SEC Company Response from EXCHANGE TRADED CONCEPTS TRUST (CIK 0001452937) — Apr 30, 2020
EXCHANGE TRADED CONCEPTS TRUST (CIK 0001452937)
Date: April 30, 2020 · CIK: 0001452937 · Accession: 0001615774-20-005283
AI Filing Summary & Sentiment
File numbers found in text: 333-156529, 811-22263
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CORRESP
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Magda El Guindi-Rosenbaum
+1.202.373.6091
mer@morganlewis.com
VIA EDGAR
April 30, 2020
John Grzeskiewicz, Esq.
Division of Investment Management
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
100 F Street, NE
Washington, DC 20549
Re: Exchange Traded Concepts Trust
File Nos. 333-156529 and 811-22263
Dear Mr. Grzeskiewicz:
This letter responds to comments relating to Post-Effective
Amendment No. 248 (“PEA No. 248”) to the registration statement on Form N-1A of Exchange Traded Concepts Trust (the
“Registrant”). PEA No. 248 was filed on April 2, 2019 for the purpose of registering shares of the ROBO Global®
Artificial Intelligence ETF and ROBO Global® Healthcare Technology and Innovation ETF. This letter responds to comments applicable
to the ROBO Global® Artificial Intelligence ETF (the “Fund”). For ease of reference, set forth below are your comments
followed by the Registrant’s responses. Unless otherwise noted, capitalized terms have the same meaning as those contained
in PEA No. 248.
1. Comment. Please provide a completed fee table and expense example for the Fund one full week before the effective
date of PEA No. 248.
Response. Registrant represents that
the requested information has been provided under separate cover.
2. Comment. The staff notes a potential Rule 35d-1 concern because it is unclear that the THNQ score provides a
sufficient nexus to artificial intelligence. The staff notes that a company must get a THNQ score of 50 or greater for inclusion
in the index, but it is unclear how that score is determined. Please also clarify what is meant by companies that have “a
portion of their business and revenue” in artificial intelligence.
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius llp
1111 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20004
+1.202.739.3000
United States
+1.202.739.3001
April 30, 2020
Page 2
Response. Registrant represents that
the first and second paragraphs under “Principal Investment Strategies” have been revised as follows:
The Fund will normally invest
at least 80% of its total assets in securities of the Index or in depositary receipts representing securities of the Index. The
Index, which was developed and is provided by ROBO Global (the “Index Provider”), is designed to measure the performance
of publicly-traded companies that have a significant portion of their business and revenue derived
from the field of artificial intelligence as described below, and the potential to grow within this space through innovation
and market adoption of such companies’ products and services (“Artificial Intelligence Companies”).
Under normal circumstances, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its net assets, plus the amount of any borrowings for investment
purposes, in securities of Artificial Intelligence Companies. This investment policy may be changed without shareholder approval,
upon 60 days’ notice to shareholders.
Companies eligible for inclusion
in the Index are those included in the ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence Database (the “AI Database”), a proprietary
database, created and maintained by the Index Provider, of companies that have a significant portion of their business
revenue derived from one or more of the sub-sectors within the field of associated with
artificial intelligence represented in the ROBO Global Artificial Intelligence Industry Classification (“ROBO AI Industry
Classification”), and the potential to grow within this space through innovation and/or market adoption of their products
and services.
To construct the AI Database,
the Index Provider applies the ROBO AIGlobal Artificial Intelligence Industry Classification. Like
peer group artificial intelligence indexes, the Index measures the performance of companies across sectors such as information
technology, communications, consumer discretionary, healthcare and industrials that are involved in artificial intelligence activities.
The Index Provider then applies its proprietary methodology to further classify companies included in the AI Database by
“Infrastructure” or “Applications & Services” and further divides such classifications into sub-sectors,
which are unique to the ROBO AI Industry Classification. Infrastructure companies include companies that build artificial
intelligence engine and platform solutions that enable the use of artificial intelligence technology. Within the Infrastructure
classification are the following subsectors: (1) big data/analytics; (2) cloud providers; (3) cognitive computing; (4) network
and security; and (5) semiconductors. Applications & Services companies include companies that apply artificial intelligence
technology to their business. Within the Applications & Services classification are the following subsectors: (1) healthcare;
(2) factory automation; (3) eCommerce; (4) consumer; (5) consulting services; and (6) business process.
Registrant represents that the
first sentence of the third paragraph has been clarified as follows:
Each eligible company is individually
analyzed and then given a “THNQ Score” ranging from 1 to 100 that is determined based on factors representing
the levels of revenue the company receives from Artificial Intelligence activities, levels of investment the firm makes in Artificial
Intelligence, and the company’s technology and market leadershipmarketing positioning of the firm
in the Artificial Intelligence universe.
April 30, 2020
Page 3
3. Comment. In the fourth paragraph of the summary principal investment strategies section for the Fund, it states
that the investment adviser “expects that over time, if the Fund has sufficient assets, the correlation between the Fund’s
performance, before fees and expenses, and that of the Index will be 95% or better”. Please explain supplementally to the
staff what would be the appropriate amount of assets needed to establish a correlation of 95% or better.
Response. According to the Fund’s
investment adviser, given the expected composition of the index, the adviser expects that $2.5 million in assets (which should
be the seed money at launch) would be the amount needed to establish a correlation of 95% or better.
4. Comment. If the Fund’s index is actually concentrated in an industry or significantly focused in a sector,
please include corresponding risk disclosure.
Response. Registrant represents that
if the Fund’s index is concentrated in an industry or significantly focused in a sector, corresponding risk disclosure will
be disclosed.
5. Comment. Please confirm whether Solactive uses backtested performance for the index. If it does, the staff may
have additional comments.
Response. Registrant confirms that Solactive
does not use backtested performance for the index.
6. Comment. Please confirm whether the index was specifically created for the Fund and whether other ETFs use the
index.
Response. According to the Fund’s
investment adviser, the index is available to other products including, but not limited to, other registered fund products, UCITS,
and separately managed accounts. Currently, a UCITS is utilizing the index as of July 2019.
7. Comment. Please provide to the staff a copy of the index methodology and a list of the companies included in
the index.
Response. Registrant represents that
the requested information has been provided under separate cover.
8. Comment. Please file as an exhibit to the registration statement any license or sublicense agreement to which
the Fund is a party.
Response. Registrant represents that
the sublicense agreement to which the Fund is a party will be filed as an exhibit to the registration statement.
* * * * *
If you have questions or comments, please do not hesitate
to contact me at 202.373.6091.
Sincerely,
/s/ Magda El Guindi-Rosenbaum
Magda El Guindi-Rosenbaum