TORONTO, April 27, 2020 /CNW/ - In connection with the
unprecedented market volatility in the crude oil futures markets
experienced last week, Horizons ETFs Management (Canada) Inc. (the "Manager") reminds
investors that the derivative counterparties for the BetaPro Crude
Oil 2x Daily Bull ETF1 ("HOU") and the BetaPro
Crude Oil -2x Daily Bear ETF2 ("HOD", and
together with HOU, the "ETFs") are entitled to certain
termination rights in respect of the forward agreements currently
entered into with the ETFs.
In the event the ETFs receive notice of termination from the
counterparties, the forward agreements held by HOU and HOD would be
settled based on the net asset value of the ETFs as early as the
next valuation time (i.e. 2:30 p.m.
(EST) on a trading day). Upon settlement of these
derivatives, it is currently anticipated that 100% of the assets of
the ETFs would be invested in cash or cash equivalents, until new
derivative exposure to crude oil could be established by the
Manager. However, there is no assurance that the ETFs will be able
to replace the forward agreements or add other derivative exposure
to crude oil if the forward agreements are terminated.
As previously announced on April 22,
2020, as a result of changes to the ETFs' operations, HOU
and HOD are no longer meeting their stated investment
objectives.
Counterparty Risk in the Current Volatile Crude Oil Futures
Market
As noted in the prospectus of the ETFs, each of HOU and HOD may
be subject to greater volatility than other ETFs that invest in
traditional securities. In addition, the value of commodity linked
derivative instruments, such as the crude oil futures contracts,
may be affected by changes in overall market movements, commodity
index volatility, as well as international economic, political and
regulatory developments, among other events.
Counterparties to the ETFs that have been adversely affected by
such events may be unable to hedge their obligations to the ETFs,
which may entitle them to terminate their obligations to the ETFs.
If the current levels of volatility in the crude oil futures market
persist or increase, the ETFs' counterparties may terminate their
forward agreements in respect of the ETFs.
Based on the amended rolling methodology, the underlying
exposure of the ETFs was rolled to the July futures contract at
2:30 p.m. (EST) on April 22, 2020. In particular, it is
important for investors to understand that, although the
counterparties to HOU and HOD have not exercised these
termination rights at this time, it is the Manager's view that, if
the current July 2020 or August 2020 crude oil future contracts were to
settle on any day below $10 USD, then
the risk of termination of the forward agreements by the
counterparties would increase substantially. Additionally, it is
the Manager's view that the ETFs will be unable to obtain futures
exposure if the July or August futures contracts were to settle
below zero, a settlement price that occurred for the first time in
history on April 20, 2020, when the
WTI May crude oil futures contract settled at a negative price.
Continued Suspended Subscriptions (commenced April 21, 2020)
On April 21, 2020, the Manager
announced it will not be accepting new subscriptions for shares of
HOU or HOD until further notice. Redemptions will continue to be
accepted in the normal course. It is imperative to note that
units of HOU and HOD have and are expected to continue to trade at
a substantial premium to their net asset value while subscriptions
of new shares are suspended. The Manager continues to strongly
discourage investors from purchasing shares of HOU and HOD at this
time.
Both HOU and HOD have been trading since April 21, 2020 at prices that are not reflective
of their underlying net-asset-value. The Manager anticipates this
will persist while the ETFs remain closed to new subscriptions.
Please visit the Manager's website www.horizonsetfs.com to
obtain the net-asset-value for the ETFs.
The Manager also anticipates that the ETFs will be able to
re-open to new subscriptions when the extreme market volatility in
crude oil futures markets subsides and when it is able to obtain
additional underlying exposure for the ETFs in the normal
course.
Investing in shares of the ETFs can be speculative, can involve
a high degree of risk and may only be suitable for persons who are
able to assume the risk of losing their entire
investment.
Potential investors in these ETFs are reminded to read the
prospectus, as amended from time to time, and all information
available on www.sedar.com before investing. Investors should
continue to monitor their investment daily and, as previously
announced by the Manager, note that the ETFs are no longer expected
to achieve their stated investment objectives.
The Manager will advise as soon as there are any further
developments with respect to the ETFs.
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1 To
be renamed BetaPro Crude Oil Bull ETF, with the name change
expected to be effective on the Toronto Stock Exchange on April 29,
2020, and to undergo a share consolidation on a 1:20 basis,
effective on the same date.
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2 To
be renamed BetaPro Crude Oil -1x Bear ETF, with the name change
expected to be effective on the Toronto Stock Exchange on April 29,
2020.
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SOURCE Horizons ETFs Management (Canada) Inc.