ProShares Trust II - Annual Report: 2019 (Form 10-K)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.      Yes      No

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.      Yes      No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.      Yes      No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).      Yes      No

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form or any amendment to this Form     

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule of the Exchange Act.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.    

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule of the Exchange Act.).      Yes      No

The aggregate market value of each Fund’s units held by as of June 30, 2019 and the number of outstanding units for each Fund as of February 21, 2020 are included in the table below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES CONTAINED IN PART IV OF THIS ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM CONSTITUTE THE ANNUAL REPORT WITH RESPECT TO THE COMMODITY POOLS FOR PURPOSES OF COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION RULE 4.22(C)

		Page
Part I.
Item 1. Business.			3
Item 1A. Risk Factors.			24
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.			61
Item 2. Properties.			61
Item 3. Legal Proceedings.			61
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.			61
Part II.
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.			62
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.			67
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.			73
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.			98
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.			115
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.			122
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures.			122
Item 9B. Other Information.			123
Part III.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.			124
Item 11. Executive Compensation.			127
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.			127
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.			127
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services.			127
Part IV.
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.			129
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary.			129
Exhibit Index			130
Signatures			295

Mid-Term

10-K.

The Trust had no operations prior to November 24, 2008, other than matters relating to its organization, the registration of each series under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the sale and issuance to ProShare Capital Management LLC (the “Sponsor”) of fourteen Shares at an aggregate purchase price of $350 in each of the following Funds: ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Crude Oil, ProShares UltraShort Gold, ProShares UltraShort Silver, ProShares UltraShort Euro, ProShares UltraShort Yen, ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil, ProShares Ultra Gold, ProShares Ultra Silver, ProShares Ultra Euro and ProShares Ultra Yen.

The Sponsor also serves as the Trust’s commodity pool operator. Wilmington Trust Company serves as the Trustee of the Trust (the “Trustee”). The Funds are commodity pools, as defined under “the Commodity Exchange Act (the “CEA”), and the applicable regulations of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”) and are operated by the Sponsor, a commodity pool operator registered with the CFTC. The Trust is not an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

10-K

Effective as of close of business on February 27, 2018, the investment objective of ProShares Ultra VIX Short-Term Futures ETF and ProShares Short VIX Short-Term Futures ETF changed.

one-half

one-half

(-0.5x)

(-1x)

As described in each Fund’s prospectus, each of the Funds intends to invest in “Financial Instruments” (Financial Instruments are instruments whose value is derived from the value of an underlying asset, rate or benchmark including futures contracts, swap agreements, forward contracts and other instruments) as a substitute for investing directly in commodities, currencies, or spot volatility products in order to gain exposure to the VIX Index, natural gas, crude oil, precious metals, or currencies, as applicable. Financial Instruments also are used to produce economically “inverse”, “inverse leveraged” or “leveraged” investment results for the Geared Funds.

one-half

(-0.5x)

(-1x)

(-2x)

(-3x)

one-half

-0.5x,

-1x,

-2x,

-3x,

Mid-Term

“Mid-Term

ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Crude Oil, ProShares Ultra Gold, ProShares Ultra Silver, ProShares UltraShort Gold, ProShares UltraShort Silver, ProShares UltraPro 3x Short Crude Oil ETF, ProShares UltraShort Bloomberg Natural Gas, ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Crude Oil, ProShares UltraPro 3x Crude Oil ETF, and ProShares Ultra Bloomberg Natural Gas are benchmarked to indexes designed to track the performance of commodity futures contracts, as applicable. The daily performance of these indexes and the corresponding Funds will likely be very different in amount and possibly even direction from the daily performance of the price of the related physical commodities.

per-Share

10-K,

10-Q,

8-K

Mid-Term

(-1x)

(-1x)

one-half

(-0.5x)

one-half

one-half

one-half

(-0.5x)

(-2x)

(-2x)

Each “Ultra” Fund, other than the ProShares Ultra VIX Short-Term Futures ETF, seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to two times (2x) the daily performance of its corresponding benchmark. Expenses may include, among other things, costs related to the purchase, sale and storage of commodities or currencies and the cost of leverage, all of which may be embedded in Financial Instruments used by that Fund. If an Ultra Fund, other than the ProShares Ultra VIX Short-Term Futures ETF, is successful in meeting its objective, its value on a given day, before fees and expenses, should gain approximately two times as much on a percentage basis as its corresponding benchmark when the benchmark rises. Conversely, its value on a given day, before fees and expenses, should lose approximately two times as much on a percentage basis as the corresponding benchmark when the benchmark declines. Each Ultra Fund, other than the ProShares Ultra VIX Short-Term Futures ETF, acquires long exposure through any one of or combinations of Financial Instruments, including Financial Instruments with respect to the applicable Ultra Fund’s benchmark such that each Ultra Fund, other than the ProShares Ultra VIX Short-Term Futures ETF, has exposure intended to approximate two times (2x) its corresponding benchmark at the time of its NAV calculation.

one-half

one-half

one-half

one-half

The UltraPro Fund seeks daily investment results, before fees and expenses, that correspond to three times (3x) the performance of its corresponding benchmark. The UltraPro Fund does not seek to achieve its stated objective over a period greater than a single day. A “single day” is measured from the time the UltraPro Fund calculates its NAV to the time of the Fund’s next NAV calculation. If the UltraPro Fund is successful in meeting its objective, its value on a given day, before fees and expenses, should gain approximately three times as much on a percentage basis as the level of the benchmark when the benchmark rises. Conversely, its value on a given day, before fees and expenses, should lose approximately three times as much on a percentage basis as the level of the benchmark when the benchmark declines. The UltraPro Fund acquires long exposure through any one of or combinations of Financial Instruments, including Financial Instruments with respect to the applicable UltraPro Fund’s benchmark such that the UltraPro Fund has exposure intended to approximate three times (3x) the benchmark at the time of its NAV calculation.

(-3x)

(-3x)

The corresponding benchmark for each Fund is listed below:

Mid-Term

Mid-Term

SM

SM

SM

SM

SM

SM

In seeking to achieve each Fund’s investment objective, the Sponsor uses a mathematical approach to investing. Using this approach, the Sponsor determines the type, quantity and mix of Financial Instruments the Sponsor believes, in combination, should produce daily returns consistent with a Fund’s objective. The Funds are not actively managed by traditional methods (e.g., by effecting changes in the composition of a portfolio on the basis of judgments relating to economic, financial and market conditions with a view toward obtaining positive results under all market conditions). Each Fund seeks to remain fully invested at all times in Financial Instruments and money market instruments that, in combination, provide exposure to its underlying benchmark consistent with its investment objective without regard to market conditions, trends or direction.

Certain of the Funds may obtain exposure through Financial Instruments to a representative sample of the components in its underlying index, which have aggregate characteristics similar to those of the underlying benchmark. This “sampling” process typically involves selecting a representative sample of components in the benchmark principally to enhance liquidity and reduce transaction costs while seeking to maintain high correlation with, and similar aggregate characteristics (e.g., underlying commodities and valuations) to, the underlying benchmark. In addition, the Funds may obtain exposure to components not included in the underlying benchmark, invest in assets that are not included in the underlying benchmark or may overweight or underweight certain components contained in the underlying benchmark. For further discussion of the Financial Instruments, see “Information about Financial Instruments and Commodities Markets” below.

two-party

Swap agreements involve, to varying degrees, elements of market risk and exposure to loss in excess of the amount which would be reflected on the Statement of Financial Condition. The notional amounts of the agreement reflect the extent of each Ultra Fund’s total investment exposure under the swap agreement. An UltraShort Fund’s or a Short Fund’s exposure is not limited by the notional amount and its exposure is in theory potentially infinite as there is no fixed limit on the increase in any index value. The primary risks associated with the use of swap agreements arise from the inability of counterparties to perform. Each Fund that invests in swaps bears the risk of loss of the net amount, if any, expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap counterparty. Each such Fund enters or intends to enter into swap agreements only with major, global financial institutions; however, there are no limitations on the percentage of its assets each Fund may invest in swap agreements with a particular counterparty. Each Fund that invests in swaps may use various techniques to minimize credit risk including early termination or reset and payment, using different counterparties and limiting the net amount due from any individual counterparty.

tri-party

non-payment

tri-party

The Funds have sought to mitigate these risks in connection with the OTC swaps by generally requiring that the counterparties for each Fund agree to post collateral for the benefit of the Fund, marked to market daily, subject to certain minimum thresholds; however there are no limitations on the percentage of its assets each Fund may invest in swap agreements with a particular counterparty. To the extent any such collateral is insufficient or there are delays in accessing the collateral, the Funds will be exposed to counterparty risk as described above, including possible delays in recovering amounts as a result of bankruptcy proceedings.

marking-to-market

A forward contract is a contractual obligation to purchase or sell a specified quantity of a particular underlying asset at or before a specified date in the future at a specified price and, therefore, is economically similar to a futures contract. Unlike futures contracts, however, forward contracts are typically traded in the OTC markets and are not standardized contracts. Forward contracts for a given commodity or currency are generally available for various amounts and maturities and subject to individual negotiation between the parties involved. Moreover, there is generally no direct means of offsetting or closing out a forward contract by taking an offsetting position as one would a futures contract on a U.S. exchange. If a trader desires to close out a forward contract position, he generally will establish an opposite position in the contract but will settle and recognize the profit or loss on both positions simultaneously on the delivery date. Thus, unlike in the futures contract market where a trader who has offset positions will recognize profit or loss immediately, in the forward market a trader with a position that has been offset at a profit will generally not receive such profit until the delivery date, and likewise a trader with a position that has been offset at a loss will generally not have to pay money until the delivery date. In recent years, however, the terms of forward contracts have become more standardized, and in some instances such contracts now provide a right of offset or cash settlement as an alternative to making or taking delivery of the underlying commodity or currency. The primary risks associated with the use of forward contracts arise from the inability of the counterparty to perform.

tri-party

non-payment

tri-party

The Funds have sought to mitigate these risks with respect to OTC forwards by generally requiring that the counterparties for each Fund agree to post collateral for the benefit of the Fund, marked to market daily, subject to certain minimum thresholds; however, there are no limitations on the percentage of its assets each Fund may invest in forward contracts with a particular counterparty. To the extent any such collateral is insufficient or there are delays in accessing the collateral, the Funds will be exposed to counterparty risk as described above, including possible delays in recovering amounts as a result of bankruptcy proceedings.

non-

non-deliverable

non-deliverable

non-deliverable

Commercial banks participating in trading OTC foreign exchange forward contracts often do not require margin deposits, but rely upon internal credit limitations and their judgments regarding the creditworthiness of their counterparties. In recent years, however, many OTC market participants in foreign exchange trading have begun to require that their counterparties post margin.

non-payment

Certain futures contracts, such as VIX futures contracts, as well as stock index contracts and certain commodity futures contracts, settle in cash, reflecting the difference between the contract purchase/sale price and the contract settlement price. The cash settlement mechanism avoids the potential for either side to have to deliver the underlying asset. For other futures contracts, the contractual obligations of a buyer or seller may generally be satisfied by taking or making physical delivery of the underlying asset or by making an offsetting sale or purchase of an identical futures contract on the same or linked exchange before the designated date of delivery. The difference between the price at which the futures contract is purchased or sold and the price paid for the offsetting sale or purchase, after allowance for brokerage commissions, constitutes the profit or loss to the trader.

Derivatives exchanges in the United States are subject to regulation under the CEA, by the CFTC, the governmental agency having responsibility for regulation of derivatives exchanges and trading on those exchanges. Following the adoption of the Dodd-Frank Act, the CFTC also has authority to regulate OTC derivative markets, including certain OTC foreign exchange markets. The CFTC has exclusive authority to designate exchanges for the trading of specific futures contracts and options on futures contracts and to prescribe rules and regulations of the marketing of each. The CFTC also regulates the activities of “commodity pool operators” and the CFTC has adopted regulations with respect to certain of such persons’ activities. Pursuant to its authority, the CFTC requires a commodity pool operator, such as the Sponsor, to keep accurate, current and orderly records with respect to each pool it operates. The CFTC may suspend, modify or terminate the registration of any registrant for failure to comply with CFTC rules or regulations. Suspension, restriction or termination of the Sponsor’s registration as a commodity pool operator would prevent it, until such time (if any) as such registration were to be reinstated, from managing, and might result in the termination of the Funds. If the Sponsor were unable to provide services and/or advice to the Funds, the Funds would be unable to pursue their investment objectives unless and until the Sponsor’s ability to provide services and advice to the Funds was reinstated or a replacement for the Sponsor as commodity pool operator could be found. Such an event could result in termination of the Funds.

10-K.

The CEA also gives the states certain powers to enforce its provisions and the regulations of the CFTC.

Under certain circumstances, the CEA grants shareholders the right to institute a reparations proceeding before the CFTC against the Sponsor (as a registered commodity pool operator), an FCM, as well as those of their respective employees who are required to be registered under the CEA. Shareholders may also be able to maintain a private right of action for certain violations of the CEA.

Pursuant to authority in the CEA, the National Futures Association (the “NFA”) has been formed and registered with the CFTC as a registered futures association. At the present time, the NFA is the only self-regulatory organization for commodities professionals other than exchanges. As such, the NFA promulgates rules governing the conduct of commodity professionals and disciplines those professionals that do not comply with such standards. The CFTC has delegated to the NFA responsibility for the registration of commodity pool operators, FCMs, swap dealers, commodity trading advisors, introducing brokers and their respective associated persons and floor brokers. The Sponsor is a member of the NFA (the Funds themselves are not required to become members of the NFA). As an NFA member, the Sponsor is subject to NFA standards relating to fair trade practices, financial condition, and consumer protection. The CFTC is prohibited by statute from regulating trading on foreign commodity exchanges and markets.

 10-K.

Description of the Bloomberg Commodity Index and its

(-2x)

SM

sub-index

(-3x)

SM

sub-index

SM

10-K.

SM

SM

pre-determined

SM

10-K.

(-2x)

SM

SM

end-user

10-K.

SM

SM

pre-determined

10-K.

(-2x),

SM

sub-index

pre-determined

(-2x),

SM

sub-index

pre-determined

The Funds are not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Bloomberg, UBS AG, UBS Securities LLC (“UBS Securities”), or any of their subsidiaries or affiliates. None of Bloomberg, UBS AG, UBS Securities, or any of their subsidiaries or affiliates makes any representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of or counterparts to the Funds or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities or commodities generally or in the Funds particularly. The only relationship of Bloomberg, UBS AG, UBS Securities, or any of their subsidiaries or affiliates to the Licensee is the licensing of certain trademarks, trade names and service marks and of the Bloomberg Commodity Index, Bloomberg WTI Crude Oil Subindex, Bloomberg Natural Gas Subindex, Bloomberg Gold Subindex and Bloomberg Silver Subindex which are determined, composed and calculated by Bloomberg in conjunction with UBS Securities without regard to the Licensee or the Funds. Bloomberg and UBS Securities have no obligation to take the needs of the Licensee or the shareholders of the Funds into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Bloomberg Commodity Index, the Bloomberg WTI Crude Oil Subindex, Bloomberg Natural Gas Subindex,the Bloomberg Gold Subindex or the Bloomberg Silver Subindex. None of Bloomberg, UBS AG, UBS Securities, or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates is responsible for or has participated in the determination of the timing of, prices at, or quantities of the shares of the Funds that have been or are to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which the Shares of the Funds are converted into cash. None of Bloomberg, UBS AG, UBS Securities or any of their subsidiaries or affiliates shall have any obligation or liability, including, without limitation, to Fund shareholders, in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of the Funds. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, UBS AG, UBS Securities and their respective subsidiaries and affiliates may independently issue and/or sponsor financial products unrelated to the Shares currently being issued by the Licensee, but which may be similar to and competitive with the Funds. In addition, UBS AG, UBS Securities and their subsidiaries and affiliates actively trade commodities, commodity indexes and commodity futures (including the Bloomberg Commodity Index, Bloomberg WTI Crude Oil Subindex, Bloomberg Natural Gas SubindexBloomberg Gold Subindex and Bloomberg Silver Subindex), as well as swaps, options and derivatives which are linked to the performance of such commodities, commodity indexes and commodity futures. It is possible that this trading activity will affect the value of the Bloomberg Commodity Index, the Bloomberg WTI Crude Oil Subindex, the Bloomberg Natural Gas Subindex, the Bloomberg Gold Subindex, the Bloomberg Silver Subindexand Fund shares.

10-K

SM

SM

SM

SM

SM

SM

SM

SM

SM

SM

10-K

SM

SM

SM

SM

SM

SM

SM

SM

SM

SM

SM

SM

SM

SM

SM

NONE OF BLOOMBERG, UBS AG, UBS SECURITIES OR ANY OF THEIR SUBSIDIARIES OR AFFILIATES GUARANTEES THE ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE BLOOMBERG COMMODITY INDEX, THE BLOOMBERG WTI CRUDE OIL SUBINDEX, BLOOMBERG NATURAL GAS SUBINDEX, THE BLOOMBERG GOLD SUBINDEX OR THE BLOOMBERG SILVER SUBINDEXOR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO AND NONE OF BLOOMBERG, UBS AG, UBS SECURITIES OR ANY OF THEIR SUBSIDIARIES OR AFFILIATES SHALL HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY ERRORS, OMISSIONS, OR INTERRUPTIONS THEREIN. NONE OF BLOOMBERG, UBS AG, UBS SECURITIES OR ANY OF THEIR SUBSIDIARIES OR AFFILIATES MAKES ANY WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED BY THE LICENSEE, FUND SHAREHOLDERS, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE BLOOMBERG COMMODITY INDEX, THE BLOOMBERG WTI CRUDE OIL SUBINDEX, BLOOMBERG NATURAL GAS SUBINDEX OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO. NONE OF BLOOMBERG, UBS AG, UBS SECURITIES OR ANY OF THEIR SUBSIDIARIES OR AFFILIATES MAKES ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE BLOOMBERG COMMODITY INDEX, THE BLOOMBERG WTI CRUDE OIL SUBINDEX, THE BLOOMBERG NATURAL GAS SUBINDEX, THE BLOOMBERG GOLD SUBINDEX OR THE BLOOMBERG SILVER SUBINDEX OR ANY DATA RELATED THERETO. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW, BLOOMBERG ITS LICENSORS (INCLUDING UBS AG AND UBS SECURITIES) AND THEIR RESPECTIVE EMPLOYEES, CONTRACTORS, AGENTS, SUPPLIERS AND VENDORS SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY WHATSOEVER FOR ANY INJURY OR DAMAGES WHETHER DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE OR OTHERWISE ARISING IN CONNECTION WITH THE PRODUCTS OR THE BLOOMBERG COMMODITY INDEX, THE BLOOMBERG NATURAL GAS SUBINDEX, THE BLOOMBERG GOLD SUBINDEX OR THE BLOOMBERG SILVER SUBINDEX OR ANY DATA OR VALUES RELATING THERETO WHETHER ARISING FROM THEIR NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE, EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY THEREOF. THERE ARE NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES OF ANY AGREEMENTS OR ARRANGEMENTS AMONG BLOOMBERG, UBS SECURITIES AND THE LICENSEE, OTHER THAN UBS AG.

(-1),

(-2x),

(-2x)

The Australian dollar is the national currency of Australia and the currency of the accounts of the Reserve Bank of Australia, the Australian central bank. The official currency code for the Australian dollar is “AUD.” The Australian dollar is referred to in Australia as “dollar.” As with U.S. currency, 100 Australian cents are equal to one Australian dollar. In Australia, unlike most other countries, cash transactions are rounded to the nearest five cents. The most commonly used symbol used to represent the Australian dollar is “A$.”

At various times throughout the 1900s, the value of Australian currency was based on a fixed quantity of gold; at other times, the Australian dollar was pegged to foreign currencies, including the U.S. dollar. Beginning in 1983, the Australian dollar’s value was allowed to float, with the result that its value now depends almost entirely on market forces. The foregoing information is compiled from the Reserve Bank of Australia’s website (www.rba.gov.au).

(-1),

(-2x),

currency-the

At its inception on January 1, 1999, the euro was launched as an electronic currency used by banks, foreign exchange dealers and stock markets. In 2002, the euro became cash currency for approximately 300 million citizens of twelve European countries (the eleven countries mentioned above, in addition to Greece). As of December 31, 2019, 23 countries used the euro, including Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and the Vatican City.

Although the European countries that have adopted the euro are members of the European Union (“EU”), the United Kingdom, Denmark and Sweden are EU members that have not adopted the euro as their national currency.

(-2x)

The Japanese yen has been the official currency of Japan since 1871. The Bank of Japan has been operating as the central bank of Japan since 1882.

The VIX Funds seek to offer exposure to forward equity market volatility by obtaining exposure to the VIX Futures Indexes, which are based on publicly traded VIX futures contracts. The VIX Futures Indexes are intended to reflect the returns that are potentially available through an unleveraged investment in the VIX futures contracts comprising each VIX Futures Index. The VIX, which is not the index underlying the VIX Funds, is calculated based on the prices of put and call options on the S&P 500. The VIX Funds can be expected to perform very differently from the VIX.

one-month.

Mid-Term

Mid-Term

Mid-Term

Mid-Term

The level of each VIX Futures Index will be published by Bloomberg L.P. in real time and at the close of trading on each VIX Futures Index business day under the following ticker symbols:

The performance of the VIX Futures Indexes is influenced by the S&P 500 (and options thereon) and the VIX. A description of VIX futures contracts, the VIX and the S&P 500 follows:

Both VIX Futures Indexes are comprised of VIX futures contracts. VIX futures contracts were first launched for trading by the Cboe in 2004. VIX futures contracts have expirations ranging from the front month consecutively out to the tenth month. VIX futures contracts allow investors the ability to invest based on their view of forward implied market volatility. Investors that believe the forward implied market volatility of the S&P 500, as represented by VIX futures contracts, will increase may buy VIX futures contracts. Conversely, investors that believe that the forward implied market volatility of the S&P 500, as represented by VIX futures contracts, will decline may sell VIX futures contracts. VIX futures contracts are reported by Bloomberg under the ticker symbol “VX.”

30-day

30-day

30-day

30-day

The VIX Funds are not linked to the VIX and can be expected to perform very differently from the VIX. The VIX is an index designed to measure the implied volatility of the S&P 500 over 30 days in the future, and is calculated based on the prices of certain put and call options on the S&P 500. The VIX is reflective of the premium paid by investors for certain options linked to the level of the S&P 500. During periods of rising investor uncertainty, including periods of market instability, the implied level of volatility of the S&P 500 typically increases and, consequently, the prices of options linked to the S&P 500 typically increase (assuming all other relevant factors remain constant or have negligible changes). This, in turn, causes the level of the VIX to increase. The VIX has historically had a negative correlation to the S&P 500. The VIX was developed by the Cboe and is calculated, maintained and published by the Cboe. The Cboe has no obligation to continue to publish, and may discontinue the publication of, the VIX. The VIX is reported by Bloomberg under the ticker symbol “VIX.”

out-of-the-money

30-day

30-day

30-day

out-of-the-money

30-day

large-cap

non-

time-to-time,

THE VIX FUNDS ARE NOT SPONSORED, ENDORSED, SOLD OR PROMOTED BY S&P AND ITS AFFILIATES OR Cboe. S&P AND Cboe MAKE NO REPRESENTATION, CONDITION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, TO THE OWNERS OF THE VIX FUNDS OR ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC REGARDING THE ADVISABILITY OF INVESTING IN SECURITIES GENERALLY OR IN THE VIX FUNDS PARTICULARLY OR THE ABILITY OF THE INDEXES TO TRACK MARKET PERFORMANCE AND/OR OF GROUPS OF ASSETS OR ASSET CLASSES AND/OR TO ACHIEVE ITS STATED OBJECTIVE AND/OR TO FORM THE BASIS OF A SUCCESSFUL INVESTMENT STRATEGY, AS APPLICABLE. S&P’S AND Cboe’s ONLY RELATIONSHIP TO THE TRUST ON BEHALF OF ITS APPLICABLE SERIES AND THE SPONSOR IS THE LICENSING OF CERTAIN TRADEMARKS AND TRADE NAMES AND OF THE VIX FUTURES INDEXES WHICH ARE DETERMINED, COMPOSED AND CALCULATED BY S&P WITHOUT REGARD TO THE TRUST ON BEHALF OF ITS APPLICABLE SERIES AND THE SPONSOR OR THE VIX FUNDS. S&P HAS NO OBLIGATION TO TAKE THE NEEDS OF THE TRUST ON BEHALF OF ITS APPLICABLE SERIES AND THE SPONSOR OR THE OWNERS OF THE VIX FUNDS INTO CONSIDERATION IN DETERMINING, COMPOSING OR CALCULATING THE VIX FUTURES INDEXES. S&P AND Cboe ARE NOT ADVISORS TO THE VIX FUNDS AND ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR AND HAVE NOT PARTICIPATED IN THE DETERMINATION OF THE PRICES AND AMOUNT OF THE VIX FUNDS OR THE TIMING OF THE ISSUANCE OR SALE OF THE VIX FUNDS OR IN THE DETERMINATION OR CALCULATION OF THE EQUATION BY WHICH THE VIX FUND SHARES ARE TO BE CONVERTED INTO CASH. S&P AND Cboe HAVE NO OBLIGATION OR LIABILITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE ADMINISTRATION, MARKETING, OR TRADING OF THE VIX FUNDS.

The following description of the procedures for the creation and redemption of Creation Units is only a summary and an investor should refer to the relevant provisions of the Amended and Restated Trust Agreement of the Trust, as may be further amended from time to time (the “Trust Agreement”) and the form of Authorized Participant Agreement for more detail. The Trust Agreement and the form of Authorized Participant Agreement are incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form

On any Business Day, an Authorized Participant may place an order with the Distributor to create one or more Creation Units. For purposes of processing both purchase and redemption orders, a “Business Day” for each Fund means any day on which the NAV of such Fund is determined. Purchase orders must be placed by the time shown below or earlier if the NYSE, a Fund’s primary listing exchange, or other exchange material to the valuation or operation of such Fund (an “Exchange” as defined below) closes before the time. If a purchase order is received prior to the applicable time, the day on which SEI receives a valid purchase order is the purchase order date. If the purchase order is received after the applicable time, the purchase order date will be the next day. Purchase orders are irrevocable. By placing a purchase order, and prior to delivery of such Creation Units, an Authorized Participant’s DTC account will be charged the transaction fee due for the purchase order.

The total payment required to create each Creation Unit is the NAV of 50,000 Shares of the applicable Geared Fund or 25,000 Shares of the applicable Matching VIX Fund on the purchase order date plus the applicable transaction fee. For each Fund, Authorized Participants have create/redeem times prior to the NAV calculation time, which may be different from the close of the U.S. markets, as shown in the table below.

The procedures by which an Authorized Participant may redeem one or more Creation Units mirror the procedures for the creation of Creation Units. On any Business Day, an Authorized Participant may place an order with the Distributor to redeem one or more Creation Units. If a redemption order is received prior to the applicable time, or earlier if the Exchange, or other exchange material to the valuation or operation of such Fund, closes before the time, the day on which SEI receives a valid redemption order is the redemption order date. If the redemption order is received after the applicable time, the redemption order date will be the next day. Redemption orders are irrevocable. The redemption procedures allow Authorized Participants to redeem Creation Units. Individual shareholders may not redeem directly from a Fund.

By placing a redemption order, an Authorized Participant agrees to deliver the Creation Units to be redeemed through DTC’s book-entry system to the applicable Fund not later than noon (Eastern Time), on the first Business Day immediately following the redemption order date (T+1). The Sponsor reserves the right to extend the deadline for the Fund to receive the Creation Units required for settlement up to the second Business Day following the redemption order date (T+2). By placing a redemption order, and prior to receipt of the redemption proceeds, an Authorized Participant must wire to the Custodian the transaction fee due for the redemption order or any proceeds due will be reduced by the amount of the fee payable. At its sole discretion, the Sponsor may agree to a delivery date other than T+2. Additional fees may apply for special settlement.

The Sponsor is also authorized to deliver the redemption distribution notwithstanding that the Creation Units to be redeemed are not credited to a Fund’s DTC account by noon (Eastern Time), on the second Business Day immediately following the redemption order date if the Authorized Participant has collateralized its obligation to deliver the Creation Units through DTC’s book-entry system on such terms as the Sponsor may determine from

The NAV in respect of a Fund means the total assets of the Fund including, but not limited to, all cash and cash equivalents or other debt securities less total liabilities of such Fund, consistently applied under the accrual method of accounting. In particular, the NAV includes any unrealized profit or loss on open Financial Instruments, and any other credit or debit accruing to a Fund but unpaid or not received by a Fund. The NAV per Share of each Fund is computed by dividing the value of the net assets of such Fund (, the value of its total assets less total liabilities) by its total number of Shares outstanding. Expenses and fees are accrued daily and taken into account for purposes of determining the NAV. Each Fund’s NAV is calculated on each day other than a day when the Exchange is closed for regular trading. The Funds compute their NAVs at the times set forth below, or an earlier time as set forth on www.ProShares.com if necessitated by the Exchange or other exchange material to the valuation or operation of such Fund closing early. Each Fund’s NAV is calculated only once each trading day.

In calculating the NAV of a Fund, the settlement value of the Fund’s traded Financial Instruments, is determined by applying the then-current disseminated value for the corresponding benchmark to the terms of such Fund’s traded Financial Instruments. However, in the event that an underlying reference asset is not trading due to the operation of daily limits or otherwise, the Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, choose to fair value the Fund’s traded Financial Instruments for purposes of the NAV calculation. Such fair value prices would generally be determined based on available inputs about the current value of the underlying reference assets and would be based on principles that the Sponsor deems fair and equitable so long as such principles are consistent with normal industry standards.

In addition, the Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, choose to fair value a Fund’s Financial Instruments for purposes of the NAV calculation for (1) any period for which, in the Sponsor’s sole discretion, market quotations or settlement prices do not accurately reflect the fair value of a Financial Instrument, (2) any period during which the Exchange or any other exchange, marketplace or trading center, deemed to affect the normal operations of the Funds, is closed, or when trading is restricted or suspended, or (3) such other period as the Sponsor determines, in its sole discretion, to be necessary for the protection of the Shareholders of the Funds.

Such fair value prices would generally be determined based on available inputs about the current value of the underlying reference assets and would be based on principles that the Sponsor deems fair and equitable so long as such principles are consistent with normal industry standards.

The Funds may use a variety of money market instruments to invest excess cash. Money Market instruments used in this capacity are valued at amortized cost which approximates fair value for daily NAV purposes.

The IOPV is an indicator of the value of a Fund’s net assets at the time the IOPV is disseminated. The IOPV is calculated and disseminated every 15 seconds throughout the trading day. The IOPV is generally calculated using the prior day’s closing net assets of a Fund as a base and updating throughout the trading day changes in the value of the Financial Instruments held by a Fund. The IOPV should not be viewed as an actual real time update of the NAV because NAV is calculated only once at the end of each trading day. The IOPV also should not be viewed as a precise value of the Shares. Neither the Funds nor the Sponsor are liable for any errors in the calculation of the IOPV or any failure to disseminate IOPV.

on-

Offering costs will be amortized by the Funds over a twelve month period on a straight-line basis beginning once the fund commences operations. The Sponsor will not charge its Management Fee in the first year of operations of a Fund in an amount equal to the offering costs. Normal and expected expenses incurred in connection with the continuous offering of Shares of a Fund after the commencement of its trading operations will be paid by the Sponsor.

Offering expenses mean those expenses incurred in connection with the qualification and registration of the Shares of each Fund and in offering, distributing and processing the Shares of each Fund under applicable federal law, and any other expenses actually incurred and, directly or indirectly, related to the organization of each offering of the Shares of such Fund, including, but not limited to, expenses such as:

Each Geared Fund pays the Sponsor a Management Fee, monthly in arrears, in an amount equal to 0.95% per annum of its average daily NAV of such Fund. Each Matching VIX Fund pays the Sponsor a Management Fee, monthly in arrears, in an amount equal to 0.85% per annum of its average daily NAV. No other management fee is paid by the Funds. The Management Fee is paid in consideration of the Sponsor’s trading advisory services and the other services provided to the Funds that the Sponsor pays directly.

The Sponsor pays S&P a licensing fee for use of the VIX Futures Indexes as the benchmarks for the VIX Funds. The Sponsor pays Bloomberg a licensing fee for the Bloomberg Commodity Index, as well as each subindex that serves as a benchmark for a Commodity Index Fund.

K-1

Fees and Expenses

non-recurring

Non-recurring

Retail investors may purchase and sell Shares through traditional brokerage accounts. Investors are expected to be charged a customary commission by their brokers in connection with purchases of Shares that will vary from investor to investor. Investors are encouraged to review the terms of their brokerage accounts for applicable charges. The price at which an Authorized Participant sells a Share may be higher or lower than the price paid by such Authorized Participant in connection with the creation of such Share in a Creation Unit.

give-up

The Funds bear other transaction costs including the effects of trading spreads and financing costs/fees, if any, associated with the use of Financial Instruments, and costs relating to the purchase of U.S. Treasury securities or similar high credit quality short-term fixed- income or similar securities (such as shares of money market funds and collateralized repurchase agreements).

The Trust has no employees.

These risk factors should be read in connection with the other information included in this Annual Report on Form including Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the Funds’ Financial Statements and the related Notes to the Funds’ Financial Statements. For purposes of this section:

one-half

-0.5x),

-1x),

-2x,

one-half

-0.5x),

(-1x),

one-half

(-2x)

(-3x),

A Geared Fund will lose money if the Index’s performance is flat over time, and it is possible for a Geared Fund to lose money over time regardless of the performance of the Index, as a result of daily rebalancing, the Index’s volatility, compounding and other factors. Longer holding periods, higher index volatility, inverse exposure and greater leverage each affect the impact of compounding on a Geared Fund’s returns. Daily compounding of a Geared Fund’s investment returns can dramatically and adversely affect performance, especially during periods of high volatility. Volatility has a negative impact on Geared Fund performance and the volatility of the Index may be at least as important to a Geared Fund’s return for a period as the return of the Index.

one-half

one-half

(-0.5x)

(-1x)

(-3x)

(-3x)

(-2x)

(-3x)

seven-day

seven-day

-6.52%

-3.26%).

seven-day

seven-day

one-half

(-1x)

one-half

(-0.5x)

(-2x)

(-3x)

one-half

one-year

one-year

(-0.5x,

-1x,

-2x,

-3x,

The graph above shows a scenario where the index, which exhibits volatility, is flat or trendless over the year (i.e., begins and ends the year at 0%), but the Short Fund is down.

The graph above shows a scenario where the benchmark, which exhibits volatility, is up over the year, but the Short Fund is down more than the inverse of the benchmark.

The graph above shows a scenario where the benchmark, which exhibits volatility, is down over the year, but the Short Fund is up less than the inverse of the benchmark.

 

day-to-day

(-1x)

day-to-day

(-1x)

30

day-to-day

(-1x)

day-to-day

The graph above shows a scenario where the index, which exhibits volatility, is up over the year, but the Ultra Fund (1.5x) is up less than one and times the index.

 

The graph above shows a scenario where the index, which exhibits volatility, is down over the year, but the Ultra Fund (1.5x) is down less than one and times the index.

 

The graph above shows a scenario where the benchmark, which exhibits volatility, is flat or trendless over the year (i.e., provides a return of 0% over the course of the year), but the Ultra Fund (2x) and the UltraShort Fund are both down.

 

The graph above shows a scenario where the benchmark, which exhibits volatility, is up over the year, but the Ultra Fund (2x) is up less than two times the benchmark and the UltraShort Fund is down less than two times the inverse of the benchmark.

 

The graph above shows a scenario where the benchmark, which exhibits volatility, is down over the year, but the Ultra Fund (2x) is down less than two times the benchmark and the UltraShort Fund is up less than two times the inverse of the benchmark.

 

The graph above shows a scenario where the benchmark, which exhibits volatility, is flat or trendless over the year (i.e., provides a return of 0% over the course of the year), but the UltraPro Fund (3x) and the UltraPro Short Fund are both down.

 

The graph above shows a scenario where the benchmark, which exhibits volatility, is up over the year, but the UltraPro Fund (3x) is up less than three times the benchmark and the UltraPro Short Fund is down less than three times the inverse of the benchmark.

 

Index		Identifier				Historical  Five-Year  Average Volatility Rate As of December 31, 2019
S&P 500 VIX Short-Term Futures Index			SPVXSP				79.27	%
S&P 500 VIX Mid-Term Futures Index			SPVXMPID				32.42	%
Bloomberg WTI Crude Oil Subindex SM			BCOMCL				36.72	%
Bloomberg Natural Gas Subindex SM			BCOMNG				39.81	%
Bloomberg Gold Subindex SM			BCOMGC				12.86	%
Bloomberg Silver Subindex SM			BCOMSI				22.00	%
The US dollar price of the euro			USDEUR				8.23	%
The US dollar price of the Japanese yen			USDJPY				8.46	%
The US dollar price of the Australian dollar			USDAUD				9.37	%