The TrueShares Structured Outcome ETF series utilizes a protective buffer strategy that buffers against the first 8-12% (with the advisor targeting 10%) of losses on the S&P 500 Price Index while providing investors with positive returns that track those of the Index. The intent of the ETFs in the series is to provide uncapped market upside participation with a measure of downside risk mitigation.

Most other buffer strategy products in the marketplace place a cap on the maximum amount of gains an investor can achieve along the Index. This cap usually falls around 15%, but can vary. The TrueShares Structured Outcome ETF Series, however, places no maximum cap on the gains an investor can achieve. This upside participation has significant impacts on an investor’s long-term earnings.

In a capped buffer ETF with a 15% cap, an investor gains the first full 15% of the market gains alongside the Index. Since 1957¹, the S&P 500 has gained between 0% and 15% annually 17 times. In that same period of time, the S&P 500 has gained more than 15% annually 32 times. Within those years of high return (>15%), the average return was 25.55%.

A capped buffer ETF means an investor misses out on the really good years in the 20, 30 and 40% return range while an uncapped buffered ETF provides gains far beyond the modest 15% to capture nearly all of the upside potential. And because both capped and uncapped buffered ETF investors have a similar downside buffer, the primary loss differential between the two is on the upside. Historically speaking, a large upside is far more common than a modest one.

History also suggests that “the market’s worst days tend to be followed by its best days.”² An uncapped buffered ETF allows investors to rebound much stronger after a loss. If a loss exceeds a 10% buffer, an uncapped investor has an opportunity to make up for it on an upside swing exceeding 15%. 

Investors who get spooked by downturns and pull out of the market also tend to miss the market’s best days in the oftentimes quick and unpredictable rebound. If we look at how the S&P 500 performed over the last 30 years³, we see an 8% average annual return. Investors who missed the 10 best days over the last 30 years only gained 5.26%³. Missing the 30 best days dropped gains to a mere 1.86% while missing the 50 best days yielded negative returns of -0.86%³. By lowering the cap on potential gains, an investor lowers their average returns over time. That’s why uncapped buffer ETFs matter.

1. https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/042415/what-average-annual-return-sp-500.asp
2. https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/09/you-may-miss-the-markets-best-days-if-you-sell-amid-high-volatility.html
3. https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/07/why-bailing-on-the-stock-market-is-likely-a-losers-game-cfp-says.html

The TrueShares Structured Outcome ETFs have characteristics unlike many other traditional investment products and may not be suitable for all investors. You should only consider an investment in the Fund if you fully understand the inherent risks, which can be found in the prospectus.

TrueShares Structured Outcome ETFS are designed to seek to achieve the investment strategy for investments made on the Initial Investment Day and held until the last day of the Investment Period. Investors purchasing shares in the fund after its 12-month investment period has begun or selling share prior to the end of the investment period, may experience very different results than the fund’s stated investment objective. These periods begin at either the fund’s inception date or at each subsequent “Initial Investment Day”. Following the initial investment period after fund inception, each subsequent investment period will begin each year on the first day of the month the fund was incepted (subsequent “Initial Investment Days”). Fund management will target a 10% downside buffer, with expectations that it will generally fall between 8-12%. The Fund is not designed to protect against declines of more than 8-12% in the level of the S&P 500 Price Index, and there can be no guarantee that the Fund will be successful in implementing the buffer protect options strategy to avoid the first 8-12% decline.

Investments involve risk, including potential loss of principal. The Fund is recently organized with no operating history for prospective investors to base their investment decision which may increase risks. The Fund employs a buffered strategy in an attempt to buffer against losses in the S&P 500 Price Index over the course of a 1-year period. There is no guarantee the Fund will be successful in this strategy, and investors may experience losses beyond targeted levels. In the event an investor purchases Shares after the date on which the options were entered into or sells Shares prior to the expiration of the options, the buffer that the Fund seeks to provide may not be available and there may be limited to no upside potential. The Fund does not provide principal protection and an investor may experience significant losses on its investment, including the loss of its entire investment.

The Fund invests in options, which involves leverage, meaning that a small investment in options could have a substantial impact on the performance of the Fund. The Fund may invest in FLEX Options issued and guaranteed for settlement by the OCC. The Fund bears the risk that the OCC will be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations under the FLEX Options contracts. Additionally, FLEX Options may be illiquid, and in such cases, the Fund may have difficulty closing out certain FLEX Options positions at desired times and prices. As the options the Fund invests in derive their performance from the S&P 500 Price Index, the Fund is subject to the equity market risk associated with the index. The ETF’s portfolio is more volatile than broad market averages.

Additional risks of investing include management, non-diversification, portfolio turnover and tax risks. Detailed information regarding the specific risks of the funds can be found in the prospectus. Individual investors should contact their financial advisor or broker dealer representative for more information on TrueShares ETFs.