the
Portfolio sold in each state. AFS does not charge the Trust a fee in connection with providing services under the TA Agreement.
PORTFOLIO TRANSACTIONS
All orders for the purchase or sale of securities are placed on behalf of the Portfolio by
the Sub-Adviser. The Sub-Adviser is also responsible for the placement of transaction orders for other investment companies and accounts for which it or its affiliates act as investment adviser. In selecting broker-dealers, subject to applicable
limitations of the federal securities laws, the Sub-Adviser considers various relevant factors, including, but not limited to, the brokers execution capability, the brokers perceived financial stability, the brokers responsiveness
to the Sub-advisers transaction requests, and the brokers clearance and settlement capability. Commissions for foreign investments traded on foreign exchanges will generally be higher than for U.S. investments and may not be subject to
negotiation.
The Portfolio may execute portfolio transactions with broker-dealers who provide research and execution
services to the Portfolio or other accounts over which the Adviser or Sub-Adviser, or their affiliates, exercise investment discretion. Such services may include research-related computer hardware and software; and furnishing analyses and reports
concerning issuers, industries, and economic factors and trends.
The receipt of research from broker-dealers that execute
transactions on behalf of the Portfolio may be useful to the Adviser or Sub-Adviser in rendering investment management services to the Portfolio and/or its other clients, and conversely, such information provided by broker-dealers who have executed
transaction orders on behalf of other clients may be useful to the Adviser or Sub-Adviser in carrying out its obligations to the Portfolio. The receipt of such research has not reduced the Sub-Advisers normal independent research activities;
however, it enables the Sub-Adviser to avoid the additional expenses that could be incurred if it tried to develop comparable information through its own efforts. Such research is used by the Sub-Adviser in connection with its investment
decision-making process with respect to one or more funds and accounts managed by it, and may not be used, or used exclusively, with respect to the Portfolio or account generating the brokerage.
Subject to applicable limitations of the federal securities laws, broker-dealers may receive commissions for agency
transactions that are higher than the commission of other broker-dealers in recognition of their research and execution services. In order to cause the Portfolio to pay such higher commissions, the Sub-Adviser must determine in good faith that such
commissions are reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided by such executing broker-dealers viewed in terms of a particular transaction or the Sub-Advisers overall responsibilities to the Portfolio and
its other clients. In reaching this determination, the Sub-Adviser will not attempt to place a specific dollar value on the brokerage and research services provided or to determine what portion of the compensation should be related to those
services.
The Sub-Adviser is authorized to use research services provided by and to place portfolio transactions, to the
extent permitted by law, with brokerage firms that have provided assistance in the distribution of shares of the Portfolio.
The Trustees periodically review the Sub-Advisers performance of their responsibilities in connection with the placement
of portfolio transactions on behalf of the Portfolio and review the commissions paid by the Portfolio over representative periods of time to determine if they are reasonable in relation to the benefits to the Portfolio.
When two or more portfolios are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security, the prices and amounts
are allocated in accordance with a formula considered by the Trustees and the Portfolios Sub-Adviser to be
35
equitable to the Portfolio. In some cases this system could have a detrimental effect on the price or value of the security as far as the Portfolio is concerned. In other cases, however, the
ability of the Portfolio to participate in volume transactions will produce better executions for the Portfolio. It is the current opinion of the Trustees that the desirability of retaining the Portfolios Sub-Adviser outweighs any
disadvantages to the Portfolio that may be said to exist from exposure to simultaneous transactions.
CONTROL PERSONS AND
PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
As of April 30, 2014, the Portfolio was new and no person owned 25% or more of
the Portfolios outstanding shares or 5% or more of any Class of the Portfolios outstanding shares.
VALUATION OF PORTFOLIO SECURITIES
Calculation of Share Price
The net asset value per share of the Portfolio will be determined on each day when the New York Stock Exchange
(NYSE) is open for business and will be computed by taking the aggregate market value of all assets of the Portfolio less its liabilities, and dividing by the total number of shares outstanding. Each determination will be made:
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by valuing portfolio securities, including open short positions, puts and calls, and futures contracts, which are traded on the various exchanges
including the NASDAQ National Market System or similar electronic exchange, at the last reported sales price;
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by valuing portfolio securities for which a quote is readily available at the last quoted price;
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by valuing portfolio securities for which no sale was reported on a particular day and securities traded on the over-the-counter market at the mean
between the last bid and asked prices; and
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by valuing portfolio securities or other assets for which market quotations are not readily available at fair value in good faith and under the
supervision of the Board of Trustees, although others may do the actual calculation.
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The price (net
asset value) of Portfolio shares is determined as of the close of the regular session of trading on the NYSE (usually 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time), on each day the NYSE is open for business. The NYSE is ordinarily open for business on every day
except Saturdays, Sundays and the following holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Trading in Foreign Securities
Trading in foreign securities may be completed at times that vary from the closing of the NYSE. In computing net asset
value, the Portfolio values foreign securities at the latest closing price on the exchange on which they are primarily traded immediately prior to the closing of the NYSE. Some foreign currency exchange rates may also be determined at the
latest rate immediately prior to the closing of the NYSE. Foreign securities quoted in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at current rates. Occasionally, events that affect these values and exchange rates may occur
between the times at which they are determined and the closing of the NYSE. If these events materially affect the value of Portfolio securities, these securities may be valued at their fair value as determined in good faith by the Board of
Trustees.
ADDITIONAL PURCHASE AND REDEMPTION INFORMATION
Purchase of Shares
Orders for shares received by the Trust in good order prior to the close of the regular session of trading on the NYSE on each
day during such periods that the NYSE is open for trading are priced at net asset value per share computed as of the close of the regular session of trading on the NYSE. Orders received in good order after the close of the NYSE, or
36
on a day it is not open for trading, are priced at the close of the regular session of trading of the NYSE on the next day on which it is open for trading at the next determined net asset value
per share.
Redemption of Shares
The Trust will redeem all or any portion of a shareholders shares of the Portfolio when requested in accordance with the
procedures set forth in the Buying and Selling Shares section of the Prospectus. Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, a shareholders right to redeem shares and to receive payment for such shares may be suspended at times:
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(a)
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when the NYSE is closed, other than customary weekend and holiday closings;
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(b)
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when trading on that exchange is restricted for any reason;
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(c)
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when an emergency exists as a result of which disposal by the Portfolio of securities owned by it is not reasonably practicable or it is not
reasonably practicable for the Portfolio fairly to determine the value of its net assets, provided that applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (or any succeeding governmental authority) will govern as to whether
the conditions prescribed in (b) or (c) exist; or
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(d)
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when the SEC by order permits a suspension of the right to redemption or a postponement of the date of payment on redemption.
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In case of suspension of the right of redemption, payment of a redemption request will be made based on
the net asset value next determined after the termination of the suspension.
Supporting documents will be required
from executors, administrators, trustees, or if redemption is requested by someone other than the shareholder of record. Such documents include, but are not restricted to, stock powers, trust instruments, certificates of death, appointments as
executor, certificates of corporate authority and waiver of tax required in some states when settling estates.
The
Trust has filed an election pursuant to Rule 18f-1 under the 1940 Act that provides that each series of the Trust is obligated to redeem shares solely in cash up to $250,000 or 1% of such portfolios net asset value, whichever is less, for any
one shareholder within a 90-day period. Any redemption beyond this amount may be made in proceeds other than cash. The Portfolio may make payment for redemption in securities or other property if it appears appropriate to do so in light of
the Portfolios responsibilities under the 1940 Act. Shareholders who receive redemption in kind may incur additional costs when they convert the securities or property received to cash and may receive less than the redemption value of their
shares, particularly where the securities are sold prior to maturity.
DISTRIBUTIONS AND TAXES
DISTRIBUTIONS. All dividends and capital gains distributions paid by the Portfolio will be automatically reinvested, at net
asset value, in additional shares of the Portfolio unless otherwise indicated. The Portfolio pays capital gains and income dividends annually. There is no fixed dividend rate and there can be no assurance that the Portfolio will pay any dividends or
realize any capital gains.
If the net asset value of shares is reduced below a shareholders cost as a result
of a distribution by the Portfolio, such distribution generally will be taxable even though it represents a return of invested capital. Investors should be careful to consider the tax implications of buying shares of the Portfolio just prior to a
distribution. The price of shares purchased at this time will include the amount of the forthcoming distribution, but the distribution will generally be taxable to the shareholder.
TAXES. The Portfolio is treated as a separate entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes and the Portfolio intends to qualify
as a regulated investment company under the provisions of Subchapter M of the Code. As a result, the Portfolio will not be subject to U.S. Federal income tax on any net income or capital gains that it distributes to its shareholders,
that is, the insurance companies separate accounts and qualified pension and retirement plans. Generally,
37
a regulated investment company must distribute substantially all of its ordinary income and capital gains in accordance with a calendar year distribution requirement to avoid a nondeductible 4%
excise tax imposed by Section 4982 of the Code. However, the excise tax does not apply to the Portfolio whose only shareholders are certain tax-exempt trusts or segregated asset accounts of life insurance companies (or their affiliates) held in
connection with variable contracts. The Portfolio intends to qualify for this exemption and to make distributions in accordance with the calendar year distribution requirements, and therefore the Portfolio does not expect to be subject to this
excise tax.
If the Portfolio fails to qualify as a regulated investment company, the Portfolio will be treated as a C
corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and be subject to federal, and potentially state, corporate income taxes on its taxable income and gains. Furthermore, distributions to the Portfolios shareholders will constitute ordinary
dividend income to the extent of the Portfolios earnings and profits, and insurance policy and product holders could be subject to tax on distributions received with respect to Portfolio shares. In addition, as discussed below, the failure of
the Portfolio to qualify as a regulated investment company would cause the Portfolio to fail to satisfy the diversification requirements applicable to variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts, which would result in taxation of the
applicable insurance companys separate accounts that own interests in the Portfolio, the insurance companies variable life policies and variable annuity contracts, and tax consequences to the holders thereof.
Section 817(h) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder impose certain diversification
requirements for variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts. The Portfolio intends to comply with such diversification requirements. These requirements are in addition to the diversification requirement imposed on the Portfolio by
Subchapter M and the 1940 Act. The diversification requirements imposed by Section 817(h) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder place certain limitations on the proportion of the Portfolios assets that may be
represented by a single investment or by securities issued by a single issuer. A contract based upon a separate account will not receive favorable tax treatment as an annuity or life insurance contract unless the separate account and underlying
regulated investment company investments satisfy the diversification requirements of Section 817(h) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.
In determining whether a separate account is adequately diversified, the separate account can look through to the assets of
the regulated investment company in which it has invested, provided that whose beneficial interests are held wholly by the separate accounts of insurance companies or qualified pension or retirement plans, and that is accessible to the public solely
through the purchase of variable contracts. The Trust intends for the Portfolio to qualify for the foregoing look-through rule.
The Treasury Regulations promulgated under Section 817(h) of the Code require the Portfolios assets to be
diversified so that no single investment (which includes all securities of the issuer) represents, as of the end of each calendar quarter or within 30 days thereafter, more than 55% of the value of the Portfolios total assets, no two
investments represent more than 70% of the Portfolios total assets, no three investments represent more than 80% of the Portfolios total assets and no four investments represent more than 90% of the Portfolios total assets. A
safe harbor is available to a separate account if it meets the diversification tests applicable to registered investment companies and not more than 55% of its assets constitute cash, cash items, government securities and securities of
other registered investment companies.
The applicable Regulations treat all securities of the same issuer as a single
investment. In the case of government securities, each government agency or instrumentality shall be treated as a separate issuer for the purpose of the diversification test (although not for the purpose of the safe harbor
test described above). All securities of the same issuer, all interests in the same real property project, and all interests in the same commodity are treated as a single investment.
The Trust and the Portfolio intend to qualify as a regulated investment company under the provisions of Subchapter M of the
Code and to comply with the diversification requirements imposed by Section 817(h) of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder. The failure of the Portfolio to qualify as a regulated investment company or to satisfy the
diversification requirements under Section 817(h) of the Code would result in taxation of the applicable insurance companies separate accounts that own interests in the Portfolio, the insurance companies variable life policies and
variable annuity contracts, and tax consequences to the holders thereof.
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The Portfolio is required to furnish to certain shareholders cost basis
information indicating the holding period of those Shares purchased on or after January 1, 2012, and sold on and after that date. Unless a shareholder that is subject to the reporting requirement chooses an acceptable alternative cost basis
method, the Portfolio will report cost basis information using a default cost basis method. The Portfolio is not required to furnish such information to shareholders defined as exempt recipients under Treasury Regulation
Section 1.6045-1(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Such exempt interest shareholders generally include insurance companies and individual retirement plans. Shareholders should consult with their tax advisers to obtain more information about
how the new cost basis reporting law may apply to them.
The foregoing is only a brief summary of important tax
considerations that generally affect the Portfolio. Prospective investors should consult their own tax advisers with regard to the Federal tax consequences of the purchase, ownership, or disposition of Portfolio shares, as well as the tax
consequences arising under the laws of any state, foreign country, or other taxing jurisdiction.
For a discussion of the
impact on Contract owners of income taxes an issuer may owe as a result of (i) its ownership of shares of the Portfolio, (ii) its receipt of dividends and distributions thereon, and (iii) its gains from the purchase and sale thereof,
reference should be made to the Prospectus for the Contract accompanying the Contract or qualified plan disclosure accompanying the Prospectus.
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
The Trust has delegated the responsibility for voting proxies to the
Sub-Adviser as part of the Sub-Advisers management of the Portfolio, subject to continuing oversight by the Adviser and the Board. A copy of the Sub-Advisers Proxy Voting Policy, Procedures, and Guidelines can be found in Appendix A of
this SAI. A summary of proxies voted by the Portfolio for the most recent 12 month period ending June 30 is available without a charge, upon request, by contacting your insurance company or plan sponsor, on the Trusts website at
www.alpsfunds.com, and filed on Form N-PX on the SECs website at www.sec.gov.
PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
Total Return
Average annual total return quotations that may be used in the Portfolios advertising and promotional materials are
calculated according to the following formulas:
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P* (1+T)n = ERV
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Where:
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P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000
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T = average annual total return
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n = number of years
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ERV= ending redeemable value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment made at the beginning of the period
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Under the foregoing formula, the time periods used in any advertising will be based on rolling
calendar quarters, updated to the last day of the most recent quarter prior to submission of the advertising for publication. Average annual total return, or T in the above formula, is computed by finding the average annual
compounded rates of return over the period that would equate the initial amount invested to the ending redeemable value. Average annual total return assumes the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. The calculation assumes an
initial $1,000 payment and assumes all dividends and distributions by the Portfolio are reinvested at the price stated in the Prospectus on the reinvestment dates during the period, and includes all recurring fees that are charged to all shareholder
accounts.
The following formula is used to calculate average annual returns after taxes before liquidations:
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Where:
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P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000
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T = average annual total return
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n = number of years in the base period
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ATVD = ending value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment made at the beginning of the base period, at the end of the base period, after
taxes on Portfolio distributions
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but not after taxes on redemption
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The following formula is used to calculate average annual returns after taxes after liquidations:
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P* (1+T)n = ATVDR
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Where:
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P = a hypothetical initial payment of $1,000.
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T = average annual total return
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n = number of years in the base period
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ATVDR = ending value of a hypothetical $1,000 payment made at the beginning of the base period at the end of the base period, after
taxes on Portfolio distributions and redemption.
|
The Portfolio may also calculate total return on a cumulative basis to reflect the cumulative
percentage change in value over the measuring period. The formula for calculating cumulative total return can be expressed as follows:
Cumulative Total Return = [ (ERV) - 1 ]
Other Information
The Portfolios performance data quoted in any advertising and other promotional materials represents past performance
and is not intended to predict or indicate future results. The return and principal value of an investment in the Portfolio will fluctuate, and an investors redemption proceeds may be more or less than the original investment amount.
Comparison of Portfolio Performance
The performance of the Portfolio may be compared to data prepared by Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., Morningstar, Inc. or
other independent services which monitor the performance of investment companies, and may be quoted in advertising in terms of its ranking in each applicable universe. In addition, the Portfolio may use performance data reported in financial
and industry publications, including Barrons, Business Week, Forbes, Fortune, Investors Daily, IBC/Donoghues Money Portfolio Report, Money Magazine, The Wall Street Journal and USA Today.
CODE OF ETHICS
The Trust, Adviser, Sub-Adviser, and the Distributor have each adopted a Code of Ethics. These policies permit personnel
of such entities to purchase and sell securities held by the Portfolio, subject to certain policies that govern personal investing. These Codes of Ethics have been filed with the SEC as exhibits to the Trusts registration statement.
CUSTODIAN
State Street Bank and Trust Company, located at 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA, 02171 (the Custodian), serves as
the custodian for the Portfolio. As such, the Custodian holds in safekeeping certificated securities and cash belonging to the Portfolio and, in such capacity, is the registered owner of securities in book-entry form belonging to the Portfolio. Upon
instruction, the Custodian receives and delivers cash and securities of the Portfolio in connection with Portfolio transactions and collects all dividends and other distributions made with respect to portfolio securities. The Custodian also
maintains certain accounts and records of the Portfolio.
40
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Deloitte & Touch LLP, 555 17
th
Street, Suite 3600, Denver,
Colorado 80202, serves as the Trusts independent registered public accounting firm. The independent registered public accounting firm audits the annual financial statements for the Trust and provides other audit, tax, and related services.
LEGAL COUNSEL
Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP, 1550 17th Street, Suite 500, Denver, Colorado 80202 serves as the Trusts legal
counsel.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
As of the date of this SAI, the Portfolio has not commenced operations. When available, you can obtain copies of the
Portfolios Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report at no charge by writing or telephoning the Trust at the address or number on the front page of this SAI.
41
APPENDIX A
STADION MONEY MANAGEMENT, LLC
PROXY VOTING AND DISCLOSURE POLICY
Effective March 10, 2003, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) adopted rule and form amendments under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (the Advisers Act) that address an investment advisers fiduciary obligation to its clients when the Adviser has the authority to vote their proxies (collectively, the rule and form amendments are
referred to herein as the Advisers Act Amendments).
The Advisers Act Amendments require that Stadion Money Management, LLC
(Stadion) adopt and implement policies and procedures for voting proxies in the best interest of clients, to describe the procedures to clients, and to tell clients how they may obtain information about how Stadion has actually voted
their proxies.
This Proxy Voting and Disclosure Policy (the Policy) is designed to ensure that Stadion complies with the
requirements of the Advisers Act Amendments, and otherwise fulfills its obligations with respect to proxy voting, disclosure, and recordkeeping. The overall goal is to ensure that proxy voting is managed in an effort to act in the best interests of
clients or, with respect to the Fund, its shareholders. While decisions about how to vote must be determined on a case-by-case basis, proxy voting decisions will be made considering these guidelines and following the procedures recited herein.
II.
|
Specific Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
|
In general, Stadion will vote proxies for clients for positions recommend by Stadion. In addition, Stadion has one client, the Stadion
Investment Trust (the Fund) for which Stadion will vote proxies. In voting proxies for the Fund (or any other client for whom Stadion determines to vote proxies in the future), Stadion is committed to voting proxies in the manner that
serves the best interests of the client (e.g., the Fund and its shareholders).
The following details Stadions philosophy and practice regarding the
voting of proxies.
Stadion believes that each proxy proposal should be individually reviewed to determine whether the proposal is in the best interests of its
clients. As a result, similar proposals for different companies may receive different votes because of different corporate circumstances.
To
implement Stadions proxy voting policies, Stadion has developed the following procedures for voting proxies.
|
1.
|
Upon receipt of a corporate proxy by Stadion, the special or annual report and the proxy are submitted to Stadions proxy voting manager (the
Proxy Manager), currently Joe Ezernack.
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|
2.
|
The Proxy Manager shall be responsible for reviewing the special or annual report, proxy proposals, and proxy proposal summaries. The reviewer
shall take into consideration what vote is in the best interests of clients and the provisions of Stadions Voting Guidelines in Section C below. The Proxy Manager will then vote the proxies.
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3.
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The Proxy Manager shall be responsible for maintaining copies of each annual report, proposal, proposal summary, actual vote, and any other
information required to be maintained for a proxy vote under Rule 204-2 of the Advisers Act (see discussion in Section V below) or (for the Fund) under
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42
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Rule 30b1-4 of the Investment Company Act. With respect to proxy votes on topics deemed, in the opinion of the Proxy Manager, to be controversial or particularly sensitive, the Proxy Manager will
provide a written explanation for the proxy vote which will be maintained with the record of the actual vote in Stadions files.
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C.
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Absence of Proxy Manager
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In the event that the Proxy Manager is unavailable to vote a proxy, then the President shall perform the Proxy Managers duties with
respect to such proxy in accordance with the policies and procedures detailed above.
While Stadions policy is to review each proxy proposal on its individual merits, Stadion has adopted guidelines for certain types of
matters to assist the Proxy Manager in the review and voting of proxies. These guidelines are set forth below:
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A.
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Investment Company Matters
. In general, Stadion invests the accounts of the Fund and other clients in exchange-traded funds, mutual funds,
or other investment companies (collectively, investment companies). When called upon to vote investment company proxies, Stadion will follow the following guidelines:
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|
1.
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Election of Directors and Similar Matters
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In an uncontested election, Stadion will generally vote in favor of managements proposed directors/trustees. In a contested election,
Stadion will evaluate proposed directors/trustees on a case-by-case basis. With respect to proposals regarding the structure of a companys Board of Directors or Trustees, Stadion will review any contested proposal on its merits, but expects to
generally
support
proposals recommended and approved by the investment companys independent directors or trustees.
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2.
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Audit Committee Approvals
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Stadion generally supports proposals that help ensure that a companys auditors are independent and capable of delivering a fair and
accurate opinion of a companys finances.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Stadion expects to generally
support
the
ratification of the selection of auditors recommended and approved by the investment companys independent directors or trustees.
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3.
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Approval of Advisory Contracts
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Stadion will seek to evaluate advisory contracts on their own merits on a case-by-case basis by reviewing, among other things, the fairness of
the agreement in light of the services to be provided, the financial terms, the historical performance of the investment adviser and managements discussion of the terms of the contract.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Stadion expects to generally
support
advisory contracts recommended and approved by an investment
companys independent directors or trustees.
Stadion will seek to evaluate proposed 12b-1 Plans on their own merits on a case-by-case basis by reviewing, among other things, the fairness
of the plan in light of managements proposal, Stadions evaluation of the financial and other terms of the proposal and the potential benefits of the plan to the investment company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Stadion expects to generally
support
12b-1 Plans recommended and approved by an investment
companys independent directors or trustees.
43
Stadion will seek to evaluate proposed mergers of investment companies on their own merits by
evaluating, among other things, the financial terms and short- and long-term economic effects of the proposed merger and its impact on shareholders and managements discussion, and Stadions review, of the reasons for the merger.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Stadion expects to generally
support
mergers recommended and approved by an investment
companys independent directors or trustees.
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6.
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Voting Shares Owned by the Fund
|
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing guidelines in Sections 1-5 above, the Fund is required by Section 12(d)(1)(F) of the Investment
Company Act of 1940 to vote proxies with respect to any investment companies securities (i.e. exchange traded funds, mutual funds, or other investment companies) held by it in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of such
securities. Accordingly, Stadion will vote such proxies on behalf of the Fund in accordance with the requirements of Section 12(d)(1)(F).
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B.
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Operating Company Matters
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Because of the investment strategy Stadion uses for its clients, including the Fund, it is unlikely that such clients will frequently hold
operating company stocks. However, if Stadion is called upon to vote operating company proxies for clients, Stadion will follow the following guidelines:
Stadion will consider proposals involving corporate governance on a case-by-case basis, considering whether proposals tend to strengthen the
independence of directors, the independence of auditors or the rights of shareholders.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Stadion expects to generally
support
proposals to:
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¨
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In uncontested directors elections, approve managements proposed directors; and
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¨
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Ratify managements recommendation and selection of auditors.
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Stadion may consider all proposals that will have a material effect on shareholder rights on a case-by-case basis, seeking to support
proposals to maintain or increase shareholder rights.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Stadion expects to generally
support
proposals to:
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¨
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Adopt confidential voting and independent tabulation of voting results; and
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¨
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Require shareholder approval of poison pills;
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And expects to generally
vote against
proposals to:
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¨
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Adopt super-majority voting requirements; and
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¨
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Restrict the rights of shareholders to call special meetings, amend the bylaws or act by written consent.
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3.
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Anti-Takeover Measures, Corporate Restructurings and Similar Matters
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Stadion will review proposals to adopt an anti-takeover measure, to undergo a corporate restructuring (e.g., change of entity form or state of
incorporation, mergers or acquisitions) or to take similar action by reviewing the potential short and long-term economic and financial effects of the proposal on the company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Stadion expects to generally
support
proposals to:
44
|
¨
|
Adopt fair price requirements (i.e., requirements that all shareholders be paid the same price in a tender offer or takeover context), unless the
Proxy Manager deems them sufficiently limited in scope; and
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¨
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Require shareholder approval of poison pills.
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And expects to generally
vote against
proposals to:
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¨
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Adopt classified boards of directors;
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¨
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Reincorporate a company where the primary purpose appears to the Proxy Manager to be the creation of takeover defenses; and
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¨
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Require a company to consider the non-financial effects of mergers or acquisitions.
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In voting on proposals with respect to compensation, Stadion will generally support proposals it believes will fairly compensate executives.
Stadion will evaluate proposed stock option plans and issuances on a case-by-case basis, considering the potential dilutive effect on shareholders shares, the potential short and long-term economic effects on the company and shareholders and
the terms of the proposed options.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, Stadion expects to generally
support
proposals to:
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¨
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Disclose compensation policies;
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¨
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Adopt compensation packages or policies that generally link executive compensation to performance;
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¨
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Require shareholders approval of golden parachutes;
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¨
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Adopt golden parachutes that do not exceed
[3]
times the base compensation of the applicable executives;
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¨
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Adopt executive stock option plans and stock option plans for
outside
directors, provided that total potential dilution (including all
equity based plans) is less than 10% of shares outstanding; and
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¨
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Adopt employee stock purchase plans, provided that shares purchased under the plan are acquired for no less than 85% of their market value.
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And expects to generally
vote against
proposals to:
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¨
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Adopt stock option plans with any of the following structural features:
|
|
¡
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Ability to issue options with an exercise price below the stocks current market price;
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¡
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Ability to issue reload options; or
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¡
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Automatic share replenishment (evergreen) feature.
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5.
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Corporate Responsibility and Social Issues
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Stadion generally believes that ordinary business matters (including, without limitation, positions on corporate
responsibility and social issues) are primarily the responsibility of a companys management that should be addressed solely by the companys management. Accordingly, Stadion will generally abstain from voting on proposals involving
corporate responsibility and social issues. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Stadion may vote against corporate responsibility and social issue proposals that Stadion believes will have substantial adverse economic or other effects on a company, and
Stadion may vote for corporate responsibility and social issue proposals that Stadion believes will have substantial positive economic or other effects on a company.
45
In cases where Stadion is aware of a conflict between the interests of a client and the interests
of Stadion or an affiliated person of Stadion (e.g., a portfolio company is a client or an affiliate of a client of Stadion), Stadion will notify the client of such conflict and will vote the clients shares in accordance with the clients
instructions. In the event that Stadion does not receive instructions from the client within three business days of the notice, Stadion may abstain from voting or vote the proxy in what it believes (in its sole discretion) is the clients best
interests.
V.
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Stadion Disclosure of How to Obtain Voting Information
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On or before August 6, 2003, Rule 206(4)-6 requires Stadion to disclose in response to any client request how the client can obtain
information from Stadion on how its securities were voted. Stadion will disclose in Part II of its Form ADV that clients can obtain information on how their proxies were voted by making a written request to Stadion. Upon receiving a written request
from a client, Stadion will provide the information requested by the client within a reasonable amount of time.
Rule 206(4)-6 also
requires Stadion to describe its proxy voting policies and procedures to clients, and upon request, to provide clients with a copy of those policies and procedures. Stadion will provide such a description in Part II of its Form ADV. Upon receiving a
written request from a client, Stadion will provide a copy of this policy within a reasonable amount of time.
If approved by the client, this policy and
any requested records may be provided electronically.
Stadion shall keep the following records for a period of at least five years, the first two in an easily accessible place:
|
(i)
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A copy of this Policy;
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(ii)
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Proxy Statements received regarding client securities;
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(iii)
|
Records of votes cast on behalf of clients;
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(iv)
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Any documents prepared by Stadion that were material to making a decision how to vote, or that memorialized the basis for the decision;
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(v)
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Records of client requests for proxy voting information, and
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(vi)
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With respect to the Fund, a record of each shareholder request for proxy voting information and the Funds response, including the date of the
request, the name of the shareholder, and the date of the response.
|
Stadion shall maintain a copy of each of the
foregoing records that is related to proxy votes on behalf of the Fund by Stadion as part of its records and, upon reasonable written notice, shall deliver such records to the Fund.
Stadion may rely on proxy statements filed on the SEC EDGAR system instead of keeping its own copies, and may rely on proxy statements and
records of proxy votes cast by Stadion that are maintained with a third party such as a proxy voting service, provided that Stadion has obtained an undertaking from the third party to provide a copy of the documents promptly upon request.
This policy may be amended at any time by the Stadion, provided that material changes to this policy that affect proxy voting for the Fund
shall be ratified by the Fund within four (4) months of adoption by Stadion.
Adopted as of this 1st day of July, 2003; last amended as of the 30th
day of June, 2011.
46
PART C
OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 28. EXHIBITS
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EXHIBIT
NUMBER
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DESCRIPTION
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(a)
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(i)
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Declaration of Trust dated July 26, 2000 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(i) to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 1 as filed with the Commission on April 2, 2008.
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(ii)
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Amendment to Declaration of Trust, dated April 30, 2013 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(ii) to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 as filed with the Commission on April 5, 2013.
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(iii)
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Certificate of Trust dated July 26, 2000 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (a)(ii) to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 1 as filed with the Commission on April 2, 2008.
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(iv)
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Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Trust, dated April 30, 2013 is incorporated by reference to
Exhibit (a)(iv) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 as filed with the Commission on April 5, 2013.
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(b)
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(i)
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Bylaws of the Trust
dated July 26, 2000 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (b) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 as filed with the Commission on April 2, 2008.
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(ii)
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Amendment to Bylaws of the Trust, dated April 30, 2013 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (b)(ii) to
Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 as filed with the Commission on April 5, 2013.
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(c)
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Provisions of instruments defining rights of security holders are contained in Articles 4 and 7 of the
Declaration of Trust dated July 26, 2000, as amended (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (a) hereto) and Article 2 of the Bylaws, as amended (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (b) hereto).
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(d)
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(i)
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Investment Advisory
Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc., dated November 1, 2011, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(i) to Post-Effective Amendment No.7 as filed with the Commission on April 2, 2012.
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(ii)
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Investment Advisory
Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc., dated April 30, 2014, with respect to the ALPS/Stadion Tactical Defensive Portfolio, is filed herewith.
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(iii)
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Amendment to
Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. dated April 30, 2013 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(iii) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 as filed with the Commission on April 5, 2013.
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(iv)
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Amendment to
Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc., with respect to the ALPS|JPMorgan ETF Efficiente 5 TR Index Portfolio, to be filed by subsequent amendment.
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(v)
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Investment Subadvisory Agreement among the Trust, ALPS Advisors, Inc., and Ibbotson Associates, Inc., dated
November 1, 2011, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(i) to Post-Effective Amendment No.7 as filed with the Commission on April 2, 2012.
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(vi)
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Investment Subadvisory Agreement among the Trust, ALPS Advisors, Inc., and Stadion Money Management, LLC, with
respect to the ALPS/Stadion Tactical Defensive Portfolio, is filed herewith.
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(vii)
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Amendment to Investment Subadvisory Agreement among the Trust, ALPS Advisors, Inc., and Ibbotson Associates,
Inc. dated April 30, 2013 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (d)(iv) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 as filed with the Commission on April 5, 2013.
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(e)
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(i)
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Distribution Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., dated April 30, 2013
is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (e)(i) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 as filed with the Commission on April 5, 2013.
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(ii)
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Amendment to Distribution Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., with
respect to the ALPS/Stadion Tactical Defensive Portfolio, is filed herewith.
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(iii)
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Amendment to
Distribution Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., with respect to the ALPS|JPMorgan ETF Efficiente 5 TR Index Portfolio, to be filed by subsequent amendment.
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(iv)
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Form of Participation Agreement is filed herewith.
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(v)
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Form of Amendment to Participation Agreement, with respect to the ALPS/Stadion Tactical Defensive Portfolio, is
filed herewith.
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(vi)
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Form of Amendment to Participation Agreement, with respect to the ALPS|JPMorgan ETF Efficiente 5 TR Index
Portfolio, to be filed by subsequent amendment.
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(vii)
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Form of Services Agreement is filed herewith.
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(viii)
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Form of Amendment to Services Agreement, with respect to the ALPS|JPMorgan ETF Efficiente 5 TR Index Portfolio,
to be filed by subsequent amendment.
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(f)
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Not Applicable.
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(g)
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(i)
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Custodian Agreement between the Trust and State Street Bank and Trust Company, dated December 9, 2013 is
incorporated by reference to Exhibit (g)(i) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 as filed with the Commission on January 15, 2014.
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(h)
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(i)
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Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc., dated December 7,
2006 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(i) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 as filed with the Commission on April 2, 2008.
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(ii)
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Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc., with respect
to the ALPS/Stadion Tactical Defensive Portfolio, is filed herewith.
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(iii)
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Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc., with respect
to the ALPS|JPMorgan ETF Efficiente 5 TR Index Portfolio, to be filed by subsequent amendment.
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(iv)
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Fund Accounting and Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc., dated December 7,
2006 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(ii) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 as filed with the Commission on April 2, 2008.
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(v)
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Amendment to Fund Accounting and Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc., with
respect to the ALPS/Stadion Tactical Defensive Portfolio, is filed herewith.
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(vi)
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Amendment to Fund Accounting and Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc., with
respect to the ALPS|JPMorgan ETF Efficiente 5 TR Index Portfolio, to be filed by subsequent amendment.
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(vii)
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Fee Waiver Letter Agreement among the Trust, ALPS Advisors, Inc. and Ibbotson Associates, Inc. with respect to
the Ibbotson Portfolios dated April 30, 2014 is filed herewith.
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(viii)
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Fee Waiver Letter Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc. with respect to the ALPS/Alerian Energy
Infrastructure Portfolio is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (h)(vi) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 as filed with the Commission on April 5, 2013.
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(ix)
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Fee Waiver Letter Agreement among the Trust, ALPS Advisors, Inc. and Stadion Money Management, LLC, with
respect to the ALPS/Stadion Tactical Defensive Portfolio, is filed herewith.
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(x)
|
|
|
|
Fee Waiver Letter Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc., with respect to the ALPS|JPMorgan ETF
Efficiente 5 TR Index Portfolio, to be filed by subsequent amendment.
|
(i)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Opinion and Consent of Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP, is filed herewith.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(j)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, filed herewith.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(k)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
None.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(l)
|
|
|
|
(i)
|
|
|
|
Share Purchase Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. dated February 23, 2007 is
incorporated by reference to Exhibit (l) to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 as filed with the Commission on March 14, 2007.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(ii)
|
|
|
|
Share Purchase Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc. dated April 30, 2013 is incorporated by
reference to Exhibit (l)(ii) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 as filed with the Commission on April 5, 2013.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(iii)
|
|
|
|
Share Purchase Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc., with respect to the ALPS|JPMorgan ETF
Efficiente 5 TR Index Portfolio, to be filed by subsequent amendment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(iv)
|
|
|
|
Share Purchase Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc., with respect to the ALPS/Stadion
Tactical Defensive Portfolio, is filed herewith.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(m)
|
|
|
|
(i)
|
|
|
|
Class I Distribution Plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
April 30, 2014, is filed herewith.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(ii)
|
|
|
|
Class I Distribution Plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
with respect to the ALPS|JPMorgan ETF Efficiente 5 TR Index Portfolio, to be filed by subsequent amendment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(iii)
|
|
|
|
Class II Distribution Plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
April 30, 2014, is filed herewith.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(iv)
|
|
|
|
Class II Distribution Plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
with respect to the ALPS|JPMorgan ETF Efficiente 5 TR Index Portfolio, to be filed by subsequent amendment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(v)
|
|
|
|
Class III Distribution Plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended
April 30, 2014, is filed herewith.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(vi)
|
|
|
|
Class III
Distribution Plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended with respect to the ALPS|JPMorgan ETF Efficiente 5 TR Index Portfolio, to be filed by subsequent amendment.
|
|
|
|
|
(vii)
|
|
|
|
Class III
Shareholder Servicing Plan, as amended with respect to the ALPS/Stadion Tactical Defensive Portfolio, is filed herewith.
|
|
|
|
|
(viii)
|
|
|
|
Class III Shareholder Servicing Plan, as amended with respect to the ALPS|JPMorgan ETF Efficiente 5 TR Index
Portfolio, to be filed by subsequent amendment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(n)
|
|
|
|
(i)
|
|
|
|
Form of Rule 18f-3 Plan, dated April 30, 2014 is filed herewith.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(ii)
|
|
|
|
Form of Rule 18f-3 Plan, as amended with respect to the ALPS|JPMorgan ETF Efficiente 5 TR Index Portfolio, to
be filed by subsequent amendment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(o)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reserved.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(p)
|
|
|
|
(i)
|
|
|
|
Trust Code of Ethics, dated December 7, 2006 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(i) to Form N-1A
Registration Statement as filed with the Commission on December 8, 2006.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(ii)
|
|
|
|
ALPS Holdings, Inc. Code of Ethics, applicable to ALPS Advisors, Inc. and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor,
Inc., dated May 1, 2010, as amended, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (p)(ii) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 12 as filed with the Commission on January 15, 2014.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(iii)
|
|
|
|
Ibbotson Associates, Inc. Code of Ethics, dated February 1, 2005, as amended, is incorporated by reference to
Exhibit (p)(iii) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 as filed with the Commission on April 2, 2012.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(iv)
|
|
|
|
Stadion Money Management, LLC Code of Ethics, is filed herewith.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(q)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Powers of Attorney for Mary K. Anstine, David M. Swanson, Scott Wentsel and Jeremy Deems are incorporated by
reference to Exhibit (q) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 as filed with the Commission on April 4, 2011.
|
ITEM 29. PERSONS CONTROLLED BY OR UNDER COMMON CONTROL WITH REGISTRANT.
Registrant is controlled by its Board of Trustees. (See Management of the Trust in Part B hereof.)
ITEM 30. INDEMNIFICATION.
Article 8,
Section 8.1 of the Declaration of Trust sets forth the reasonable and fair means for determining whether indemnification shall be provided to any Trustee or officer. It states, in part, that no personal liability for any debt or obligation of
the Trust shall attach to any Trustee of the Trust. Section 8.5 states that the Registrant shall indemnify any present or past Trustee, officer, employee, or agent of the Trust to the fullest extent permitted by law against liability and all
expenses reasonably incurred by him in connection with any claim, action suit or proceeding in which he becomes involved as a party or otherwise by virtue of his being or having been such trustee, director, officer, employee, or agent. Additionally,
amounts paid or incurred in settlement of such matters are covered by this indemnification. Indemnification, however, will not be provided in certain circumstances. These include, among others, instances of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross
negligence, and reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the particular person involved.
Insofar as indemnification for liability
arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to trustees, directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment
by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by
such trustee, director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of
appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
The Registrant has purchased an insurance policy insuring its officers and trustees against liabilities, and certain costs of defending claims against such
officers and trustees, to the extent such officers and trustees are not found to have committed conduct constituting willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard in the performance of their duties. The insurance policy also
insures the Registrant against the cost of indemnification payments to officers under certain circumstances.
ITEM 31. BUSINESS AND OTHER
CONNECTIONS OF THE INVESTMENT ADVISER
The business and other connections of the Adviser and its directors and officers are disclosed in the prospectus
and statement of additional information.
ALPS Advisors, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name
*
|
|
Position with ALPS
Advisors, Inc.
|
|
Other Business
Connections
|
|
Type of Business
|
Edmund J. Burke
|
|
Director
|
|
Chief Executive Officer and a Director of ALPS Holdings, Inc. and Director of ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Fund Services, Inc.
and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc.
|
|
Fund Servicing
|
Thomas A. Carter
|
|
President, Director
|
|
See Trustee and Officer Table in SAI
|
|
Fund Servicing
|
Jeremy O. May
|
|
Executive Vice President, Director
|
|
President and Director of ALPS Fund Services, Inc. and Executive Vice President and Director of ALPS Holdings, Inc., ALPS
Advisors, Inc., ALPS Distributors, Inc. and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc.
|
|
Fund Servicing
|
Bradley J. Swenson
|
|
Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer
|
|
CCO, ALPS Holdings, Inc., ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. and ALPS Fund Services, Inc.
|
|
Fund Servicing
|
Corey Dillon
|
|
Senior Vice President, Director of Institutional Advisory Services
|
|
Not Applicable
|
|
Not Applicable
|
Jeremy Held
|
|
Senior Vice President, Director of Research
|
|
Not Applicable
|
|
Not Applicable
|
Robert J. Szydlowski
|
|
Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer
|
|
Not Applicable
|
|
Not Applicable
|
William R. Parmentier, Jr.
|
|
Senior Vice President, Chief Investment Officer
|
|
Not Applicable
|
|
Not Applicable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Michael Akins
|
|
Senior Vice President, Index Management
|
|
Not Applicable
|
|
Not Applicable
|
Mark T. Haley
|
|
Vice President
|
|
Not Applicable
|
|
Not Applicable
|
Eric Parsons
|
|
Vice President, Controller and Assistant Treasurer
|
|
Vice President, Controller and Assistant Treasurer, ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Fund Services, Inc., ALPS Holdings, Inc. and
ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc.
|
|
Fund Servicing
|
Patrick Buchanan
|
|
Vice President, Advisory Operations
|
|
See Trustee and Officer Table in SAI
|
|
Fund Servicing
|
Erin E. Douglas
|
|
Vice President, Assistant General Counsel
|
|
Vice President, Senior Associate Counsel, ALPS Distributors, Inc. ALPS Fund Services, Inc. and ALPS Portfolio Solutions
Distributor, Inc.
|
|
Fund Servicing
|
JoEllen L. Legg
|
|
Vice President, Assistant General Counsel
|
|
Secretary, ALPS Series Trust
|
|
Fund Servicing
|
Paul F. Leone
|
|
Vice President, Associate Counsel
|
|
Secretary, RiverNorth Funds
|
|
Fund Servicing
|
David T. Buhler
|
|
Vice President, Senior Associate Counsel
|
|
Secretary, ALPS Variable Investment
Trust, Financial Investors Trust
Secretary, Westcore Trust
|
|
Fund Servicing
|
Rhonda Mills
|
|
Vice President, Associate Counsel
|
|
Secretary, Transparent Value Trust
Vice President and Assistant Secretary, Oak Associates Funds
Secretary, The Caldwell & Orkin Funds, Inc.
Secretary, Tilson
Investment Trust
|
|
Fund Servicing
|
Jennifer Welsh
|
|
Vice President, Associate Counsel
|
|
Principal Real Estate Fund
|
|
Fund Servicing
|
Kenneth V. Hager
|
|
Vice President, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary
|
|
Vice President, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary, ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Fund Services, Inc., ALPS Holdings, Inc. and ALPS
Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc.
|
|
Not Applicable
|
Randall D. Young
|
|
Secretary
|
|
Secretary, ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Fund Services, Inc.,
|
|
Not Applicable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ALPS Holdings, Inc. and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc.
|
|
|
Gregg Wm. Givens
|
|
Assistant Treasurer
|
|
Assistant Treasurer, ALPS Distributors, Inc., ALPS Fund Services, Inc., ALPS Holdings, Inc. and ALPS Portfolio Solutions
Distributor, Inc.
|
|
Not Applicable
|
*The principal business address for each of the ALPS Advisors, Inc. representatives is: 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, CO,
80203.
Ibbotson Associates, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name*
|
|
Position with
Ibbotson
and Associates, Inc.
|
|
Other Business
Connections
|
|
Type of Business
|
Donald Scott Schilling
|
|
Chief Compliance Officer
|
|
None
|
|
Not Applicable
|
Scott A. Wentsel
|
|
Vice President
|
|
Trustee for the Registrant
|
|
Trustee
|
Thomas M. Idzorek
|
|
Vice President
|
|
None
|
|
Not Applicable
|
*
The principal business address for each of the Ibbotson Associates, Inc. representatives is: 22 W. Washington St.,
Chicago, IL 60602.
Stadion Money Management, LLC
Stadion Money Management, LLC provides investment advisory services to persons or entities other than the Registrant. The directors and
officers of Stadion Money Management, LLC have not been engaged as directors, officers, employees, partners, or trustees within the last two fiscal years in any other business ventures of a substantial nature (other than those resulting from their
roles as officers and directors of the firm or TA Associates, Inc. and related entities of TA Associates, Inc.).
ITEM 32. PRINCIPAL UNDERWRITERS
|
|
|
(a)
|
|
ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc. acts as the distributor for the Registrant and the following investment companies: ALPS ETF Trust, Financial Investors Trust, and Select Sector SPDR Trust.
|
|
|
(b)
|
|
To the best of Registrants knowledge, the directors and executive officers of ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., the distributor for Registrant, are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name*
|
|
Position with Underwriter
|
|
Positions with Fund
|
Edmund J. Burke
|
|
Director
|
|
None
|
Thomas A. Carter
|
|
President, Director
|
|
President, Trustee
|
Bradley J. Swenson
|
|
Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer
|
|
None
|
Robert J. Szydlowski
|
|
Senior Vice President, Chief Technology Officer
|
|
None
|
Daniel Dolan
|
|
Senior Vice President, Director of Wealth Management
|
|
None
|
Kevin McNally
|
|
Senior Vice President, Institutional Sales, Select Sector SPDRs
|
|
None
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kenneth V. Hager
|
|
Vice President, Treasurer and Assistant Secretary
|
|
None
|
Eric Parsons
|
|
Vice President, Controller and Assistant Treasurer
|
|
None
|
Randall D. Young
|
|
Secretary
|
|
None
|
Gregg Wm. Givens
|
|
Assistant Treasurer
|
|
None
|
Kevin J. Ireland
|
|
Senior Vice President, Institutional Sales Director
|
|
None
|
Mark R. Kiniry
|
|
Senior Vice President, National Sales Director, Investments
|
|
None
|
Steven Price
|
|
Vice President, Deputy Chief Compliance Officer
|
|
None
|
Erin D. Nelson
|
|
Vice President, Assistant General Counsel
|
|
None
|
JoEllen Legg
|
|
Vice President, Assistant General Counsel
|
|
None
|
David T. Buhler
|
|
Vice President, Senior Associate Counsel
|
|
Secretary
|
Rhonda A. Mills
|
|
Vice President, Associate Counsel
|
|
None
|
Jennifer Welsh
|
|
Vice President, Associate Counsel
|
|
None
|
Paul F. Leone
|
|
Vice President, Associate Counsel
|
|
None
|
* All addresses are 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203.
ITEM 33. LOCATION OF ACCOUNTS AND RECORDS
(a)
|
ALPS Fund Services, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203 (records to be maintained by the Trust).
|
(b)
|
ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203 (records relating to its function as distributor for each of the Trusts Portfolios).
|
(c)
|
ALPS Fund Services, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203 (records relating to its function as transfer agent and fund accountant for each of the Trusts Portfolios).
|
(d)
|
State Street Bank and Trust Company, 225 Franklin Street, Boston, MA, 02171 (records relating to its functions as custodian for each of the Portfolios investment portfolios).
|
(e)
|
ALPS Advisors, Inc., 1290 Broadway, Suite 1100, Denver, Colorado 80203 (records relating to its functions as Adviser for each of the Portfolios investment portfolios).
|
(f)
|
Ibbotson Associates, Inc., 22 W. Washington St., Chicago, IL 60602 (records relating to its functions as Subadviser for each of the Ibbotson Portfolios investment portfolios).
|
(g)
|
Stadion Money Management, LLC, 1061 Cliff Dawson Road, Watkinsville, GA 30677 (records relating to its functions as Subadviser for the ALPS/Stadion Tactical Defensive Portfolios investment portfolios).
|
ITEM 34. MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Not applicable.
ITEM 35. UNDERTAKINGS
Not applicable.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the
requirement for effectiveness of this registration statement under Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City and County of
Denver and State of Colorado on the 7
th
day of April, 2014.
|
|
|
|
|
ALPS VARIABLE INVESTMENT TRUST
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ Thomas A. Carter
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas A. Carter
|
|
|
|
|
President & Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed below by the
following persons in the capacities and on the date(s) indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
Signature
|
|
Title
|
|
Date
|
|
|
|
/s/ Thomas A. Carter
|
|
Trustee, Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer
|
|
April 7, 2014
|
Thomas A. Carter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ Patrick D. Buchanan
|
|
Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer
|
|
April 7, 2014
|
Patrick D. Buchanan
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Trustee
|
|
April 7, 2014
|
Mary K. Anstine
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Trustee
|
|
April 7, 2014
|
Jeremy W. Deems
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Trustee
|
|
April 7, 2014
|
David M. Swanson
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*
|
|
Trustee
|
|
April 7, 2014
|
Scott Wentsel
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*By:
|
|
/s/ David T. Buhler
|
|
|
|
|
David T. Buhler
|
|
|
|
|
Attorney-in-fact
|
EXHIBIT INDEX
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Item Number
|
|
|
|
Item
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(d)
|
|
|
|
(ii)
|
|
|
|
Investment Advisory Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Advisors, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(d)
|
|
|
|
(vi)
|
|
|
|
Subadvisory Agreement between the Trust, ALPS Advisors, Inc. and Stadion Money Management, LLC.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(e)
|
|
|
|
(ii)
|
|
|
|
Amendment to Distribution Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Portfolio Solutions Distributor, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(e)
|
|
|
|
(iv)
|
|
|
|
Form of Participation Agreement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(e)
|
|
|
|
(v)
|
|
|
|
Form of Amendment to Participation Agreement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(e)
|
|
|
|
(vii)
|
|
|
|
Form of Services Agreement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(h)
|
|
|
|
(ii)
|
|
|
|
Amendment to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(h)
|
|
|
|
(v)
|
|
|
|
Amendment to Fund Accounting and Administration Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services,
Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(h)
|
|
|
|
(vii)
|
|
|
|
Fee Waiver Letter Agreement among the Trust, ALPS Advisors, Inc. and Ibbotson Associates, Inc. with respect to
the Ibbotson Portfolios.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(h)
|
|
|
|
(ix)
|
|
|
|
Fee Waiver Letter Agreement among the Trust, ALPS Advisors, Inc. and Stadion Money Management LLC with respect
to the ALPS/Stadion Tactical Defensive Portfolio.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(i)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Opinion and Consent of Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(j)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(l)
|
|
|
|
(iv)
|
|
|
|
Share Purchase Agreement between the Trust and ALPS Fund Services, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(m)
|
|
|
|
(i)
|
|
|
|
Class I Distribution Plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
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(iii)
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Class II Distribution Plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
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(v)
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Class III Distribution Plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940
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(vii)
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Class III Shareholder Servicing Plan, as amended with respect to the ALPS/Stadion Tactical Defensive
Portfolio
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(n)
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(i)
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Rule 18f-3 Plan
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(p)
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(iv)
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Stadion Money Management, LLC Code of Ethics
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Grafico Azioni Minnesota Municipal Income Portfolio Inc. (AMEX:MXA)
Storico
Da Ago 2024 a Set 2024
Grafico Azioni Minnesota Municipal Income Portfolio Inc. (AMEX:MXA)
Storico
Da Set 2023 a Set 2024