due to an ETF’s
bid-ask spread, and/or the underlying fund may suspend sales of its shares due to market conditions that make it impracticable to conduct such transactions, any of which may adversely affect the
Fund.
Passive Investment and Index Performance Risk —
A third party (the “Index Provider”), who is unaffiliated with the Fund or Adviser, maintains and exercises complete control over the Index. The
Index Provider may delay or add a rebalance date, which may adversely impact the performance of the Fund and its correlation to the Index. There is no guarantee that the
methodology used by the Index Provider to identify constituents for the Index will achieve its intended result or positive performance. The Index relies on various sources
of information to assess the potential constituents of the Index, including information that may be based on assumptions or estimates. There is no assurance that the sources of
information are reliable, and the Adviser does not assess the due diligence conducted by the Index Provider with respect to the data it uses or the Index construction and computation
processes. There can be no guarantee that the methodology underlying the Index or the daily calculation of the Index or its methodology will be free from error or that an
error will be identified and/or corrected, which may have an adverse impact on the Fund.
The Fund generally will not change its investment exposures, including by buying or selling securities or instruments, in response to market
conditions. For example, the Fund generally will not sell an Index constituent due to a decline in its performance or based on changes to the prospects of an Index constituent, unless
that constituent is removed from the Index with which the Fund seeks correlated
performance.
Market Risk
— The Fund’s investments are subject
to changes in general economic conditions, general market fluctuations and
the risks inherent in investment in securities markets. Investment markets can be volatile and prices of investments can change substantially due to various factors including, but not limited to, economic
growth or recession, changes in interest rates, changes in the actual or perceived creditworthiness of issuers, general market liquidity, exchange trading suspensions and
closures, geopolitical events, natural disasters, and public health risks. Interest rates and inflation rates may change frequently and drastically due to various factors and the Fund’s investments may
be adversely impacted.
Energy Sector Risk — The energy markets may experience
significant volatility. For example, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in
February 2022, and the resulting sanctions on Russia and other responses by the U.S and other countries led to disruptions and increased volatility in energy and commodity futures markets due to
actual and potential disruptions in the supply and demand for certain commodities, including oil and naturel gas. The effect of this continued conflict and any other potential
geopolitical market disruptions, as well as the effect of the current sanctions and restrictions and any potential additional sanctions and associated market disruptions are impossible
to predict and depend on many factors and may have an adverse impact on the energy sector. Companies that engage in energy-related businesses may be cyclical and highly dependent on energy
prices.
Energy sector securities may be adversely impacted by the following factors, among others: changes in the levels and volatility of global energy
prices, global supply and demand, and capital expenditures on the exploration and production of energy sources; changes in the actual or perceived availability of oil or other
resource deposits; the enactment or cessation of trade sanctions or import controls, war or other geopolitical conflicts, negative perception, increased litigation, energy
infrastructure developments or service failures; exchange rates, interest rates, economic conditions, and tax treatment; and energy conservation efforts, increased competition and
technological advances. Companies in this sector may be subject to substantial government regulation and contractual fixed pricing, which may increase the cost of doing business and limit
earnings. A significant portion of an energy company’s revenue may come from a relatively small number of customers, including governmental entities and utilities. Energy
companies may operate or engage in, transactions involving countries with less developed regulatory regimes or a history of expropriation, nationalization or other adverse policies. Energy
companies may also be significantly impacted by the supply of, and demand for, specific products, such as oil and natural gas, and services, exploration and production
spending, government subsidization, world events and general economic conditions. Energy companies may have relatively high levels of debt and may be more likely than
other companies to restructure if there are downturns in energy markets or the global economy. In addition, these companies are at risk of civil liability from accidents
resulting in injury, loss of life or property, pollution or other environmental damage claims and risk of loss from terrorism, political unrest and natural disasters.
Large-Capitalization Company Risk
— Large-capitalization companies typically have significant financial resources, extensive product lines and
broad markets for their goods and/or services. However, they may be less able to adapt to changing market conditions or to respond quickly to competitive challenges or to
changes in business, product, financial, or market conditions and may not be able to maintain growth at rates that may be achieved by well-managed smaller and mid-size
companies, which may affect the companies’ returns.
Liquidity Risk — Holdings of the Fund may be difficult
to buy or sell or may be illiquid, particularly during times of market
turmoil. There is no assurance that a security or derivative instrument that is deemed liquid when purchased will continue to be liquid. Illiquid securities may be difficult to value, especially in
changing or volatile markets. If the Fund is forced to buy or sell an illiquid security or derivative instrument at an unfavorable time or price, the Fund may be adversely impacted. Certain
market conditions or restrictions may prevent the Fund from limiting losses,
realizing gains or achieving its investment objective. In certain market
conditions the Fund may be one of many market participants that is attempting to transact in the securities of the Index. Under such circumstances, the market for securities of the Index may lack
sufficient liquidity for all market participants' trades. Therefore, the Fund may have more difficulty transacting in the securities or financial