WLDR Affinity World Leaders Equity ETF

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

The FormulaFolios Hedged Growth ETF (“Hedged Growth ETF”), the FormulaFolios Smart Growth ETF (“Smart Growth ETF”), the FormulaFolios Tactical Growth ETF (“Tactical Growth ETF”), and the FormulaFolios Tactical Income ETF (“Tactical Income ETF”), formerly known as FormulaFolios Income ETF, (each a “Fund” and collectively the “Funds”) are each a diversified series of Northern Lights Fund Trust IV (the “Trust”), a statutory trust organized under the laws of the State of Delaware on June 2, 2015, and registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as an open-end management investment company.

The investment objective of the Hedged Growth ETF and Smart Growth ETF is to seek to provide capital growth. The Tactical Growth ETF seeks long-term total return. The Tactical Income ETF seeks to provide income. The Hedged Growth ETF and Tactical Income ETF commenced operations on June 5, 2017. The Smart Growth ETF and Tactical Growth ETF commenced operations on October 31, 2017.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Funds in preparation of their financial statements. These policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of increases and decreases in net assets from operations during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Funds are investment companies and accordingly follow the investment company accounting and reporting guidance of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946 “Financial Services – Investment Companies” including Accounting Standards update (“ASU”) 2013-08.

Securities Valuation – Securities listed on an exchange are valued at the last reported sale price at the close of the regular trading session of the exchange on the business day the value is being determined, or in the case of securities listed on NASDAQ at the NASDAQ Official Closing Price. In the absence of a sale, such securities shall be valued at the mean between the current bid and ask prices on the day of valuation.

Valuation of Underlying Funds – The Funds may invest in portfolios of open-end or closed-end investment companies (the “investment companies”). Investment companies are valued at their respective net asset values as reported by such investment companies. Mutual funds value securities in their portfolios for which market quotations are readily available at their market values (generally the last reported sale price) and all other securities and assets at their fair value to the methods established by the board of directors of the open-end funds. Exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”) are valued at the last reported price or official closing price. The shares of many closed-end investment companies and ETFs, after their initial public offering, frequently trade at a price per share, which is different than the net asset value per share. The difference represents a market premium or market discount of such shares. There

can be no assurances that the market discount or market premium on shares of any closed-end investment company or ETF purchased by the Funds will not change.

The Funds may hold securities, such as private investments, interests in commodity pools, other non-traded securities or temporarily illiquid securities, for which market quotations are not readily available or are determined to be unreliable. These securities will be valued using the “fair value” procedures approved by the Board of Trustees (“the Board”). The Board has delegated execution of these procedures to a fair value committee composed of one or more representatives from each of the (i) Trust, (ii) administrator, and (iii) adviser. The committee may also enlist third party consultants such as a valuation specialist at a public accounting firm, valuation consultant, or financial officer of a security issuer on an as-needed basis to assist in determining a security-specific fair value.

Fair Valuation Process – As noted above, the fair value committee is composed of one or more representatives from each of the (i) Trust, (ii) administrator, and (iii) adviser. The applicable investments are valued collectively via inputs from each of these groups. For example, fair value determinations are required for the following securities: (i) securities for which market quotations are insufficient or not readily available on a particular business day (including securities for which there is a short and temporary lapse in the provision of a price by the regular pricing source), (ii) securities for which, in the judgment of the adviser, the prices or values available do not represent the fair value of the instrument. Factors which may cause the adviser to make such a judgment include, but are not limited to, the following: only a bid price or an ask price is available; the spread between bid and ask prices is substantial; the frequency of sales; the thinness of the market; the size of reported trades; and actions of the securities markets, such as the suspension or limitation of trading; (iii) securities determined to be illiquid; (iv) securities with respect to which an event that will affect the value thereof has occurred (a “significant event”) since the closing prices were established on the principal exchange on which they are traded, but prior to a Fund’s calculation of its net asset value. Restricted or illiquid securities, such as private investments or non-traded securities are valued via inputs from the adviser based upon the current bid for the security from two or more independent dealers or other parties reasonably familiar with the facts and circumstances of the security (who should take into consideration all relevant factors as may be appropriate under the circumstances). If the adviser is unable to obtain a current bid from such independent dealers or other independent parties, the fair value committee shall determine the fair value of such security using the following factors: (i) the type of security; (ii) the cost at date of purchase; (iii) the size and nature of a Fund’s holdings; (iv) the discount from market value of unrestricted securities of the same class at the time of purchase and subsequent thereto; (v) information as to any transactions or offers with respect to the security; (vi) the nature and duration of restrictions on disposition of the security and the existence of any registration rights; (vii) how the yield of the security compares to similar securities of companies of similar or equal creditworthiness; (viii) the level of recent trades of similar or comparable securities; (ix) the liquidity characteristics of the security; (x) current market conditions; and (xi) the market value of any securities into which the security is convertible or exchangeable.

The Funds utilize various methods to measure the fair value of all of its investments on a recurring basis. GAAP establishes a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation methods. The three levels of input are:

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities that the Funds have the ability to access.

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These inputs may include quoted prices for the identical instrument in an inactive market, prices for similar instruments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, yield curves, default rates and similar data.

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, to the extent relevant observable inputs are not available, representing the Funds’ own assumptions about the assumptions a market participant would use in valuing the asset or liability, and would be based on the best information available.

The availability of observable inputs can vary from security to security and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the type of security, whether the security is new and not yet established in the marketplace, the liquidity of markets, and other characteristics particular to the security. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment exercised in determining fair value is greatest for instruments categorized in Level 3.

The inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls in its entirety, is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The following tables summarize the inputs used as of November 30, 2019 for the Funds’ assets measured at fair value:

The Funds did not hold any Level 3 securities during the year.

Exchange Traded Funds – The Funds may invest in ETFs. ETFs are a type of fund bought and sold on a securities exchange. An ETF trades like common stock. An index ETF represents a portfolio of securities. The risks of owning an ETF generally reflect the risks of owning the underlying securities in which it invests, although the lack of liquidity on an ETF could result in it being more volatile. Additionally, ETFs have fees and expenses that reduce their value.

Security transactions and related income – Security transactions are accounted for on the trade date. Interest income is recognized on an accrual basis and includes amortization and accretion, which is recorded using the effective yield method. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Realized gains or losses from sales of securities are determined by comparing the identified cost of the security lot sold with the net sales proceeds.

Distributions to shareholders – Dividends from net investment income, if any, are declared and paid quarterly for Hedged Growth ETF, Smart Growth ETF, and Tactical Growth ETF and monthly for Tactical Income ETF. Distributable net realized capital gains, if any, are declared and distributed annually. Dividends from net investment income and distributions from net realized gains are determined in accordance with federal income tax regulations, which may differ from GAAP. These “book/tax” differences are considered either temporary (e.g., deferred losses) or permanent in nature. To the extent these differences are permanent in nature, such amounts are reclassified within the composition of net assets based on their federal tax-basis treatment; temporary differences do not require reclassification. Dividends and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date.

Cash and Cash Equivalents – Idle cash may be swept into various overnight demand deposits and is classified as cash and cash equivalents on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The Funds maintain cash in bank deposit accounts which, at times, may exceed United States federally insured limits. Amounts swept overnight are available on the next business day.

Federal Income Taxes – The Funds comply with the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute all of their taxable income to their shareholders. Therefore, no provision for federal income tax is required. The Funds recognize the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only where the position is “more likely than not” to be sustained assuming examination by tax authorities. Management has analyzed the Funds’ tax positions, and has concluded that no liability for unrecognized tax benefits should be recorded related to uncertain tax positions taken on returns filed for open tax year 2018-2019, or expected to be taken in the Funds’ 2020 tax returns. The Funds identified their major tax jurisdictions as U.S. federal and foreign jurisdictions where the Funds make significant investments. The Funds recognize interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expenses in the Statements of Operations. The Funds are not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will change materially in the next twelve months.

Expenses – Expenses of the Trust that are directly identifiable to a specific Fund are charged to that Fund. Expenses, which are not readily identifiable to a specific Fund, are allocated in such a manner as deemed equitable (as determined by the Board), taking into consideration the nature and type of expense and the relative sizes of the Funds in the Trust.

Indemnification – The Trust indemnifies its officers and Trustees for certain liabilities that may arise from the performance of their duties to the Trust. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Funds enter into contracts that contain a variety of representations and warranties and which provide general indemnities. The Funds’ maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Funds that have not yet occurred. However, based on experience, the risk of loss due to these warranties and indemnities appears to be remote.

For the six months ended November 30, 2019, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of portfolio securities (excluding in-kind transactions and short-term investments), amounted to:

For the six months ended November 30, 2019, cost of purchases and proceeds from sales of portfolio securities for in-kind transactions, amounted to:

FormulaFolio Investments LLC serves as the Funds’ investment adviser (the “Adviser”) pursuant to an investment advisory agreement with the Trust (the “Advisory Agreement”). Pursuant to the Advisory Agreement, the Adviser, under the oversight of the Board, directs the daily operations of the Funds and supervises the performance of administrative and professional services provided by others. As compensation for its services and the related expenses borne by the Adviser, the Funds pay the Adviser a fee, computed and accrued daily and paid monthly, at an annual rate of 0.80%, 0.35%, 0.60%, and 0.60% of average daily net assets of Hedged Growth ETF, Smart Growth ETF, Tactical Growth ETF, and Tactical Income ETF, respectively. During the six months ended November 30, 2019, the Adviser earned the following fees:

Pursuant to a written agreement (the “Waiver Agreement”), the Adviser has contractually agreed, until at least September 30, 2020, to ensure that total annual fund operating expenses after fee waiver and/or reimbursement (exclusive of any front-end or contingent deferred loads, taxes, brokerage fees and commissions, borrowing costs (such as interest and dividend expense on securities sold short), acquired fund fees and expenses, fees and expenses associated with investments in other collective investment vehicles or derivative instruments (including for example option and swap fees and expenses), or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) will not exceed 0.95%, 0.60%, 0.80%, and 0.80% of average daily net assets of Hedged Growth ETF, Smart Growth ETF, Tactical Growth ETF, and Tactical Income ETF, respectively; subject to possible recoupment from the Funds in future years within the three years from the date the fees have been waived or reimbursed if such recoupment can be achieved within the lesser of the foregoing expense limits or the expense limits in place at the time of the recoupment. Fee waiver and reimbursement arrangements can decrease the Funds’ expenses and boost its performance. If the Adviser waives any fee or reimburses any expense pursuant to the Waiver Agreement, and the operating expenses attributable to the Funds are subsequently less than the Expense Limitation, the Adviser shall be entitled to reimbursement by the applicable Fund for such waived fees or reimbursed expenses provided that such reimbursement does not cause the expenses to exceed the Expense Limitation. If the Funds’ operating expenses subsequently exceed the Expense Limitation, the reimbursements shall be suspended.

During the year six months ended November 30, 2019, the Adviser waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses, pursuant to the Waiver Agreement, in the amounts of:

The table below contains the amounts of fee waivers and expense reimbursements subject to recapture by the Adviser through May 31 of the year indicated.

Distributor – The distributor of the Funds is Northern Lights Distributors, LLC (the “Distributor” or “NLD”). The Board has adopted, on behalf of the Funds, the Trust’s Master Distribution and Shareholder Servicing Plan as amended (the “Plan”), pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, to pay for certain distribution activities and shareholder services related to Fund shares. Under the Plan, the Funds may pay 0.25% per year of the average daily net assets of Fund shares for such distribution and shareholder service activities. As of November 30, 2019 the Plan has not been activated. For the six months ended November 30, 2019, the Funds did not incur any distribution fees.

The Distributor acts as the Funds’ principal underwriter in a continuous public offering of the Funds’ shares and is an affiliate of Gemini Fund Services, LLC. For the period ended November 30, 2019, there were no underwriting commissions.

In addition, certain affiliates of the Distributor provide services to the Funds as follows:

Gemini Fund Services, LLC (“GFS”) – GFS, an affiliate of the Distributor, provides administration and fund accounting services to the Trust. Pursuant to separate servicing agreements with GFS, the Funds pay GFS customary fees for providing administration and fund accounting services to the Funds, which are included in administrative service fees in the Statements of Operations. Certain officers of the Trust are also officers of GFS, and are not paid any fees directly by the Funds for serving in such capacities.

Northern Lights Compliance Services, LLC (“NLCS”) – NLCS, an affiliate of GFS and the Distributor, provides a Chief Compliance Officer to the Trust, as well as related compliance services, pursuant to a consulting agreement between NLCS and the Trust. Under the terms of such agreement, NLCS receives customary fees from each Fund, which are included in compliance officer fees in the Statements of Operations.

Blu Giant, LLC (“Blu Giant”) – Blu Giant, an affiliate of GFS and the Distributor, provides EDGAR conversion and filing services as well as print management services for the Funds on an ad-hoc basis. For the provision of these services, Blu Giant receives customary fees from the Funds, which are included in printing expenses in the Statements of Operations.

Effective February 1, 2019, NorthStar Financial Services Group, LLC, the parent company of GFS and its affiliated companies including NLD, NLCS and Blu Giant (collectively, the “Gemini Companies”), sold its interest in the Gemini Companies to a third party private equity firm that contemporaneously acquired Ultimus Fund Solutions, LLC (an independent mutual fund administration firm) and its affiliates (collectively, the “Ultimus Companies”). As a result of these separate transactions, the Gemini Companies and the Ultimus Companies are now indirectly owned through a common parent entity, The Ultimus Group, LLC.

Shares are not individually redeemable and may be redeemed by the Funds at NAV only in large blocks known as “Creation Units.” Shares are created and redeemed by the Funds only in Creation Unit size aggregations of 25,000 for Smart Growth ETF and Tactical Growth ETF. Shares are created and redeemed by the Funds only in Creation Unit size aggregations of 50,000 shares for Hedged Growth ETF and Tactical Income ETF. Only Authorized Participants or transactions done through an Authorized Participant are permitted to purchase or redeem Creation Units from the Funds. An Authorized Participant is either (i) a broker-dealer or other participant in the clearing process through the Continuous Net Settlement System of the National Securities Clearing Corporation or (ii) a DTC participant and, in each case, must have executed a Participant Agreement with the Distributor. Such transactions are generally permitted on an in-kind basis, with a balancing cash component to equate the transaction to the NAV per share of the Fund on the transaction date.

Cash may be substituted equivalent to the value of certain securities generally when they are not available in sufficient quantity for delivery, not eligible for trading by the Authorized Participant or as a result of other market circumstances. In addition, the Funds may impose transaction fees on purchases and redemptions of Fund shares to cover the custodial and other costs incurred by the Funds in effecting trades. A fixed fee payable to the Custodian may be imposed on each creation and redemption transaction regardless of the number of Creation Units involved in the transaction (“Fixed Fee”). Purchases and redemptions of Creation Units for cash or involving cash-in-lieu are required to pay an additional variable charge to compensate the Funds and its ongoing shareholders for brokerage and market impact expenses relating to Creation Unit transactions (“Variable Charge,” and together with the Fixed Fee, the “Transaction Fees”). Transactions in capital shares for the Funds are disclosed in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets. For the six months ended November 30, 2019, Hedged Growth ETF received $2,000 in fixed fees and $0 in variable fees, Smart Growth ETF received $2,750 in fixed fees and $0 in variable fees, Tactical Growth ETF received $1,250 in fixed fees and $0 in variable fees and Tactical Income ETF received $6,000 and $0 in variable fees, respectively.

Under an agreement (the “Securities Lending Agreement”) with the Securities Finance Trust Company (“SFTC”), the Funds can lend their portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial institutions approved by the Board to earn additional income. For each securities loan, the borrower shall transfer collateral in an amount determined by applying the margin to the market value of the loaned available securities (102% for same currency and 105% for cross currency). Collateral is invested in highly liquid, short-term instruments such as money market funds in accordance with the Funds’ security lending procedures. The Funds continue to receive interest or dividends on the securities loaned. The Funds have the right under the Securities Lending Agency Agreement to recover the securities from the borrower on demand; if the borrower fails to deliver the securities on a timely basis, the Funds could experience delays or losses on recovery. Additionally, the Funds are subject to the risk of loss from investments made with the cash received as collateral. The Funds manage credit exposure arising from these lending transactions by, in appropriate circumstances, entering into master netting agreements and collateral agreements with third party borrowers that provide in the event of default (such as bankruptcy or a borrower’s failure to pay or perform), the right to net a third-party borrower’s rights and obligations under such agreement and liquidate and set off collateral against the net amount owed by the counterparty.

The following table breaks out the Funds’ securities lending transactions accounted for as secured borrowings with cash collateral of overnight and continuous maturities as of November 30, 2019: