Federated Hermes ETF Trust
12/23/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/23/2024 16:27
Annual Report by Investment Company (Form N-CSR)
8dd207c5b43f8d0
United States Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form N-CSR
Certified Shareholder Report of Registered Management Investment Companies
811-23730
(Investment Company Act File Number)
Federated Hermes ETF Trust
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Federated Hermes Funds
4000 Ericsson Drive
Warrendale, PA 15086-7561
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(412) 288-1900
(Registrant's Telephone Number)
Peter J. Germain, Esquire
1001 Liberty Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222-3779
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
(Notices should be sent to the Agent for Service)
Date of Fiscal Year End: 2024-10-31
Date of Reporting Period: 2024-10-31
| Item 1. | Reports to Stockholders |
Federated Hermes U.S. Strategic
Dividend ETF
Dividend ETF
NYSE Arca | FDV
Annual Shareholder Report | October 31, 2024
A Portfolio of Federated Hermes ETF Trust
This annual shareholder report contains important information about the Federated Hermes U.S. Strategic Dividend ETF (the "Fund") for the period of November 1, 2023 to October 31, 2024. You can find additional information about the Fund at FederatedHermes.com/us/FundInformation. You can also request this information by contacting us at 1-800-341-7400, Option 4, or your financial advisor.
What were the Fund costs for the last year?
(Based on a hypothetical $10,000 investment)
| Fund Name | Costs of a $10,000 investment | Costs paid as a percentage of a $10,000 investment |
|
Federated Hermes U.S. Strategic Dividend ETF |
$58 | 0.50% |
Management's Discussion of Fund Performance
The following discussion compares the performance of the Fund to the S&P 500® Index (the "Index") to show how the Fund's performance compares to the returns of similar investments for the reporting period. See the Average Annual Total Returns table below for the returns of the Fund and the Index. The Fund seeks to provide income and long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in high dividend-paying stocks of U.S. issuers with dividend growth potential.
Top Contributors to Performance
-
The Fund provided a dividend yield more than two times that of the Index which contributed positively to relative performance.
-
Stock selection in the Financials sector contributed positively to relative performance. Outperformers included PNC Financial Services, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan Chase & Co. and Truist Financial Corporation.
-
Stock selection in the Health Care sector was also a positive relative contributor to performance, driven by robust performance from Amgen and AbbVie.
-
Stock selection in the Consumer Staples sector was another area of relative strength, led by superior performance from Philip Morris International and Target Corporation.
Top Detractors from Performance
-
The Fund's largest relative detractor was the underweight position to the Information Technology sector. Information Technology accounted for 38% of the total performance of the Index. Information Technology continues to afford little in the way of high-and-rising dividend-paying companies.
-
Stock selection in the Industrials sector was a relative detractor, as top performers in the Index such as Howmet Aerospace Inc., United Airlines Holdings, GE Vernova Inc., Axon Enterprise Inc. and United Rentals, Inc. either did not pay a dividend or paid a dividend notably lower than the Fund's minimum threshold and, therefore, were not held by the Fund.
-
Stock selection in the Communication Services sector was another area of relative weakness, as the Fund's strategy is to invest in the defensive, dividend-paying telecom service names while the top performers in the sector were Meta Platforms, Alphabet and Netflix. These outperformers either did not pay a dividend or paid a dividend notably lower than the Fund's minimum threshold and, therefore, were not held by the Fund.
Fund Performance
Keep in mind that the Fund's past performance is not a good predictor of how the Fund will perform in the future. The graph and table do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on fund distributions or redemption of fund shares.
Cumulative Performance: November 15, 2022 through October 31, 2024
Initial Investment of $10,000
| Average Annual Total Returns | ||
| 1 Year | Since Inception1 | |
| Federated Hermes U.S. Strategic Dividend ETF at NAV | 32.07% | 8.54% |
| S&P 500® Index | 38.02% | 21.85% |
|
1
|
Commenced operations on November 15, 2022.
|
Visit FederatedHermes.com/us/FundInformationand click on the link to your fund and share class for more recent performance information.
Key Fund Statistics
| Net Assets | $175,581,425 |
| Number of Investments | 51 |
| Portfolio Turnover Rate | 39% |
| Total Advisory Fees Paid | $516,391 |
Fund Holdings
Top Sectors
(% of Net Assets)
(% of Net Assets)
Availability of Additional Information
Additional information is available on the Fund's website at FederatedHermes.com/us/FundInformation, including its:
• prospectus • financial information • holdings • proxy voting information
• prospectus • financial information • holdings • proxy voting information
CUSIP 31423L305
Q455871-A (12/24)
FederatedHermes.com/us
Federated Securities Corp., Distributor
© 2024 Federated Hermes, Inc.
| Item 2. | Code of Ethics |
(a) As of the end of the period covered by this report, the registrant has adopted a code of ethics (the "Section 406 Standards for Investment Companies - Ethical Standards for Principal Executive and Financial Officers") that applies to the registrant's Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer; the registrant's Principal Financial Officer also serves as the Principal Accounting Officer.
(c) There was no amendment to the registrant's code of ethics described in Item 2(a) above during the period covered by the report.
(d) There was no waiver granted, either actual or implicit, from a provision to the registrant's code of ethics described in Item 2(a) above during the period covered by the report.
(e) Not Applicable
(f)(3) The registrant hereby undertakes to provide any person, without charge, upon request, a copy of the code of ethics. To request a copy of the code of ethics, contact the registrant at 1-800-341-7400, and ask for a copy of the Section 406 Standards for Investment Companies - Ethical Standards for Principal Executive and Financial Officers.
| Item 3. | Audit Committee Financial Expert |
The registrant's Board has determined that each of the following members of the Board's Audit Committee is an "audit committee financial expert," and is "independent," for purposes of this Item 3: Thomas M. O'Neill and John S. Walsh.
| Item 4. | Principal Accountant Fees and Services |
(a) Audit Fees billed to the registrant for the two most recent fiscal years:
Fiscal year ended 2024 - $138,396
Fiscal year ended 2023 - $101,624
(b) Audit-Related Fees billed to the registrant for the two most recent fiscal years:
Fiscal year ended 2024 - $0
Fiscal year ended 2023 - $0
Amount requiring approval of the registrant's Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, $1,698 and $0 respectively. Fiscal year ended 2024- Travel expenses for attendance at Board meeting.
(c) Tax Fees billed to the registrant for the two most recent fiscal years:
Fiscal year ended 2024 - $0
Fiscal year ended 2023 - $0
Amount requiring approval of the registrant's Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, $0 and $0 respectively.
(d) All Other Fees billed to the registrant for the two most recent fiscal years:
Fiscal year ended 2024 - $0
Fiscal year ended 2023 - $0
Amount requiring approval of the registrant's Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, $31,761 and $68,213 respectively. Fiscal year ended 2024- Service fees for analysis of potential Passive Foreign Investment Company holdings. Fiscal year ended 2023- Service fees for analysis of potential Passive Foreign Investment Company holdings.
(e)(1) Audit Committee Policies regarding Pre-approval of Services.
The Audit Committee is required to pre-approve audit and non-audit services performed by the independent auditor in order to assure that the provision of such services do not impair the auditor's independence. The Audit Committee is required to pre-concur with independence conclusions made by the independent auditor regarding non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditor to the Funds, the Funds Board of Directors, or any entity that is controlled directly or indirectly by the Funds. Unless a type of service to be provided by the independent auditor has received general pre-approval, it will require specific pre-approval(and pre-concurrence for non-audit services) by the Audit Committee. Any proposed services exceeding pre-approved cost levels will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee.
Certain services have the general pre-approval of the Audit Committee. The term of the general pre-approval is 12 months from the date of pre-approval, unless the Audit Committee specifically provides for a different period. The Audit Committee will annually review the services that may be provided by the independent auditor without obtaining specific pre-approval from the Audit Committee and may grant general pre-approval for such services. The Audit Committee will revise the list of general pre-approved services from time to time, based on subsequent determinations. The Audit Committee will not delegate to management its responsibilities to pre-approve services performed by the independent auditor.
The Audit Committee has delegated pre-approval/pre-concurrence authority to its chairman (the "Chairman") for services that do not exceed a specified dollar threshold. The Chairman or Chief Audit Executive will report any such pre-approval/pre-concurrence decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The Committee will designate another member with such pre-approval/pre-concurrence authority when the Chairman is unavailable.
AUDIT SERVICES
The annual audit services engagement terms and fees will be subject to the specific pre-approval of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee will approve, if necessary, any changes in terms, conditions and fees resulting from changes in audit scope, registered investment company (RIC) structure or other matters.
In addition to the annual audit services engagement specifically approved by the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee may grant general pre-approval for other audit services, which are those services that only the independent auditor reasonably can provide. The Audit Committee has pre-approved certain audit services; with limited exception, all other audit services must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
AUDIT-RELATED SERVICES
Audit-related services are assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the RIC's financial statements or that are traditionally performed by the independent auditor. The Audit Committee believes that the provision of audit-related services does not impair the independence of the auditor, and has pre-approved certain audit-related services; all other audit-related services must be specifically pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
TAX SERVICES
The Audit Committee believes that the independent auditor can provide tax services to the RIC such as tax compliance, tax planning and tax advice without impairing the auditor's independence. However, the Audit Committee will not permit the retention of the independent auditor in connection with a transaction initially recommended by the independent auditor, the purpose of which may be tax avoidance and the tax treatment of which may not be supported in the Internal Revenue Code and related regulations. The Audit Committee has pre-approved/pre-concurred certain tax services; with limited exception, all tax services involving large and complex transactions must be specifically pre-approved/pre-concurred by the Audit Committee.
ALL OTHER SERVICES
With respect to the provision of permissible services other than audit, review or attest services the pre-approval/pre-concurrence requirement is waived if:
(1) With respect to such services rendered to the Funds, the aggregate amount of all such services provided constitutes no more than five percent of the total amount of revenues paid by the audit client to its accountant during the fiscal year in which the services are provided; and,
(2) With respect to such services rendered to the Fund's investment adviser ( the "Adviser")and any entity controlling, controlled by to under common control with the Adviser such as affiliated non-U.S. and U.S. funds not under the Audit Committee's purview and which do not fall within a category of service which has been determined by the Audit Committee not to have a direct impact on the operations or financial reporting of the RIC, the aggregate amount of all services provided constitutes no more than five percent of the total amount of revenues paid to the RIC's auditor by the RIC, its Adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser during the fiscal year in which the services are provided; and
(3) Such services were not recognized by the issuer or RIC at the time of the engagement to be non-audit services; and
(4) Such services are promptly brought to the attention of the Audit Committee and approved prior to the completion of the audit by the Audit Committee or by one or more members of the Audit Committee who are members of the Board of Directors to whom authority to grant such approvals has been delegated by the Audit Committee.
The Audit Committee may grant general pre-approval/pre-concurrence to those permissible non-audit services which qualify for pre-approval and which it believes are routine and recurring services, and would not impair the independence of the auditor.
The Securities and Exchange Commission's (the "SEC") rules and relevant guidance should be consulted to determine the precise definitions of these services and applicability of exceptions to certain of the prohibitions.
PRE-APPROVAL FEE LEVELS
Pre-approval fee levels for all services to be provided by the independent auditor will be established annually by the Audit Committee. Any proposed services exceeding these levels will require specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee.
PROCEDURES
Requests or applications to provide services that require specific approval/concurrence by the Audit Committee will be submitted to the Audit Committee by the Fund's Principal Accounting Officer and/or the Chief Audit Executive of Federated Hermes, Inc., only after those individuals have determined that the request or application is consistent with the SEC's rules on auditor independence.
(e)(2) Percentage of services identified in items 4(b) through 4(d) that were approved by the registrant's Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X:
4(b)
Fiscal year ended 2024 - 0%
Fiscal year ended 2023 - 0%
Percentage of services provided to the registrant's Adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were approved by the registrant's Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, 0% and 0% respectively.
4(c)
Fiscal year ended 2024 - 0%
Fiscal year ended 2023 - 0%
Percentage of services provided to the registrant's Adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were approved by the registrant's Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, 0% and 0% respectively.
4(d)
Fiscal year ended 2024 - 0%
Fiscal year ended 2023 - 0%
Percentage of services provided to the registrant's Adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were approved by the registrant's Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X, 0% and 0% respectively.
(f) NA
(g) Non-Audit Fees billed to the registrant, the registrant's Adviser, and certain entities controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser:
Fiscal year ended 2024 - $246,503
Fiscal year ended 2023 - $301,479
(h) The registrant's Audit Committee has considered that the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the registrant's Adviser (not including any sub-adviser whose role is primarily portfolio management and is subcontracted with or overseen by another investment adviser), and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant's independence.
| Item 5. | Audit Committee of Listed Registrants |
Not Applicable
| Item 6. | Schedule of Investments |
(a) The registrant's Schedule of Investments is included as part of the Financial Statements filed under Item 7 of this form.
(b) Not Applicable
| Item 7. | Financial Statements and Financial Highlights for Open-End Management Companies |
Annual Financial Statements
and Additional Information
and Additional Information
October 31, 2024
|
NYSE Arca | FDV
|
Federated Hermes U.S. Strategic Dividend ETF
A Portfolio of Federated Hermes ETF Trust
Not FDIC Insured ▪ May Lose Value ▪ No Bank Guarantee
CONTENTS
|
Portfolio of Investments
|
1
|
|
Financial Highlights
|
3
|
|
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
|
4
|
|
Statement of Operations
|
5
|
|
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
|
6
|
|
Notes to Financial Statements
|
7
|
|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
|
12
|
|
Shareholder Meeting Results
|
13
|
|
Evaluation and Approval of Advisory Contract
|
14
|
Portfolio of Investments
October 31, 2024
|
Shares
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
|
COMMON STOCKS-99.7%
|
|
|
|
Communication Services-4.8%
|
||
|
54,985
|
|
Comcast Corp., Class A
|
$ 2,401,195
|
|
56,952
|
|
Interpublic Group of Cos., Inc.
|
1,674,389
|
|
103,742
|
|
Verizon Communications, Inc.
|
4,370,650
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
8,446,234
|
|
|
|
Consumer Discretionary-3.4%
|
||
|
27,934
|
|
Best Buy Co., Inc.
|
2,526,071
|
|
21,338
|
|
Darden Restaurants, Inc.
|
3,414,507
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
5,940,578
|
|
|
|
Consumer Staples-17.1%
|
||
|
20,154
|
|
Clorox Co.
|
3,195,417
|
|
41,743
|
|
Conagra Brands, Inc.
|
1,208,042
|
|
8,520
|
|
Hershey Foods Corp.
|
1,512,982
|
|
41,120
|
|
Hormel Foods Corp.
|
1,256,216
|
|
165,668
|
|
Kenvue, Inc.
|
3,798,767
|
|
11,400
|
|
Kimberly-Clark Corp.
|
1,529,652
|
|
26,321
|
|
PepsiCo, Inc.
|
4,371,392
|
|
32,815
|
|
Philip Morris International, Inc.
|
4,354,550
|
|
30,397
|
|
Target Corp.
|
4,560,766
|
|
64,542
|
|
The Coca-Cola Co.
|
4,215,238
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
30,003,022
|
|
|
|
Energy-6.0%
|
||
|
35,722
|
|
Chevron Corp.
|
5,316,148
|
|
11,693
|
|
EOG Resources, Inc.
|
1,426,078
|
|
19,027
|
|
Exxon Mobil Corp.
|
2,221,973
|
|
12,772
|
|
Valero Energy Corp.
|
1,657,295
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
10,621,494
|
|
|
|
Financials-13.0%
|
||
|
44,555
|
|
Bank of New York Mellon Corp.
|
3,357,665
|
|
6,744
|
|
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
|
1,496,628
|
|
51,540
|
|
Morgan Stanley
|
5,991,525
|
|
27,864
|
|
PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.
|
5,245,955
|
|
63,295
|
|
Truist Financial Corp.
|
2,724,850
|
|
84,277
|
|
U.S. Bancorp
|
4,071,422
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
22,888,045
|
|
|
|
Health Care-15.6%
|
||
|
21,712
|
|
AbbVie, Inc.
|
4,426,425
|
|
16,124
|
|
Amgen, Inc.
|
5,162,260
|
|
84,776
|
|
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
|
4,727,958
|
|
66,450
|
|
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
|
5,902,089
|
|
25,436
|
|
Johnson & Johnson
|
4,066,199
|
|
108,946
|
|
Pfizer, Inc.
|
3,083,172
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
27,368,103
|
|
|
|
Industrials-4.6%
|
||
|
17,694
|
|
MSC Industrial Direct Co.
|
1,399,064
|
|
23,766
|
|
Paychex, Inc.
|
3,311,317
|
|
25,279
|
|
United Parcel Service, Inc.
|
3,388,903
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
8,099,284
|
|
|
|
Information Technology-5.4%
|
||
|
76,998
|
|
Cisco Systems, Inc.
|
4,217,181
|
Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
1
|
Shares
|
|
|
Value
|
|
|
|
COMMON STOCKS-continued
|
|
|
|
Information Technology-continued
|
||
|
37,607
|
|
Corning, Inc.
|
$ 1,789,717
|
|
16,738
|
|
Texas Instruments, Inc.
|
3,400,492
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
9,407,390
|
|
|
|
Materials-3.8%
|
||
|
253,702
|
|
Amcor PLC
|
2,823,703
|
|
43,961
|
|
LyondellBasell Industries N.V.
|
3,818,013
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
6,641,716
|
|
|
|
Real Estate-7.8%
|
||
|
165,333
|
|
Kimco Realty Corp.
|
3,921,699
|
|
70,552
|
|
NNN REIT, Inc.
|
3,064,779
|
|
29,365
|
|
ProLogis, Inc.
|
3,316,483
|
|
56,724
|
|
Realty Income Corp.
|
3,367,704
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
13,670,665
|
|
|
|
Utilities-18.2%
|
||
|
35,442
|
|
American Electric Power Co., Inc.
|
3,499,897
|
|
42,845
|
|
Duke Energy Corp.
|
4,938,743
|
|
29,257
|
|
Entergy Corp.
|
4,528,398
|
|
70,454
|
|
Evergy, Inc.
|
4,258,240
|
|
40,652
|
|
NextEra Energy, Inc.
|
3,221,671
|
|
88,291
|
|
PPL Corp.
|
2,874,755
|
|
55,765
|
|
Southern Co.
|
5,076,288
|
|
37,620
|
|
WEC Energy Group, Inc.
|
3,593,839
|
|
|
TOTAL
|
31,991,831
|
|
|
|
TOTAL INVESTMENT IN SECURITIES-99.7%
(IDENTIFIED COST $160,944,409)1
|
175,078,362
|
|
|
|
OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES - NET-0.3%2
|
503,063
|
|
|
|
TOTAL NET ASSETS-100%
|
$175,581,425
|
|
1
|
The cost of investments for federal tax purposes amounts to $162,851,351.
|
|
2
|
Assets, other than investments in securities, less liabilities. See Statement of Assets and Liabilities.
|
Note: The categories of investments are shown as a percentage of total net assets at October 31, 2024.
Various inputs are used in determining the value of the Fund's investments. These inputs are summarized in the three broad levels listed below:
Level 1-quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.
Level 2-other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.). Also includes securities valued at amortized cost.
Level 3-significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund's own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments).
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.
As of October 31, 2024, all investments of the Fund utilized Level 1 inputs in valuing the Fund's assets carried at fair value.
|
The following acronym(s) are used throughout this portfolio:
|
|
|
REIT
|
-Real Estate Investment Trust
|
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
2
Financial Highlights
(For a Share Outstanding Throughout Each Period)
|
|
Year
Ended
10/31/2024
|
Period
Ended
10/31/20231
|
|
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period
|
$21.73
|
$25.16
|
|
Income From Investment Operations:
|
||
|
Net investment income2
|
0.89
|
0.83
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)
|
5.97
|
(3.57)
|
|
Total from Investment Operations
|
6.86
|
(2.74)
|
|
Less Distributions:
|
||
|
Distributions from net investment income
|
(0.85)
|
(0.69)
|
|
Net Asset Value, End of Period
|
$27.74
|
$21.73
|
|
Total Return3
|
32.07%
|
(11.11)%
|
|
Ratios to Average Net Assets:
|
||
|
Net expenses4
|
0.50%
|
0.50%5
|
|
Net investment income
|
3.51%
|
3.60%5
|
|
Expense waiver/reimbursement6
|
0.11%
|
0.12%5
|
|
Supplemental Data:
|
||
|
Net assets, end of period (000 omitted)
|
$175,581
|
$65,393
|
|
Portfolio turnover7
|
39%
|
35%
|
|
1
|
Reflects operations for the period from November 15, 2022 (commencement of operations) to October 31, 2023.
|
|
2
|
Per share numbers have been calculated using the average shares method.
|
|
3
|
Based on net asset value. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized.
|
|
4
|
Amount does not reflect net expenses incurred by investment companies in which the Fund may invest.
|
|
5
|
Computed on an annualized basis.
|
|
6
|
This expense decrease is reflected in both the net expense and the net investment income ratios shown above. Amount does not reflect expense waiver/
reimbursement recorded by investment companies in which the Fund may invest.
|
|
7
|
Securities that mature are considered sales for purposes of this calculation.
|
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
3
Statement of Assets and Liabilities
October 31, 2024
|
Assets:
|
|
|
Investment in securities, at value (identified cost $160,944,409)
|
$175,078,362
|
|
Cash
|
575,949
|
|
Receivable for shares sold
|
1,386,899
|
|
Income receivable
|
394,242
|
|
Total Assets
|
177,435,452
|
|
Liabilities:
|
|
|
Payable for investments purchased
|
$1,385,410
|
|
Income distribution payable
|
396,896
|
|
Payable for investment adviser fee (Note 5)
|
59,167
|
|
Accrued expenses
|
12,554
|
|
TOTAL LIABILITIES
|
1,854,027
|
|
Net assets for 6,330,000 shares outstanding
|
$175,581,425
|
|
Net Assets Consist of:
|
|
|
Paid-in capital
|
$167,762,720
|
|
Total distributable earnings (loss)
|
7,818,705
|
|
TOTAL NET ASSETS
|
$175,581,425
|
|
Net Asset Value, Offering Price and Redemption Proceeds Per Share:
|
|
|
$175,581,425 ÷ 6,330,000 shares outstanding, no par value, unlimited shares authorized
|
$27.74
|
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
4
Statement of Operations
Year Ended October 31, 2024
|
Investment Income:
|
|
|
Dividends
|
$4,204,523
|
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
Investment adviser fee (Note 5)
|
$628,717
|
|
Share registration costs
|
12,682
|
|
TOTAL EXPENSES
|
641,399
|
|
Waiver of investment adviser fee (Note 5)
|
(112,326)
|
|
Net expenses
|
529,073
|
|
Net investment income
|
3,675,450
|
|
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments and In-Kind Redemptions:
|
|
|
Net realized loss on investments
|
(3,655,331)
|
|
Net realized gain on in-kind redemptions
|
6,739,323
|
|
Net change in unrealized depreciation of investments
|
20,861,596
|
|
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments and in-kind redemptions
|
23,945,588
|
|
Change in net assets resulting from operations
|
$27,621,038
|
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
5
Statement of Changes in Net Assets
|
Year Ended October 31
|
2024
|
20231
|
|
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets
|
||
|
Operations:
|
||
|
Net investment income
|
$3,675,450
|
$1,628,040
|
|
Net realized gain (loss)
|
3,083,992
|
(2,159,177)
|
|
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation
|
20,861,596
|
(6,727,643)
|
|
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
|
27,621,038
|
(7,258,780)
|
|
Distribution to Shareholders
|
(3,466,595)
|
(1,481,899)
|
|
Share Transactions:
|
||
|
Proceeds from sale of shares
|
131,814,151
|
82,547,570
|
|
Cost of shares redeemed
|
(45,779,720)
|
(8,414,340)
|
|
CHANGE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM SHARE TRANSACTIONS
|
86,034,431
|
74,133,230
|
|
Change in net assets
|
110,188,874
|
65,392,551
|
|
Net Assets:
|
||
|
Beginning of period
|
65,392,551
|
-
|
|
End of period
|
$175,581,425
|
$65,392,551
|
|
1
|
Reflects operations for the period from November 15, 2022 (commencement of operations) to October 31, 2023.
|
See Notes which are an integral part of the Financial Statements
Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
6
Notes to Financial Statements
October 31, 2024
1. ORGANIZATION
Federated Hermes ETF Trust (the "Trust") was organized as a Delaware statutory trust on August 24, 2011 and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Act"), as an open-end management investment company. The Trust consists of eight portfolios. The financial statements included herein are only those of the Federated Hermes U.S. Strategic Dividend ETF (the "Fund"). The Fund's investment objective is to seek income and long-term capital appreciation.
Individual shares of the Fund are listed for trading on a national securities exchange during the trading day. The Fund's primary listing exchange is NYSE Arca. Shares can be bought and sold throughout the trading day like shares of other publicly traded companies, and when you buy or sell the Fund's shares in the secondary market, you will pay or receive the market price. However, there can be no guarantee that an active trading market will develop or be maintained, or that the Fund shares listing will continue or remain unchanged.
Shares of the Fund may only be acquired through the Fund's distributor and redeemed directly with the Fund by or through an Authorized Participant in large blocks called Creation Units or multiples thereof. Authorized Participants are registered clearing agents that enter into an agreement with the Fund's distributor to transact in Creation Units. Purchases and redemptions of Creation Units will take place in-kind and/or for cash at the discretion of the Fund. The determination of whether purchases and redemptions of Creation Units will be for cash or in-kind depends primarily on the regulatory requirements and settlement mechanisms relevant to the Fund's portfolio holdings and the Fund is not limited to engaging in in-kind transactions to any particular market circumstances.
2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Fund in the preparation of its financial statements. These policies are in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
Investment Valuation
In calculating its net asset value (NAV), the Fund generally values investments as follows:
■
Equity securities or ETFs listed on an exchange or traded through a regulated market system are valued at their last reported sale price or official closing price in their principal exchange or market.
■
Shares of other mutual funds or non-exchange-traded investment companies are valued based upon their reported NAVs, or NAV per share practical expedient, as applicable.
■
For securities that are fair valued in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of Federated Equity Management Company of Pennsylvania (the "Adviser"), certain factors may be considered, such as: the last traded or purchase price of the security, information obtained by contacting the issuer or dealers, analysis of the issuer's financial statements or other available documents, fundamental analytical data, the nature and duration of restrictions on disposition, the movement of the market in which the security is normally traded, public trading in similar securities or derivative contracts of the issuer or comparable issuers, movement of a relevant index, or other factors including but not limited to industry changes and relevant government actions.
If any price, quotation, price evaluation or other pricing source is not readily available when the NAV is calculated, if the Fund cannot obtain price evaluations from a pricing service or from more than one dealer for an investment within a reasonable period of time as set forth in the Adviser's valuation policies and procedures for the Fund, or if information furnished by a pricing service, in the opinion of the Adviser's valuation committee ("Valuation Committee") is deemed not representative of the fair value of such security, the Fund uses the fair value of the investment determined in accordance with the procedures described below. There can be no assurance that the Fund could obtain the fair value assigned to an investment if it sold the investment at approximately the time at which the Fund determines its NAV per share, and the actual value obtained could be materially different. The trading prices of the Fund's shares listed on its exchange may differ from the Fund's NAV and will normally be affected by market forces, such as supply and demand, economic conditions, the market value of the Fund's disclosed portfolio holdings and other factors. As a result, trading prices may be lower, higher or the same as the Fund's NAV; and investors may pay more than NAV when buying shares and receive less than NAV when selling shares through the exchange.
Fair Valuation Procedures
Pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the Act, the Fund's Board of Trustees (the "Trustees") has designated the Adviser as the Fund's valuation designee to perform any fair value determinations for securities and other assets held by the Fund. The Adviser is subject to the Trustees' oversight and certain reporting and other requirements intended to provide the Trustees the information needed to oversee the Adviser's fair value determinations.
The Adviser, acting through its Valuation Committee, is responsible for determining the fair value of investments for which market quotations are not readily available. The Valuation Committee is comprised of officers of the Adviser and certain of the Adviser's affiliated companies and determines fair value and oversees the calculation of the NAV. The Valuation Committee is also authorized to use pricing services to provide fair value evaluations of the current value of certain investments for purposes of calculating the NAV. The Valuation Committee employs various methods for reviewing third-party pricing-service evaluations including periodic reviews of third-partypricing services' policies, procedures and valuation methods (including key inputs, methods, models and assumptions), transactional back-testing, comparisons of evaluations of different pricing services, and review of price challenges by the Adviser based on recent market activity. In the event that market quotations and price evaluations are not available for an investment, the Valuation Committee determines the fair value of the investment in accordance with procedures adopted by the Adviser. The Trustees periodically review the fair valuations made by the Valuation Committee. The Trustees have also approved the Adviser's fair valuation and significant events procedures as part of the Fund's compliance program and will review any changes made to the procedures.
Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
7
Factors considered by pricing services in evaluating an investment include the yields or prices of investments of comparable quality, coupon, maturity, call rights and other potential prepayments, terms and type, reported transactions, indications as to values from dealers and general market conditions. Some pricing services provide a single price evaluation reflecting the bid-side of the market for an investment (a "bid" evaluation). Other pricing services offer both bid evaluations and price evaluations indicative of a price between the prices bid and ask for the investment (a "mid" evaluation). The Fund normally uses bid evaluations for any U.S. Treasury and Agency securities, mortgage-backed securities and municipal securities. The Fund normally uses mid evaluations for any other types of fixed-incomesecurities and any OTC derivative contracts. In the event that market quotations and price evaluations are not available for an investment, the fair value of the investment is determined in accordance with procedures adopted by the Adviser.
Repurchase Agreements
The Fund may invest in repurchase agreements for short-term liquidity purposes. It is the policy of the Fund to require the other party to a repurchase agreement to transfer to the Fund's custodian or sub-custodian eligible securities or cash with a market value (after transaction costs) at least equal to the repurchase price to be paid under the repurchase agreement. The eligible securities are transferred to accounts with the custodian or sub-custodian in which the Fund holds a "securities entitlement" and exercises "control" as those terms are defined in the Uniform Commercial Code. The Fund has established procedures for monitoring the market value of the transferred securities and requiring the transfer of additional eligible securities if necessary to equal at least the repurchase price. These procedures also allow the other party to require securities to be transferred from the account to the extent that their market value exceeds the repurchase price or in exchange for other eligible securities of equivalent market value.
The insolvency of the other party or other failure to repurchase the securities may delay the disposition of the underlying securities or cause the Fund to receive less than the full repurchase price. Under the terms of the repurchase agreement, any amounts received by the Fund in excess of the repurchase price and related transaction costs must be remitted to the other party.
The Fund may enter into repurchase agreements in which eligible securities are transferred into joint trading accounts maintained by the custodian or sub-custodian for investment companies and other clients advised by the Fund's Adviser and its affiliates. The Fund will participate on a pro rata basis with the other investment companies and clients in its share of the securities transferred under such repurchase agreements and in its share of proceeds from any repurchase or other disposition of such securities.
Investment Income, Gains and Losses, Expenses and Distributions
Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade-date basis. Realized gains and losses from investment transactions are recorded on an identified-cost basis. Interest income and expenses are accrued daily. Dividend income and distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions of net investment income, if any, are declared and paid monthly. Non-cash dividends included in dividend income, if any, are recorded at fair value. Amortization/accretion of premium and discount is included in investment income. The detail of the total fund expense waiver of $112,326 is disclosed in Note 5.
Federal Taxes
It is the Fund's policy to comply with the Subchapter M provision of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code") and to distribute to shareholders each year substantially all of its income. Accordingly, no provision for federal income tax is necessary. As of and during the year ended October 31, 2024, the Fund did not have a liability for any uncertain tax positions. The Fund recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to tax liabilities as income tax expense in the Statement of Operations. As of October 31, 2024, tax years 2023 and 2024 remain subject to examination by the Fund's major tax jurisdictions, which include the United States of America and the State of Delaware.
When-Issued and Delayed-Delivery Transactions
The Fund may engage in when-issued or delayed-delivery transactions. The Fund records when-issued securities on the trade date and maintains security positions such that sufficient liquid assets will be available to make payment for the securities purchased. Securities purchased on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis are marked to market daily and begin earning interest on the settlement date. Losses may occur on these transactions due to changes in market conditions or the failure of counterparties to perform under the contract.
Restricted Securities
The Fund may purchase securities which are considered restricted. Restricted securities are securities that either: (a) cannot be offered for public sale without first being registered, or being able to take advantage of an exemption from registration, under the Securities Act of 1933; or (b) are subject to contractual restrictions on public sales. In some cases, when a security cannot be offered for public sale without first being registered, the issuer of the restricted security has agreed to register such securities for resale, at the issuer's expense, either upon demand by the Fund or in connection with another registered offering of the securities. Many such restricted securities may be resold in the secondary market in transactions exempt from registration. Restricted securities may be determined to be liquid under criteria established by the Trustees. The Fund will not incur any registration costs upon such resales. The Fund's restricted securities, like other securities, are priced in accordance with procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Adviser.
Other
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts of assets, liabilities, expenses and revenues reported in the financial statements. Actual results could differ materially from those estimated. The Fund applies investment company accounting and reporting guidance.
Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
8
3. SHARES OF BENEFICIAL INTEREST
The following table summarizes share activity with respect to purchases and redemptions of Creation Units:
|
|
Year Ended
10/31/2024
|
Year Ended
10/31/20231
|
|
Shares sold
|
5,140,000
|
3,360,004
|
|
Shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared
|
-
|
-
|
|
Shares redeemed
|
(1,820,000)
|
(350,004)
|
|
NET CHANGE RESULTING FROM FUND SHARE TRANSACTIONS
|
3,320,000
|
3,010,000
|
|
1
|
Reflects operations for the period from November 15, 2022 (commencement of operations) to October 31, 2023.
|
4. FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION
The accounting treatment of certain items in accordance with income tax regulations may differ from the accounting treatment in accordance with GAAP which may result in permanent differences. In the case of the Fund, such differences primarily result from a net operating loss and wash sale adjustment on securities redeemed in-kind.
For the year ended October 31, 2024, permanent differences identified and reclassified among the components of net assets were as follows:
|
Increase (Decrease)
|
|
|
Paid-In Capital
|
Total Distributable
Earnings (Loss)
|
|
$6,647,754
|
$(6,647,754)
|
Net assets were not affected by this reclassification.
The tax character of distributions as reported on the Statement of Changes in Net Assets for the years ended October 31, 2024 and 2023, was as follows:
|
|
2024
|
2023
|
|
Ordinary income
|
$3,466,595
|
$1,481,899
|
As of October 31, 2024, the components of distributable earnings on a tax-basis were as follows:
|
Undistributed ordinary income
|
$354,996
|
|
Net unrealized appreciation
|
$12,227,011
|
|
Capital loss carryforwards
|
$(4,763,302)
|
|
TOTAL
|
$7,818,705
|
At October 31, 2024, the cost of investments for federal tax purposes was $162,851,351. The net unrealized appreciation of investments for federal tax purposes was $12,227,011. This consists of unrealized appreciation from investments for those securities having an excess of value over cost of $16,007,861 and unrealized depreciation from investments for those securities having an excess of cost over value of $3,780,850. The difference between book-basis and tax-basis net unrealized appreciation/depreciation is attributable to differing treatments for the deferral of losses on wash sales.
At October 31, 2024, the Fund had a capital loss carryforward of $4,763,302 which will reduce the Fund's taxable income arising from future net realized gains on investments, if any, to the extent permitted by the Code, thereby reducing the amount of distributions to shareholders which would otherwise be necessary to relieve the Fund of any liability for federal income tax. Pursuant to the Code, these net capital losses retain their character as either short-term or long-term and do not expire.
The following schedule summarizes the Fund's capital loss carryforwards:
|
Short-Term
|
Long-Term
|
Total
|
|
$3,798,279
|
$965,023
|
$4,763,302
|
5. INVESTMENT ADVISER FEE AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
Investment Adviser Fee
The advisory agreement between the Fund and the Adviser provides for an annual fee equal to 0.60% of the Fund's average daily net assets. Under the advisory agreement, the Adviser has contractually agreed to pay all operating expenses of the Fund under a unitary fee structure, except (i) interest and taxes (including, but not limited to, income, excise, transaction, transfer and withholding taxes) and registration fees and expenses; (ii) expenses of the Fund incurred with respect to the acquisition and disposition of portfolio securities and the execution of portfolio transactions, including brokerage commissions and short sale dividend or interest expense; (iii) expenses incurred in connection with any distribution plan adopted by the Trust in compliance with Rule 12b-1 under the Act, including distribution fees; (iv) Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses; (v) litigation expenses; (vi) proxy-related expenses; (vii) tax reclaim recovery
Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
9
expenses; and (viii) any expenses determined to be extraordinary expenses. Subject to the terms described in the Expense Limitation note, the Adviser may voluntarily choose to waive any portion of its fee and/or reimburse certain operating expenses of the Fund for competitive reasons such as to maintain the Fund's expense ratio, or as and when appropriate, to maintain positive or zero net yields. For the year ended October 31, 2024, the Adviser voluntarily waived $112,326 of its fee.
Administrative Fee
Federated Administrative Services (FAS), under the Administrative Services Agreement, provides the Fund with administrative personnel and services. The Adviser, not the Fund, pays FAS.
Distribution Services Fee
The Fund has adopted a Distribution Plan (the "Plan") pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the Act. Under the terms of the Plan, the Fund will compensate Federated Securities Corp. (FSC), the principal distributor, from the daily net assets of the Fund to finance activities intended to result in the sale of these shares. The Plan provides that the Fund may incur distribution expenses of up to 0.25% of average daily net assets, annually, to compensate FSC. Subject to the terms described in the Expense Limitation note, FSC may voluntarily choose to waive any portion of its fee. For the year ended October 31, 2024, the Fund did not incur a distribution services fee; however, it may begin to incur this fee upon approval of the Trustees.
Expense Limitation
The Adviser and certain of its affiliates (which may include FAS or FSC) have agreed to waive certain amounts of their respective fees and/or reimburse expenses. Total annual fund operating expenses (as shown in the financial highlights, excluding tax reclaim recovery expenses, interest expense, taxes, litigation expenses, extraordinary expenses, and proxy-related expenses, if any) paid by the Fund (after the voluntary waivers and/or reimbursements) will not exceed 0.50% (the "Fee Limit") up to but not including the later of (the "Termination Date"): (a) January 1, 2026; or (b) the date of the Fund's next effective Prospectus. While the Adviser and its applicable affiliates currently do not anticipate terminating or increasing these arrangements prior to the Termination Date, these arrangements may only be terminated or the Fee Limit increased prior to the Termination Date with the agreement of the Fund's Trustees.
Directors'/Trustees' and Miscellaneous Fees
Certain Officers and Trustees of the Fund are Officers and Directors or Trustees of certain of the above companies.
Affiliated Shares of Beneficial Interest
As of October 31, 2024, a majority of the shares of beneficial interest outstanding are owned by an affiliate of the Adviser.
6. CREDIT RISK
The Fund may place its cash on deposit with financial institutions in the United States, which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Company ("FDIC") up to $250,000. The Fund's credit risk in the event of failure of these financial institutions is represented by the difference between the FDIC limit and the total amounts on deposit. The Fund from time to time may have amounts on deposit in excess of the insured limits.
7. INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS
Purchases and sales of investments, excluding long-term U.S. government securities, short-term obligations and in-kind transactions for the year ended October 31, 2024, were as follows:
|
Purchases
|
$40,975,525
|
|
Sales
|
$41,529,588
|
Purchases and sales include $131,506,240 and $44,795,795, respectively, in connection with in-kind purchases and sales of the Fund's Shares of Creation Units.
8. INTERFUND LENDING
Pursuant to an Exemptive Order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Fund, along with other funds advised by subsidiaries of Federated Hermes, Inc., may participate in an interfund lending program. This program provides an alternative credit facility allowing the Fund to borrow from other participating affiliated funds. As of October 31, 2024, there were no outstanding loans. During the year ended October 31, 2024, the program was not utilized.
9. INDEMNIFICATIONS
Under the Fund's organizational documents, its Officers and Directors/Trustees are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund (other than liabilities arising out of their willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of their duties to the Fund). In addition, in the normal course of business, the Fund provides certain indemnifications under arrangements with third parties. Typically, obligations to indemnify a third party arise in the context of an arrangement entered into by the Fund under which the Fund agrees to indemnify such third party for certain liabilities arising out of actions taken pursuant to the arrangement, provided the third party's actions are not deemed to have breached an agreed-upon standard of care (such as willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of their duties under the contract). The Fund's maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet arisen. The Fund does not anticipate any material claims or losses pursuant to these arrangements at this time, and accordingly expects the risk of loss to be remote.
Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
10
10. FEDERAL TAX INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
For the year ended October 31, 2024, 100% of total ordinary income distributions made by the Fund are qualifying dividends which may be subject to a maximum tax rate of 15%, as provided for by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Act of 2003. Complete information is reported in conjunction with the reporting of your distributions on Form 1099-DIV.
Of the ordinary income distributions made by the Fund during the year ended October 31, 2024, 100% qualify for the dividend received deduction available to corporate shareholders.
Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
11
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF FEDERATED HERMES ETF TRUST AND the SHAREHOLDERS OF FEDERATED HERMES U.S. Strategic Dividend ETF:
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Federated Hermes U.S. Strategic Dividend ETF (the Fund), a portfolio of Federated Hermes ETF Trust, including the portfolio of investments, as of October 31, 2024, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statement of changes in net assets for the year then ended and the period from November 15, 2022 (commencement of operations) to October 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively, the financial statements) and the financial highlights for the year then ended and the period from November 15, 2022 to October 31, 2023. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of October 31, 2024, the results of its operations for the year then ended and the changes in its net assets and financial highlights for the year then ended and for the period from November 15, 2022 to October 31, 2023, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Such procedures also included confirmation of securities owned as of October 31, 2024, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
We have served as the auditor for one or more of Federated Hermes' investment companies since 2006.
Boston, Massachusetts
December 23, 2024
December 23, 2024
Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
12
Shareholder Meeting Results (unaudited)
At a Special Meeting held on November 1, 2024, shareholders of the Federated Hermes ETF Trust (the "Trust") elected Trustees of the Trust. Shareholders of the Trust elected three new individuals to serve as Trustees effective January 1, 2025, who will serve on the Board with current Trustees Messrs. J. Christopher Donahue, Thomas R. Donahue, John G. Carson, G. Thomas Hough, Thomas M. O'Neill, John S. Walsh and Ms. Madelyn A. Reilly. Under the Trust's Director Service Policy, existing Trustees Judge Maureen Lally-Green and Mr. P. Jerome Richey are expected to retire from the Board on December 31, 2024. The number of votes cast for, against or withheld, as well as the number of abstentions and broker non-votes with respect to the election of each nominee for office, is included below.
|
Trustee:
|
Voting For
|
Withheld Authority
|
Abstained
|
Broker Non-Voting
|
|
J. Christopher Donahue
|
11,485,288.558
|
40,816.564
|
0
|
N/A
|
|
Thomas R. Donahue
|
11,485,288.558
|
40,816.564
|
0
|
N/A
|
|
John G. Carson
|
11,485,288.558
|
40,816.564
|
0
|
N/A
|
|
G. Thomas Hough
|
11,484,904.444
|
41,200.678
|
0
|
N/A
|
|
Karen L. Larrimer
|
11,517,570.948
|
8,534.174
|
0
|
N/A
|
|
Max F. Miller
|
11,485,173.558
|
40,931.564
|
0
|
N/A
|
|
Frank J. Nasta
|
11,485,288.558
|
40,816.564
|
0
|
N/A
|
|
Thomas M. O'Neill
|
11,485,288.558
|
40,816.564
|
0
|
N/A
|
|
Madelyn A. Reilly
|
11,516,385.948
|
9,719.174
|
0
|
N/A
|
|
John S. Walsh
|
11,485,288.558
|
40,816.564
|
0
|
N/A
|
Annual Financial Statements and Additional Information
13
Evaluation and Approval of Advisory Contract-May 2024
Federated Hermes U.S. Strategic Dividend ETF (the "Fund")
At its meetings in May 2024 (the "May Meetings"), the Fund's Board of Trustees (the "Board"), including those Trustees who are not "interested persons" of the Fund, as defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Independent Trustees"), reviewed and unanimously approved the continuation of the investment advisory contract between the Fund and Federated Equity Management Company of Pennsylvania (the "Adviser") (the "Contract") for an additional one-year term. The Board's determination to approve the continuation of the Contract reflects the exercise of its business judgment after considering all of the information and factors believed to be relevant and appropriate on whether to approve the continuation of the existing arrangement. The information, factors and conclusions that formed the basis for the Board's approval are summarized below.
Information Received and Review Process
At the request of the Independent Trustees, the Fund's Chief Compliance Officer (the "CCO") furnished to the Board in advance of its May Meetings an independent written evaluation of the Fund's management fee (the "CCO Fee Evaluation Report"). The Board considered the CCO Fee Evaluation Report, along with other information, in evaluating the reasonableness of the Fund's management fee and in determining to approve the continuation of the Contract.
In addition to the extensive materials that comprise and accompany the CCO Fee Evaluation Report, the Board considered information specifically prepared in connection with the approval of the continuation of the Contract that was presented at the May Meetings. In this regard, in the months preceding the May Meetings, the Board requested and reviewed written responses and supporting materials prepared by the Adviser and its affiliates (collectively, "Federated Hermes") in response to requests posed to Federated Hermes by independent legal counsel on behalf of the Independent Trustees encompassing a wide variety of topics, including those summarized below. The Board also considered such additional matters as the Independent Trustees deemed reasonably necessary to evaluate the Contract, which included detailed information about the Fund and Federated Hermes furnished to the Board at its meetings throughout the year and in between regularly scheduled meetings on particular matters as the need arose.
The Board's consideration of the Contract included review of materials and information covering the following matters, among others: (1) copies of the Contracts; (2) the nature, quality and extent of the advisory and other services provided to the Fund by Federated Hermes; (3) Federated Hermes' business and operations; (4) the Adviser's investment philosophy, personnel and processes; (5) the Fund's investment objectives and strategies; (6) the Fund's short-term and long-term performance - in absolute terms (both on a gross basis and net of expenses) and relative to an appropriate group of peer funds and its benchmark index; (7) the Fund's fees and expenses, including the management fee and the overall expense structure of the Fund - in absolute terms and relative to an appropriate group of peer funds, with due regard for contractual or voluntary expense limitations (if any); (8) the financial condition of Federated Hermes; (9) the Adviser's profitability with respect to managing the Fund; (10) distribution and sales activity for the Fund; and (11) the use and allocation of brokerage commissions derived from trading the Fund's portfolio securities (if any).
The Board also considered judicial decisions concerning allegedly excessive investment advisory fees charged to other registered funds in evaluating the Contract. Using these judicial decisions as a guide, the Board considered several factors they deemed relevant to an adviser's fiduciary duty with respect to its receipt of compensation from a fund, including: (1) the nature and quality of the services provided by the adviser to the fund and its shareholders, including the performance of the fund, its benchmark and comparable funds; (2) the adviser's cost of providing the services and the profitability to the adviser of providing advisory services to the fund; (3) the extent to which the adviser may realize "economies of scale" as the fund grows larger and, if such economies of scale exist, whether they have been appropriately shared with the fund and its shareholders or the family of funds; (4) any "fall-out" benefits that accrue to the adviser because of its relationship with the fund, including research services received from brokers that execute fund trades and any fees paid to affiliates of the adviser for services rendered to the fund; (5) comparative fees and expenses, including a comparison of management fees paid to the adviser with those paid by similar funds managed by the same adviser or other advisers as well as management fees charged to institutional and other advisory clients of the same adviser for what might be viewed as like services; and (6) the extent of care, conscientiousness and independence with which the fund's board members perform their duties and their expertise, including whether they are fully informed about all facts the board deems relevant to its consideration of the adviser's services and fees. The Board considered that the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") disclosure requirements regarding the basis for a fund board's approval of the fund's investment advisory contract generally align with the factors listed above. The Board was guided by these factors in its evaluation of the Contract to the extent it considered them to be appropriate and relevant, as discussed further below. The Board considered and weighed these factors in light of its substantial accumulated experience in governing the Fund and working with Federated Hermes on matters relating to the oversight of the other funds advised by Federated Hermes (each, a "Federated Hermes Fund" and, collectively, the "Federated Hermes Funds").
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In addition, the Board considered the preferences and expectations of Fund shareholders and the potential disruptions of the Fund's operations and various risks, uncertainties and other effects that could occur as a result of a decision to terminate or not renew the Contract. In particular, the Board recognized that many shareholders likely have invested in the Fund based on the strength of Federated Hermes' industry standing and reputation and with the expectation that Federated Hermes will have a continuing role in providing advisory services to the Fund. Thus, the Board observed that there are a range of investment options available to the Fund's shareholders in the marketplace and such shareholders, having had the opportunity to consider other investment options, have effectively selected Federated Hermes by virtue of investing in the Fund.
In determining to approve the continuation of the Contract, the members of the Board reviewed and evaluated information and factors they believed to be relevant and appropriate through the exercise of their reasonable business judgment. While individual members of the Board may have weighed certain factors differently, the Board's determination to approve the continuation of the Contract was based on a comprehensive consideration of all information provided to the Board throughout the year and specifically with respect to the continuation of the Contract. The Board recognized that its evaluation process is evolutionary and that the factors considered and emphasis placed on relevant factors may change in recognition of changing circumstances in the registered fund marketplace. The Independent Trustees were assisted throughout the evaluation process by independent legal counsel. In connection with their deliberations at the May Meetings, the Independent Trustees met separately in executive session with their independent legal counsel and without management present to review the relevant materials and consider their responsibilities under applicable laws. In addition, senior management representatives of Federated Hermes also met with the Independent Trustees and their independent legal counsel to discuss the materials and presentations furnished to the Board at the May Meetings. The Board considered the approval of the Contract for the Fund as part of its consideration of agreements for funds across the family of Federated Hermes Funds, but its approvals were made on a fund-by-fund basis.
Nature, Extent and Quality of Services
The Board considered the nature, extent and quality of the services provided to the Fund by the Adviser and the resources of Federated Hermes dedicated to the Fund. In this regard, the Board evaluated, among other things, the terms of the Contract and the full range of services provided to the Fund by Federated Hermes. The Board considered the Adviser's personnel, investment philosophy and process, investment research capabilities and resources, trade operations capabilities, experience and performance track record. The Board reviewed the qualifications, backgrounds and responsibilities of the portfolio management team primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of the Fund and evaluated Federated Hermes' ability and experience in attracting and retaining qualified personnel to service the Fund. The Board considered the trading operations by the Advisers, including the execution of portfolio transactions and the selection of brokers for those transactions. The Board also considered the Adviser's ability to deliver competitive investment performance for the Fund when compared to the Fund's Performance Peer Group (as defined below), which was deemed by the Board to be a useful indicator of how the Adviser is executing the Fund's investment program.
In addition, the Board considered the financial resources and overall reputation of Federated Hermes and its willingness to consider and make investments in personnel, infrastructure, technology, cybersecurity, business continuity planning and operational enhancements that are designed to benefit the Federated Hermes Funds. The Board noted the benefits of the previous significant acquisition of Hermes Fund Managers Limited by Federated Hermes, which has deepened Federated Hermes' investment management expertise and capabilities and expanded its access to analytical resources related to environmental, social and governance ("ESG") factors and issuer engagement on ESG matters where appropriate. The Board considered Federated Hermes' oversight of the securities lending program for the Federated Hermes Funds that engage in securities lending and noted the income earned by the Federated Hermes Funds that participate in such program. In addition, the Board considered the quality of Federated Hermes' communications with the Board and responsiveness to Board inquiries and requests made from time to time with respect to the Federated Hermes Funds. The Board also considered that Federated Hermes is responsible for providing the Federated Hermes Funds' officers. The Board considered the special attributes of the Fund as an exchange-traded fund ("ETF") relative to a traditional mutual fund and the benefits that are expected to be realized from an investment in the Fund, rather than a traditional mutual fund. The Board also considered the resources devoted by Federated Hermes in developing and maintaining an infrastructure necessary to support the ongoing operations of the Fund.
The Board received and evaluated information regarding Federated Hermes' regulatory and compliance environment. The Board considered Federated Hermes' compliance program and compliance history and reports from the CCO about Federated Hermes' compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including responses to regulatory developments and any compliance or other issues raised by regulatory agencies. The Board also noted Federated Hermes' support of the Federated Hermes Funds' compliance control structure and the compliance-related resources devoted by Federated Hermes in support of the Fund's obligations pursuant to Rule 38a-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, including Federated Hermes' commitment to respond to rulemaking and other regulatory initiatives of the SEC. The Board
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considered Federated Hermes' approach to internal audits and risk management with respect to the Federated Hermes Funds and its day-to-day oversight of the Federated Hermes Funds' compliance with their investment objectives and policies as well as with applicable laws and regulations, noting that regulatory and other developments had over time led, and continue to lead, to an increase in the scope of Federated Hermes' oversight in this regard.
In addition, the Board noted Federated Hermes' commitment to maintaining high quality systems and expending substantial resources to prepare for and respond to ongoing changes due to the market, regulatory and control environments in which the Fund and its service providers operate.
The Board considered Federated Hermes' efforts to provide shareholders in the Federated Hermes Funds with a comprehensive array of funds with different investment objectives, policies and strategies. The Board considered the expenses that Federated Hermes had incurred, as well as the entrepreneurial and other risks assumed by Federated Hermes, in sponsoring and providing on-going services to new funds to expand these opportunities for shareholders. The Board noted the benefits to shareholders of being part of the family of Federated Hermes Funds.
Based on these considerations, the Board concluded that it was satisfied with the nature, extent and quality of the services provided by the Adviser to the Fund.
Fund Investment Performance
The Board considered the investment performance of the Fund. In evaluating the Fund's investment performance, the Board considered performance results in light of the Fund's investment objective, strategies and risks. The Board considered detailed investment reports on, and the Adviser's analysis of, the Fund's performance over different time periods that were provided to the Board throughout the year and in connection with the May Meetings. These reports included, among other items, information on the Fund's gross and net returns, the Fund's investment performance compared to one or more relevant categories or groups of peer funds and the Fund's benchmark index, performance attribution information and commentary on the effect of market conditions. The Board considered that, in its evaluation of investment performance at meetings throughout the year, it focused particular attention on information indicating less favorable performance of certain Federated Hermes Funds for specific time periods and discussed with Federated Hermes the reasons for such performance as well as any specific actions Federated Hermes had taken, or had agreed to take, to seek to enhance Fund investment performance and the results of those actions. In addition, the Board considered information about the Adviser's overall assessment of the functioning of the Fund's arbitrage mechanism.
The Board also reviewed comparative information regarding the performance of other registered funds in the category of peer funds selected by Morningstar, Inc. (the "Morningstar"), an independent fund ranking organization (the "Performance Peer Group"). The Board noted the CCO's view that comparisons to fund peer groups may be helpful, though not conclusive, in evaluating the performance of the Adviser in managing the Fund. The Board considered the CCO's view that, in evaluating such comparisons, in some cases there may be differences in the funds' objectives or investment management techniques, or the costs to implement the funds, even within the same Performance Peer Group.
The Board also considered comparative performance data from Lipper, Inc. that was included in reports provided to the Board throughout the year. The Board noted that differences may exist between the Performance Peer Group and Lipper peers and that the results of these performance comparisons may vary.
The Board considered that the Fund's performance fell below the median of the Performance Peer Group for the one-yearperiod ended December 31, 2023. The Board discussed the Fund's performance with the Adviser and recognized the efforts being taken by the Adviser in the context of other factors considered relevant by the Board.
Based on these considerations, the Board concluded that it had continued confidence in the Adviser's overall capabilities to manage the Fund.
Fund Expenses
The Board considered the management fee and overall expense structure of the Fund and the comparative fee and expense information that had been provided in connection with the May Meetings. In this regard, the Board was presented with, and considered, information regarding the contractual management fee rates, net management fee rates, and total expense ratios relative to an appropriate group of peer funds consisting solely of other actively managed ETFs in the overall category of peer funds selected by Morningstar (the "Expense Peer Group"). The Board also reviewed comparative information regarding the fees and expenses of the broader group of funds in the overall Morningstar category. In evaluating such comparisons, the Board noted information about structural, operational and other differences between ETFs and traditional mutual funds, including differences in the marketplace in which each type of product must compete.
While mindful that courts have cautioned against giving too much weight to comparative information concerning fees charged to funds by other advisers, the use of comparisons between the Fund and its Expense Peer Group assisted the Board in its evaluation of the Fund's fees and expenses. The Board focused on comparisons with other registered funds more heavily than non-registered fund products or services because such comparisons are believed to be more relevant. The Board considered that other registered funds are the products most like the Fund, in that they are readily available to
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Fund shareholders as alternative investment vehicles, and they are the type of investment vehicle, in fact, chosen and maintained by the Fund's shareholders. The Board noted that the range of such other registered funds' fees and expenses, therefore, appears to be a relevant indicator of what investors have found to be reasonable in the marketplace in which the Fund competes. The Board also considered competition in the general ETF marketplace and the impact of market pressures on the price levels for actively managed ETFs such as the Fund.
Consistent with general ETF practice, the Board noted the Fund's "unitary" fee structure, under which the Adviser, in addition to providing investment management services, arranges for transfer agency, custody, fund administration and accounting, and other non-distribution related services necessary for the Fund to operate. The Board considered that, other than the management fee, the Adviser pays all operating expenses of the Fund, except for: (i) interest and taxes (including, but not limited to, income, excise, transaction, transfer and withholding taxes); (ii) expenses of the Fund incurred with respect to the acquisition and disposition of portfolio securities and the execution of portfolio transactions, including brokerage commissions and short sale dividend or interest expense; (iii) expenses incurred in connection with any distribution plan adopted by the Trust in compliance with Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, including distribution fees; (iv) acquired fund fees and expenses; (v) litigation expenses; (vi) proxy-related expenses; (vii) tax reclaim recovery expenses; and (viii) any expenses determined to be extraordinary expenses.
The Board reviewed the contractual advisory fee rate, net advisory fee rate and other expenses of the Fund and noted the position of the Fund's fee rates relative to its Expense Peer Group. In this regard, the Board noted that the contractual advisory fee rate was above the median of the Expense Peer Group, but the Board noted the applicable waivers and reimbursements, and that the overall expense structure of the Fund remained competitive in the context of other factors considered by the Board.
The Board also received and considered information about the nature and extent of services offered and fees charged by Federated Hermes to other types of clients with investment strategies similar to those of the Federated Hermes Funds, including non-registered fund clients (such as institutional separate accounts) and third-party unaffiliated registered funds for which the Adviser or its affiliates serve as sub-adviser. The Board noted the CCO's conclusion that non-registered fund clients are inherently different products due to the following differences, among others: (i) different types of targeted investors; (ii) different applicable laws and regulations; (iii) different legal structures; (iv) different average account sizes and portfolio management techniques made necessary by different cash flows and different associated costs; (v) the time spent by portfolio managers and their teams (among other personnel across various departments, including legal, compliance and risk management) in reviewing securities pricing; (vi) different SEC mandated risk management programs with respect to fund liquidity and use of derivatives; (vii) different administrative responsibilities; (viii) different degrees of risk associated with management; and (ix) a variety of different costs. The Board also considered information regarding the differences in the nature of the services required for Federated Hermes to manage its proprietary registered fund business versus managing a discrete pool of assets as a sub-adviser to another institution's registered fund, noting the CCO's view that Federated Hermes generally performs significant additional services and assumes substantially greater risks in managing the Fund and other Federated Hermes Funds than in its role as sub-adviser to an unaffiliated third-party registered fund. The Board noted that the CCO did not consider the fees for providing advisory services to other types of clients to be determinative in judging the appropriateness of the Federated Hermes Funds' management fees.
In the case of the Fund, the Board noted that Federated Hermes does not manage any other types of clients that are comparable to the Fund.
Based on these considerations, the Board concluded that the fees and total operating expenses of the Fund, in conjunction with other matters considered, are reasonable in light of the services provided.
Profitability
The Board received and considered profitability information furnished by Federated Hermes. Such profitability information included revenues reported on a fund-by-fund basis and estimates of the allocation of expenses made on a fund-by-fund basis, using allocation methodologies specified by the CCO and described to the Board. The Board considered the CCO's view that, while these cost allocation reports apply consistent allocation processes, the inherent difficulties in allocating costs on a fund-by-fund basis continues to cause the CCO to question the precision of the process and to conclude that such reports may be unreliable because a single change in an allocation estimate may dramatically alter the resulting estimate of cost and/or profitability of a Federated Hermes Fund and may produce unintended consequences. In addition, the Board considered the CCO's view that the allocation methodologies used by Federated Hermes in estimating profitability for purposes of reporting to the Board in connection with the continuation of the Contract are consistent with the methodologies previously reviewed by an independent consultant. The Board noted that the independent consultant had previously conducted a review of the allocation methodologies and reported to the Board that, although there is no single best method to allocate expenses, the methodologies used by Federated Hermes are reasonable. The Board considered the CCO's view that the estimated profitability to the Adviser from its relationship with the Fund was not unreasonable in relation to the services provided.
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The Board also reviewed information compiled by Federated Hermes comparing its profitability information to other publicly-held fund management companies, including information regarding profitability trends over time. The Board recognized that profitability comparisons among fund management companies are difficult because of the variation in the type of comparative information that is publicly available, and the profitability of any fund management company is affected by numerous factors. The Board considered the CCO's conclusion that, based on such profitability information, Federated Hermes' profit margins did not appear to be excessive. The Board also considered the CCO's view that Federated Hermes appeared financially sound, with the resources necessary to fulfill its obligations under its contracts with the Federated Hermes Funds.
Economies of Scale
The Board received and considered information about the notion of possible realization of "economies of scale" as a fund grows larger, the difficulties of isolating and quantifying economies of scale at an individual fund level, and the extent to which potential scale benefits are shared with shareholders. The Board considered that any reduction in fixed costs associated with the management of the Fund would benefit the Adviser due to the unitary fee structure of the Fund, but that the unitary fee would protect shareholders from a rise in operating costs and/or a decline in Fund assets and is a transparent means of informing the Fund's shareholders of the fees associated with the Fund. The Board also considered that Federated Hermes has made significant and long-term investments in areas that support all of the Federated Hermes Funds, such as: portfolio management, investment research and trading operations; shareholder services; compliance; business continuity, cybersecurity and information security programs; internal audit and risk management functions; and technology, systems capabilities and use of data. The Board noted that Federated Hermes' investments in these areas are extensive and are designed to provide enhanced or expanded services to the Federated Hermes Funds and their shareholders. The Board considered that the benefits of these investments are likely to be shared with the family of Federated Hermes Funds as a whole. In addition, the Board considered that fee waivers and expense reimbursements are another means for potential economies of scale to be shared with shareholders and can provide protection from an increase in expenses if a Federated Hermes Fund's assets decline. The Board considered that, in order for the Federated Hermes Funds to remain competitive in the marketplace, Federated Hermes has frequently waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses for the Federated Hermes Funds and has disclosed to shareholders and/or reported to the Board its intention to do so (or continue to do so) in the future. The Board also considered that Federated Hermes has been active in managing expenses of the Federated Hermes Funds in recent years, which has resulted in benefits being realized by shareholders.
The Board also received and considered information on adviser-paid fees (commonly referred to as "revenue sharing" payments) that was provided to the Board throughout the year and in connection with the May Meetings. The Board considered that Federated Hermes and the CCO believe that this information is relevant to considering whether Federated Hermes had an incentive to either not apply breakpoints, or to apply breakpoints at higher levels, but should not be considered when evaluating the reasonableness of management fees. The Board also noted the absence of any applicable regulatory or industry guidelines on economies of scale, which is compounded by the lack of any uniform methodology or pattern with respect to structuring fund management fees with breakpoints that serve to reduce the fees as a fund attains a certain size.
Other Benefits
The Board considered information regarding the compensation and other ancillary (or "fall-out") benefits that Federated Hermes derived from its relationships with the Federated Hermes Funds. In connection with the Board's governance of other Federated Hermes Funds, the Board noted that, in addition to receiving advisory fees under the Federated Hermes Funds' investment advisory contracts, Federated Hermes' affiliates also receive fees for providing other services to the Federated Hermes Funds under separate service contracts including for serving as the Federated Hermes Funds' administrator and distributor. In this regard, the Board considered that Federated Hermes' affiliates provide distribution and shareholder services to the Federated Hermes Funds, for which they may be compensated through distribution and servicing fees paid pursuant to Rule 12b-1 plans or otherwise. The Board also received and considered information detailing the benefits, if any, that Federated Hermes may derive from its receipt of research services from brokers who execute portfolio trades for the Federated Hermes Funds.
Conclusions
The Board considered: (i) the CCO's conclusion that his observations and the information accompanying the CCO Fee Evaluation Report show that the management fee for the Fund is reasonable; and (ii) the CCO's recommendation that the Board approve the management fee. The Board noted that, under these circumstances, no changes were recommended to, and no objection was raised to the continuation of, the Contract by the CCO. The CCO also recognized that the Board's
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evaluation of the Federated Hermes Funds' advisory and sub-advisory arrangements is a continuing and ongoing process that is informed by the information that the Board requests and receives from management throughout the course of the year and, in this regard, the CCO noted certain items, and management has committed to reviewing certain items, for future reporting to the Board as the Board continues its ongoing oversight of the Federated Hermes Funds.
On the basis of the information and factors summarized above, among other information and factors deemed relevant by the Board, and the evaluation thereof, the Board, including the Independent Trustees, unanimously voted to approve the continuation of the Contract. The Board based its determination to approve the Contract on the totality of the circumstances and relevant factors and with a view of past and future long-term considerations. Not all of the factors and considerations identified above were necessarily deemed to be relevant to the Fund, nor did the Board consider any one of them to be determinative.
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Funds are not bank deposits or obligations, are not guaranteed by any bank and are not insured or guaranteed by the U.S. government, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other government agency. Investment in funds involves investment risk, including the possible loss of principal.
This information is authorized for distribution to prospective investors only when preceded or accompanied by the Fund's Prospectus, which contains facts concerning its objective and policies, management fees, expenses and other information.
Federated Hermes U.S. Strategic Dividend ETF
Federated Hermes Funds
4000 Ericsson Drive
Warrendale, PA 15086-7561
Federated Hermes Funds
4000 Ericsson Drive
Warrendale, PA 15086-7561
Contact us at FederatedHermes.com/us
or call 1-800-341-7400.
or call 1-800-341-7400.
Federated Securities Corp., Distributor
CUSIP 31423L305
Q455871 (12/24)
©2024 Federated Hermes, Inc.
| Item 8. | Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants for Open-End Management Investment Companies |
Federated Hermes U.S. Strategic Dividend ETF: Not Applicable.
| Item 9. | Proxy Disclosures for Open-End Management Investment Companies. |
Federated Hermes U.S. Strategic Dividend ETF: The Fund's report on its most recent meeting of shareholders is filed under Item 7 of this form.
| Item 10. | Remuneration Paid to Directors, Officers, and Others of Open-End Management Investment Companies. |
Federated Hermes U.S. Strategic Dividend ETF: The Fund's disclosure of remuneration items is included as part of the Financial Statements filed under Item 7 of this form.
| Item 11. | Statement Regarding Basis for Approval of Investment Advisory Contract. |
Federated Hermes U.S. Strategic Dividend ETF: The Fund's Evaluation and Approval of Advisory Contract summary by fund appear in the Financial Statements filed under Item 7 of this form.
| Item 12. | Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies |
Not Applicable
| Item 13. | Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies. |
Not Applicable
| Item 14. | Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers. |
Not Applicable
| Item 15. | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. |
No Changes to Report
| Item 16. | Controls and Procedures. |
(a) The registrant's Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer have concluded that the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Act) are effective in design and operation and are sufficient to form the basis of the certifications required by Rule 30a-(2) under the Act, based on their evaluation of these disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this report on Form N-CSR.
(b) There were no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Act) during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.
| Item 17. | Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies. |
Not Applicable
| Item 18. | Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation |
(a) Not Applicable
(b) Not Applicable
| Item 19. | Exhibits |
(a)(1) Not Applicable.
(a)(2) Not Applicable.
(a)(3) Certifications of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer.
(a)(4) Not Applicable.
(a)(5) Not Applicable.
(b) Certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Registrant: Federated Hermes ETF Trust
By: /s/ Jeremy D. Boughton
Jeremy D. Boughton, Principal Financial Officer
Date: December 23, 2024
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
By: /s/ J. Christopher Donahue
J. Christopher Donahue, Principal Executive Officer
Date: December 23, 2024
By: /s/ Jeremy D. Boughton
Jeremy D. Boughton, Principal Financial Officer
Date: December 23, 2024