Filed pursuant
to Rule 424(b)(3)
File
No. 333-268247
PROSPECTUS
United
States Copper Index Fund*
Shares
*Principal
U.S. Listing Exchange: NYSE Arca, Inc.
The United
States Copper Index Fund (“CPER”), a series of the United States Commodity Index Funds Trust, is an exchange traded
fund that issues shares that trade on the NYSE Arca stock exchange (“NYSE Arca”). CPER’s investment objective
is for the daily changes in percentage terms of its shares’ net asset value (“NAV”) to reflect the daily changes
in percentage terms of the SummerHaven Copper Index Total ReturnSM (the “SCI”), less CPER’s expenses.
The SCI is designed to reflect the performance of the investment returns from a portfolio of copper futures contracts. The SCI
is owned and maintained by SummerHaven Index Management, LLC (“SHIM”), and calculated and published by the NYSE Arca.
CPER pays its sponsor, United States Commodity Funds LLC (“USCF”), a limited liability company, a management fee and
incurs operating costs. CPER and USCF are located at 1850 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Suite 640, Walnut Creek, California 94596. The
telephone number for both CPER and USCF is 510.522.9600. Currently, USCF employs SummerHaven Investment Management, LLC (“SummerHaven”),
a limited liability company, as a commodity trading advisor to CPER. SummerHaven is located at 1266 E. Main Street, Soundview
Plaza, Fourth Floor, Stamford, CT 06902. SummerHaven’s telephone number is 203.352.2700. In order for a hypothetical investment
in shares to break even over the next 12 months, assuming a selling price of $28.39 (the net asset value as of February 28, 2025),
the investment would have to generate a 0.00% or $0.00 return.
CPER
is an exchange traded fund. This means that most investors who decide to buy or sell shares of CPER place their trade orders through
their brokers and may incur customary brokerage commissions and charges. Shares trade on the NYSE Arca under the ticker symbol
“CPER” and are bought and sold throughout the trading day at bid and ask prices like other publicly traded securities.
Shares
trade on the NYSE Arca after they are initially purchased by “Authorized Participants,” institutional firms that purchase
and redeem shares in blocks of 50,000 shares called “baskets” through CPER’s marketing agent, ALPS Distributors,
Inc. (the “Marketing Agent”). The price of a basket is equal to the NAV of 50,000 shares on the day that the order
to purchase the basket is accepted by the Marketing Agent. The NAV per share is calculated by taking the current market value
of CPER’s total assets (after close of NYSE Arca) subtracting any liabilities and dividing that total by the total number
of outstanding shares. The offering of CPER’s shares is a “best efforts” offering, which means that neither
the Marketing Agent nor any Authorized Participant is required to purchase a specific number or dollar amount of shares. USCF
pays the Marketing Agent a marketing fee consisting of a fixed annual amount plus an incentive fee based on the amount of shares
sold. Authorized Participants will not receive from CPER, USCF or any of their affiliates, any fee or other compensation in connection
with the sale of shares. Aggregate compensation paid to the Marketing Agent and any affiliate of USCF for distribution-related
services in connection with this offering of shares will not exceed ten percent (10%) of the gross proceeds of the offering.
Investors
who buy or sell shares during the day from their broker may do so at a premium or discount relative to the market value of the
underlying copper futures contracts in which CPER invests due to supply and demand forces at work in the secondary trading market
for shares that are closely related to, but not identical to, the same forces influencing the SCI that serves as CPER’s
investment benchmark. INVESTING IN CPER INVOLVES RISKS SIMILAR TO THOSE INVOLVED WITH AN INVESTMENT DIRECTLY IN THE COPPER
MARKET, BUT IT IS NOT A PROXY FOR TRADING DIRECTLY IN THE COPPER MARKET. Investing in CPER also involves the correlation risk
described below and other significant risks. You should consider carefully the risks described below before making an investment
decision. See “Risk Factors Involved with an Investment in CPER” beginning on page 8.
The offering
of CPER’s shares is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in accordance with the Securities
Act of 1933 (the “1933 Act”). The offering is intended to be a continuous offering, although the offering may be temporarily
suspended if and when no suitable investments for CPER are available or practicable. CPER is not a mutual fund registered under
the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”) and is not subject to regulation under the 1940 Act.
NEITHER
THE SEC NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, OR DETERMINED
IF THIS PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
CPER
is a commodity pool and USCF is a commodity pool operator (“CPO”) subject to regulation by the Commodity Futures Trading
Commission (“CFTC”) and the National Futures Association (“NFA”) under the Commodity Exchange Act (“CEA”).
THE
COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION HAS NOT PASSED UPON THE MERITS OF PARTICIPATING IN THIS POOL NOR HAS THE COMMISSION PASSED
ON THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT.
The
date of this prospectus is April 25, 2025.
COMMODITY
FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION
RISK
DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
YOU
SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER WHETHER YOUR FINANCIAL CONDITION PERMITS YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN A COMMODITY POOL. IN SO DOING, YOU SHOULD
BE AWARE THAT COMMODITY INTEREST TRADING CAN QUICKLY LEAD TO LARGE LOSSES AS WELL AS GAINS. SUCH TRADING LOSSES CAN SHARPLY REDUCE
THE NET ASSET VALUE OF THE POOL AND CONSEQUENTLY THE VALUE OF YOUR INTEREST IN THE POOL. IN ADDITION, RESTRICTIONS ON REDEMPTIONS
MAY AFFECT YOUR ABILITY TO WITHDRAW YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THE POOL.
FURTHER,
COMMODITY POOLS MAY BE SUBJECT TO SUBSTANTIAL CHARGES FOR MANAGEMENT, AND ADVISORY AND BROKERAGE FEES. IT MAY BE NECESSARY FOR
THOSE POOLS THAT ARE SUBJECT TO THESE CHARGES TO MAKE SUBSTANTIAL TRADING PROFITS TO AVOID DEPLETION OR EXHAUSTION OF THEIR ASSETS.
THIS DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT CONTAINS A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF EACH EXPENSE TO BE CHARGED THIS POOL AT PAGE 7 AND A STATEMENT OF
THE PERCENTAGE RETURN NECESSARY TO BREAK EVEN, THAT IS, TO RECOVER THE AMOUNT OF YOUR INITIAL INVESTMENT, AT PAGE 48.
THIS
BRIEF STATEMENT CANNOT DISCLOSE ALL THE RISKS AND OTHER FACTORS NECESSARY TO EVALUATE YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THIS COMMODITY POOL.
THEREFORE, BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS COMMODITY POOL, YOU SHOULD CAREFULLY STUDY THIS DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT, INCLUDING
A DESCRIPTION OF THE PRINCIPAL RISK FACTORS OF THIS INVESTMENT, AT PAGE 8.
YOU
SHOULD ALSO BE AWARE THAT THIS COMMODITY POOL MAY TRADE FOREIGN FUTURES OR OPTIONS CONTRACTS. TRANSACTIONS ON MARKETS LOCATED
OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES, INCLUDING MARKETS FORMALLY LINKED TO A UNITED STATES MARKET, MAY BE SUBJECT TO REGULATIONS WHICH OFFER
DIFFERENT OR DIMINISHED PROTECTION TO THE POOL AND ITS PARTICIPANTS. FURTHER, UNITED STATES REGULATORY AUTHORITIES MAY BE UNABLE
TO COMPEL THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE RULES OF REGULATORY AUTHORITIES OR MARKETS IN NON-UNITED STATES JURISDICTIONS WHERE TRANSACTIONS
FOR THE POOL MAY BE EFFECTED.
SWAPS
TRANSACTIONS, LIKE OTHER FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS, INVOLVE A VARIETY OF SIGNIFICANT RISKS. THE SPECIFIC RISKS PRESENTED BY A PARTICULAR
SWAP TRANSACTION NECESSARILY DEPEND UPON THE TERMS OF THE TRANSACTION AND YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES. IN GENERAL, HOWEVER, ALL SWAPS TRANSACTIONS
INVOLVE SOME COMBINATION OF MARKET RISK, CREDIT RISK, COUNTERPARTY CREDIT RISK, FUNDING RISK, LIQUIDITY RISK, AND OPERATIONAL
RISK.
HIGHLY
CUSTOMIZED SWAPS TRANSACTIONS IN PARTICULAR MAY INCREASE LIQUIDITY RISK, WHICH MAY RESULT IN A SUSPENSION OF REDEMPTIONS. HIGHLY
LEVERAGED TRANSACTIONS MAY EXPERIENCE SUBSTANTIAL GAINS OR LOSSES IN VALUE AS A RESULT OF RELATIVELY SMALL CHANGES IN THE VALUE
OR LEVEL OF AN UNDERLYING OR RELATED MARKET FACTOR.
IN
EVALUATING THE RISKS AND CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH A PARTICULAR SWAP TRANSACTION, IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONSIDER THAT
A SWAP TRANSACTION MAY BE MODIFIED OR TERMINATED ONLY BY MUTUAL CONSENT OF THE ORIGINAL PARTIES AND SUBJECT TO AGREEMENT ON INDIVIDUALLY
NEGOTIATED TERMS. THEREFORE, IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE FOR THE COMMODITY POOL OPERATOR TO MODIFY, TERMINATE, OR OFFSET THE POOL’S
OBLIGATIONS OR THE POOL’S EXPOSURE TO THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH A TRANSACTION PRIOR TO ITS SCHEDULED TERMINATION DATE.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
PROSPECTUS
SUMMARY
This
is only a summary of the prospectus and, while it contains material information about CPER and its shares, it does not contain
or summarize all of the information about CPER and the shares contained in this prospectus that is material and/or which may be
important to you. You should read this entire prospectus, including “Risk Factors Involved with an Investment in CPER”
beginning on page 8, before making an investment decision about the shares. For a glossary of defined terms, see Appendix A.
The Trust and CPER
The United
States Commodity Index Funds Trust (the “Trust”) is a Delaware statutory trust formed on December 21, 2009. The Trust
is a series trust formed pursuant to the Delaware Statutory Trust Act and is organized into three separate series (each series,
a “Fund” and collectively, the “Funds”). The United States Copper Index Fund (“CPER”), formed
on November 26, 2010, is a series of the Trust and is a commodity pool that continuously issues common shares of beneficial interest
that may be purchased and sold on the NYSE Arca stock exchange (“NYSE Arca”). The Trust and CPER operate pursuant
to the Trust’s Fourth Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement (the “Trust Agreement”),
dated as of December 15, 2017. Wilmington Trust Company, a Delaware trust company, is the Delaware trustee of the Trust. The Trust
and CPER are managed and controlled by United States Commodity Funds LLC (“USCF”), a Delaware limited liability company
that is registered as a CPO with the CFTC and is a member of the NFA.
Other
series of the Trust include the United States Commodity Index Fund (“USCI”).
CPER’s Investment
Objective and Strategy
The investment
objective of CPER is for the daily changes in percentage terms of its shares’ per share net asset value (“NAV”)
to reflect the daily changes in percentage terms of the SummerHaven Copper Index Total ReturnSM (the “SCI”),
less CPER’s expenses.
What
is the “SummerHaven Copper Index Total Return”? |
|
The
SCI is designed to reflect the performance of the investment returns from a portfolio of copper futures contracts on the Commodity
Exchange, Inc. exchange (“COMEX”). The SCI is owned and maintained by SummerHaven Index Management, LLC (“SHIM”)
and is calculated and published by the NYSE Arca. The SCI is comprised of either one or three Eligible Copper Futures Contracts
that are selected on a monthly basis based on quantitative formulas relating to the prices of the Eligible Copper Futures
Contracts developed by SHIM. The Eligible Copper Futures Contracts that at any given time make up the SCI are referred to
herein as “Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts.” |
|
As
discussed further below, beginning with the first commodity selection process that occurred after December 31, 2020, the number
of Futures Contracts that are Eligible Copper Futures Contracts was reduced and the SCI is comprised of one or three Eligible
Copper Futures Contracts. |
|
CPER
seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing primarily in the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts. Then, if
constrained by regulatory requirements, risk mitigation measures (including those that may be taken by CPER, CPER’s futures
commission merchants (“FCMs”), counterparties or other market participants), liquidity requirements, or in view of
market conditions, CPER will invest next in other Eligible Copper Futures Contracts based on the same copper as the futures contracts
subject to such regulatory constraints or market conditions, and finally, to a lesser extent, in other exchange-traded futures
contracts that are economically identical or substantially similar to the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts if one
or more other Eligible Copper Futures Contracts is not available. When CPER has invested to the fullest extent possible in exchange-traded
futures contracts, CPER may then invest in other contracts and instruments based on the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts,
other Eligible Copper Futures Contracts or other items based on copper, such as cash-settled options, forward contracts, cleared
swap contracts and swap contracts other than cleared swap contracts. Other exchange-traded futures contracts that are economically
identical or substantially similar to the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts and other contracts and instruments based
on the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts are collectively referred to as “Other Copper-Related Investments,”
and together with Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts and other Eligible Copper Futures Contracts, “Copper Interests.”
USCF
believes that market arbitrage opportunities will cause daily changes in CPER’s share price on the NYSE Arca on a
percentage basis to closely track daily changes in CPER’s per share NAV on a percentage basis. USCF believes that the
net effect of this expected relationship and the expected relationship described above between CPER’s per share NAV and
the SCI will be that the daily changes in the price of CPER’s shares on the NYSE Arca on a percentage basis will
closely track the daily changes in the SCI on a percentage basis, less CPER’s expenses. While CPER is composed of
Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts and is therefore a measure of the prices of the corresponding commodities
comprising the SCI for future delivery, there is nonetheless expected to be a reasonable degree of correlation between the
SCI and the cash or spot prices of the commodities underlying the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts.
Specifically,
CPER seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing so that the average daily percentage change in CPER’s NAV for
any period of 30 successive valuation days will be within plus/minus ten percent (10%) of the average daily percentage change
in the prices of the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts over the same period. As a result, investors should be aware
that CPER would meet its investment objective even if there are significant deviations between changes in its daily NAV and changes
in the daily price of the SCI, provided that the average daily percentage change in CPER’s NAV over 30 successive valuation
days is within plus/minus ten percent (10%) of the average daily percentage change in the price of the SCI over the same period.
Investors
should be aware that CPER’s investment objective is not for its NAV or market price of shares to equal, in dollar
terms, the spot prices of the commodities underlying the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts or the prices of any particular
group of futures contracts. CPER will not seek to achieve its stated investment objective over a time period of greater than one
day. This is because natural market forces called contango and backwardation may impact and have impacted the total return on
an investment in CPER’s shares during the past year relative to a hypothetical direct investment in the various commodities
and, in the future, it is likely that the relationship between the market price of CPER’s shares and changes in the spot
prices of the underlying commodities will continue to be impacted by contango and backwardation. (It is important to note that
the disclosure above ignores the potential costs associated with physically owning and storing the commodities, which could be
substantial.)
Principal Investment Risks
of an Investment in CPER
An investment
in CPER involves a degree of risk. Some of the risks you may face are summarized below. A more extensive discussion of these risks
appears beginning on page 8.
Investment Risk
Investors
may choose to use CPER as a means of investing indirectly in copper. INVESTING IN CPER INVOLVES RISKS SIMILAR TO THOSE INVOLVED
WITH AN INVESTMENT DIRECTLY IN THE COPPER MARKET, BUT IT IS NOT A PROXY FOR TRADING DIRECTLY IN THE COPPER MARKET. Investing
in CPER also involves the correlation risk described below and other significant risks. You should carefully consider the risks
described below before making an investment decision. An investment in CPER includes the following investment risks:
| · | The
NAV of CPER’s shares relates directly to the value of investments in Eligible Copper
Futures Contracts and other assets held by CPER and fluctuations in the prices of these
assets could materially adversely affect an investment in CPER’s shares. Past performance
is not necessarily indicative of future results; all or substantially all of an investment
in CPER could be lost. |
| · | The
demand for commodities, in general, correlates closely with general economic growth rates. |
| · | Other
factors that may affect the demand for certain commodities and therefore their price
include technological improvements in energy efficiency; seasonal weather patterns, increased
competitiveness of alternative metals changes in technology or consumer preferences that
alter fuel choices, such as toward alternative, lighter, or more conducive metals and
changes in consumer preference. |
| · | Copper
prices also vary depending on a number of factors affecting supply and demand, including
geopolitical risk associated with wars, terrorist acts and tensions between countries. |
| · | The
supply of and demand for copper and other commodities may also be impacted by changes
in interest rates, inflation, and other local or regional market conditions, as well
as by the development of alternative energy sources. |
| · | Price
volatility may possibly cause the total loss of your investment. |
| · | Natural
disasters, public health disruptions (such as the COVID-19 pandemic), and international
armed conflicts could impact the price of commodities and/or the value, pricing and liquidity
of CPER’s investments or assets which, in turn, could cause the loss of your investment
in CPER. |
| · | Historical
performance of CPER and the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contract is not indicative
of future performance. |
Correlation Risk
As further
described below, an investment in CPER includes the following correlation risks:
| • | An investment in CPER may
provide little or no diversification benefits. Thus, in a declining market, CPER may have no gains to offset losses from other
investments, and an investor may suffer losses on an investment in CPER while incurring losses with respect to other asset classes. |
| · | The
market price at which investors buy or sell shares may be significantly less or more
than NAV. |
| · | Daily
percentage changes in CPER’s NAV may not correlate with daily percentage changes
in the price of the SCI. |
| · | Daily
percentage changes in the prices of the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts
may not correlate with daily percentage changes in the spot price of the corresponding
commodity. |
| · | An
investment in CPER is not a proxy for investing in the copper markets, and the daily
percentage changes in the prices of the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts,
or the NAV of CPER, may not correlate with daily percentage changes in the spot price
of copper that underlie the SCI. |
| · | The
price relationship between the SCI at any point in time and the Eligible Copper Futures
Contracts that will become the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts on the next
rebalancing date will vary and may impact both CPER’s total return and the degree
to which its total return tracks that of SCI. |
| · | Accountability
levels, position limits, and daily price fluctuation limits set by the exchanges have
the potential to cause tracking error by limiting CPER’s investments, including
its ability to fully invest in the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts, which
means that changes in the price of shares could substantially vary from changes in the
price of the SCI. |
| · | Risk
mitigation measures that could be imposed by CPER’s FCMs have the potential to
cause tracking error by limiting CPER’s investments, including its ability to fully
invest in the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts and other Futures Contracts,
which means that changes in the price of CPER’s shares could substantially vary
from the changes in the prices of the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts. |
To the
extent that investors use CPER as a means of indirectly investing in copper, there is the risk that the daily changes in the price
of CPER’s shares on the NYSE Arca on a percentage basis will not closely track the daily changes in the spot prices of the
commodities comprising the SCI on a percentage basis. This could happen if the price of shares traded on the NYSE Arca does not
correlate closely with the value of CPER’s NAV; the changes in CPER’s NAV do not correlate closely with the changes
in the price of the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts; or the changes in the price of the Benchmark Component Copper
Futures Contracts do not closely correlate with the changes in the cash or spot price of copper. This is a risk because if these
correlations do not exist, then investors may not be able to use CPER as a cost-effective way to indirectly invest in copper or
as a hedge against the risk of loss in copper-related transactions.
The design
of the SCI is such that every month it is made up of different Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts and CPER’s investment
must be rebalanced on an ongoing basis to reflect the changing composition of the SCI. In cases in which the near month contracts
to expire trade at a higher price than next month contracts to expire, a situation referred to as “backwardation,”
then absent the impact of the overall movement in commodity prices, the value of the SCI would tend to rise as it approaches expiration.
As a result, CPER may benefit because it would be selling more expensive contracts and buying less expensive ones on an ongoing
basis. Conversely, in the event of a commodity futures market where near month contracts trade at a lower price than next month
contracts, a situation referred to as “contango,” then absent the impact of the overall movement in commodity prices,
the value of the SCI would tend to decline as it approaches expiration. As a result, CPER’s total return may be lower than
might otherwise be the case because it would be selling less expensive contracts and buying more expensive ones. The impact of
backwardation and contango may cause the total return of CPER to vary significantly from the total return of other price references,
such as the spot price of the commodities comprising the SCI. In the event of a prolonged period of contango, and absent the impact
of rising or falling commodity prices, this could have a significant negative impact on CPER’s NAV and total return.
Tax Risk
The Trust
is organized and operated as a Delaware statutory trust in accordance with the provisions of the Trust Agreement and applicable
state law, but CPER is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and therefore, CPER has a more complex tax
treatment than conventional mutual funds. An investment in CPER includes the following tax risks:
| · | An
investor’s tax liability may exceed the amount of distributions, if any, on its
shares. |
| · | An
investor’s allocable share of taxable income or loss may differ from economic income
or loss on the shares. |
| · | Items
of income, gain, deduction, loss and credit with respect to shares could be reallocated
for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and CPER could be liable for U.S. federal income
tax, if the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) does not accept the assumptions
and conventions applied by CPER in allocating those items, with potential adverse consequences
for an investor. |
| · | CPER
could be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which may substantially
reduce the value of the shares. |
| · | The
Trust is organized as a Delaware statutory trust in accordance with the provisions of
the Trust Agreement and applicable state law, but CPER is treated as a partnership for
U.S. federal income tax purposes, and therefore, CPER has a more complex tax treatment
than traditional mutual funds. |
| · | If
CPER is required to withhold tax with respect to any non-U.S. shareholders, the cost
of such withholding may be borne by all shareholders. |
| · | The
impact of changes in U.S. federal income tax laws on CPER is uncertain. |
Over-the-Counter (“OTC”)
Contract Risk
CPER
may also invest in Other Copper-Related Investments, many of which are negotiated over-the-counter or “OTC” contracts
that are not as liquid as Eligible Copper Futures Contracts and expose CPER to credit risk that its counterparty may not be able
to satisfy its obligations to CPER. An investment in CPER includes the following OTC contract risks:
| · | CPER
will be subject to credit risk with respect to counterparties to OTC contracts entered
into by the Trust on behalf of CPER. |
| · | Valuing
OTC derivatives may be less certain than valuing exchange-traded and/or cleared financial
instruments. |
| · | CPER’s
rights under an OTC contract may be restricted by regulations. |
| · | The
use of swap agreements may expose CPER to early termination risk, which could result
in significant losses to CPER. |
Other Risks
CPER
pays fees and expenses that are incurred regardless of whether CPER is profitable.
Unlike
mutual funds, commodity pools or other investment pools that manage their investments in an attempt to realize income and gains
and distribute such income and gains to their investors, CPER generally does not distribute cash to shareholders. You should not
invest in CPER if you will need cash distributions from CPER to pay taxes on your share of income and gains of CPER, if any, or
for any other reason.
You will
have no rights to participate in the management of CPER and will have to rely on the duties and judgment of USCF to manage CPER.
CPER
is subject to actual and potential inherent conflicts involving USCF, various commodity futures brokers and “Authorized
Participants,” the institutional firms that directly purchase and redeem shares in baskets of 50,000 shares. USCF’s
officers, directors and employees do not devote their time exclusively to CPER. USCF’s personnel are directors, officers
or employees of other entities that may compete with CPER for their services, including the Related Public Funds that USCF manages.
USCF could have a conflict between its responsibilities to CPER and to those other entities. As a result of these and other relationships,
parties involved with CPER have a financial incentive to act in a manner other than in the best interests of CPER and the shareholders.
In addition,
an investment in CPER includes the following other risks:
| · | CPER
is not leveraged, but it could become leveraged if it had insufficient assets to completely
meet its margin or collateral requirements relating to its investments. |
| · | CPER
may temporarily limit the offering of Creation Baskets. |
| · | CPER
pays fees and expenses that are incurred regardless of whether CPER is profitable. |
| · | You
will have no rights to participate in the management of CPER and will have to rely on
the duties and judgment of USCF to manage CPER. |
| · | Certain
of CPER’s investments could be illiquid, which could cause large losses to investors
at any time or from time to time. |
| · | CPER
is not actively managed and its investment objective is for the average daily percentage
change in CPER’s NAV for any period of 30 successive valuation days to be within
plus/minus ten percent (10%) of the average daily percentage change in the price of the
SCI over the same period. |
| · | CPER
may not meet the listing standards of NYSE Arca, which would adversely impact an investor’s
ability to sell shares. |
| · | The
NYSE Arca may halt trading in CPER’s shares, which would adversely impact an investor’s
ability to sell shares. |
| · | The
liquidity of CPER’s shares may also be affected by the withdrawal from participation
of Authorized Participants, which could adversely affect the market price of the shares. |
| · | Shareholders
that are not Authorized Participants may only purchase or sell their shares in secondary
trading markets, and the conditions associated with trading in secondary markets may
adversely affect investors’ investment in the shares. |
| · | The
lack of an active trading market for CPER shares may result in losses on an investor’s
investment in CPER at the time the investor sells the shares. |
| · | SummerHaven
is leanly staffed and relies heavily on key personnel to manage advisory activities. |
| · | USCF’s
LLC Agreement provides limited authority to the Non-Management Directors, and any Director
of USCF may be removed by USCF’s parent company, which is wholly owned by The Marygold
Companies, Inc., a controlled public company where the majority of shares are owned by
Nicholas D. Gerber along with certain of his family members and certain other shareholders. |
| · | There
is a risk that CPER will not earn trading gains sufficient to compensate for the fees
and expenses that it must pay and as such CPER may not earn any profit. |
| · | CPER
is subject to extensive regulatory reporting and compliance. |
| · | Regulatory
changes or actions, including the implementation of new legislation, are impossible to
predict but may significantly and adversely affect CPER. |
| · | The
Trust is not a registered investment company, so shareholders do not have the protections
of the 1940 Act. |
| · | Trading
in international markets could expose CPER to credit and regulatory risk. |
| · | CPER
and USCF may have conflicts of interest, which may permit them to favor their own interests
to the detriment of shareholders. |
| · | CPER,
USCF and SummerHaven may have conflicts of interest, which may cause them to favor their
own interests to the detriment of shareholders. |
| · | Shareholders
have only very limited voting rights and have the power to replace USCF only under specific
circumstances. Shareholders do not participate in the management of CPER and do not control
USCF, so they do not have any influence over basic matters that affect CPER. |
| · | CPER
could terminate at any time and cause the liquidation and potential loss of an investor’s
investment and could upset the overall maturity and timing of an investor’s investment
portfolio. |
| · | CPER
does not expect to make cash distributions. |
| · | An
unanticipated number of Redemption Basket requests during a short period of time could
have an adverse effect on CPER’s NAV. |
| · | The
suspension in the ability of Authorized Participants to purchase Creation Baskets could
cause CPER’s NAV to differ materially from its trading price. |
| · | CPER
may determine that, to allow it to reinvest the proceeds from sales of its Creation Baskets
in currently permitted assets in a manner that meets its investment objective, it may
limit or suspend its offers of Creation Baskets. |
| · | CPER
may be subject to interest rate risk, which may prevent CPER from investing fully at
prevailing rates until any current investments in Treasuries mature in order to avoid
selling those investments at a loss. |
| · | As
inflation increases, the present value of CPER’s assets may decline. |
| · | CPER
may potentially lose money by investing in government money market funds. |
| · | The
failure or bankruptcy of a clearing broker could result in a substantial loss of CPER’s
assets and could impair CPER in its ability to execute trades. |
| · | The
failure or bankruptcy of CPER’s Custodian could result in a substantial loss of
CPER’s assets. |
| · | The
liability of SummerHaven is limited, and the value of the shares may be adversely affected
if USCF and CPER are required to indemnify SummerHaven. |
| · | The
liability of USCF and the Trustee are limited, and the value of the shares will be adversely
affected if CPER is required to indemnify the Trustee or USCF. |
| · | Although
the shares of CPER are limited liability investments, certain circumstances such as bankruptcy
or indemnification of CPER by a shareholder will increase the shareholder’s liability. |
| · | Investors
cannot be assured of the continuation of the agreement between SummerHaven and USCF for
use of the SCI, and discontinuance of the SCI may be detrimental to CPER. |
| · | Investors
cannot be assured of SummerHaven’s continued services, and discontinuance may be
detrimental to CPER. |
| · | CPER
is a series of the Trust and, as a result, a court could potentially conclude that the
assets and liabilities of CPER are not segregated from those of another series of the
Trust, thereby potentially exposing assets in CPER to the liabilities of another series
of the Trust. |
| · | The
Trust Agreement limits the forum in which claims may be brought against USCF, the Trust,
the Trustee or their respective directors and officers. |
| · | USCF
and the Trustee are not obligated to prosecute any action, suit or other proceeding in
respect of any CPER property. |
| · | Competing
claims of intellectual property rights may adversely affect CPER and an investment in
CPER’s shares. |
| · | Due
to the increased use of technologies, intentional and unintentional cyber-attacks pose
operational and information security risks. |
| · | CPER’s
investment returns could be negatively affected by climate change and greenhouse gas
restrictions. |
| · | USCF
is the subject of class action, derivative, and other litigation. In light of the inherent
uncertainties involved in litigation matters, an adverse outcome in this litigation could
materially adversely affect USCF’s financial condition. |
CPER’s Fees and Expenses
This
table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of CPER. You should note that you may pay brokerage
commissions on purchases and sales of CPER’s shares, which are not reflected in the table. Authorized Participants will
pay applicable creation and redemption fees. See “Creation and Redemption of Shares—Creation and Redemption
Transaction Fee,” page 78.
Annual
Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Management Fees | |
| 0.65 | %(1) |
Distribution Fees | |
| NONE | |
Other Fund Expenses | |
| 0.41 | %(2) |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | |
| 1.06 | % |
| (1) | CPER
is contractually obligated to pay USCF a management fee equal to 0.65% per annum, which
is based on its average daily total net assets and paid monthly. |
| (2) | Based
on amounts for the year ended December 31, 2024. The individual expense amounts in dollar
terms are shown in the table below. As used in this table, (i) Professional Expenses
include expenses for legal, audit, tax accounting and printing; and (ii) Independent
Director and Officer Expenses include amounts paid to independent directors and for officers’
liability insurance. |
The table
below shows the total dollar amount of fees and expenses paid by CPER for the year ended December 31, 2024:
Management Fees | |
$ | 1,107,852 | |
Brokerage Commissions | |
$ | 38,119 | |
Professional Expenses | |
$ | 618,031 | |
License Fees | |
$ | 0 | |
Independent Director and Officer Expenses | |
$ | 46,941 | |
Registration Fees | |
$ | 0 | |
| |
| | |
These amounts are based
on CPER’s average total net assets, which are the sum of daily total net assets of CPER divided by the number of calendar
days in the year. For the year ended December 31, 2024, CPER’s average total net assets were $170,443,212.
RISK
FACTORS INVOLVED WITH AN INVESTMENT IN CPER
You
should consider carefully the risks described below before making an investment decision. You should also refer to the other information
included in this prospectus, as well as information found in our periodic reports, which include the Trust’s and CPER’s
financial statements and the related notes, that are incorporated by reference. See “Incorporation By Reference of Certain
Information,” page 85.
CPER’s
investment objective is for the daily changes in percentage terms of its per share NAV to reflect the daily changes in percentage
terms of the SCI, less CPER’s expenses. CPER seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing so that the average
daily percentage change in CPER’s NAV for any period of 30 successive valuation days will be within plus/minus ten percent
(10%) of the average daily percentage change in the price of the SCI over the same period. CPER’s investment strategy is
designed to provide investors with a cost-effective way to invest indirectly in copper and to hedge against movements in the spot
price of copper. As a result, investors should be aware that CPER would meet its investment objective even if there are significant
deviations between changes in its daily NAV and changes in the daily price of the SCI, provided that the average daily percentage
change in CPER’s NAV over 30 successive valuation days is within plus/minus ten percent (10%) of the average daily percentage
change in the price of the SCI over the same period.
An investment
in CPER involves investment risk similar to a direct investment in Eligible Copper Futures Contracts and Other Copper-Related
Investments, but it is not a proxy for investing in copper market. Investing in CPER also involves correlation risk, or the risk
that investors purchasing shares to hedge against movements in the price of copper will have an efficient hedge only if the price
they pay for their shares closely correlates with the price of the copper. In addition to investment risk and correlation risk,
an investment in CPER involves tax risks, OTC risks, and other risks.
Investment Risk
The
NAV of CPER’s shares relates directly to the value of its assets invested in accordance with the SCI and other assets held
by CPER and fluctuations in the prices of these assets could materially adversely affect an investment in CPER’s shares.
Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results; all or substantially all of an investment in CPER could be lost.
The net
assets of CPER consist primarily of investments in Eligible Copper Futures Contracts and, to a lesser extent, in Other Copper-Related
Investments. The NAV of CPER’s shares relates directly to the value of these assets (less liabilities, including accrued
but unpaid expenses), which in turn relates to the market price of the commodities which comprise the SCI.
Economic
conditions impacting copper. The demand for commodities, in general, correlates closely with general economic growth rates.
The occurrence of recessions or other periods of low or negative economic growth will typically have a direct adverse impact on
commodity demand and, therefore, may have an adverse impact on commodity prices. Other factors that affect general economic conditions
in the world or in a major region, such as changes in population growth rates, periods of civil unrest, military conflicts, war
(such as the Russia-Ukraine war), pandemics (e.g., the COVID-19 pandemic), government austerity programs, trade wars between nations,
or currency exchange rate fluctuations, can also impact the demand for commodities. Sovereign debt downgrades, defaults, inability
to access debt markets due to credit or legal constraints, liquidity crises, the breakup or restructuring of fiscal, monetary,
or political systems such as the European Union, and other events or conditions that impair the functioning of financial markets
and institutions also may adversely impact the demand for commodities.
Other
copper demand-related factors. Other factors that may affect the demand for certain commodities and therefore their price
include technological improvements in energy efficiency, seasonal weather patterns, increased competitiveness of alternative metals
changes in technology or consumer preferences that alter fuel choices, such as toward alternative, lighter, or more conducive
metals and changes in personal income levels.
Other
copper supply-related factors. Copper prices also vary depending on a number of factors affecting supply, including geopolitical
risk associated with wars (such as the Russia-Ukraine war), terrorist attacks and tensions between countries, including sanctions
imposed as a result of the foregoing, or trade wars, any of which can adversely affect commodity trade flows by limiting or disrupting
trade between countries or regions. World supply levels can also be affected by other factors that reduce available supplies,
such as natural disasters, disruptions in competitors’ operations, or unexpected unavailability of distribution channels.
Technological change can also alter the relative costs for companies to produce, and process and distribute a commodity, which
in turn, may affect the supply of and demand of such commodity. For example, increased supply from the development of alloys and
technologies for efficient productions tends to reduce prices in such commodity to the extent such supply increases are not offset
by commensurate growth in demand. Similarly, increases in industry manufacturing capacity may impact the supply of a particular
metal.
Other
factors impacting the copper market. The supply of and demand for copper and other commodities may also be impacted by
changes in interest rates, inflation, and other local or regional market conditions, as well as by the development of alternative
energy sources.
Price
volatility may possibly cause the total loss of your investment.
Futures
contracts have a high degree of price variability and are subject to occasional rapid and substantial changes. Consequently, you
could lose all or substantially all of your investment in CPER.
Market
volatility is attributable to things like the COVID-19 pandemic and related supply chain disruptions, war, (such as the Russia-Ukraine
war), and continuing disputes among oil-producing countries, the introduction of or changes in tariffs or trade barriers, and
trade wars between nations. Events such as these, and others, could cause volatility in the future, which may affect the value,
pricing and liquidity of some investments or other assets, including those held by or invested in by CPER and the impact of which
could limit CPER’s ability to have a substantial portion of its assets invested in the Benchmark Component Copper Futures
Contracts. In such a circumstance, CPER could, if it determined it appropriate to do so in light of market conditions and regulatory
requirements, invest in other Futures Contracts and/or Other Copper-Related Investments, such as OTC swaps.
Natural
disasters, public health disruptions (such as the COVID-19 pandemic), and international armed conflicts could impact the price
of commodities and/or the value, pricing and liquidity of CPER’s investments or assets which, in turn, could cause the loss
of your investment in CPER.
Natural
or environmental disasters, such as earthquakes, fires, floods, hurricanes, tsunamis and other severe weather-related phenomena
generally, and widespread disease, including public health disruptions, pandemics and epidemics (for example, the COVID-19 pandemic),
can be highly disruptive to economies and markets. Such events can, directly or indirectly, negatively impact, and/or cause volatility
in, the price of commodities and the value, pricing, and liquidity of the investments or other assets held by CPER.
Geopolitical
conflict, including war and armed conflicts (such as the Russia-Ukraine war, conflicts in the Middle East, and the expansion of
such conflicts in surrounding areas), sanctions, the introduction of or changes in tariffs or trade barriers, global or local
recessions, and acts of terrorism, can also, directly or indirectly, negatively impact, and/or cause volatility in, the price
of commodities and the value, pricing, and liquidity of the investments or other assets held by CPER.
A negative
impact on, or volatility in, the price of commodities or the value, pricing and liquidity of CPER’s investments or other
assets resulting from the occurrence of any of the aforementioned events, or similar events, could cause you to lose all, or substantially
all, of your investment in CPER.
Historical
performance of CPER and the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts is not indicative of future performance.
Past
performance of CPER or the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts is not necessarily indicative of future results. Therefore,
past performance of CPER or the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts should not be relied upon in deciding whether to
buy shares of CPER.
Correlation Risk
An
investment in CPER may provide little or no diversification benefits. Thus, in a declining market, CPER may have no gains to offset
losses from other investments, and an investor may suffer losses on an investment in CPER while incurring losses with respect
to other asset classes.
Investors
purchasing shares to hedge against movements in the price of copper will have an efficient hedge only if the return from their
shares closely correlates with the return from the SCI, which in turn, correlates with the price of the copper that comprises
the SCI. Investing in CPER’s shares for hedging purposes includes the following risks:
| · | The
market price at which the investor buys or sells shares may be significantly less or
more than NAV. |
| · | Daily
percentage changes in NAV may not closely correlate with daily percentage changes in
the price of the SCI. |
| · | Daily
percentage changes in the prices of the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts
may not closely correlate with daily percentage changes in the price of copper that comprises
the SCI. |
Historically,
Eligible Copper Futures Contracts and Other Copper-Related Investments have generally been non-correlated to the performance of
other asset classes such as stocks and bonds. Non-correlation means that there is a low statistically valid relationship between
the performance of futures and other commodity interest transactions, on the one hand, and stocks or bonds, on the other hand.
However,
there can be no assurance that such non-correlation will continue during future periods. If, contrary to historic patterns, CPER’s
performance were to move in the same general direction as the financial markets, investors will obtain little or no diversification
benefits from an investment in CPER’s shares. In such a case, CPER may have no gains to offset losses from other investments,
and investors may suffer losses on their investment in CPER at the same time they incur losses with respect to other investments.
Variables
such as drought, floods, weather, military conflicts, pandemics (such as the COVID-19 pandemic), embargoes, tariffs and other
political events may have a larger impact on commodity prices and commodity-linked instruments, including Eligible Copper Futures
Contracts and Other Copper-Related Investments, than on traditional securities. These additional variables may create additional
investment risks that subject CPER’s investments to greater volatility than investments in traditional securities.
Non-correlation
should not be confused with negative correlation, where the performance of two asset classes would be opposite of each other.
There is no historical evidence that the spot price of a commodity and prices of other financial assets, such as stocks and bonds,
are negatively correlated. In the absence of negative correlation, CPER cannot be expected to be automatically profitable during
unfavorable periods for the stock market, or vice versa.
The
market price at which investors buy or sell shares may be significantly less or more than NAV.
CPER’s
NAV per share will change throughout the day as fluctuations occur in the market value of CPER’s portfolio investments.
The public trading price at which an investor buys or sells shares during the day from their broker may be different from the
NAV of the shares, which is also the price shares can be redeemed with CPER by Authorized Participants in Redemption Baskets.
Generally, price differences may relate to supply and demand forces at work in the secondary trading market for shares that are
closely related to, but not identical to, the same forces influencing the prices of the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts
and the SCI at any point in time. USCF expects that exploitation of certain arbitrage opportunities by Authorized Participants
and their clients will tend to cause the public trading price to track NAV per share closely over time, but there can be no assurance
of that. For example, a shortage of CPER’s shares in the market and other factors could cause CPER’s shares to trade
at a premium. Investors should be aware that such premiums can be transitory. To the extent an investor purchases shares that
include a premium (e.g., because of a shortage of shares in the market due to the inability of Authorized Participants to purchase
additional shares from CPER that could be resold into the market) and the cause of the premium no longer exists causing the premium
to disappear (e.g., because more shares are available for purchase from CPER by Authorized Participants that could be resold into
the market) such investor’s return on its investment would be adversely impacted due to the loss of the premium.
Daily
percentage changes in CPER’s NAV may not correlate with daily percentage changes in the price of the SCI.
It is
possible that the daily percentage changes in CPER’s NAV per share may not closely correlate to daily percentage changes
in the price of the SCI. Non-correlation may be attributable to disruptions in the market for copper, the imposition of position
or accountability limits by regulators or exchanges, the purchase by CPER of copper contracts that are substantially similar to,
but not identical to, copper contracts selected each month for inclusion in the SCI, or other extraordinary circumstances. As
CPER approaches or reaches position limits with respect to a Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts or other Eligible Copper
Futures Contracts or in view of market conditions, regulatory requirements, risk mitigation measures (including those that may
be taken by CPER, CPER’s FCMs, counterparties or other market participants), and other conditions described herein, CPER
may begin investing in Other Copper-Related Investments.
In addition,
CPER is not able to replicate exactly the changes in the price of the SCI because the total return generated by CPER is reduced
by expenses and transaction costs, including those incurred in connection with CPER’s trading activities, and increased
by interest income from CPER’s holdings of Treasuries (defined below).
Daily
percentage changes in the price of the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts may not correlate with daily percentage changes
in the spot price of the corresponding commodity.
The correlation
between changes in price of a Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts and the spot price of the corresponding commodity may
at times be only approximate. The degree of imperfection of correlation depends upon circumstances such as variations in the speculative
commodities market, supply of and demand for Eligible Copper Futures Contracts (including the Benchmark Component Copper Futures
Contracts) and Other Copper-Related Investments, and technical influences in futures trading.
An
investment in CPER is not a proxy for investing in the copper markets, and the daily percentage changes in the prices of the Benchmark
Component Copper Futures Contracts, or the NAV of CPER, may not correlate with daily percentage changes in the spot price of copper
that underlie the SCI.
An investment
in CPER is not a proxy for investing in the commodities markets. To the extent that investors use CPER as a means of indirectly
investing in copper, there is the risk that the daily changes in the price of CPER’s shares on the NYSE Arca, on a percentage
basis, will not closely track the daily changes in the spot price of copper on a percentage basis. This could happen if the price
of shares traded on the NYSE Arca does not correlate closely with the value of CPER’s NAV; the changes in CPER’s NAV
do not correlate closely with the changes in the prices of the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts; or the changes in
the price of the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts do not closely correlate with the changes in the cash or spot price
of copper. This is a risk because if these correlations do not exist, then investors may not be able to use CPER as a cost-effective
way to indirectly invest in copper or as a hedge against movements in the spot price of copper. The degree of correlation among
CPER’s share price, the prices of the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts and the spot price of copper depends
upon circumstances such as variations in the speculative copper market, supply of and demand for Futures Contracts (including
the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts) and Other Copper-Related Investments, and technical influences on trading futures
contracts. Investors who are not experienced in investing in futures contracts or the factors that influence that market or speculative
trading in futures markets and may not have the background or ready access to the types of information that investors familiar
with these markets may have and, as a result, may be at greater risk of incurring losses from trading in CPER shares than such
other investors with such experience and resources.
The
price relationship between the SCI at any point in time and the Eligible Copper Futures Contracts that will become the Benchmark
Component Copper Futures Contracts on the next rebalancing date will vary and may impact both CPER’s total return and the
degree to which its total return tracks that of SCI.
The design
of the SCI is such that every month it is made up of different Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts, and CPER’s
investment must be rebalanced on an ongoing basis to reflect the changing composition of the SCI. In the event of a copper futures
market where near month contracts to expire trade at a higher price than next month contracts to expire, a situation referred
to as “backwardation” in the futures market, then absent the impact of the overall movement in copper prices, the
value of the SCI would tend to rise as it approaches expiration. As a result, CPER may benefit because it would be selling more
expensive contracts and buying less expensive ones on an ongoing basis. Conversely, in the event of a copper futures market where
near month contracts trade at a lower price than next month contracts, a situation described as “contango” in the
futures market, then absent the impact of the overall movement in copper prices, the value of the SCI would tend to decline as
it approaches expiration. As a result, CPER’s total return may be lower than might otherwise be the case because it would
be selling less expensive contracts and buying more expensive ones. The impact of backwardation and contango may cause the total
return of CPER’s per share NAV to vary significantly from the total return of other price references, such as the spot price
of the copper comprising the SCI. Moreover, absent the impact of rising or falling copper prices, a prolonged period of contango
could have a significant negative impact on CPER’s per share NAV and total return and investors could lose part or all of
their investment. See “Additional Information About CPER, its Investment Objective and Investments” for a discussion
of the potential effects of contango and backwardation.
Accountability
levels, position limits, and daily price fluctuation limits set by the exchanges have the potential to cause tracking error by
limiting CPER’s investments, including its ability to fully invest in the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts,
which means that changes in the price of shares could substantially vary from the changes in the price of the SCI.
Designated
contract markets, such as the COMEX, have established accountability levels and position limits on the maximum net long or net
short futures contracts in commodity interests that any person or group of persons under common trading control (other than as
a hedge, which an investment by CPER is not) may hold, own or control. These levels and position limits apply to the futures contracts
that CPER invests in to meet its investment objective. In addition to accountability levels and position limits, the COMEX also
set daily price limits on futures contracts. The daily price fluctuation limit establishes the maximum amount that the price of
a futures contract may vary either up or down from the previous day’s settlement price. Once the daily price fluctuation
limit has been reached in a particular futures contract, no trades may be made at a price beyond that limit.
Part
150 of the CFTC’s regulations (the “Position Limits Rule”) establishes federal position limits for 25 core referenced
futures contracts (comprised of agricultural, energy and metals futures contracts), futures and options linked to the core referenced
futures contracts, and swaps that are economically equivalent to the core referenced futures contracts that all market participants
must comply with, with certain exemptions.
The Benchmark
Component Copper Futures Contracts are subject to position limits under the Position Limits Rule, and CPER’s trading does
not qualify for an exemption therefrom. Accordingly, the Position Limits Rule could inhibit CPER’s ability to invest in
the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts and thereby could negatively impact the ability of CPER to meet its investment
objective.
CPER
has not limited the size of its offering and intends to utilize substantially all of its proceeds to purchase Benchmark Component
Copper Futures Contracts and Other Copper-Related Investments to the extent possible. If CPER encounters accountability levels,
position limits, or price fluctuation limits for Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts, it may purchase copper futures
on other exchanges that trade listed copper futures or enter into swaps or other transactions to meet its investment objective.
In addition, if CPER exceeds accountability levels on the COMEX, and is required by the exchange to reduce its holdings, such
reduction could potentially cause a tracking error between the price of CPER’s shares and the prices of the Benchmark Component
Copper Futures Contracts.
Risk
mitigation measures that could be imposed by CPER’s FCMs have the potential to cause tracking error by limiting CPER’s
investments, including its ability to fully invest in the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts and other Futures Contracts,
which means that changes in the price of CPER’s shares could substantially vary from changes in the prices of the Benchmark
Component Copper Futures Contracts.
CPER’s
FCMs have discretion to impose limits on the positions that CPER may hold in the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts
as well as futures contracts in other months. To date, CPER’s FCMs have not imposed any such limits. However, were CPER’s
FCMs to impose limits, CPER’s ability to have a substantial portion of its assets invested in the Benchmark Component Copper
Futures Contracts and other Futures Contracts could be severely limited, which could lead CPER to invest in other Futures Contracts
or, potentially, Other Copper-Related Investments. CPER could also have to more frequently rebalance and adjust the types of holdings
in its portfolio than is currently the case. This could inhibit CPER from pursuing its investment objective in the same manner
that it has historically and currently.
In addition,
when offering Creation Baskets for purchase, limitations imposed by exchanges and/or any of CPER’s FCMs could limit CPER’s
ability to invest the proceeds of the purchases of Creation Baskets in Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts and other
Futures Contracts. If this were the case, CPER may invest in other permitted investments, including Other Copper-Related Investments,
and may hold larger amounts of Treasuries, cash and cash equivalents, which could impair CPER’s ability to meet its investment
objective.
Tax Risk
An
investor’s tax liability may exceed the amount of distributions, if any, on its shares.
Cash
or property will be distributed at the sole discretion of USCF. USCF has not and does not currently intend to make cash or other
distributions with respect to shares. Investors will be required to pay U.S. federal income tax and, in some cases, state, local,
or foreign income tax, on their allocable share of CPER’s taxable income, without regard to whether they receive distributions
or the amount or value of any such distributions. Therefore, the tax liability of an investor with respect to its shares may exceed
the amount of cash or value of property (if any) distributed with respect to such shares.
An
investor’s allocable share of taxable income or loss may differ from economic income or loss on the shares.
Due to
the application of the assumptions and conventions applied by CPER in making allocations for U.S. federal income tax purposes
and other factors, an investor’s allocable share of CPER’s income, gain, deduction, loss, or credit may be different
than economic profit or loss from the shares for a taxable year. This difference could be temporary or permanent and, if permanent,
may subject an investor to tax on amounts in excess of its economic income.
Items
of income, gain, deduction, loss and credit with respect to shares could be reallocated for U.S. federal income tax purposes,
and CPER could be liable for U.S. federal income tax, if the IRS does not accept the assumptions and conventions applied by CPER
in allocating those items, with potential adverse consequences for an investor.
The U.S.
federal income tax rules pertaining to entities treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes are complex and their
application to large, publicly traded entities, such as CPER, is in many respects uncertain. CPER applies certain assumptions
and conventions in an attempt to comply with the intent of the applicable rules and to report taxable income, gains, deductions,
losses and credits in a manner that properly reflects shareholders’ economic gains and losses. It is possible that the IRS
could successfully challenge the application by CPER of these assumptions and conventions as not fully complying with all aspects
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations, which would
require CPER to reallocate items of income, gain, deduction, loss or credit in a manner that adversely affects investors. If this
occurs, investors may be required to file an amended U.S. federal income tax return and to pay additional taxes, plus deficiency
interest, and may be subject to penalties.
CPER
may be liable for U.S. federal income tax on any “imputed underpayment” of tax resulting from an adjustment as a result
of an IRS audit. The amount of the imputed underpayment generally includes increases in allocations of items of income or gain
to any investor and decreases in allocations of items of deduction, loss, or credit to any investor without any offset for corresponding
reductions in allocations of items of income or gain to any investor or increases in allocations of items of deduction, loss,
or credit to any investor. If CPER is required to pay any U.S. federal income taxes on any imputed underpayment, the resulting
tax liability would reduce the net assets of CPER and would likely have an adverse impact on the value of the shares. Under certain
circumstances, CPER may be eligible to make an election to cause the investors to take into account the amount of any imputed
underpayment, including any associated interest and penalties. The ability of a publicly traded partnership such as CPER to elect
this treatment is uncertain. If the election is made, CPER would be required to provide investors who owned beneficial interests
in the shares in the year to which the adjusted allocations relate with a statement setting forth their proportionate shares of
the adjustment (“Adjusted K-1s”). The investors would be required to take the adjustment into account in the taxable
year in which the Adjusted K-1s are issued.
CPER
could be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which may substantially reduce the value of the shares.
The Trust,
on behalf of CPER, has received an opinion of counsel that, under current U.S. federal income tax laws, CPER will be treated as
a partnership that is not taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, provided that (i) at least 90 percent
of CPER’s annual gross income will be derived from (a) income and gains from commodities (not held as inventory) or futures,
forwards, options, swaps and other notional principal contracts with respect to commodities, and (b) interest income (“qualifying
income”); (ii) the Trust and CPER are organized and operated in accordance with their governing agreements and applicable
law; and (iii) neither the Trust nor CPER elects to be taxed as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Although USCF
anticipates that CPER has satisfied and will continue to satisfy the qualifying income requirement for all taxable years, that
result cannot be assured. CPER has not requested and will not request any ruling from the IRS with respect to its classification
as a partnership not taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If the IRS were to successfully assert that
CPER is taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes in any taxable year, rather than passing through its income,
gains, losses, deductions, and credits proportionately to its shareholders, CPER would be subject to U.S. federal income tax imposed
at corporate rates on its net income for the year. In addition, although USCF does not currently intend to make distributions
with respect to its shares, if CPER were treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, any distributions made
with respect to CPER shares would be taxable to shareholders as dividend income to the extent of CPER’s current and accumulated
earnings and profits. Taxation of the Trust and CPER as corporations could materially reduce the after-tax return on an investment
in shares and could substantially reduce the value of the shares.
The
Trust is organized as a Delaware statutory trust in accordance with the provisions of the Trust Agreement and applicable state
law, but CPER is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and therefore, CPER has a more complex tax treatment
than traditional mutual funds.
The Trust
is organized as a Delaware statutory trust in accordance with the provisions of the Trust Agreement and applicable state law,
but CPER is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. No U.S. federal income tax is paid by CPER on its income.
Instead, CPER will furnish shareholders each year with tax information on IRS Schedules K-1 and/or K-3 (Form 1065) and each U.S.
shareholder is required to report on its U.S. federal income tax return its allocable share of the income, gain, loss, deduction,
and credit of CPER.
These
amounts must be reported without regard to the amount of cash or value of property the shareholder receives (if any) as a distribution
from CPER during the taxable year. A shareholder, therefore, may be allocated income or gain by CPER but receive no cash distribution
with which to pay the tax liability resulting from the allocation, or may receive a distribution that is insufficient to pay such
liability.
In addition
to U.S. federal income taxes, shareholders may be subject to other taxes, such as state and local income taxes, unincorporated
business taxes, business franchise taxes and estate, inheritance or intangible taxes that may be imposed by the various jurisdictions
in which CPER does business or owns property or where the shareholders reside. Although an analysis of those various taxes is
not presented here, each prospective shareholder should consider their potential impact on its investment in CPER. It is each
shareholder’s responsibility to file the appropriate U.S. federal, state, local, and foreign tax returns.
If
CPER is required to withhold tax with respect to any non-U.S. shareholders, the cost of such withholding may be borne by all shareholders.
Under
certain circumstances, CPER may be required to pay withholding tax with respect to allocations to non-U.S. shareholders. Although
the Trust Agreement provides that any such withholding will be treated as being distributed to the non-U.S. shareholder, CPER
may not be able to cause the economic cost of such withholding to be borne by the non-U.S. shareholder on whose behalf such amounts
were withheld since it does not generally expect to make any distributions. Under such circumstances, the economic cost of the
withholding may be borne by all shareholders, not just the shareholders on whose behalf such amounts were withheld. This could
have a material impact on the value of the shares.
The
impact of changes in U.S. federal income tax laws on CPER is uncertain.
In general,
legislative or other actions relating to U.S. federal income taxes could have a negative effect on CPER or its investors. Matters
pertaining to U.S. federal income taxation are constantly under review by persons involved in the legislative process and by the
IRS and the U.S. Treasury Department. The Trump Administration has proposed significant changes to the Code and existing U.S.
federal income tax regulations and there are a number of proposals in Congress that, if enacted, would similarly modify the Code.
The likelihood of any such legislation being enacted is uncertain, but new legislation and any U.S. Treasury regulations, administrative
interpretations or court decisions interpreting such legislation could result in adverse tax consequences to CPER and its investors.
Investors are urged to consult with their tax advisor with respect to the status of legislative, regulatory or administrative
developments and proposals and their potential effect on an investment in CPER shares.
OTC Contract Risk
CPER
will be subject to credit risk with respect to counterparties to OTC contracts entered into by the Trust on behalf of CPER.
CPER faces
the risk of non-performance by the counterparties to its OTC contracts. Unlike in futures contracts, the counterparty to OTC contracts
is generally a single bank or other financial institution, rather than a clearing organization backed by a group of financial
institutions. As a result, there will be greater counterparty credit risk in these transactions. A counterparty may not be able
to meet its obligations to CPER, in which case CPER could suffer significant losses on these contracts. The two-way margining
requirements imposed by U.S. regulators are intended to mitigate this risk.
If a counterparty
becomes bankrupt or otherwise fails to perform its obligations due to financial difficulties, CPER may experience significant
delays in obtaining recovery in a bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding. The Trust on behalf of CPER may obtain only limited
recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances.
CPER mitigates
these risks by typically entering into transactions only with major, global financial institutions.
Valuing
OTC derivatives may be less certain than valuing exchange-traded and/or cleared financial instruments.
In general,
valuing OTC derivatives is less certain than valuing actively traded financial instruments such as exchange-traded futures contracts
and securities or cleared swaps because, for OTC derivatives, the price and terms on which such OTC derivatives are entered into
or can be terminated are individually negotiated, and those prices and terms may not reflect the best price or terms available
from other sources. In addition, while market makers and dealers generally quote indicative prices or terms for entering into
or terminating OTC contracts, they typically are not contractually obligated to do so, particularly if they are not a party to
the transaction. As a result, it may be difficult to obtain an independent value for an outstanding OTC derivatives transaction.
CPER’s
rights under an OTC contract may be restricted by regulations.
Regulations
adopted by global prudential regulators that are now in effect require certain prudentially regulated entities and certain of
their affiliates and subsidiaries (including swap dealers) to include in their derivatives contracts and certain other financial
contracts terms that delay or restrict the rights of counterparties (such as CPER) to terminate such contracts, foreclose upon
collateral, exercise other default rights or restrict transfers of credit support in the event that the prudentially regulated
entity and/or its affiliates are subject to certain types of resolution or insolvency proceedings. Similar regulations and laws
have been adopted in non-U.S. jurisdictions that may apply to CPER’s counterparties located in those jurisdictions. These
requirements could adversely affect CPER’s ability to terminate existing derivatives contracts, exercise default rights,
or satisfy obligations owed to it with collateral received under such contracts if CPER’s counterparty and/or its affiliates
is subject to resolution or insolvency proceedings.
The
use of swap agreements may expose CPER to early termination risk, which could result in significant losses to CPER.
Swap
agreements do not have uniform terms. A swap counterparty may have the right to close out CPER’s position due to the occurrence
of certain events (for example, if CPER defaults on certain terms of the swap agreement, or if there is a material decline in
CPER’s NAV on a particular day) and request immediate payment of amounts owed by CPER under the agreement. If the level
of CPER’s NAV has a dramatic intraday move, the terms of the swap agreement may permit the counterparty to close out a transaction
with CPER at a price calculated by the counterparty that, in good faith, represents such counterparty’s loss, but such loss
may not represent fair market value.
Other Risks
CPER
is not leveraged, but it could become leveraged if it had insufficient assets to completely meet its margin or collateral requirements
relating to its investments.
Although
permitted to do so under its Trust Agreement, CPER has not leveraged, and does not intend to leverage, its assets through borrowings
or otherwise, and CPER makes its investments accordingly. Consistent with the foregoing, CPER’s investments will take into
account the need for CPER to maintain adequate liquidity to meet its margin and collateral requirements and to avoid, to the extent
reasonably possible, CPER becoming leveraged. If market conditions require it, CPER may implement risk reduction procedures, which
may include changes to CPER’s investments, and such changes may occur on short notice.
CPER
does not and will not borrow money or use debt to satisfy its margin or collateral obligations in respect of its investments,
but it could become leveraged if CPER were to hold insufficient assets that would allow it to meet not only the current, but also
future, margin or collateral obligations required for such investments. Such a circumstance could occur if CPER were to hold assets
that have a value of less than zero.
USCF
endeavors to have the value of CPER’s Treasuries, cash and cash equivalents, whether held by CPER or posted as margin or
other collateral, at all times approximate the aggregate market value of its obligations under its Futures Contracts and Other
Copper-Related Investments.
CPER
may temporarily limit the offering of Creation Baskets.
CPER
may determine to limit the issuance of its shares through the offering of Creation Baskets to its Authorized Participants in order
to allow it to reinvest the proceeds from sales of its Creation Baskets in currently permitted assets in a manner that meets its
investment objective. CPER will announce to the market through the filing of a Current Report on Form 8-K if it intends to limit
the offering of Creation Baskets at any time. In such case, orders for Creation Baskets will be considered for acceptance in the
order they are received by CPER and CPER would continue to accept requests for redemption of its shares from Authorized Participants
through Redemption Baskets during the period of the limited offering of Creation Baskets.
CPER
pays fees and expenses that are incurred regardless of whether CPER is profitable.
Unlike
mutual funds, commodity pools or other investment pools that manage their investments in an attempt to realize income and gains
and distribute such income and gains to their investors, CPER generally does not distribute cash to shareholders. You should not
invest in CPER if you will need cash distributions from CPER to pay taxes on your share of income and gains of CPER, if any, or
for any other reason.
You
will have no rights to participate in the management of CPER and will have to rely on the duties and judgment of USCF to manage
CPER.
CPER
is subject to actual and potential inherent conflicts involving USCF, various commodity futures brokers and Authorized Participants.
USCF’s officers, directors and employees do not devote their time exclusively to CPER. USCF’s personnel are directors,
officers or employees of other entities that may compete with CPER for their services, including other commodity pools (funds)
that USCF manages. USCF could have a conflict between its responsibilities to CPER and to those other entities. As a result of
these and other relationships, parties involved with CPER have a financial incentive to act in a manner other than in the best
interest of CPER and the shareholders.
Certain
of CPER’s investments could be illiquid, which could cause large losses to investors at any time or from time to time.
Futures
positions cannot always be liquidated at the desired price. It is difficult to execute a trade at a specific price when there
is a relatively small volume of buy and sell orders in a market. A market disruption, such as war or a foreign government taking
political actions that disrupt the market for its currency, its crude oil production or exports, or another major export, can
also make it difficult to liquidate a position. Because both Eligible Copper Futures Contracts and Other Copper-Related Investments
may be illiquid, CPER’s Copper Interests may be more difficult to liquidate at favorable prices in periods of illiquid markets
and losses may be incurred during the period in which positions are being liquidated. The large size of the positions that CPER
may acquire increases the risk of illiquidity both by making its positions more difficult to liquidate and by potentially increasing
losses while trying to do so.
OTC contracts
that are not subject to clearing may be even less marketable than futures contracts because they are not traded on an exchange,
do not have uniform terms and conditions, and are entered into based upon the creditworthiness of the parties and the availability
of credit support, such as collateral, and in general, they are not transferable without the consent of the counterparty. These
conditions make such contracts less liquid than standardized futures contracts traded on an exchange and could adversely impact
CPER’s ability to realize the full value of such contracts. In addition, even if collateral is used to reduce counterparty
credit risk, sudden changes in the value of OTC transactions may leave a party open to financial risk due to a counterparty default
since the collateral held may not cover a party’s exposure on the transaction in such situations.
CPER
is not actively managed and its investment objective is for the daily percentage change in CPER’s NAV for any period of
30 successive valuation days to be within plus/minus ten percent (10%) of the average daily percentage change in the price of
the SCI over the same period.
CPER
is not actively managed by conventional methods. Accordingly, if CPER’s investments in Copper Interests are declining in
value, in the ordinary course, CPER will not close out such positions except in connection with paying proceeds to an Authorized
Participant upon the redemption of a basket or closing out its positions in Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts and other
permitted investments (i) in connection with the monthly change in the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts; (ii) when
CPER otherwise determines it would be appropriate to do so, e.g., due to regulatory requirements or risk mitigation measures (including
those that may be taken by CPER, CPER’s FCMs, counterparties or other market participants); or (iii) to avoid CPER becoming
leveraged, and it reinvests the proceeds in new Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts or Other Copper-Related Investments
to the extent possible. USCF will seek to cause the NAV of CPER’s shares to track the SCI during periods in which its price
is flat or declining as well as when the price is rising.
CPER’s
ability to invest in the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts could be limited as a result of any or all of the following:
evolving market conditions, a change in regulatory accountability levels and position limits imposed on CPER with respect to its
investment in Futures Contracts, additional or different risk mitigation measures taken by market participants generally, including
CPER, with respect to CPER acquiring additional Futures Contracts, or CPER selling additional shares.
CPER
may not meet the listing standards of NYSE Arca, which would adversely impact an investor’s ability to sell shares.
NYSE
Arca may suspend CPER’s shares from trading on the exchange with or without prior notice to CPER, upon failure of CPER to
comply with the NYSE’s listing requirements, or when in its sole discretion, the NYSE Arca determines that such suspension
of dealings is in the public interest or otherwise warranted. There can be no assurance that the requirements necessary to maintain
the listing of CPER’s shares will continue to be met or will remain unchanged. If CPER were unable to meet the NYSE’s
listing standards and were to become delisted, an investor’s ability to sell its shares would be adversely impacted.
The
NYSE Arca may halt trading in CPER’s shares, which would adversely impact an investor’s ability to sell shares.
Trading
in shares may be halted due to market conditions or, in light of NYSE Arca rules and procedures, for reasons that, in the view
of the NYSE Arca, make trading in shares inadvisable. In addition, trading is subject to trading halts caused by extraordinary
market volatility pursuant to “circuit breaker” rules that require trading to be halted for a specified period based
on a specified market decline.
The
liquidity of CPER’s shares may also be affected by the withdrawal from participation of Authorized Participants, which could
adversely affect the market price of the shares.
In the
event that one or more Authorized Participants which have substantial interests in the shares withdraw from participation, the
liquidity of CPER’s shares will likely decrease, which could adversely affect the market price of the shares and result
in investors incurring a loss on their investment.
Shareholders
that are not Authorized Participants may only purchase or sell their shares in secondary trading markets, and the conditions associated
with trading in secondary markets may adversely affect investors’ investment in the shares.
Only Authorized
Participants may directly purchase shares from, or redeem shares with, CPER through Creation Baskets or Redemption Baskets respectively.
All other investors that desire to purchase or sell shares must do so through NYSE Arca or in other markets, if any, in which
the shares may be traded. Shares may trade at a premium or discount relative to NAV per share.
The
lack of an active trading market for CPER shares may result in losses on an investor’s investment in CPER at the time the
investor sells the shares.
Although
CPER’s shares are listed and traded on the NYSE Arca, there can be no guarantee that an active trading market for the shares
will be maintained. If an investor needs to sell shares at a time when no active trading market for them exists, the price the
investor receives upon sale of the shares, assuming they were able to be sold, likely would be lower than if an active market
existed.
SummerHaven
is leanly staffed and relies heavily on key personnel to manage advisory activities.
SummerHaven
is leanly staffed and relies heavily on key personnel to manage advisory activities. In providing trading advisory services to
CPER with respect to the SCI. SummerHaven relies heavily on Kurt Nelson and Dr. K. Geert Rouwenhorst. Mr. Nelson and Dr. Rouwenhorst
intend to allocate their time to managing the assets of CPER in a manner that they deem appropriate. If such key personnel of
SummerHaven were to leave or be unable to carry out their present responsibilities, it may have an adverse effect on the management
of SummerHaven.
USCF’s
LLC Agreement provides limited authority to the Non-Management Directors, and any Director of USCF may be removed by USCF’s
parent company, which is wholly owned by The Marygold Companies, Inc., a controlled public company where the majority of shares
are owned by Nicholas D. Gerber along with certain of his family members and certain other shareholders.
USCF’s
Board of Directors currently consists of four Management Directors, who are also executive officers or employees of USCF, and
three Non-Management Directors, who are considered independent for purposes of applicable NYSE Arca and SEC rules. Under USCF’s
LLC Agreement, the Non-Management Directors have only such authority as the Management Directors expressly confer upon them, which
means that the Non-Management Directors may have less authority to control the actions of the Management Directors than is typically
the case with the independent members of a company’s Board of Directors. In addition, any Director may be removed by written
consent of USCF Investments, Inc. (“USCF Investments”), formerly Wainwright Holdings, Inc., which is the sole member
of USCF. The sole shareholder of USCF Investments is The Marygold Companies, Inc., formerly Concierge Technologies, Inc. (“Marygold”),
a company publicly traded under the ticker symbol “MGLD.” Mr. Nicholas D. Gerber, along with certain of his family
members and certain other shareholders, owns the majority of the shares in Marygold, which is the sole shareholder of USCF Investments,
the sole member of USCF. Accordingly, although USCF is governed by the USCF Board of Directors, which consists of both Management
Directors and Non-Management Directors, pursuant to the LLC Agreement, it is possible for Mr. Gerber to exercise his indirect
control of USCF Investments to effect the removal of any Director (including the Non-Management Directors which comprise the Audit
Committee) and to replace that Director with another Director. Having control in one person could have a negative impact on USCF
and CPER, including their regulatory obligations.
There
is a risk that CPER will not earn trading gains sufficient to compensate for the fees and expenses that it must pay and as such
CPER may not earn any profit.
CPER
pays brokerage charges of approximately 0.10% of average total net assets based on brokerage fees of $3.00 per buy or sell, management
fees of 0.65% of NAV on its average net assets, and OTC spreads and extraordinary expenses (e.g., subsequent offering expenses,
other expenses not in the ordinary course of business, including the indemnification of any person against liabilities and obligations
to the extent permitted by law and required under the Trust Agreement and under agreements entered into by USCF on CPER’s
behalf and the bringing and defending of actions at law or in equity and otherwise engaging in the conduct of litigation and the
incurring of legal expenses and the settlement of claims and litigation) that cannot be quantified.
These
fees and expenses must be paid in all cases regardless of whether CPER’s activities are profitable. Accordingly, CPER must
earn trading gains sufficient to compensate for these fees and expenses before it can earn any profit.
CPER
is subject to extensive regulatory reporting and compliance.
CPER
is subject to a comprehensive scheme of regulation under U.S. federal commodities and securities laws. CPER could be subject to
sanctions for a failure to comply with those requirements, which could adversely affect its financial performance (in the case
of financial penalties) or ability to pursue its investment objective (in the case of a limitation on its ability to trade).
Because
CPER’s shares are publicly traded, CPER is subject to certain rules and regulations of federal, state and financial market
exchange entities charged with the protection of investors and the oversight of companies whose securities are publicly traded.
These entities include the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (the “PCAOB”), the SEC, the CFTC, the NFA, and
NYSE Arca and these authorities have continued to develop additional regulations or interpretations of existing regulations. CPER’s
ongoing efforts to comply with these regulations and interpretations have resulted in, and may in the futures result in a diversion
of management’s time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance-related activities.
CPER
is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. CPER’s internal control
system is designed to provide reasonable assurance to its management regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published
financial statements. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those
systems determined to be effective may provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.
Fewer
representative commodities may result in greater SCI volatility.
The SCI
is concentrated in terms of the number of commodities represented. Investors should be aware that other commodities indices are
more diversified in terms of both the number and variety of commodities included. Concentration in fewer commodities may result
in a greater degree of volatility in the SCI and the NAV of CPER, which tracks the SCI under specific market conditions and over
time.
Regulatory
changes or actions, including the implementation of new legislation, are impossible to predict but may significantly and adversely
affect CPER.
The futures
markets are subject to comprehensive statutes, regulations, and margin requirements. Such statutes, regulations and requirements
are subject to ongoing modification by governmental and judicial action. This is particularly so whenever there is a change in
presidential administration, which can lead to changes in regulatory priorities and policy. The effect of any future regulatory
change on CPER is impossible to predict, but it could be substantial and adverse. In addition, the CFTC, SEC, futures exchanges,
and other entities are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of a market emergency including, for example, the
retroactive implementation of speculative position limits or higher margin requirements, the establishment of daily price limits
and the suspension of trading.
The
Trust is not a registered investment company so shareholders do not have the protections of the 1940 Act.
The Trust
is not an investment company subject to the 1940 Act. Accordingly, investors do not have the protections afforded by that statute,
which, for example, requires investment companies to have a majority of disinterested directors and regulates the relationship
between the investment company and its investment manager.
Trading
in international markets could expose CPER to credit and regulatory risk.
CPER
invests primarily in Eligible Copper Futures Contracts, a significant portion of which are traded on United States exchanges,
including the COMEX. However, a portion of CPER’s trades may take place on markets and exchanges outside the United States.
Trading on such non-U.S. markets or exchanges presents risks because such markets and exchanges may not be subject to the same
degree of regulation as their U.S. counterparts, including potentially different or diminished investor protections. In trading
contracts denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars, CPER is subject to the risk of adverse exchange-rate movements between
the U.S. dollar and the functional currencies of such contracts. Additionally, trading on non-U.S. exchanges is subject to the
risks presented by exchange controls, expropriation, increased tax burdens and exposure to local economic declines and political
instability. An adverse development with respect to any of these variables could reduce the profit or increase the loss earned
on trades in the affected international markets.
CPER
and USCF may have conflicts of interest, which may permit them to favor their own interests to the detriment of shareholders.
CPER
is subject to actual and potential inherent conflicts involving USCF, various commodity futures brokers and Authorized Participants.
USCF’s officers, directors and employees do not devote their time exclusively to CPER and also are directors, officers or
employees of other entities that may compete with CPER for their services. They could create a conflict between their responsibilities
to CPER and to those other entities. As a result of these and other relationships, parties involved with CPER have a financial
incentive to act in a manner other than in the best interests of CPER and the shareholders. USCF has not established any formal
procedure to resolve conflicts of interest. Consequently, investors are dependent on the good faith of the respective parties
subject to such conflicts of interest to resolve them equitably. Although USCF attempts to monitor these conflicts, it is extremely
difficult, if not impossible, for USCF to ensure that these conflicts do not, in fact, result in adverse consequences to the shareholders.
CPER
may also be subject to certain conflicts with respect to its FCMs, including, but not limited to, conflicts that result from the
FCM receiving greater amounts of compensation from other clients, or purchasing opposite or competing positions on behalf of third-party
accounts traded through the FCMs. In addition, USCF’s principals, officers, directors or employees may trade futures and
related contracts for their own account. A conflict of interest may exist if their trades are in the same markets and at the same
time as CPER trades using the clearing broker to be used by CPER. A potential conflict also may occur if USCF’s principals,
officers, directors or employees trade their accounts more aggressively or take positions in their accounts which are opposite,
or ahead of, the positions taken by CPER.
CPER,
USCF and SummerHaven may have conflicts of interest, which may cause them to favor their own interests to the detriment of shareholders.
CPER,
USCF and SummerHaven may have inherent conflicts to the extent USCF and SummerHaven attempt to maintain CPER’s asset size
in order to preserve its fee income and this may not always be consistent with CPER’s objective of having the value of its
shares’ NAV track changes in the value of the SCI.
USCF’s
and SummerHaven’s officers, directors and employees do not devote their time exclusively to CPER. For example, USCF’s
directors, officers and employees act in such capacity for other entities, including the Related Public Funds that may compete
with CPER for their services. They could have a conflict between their responsibilities to CPER and to the Related Public Funds.
USCF
has sole current authority to manage the investments and operations of CPER. It has delegated management of CPER’s investments
in its Copper Interests to its commodity trading advisor, SummerHaven. This authority to manage the investments and operations
of CPER may allow either USCF or SummerHaven to act in a way that furthers its own interests in conflict with the best interests
of investors. Shareholders have very limited voting rights, which will limit the ability to influence matters such as amending
the Trust Agreement, changing CPER’s basic investment objective, dissolving CPER, or selling or distributing CPER’s
assets.
Shareholders
have only very limited voting rights and have the power to replace USCF only under specific circumstances. Shareholders do not
participate in the management of CPER and do not control USCF, so they do not have any influence over basic matters that affect
CPER.
Shareholders
have very limited voting rights with respect to CPER’s affairs and have none of the statutory rights normally associated
with the ownership of shares of a corporation (including, for example, the right to bring “oppression” or “derivative”
actions). Shareholders may elect a replacement sponsor only if USCF resigns voluntarily or loses its corporate charter. Shareholders
are not permitted to participate in the management or control of CPER or the conduct of its business. Shareholders must therefore
rely upon the duties and judgment of USCF to manage CPER’s affairs.
CPER
could terminate at any time and cause the liquidation and potential loss of an investor’s investment and could upset the
overall maturity and timing of an investor’s investment portfolio.
CPER
may terminate at any time, regardless of whether CPER has incurred losses, subject to the terms of the Trust Agreement. In particular,
unforeseen circumstances, including but not limited to the death, adjudication of incompetence, bankruptcy, dissolution, withdrawal,
or removal of USCF as sponsor of the Trust could cause CPER to terminate unless a successor is appointed in accordance with the
Trust Agreement. In addition, USCF may terminate CPER if it determines that CPER’s aggregate net assets in relation to its
operating expenses make the continued operation of CPER unreasonable or imprudent. However, no level of losses will require USCF
to terminate CPER. CPER’s termination would cause the liquidation of its assets and the distribution of the proceeds thereof,
first to creditors and then to shareholders in accordance with their positive book capital account balances, after giving effect
to all contributions, distributions and allocations for all periods, and CPER could incur losses in liquidating its assets in
connection with a termination. Termination could also negatively affect the overall maturity and timing of an investor’s
investment portfolio.
CPER
does not expect to make cash distributions.
CPER
has not previously made any cash distributions and intends to reinvest any realized gains in additional Copper Interests rather
than distributing cash to shareholders. Therefore, unlike mutual funds, commodity pools or other investment pools that actively
manage their investments in an attempt to realize income and gains from their investing activities and distribute such income
and gains to their investors, CPER generally does not expect to distribute cash. An investor should not invest in CPER if the
investor will need cash distributions from CPER to pay taxes on its share of income and gains of CPER, if any, or for any other
reason. Nonetheless, although CPER does not intend to make cash distributions, the income earned from its investments held directly
or posted as margin may reach levels that merit distribution, e.g., at levels where such income is not necessary to support
its underlying investments in Copper Interests and investors adversely react to being taxed on such income without receiving distributions
that could be used to pay such tax. If this income becomes significant then cash distributions may be made.
An
unanticipated number of Redemption Basket requests during a short period of time could have an adverse effect on CPER’s
NAV.
If a
substantial number of requests for redemption of Redemption Baskets are received by CPER during a relatively short period of time,
CPER may not be able to satisfy the requests from CPER assets not committed to trading. As a consequence, it could be necessary
to liquidate positions in CPER’s trading positions before the time that the trading strategies would otherwise dictate liquidation.
The
suspension in the ability of Authorized Participants to purchase Creation Baskets could cause CPER’s NAV to differ materially
from its trading price.
In the
event that there was a suspension in the ability of Authorized Participants to purchase additional Creation Baskets, Authorized
Participants and other groups that make a market in shares of CPER would likely still continue to actively trade the shares. However,
in such a situation, Authorized Participants and other market makers may seek to adjust the market they make in the shares. Specifically,
such market participants may increase the spread between the prices that they quote for offers to buy and sell shares to allow
them to adjust to the potential uncertainty as to when they might be able to purchase additional Creation Baskets of shares. In
addition, Authorized Participants may be less willing to offer to quote offers to buy or sell shares in large numbers. The potential
impact of either wider spreads between bid and offer prices, or a reduced number of shares on which quotes may be available, could
increase the trading costs to investors in CPER compared to the quotes and the number of shares on which bids and offers are made
if the Authorized Participants still were able to freely create new baskets of shares. In addition, there could be a significant
variation between the market price at which shares are traded and the shares’ NAV, which is also the price at which shares
can be redeemed with CPER by Authorized Participants in Redemption Baskets.
The foregoing
could also create significant deviations from CPER’s investment objective. Any potential impact to the market for shares
of CPER that could occur from an Authorized Participant’s inability to create new baskets would likely not extend beyond
the time when CPER resumes selling Creation Baskets.
CPER
may determine that, to allow it to reinvest the proceeds from sales of its Creation Baskets in currently permitted assets in a
manner that meets its investment objective, it may limit or suspend its offers of Creation Baskets.
CPER
may determine to limit the issuance of its shares through the offering of Creation Baskets to its Authorized Participants. As
a result of certain circumstances described herein, including (1) the need to comply with regulatory requirements (including,
but not limited to, exchange accountability levels and position limits as well as statutory or regulatory limits); (2) market
conditions (including but not limited to those allowing CPER to obtain greater liquidity or to execute transactions with more
favorable pricing); and (3) risk mitigation measures (including those that may be taken by CPER, CPER’s FCMs, counterparties
or other market participants) that limit CPER and other market participants from investing in particular copper futures contracts,
CPER’s management may determine that it will limit the issuance of shares and the offerings of Creation Baskets because
it is unable to invest the proceeds from such offerings in investments that would permit it to reasonably meet its investment
objective.
If such
a determination is made, the same consequences associated with a suspension of the offering of Creation Baskets, as described
in the foregoing risk factor, “The suspension in the ability of Authorized Participants to purchase Creation Baskets
could cause CPER’s NAV to differ materially from its trading price,” could also occur as a result of
CPER determining to limit the offering of Creation Baskets.
CPER
may be subject to interest rate risk, which may prevent CPER from investing fully at prevailing rates until any current investments
in Treasuries mature in order to avoid selling those investments at a loss.
Interest
rate risk is the risk that fixed income securities and other investments in CPER’s portfolio will fluctuate in value because
of a change in interest rates. Interest rate changes can be sudden and unpredictable, and CPER may lose money because of movements
in interest rates. When interest rates rise, the value of fixed income securities typically falls. In a rising interest rate environment,
CPER may not be able to fully invest at prevailing rates until any current investments in Treasuries mature in order to avoid
selling those investments at a loss. Interest rate risk is generally lower for shorter term investments and higher for longer
term investments. In addition, in rising interest rate environments, it is possible that the Treasuries held by CPER will decline
in value. When interest rates fall, CPER may be required to reinvest the proceeds from the sale, redemption or early prepayment
of a Treasury Bill or money market security at a lower interest rate.
As
inflation increases, the present value of CPER’s assets may decline.
Inflation
is a general increase in the overall price level of goods and services in the economy. The United States Federal Reserve has a
stated goal of maintaining a two percent increase in inflation over the long run, as measured by the annual change in the price
index for personal consumption expenditures.
Following
the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States experienced inflation above the Federal Reserve’s stated two percent goal. Other
world economies similarly experienced elevated inflation rates. The Federal Reserve increased interest rates and successfully
reduced inflation so that it is close to the stated two percent goal. As a result, in 2024, the Federal Reserve began reducing
interest rates. However, the rate of inflation in the United States is still above the stated two percent goal. Inflation has
the effect of eroding the value of cash or bonds. In a high inflation environment, the value of CPER’s cash and Treasury
investments may decline.
CPER
may potentially lose money by investing in government money market funds.
CPER invests
in government money market funds. Although such government money market funds seek to preserve the value of an investment at $1.00
per share, there is no guarantee that they will be able to do so and CPER may lose money by investing in a government money market
fund. An investment in a government money market fund is not insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
(the “FDIC”) or any other government agency. The share price of a government money market fund can fall below the
$1.00 share price. CPER cannot rely on or expect a government money market fund’s adviser or its affiliates to enter into
support agreements or take other actions to maintain the government money market fund’s $1.00 share price. The credit quality
of a government money market fund’s holdings can change rapidly in certain markets, and the default of a single holding
could have an adverse impact on the government money market fund’s share price. Due to fluctuations in interest rates, the
market value of securities held by a government money market fund may vary. A government money market fund’s share price
can also be negatively affected during periods of high redemption pressures and/or illiquid markets.
The
failure or bankruptcy of a clearing broker could result in a substantial loss of CPER’s assets and could impair CPER in
its ability to execute trades.
The CEA
and CFTC regulations impose several requirements on FCMs and clearing houses that are designed to protect customers, including
mandating the implementation of risk management programs, internal monitoring and controls, capital and liquidity standards, customer
disclosures, and auditing and examination programs. In particular, the CEA and CFTC regulations require FCMs and clearing houses
to segregate all funds received from customers from proprietary assets. There can be no assurance that the requirements imposed
by the CEA and CFTC regulations will prevent losses to, or not materially adversely affect, CPER or its investors.
In particular,
in the event of an FCM’s or clearing house’s bankruptcy, CPER could be limited to recovering either a pro rata share
of all available funds segregated on behalf of the FCM’s combined customer accounts or CPER may not recover any assets at
all. CPER may also incur a loss of any unrealized profits on its open and closed positions. This is because if such a bankruptcy
were to occur, CPER would be afforded the protections granted to customers of an FCM, and participants to transactions cleared
through a clearing house, under the United States Bankruptcy Code and applicable CFTC regulations. Such provisions generally provide
for a pro rata distribution to customers of customer property held by the bankrupt FCM or an Exchange’s clearing house if
the customer property held by the FCM or the Exchange’s clearing house is insufficient to satisfy all customer claims.
Bankruptcy
of a clearing FCM can be caused by, among other things, the default of one of the FCM’s customers. In this event, the Exchange’s
clearing house is permitted to use the entire amount of margin posted by CPER (as well as margin posted by other customers of
the FCM) to cover the amounts owed by the bankrupt FCM. Consequently, CPER could be unable to recover amounts due to it on its
futures positions, including assets posted as margin, and could sustain substantial losses.
Notwithstanding
that CPER could sustain losses upon the failure or bankruptcy of its FCM, the majority of CPER’s assets are held in Treasuries,
cash and/or cash equivalents with CPER’s Custodian and would not be impacted by the bankruptcy of an FCM.
The
failure or bankruptcy of CPER’s Custodian could result in a substantial loss of CPER’s assets.
The majority
of CPER’s assets are held in Treasuries, cash and/or cash equivalents with the Custodian. The insolvency of the Custodian
could result in a complete loss of CPER’s assets held by that Custodian, which, at any given time, would likely comprise
a substantial portion of CPER’s total assets.
The
liability of SHIM and SummerHaven is limited, and the value of the shares may be adversely affected if USCF and CPER are required
to indemnify SHIM and/or SummerHaven.
Under
the licensing agreement among SHIM, SummerHaven, and USCF, and the advisory agreement between SummerHaven and USCF, none of SHIM,
SummerHaven and its affiliates, nor any of their respective officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees and
any person who controls SHIM or SummerHaven is liable to USCF or CPER absent willful misconduct, gross negligence, bad faith,
or material breaches of applicable law or the applicable agreement on the part of SHIM or SummerHaven. In addition, SHIM, SummerHaven
and its officers, directors, shareholders, members, partners, employees and any person who controls SHIM or SummerHaven or their
representatives, agents, attorneys, service providers, successors and assigns have the right to be indemnified, defended and held
harmless from and against any and all claims, liabilities, obligations, judgments, causes of action, costs and expenses (including
reasonable attorneys’ fees) (collectively, “Losses”) in connection with or arising out of the licensing agreement
or advisory agreement, unless such Losses result from any willful misconduct, gross negligence or bad faith on the part of SHIM,
SummerHaven, or a material breach by USCF of applicable law or the applicable agreement. Furthermore, SHIM, SummerHaven will not
be liable to USCF or CPER for any indirect, incidental, special or consequential damages, even if SHIM, SummerHaven or an authorized
representative of SHIM, SummerHaven has been advised of the possibility of such damages.
The
liability of USCF and the Trustee are limited, and the value of the shares will be adversely affected if CPER is required to indemnify
the Trustee or USCF.
Under
the Trust Agreement, the Trustee and USCF are not liable, and have the right to be indemnified, for any liability or expense incurred
absent gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Trustee or USCF or breach by USCF of the Trust Agreement, as
the case may be. As a result, USCF may require the assets of CPER to be sold in order to cover losses or liability suffered by
it or by the Trustee. Any sale of that kind would reduce the NAV of CPER and the value of its shares.
Although
the shares of CPER are limited liability investments, certain circumstances such as bankruptcy or indemnification of CPER by a
shareholder will increase the shareholder’s liability.
The shares
of CPER are limited liability investments; shareholders may not lose more than the amount that they invest plus any profits recognized
on their investment. However, shareholders could be required, as a matter of bankruptcy law, to return to the estate of CPER any
distribution they received at a time when CPER was in fact insolvent or in violation of its Trust Agreement. In addition, a number
of states do not have “statutory trust” statutes such as the Delaware statutes under which the Trust has been formed
in the State of Delaware. It is possible that a court in such state could hold that, due to the absence of any statutory provision
to the contrary in such jurisdiction, the shareholders, although entitled under Delaware law to the same limitation on personal
liability as stockholders in a private corporation for profit organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, are not so entitled
in such state. Finally, in the event the Trust or CPER is made a party to any claim, dispute, demand or litigation or otherwise
incurs any liability or expense as a result of or in connection with any shareholder’s (or assignee’s) obligations
or liabilities unrelated to the business of the Trust or CPER, as applicable, such shareholder (or assignees cumulatively) is
required under the Trust Agreement to indemnify the Trust or CPER, as applicable, for all such liability and expense incurred,
including attorneys’ and accountants’ fees.
Investors
cannot be assured of the continuation of the agreement between SHIM and USCF for use of the SCI, and discontinuance of the SCI
may be detrimental to CPER.
Investors
cannot be assured that the license agreement between SHIM and USCF for use of the SCI will continue for any length of time. Should
the agreement between SHIM and USCF for use of the SCI be terminated, USCF will be required to find a replacement index, which
may have an adverse effect on CPER.
Investors
cannot be assured of SummerHaven’s continued services, and discontinuance may be detrimental to CPER.
Investors
cannot be assured that SummerHaven will be willing or able to continue to service CPER for any length of time. SummerHaven was
formed for the purpose of providing investment advisory services, and provides these services to CPER on a contractual basis pursuant
to a licensing agreement and an advisory agreement. If SummerHaven discontinues its activities on behalf of CPER, CPER may be
adversely affected. If SummerHaven’s registration with the CFTC or membership in the NFA were revoked or suspended, SummerHaven
would no longer be able to provide services to CPER.
CPER
is a series of the Trust and, as a result, a court could potentially conclude that the assets and liabilities of CPER are not
segregated from those of another series of the Trust, thereby potentially exposing assets in CPER to the liabilities of another
series of the Trust.
CPER
is a series of a Delaware statutory trust and not itself a separate legal entity. The Delaware Statutory Trust Act provides that
if certain provisions are included in the formation and governing documents of a statutory trust organized in series and if separate
and distinct records are maintained for any series and the assets associated with that series are held in separate and distinct
records and are accounted for in such separate and distinct records separately from the other assets of the statutory trust, or
any series thereof, then the debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred by a particular series are enforceable against
the assets of such series only, and not against the assets of the statutory trust generally or any other series thereof. Conversely,
none of the debts, liabilities, obligations and expenses incurred with respect to any other series thereof shall be enforceable
against the assets of such series. USCF is not aware of any court case that has interpreted this Inter-Series Limitation on Liability
or provided any guidance as to what is required for compliance. USCF intends to maintain separate and distinct records for CPER
and account for CPER separately from any other series of the Trust, but it is possible a court could conclude that the methods
used do not satisfy the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, which would potentially expose assets in one series to the liabilities of
another series of the Trust.
The
Trust Agreement limits the forum in which claims may be brought against USCF, the Trust, the Trustee or their respective directors
and officers.
The rights
of USCF, the Trust, CPER, DTC (as registered owner of CPER’s global certificate for shares) and the shareholders are governed
by the laws of the State of Delaware. USCF, the Trust, CPER and DTC and, by accepting shares, each DTC Participant and each shareholder,
consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware and any federal courts located in Delaware other
than for a person to assert a claim of Delaware jurisdiction over USCF, the Trust or CPER. As a result, any claims, suits, actions
or proceedings arising out of or relating in any way to the 1933 Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934
Act”), the Trust, the Delaware Statutory Trust Act (the “Trust Act”), the Trust Agreement or asserting a claim
governed by the internal affairs (or similar) doctrine (including, without limitation, any claims, suits, actions or proceedings
to interpret, apply or enforce (i) the provisions of the Trust Agreement, or (ii) the duties (including fiduciary duties), obligations
or liabilities of the Trust to USCF, the shareholders or the Trustee, or of USCF or the Trustee to the Trust, to the shareholders
or each other, or (iii) the rights or powers of, or restrictions on, the Trust, the Trustee or the shareholders, or (iv) any provision
of the Trust Act or other laws of the State of Delaware pertaining to trusts made applicable to the Trust pursuant to the Trust
Act, or (v) any other instrument, document, agreement or certificate contemplated by any provision of the Trust Act or the Trust
Agreement relating in any way to the Trust, shall be exclusively brought in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or,
if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction thereof, any other court in the State of Delaware with subject matter
jurisdiction.
We believe
this provision benefits us and the shareholders: (1) by having disputes resolved by a forum with the experience and established
precedent for resolving these types of disputes under Delaware law, (2) by providing increased consistency in the application
of Delaware law in the types of lawsuits to which it applies, and, (3) as a result of the foregoing, limiting the time cost and
uncertainty of litigation. However, this provision may limit the right of CPER’s shareholders to bring a claim in a judicial
forum they believe is more favorable for its disputes against USCF, the Trust, or the Trustee. In addition, it may have the effect
of discouraging lawsuits against USCF, the Trust, the Trustee, or their respective directors and officers. Although the Trust
Agreement contains the exclusive choice of forum provision described above and such provisions are expressly permitted under the
Trust Act, there are no court cases that we are aware of that have interpreted the Trust Act in this regard and thus, it is possible
that a court could rule that such a provision is inapplicable for a particular claim or action or that such provision is unenforceable.
With the validity and enforceability of exclusive forum selection provisions still somewhat in question outside of the State of
Delaware, there may be increased litigation over such provisions. Challenging shareholders might bring actions in courts outside
of Delaware to attack a forum selection clause that specifies Delaware as the exclusive jurisdiction. A non-Delaware court could
view negatively a forum selection clause in favor of Delaware, in particular, because such a provision may appear to divest the
non-Delaware court of its legal jurisdiction.
Section
27 of the 1934 Act vests exclusive federal jurisdiction for all claims brought to enforce any duty or liability created under
the 1934 Act. Therefore, any exclusive forum selection clauses will not apply to any such claim. In addition, Section 22 of the
1933 Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability
created by the 1933 Act or the rules and regulations thereunder. As a result, there is uncertainty as to whether a court would
enforce an exclusive forum selection clause in connection with claims arising under the 1933 Act and/or the 1934 Act, and the
rules and regulations thereunder, and in any event, stockholders will not be deemed to have waived the Trust’s compliance
with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.
USCF
and the Trustee are not obligated to prosecute any action, suit or other proceeding in respect of any CPER property.
Neither
USCF nor the Trustee is obligated to, although each may in its respective discretion, prosecute any action, suit or other proceeding
in respect of CPER property. The Trust Agreement does not confer upon shareholders the right to prosecute any such action, suit
or other proceeding.
Competing
claims of intellectual property rights may adversely affect CPER and an investment in CPER’s shares.
USCF
believes that it has properly licensed or obtained the appropriate consent of all necessary parties with respect to intellectual
property rights. However, other third parties could allege ownership as to such rights and may bring legal action asserting their
claims. The expenses in litigating, negotiating, cross-licensing or otherwise settling such claims may adversely affect CPER.
Additionally, as a result of such action, CPER could potentially change its investment objective, strategies or benchmark. Each
of these factors could have a negative impact on the performance of CPER.
Due
to the increased use of technologies, intentional and unintentional cyber-attacks pose operational and information security risks.
With
the increased use of technologies such as the internet and the dependence on computer systems to perform necessary business functions,
CPER is susceptible to operational and information security risks. In general, cyber incidents can result from deliberate attacks
or unintentional events such as a cyber-attack against CPER, a natural catastrophe, an industrial accident, failure of CPER’s
disaster recovery systems, or consequential employee error. Cyber-attacks include, but are not limited to, gaining unauthorized
access to digital systems for purposes of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data, or causing operational
disruption. Cyber-attacks may also be carried out in a manner that does not require gaining unauthorized access, such as causing
denial-of-service attacks on websites. Cyber security failures or breaches of CPER’s clearing broker or third party service
provider (including, but not limited to, index providers, the administrator and transfer agent, the custodian), have the ability
to cause disruptions and impact business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses, the inability of CPER shareholders
to transact business, violations of applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement
or other compensation costs, and/or additional compliance costs. Adverse effects can become particularly acute if those events
affect CPER’s electronic data processing, transmission, storage, and retrieval systems, or impact the availability, integrity,
or confidentiality of our data. In addition, a service provider that has experienced a cyber-security incident may divert resources
normally devoted to servicing CPER to addressing the incident, which would be likely to have an adverse effect on CPER’s
operations. Cyber-attacks may also cause disruptions to the futures exchanges and clearinghouses through which CPER invests in
futures contracts, which could result in disruptions to CPER’s ability to pursue its investment objective, resulting in
financial losses to CPER and its shareholders.
In addition,
substantial costs may be incurred in order to prevent any cyber incidents in the future. CPER and its shareholders could be negatively
impacted as a result. While USCF and the Related Public Funds, including CPER, have established business continuity plans, there
are inherent limitations in such plans, including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified or that new risks
will emerge before countervailing measures can be implemented. Furthermore, CPER cannot control cybersecurity plans and systems
of its service providers, market makers or Authorized Participants.
CPER’s
investment returns could be negatively affected by climate change and greenhouse gas restrictions.
Driven
by concern over the risks of climate change, a number of countries have adopted, or are considering the adoption of, regulatory
frameworks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or production and use of oil and gas. These include adoption of cap and trade regimes,
carbon taxes, trade tariffs, minimum renewable usage requirements, restrictive permitting, increased efficiency standards, and
incentives or mandates for renewable energy. Political and other actors and their agents increasingly seek to advance climate
change objectives indirectly, such as by seeking to reduce the availability of or increase the cost for, financial and investment
in the oil and gas sector and taking actions intended to promote changes in business strategy for oil and gas companies. Many
governments are also providing tax advantages and other subsidies to support transitioning to alternative energy sources or mandating
the use of specific fuels other than oil or natural gas. Depending on how policies are formulated and applied, they could have
the potential to negatively affect CPER’s investment returns and make oil and natural gas products more expensive or less
competitive.
USCF
is the subject of class action, derivative, and other litigation. In light of the inherent uncertainties involved in litigation
matters, an adverse outcome in this litigation could materially adversely affect USCF’s financial condition.
USCF
and USCF’s directors and certain of its officers are currently subject to litigation. Estimating an amount or range of possible
losses resulting from litigation proceedings to USCF is inherently difficult and requires an extensive degree of judgment, particularly
where the matters involve indeterminate claims for monetary damages and are subject to appeal. In addition, because most legal
proceedings are resolved over extended periods of time, potential losses are subject to change due to, among other things, new
developments, changes in legal strategy, the outcome of intermediate procedural and substantive rulings and other parties’
settlement posture and their evaluation of the strength or weakness of their case against USCF. For these reasons, we are currently
unable to predict the ultimate timing or outcome of, or reasonably estimate the possible losses or a range of possible losses
resulting therefrom. In light of the inherent uncertainties involved in such matters, an adverse outcome in this litigation could
materially adversely affect USCF’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows in any particular reporting
period. In addition, litigation could result in substantial costs and divert USCF’s management’s attention and resources
from conducting USCF’s operations, including the management of CPER and the Related Public Funds.
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION ABOUT CPER, ITS INVESTMENT OBJECTIVE AND INVESTMENTS
CPER
is a series of the Trust. The Trust operates pursuant to the terms of the Fourth Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and
Trust Agreement dated as of December 15, 2017 (“Trust Agreement”), which grants full management control of CPER to
USCF. CPER maintains its main business office at 1850 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Suite 640, Walnut Creek, California 94596.
The net
assets of CPER consist primarily of investments in Eligible Copper Futures Contracts and, to a lesser extent, in order to comply
with regulatory requirements, risk mitigation measures (including those that may be taken by CPER, CPER’s FCMs, counterparties
or other market participants), liquidity requirements, or in view of market conditions, Other Copper-Related Investments. Market
conditions that USCF currently anticipates could cause CPER to invest in Other Copper-Related Investments include those allowing
CPER to obtain greater liquidity or to execute transactions with more favorable pricing.
CPER
invests substantially the entire amount of its assets in Eligible Copper Futures Contracts while supporting such investments by
holding the amounts of its margin, collateral and other requirements relating to these obligations in short-term obligations of
the United States of two years or less (“Treasuries”), cash and cash equivalents.
The daily
holdings of CPER are available on CPER’s website at www.uscfinvestments.com. The end of day portfolio disclosed
on CPER’s website would reflect any investments in Eligible Copper Futures Contracts beyond the Benchmark Component Copper
Futures Contracts, and Other Copper-Related Investments, including any made in light of market conditions, regulatory requirements,
risk mitigation measures (including those that may be taken by CPER, CPER’s FCM’s, counterparties or other market
participants), liquidity requirements, or other factors. Independent of the CPER website CPER may make available portfolio holdings
information to Authorized Participants that reflects CPER’s anticipated holdings on the following business day.
CPER
invests in Copper Interests to the fullest extent possible without being leveraged or unable to satisfy its current or potential
margin or collateral obligations with respect to its investments in Copper Interests. In pursuing this objective, the primary
focus of USCF is the investment in Eligible Copper Futures Contracts and the management of CPER’s investments in Treasuries,
cash and/or cash equivalents for margining purposes and as collateral.
CPER
seeks to invest in a combination of Copper Interests such that the daily changes in its NAV, measured in percentage terms, will
closely track the daily changes in the price of the SCI, also measured in percentage terms. As a specific benchmark, USCF endeavors
to place CPER’s trades in Copper Interests and otherwise manage CPER’s investments so that “A” will be
within plus/minus ten percent (10%) of “B”, where:
| · | A
is the average daily percentage change in CPER’s per share NAV for any period of
30 successive valuation days, i.e., any NYSE Arca trading day as of which CPER
calculates its per share NAV, and |
| · | B
is the average daily percentage change in the price of the SCI over the same period. |
USCF
believes that market arbitrage opportunities will cause the daily changes in CPER’s share price on the NYSE Arca on a percentage
basis to closely track the daily changes in CPER’s per share NAV. USCF further believes that the daily changes in CPER’s
NAV in percentage terms will closely track the daily changes in percentage terms in the SCI, less CPER’s expenses. However,
investors should be aware that CPER would meet its investment objective even if there are significant deviations between changes
in its daily NAV and changes in the daily price of the SCI, provided that the average daily percentage change in CPER’s
NAV over 30 successive valuation days is within plus/minus ten percent (10%) of the average daily percentage change in the price
of the SCI over the same period.
The following
two charts demonstrate the correlation between the changes in CPER’s NAV and the changes in the Benchmark Component Copper
Futures Contracts. The first chart below shows the daily movement of CPER’s per share NAV versus the daily movement of the
SCI for the 30-valuation day period ended December 31, 2024. The second chart below shows the monthly total return of CPER as
compared to the monthly value of the SCI for the previous five years and the period ended December 31, 2024.
*PAST
PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS
*PAST
PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS

USCF employs
a “neutral” investment strategy intended to track the changes in the SCI regardless of whether the SCI goes up or
goes down. CPER’s “neutral” investment strategy is designed to permit investors generally to purchase and sell
CPER’s shares for the purpose of investing indirectly in the copper market in a cost-effective manner, and/or to permit
participants in the copper or other industries to hedge the risk of losses in their copper-related transactions. Accordingly,
depending on the investment objective of an individual investor, the risks generally associated with investing in the copper market
and/or the risks involved in hedging may exist. In addition, an investment in CPER involves the risk that the daily changes in
the price of CPER’s shares, in percentage terms, will not accurately track the daily changes in the SCI, in percentage terms,
and that daily changes in the SCI, in percentage terms, will not closely correlate with daily changes in the spot prices of the
commodities underlying the SCI, in percentage terms.
An alternative
tracking measurement of the return performance of CPER versus the return of the SCI can be calculated by comparing the actual
return of CPER, measured by changes in its per share NAV, versus the expected changes in its per share NAV under the assumption
that CPER’s returns had been exactly the same as the daily changes in the price of the SCI.
For the
year ended December 31, 2024, the actual total return of CPER as measured by changes in its per share NAV was 4.69%. This is based
on an initial per share NAV of $24.10 as of December 31, 2023 and an ending per share NAV as of December 31, 2024 of $25.23. During
this time period, CPER made no distributions to its shareholders. However, if CPER’s daily changes in its per share NAV
had instead exactly tracked the changes in the daily total return of the SCI, CPER would have had an estimated per share NAV of
$25.48 as of December 31, 2024, for a total return over the relevant time period of 5.73%. The difference between the actual per
share NAV total return of CPER of 4.69% and the expected total return based on the SCI of 5.73% was a difference over the time
period of (1.04)%, which is to say that CPER’s actual total return underperformed its benchmark by that percentage. CPER
incurs expenses primarily composed of the management fee, brokerage commissions for the buying and selling of futures contracts,
and other expenses. The impact of these expenses, offset by interest and dividend income, and net of positive or negative execution,
tends to cause daily changes in the per share NAV of CPER to track slightly lower or higher than daily changes in the price of
the SCI.
What is the SCI?
The SCI
is a single-commodity index designed to be an investment benchmark for copper as an asset class. The SCI is composed of copper
futures contracts on the COMEX exchange. The SCI attempts to maximize backwardation and minimize contango while utilizing contracts
in liquid portions of the futures curve.
The SCI
is rules-based and is rebalanced monthly based on observable price signals described below in the section “Contract Selection
and Weighting.” In this context, the term “rules-based” is meant to indicate that the composition of the SCI
in any given month will be determined by quantitative formulas relating to the prices of the futures contracts that are included
in the SCI. Such formulas are not subject to adjustment based on other factors.
THE SCI
IS THE EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF SHIM, WHICH HAS LICENSED CERTAIN TRADEMARKS, SERVICE MARKS AND TRADE NAMES AND THE INDEX FOR USE
BY USCF. SHIM IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR DETERMINING THE SECURITIES INCLUDED IN, AND THE CALCULATION OF, THE SCI. NEITHER SHIM
NOR ITS AFFILIATES MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING THE APPROPRIATENESS OF CPER’s INVESTMENTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRACKING
THE PERFORMANCE OF THE SCI OR OTHERWISE.
For additional
information regarding the SCI, see “Additional Information About the SCI and CPER’s Trading Program” on page
80.
Rebalancing Period
The SCI
is rebalanced during the 11th through 14th business days of each calendar month, when existing positions are placed by new positions
and weightings based on the signals used for contract selection on 10th business day of the calendar month as outlined above.
Changes to the SCI effective
on December 31, 2020
Previously,
the SCI could have been comprised of two or three Eligible Copper Futures Contracts. Beginning with the commodity selection process
that was scheduled to occur on December 31, 2020, the rebalancing period for the SCI changed from the first four business days
of each month to the 11th-14th business days of each month, based on signals used for contract selection on the 10th business
day of each month, rather than the last business day of each month. In addition, commencing with the first commodity selection
date occurring after the change: the SCI was revised as follows: the number of Eligible Copper Futures Contracts was reduced,
and the SCI itself is now comprised of one or three Eligible Copper Futures Contracts. Previously, the SCI could have comprised
of two or three Eligible Copper Futures Contracts. These revisions to the composition of the SCI are intended to ensure that the
SCI components at any given time represent copper futures contracts for which there is an active and liquid trading market.
In light
of the aforementioned changes to the composition of the SCI, the tables and charts below reflect actual and hypothetical past
performance of the SCI as well as hypothetical past performance for the SCI had the aforementioned changes to the SCI been effective
during the relevant periods.
The table
and chart below show the hypothetical performance of the SCI from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2024.
HYPOTHETICAL
PERFORMANCE RESULTS HAVE MANY INHERENT LIMITATIONS, SOME OF WHICH ARE DESCRIBED BELOW. NO REPRESENTATION IS BEING MADE THAT CPER
WILL OR IS LIKELY TO ACHIEVE PROFITS OR LOSSES SIMILAR TO THOSE SHOWN. IN FACT, THERE ARE FREQUENTLY SHARP DIFFERENCES BETWEEN
HYPOTHETICAL PERFORMANCE RESULTS AND THE ACTUAL RESULTS ACHIEVED BY ANY PARTICULAR TRADING PROGRAM.
ONE
OF THE LIMITATIONS OF HYPOTHETICAL PERFORMANCE RESULTS IS THAT THEY ARE GENERALLY PREPARED WITH THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT. IN ADDITION,
HYPOTHETICAL TRADING DOES NOT INVOLVE FINANCIAL RISK, AND NO HYPOTHETICAL TRADING RECORD CAN COMPLETELY ACCOUNT FOR THE IMPACT
OF FINANCIAL RISK IN ACTUAL TRADING.
FOR
EXAMPLE, THE ABILITY TO WITHSTAND LOSSES OR TO ADHERE TO A PARTICULAR TRADING PROGRAM IN SPITE OF TRADING LOSSES ARE MATERIAL
POINTS WHICH CAN ALSO ADVERSELY AFFECT ACTUAL TRADING RESULTS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER FACTORS RELATED TO THE MARKETS IN GENERAL
OR TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ANY SPECIFIC TRADING PROGRAM WHICH CANNOT BE FULLY ACCOUNTED FOR IN THE PREPARATION OF HYPOTHETICAL
PERFORMANCE RESULTS AND ALL OF WHICH CAN ADVERSELY AFFECT ACTUAL TRADING RESULTS.
The table
below reflects how the SCI performed from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2024 during the entirety of such time period. The
performance data does not reflect any reinvestment or distribution of profits, commission charges, management fees or other expenses
that would have been incurred in connection with operating and managing a commodity pool designed to track the SCI. Such fees
and expenses would reduce the performance returns shown in the table below.
*PAST
PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS
Hypothetical
Performance Results* for the SCI for the period from January 1, 2014 through December 31, 2024
Year | |
Ending Level* | | |
Annual Return | |
2014 | |
| 937.33 | | |
| (15.88 | )% |
2015 | |
| 704.39 | | |
| (24.85 | )% |
2016 | |
| 815.94 | | |
| 15.84 | % |
2017 | |
| 1,069.01 | | |
| 31.02 | % |
2018 | |
| 842.94 | | |
| (21.15 | )% |
2019 | |
| 905.32 | | |
| 7.40 | % |
2020 | |
| 1,124.23 | | |
| 24.18 | % |
2021 | |
| 1,422.52 | | |
| 26.53 | % |
2022 | |
| 1,222.97 | | |
| (14.03 | )% |
2023 | |
| 1,294.82 | | |
| 5.88 | % |
2024 | |
| 1,369.05 | | |
| 5.73 | % |
| * | The
“base level” for the SCI was set at 100 on January 2, 1991. The “Ending
Level” represents the value of the components of the SCI on the last trading day
of each year and is used to illustrate the cumulative performance of the SCI. |
*PAST
PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS
SummerHaven
Copper Index (“SCI”) Year-Over-Year
Hypothetical Total Returns (1/1/2014 – 12/31/2024 YTD)

Source: SummerHaven Index
Management, Bloomberg
The following
table compares the hypothetical total return of the SCI in comparison with the actual total return a major index and spot copper
prices (less storage cost) from December 31, 1997 through December 31, 2024.
*PAST
PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS
The following
table compares the hypothetical total return of the SCI in comparison with the actual total return a major index and spot copper
prices (less storage cost) from December 31, 1997 through December 31, 2024.
| |
Hypothetical and Historical Results for the period from December 31, 1997 through December 31, 2024 | |
| |
BCOM Copper TR | | |
Spot Copper (less storage) | | |
SCI TR Actual | |
Total return | |
| 474.86 | % | |
| 141.98 | % | |
| 774.23 | % |
Average annualized return (total) | |
| 11.80 | % | |
| 8.13 | % | |
| 13.84 | % |
Annualized volatility | |
| 25.34 | % | |
| 24.25 | % | |
| 24.65 | % |
Annualized Sharpe ratio | |
| 0.39 | | |
| 0.25 | | |
| 0.47 | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Source: SHIM, Bloomberg
The table
above shows the performance of the SCI from December 31, 1997 through December 31, 2024 in comparison with a traditional commodity
index and spot copper prices: the Bloomberg Copper Subindex Total ReturnSM and spot copper prices less warehouse storage
rents. The Bloomberg Copper Subindex Total ReturnSM includes the contract in the Bloomberg Commodity Index Total Return
that relates to a single commodity, copper (currently the Copper High Grade futures contract traded on the COMEX). The data for
the SCI Total Return Index is derived by using the SCI’s calculation methodology with historical prices for the futures
contracts comprising the SCI. The information about the index above comes from publicly-available material about such index but
is not designed to provide a thorough overview of the methodology of such index.
The index
noted above does not have investment objectives identical to the SCI. As a result, there are inherent limitations in comparing
such performance against the SCI. For more information about the index and its methodologies, please refer to the material published
by the sponsor of the Bloomberg Copper Subindex Total Return which may be found on its website. USCF is not responsible for any
information found on such website, and such information is not part of this prospectus.
In the
table above, “Total Return” refers to the return of the relevant index from December 31, 1997 to December 31, 2024;
“Annualized Volatility” is a measure of the amount of variation or fluctuation in the returns of the relevant index.
Annualized Volatility is calculated by taking the monthly standard deviation of the relevant index’s return and multiplying
it by the square root of 12; and “Annualized Sharpe Ratio” is a measure of the total return of each relevant index
adjusted by the risk-free interest rate (the 90-Day U.S. Treasury Bill yield) and the volatility of each index. Many investors
consider volatility to be a measure of risk, and lower volatility of investment returns is considered a positive investment attribute
as opposed to higher volatility. Annualized Sharpe Ratio is a standard measure for investors to compare two different investments
or indexes that have different levels of volatility. If two indexes have the same total return, but one has lower Annualized Volatility,
then its Annualized Sharpe Ratio will be higher. The higher the Annualized Sharpe Ratio, the better the risk-adjusted performance.
Annualized Sharpe Ratio is calculated by taking the average monthly total return of the relevant index and subtracting the then
current yield on the 90-Day U.S. Treasury Bill. The annualized return of this series is then divided by the Annualized Volatility
of this series, and this result is the Annualized Sharpe Ratio for the relevant index. A higher Sharpe Ratio is not a guarantee
that one investment or index will in the future produce better risk adjustment total returns, but USCF believes it is a useful
tool for investors to consider when making investment decisions.
The following
chart compares the hypothetical total return of the SCI in comparison with the actual total return of one major index between
December 31, 2014 and spot copper prices (less storage cost) over a ten year period.
*PAST
PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS
Ten
Year Comparison of Index Returns of
BCOM HG TR, Spot Copper Price, Spot Copper Price less Storage Cost, and
the Hypothetical Returns of the SCI TR (12/31/2014 – 12/31/2024)*

Source: SHIM, Bloomberg, LME
| * | In
addition to the actual performance of the SCI, this chart includes as “SCI Hypothetical
TR” the hypothetical performance of the SCI had the changes to the composition
of the SCI, which are described above and became effective on January 1, 2021, been effective
during the December 31, 2014 through December 31, 2024 period. |
The following
chart compares the hypothetical total return of the SCI in comparison with the actual total return of one major index and spot
copper prices (less storage cost) over a five-year period.
*PAST
PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS
Five
Year Comparison of Index Returns of
BCOM HG TR, Spot Copper Price, Spot Copper Price less Storage Cost, and the Hypothetical Returns of the SCI (12/31/2019-12/31/2024)*

Source: SHIM, Bloomberg, LME
| * | In
addition to the actual performance of the SCI, this chart includes as “SCI Hypothetical
TR” the hypothetical performance of the SCI had the changes to the composition
of the SCI, which are described above and became effective on January 1, 2021, been effective
during the December 31, 2019 through December 31, 2024 period. |
Impact of Contango and
Backwardation on Total Returns
The design
of the SCI is such that every month it is made up of different Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts, and CPER’s
investment must be rebalanced on an ongoing basis to reflect the changing composition of the SCI. In the event of a commodity
futures market where near month contracts to expire trade at a higher price than next month contracts to expire, a situation referred
to as “backwardation,” then absent the impact of the overall movement in commodity prices, the value of the SCI would
tend to rise as it approaches expiration. As a result, CPER may benefit because it would be selling more expensive contracts and
buying less expensive ones on an ongoing basis. Conversely, in the event of a commodity futures market where near month contracts
trade at a lower price than next month contracts, a situation referred to as “contango,” then absent the impact of
the overall movement in commodity prices, the value of the SCI would tend to decline as it approaches expiration. As a result,
CPER’s total return may be lower than might otherwise be the case because it would be selling less expensive contracts and
buying more expensive ones. The impact of backwardation and contango may cause the total return of CPER to vary significantly
from the total return of other price references, such as the spot price of the commodities comprising the SCI. In the event of
a prolonged period of contango, and absent the impact of rising or falling commodity prices, this could have a significant negative
impact on CPER’s NAV and total return.
Contango
and backwardation may impact the total return on investment in shares of CPER relative to a hypothetical direct investment in
the commodities underlying the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts that make up the SCI and, in the future, it is likely
the relationship between the market prices of CPER’s shares and changes in the spot prices of the commodities underlying
the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts that make up the SCI could be impacted by contango and backwardation. It is important
to note that this comparison ignores the potential costs associated with physically owning and storing commodities, which could
be substantial.
The
impact of backwardation and contango may cause the total return of CPER to vary significantly from the total return of other price
references, such as the spot price of copper comprising the SCI. In the event of a prolonged period of contango, and absent the
impact of rising or falling commodity prices, it could have a significant negative impact on CPER’s NAV and total return.
However, generally, periods of contango or backwardation do not materially impact CPER’s investment objective of having
the daily percentage changes in its per share NAV track the daily percentage changes in the price of the SCI since the impact
of backwardation and contango tend to equally impact the daily percentage changes in price of both CPER’s shares and the
Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts. It is impossible to predict with any degree of certainty whether backwardation or
contango will occur in the future. It is likely that both conditions will occur during different periods.
What are the Trading Policies
of CPER?
Investment Objective
The
investment objective of CPER is for the daily changes in percentage terms of its shares’ per share NAV to reflect the daily
changes in percentage terms of the SCI, less CPER’s expenses.
CPER
seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing so that the average daily percentage change in CPER’s NAV for any
period of 30 successive valuation days will be within plus/minus ten percent (10%) of the average daily percentage change in the
price of the SCI over the same period. CPER’s investment strategy is designed to provide investors with a cost effective
way to invest indirectly in copper and to hedge against movements in the spot price of copper. However, investors should be aware
that CPER would meet its investment objective even if there are significant deviations between changes in its daily NAV and changes
in the daily price of the SCI, provided that the average daily percentage change in CPER’s NAV over 30 successive valuation
days is within plus/minus ten percent (10%) of the average daily percentage change in the price of the SCI over the same period.
The
SCI is designed to reflect the performance of the investment returns from a portfolio of copper futures contracts on the COMEX
exchange. The SCI is owned and maintained by SummerHaven Index Management, LLC (“SHIM”) and is calculated and published
by the NYSE Arca. The SCI is comprised of either two or three Eligible Copper Futures Contracts that are selected on a monthly
basis based on quantitative formulas relating to the prices of the Eligible Copper Futures Contracts developed by SHIM. The Eligible
Copper Futures Contracts that at any given time make up the SCI are referred to herein as “Benchmark Component Copper Futures
Contracts.”
CPER
seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing to the fullest extent possible in the Benchmark Component Copper Futures
Contracts. Then, if constrained by regulatory requirements or in view of market conditions, CPER will invest next in other Eligible
Copper Futures Contracts based on the same copper as the futures contracts subject to such regulatory constraints or market conditions,
and finally, to a lesser extent, in other exchange-traded futures contracts that are economically identical or substantially similar
to the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts if one or more other Eligible Copper Futures Contracts is not available. When
CPER has invested to the fullest extent possible in exchange-traded futures contracts, CPER may then invest in other contracts
and instruments based on the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts, other Eligible Copper Futures Contracts or other items
based on copper, such as cash-settled options, forward contracts, cleared swap contracts and swap contracts other than cleared
swap contracts. Other exchange-traded futures contracts that are economically identical or substantially similar to the Benchmark
Component Copper Futures Contracts and other contracts and instruments based on the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts
are referred to collectively as “Other Copper-Related Investments,” and together with Benchmark Component Copper Futures
Contracts and other Eligible Copper Futures Contracts, “Copper Interests.”
USCF
believes that the market arbitrage opportunities will cause the daily changes in CPER’s share price on the NYSE Arca on
a percentage basis to closely track the daily changes in CPER’s per share NAV on a percentage basis. USCF believes that
the net effect of this expected relationship and the expected relationship described above between CPER’s per share NAV
and the SCI will be that the daily changes in the price of CPER’s shares on the NYSE Arca on a percentage basis will closely
track the daily changes in the SCI on a percentage basis, less CPER’s expenses. While CPER is composed of Benchmark Component
Copper Futures Contracts and is therefore a measure of the prices of the corresponding commodities comprising the SCI for future
delivery, there is nonetheless expected to be a reasonable degree of correlation between the SCI and the cash or spot prices of
the commodities underlying the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts.
Investors
should be aware that CPER’s investment objective is not for its NAV or market price of shares to equal, in dollar terms,
the spot prices of the commodities underlying the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts or the prices of any particular
group of futures contracts. CPER will not seek to achieve its stated investment objective over a period of time greater than one
day. This is because natural market forces called contango and backwardation have impacted the total return on an investment in
CPER’s shares during the past year relative to a hypothetical direct investment in the various commodities and, in the future,
it is likely that the relationship between the market price of CPER’s shares and changes in the spot prices of the underlying
commodities will continue to be so impacted by contango and backwardation. (It is important to note that the disclosure above
ignores the potential costs associated with physically owning and storing the commodities, which could be substantial).
USCF
does not anticipate letting CPER’s Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts expire and taking delivery of the underlying
commodity. Instead, USCF will close existing positions, e.g., when it changes the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts
or Other Copper-Related Investments or it otherwise determines it would be appropriate to do so and reinvests the proceeds in
new Eligible Copper Futures Contracts or Other Copper-Related Investments. Positions may also be closed out to meet orders for
Redemption Baskets and in such case proceeds for such baskets will not be reinvested.
Liquidity
CPER
invests only in Eligible Copper Futures Contracts and Other Copper-Related Investments that, in the opinion of USCF, are traded
in sufficient volume to permit the ready taking and liquidation of positions in these financial interests and in Other Copper-Related
Investments that, in the opinion of USCF, may be readily liquidated with the original counterparty or through a third party assuming
the position of CPER.
Spot Commodities
While
certain Futures Contracts and other Copper-Related Investments traded can be physically settled, CPER does not intend to take
or make physical delivery. CPER may from time to time trade in Other Copper-Related Investments, including contracts based on
the spot price of copper comprising the SCI.
Leverage
Although
permitted to do so under its Trust Agreement, CPER has not leveraged, and does not intend to leverage, its assets through borrowings
or otherwise, and CPER makes its investments accordingly. Consistent with the foregoing, CPER’s investments will take into
account the need for CPER to maintain adequate liquidity to meet its margin and collateral requirements and to avoid, to the extent
reasonably possible, CPER becoming leveraged. If market conditions require it, these risk reduction procedures, including changes
to CPER’s investments, may occur on short notice.
CPER
does not and will not borrow money or use debt to satisfy its margin or collateral obligations in respect of its investments,
but it could become leveraged if CPER were to hold insufficient assets that would allow it to meet not only the current, but also
future, margin or collateral obligations required for such investments. Such a circumstance could occur if CPER were to hold assets
that have a value of less than zero.
USCF
endeavors to have the value of CPER’s Treasuries, cash and cash equivalents, whether held by CPER or posted as margin or
other collateral, at all times approximate the aggregate market value of its obligations under its Copper Interests and Other
Copper-Related Investments.
Borrowings
Borrowings
are not used by CPER unless CPER is required to borrow money in the event of physical delivery, if CPER trades in cash commodities,
or for short-term needs created by unexpected redemptions.
OTC Derivatives (Including
Spreads and Straddles)
In addition
to Futures Contracts, there are also a number of listed options on the Futures Contracts on the principal futures exchanges. These
contracts offer investors and hedgers another set of financial vehicles to use in managing exposure to the copper market. Consequently,
CPER may purchase options on copper Futures Contracts on these exchanges in pursuing its investment objective.
In addition
to Eligible Copper Futures Contracts and options on Eligible Copper Futures Contracts, there also exists an active non-exchange-traded
market in derivatives tied to various commodities. These derivatives transactions (also known as OTC contracts) are usually entered
into between two parties in private contracts. Unlike most of the exchange-traded futures contracts or exchange-traded options
on futures contracts, each party to such a contract bears the credit risk of the other party, i.e., the risk that the other party
may not be able to perform its obligations under its contract. To reduce the credit risk that arises in connection with such contracts,
each series of the Trust, including CPER, will generally enter into an agreement with each counterparty based on the Master Agreement
published by the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) that provides for the netting of its
overall exposure to its counterparty and, consistent with applicable regulatory requirements, the posting by each party to cover
the mark-to-market exposure of a counterparty to the other counterparty is required.
USCF
assesses or reviews, as appropriate, the creditworthiness of each potential or existing counterparty to an OTC contract pursuant
to guidelines approved by USCF’s Board of Directors.
CPER
may enter into certain transactions where an OTC component is exchanged for a corresponding futures contract (“Exchange
for Related Position” or “EFRP” transactions). In the most common type of EFRP transaction entered into by CPER,
the OTC component is the purchase or sale of one or more baskets of CPER shares. These EFRP transactions may expose CPER to counterparty
risk during the interim period between the execution of the OTC component and the exchange for a corresponding futures contract.
Generally, the counterparty risk from the EFRP transaction will exist only on the day of execution.
CPER
may employ spreads or straddles in its trading to mitigate the differences in its investment portfolio and its goal of tracking
the prices of the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts. CPER would use a spread when it chooses to take simultaneous long
and short positions in futures written on the same underlying asset, but with different delivery months.
Pyramiding
USCF
has not employed and will not employ the technique, commonly known as pyramiding, in which the speculator uses unrealized profits
on existing positions as variation margin for the purchase or sale of additional positions in the same or another commodity interest.
Prior Performance of CPER
*PAST
PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS
USCF
manages CPER which is a commodity pool that issues shares traded on the NYSE Arca. The chart below shows, as of February 28, 2025,
the number of Authorized Participants, the total number of baskets created and redeemed since inception and the number of outstanding
shares for CPER.
#
of Authorized
Participants |
|
Baskets
Purchased |
|
Baskets
Redeemed |
|
Outstanding
Shares |
11 |
|
630 |
|
(514) |
|
5,800,000.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The table
below shows the relationship between the trading prices of the shares and the daily NAV of CPER, since inception through February
28, 2025. The first row shows the average amount of the variation between CPER’s closing market price and NAV, computed
on a daily basis since inception, while the second and third rows depict the maximum daily amount of the end of day premiums and
discounts to NAV since inception, on a percentage basis. USCF believes that maximum and minimum end of day premiums and discounts
typically occur because trading in the shares continues on the NYSE Arca until 4:00 p.m. New York time while regular trading in
the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts on the COMEX ceases at 2:30 p.m. New York time and the value of the Benchmark
Component Copper Futures Contracts, for purposes of determining its end of day NAV, can be determined at that time.
| |
CPER | |
Average Difference | |
$ | 0.01 | |
Max Premium % | |
| 9.122 | % |
Max Discount % | |
| (5.453 | )% |
| |
| | |
For more information on the
performance of CPER, see the Performance Tables below.
*PAST
PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS
COMPOSITE
PERFORMANCE DATA FOR CPER
CPER Performance:
Name of Pool: United States
Copper Index Fund
Type of Pool: Exchange traded
security
Inception of Trading: November
15, 2011
Aggregate Subscriptions (from
inception through February 28, 2025): $781,976,451
Total Net Assets as of February
28, 2025: $164,663,326.53
NAV per Share as of February
28, 2025: $28.39
Worst Monthly Percentage Draw-down:
June 2022 (13.80)%
Worst Peak-to-Valley Draw-down:
January 2018 – March 2020 (33.68)%
*PAST
PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS
| |
Rates of Return* | |
Month | |
2020 | | |
2021 | | |
2022 | | |
2023 | | |
2024 | | |
2025** | |
January | |
| (10.03 | )% | |
| 0.92 | % | |
| (3.19 | )% | |
| 11.22 | % | |
| 0.87 | % | |
| 6.66 | % |
February | |
| 0.76 | % | |
| 15.01 | % | |
| 2.81 | % | |
| (2.96 | )% | |
| (1.60 | )% | |
| 5.50 | % |
March | |
| (12.20 | )% | |
| (2.26 | )% | |
| 6.60 | % | |
| 0.52 | % | |
| 4.77 | % | |
| | |
April | |
| 5.01 | % | |
| 11.53 | % | |
| (7.68 | )% | |
| (4.75 | )% | |
| 13.41 | % | |
| | |
May | |
| 3.55 | % | |
| 4.80 | % | |
| (2.51 | )% | |
| (5.91 | )% | |
| (0.42 | )% | |
| | |
June | |
| 11.92 | % | |
| (8.68 | )% | |
| (13.80 | )% | |
| 3.25 | % | |
| (3.57 | )% | |
| | |
July | |
| 5.42 | % | |
| 4.45 | % | |
| (3.75 | )% | |
| 6.99 | % | |
| (4.10 | )% | |
| | |
August | |
| 5.86 | % | |
| (2.44 | )% | |
| (1.81 | )% | |
| (5.08 | )% | |
| 0.46 | % | |
| | |
September | |
| (1.00 | )% | |
| (6.60 | )% | |
| (3.02 | )% | |
| (1.74 | )% | |
| 7.91 | % | |
| | |
October | |
| 0.43 | % | |
| 6.75 | % | |
| (0.93 | )% | |
| (1.77 | )% | |
| (3.91 | )% | |
| | |
November | |
| 12.63 | % | |
| (2.21 | )% | |
| 10.86 | % | |
| 4.84 | % | |
| (5.28 | )% | |
| | |
December | |
| 2.31 | % | |
| 4.25 | % | |
| 2.22 | % | |
| 1.26 | % | |
| (2.29 | )% | |
| | |
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | |
Annual Rate of Return | |
| 23.83 | % | |
| 25.41 | % | |
| (15.31 | )% | |
| 4.46 | % | |
| 4.69 | % | |
| 12.53 | % |
| * | The
monthly rate of return is calculated by dividing the ending NAV of a given month by the
ending NAV of the previous month, subtracting 1 and multiplying this number by 100 to
arrive at a percentage increase or decrease. |
| ** | Through
February 28, 2025. |
Draw-down:
Losses experienced by CPER over a specified period. Draw-down is measured on the basis of monthly returns only and does not reflect
intra-month figures.
Worst
Monthly Percentage Draw-down: The largest single month loss sustained during the most recent five calendar years and year-to-date.
Worst
Peak-to-Valley Draw-down: The largest percentage decline in the NAV per share over the history of CPER. This need not be a continuous
decline, but can be a series of positive and negative returns where the negative returns are larger than the positive returns.
Worst Peak-to-Valley Draw-down represents the greatest cumulative percentage decline in month-end per share NAV that is not equaled
or exceeded by a subsequent month-end per share NAV.
CPER’s Operations
USCF and its Management
and Traders
USCF
is a single member limited liability company that was formed in the state of Delaware on May 10, 2005. USCF maintains its main
business office at 1850 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Suite 640, Walnut Creek, California 94596. USCF is a wholly-owned subsidiary of
USCF Investments, a Delaware corporation, which is an intermediate holding company that owns USCF and another advisor of exchange
traded funds. USCF Investments is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marygold (publicly traded under the ticker MGLD), a publicly traded
holding company that owns various financial and non-financial businesses. Mr. Nicholas Gerber (discussed below), along with certain
family members and certain other shareholders, owns the majority of the shares in Marygold. USCF Investments is a holding company
that currently holds both USCF, as well as USCF Advisers LLC, an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act
of 1940, as amended (“USCF Advisers”). USCF Advisers serves as the investment adviser for the USCF SummerHaven Dynamic
Commodity Strategy No K-1 Fund (“SDCI”), USCF Midstream Energy Income Fund (“UMI”), USCF Gold Strategy
Plus Income Fund (“USG”), USCF Dividend Income Fund (“UDI”), USCF Sustainable Battery Metals Strategy
Fund (“ZSB”), USCF Energy Commodity Strategy Absolute Return Fund (“USE”), and USCF Sustainable Commodity
Strategy Fund (“ZSC”), each a series of the USCF ETF Trust. The USCF ETF Trust is registered under the 1940 Act. The
Board of Trustees for the USCF ETF Trust consists of different independent trustees than those independent directors who serve
on the Board of Directors of USCF. USCF is a member of the NFA and registered as a CPO with the CFTC on December 1, 2005 and as
a swaps firm on August 8, 2013.
USCF
is the sponsor of the Trust and each of its series: USCI and CPER.
USCF
also serves as the general partner of the United States Natural Gas Fund, LP (“UNG”), the United States 12 Month Oil
Fund, LP (“USL”), the United States Brent Oil Fund, LP (“BNO”), the United States Gasoline Fund, LP (“UGA”),
the United States 12 Month Natural Gas Fund, LP (“UNL”) and the United States Oil Fund, LP (“USO”).
UNG,
UGA, UNL, USL, USO, USCI and BNO are referred to collectively herein as the “Related Public Funds.”
CPER
and the Related Public Funds are subject to reporting requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
“1934 Act”). For more information about each of the Related Public Funds, investors in CPER may call 1-800-920-0259
or visit www.uscfinvestments.com or the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
USCF
is required to evaluate the credit risk of CPER to the FCMs, oversee the purchase and sale of CPER’s shares by certain authorized
participants (“Authorized Participants”), review daily positions and margin requirements of CPER and manage CPER’s
investments. USCF also pays the fees of ALPS Distributors, Inc., which serves as the marketing agent for CPER (the “Marketing
Agent”), and The Bank of New York Mellon (“BNY Mellon”), which serves as the administrator (the “Administrator”)
and the custodian (the “Custodian”) for CPER. BNY Mellon is also the registrar and transfer agent for the shares of
CPER. In no event may the aggregate compensation paid for the Marketing Agent and any affiliate of USCF for distribution-related
services in connection with the offering of shares exceed ten percent (10%) of the gross proceeds of this offering.
The business
and affairs of USCF are managed by the Board, which is comprised of the Management Directors, each of whom are also executive
officers and employees of USCF, and three independent directors who meet the independent director requirements established by
the NYSE Arca Equities Rules and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. The Management Directors have the authority to manage USCF pursuant
to the terms of the LLC Agreement. Through its Management Directors, USCF manages the day-to-day operations of CPER. The Board
has an audit committee, which is made up of the three independent directors (Gordon L. Ellis, Malcolm R. Fobes III and Peter M.
Robinson). The audit committee is governed by an audit committee charter that is posted on CPER’s website at www.uscfinvestments.com.
The Board has determined that each member of the audit committee meets the financial literacy requirements of the NYSE Arca and
the audit committee charter. The Board has further determined that each of Messrs. Ellis and Fobes have accounting or related
financial management expertise, as required by the NYSE Arca, such that each of them is considered an “Audit Committee Financial
Expert” as such term is defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K.
CPER
has no executive officers. Pursuant to the terms of the Trust Agreement, CPER’s affairs are managed by USCF.
The following
are individual Principals, as that term is defined in CFTC Rule 3.1, for USCF: John P. Love, Stuart P. Crumbaugh, Daphne G. Frydman,
Nicholas D. Gerber, Melinda D. Gerber, Andrew F Ngim, Robert L. Nguyen, Peter M. Robinson, Kathryn D. Rooney, Gordon L. Ellis,
Malcolm R. Fobes III, Ray W. Allen, Kevin A. Baum, and USCF Investments, Inc., formerly Wainwright Holdings, Inc. The individuals
who are Principals due to their positions are John P. Love, Stuart P. Crumbaugh, Daphne G. Frydman, Andrew F Ngim, Robert L. Nguyen,
Peter M. Robinson, Kathryn D. Rooney, Gordon L. Ellis, Malcolm R. Fobes III, Ray W. Allen and Kevin A. Baum. In addition, USCF
Investments is a Principal because it is the sole member of USCF. None of the Principals owns or has any other beneficial interest
in CPER. Andrew F Ngim makes trading and investment decisions for CPER. Andrew F Ngim, Darius Coby, Seth Lancaster and Zach Sanchez
execute trades on behalf of CPER. In addition, John P. Love, Robert L. Nguyen, Ray W. Allen, Kevin A. Baum, Kathryn Rooney, Vincent
G. Pandes, and Maya Lowry are registered with the CFTC as Associated Persons of USCF and are NFA Associate Members. John P. Love,
Kevin A. Baum and Ray W. Allen are also registered with the CFTC as Swaps Associated Persons.
Ray
W. Allen, 68, Portfolio Manager of USCF since January 2008. Mr. Allen was the portfolio manager of: (1) UGA from February
2008 until March 2010, and then portfolio manager since May 2015, (2) UHN from April 2008 until March 2010, and then portfolio
manager from May 2015 to September 2018, (3) UNL from November 2009 until March 2010, and then portfolio manager since May 2015.
In addition, he has been the portfolio manager of: (1) DNO from September 2009 to September 2018, (2) USO and USL since March
2010, (3) BNO since June 2010, (4) UNG since May 2015, (5) United States 3x Oil Fund and United States 3x Short Oil Fund from
July 2017 to December 2019. Mr. Allen also has served as the portfolio manager of the USCF SummerHaven Dynamic Commodity Strategy
No K-1 Fund, a series of the USCF ETF Trust, from May 2018 to October 2021 and then portfolio manager since January 2022. Mr.
Allen has been a principal of USCF listed with the CFTC and NFA since March 2009 and has been registered as an associated person
of USCF since July 2015 and from March 2008 to November 2012. Additionally, Mr. Allen has been approved as an NFA swaps associated
person of USCF since July 2015. As of February 2017, he also is an associated person and swap associated person of USCF Advisers,
LLC (“USCF Advisers”). USCF Advisers, an affiliate of USCF, is an investment adviser registered under the Investment
Advisers Act of 1940, and, as of February 2017, is registered as a commodity pool operator, NFA member and swap firm. Mr. Allen
earned a B.A. in Economics from the University of California at Berkeley and holds an NFA Series 3 registration.
Kevin
A. Baum, 54, has served as the Chief Investment Officer of USCF since September 1, 2016 and as a Portfolio Manager of
USCF from March 2016 to April 2017. He also has served as the Chief Investment Officer of USCF Advisers since June 2021. Prior
to joining USCF, Mr. Baum temporarily retired from December 2015 to March 2016. Mr. Baum served as the Vice President and Senior
Portfolio Manager for Invesco, an investment manager that manages a family of exchange-traded funds, from October 2014 through
December 2015. Mr. Baum was temporarily retired from May 2012 through September 2014. From May 1993 to April 2012, Mr. Baum worked
as the Senior Portfolio Manager, Head of Commodities for OppenheimerFunds, Inc., a global asset manager. Mr. Baum has been approved
with respect to USCF as an NFA principal and associated person since April 2016, and a swap associated person since November 2020.
He also is an associated person of USCF Advisers as of February 2017, and, as of June 2021, a principal and swap associated person
of USCF Advisers. USCF Advisers, an affiliate of USCF, is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of
1940, and, as of February 2017, is registered as a commodity pool operator, NFA member and swap firm. Mr. Baum is a CFA Charterholder,
CAIA Charterholder, earned a B.B.A. in Finance from Texas Tech University and holds an NFA Series 3 and FINRA Series 7 registrations.
Stuart
P. Crumbaugh, 61, Management Director of USCF since April 2023 and Chief Financial Officer, Secretary
and Treasurer of USCF since May 2015. In addition, Mr. Crumbaugh has served as a director of USCF Investments, the parent and
sole member of USCF, since December 2016. Mr. Crumbaugh has been a principal of USCF listed with the CFTC and NFA since July 1,
2015 and, as of January 2017, he is a principal of USCF Advisers, an affiliate of USCF, which is an investment adviser registered
under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, and, as of February 2017, is registered as a commodity pool operator, NFA member and
swap firm. Since June 2015, Mr. Crumbaugh has been the Treasurer and Secretary of USCF Advisers. He has served as a Management
Trustee, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of USCF ETF Trust since May 2015. Mr. Crumbaugh joined USCF as the Assistant Chief
Financial Officer on April 6, 2015. Also, Mr. Crumbaugh served as the Chief Financial Officer of The Marygold Companies, Inc.,
formerly Concierge Technologies, Inc. (“Marygold”), the parent of USCF Investments, Inc. (formerly Wainwright Holdings,
Inc.) (“USCF Investments”) from December 2017 to January 2024 and as a management director on the board of directors
of Marygold from April 2023 to January 2024. He is also the Treasurer and a member of the Board of Directors of Marygold &
Co., a subsidiary of Marygold, since November 2019. Prior to joining USCF, Mr. Crumbaugh was the Vice President Finance and Chief
Financial Officer of Sikka Software Corporation, a software service healthcare company providing optimization software and data
solutions from April 2014 to April 6, 2015. Mr. Crumbaugh served as a consultant providing technical accounting, IPO readiness
and M&A consulting services to various early stage companies with the Connor Group, a technical accounting consulting firm,
for the periods of January 2014 through March 2014; October 2012 through November 2012; and January 2011 through February 2011.
Mr. Crumbaugh earned a B.A. in Accounting and Business Administration from Michigan State University in 1987 and is a Certified
Public Accountant - Michigan (inactive).
Daphne
G. Frydman, 50, General Counsel of USCF and USCF Advisers, LLC since May 2018, and Director of Compliance of USCF
since April 2022. She is also the Chief Legal Officer of USCF ETF Trust since May 2018 and Secretary of the same since December
2021. Ms. Frydman served as Deputy General Counsel of USCF and USCF Advisers, LLC from May 2016 through May 2018. From September
2001 through April 2016, Ms. Frydman was an attorney in private practice at the law firm Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP.
Ms. Frydman is listed as a principal of USCF as of June 1, 2022. Ms. Frydman earned her J.D. from the Northwestern University
Pritzker School of Law and a B.A. in College of Letters and Spanish from Wesleyan University.
John
P. Love, 53, President and Chief Executive Officer of USCF since May 15, 2015, Management Director of USCF since October
2016 and Chairman of the Board of Directors of USCF since October 2019. Mr. Love also is a director of USCF Investments, a position
he has held since December 2016. Mr. Love previously served as a Senior Portfolio Manager for the Related Public Funds from March
2010 through May 2015. Prior to that, while still at USCF, he was a Portfolio Manager beginning with the launch of USO in April
2006. Mr. Love also served as a portfolio manager of USCF from April 2006 until April 2015. Mr. Love has served on the Board of
Managers of USCF Advisers since November 2016 and as its President since June 2015. USCF Advisers, an affiliate of USCF, is an
investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, and, as of February 2017, is registered as a commodity
pool operator, NFA member and swap firm. He also has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the USCF ETF Trust
since December 2015. Mr. Love has been a principal of USCF listed with the CFTC and NFA since January 17, 2006. Mr. Love has been
registered as an associated person of USCF since February 2015 and from December 2005 to April 2009. Additionally, Mr. Love has
been approved as an NFA swaps associated person since February 2015. Mr. Love is a principal of USCF Advisers LLC as of January
2017. Additionally, effective as of February 2017, he is an associated person and, swap associated person of USCF Advisers. Mr.
Love earned a B.A. from the University of Southern California, holds NFA Series 3 and FINRA Series 7 registrations and is a CFA
Charterholder.
Andrew
F Ngim, 64, co-founded USCF in 2005 and has served as the Chief Operating Officer of USCF since August 2016. He also served
as a Management Director of USCF from May 2005 to April 2023. Mr. Ngim served as the portfolio manager for USCI and CPER since
January 2013. Mr. Ngim also served as USCF’s Treasurer from June 2005 to February 2012. In addition, he has been on the
Board of Managers and has served as the Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer of USCF Advisers since its inception in June
2013 and Chief Operating Officer of USCF Advisers since March 2021. Prior to and concurrent with his services to USCF and USCF
Advisers, from January 1999 to January 2013, Mr. Ngim served as a Managing Director for Ameristock Corporation, a California-based
investment adviser, which he co-founded in March 1995, and was Co-Portfolio Manager of Ameristock Mutual Fund, Inc. from January
2000 to January 2013. Mr. Ngim also serves as the portfolio manager for the following series of the USCF ETF Trust: (1) USCF SummerHaven
Dynamic Commodity Strategy No K-1 Fund, from May 2018 to present, (2) the USCF Sustainable Battery Metals Strategy Fund from January
2023 to present, (3) the USCF Energy Commodity Strategy Absolute Return Fund from May 2023 to present, and (4) the USCF Sustainable
Commodity Strategy Fund from August 9, 2023 to present. Mr. Ngim served as a Management Trustee of the USCF ETF Trust from August
2014 to August 2023. Mr. Ngim has been a principal of USCF listed with the CFTC and NFA since November 2005 and a principal of
USCF Advisers LLC since January 2017. USCF Advisers, an affiliate of USCF, is an investment adviser registered under the Investment
Advisers Act of 1940, and, as of February 2017, is registered as a commodity pool operator, NFA member and swap firm. Mr. Ngim
earned his B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley.
Robert
L. Nguyen, 65, Management Director and principal since July 2015. Mr. Nguyen served on the Board of USCF
Investments from December 2014 to December 2016. Mr. Nguyen co-founded USCF in 2005 and served as a Management Director until
March 2012. Mr. Nguyen was an Investment Manager with Ribera Investment Management, an investment adviser registered under the
Investment Advisers Act of 1940, from January 2013 to March 2015. Prior to and concurrent with his services to USCF, from January
2000 to January 2013, Mr. Nguyen served as a Managing Principal for Ameristock Corporation, a California-based investment adviser
registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, which he co-founded in March 1995. Mr. Nguyen was a principal of USCF listed
with the CFTC and NFA from November 2005 through March 2012 and an associated person of USCF listed with the CFTC and NFA from
November 2007 through March 2012. Mr. Nguyen has been a principal of USCF listed with the CFTC and NFA since July 2015 and an
associated person of USCF listed with the CFTC and NFA since December 2015. As of February 2017, he also is an associated person
of USCF Advisers. USCF Advisers, an affiliate of USCF, is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of
1940, and, as of February 2017, is registered as a commodity pool operator, NFA member and swap firm. Mr. Nguyen earned his B.S.
from California State University at Sacramento, and holds NFA Series 3 and FINRA Series 7 registrations.
Kathryn
D. Rooney, 52, Management Director of USCF since April 2023 and Chief Marketing Officer of USCF since January 2016. Ms.
Rooney also serves as a director of USCF Advisers since March 10, 2024 and was listed as a principal of USCF Advisers effective
March 28, 2025. She also served as a member of the Board of Directors of The Marygold Companies, which is the parent of USCF Investments,
Inc., from January 2017 to April 2023. USCF Investments, Inc. is the sole member of USCF. Previously, Ms. Rooney was the National
Sales Director at USCF from January 2007 to December 2015. Ms. Rooney was the Director of Business Development at the Ameristock
Corporation, a California-based registered investment adviser, from September 2003 to January 2007. Prior to joining the Ameristock
Corporation, she was Regional Sales Director at Accessor Capital Management, a registered investment adviser that was based in
Seattle, Washington, from October 2002 to August 2003, National Sales Director at ALPS Mutual Fund Services, Inc., a boutique
investment services company offering outsourced back office operations and distribution services to mutual fund managers, from
June 1999 to October 2002, and Trust Officer at Fifth Third Bancorp, an American bank holding company headquartered in Ohio, from
June 1994 to May 1999. Additionally, Ms. Rooney has been registered as an associated person of USCF since August 2015 and from
December 2005 to April 2009 and is listed as a principal of USCF effective as of April 2023. Additionally, effective as of February
2017, she is an associated person of USCF Advisers, LLC, an affiliate of USCF, which is an investment adviser registered under
the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, and, as of February 2017, is registered as a commodity pool operator, NFA member and swap
firm. Ms. Rooney graduated from Wellesley College with a B.A. in economics and psychology in June 1994.
Gordon
L. Ellis, 78, Independent Director of USCF since September 2005. Previously, Mr. Ellis was a founder of
International Absorbents, Inc., Director and Chairman since July 1985 and July 1988, respectively, and Chief Executive Officer
and President since November 1996. He also served as Chairman of Absorption Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of International
Absorbents, Inc., which is a leading developer and producer of environmentally friendly pet care and industrial products, from
May July 1985 until July 2010 when it was sold to Kinderhook Industries, a private investment banking firm and remained as a director
until March 2013 when Absorption Corp was sold again to J. Rettenmaier & Söhne Group, a German manufacturing firm. Concurrent
with that, he founded and has served as Chairman from November 2010 to present of Lupaka Gold Corp., a firm that acquires, explores
and developed mining properties and is currently driving an arbitration suit against the Republic of Peru. He also serves as a
director of Goldhaven Resources, a firm that acquires, explores and develops mining properties in Canada and Chile, from August
2020 to present. Mr. Ellis has his Chartered Directors designation from The Director’s College (a joint venture of McMaster
University and The Conference Board of Canada). He has been a principal of USCF listed with the CFTC and NFA since November 2005.
Mr. Ellis is a professional engineer, retired, and earned an M.B.A. in international finance.
Malcolm
R. Fobes III, 60, Independent Director of USCF and Chairman of USCF’s audit committee since September
2005. He founded and is the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Berkshire Capital Holdings, Inc.,
a California-based investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 that has been sponsoring and providing
portfolio management services to mutual funds since June 1997. Mr. Fobes serves as Chairman and President of The Berkshire Funds,
a mutual fund investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Since 1997, Mr. Fobes has also served as
portfolio manager of the Berkshire Focus Fund, a mutual fund registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, which concentrates
its investments in the electronic technology industry. He was also contributing editor of Start a Successful Mutual Fund: The
Step-by-Step Reference Guide to Make It Happen (JV Books, 1995). Mr. Fobes has been a principal of USCF listed with the CFTC and
NFA since November 2005. He earned a B.S. in finance with a minor in economics from San Jose State University in California.
Peter
M. Robinson, 67, Independent Director of USCF since September 2005. Mr. Robinson has been a Research Fellow
since 1993 with the Hoover Institution, a public policy think tank located on the campus of Stanford University. He authored three
books and has been published in the New York Times, Red Herring, and Forbes ASAP and is the editor of Can Congress Be Fixed?:
Five Essays on Congressional Reform (Hoover Institution Press, 1995). Mr. Robinson has been a principal of USCF listed with the
CFTC and NFA since December 2005. He earned an M.B.A. from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, graduated from
Oxford University in 1982 after studying politics, philosophy, and economics and graduated summa cum laude from Dartmouth College
in 1979.
Who is SummerHaven and
SHIM?
Background of SummerHaven
SummerHaven
is a Delaware limited liability company formed on August 11, 2009. Its offices are located at Soundview Plaza, 1266 East Main
Street, 4th Floor, Stamford CT 06902. SummerHaven has been registered under the CEA as a commodity pool operator and a commodity
trading advisor since October 9, 2009. SummerHaven became an NFA member effective October 9, 2009. From September 2009 to January
2010, SummerHaven was a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, from September 2009 to January
2010, when it withdrew its registration because its assets under management were below $25 million. Since September 2017, SummerHaven
has been re-registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 with the SEC. The firm’s management
team has over 50 years of combined capital markets experience including commodity research and modeling, trading, investment management
and risk management expertise.
Background of SHIM
SHIM
is the owner, creator and licensor of commodity indices including the SummerHaven Dynamic Commodity Index Total ReturnSM
(“SDCI”) and the SummerHaven Copper Index Total ReturnSM (“SCI”). SHIM is a Delaware
limited liability company formed on August 11, 2009. It maintains its main business office at Soundview Plaza, 1266 East Main
Street, 4th Floor, Stamford, CT 06902. The firm maintains a website at www.summerhavenindex.com. The firm creates
innovative commodities indices focused on providing investors with better risk-adjusted returns than traditional commodity index
benchmarks.
Principals of SummerHaven
Stephen
M. Bowley, Jr. is the Chief Financial Officer of SummerHaven since October 2024. He also has served as Chief Financial
Officer of Basso Capital Management, L.P. (“Basso”) since March 2006 where he continues to work concurrently with
his role at SummerHaven. Basso is an SEC registered investment advisor that managed a platform of hedge funds for nearly 30 years
before transitioning to a multi-family office in 2018. Prior to SummerHaven and Basso, Mr. Bowley was a VP of Fund Accounting
for DKR Capital Partners, an SEC registered investment advisor that managed various hedge funds and fund of fund offerings, from
February 2000 to March 2006. Mr. Bowley received a B.S. in Actuarial Science and Mathematics from the University of Connecticut.
Mr. Bowley became listed as a principal of SummerHaven effective April 3, 2025.
Kurt
J. Nelson has been employed by SummerHaven since August 2009 as a partner. His duties include investor relations, marketing
and product structuring. From September 2007 to July 2009, Mr. Nelson was employed by UBS Investment Bank as a Managing Director
where he led the U.S. commodity index for UBS. Mr. Nelson was a supervisory committee member of the UBS Bloomberg CMCI Index and
Dow-Jones UBS Commodity Index, and he was responsible for launching the UBS exchange-traded note platform (E-TRACS). From March
1998 to January 2007, Mr. Nelson was employed by AIG Financial Products Corp. as a Managing Director. Mr. Nelson created and managed
the high-net-worth derivatives business for AIG Financial Products, and he also provided equity derivative and commodity index
solutions for U.S. corporations, institutional dealers and principal dealers. Mr. Nelson was not employed from January 2007 to
September 2007. Mr. Nelson became listed as a principal of SummerHaven effective October 1, 2009, as an associated person of SummerHaven
effective October 12, 2009 and as an associate member of the NFA effective October 12, 2009.
K.
Geert Rouwenhorst has been employed by SummerHaven since April 2009 as a partner. His duties include research and investor
relations. From July 1990 to present, Dr. Rouwenhorst has been employed by Yale School of Management as a Professor of Finance.
Dr. Rouwenhorst became listed as a principal of SummerHaven effective October 8, 2009, as an associated person of SummerHaven
effective September 1, 2011 and as an associate member of the NFA effective September 1, 2011.
Babu
V. Sonti of SummerHaven Investment Management is the Chief Technology Officer since June 2016, Chief Operating Officer
since June 2021, and also the Chief Compliance Officer since March 2024. Previously, he was a Special Consultant to the United
Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund from September 2015 to May 2016. Prior to that, Mr. Sonti was the Vice President and Chief Technology
Officer of Ameritas Investment Partners, a registered investment adviser managing equity, fixed income and index derivatives,
from January 2006 to August 2015 where he was responsible for developing, maintaining and researching infrastructure and trading
technologies along with trading operations for equity, fixed income and index derivatives. Mr. Sonti was part of the founding
team at Summit Investment Partners from June 1988 where he worked until December 2005, when Summit Investment Partners was acquired
by Ameritas. Summit Investment Partners was a registered investment adviser that managed Summit Mutual Funds along with separate
accounts with equity, fixed income and index derivatives for institutional investors. Mr. Sonti became listed as a principal of
SummerHaven effective May 17, 2022. Mr. Sonti received his M.A. in Mathematics from the University of Maine and was the Assistant
Professor of Mathematics & Computer Science at the College of Wooster.
CPER’s Service Providers
Custodian, Registrar, Transfer
Agent, and Administrator
In its
capacity as the Custodian for CPER, The Bank of New York Mellon (“BNY Mellon” or the “Custodian”) holds
CPER’s Treasuries, cash and/or cash equivalents pursuant to a custody agreement. BNY Mellon is also the registrar and transfer
agent for the shares. In addition, in its capacity as Administrator for CPER, BNY Mellon performs certain administrative and accounting
services for CPER and prepares certain SEC, NFA and CFTC reports on behalf of CPER.
As compensation
for the services that BNY Mellon provides to CPER in the foregoing capacities, and the services BNY Mellon provides to the Related
Public Funds, BNY Mellon receives certain out of pocket costs, transaction fees, and asset-based fees, which are accrued daily
and paid monthly by USCF.
BNY Mellon
is authorized to conduct a commercial banking business in accordance with the provisions of New York State Banking Law, and is
subject to regulation, supervision, and examination by the New York State Department of Financial Services and the Board of Governors
of the Federal Reserve System.
Delaware Trustee
Wilmington
Trust, N.A. (the “Trustee”) serves as the Trust’s corporate trustee as required under the Delaware Statutory
Trust Act (“DSTA”). USCF pays the Trustee $3,300 annually for its services to the Trust.
The Trustee
is the sole trustee of the Trust. The rights and duties of the Trustee and USCF with respect to the offering of the shares and
CPER management and the shareholders are governed by the provisions of the DSTA and by the Trust Agreement. The Trustee will accept
service of legal process on the Trust in the State of Delaware and will make certain filings under the DSTA. The Trustee does
not owe any other duties to the Trust, USCF or the shareholders of CPER. The Trustee’s principal offices are located at
1100 North Market Street, Wilmington, Delaware 19890. The Trustee is unaffiliated with USCF.
The Trustee
is permitted to resign upon at least sixty (60) days’ notice to the Trust, provided, that any such resignation will not
be effective until a successor Trustee is appointed by USCF. USCF has the discretion to replace the Trustee.
Only
the assets of the Trust and USCF are subject to issuer liability under the federal securities laws for the information contained
in this prospectus and under federal securities laws with respect to the issuance and sale of the shares. Under such laws, neither
the Trustee, either in its capacity as Trustee or in its individual capacity, nor any director, officer or controlling person
of the Trustee is, or has any liability as, the issuer or a director, officer or controlling person of the issuer of the shares.
The Trustee’s liability in connection with the issuance and sale of the shares is limited solely to the express obligations
of the Trustee set forth in the Trust Agreement.
Under
the Trust Agreement, USCF has exclusive management and control of all aspects of the Trust’s business. The Trustee has no
duty or liability to supervise the performance of USCF, nor will the Trustee have any liability for the acts or omissions of USCF.
The shareholders have no voice in the day to day management of the business and operations of CPER and the Trust, other than certain
limited voting rights as set forth in the Trust Agreement. In the course of its management of the business and affairs of CPER
and the Trust, USCF may, in its sole and absolute discretion, appoint an affiliate or affiliates of USCF as additional sponsors
and retain such persons, including affiliates of USCF, as it deems necessary to effectuate and carry out the purposes, business
and objectives of the Trust.
Because
the Trustee has no authority over the Trust’s operations, the Trustee itself is not registered in any capacity with the
CFTC.
Marketing Agent
CPER
also employs ALPS Distributors, Inc. (“ALPS Distributors”) as the Marketing Agent, which is further discussed under
“What is the Plan of Distribution?” USCF pays the Marketing Agent an annual fee. In no event may the aggregate compensation
paid to the Marketing Agent and any affiliate of USCF for distribution-related services in connection with the offering of shares
exceed ten percent (10%) of the gross proceeds of the offering.
ALPS
Distributors’ principal business address is 1290 Broadway, Suite 1000, Denver, CO 80203. ALPS Distributors is a broker-dealer
registered with the SEC and is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and a member of the
Securities Investor Protection Corporation.
Payments to Certain Third
Parties
USCF
or the Marketing Agent, or an affiliate of USCF or the Marketing Agent, may directly or indirectly make cash payments to certain
broker-dealers for participating in activities that are designed to make registered representatives and other professionals more
knowledgeable about exchange-traded funds and exchange-traded products, including CPER and the Related Public Funds, or for other
activities, such as participation in marketing activities and presentations, educational training programs, conferences, the development
of technology platforms and reporting systems.
Additionally,
pursuant to written agreements, USCF may make payments, out of its own resources, to financial intermediaries in exchange for
providing services in connection with the sale or servicing of CPER’s shares, including waiving commissions on the purchase
or sale of shares of participating exchange-traded products.
Payments
to a broker-dealer or intermediary may create potential conflicts of interest between the broker-dealer or intermediary and its
clients. The amounts described above, which may be significant, are paid by USCF and/or the Marketing Agent from their own resources
and not from the assets of CPER or the Related Public Funds.
Futures Commission Merchants
RBC Capital Markets, LLC
On June
25, 2018, the Trust on behalf of CPER entered into a Futures and Cleared Derivatives Transactions Customer Account Agreement with
RBC Capital Markets, LLC (“RBC Capital” or “RBC”) to serve as the FCM for CPER. This agreement requires
RBC Capital to provide services to CPER, in connection with the purchase and sale of Futures Contracts and other Copper-Related
Investments for CPER that may be purchased or sold by or through RBC Capital for CPER’s account. For the period June 25,
2018 and after, CPER pays RBC Capital commissions for executing and clearing trades on behalf of CPER.
RBC Capital’s
primary address is 200 Vesey St., New York, NY 10281. As of June 25, 2019, RBC Capital became the futures clearing broker for
CPER. RBC Capital is registered in the United States with FINRA as a broker-dealer and with the CFTC as an FCM. RBC Capital is
a member of various U.S. futures and securities exchanges.
RBC Capital
is subject to complex legal and regulatory requirements that continue to evolve. It is and has been subject to a variety of legal
proceedings including arbitrations, class actions and other civil litigations, as well as to other regulatory examinations, reviews,
investigations (both formal and informal), audits and requests for information by various governmental regulatory agencies and
self-regulatory organizations in various jurisdictions. Some of these matters may involve novel legal theories and interpretations
and claims for very substantial or indeterminable damages, and some could result in the imposition of substantial civil damages
(including punitive damages), regulatory enforcement penalties, fines, injunctions or other relief. In its discretion RBC Capital
may choose to resolve claims, litigations or similar matters at any time. Based on the facts as currently known, it is not possible
to predict the ultimate outcome of such proceedings or the timing of their resolution.
The following
is a description of RBC Capital’s significant legal proceedings.
LIBOR
litigation
Royal
Bank of Canada (“RBC”), RBC Capital’s ultimate parent, and several U.S. dollar panel banks have been named as
defendants in private lawsuits filed in the U.S. with respect to the setting of U.S. dollar LIBOR including a number of class
action lawsuits which have been consolidated before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. RBC Capital
was named as a defendant in one of those lawsuits. The complaints in those private lawsuits assert claims under various U.S. laws,
including U.S. antitrust laws, the U.S. Commodity Exchange Act, and state law. On December 30, 2021, the United States Court of
Appeals for the Second Circuit issued an opinion affirming in part and reversing in part certain district court rulings that had
dismissed a substantial portion of the consolidated class action on jurisdictional grounds and lack of standing. The Second Circuit
remanded the matter to the district court for further proceedings consistent with its decision.
On July
21, 2023, RBC and several other defendants executed a settlement agreement resolving the LIBOR class action brought on behalf
of certain plaintiffs that purchased U.S. dollar LIBOR-based instruments. RBC and the other defendants agreed to a $101 million
settlement amount. On December 12, 2023, the settlement agreement was granted final court approval.
In 2024,
RBC and several other defendants executed settlement agreements resolving the two remaining LIBOR putative class actions in which
RBC was a defendant. These class actions were brought on behalf of certain plaintiffs who transacted in Eurodollar futures contracts
and/or related options on exchanges (the Exchange Action), and certain plaintiffs who originated or purchased LIBOR-linked loans
(the Lender Action). RBC and the other defendants agreed to a $3.45 million settlement amount in the Exchange Act and a $1.91
million settlement amount in the Lender Action. The settlements in both the Exchange Action and Lender Action were granted final
court approval on September 5, 2024 and October 17, 2024, respectively.
RBC remains
a defendant in certain LIBOR-related individual actions.
Royal
Bank of Canada Trust Company (Bahamas) Limited Proceedings
On April
13, 2015, a French investigating judge notified the RBC Capital’s affiliate, Royal Bank of Canada Trust Company (Bahamas)
Limited (RBC Bahamas), of the issuance of an ordonnance de renvoi referring RBC Bahamas and other unrelated persons to the French
tribunal correctionnel to face the charge of complicity in estate tax fraud relating to actions taken relating to a trust for
which RBC Bahamas serves as trustee. RBC Bahamas contested the charge in the French court. On January 12, 2017, the French court
acquitted all parties including RBC Bahamas and on June 29, 2018, the French appellate court affirmed the acquittals. The acquittals
were appealed and on January 6, 2021 the French Supreme Court issued a judgment reversing the decision of the French Court of
Appeal and sent the case back to the French Court of Appeal for rehearing.
On March
5, 2024, the Court of Appeal rendered a judgment of conviction (the Conviction) against RBC Bahamas and the other parties. RBC
Bahamas was ordered by the Court of Appeal to pay a fine in connection with the Conviction. In addition, the Court of Appeal ordered
that certain of those convicted of complicity in the matter, including RBC Bahamas, are jointly liable for the allegedly unpaid
inheritance taxes owing, plus penalties and interest (such aggregate amount will be determined in a separate proceeding before
the tax courts, the timing of which is to be determined). RBC Bahamas believes that its actions did not violate French law, and
has appealed the Conviction to the French Supreme Court. Under French law, upon the filing of an appeal by RBC Bahamas, the Conviction,
as well as its effects (fine and joint liability) were stayed pending the outcome of the appeal.
In 2016,
RBC was granted an exemption by the U.S. Department of Labor that allows RBC and its current and future affiliates, including
RBC Capital, to continue to qualify for the Qualified Professional Asset Manager (QPAM) exemption under the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act despite any potential conviction of RBC Bahamas in the French proceeding, for a temporary one year period
from the date of conviction. RBC Capital relies on the QPAM exemption in its ability to manage pension and retirement funds. On
December 11, 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor published a technical correction to the prior one-year exemption reflecting the
fact that the then-pending Court of Appeal’s decision will be rendered by an appellate court, and not the district court.
As a result of the Conviction, the temporary one-year period commenced on March 5, 2024. RBC has sought longer term relief from
the Department of Labor.
RBC Bahamas
continues to review the trustee’s and the trust’s legal obligations, including the liabilities and potential liabilities
under applicable tax and other laws.
SEC
investigation
In October
2022, RBC Capital received a request for information and documents from the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
concerning compliance with records preservation requirements relating to business communications exchanged on electronic channels
that have not been approved by RBC Capital. In August 2024, the SEC entered into a settlement with RBC Capital. RBC agreed to
a $45 million settlement amount.
U.K.
government bonds litigation
In June
2023, RBC Europe Limited and the RBC Capital, among other financial institutions, were named as defendants in a putative class
action filed in the U.S. by plaintiffs alleging anti-competitive conduct, between 2009 and 2013, in the U.K. government bonds
market. In September 2023, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss the complaint which motion was granted, without prejudice,
in September 2024. Subsequently, on October 31, 2024, RBC Europe Limited, RBC Capital and certain of the other defendants executed
an agreement to dismiss the action, with prejudice, against those defendants. The settlement agreement remains subject to court
approval.
Please
see RBC Capital’s Form BD, which is available on the FINRA BrokerCheck program, for more details.
RBC Capital
will act only as clearing broker for CPER and as such will be paid commissions for executing and clearing trades on behalf of
CPER. RBC Capital has not passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. RBC Capital will not act in any supervisory
capacity with respect to USCF or participate in the management of USCF or CPER.
RBC Capital
is not affiliated with CPER or USCF. Therefore, neither USCF nor CPER believes that there are any conflicts of interest with RBC
Capital or its trading principals arising from its acting as CPER’s FCM.
Marex
Capital Markets, Inc.
On August
23, 2021, the Trust on behalf of CPER entered into a Commodity Futures Customer Agreement with Marex North America, LLC (“MNA”)
to serve as an FCM for CPER. On July 14, 2023, Marex Capital Markets, Inc. (“MCM”) assumed the rights and obligations
of MNA vis-à-vis CPER following the transfer of MNA’s futures clearing business to MCM as part of an internal reorganization.
The Commodity Futures Customer Agreement requires MCM to provide services to CPER in connection with the purchase and sale of
futures contracts and Other Copper-Related Investments that may be purchased or sold by or through MCM for CPER’s account.
Under this agreement, CPER pays MCM commissions for executing and clearing trades on behalf of CPER.
MCM’s primary
address is 140 East 45th Street, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10017. MCM is registered in the United States with FINRA as a broker-dealer
and with the CFTC as an FCM. MCM is a member of various U.S. futures and securities exchanges.
MCM is
a large broker dealer subject to many different complex legal and regulatory requirements. As a result, certain of MCM’s
regulators may from time to time conduct investigations, initiate enforcement proceedings and/or enter into settlements with MCM
with respect to issues raised in various investigations. MCM complies fully with its regulators in all investigations which may
be conducted and in all settlements it may reach. Except as indicated below, there have been no material civil, administrative,
or criminal proceedings pending, on appeal, or concluded against MCM or its principals in the past five (5) years.
United
States District Court for the Southern District of New York, Civil Action No. 19-CV-8217 8
In a private
litigation, plaintiffs alleged, among other things, that MCM made certain fraudulent misrepresentations to them that they relied
upon in connection with a futures account carried by MCM in its capacity as a futures commission merchant. The plaintiffs alleged
claims of common law fraud, negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, breach of the duty of good faith and fair
dealing and misrepresentation/omission. On June 30, 2021, MCM received the Opinion and Order in which the judge ruled against
the plaintiffs and in favor of MCM. Judgment was entered in favor of MCM in the amount of $1,762,266.57, plus prejudgment interest
and attorney’s fees and costs. On September 29, 2021, MCM received an Opinion and Order in which the judge awarded MCM $1,402,234.32
in attorneys’ fees and costs.
JAMS
Arbitration
In a JAMS
Arbitration, claimants sought monetary damages relating to trading losses in claimants’ futures trading accounts carried
by MCM0 (the “Accounts”). The Accounts were traded pursuant to a power of attorney granted by the claimants to a registered
commodity trading advisor. Claimants sought compensatory damages, punitive damages, disgorgement of commissions and margin interest,
and forgiveness of margin debt plus interest, costs and attorneys’ fees. On September 23, 2021, the claimants and MCM settled
the matter.
FINRA
Arbitration
In a
FINRA Arbitration, claimants sought monetary damages relating to trading losses in claimants’ equity trading account carried
by MCM (the “Account”). The Account was a portfolio margin account, and the claimants alleged losses relating to the
risk parameters and margin applied to the Account. Claimants sought compensatory damage plus interest, costs and attorneys’
fees. On June 22, 2023, the panel dismissed claimants’ claims in their entirety. On September 20, 2023, claimants filed
a Petition to Vacate Arbitration Award in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York. On November 15, 2023,
MCM filed its Memorandum of Law in Opposition to the Petition to Vacate the Arbitration Award and a Cross-Motion to Confirm the
Award and recover Attorneys’ Fees and Costs. On April 22, 2024, the claimants’ Petition to Vacate the Arbitration
Award was denied.
Cook
County Litigation
In a private
litigation, a plaintiff sought monetary damages relating to allegations of breach of contract and violation of the Illinois Wage
Payment and Collections Act. The plaintiff sought damages plus interest, costs and attorneys’ fees. The plaintiff and MCM
settled the matter and, on September 29, 2023, an Agreed Order of Dismissal with Prejudice was filed.
Adversary
Complaint
In an
adversary complaint, certain debtors seek to enforce the terms of a pledge agreement of a third-party and to recover collateral
that is allegedly the property of debtors (the “Pledged Assets”). MCM previously had custody of the Pledged Assets.
On January 4, 2023, the government provided instructions for the transfer of the Pledged Assets to a government-controlled account.
The complaint does not allege that MCM engaged in any wrongdoing or any wrongful misconduct. MCM is simply alleged to have been
the custodian of the Pledged Assets subject to the debtors’ purported claims. On January 5, 2023, MCM filed a Response and
Limited Objection to debtors’ Turnover Motion. The debtors’ Turnover Motion was denied by the Court on January 9,
2023. On April 25, 2023, BlockFi and MCM entered into a stipulation pursuant to which the adversary proceeding is stayed. BlockFi
is permitted to file an amended adversary complaint, but the proceeding otherwise will remain stayed and MCM is not required to
respond.
United
States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division No. 1:23-cv-14192
In a private
litigation, a plaintiff alleges that MCM and 2 of its employees (collectively, the “Defendants”), used Plaintiff’s
software and trade secrets in their creation of a competing software platform. Plaintiff seeks unspecified damages and costs,
as well as an injunction, prohibiting Defendants from using/benefitting from the alleged trade secrets, including the use of the
competing software platform. On November 30, 2023, the Court stayed all discovery in the case pending a ruling on Defendants’
motion to dismiss. On December 11, 2023, Defendants filed a Motion to Dismiss the Complaint. On January 19, 2024, Plaintiff filed
an Opposition to Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss. On February 2, 2024, Defendants filed its Reply Brief in Support of its
Motion to Dismiss. The Court has yet to rule on Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss. MCM was acquired by the Marex Group in phases
during the second half of 2022 and went from doing business as E D & F Man Capital Markets, Inc. to Marex Capital Markets,
Inc.
MCM will
act only as clearing broker for CPER and as such will be paid commissions for executing and clearing trades on behalf of CPER.
MCM has not passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. MCM will not act in any supervisory capacity with respect
to USCF or participate in the management of USCF or CPER.
MCM is
not affiliated with CPER or USCF. Therefore, neither USCF nor CPER believes that there are any conflicts of interest with MCM
or its trading principals arising from its acting as CPER’s FCM.
Commodity Trading Advisor
Currently,
USCF employs SummerHaven as a commodity trading advisor. SummerHaven provides advisory services to USCF with respect to the SCI
and investment decisions for CPER. Its advisory services include, but are not limited to, providing advice regarding the purchase,
sale, or holding of commodity interests by CPER in accordance with the advisory agreement between SummerHaven and USCF. For these
services, USCF pays fees to SummerHaven. For additional information about the SCI and CPER’s trading program see “Additional
Information About the SCI and CPER’s Trading Program.” In addition, USCF employs SummerHaven as a commodity trading
advisor for CPER.
SummerHaven’s
principal business address is 1266 East Main Street, Soundview Plaza, Fourth Floor, Stamford, CT 06902. SummerHaven is a commodity
trading advisor and commodity pool operator registered with the NFA.
Other
than as indicated below, there have been no material, civil, administrative, or criminal proceedings pending, on appeal, or concluded
against SummerHaven or its principals in the past five (5) years.
On May
18, 2021, without admitting or denying the CFTC’s findings or conclusions, SummerHaven settled a CFTC administrative action
arising out of certain trades executed in or around July of 2018 for the commodity futures portfolio of a third-party. Such trades
were intended to move positions from one FCM to another. The CFTC alleged that the trades constituted “wash” trades,
which are prohibited under the Commodity Exchange Act and CFTC regulations promulgated thereunder. The CFTC also alleged that
the trades were non-competitive transactions and, therefore, violated CFTC regulation 1.38, and that their entry evidenced a supervisory
failure. In connection with the settlement, SummerHaven has agreed to pay a civil monetary penalty of $500,000 and to cease and
desist from further violations of the Commodity Exchange Act and CFTC regulations, as charged.
USCF
has also entered into a licensing agreement with SummerHaven. Under this licensing agreement, SummerHaven has sub-licensed to
USCF, the use of certain names and marks, including the SCI with respect to CPER, which SummerHaven licensed from SHIM, the owner
of the SCI. For this license, USCF pays a fee to SHIM.
SHIM’s
principal business address is 1266 East Main Street, Soundview Plaza, Fourth Floor, Stamford, CT 06902.
Swap Dealer
Macquarie Bank Limited
On August
9, 2023, the Trust entered into an ISDA 2002 Master Agreement (the “Macquarie ISDA”) with Macquarie Bank Limited,
pursuant to which Macquarie Bank Limited has agreed to serve as an over-the-counter (“OTC”) swaps counterparty for
the Trust and to enter into traded under the Agreement on behalf of CPER as a series of the Trust. The Agreement, together with
additional required trading documentation and other agreements, including, among other documents, an account control agreement
between the parties and The Bank of New York Mellon that was fully executed on August 18, 2023, provide CPER with the ability
to invest in OTC swaps in furtherance of its investment objective. In the future, CPER may enter into OTC swap transactions with
Macquarie under the Agreement. CPER’s OTC swap transactions outstanding under the Macquarie ISDA, if any, along with CPER’s
other holdings, are posted on CPER’s website, www.uscfinvestments.com.
Macquarie
Bank Limited’s principal address is 1 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia. Macquarie Bank Limited is registered
with the CFTC as a swap dealer. As of the date hereof, Macquarie Bank Limited has no material litigation to disclose as that term
is defined under the CEA and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Macquarie
Bank Limited is not affiliated with CPER or USCF. Therefore, neither USCF nor CPER believes that there will be any conflicts of
interest with Macquarie Bank Limited or its trading principals arising from Macquarie Bank Limited acting as an OTC swaps counterparty
to CPER.
CPER’s Fees and Expenses
This
table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of CPER. You should note that you may pay brokerage
commissions on purchases and sales of CPER’s shares, which are not reflected in the table. Authorized Participants will
pay applicable creation and redemption fees. See “Creation and Redemption of Shares—Creation and Redemption
Transaction Fee,” page 78.
Annual Fund Operating Expenses
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
Management Fees | |
| 0.65 | %(1) |
Distribution Fees | |
| NONE | |
Other Fund Expenses | |
| 0.41 | %(2) |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | |
| 1.06 | % |
| (1) | CPER
is contractually obligated to pay USCF a management fee, equal to 0.65% per annum, which
is based on its average daily total net assets and paid monthly. |
| (2) | Based
on amounts for the year ended December 31, 2024. The individual expense amounts in dollar
terms are shown in the table below. As used in this table, (i) Professional Expenses
include expenses for legal, audit, tax accounting and printing; and (ii) Independent
Director and Officer Expenses include amounts paid to independent directors and for officers’
liability insurance. |
The table
below shows the total dollar amount of fees and expenses paid by CPER for the year ended December 31, 2024:
Management Fees | |
$ | 1,107,852 | |
Brokerage Commissions | |
$ | 38,119 | |
Professional Expenses | |
$ | 618,031 | |
License Fees | |
$ | 0 | |
Independent Director and Officer Expenses | |
$ | 46,941 | |
Registration Fee | |
$ | 0 | |
| |
| | |
These amounts are based
on CPER’s average total net assets, which are the sum of daily total net assets of CPER divided by the number of calendar
days in the year. For the year ended December 31, 2024, CPER’s average daily total net assets were $170,443,212.
Breakeven Analysis
The breakeven
analysis below indicates the approximate dollar returns and percentage required for the redemption value of a hypothetical initial
investment in a single share of CPER to equal the amount invested twelve months after the investment was made. For purposes of
this breakeven analysis, we have assumed an initial selling price of $28.39 per share, which equals the NAV per share on February
28, 2025. In order for a hypothetical investment in shares to break even over the next 12 months, assuming a selling price of
$28.39 per share, the investment would have to generate a 0% or $0 return.
This
breakeven analysis refers to the redemption of baskets by Authorized Participants and is not related to any gains an individual
investor would have to achieve in order to break even. The breakeven analysis is an approximation only. As used in this table,
(i) Professional Expenses include expenses for legal, audit, tax accounting and printing; and (ii) Independent Director and Officer
Expenses include amounts paid to independent directors and for officers’ liability insurance. You should note that you may
pay brokerage commissions on purchases and sales of CPER’s shares, which are not reflected in the table; however, CPER’s
brokerage fees and commissions are included (those costs associated with rolling futures contracts).
Initial Selling Price Per Share(1) | |
$ | 28.39 | |
Management Fee (0.65)%(2) | |
$ | 0.185 | |
Creation Basket Fee (0.010)%(3) | |
$ | (0.003 | ) |
Estimated Brokerage Fees (0.022)%(4) | |
$ | 0.006 | |
Interest Income (5.089)%(5) | |
$ | (1.445 | ) |
Independent Director and Officer Expenses (0.028)%(6) | |
$ | 0.008 | |
Professional Expenses (0.363)%(7) | |
$ | 0.103 | |
Registration Fee (0.0)% | |
$ | 0 | |
Amount of trading income (loss) required for the redemption value at the end of one year to equal the initial selling price of the Share(8) | |
$ | 0.00 | |
Percentage of initial Selling Price Per Share(8) | |
| 0.00 | % |
| (1) | In
order to show how a hypothetical investment in shares would break even over the next
12 months, this breakeven analysis uses an assumed initial selling price of $28.39 per
share, which is based on the NAV per share of CPER at the close of trading on February
28, 2025. Investors should note that, because CPER’s NAV changes on a daily basis,
the breakeven amount on any given day could be higher or lower than the amount reflected
here. |
| (2) | CPER
is contractually obligated to pay USCF a management fee of 0.65% per annum on its average
total net assets. “Average total net assets” are the sum of the daily total
net assets of CPER (the NAV of CPER calculated as set forth in “Calculating Per
Share NAV” beginning on page 73) divided by the number of calendar days in the
year. On days when markets are closed, the daily total net assets are the daily total
net assets from the last day when the market was open. See page 7 for a discussion of
net assets of CPER. |
| (3) | Authorized
Participants are required to pay a Creation Basket fee of $350 for each order they place
to create one or more baskets. This breakeven analysis assumes a hypothetical investment
in a single share, which would equal the $350 Creation Basket fee divided by the total
number of outstanding shares plus the 50,000 shares created by the Creation Basket. This
calculation will always result in a value that is below 0.010%, but for purposes of this
breakeven analysis we assume a creation basket fee of 0.010%. |
| (4) | This
amount is based on the actual brokerage fees for CPER calculated on an annualized basis
and includes an estimated half-turn commission of $3.50. A half-turn commission is the
commissions liability related to FCM transaction fees for futures contracts on a half-turn
basis. |
| (5) | For
the year ended December 31, 2024, CPER’s dividend and interest income earned on
its Treasuries, cash, and/or cash equivalents, annualized based on its average daily
total net assets was 5.09%. This amount may not reflect the actual amount of dividend
and interest income that will be earned by CPER on a going forward basis because interest
rates rise and fall depending on market conditions. Nevertheless, USCF believes it is
reasonable to use this amount because it is based on actual dividend and interest income
recently earned and reported by CPER. |
| (6) | Independent
Director and Officer Expenses include amounts paid to independent directors and for officers’
liability insurance. The foregoing assumes that the average total net assets of CPER
as of December 31, 2024, which were $170,443,212, were aggregated with the average total
net assets of the Related Public Funds as of December 31, 2024, that the aggregate fees
paid to the independent directors for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $916,574,
and that the allocable portion of the fees borne by CPER based on the proportion of its
average total net assets when aggregated with the average total net assets of the Related
Public Funds equals $46,941. |
| (7) | Professional
Expenses include expenses for legal, audit, tax accounting and printing. CPER’s
costs attributable to Professional Expenses for the year ended December 31, 2024 is $618,031.
The number in the breakeven table assumes CPER had $170,443,212 in average daily total
net assets during the calendar year ended December 31, 2024. |
Conflicts of Interest
There
are present and potential future conflicts of interest in CPER’s structure and operation you should consider before you
purchase shares. USCF, SHIM and SummerHaven will use this notice of conflicts as a defense against any claim or other proceeding
made. If USCF, SHIM or SummerHaven are not able to resolve these conflicts of interest adequately, it may impact CPER’s
and the Related Public Funds’ ability to achieve their investment objectives.
The officers,
directors and employees of USCF, SHIM and SummerHaven do not devote their time exclusively to CPER. These persons are directors,
officers or employees of other entities which may compete with CPER for their services. They could have a conflict between their
responsibilities to CPER and to those other entities.
USCF,
SHIM and SummerHaven have adopted policies that prohibit these companies and their principals, officers, directors and employees
from trading futures and related contracts in which either CPER or any of the Related Public Funds invests. These policies are
intended to prevent conflicts of interest occurring where USCF, SHIM, SummerHaven or their principals, officers, directors or
employees could give preferential treatment to their own accounts or trade their own accounts ahead of or against CPER or any
of the Related Public Funds.
USCF
has sole current authority to manage the investments and operations of CPER, and this may allow it to act in a way that furthers
its own interests which may create a conflict with your best interests. Shareholders have very limited voting rights, which will
limit their ability to influence matters such as amendment of the Trust Agreement, change in CPER’s basic investment policy,
dissolution of the Trust, or the sale or distribution of CPER’s assets.
USCF
serves as the general partner or sponsor to CPER and the Related Public Funds. USCF may have a conflict to the extent that its
trading decisions for CPER may be influenced by the effect they would have on the other funds it manages.
In addition,
USCF is required to indemnify the officers and directors of CPER and the Related Public Funds, if the need for indemnification
arises. This potential indemnification will cause USCF’s assets to decrease. If USCF’s other sources of income are
not sufficient to compensate for the indemnification, then USCF may terminate and you could lose your investment.
Resolution of Conflicts
Procedures
The Trust
Agreement provides that whenever a conflict of interest exists or arises between USCF or any of its affiliates, on the one hand,
and the Trust, CPER or any shareholders or any other person, on the other hand, any resolution or course of action by USCF in
respect of such conflict of interest considering the relative interest of each party (including its own interest) and the benefits
and burdens relating to such interests, any customary or accepted industry practices, and any applicable accepted accounting practices
or principles.
The previous
risk factors and conflicts of interest are complete as of the date of this prospectus; however, additional risks and conflicts
may occur which are not presently foreseen by USCF. You may not construe this prospectus as legal or tax advice. Before making
an investment in CPER, you should read this entire prospectus, including the Trust Agreement, which can be found on CPER’s
website at www.uscfinvestments.com. You should also consult with your personal legal, tax, and other professional advisors.
Interests of Named Experts
and Counsel
USCF
has employed Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP to prepare this prospectus. Neither the law firm nor any other expert hired by USCF
on behalf of the Trust and CPER, to give advice on the preparation of this offering document has been hired on a contingent fee
basis. None of them have any present or future expectation of interest in USCF, Marketing Agent, Authorized Participants, Custodian,
Administrator or other service providers to the Trust and CPER.
Ownership or Beneficial
Interest in CPER
As of
February 28, 2025, USCF is not aware of any five percent (5%) holder of the shares of CPER. Also, as of such date, none of the
directors or executive officers of USCF own any shares of CPER, and neither SummerHaven nor any of its principals own shares of
CPER. USCF owned forty (40) shares of CPER as of February 28, 2025.
Fiduciary and Regulatory
Duties of USCF
The general
fiduciary duties which would otherwise be imposed on USCF (which would make its operation of the Trust as described herein impracticable
due to the strict prohibition imposed by such duties on, for example, conflicts of interest on behalf of a fiduciary in its dealings
with its beneficiaries), are replaced by the terms of the Trust Agreement (to which terms all shareholders, by subscribing to
the shares, are deemed to consent).
Additionally,
under the Trust Agreement USCF has the following obligations as a sponsor of the Trust:
| · | Devote
to the business and affairs of the Trust such of its time as it determines in its discretion
(exercised in good faith) to be necessary to conduct the business and affairs of the
Trust for the benefit of the Trust and the shareholders; |
| · | Execute,
file, record and/or publish all certificates, statements and other documents and do any
and all other things as may be appropriate for the formation, qualification and operation
of the Trust and for the conduct of its business in all appropriate jurisdictions; |
| · | Appoint
and remove independent public accountants to audit the accounts of the Trust and employ
attorneys to represent the Trust; |
| · | Use
its best efforts to maintain the status of the Trust as a statutory trust for state law
purposes and as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes; |
| · | Invest,
reinvest, hold uninvested, sell, exchange, write options on, lease, lend and, to the
extent permitted by the Trust Agreement, pledge, mortgage and hypothecate the assets
of CPER in accordance with the purposes of the Trust and this Prospectus; |
| · | Have
fiduciary responsibility for the safekeeping and use of the Trust’s assets, whether
or not in USCF’s immediate possession or control; |
| · | Enter
into and perform agreements with each Authorized Participant, receive from Authorized
Participants and process properly submitted purchase orders, receive Creation Basket
Deposits, deliver or cause the delivery of Creation Baskets to for the account of the
Authorized Participant submitting a purchase order; |
| · | Receive
from Authorized Participants and process, or cause the Marketing Agent to process, properly
submitted redemption orders, receive from the redeeming Authorized Participants through
the Depository, and thereupon cancel or cause to be cancelled, shares corresponding to
the Redemption Baskets to be redeemed; |
| · | Interact
with the Depository as required; |
| · | Delegate
duties to one or more administrators, as USCF determines; and |
| · | Delegate
duties to one or more commodity trading or other advisors, as USCF determines. |
To the
extent that under a law, common, statutory, or in equity, USCF has duties (including fiduciary duties) and liabilities relating
thereto to the Trust, CPER, the shareholders or to any other person, USCF will not be liable to the Trust, CPER, the shareholders
or to any other person for its good faith reliance on the provisions of the Trust Agreement or this Prospectus unless such reliance
constitutes gross negligence or willful misconduct on the part of USCF.
Under
Delaware law, a beneficial owner of a statutory trust (such as a shareholder of CPER) may, under certain circumstances, institute
legal action on behalf of himself and all other similarly situated beneficial owners (a “class action”) to recover
damages for violations of fiduciary duties, or on behalf of a statutory trust (a “derivative action”) to recover damages
from a third party where there has been a failure or refusal to institute proceedings to recover such damages. In addition, beneficial
owners may have the right, subject to certain legal requirements, to bring class actions in federal court to enforce their rights
under the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder by the SEC. Beneficial owners who have
suffered losses in connection with the purchase or sale of their beneficial interests may be able to recover such losses from
USCF where the losses result from a violation by USCF of the anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws.
Under
certain circumstances, shareholders also have the right to institute a reparations proceeding before the CFTC against USCF (a
registered commodity pool operator), an FCM, as well as those of their respective employees who are required to be registered
under the CEA, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Private rights of action are conferred by the CEA. Investors
in futures and in commodity pools may, therefore, invoke the protections provided thereunder.
The foregoing
summary describing in general terms the remedies available to shareholders under federal law is based on statutes, rules and decisions
as of the date of this Prospectus. As this is a rapidly developing and changing area of the law, shareholders who believe that
they may have a legal cause of action against any of the foregoing parties should consult their own counsel as to their evaluation
of the status of the applicable law at such time.
Liability and Indemnification
Under
the Trust Agreement, USCF, the Trustee and their respective affiliates (collectively, “Covered Persons”) (i) shall
have no liability to the Trust, to CPER, or to any shareholder for any loss suffered by the Trust or CPER which arises out of
any action or inaction of such Covered Person and (ii) shall not be personally liable for the return or repayment of all or any
portion of the capital or profits of any shareholder or assignee thereof, in both cases, provided that such Covered Person, in
good faith, determined that such course of conduct was in the best interest of the Trust or CPER and such course of conduct did
not constitute gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Covered Person. A Covered Person shall not be liable for the conduct
or willful misconduct of any Administrator or other delegatee selected by USCF with reasonable care, provided, however, that the
Trustee and its affiliates shall not, under any circumstances be liable for the conduct or willful misconduct of any Administrator
or other delegatee or any other person selected by USCF to provide services to the Trust.
The Trust
Agreement also provides that USCF (and any other Covered Person performing services on behalf of the Trust or CPER, as applicable,
and acting within the scope of USCF’s authority as set forth in the Trust Agreement) shall be indemnified by the Trust (or
by CPER separately to the extent the matter in question relates to a single fund or disproportionately affects a specific fund
in relation to another fund) against any losses, judgments, liabilities, expenses and amounts paid in settlement of any claims
sustained by it in connection with its activities for the Trust or a fund, as applicable, provided that (i) USCF was acting on
behalf of or performing services for the Trust or a fund, as applicable, and has determined, in good faith, that such course of
conduct was in the best interests of the Trust or a fund, as applicable and such liability or loss was not the result of gross
negligence, willful misconduct, or a breach of the Trust Agreement on the part of USCF and (ii) any such indemnification will
only be recoverable from the assets of the Trust or of CPER. All rights to indemnification permitted under the Trust Agreement
shall not be affected by the dissolution or other cessation to exist of USCF, or the withdrawal, adjudication of bankruptcy or
insolvency of USCF, or the filing of a voluntary or involuntary petition in bankruptcy under Title 11 of the Bankruptcy Code by
or against USCF.
USCF
shall not be indemnified for any losses, liabilities or expenses arising from or out of an alleged violation of the U.S. federal
or state securities laws unless (i) there has been a successful adjudication on the merits of each count involving alleged securities
law violations as to the particular indemnitee and the court approves the indemnification of such expenses (including, without
limitation, litigation costs), (ii) such claims have been dismissed with prejudice on the merits by a court of competent jurisdiction
as to the particular indemnitee and the court approves the indemnification of such expenses (including, without limitation, litigation
cost) or (iii) a court of competent jurisdiction approves a settlement of the claims against a particular indemnitee and finds
that indemnification of the settlement and related costs should be made.
The payment
of any indemnification shall be allocated, as appropriate, among the series funds in the Trust, including CPER. The Trust and
its series shall not incur the cost of that portion of any insurance which insures any party against any liability, the indemnification
of which is prohibited under the Trust Agreement.
Expenses
incurred in defending a threatened or pending civil, administrative or criminal action, suit or proceeding against USCF shall
be paid by the Trust in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding, if (i) the legal action relates to
the performance of duties or services by USCF on behalf of the Trust or any fund, as applicable; (ii) the legal action is initiated
by a party other than the Trust or any fund; and (iii) USCF undertakes to repay the advanced funds with interest to the Trust
or any fund, as applicable, in cases in which it is not entitled to indemnification under the Trust Agreement.
In the
event the Trust or any Fund, as applicable, is made a party to any claim, dispute, demand or litigation or otherwise incurs any
loss, liability, damage, cost or expense as a result of or in connection with any shareholder’s (or assignee’s) obligations
or liabilities unrelated to the business of the Trust or any Fund, as applicable, such shareholder (or assignees cumulatively)
is required under the Trust Agreement to indemnify, defend, hold harmless and reimburse or such fund, as applicable, for all such
loss, liability, damage, cost and expense incurred, including attorneys’ and accountants’ fees.
The Trustee
will not be liable or accountable to the Trust or to any other person or under any other agreement to which the Trust is a party,
except for the Trustee’s own gross negligence or willful misconduct. USCF also indemnifies the Trustee (in its capacity
as Trustee and individually) and its successors, assigns, legal representatives, officers, directors, shareholders, employees,
agents and servants from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, taxes (excluding taxes
payable by the Trustee on or measured by any compensation received by the Trustee for its services hereunder or any indemnity
payments received by the Trustee under the Trust Agreement), claims, actions, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements (including
reasonable legal fees and expenses) in any way relating to or arising out of the formation, operation or termination of the Trust,
the execution, delivery and performance of any other agreements to which the Trust is a party or the action or inaction of the
Trustee, except for expenses resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of any of the indemnified parties.
Provisions of Law
According
to applicable law, indemnification of USCF is payable only if USCF determined, in good faith, that the act, omission or conduct
that gave rise to the claim for indemnification was in the best interest of the Trust and CPER and the act, omission or activity
that was the basis for such loss, liability, damage, cost or expense was not the result of negligence or misconduct and such liability
or loss was not the result of negligence or misconduct by USCF, and such indemnification or agreement to hold harmless is recoverable
only out of the assets of CPER and not from the members, individually.
Provisions of Federal
and State Securities Laws
This
offering is made pursuant to federal and applicable state securities laws. The SEC and state securities agencies take the position
that indemnification of USCF that arises out of an alleged violation of such laws is prohibited unless certain conditions are
met.
Those
conditions require that no indemnification of USCF or any underwriter for CPER may be made in respect of any losses, liabilities
or expenses arising from or out of an alleged violation of federal or state securities laws unless: (i) there has been a successful
adjudication on the merits of each count involving alleged securities law violations as to the party seeking indemnification and
the court approves the indemnification; (ii) such claim has been dismissed with prejudice on the merits by a court of competent
jurisdiction as to the party seeking indemnification; or (iii) a court of competent jurisdiction approves a settlement of the
claims against the party seeking indemnification and finds that indemnification of the settlement and related costs should be
made, provided that, before seeking such approval, USCF or other indemnitee must apprise the court of the position held by regulatory
agencies against such indemnification. These agencies are the SEC and the securities administrator of the State or States in which
the plaintiffs claim they were offered or sold interests.
Provisions of the 1933
Act and NASAA Guidelines
Insofar
as indemnification for liabilities arising under the 1933 Act may be permitted to USCF or its directors, officers, or persons
controlling the Trust and CPER, CPER has been informed that the SEC and the various state administrators believe that such indemnification
is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and the North American Securities Administrators Association, Inc. (“NASAA”)
commodity pool guidelines and is therefore unenforceable.
Management; Voting by Shareholders
The shareholders
of CPER take no part in the management or control, and have no voice in the Trust’s operations or business. USCF generally
has the right to amend the Trust Agreement as it applies to the Trust provided that the shareholders have the right to vote only
if expressly required under Delaware or federal law or rules or regulations of the Exchange, or if submitted to the shareholders
by USCF in its sole discretion. No amendment affecting the Trustee shall be binding upon or effective against the Trustee unless
consented to by the Trustee in the form of an instruction letter.
Meetings
Meetings
of the Trust’s shareholders may be called by USCF and may be called by it upon the written request of shareholders holding
at least 50% of the outstanding shares of the Trust or CPER, as applicable. USCF shall deposit in the United States mail or electronically
transmit written notice to all shareholders of CPER of the meeting and the purpose of the meeting, which shall be held on a date
not less than 30 nor more than 60 days after the date of mailing of such notice, at a reasonable time and place. Where the meeting
is called upon the written request of the shareholders such written notice shall be mailed or transmitted not more than 45 days
after such written request for a meeting was received by USCF. Any notice of meeting shall be accompanied by a description of
the action to be taken at the meeting. Shareholders may vote in person or by proxy at any such meeting.
Any action
required or permitted to be taken by shareholders by vote may be taken without a meeting by written consent setting forth the
actions so taken. Such written consents shall be treated for all purposes as votes at a meeting. If the vote or consent of any
shareholder to any action of the Trust, CPER or any shareholder, as contemplated by the Trust Agreement, is solicited by USCF,
the solicitation shall be effected by notice to each shareholder given in the manner provided in accordance with the Trust Agreement.
The Trust Agreement provides that shareholders are deemed to have consented to any proposals recommended by USCF in the shareholder
notice unless such shareholders timely object to the proposals. Therefore, a lack of a response by a shareholder will have the
same effect as if that shareholder had provided affirmative written consent for the proposed action. USCF and all parties dealing
with the Trust may act in reliance on such deemed activity.
Termination Events
The Trust
will dissolve at any time upon the happening of any of the following events:
| · | The
filing of a certificate of dissolution or revocation of USCF’s charter (and the
expiration of 90 days after the date of notice to USCF of revocation without a reinstatement
of its charter) or upon written notice by USCF of its withdrawal as Sponsor, unless (i)
at the time there is at least one remaining Sponsor and that remaining Sponsor carries
on the business of the Trust or (ii) within 90 days of such event of withdrawal all the
remaining shareholders agree in writing to continue the business of the Trust and to
select, effective as of the date of such event, one or more successor Sponsors. If the
Trust is terminated as the result of an event of withdrawal and a failure of all remaining
shareholders to continue the business of the Trust and to appoint a successor Sponsor
as provided above within 120 days of such event of withdrawal, shareholders holding shares
representing at least a majority (over 50%) of the NAV (not including shares held by
USCF and its affiliates) may elect to continue the business of the Trust by forming a
new statutory trust, or reconstituted trust, on the same terms and provisions as set
forth in the Trust Agreement. Any such election must also provide for the election of
a Sponsor to the reconstituted trust. If such an election is made, all shareholders of
the Trust shall be bound thereby and continue as shareholders of the reconstituted trust. |
| · | The
occurrence of any event which would make unlawful the continued existence of the Trust. |
| · | In
the event of the suspension, revocation or termination of USCF’s registration as
a commodity pool operator, or membership as a commodity pool operator with the NFA (if,
in either case, such registration is required at such time unless at the time there is
at least one remaining Sponsor whose registration or membership has not been suspended,
revoked or terminated). |
| · | The
Trust becomes insolvent or bankrupt. |
| · | The
shareholders holding shares representing at least seventy-five percent (75%) of the NAV
(which excludes the shares of USCF) vote to dissolve CPER, notice of which is sent to
USCF not less than ninety (90) business days prior to the effective date of termination. |
| · | The
determination of USCF that the aggregate net assets of CPER in relation to the operating
expenses of the Trust make it unreasonable or imprudent to continue the business of the
Trust. |
| · | The
Trust is required to be registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act. |
| · | DTC
is unable or unwilling to continue to perform its functions, and a comparable replacement
is unavailable. |
Books and Records
The Trust
and CPER keep books of record and account at the office of USCF located at 1850 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Suite 640, Walnut Creek,
California 94596, or at the offices of the Administrator located at 240 Greenwich Street, New York, New York, 10286, or such office,
including of an administrative agent, as it may subsequently designate upon notice. These books and records are open to inspection
by any person who establishes to the Trust’s satisfaction that such person is a shareholder upon reasonable advance notice
at all reasonable times during the usual business hours of the Trust and CPER.
The Trust
keeps a copy of the Trust Agreement on file in USCF’s office which is available for inspection by any shareholder on reasonable
advance notice at all times during its usual business hours upon reasonable advance notice.
Statements, Filings, and
Reports to Shareholders
At the
end of each fiscal year, the Trust will furnish to banks, broker dealers and trust companies (“DTC Participants”)
for distribution to each person who is a shareholder at the end of the fiscal year an annual report containing the Trust’s
audited financial statements and other information about the Trust and CPER. USCF is responsible for the registration and qualification
of the shares under the federal securities laws and federal commodities laws and any other securities and blue-sky laws of the
United States or any other jurisdiction as USCF may select. USCF is responsible for preparing all reports required by the SEC,
CFTC, and the NYSE Arca, but has entered into an agreement with the Administrator to prepare these reports as required by the
SEC, CFTC and the NYSE Arca on the Trust’s behalf.
The financial
statements of the Trust will be audited, as required by law and as may be directed by USCF, by an independent registered public
accounting firm designated from time to time by USCF. The accountants’ report will be furnished by the Trust to shareholders
upon request. The Trust will make such elections, file such tax returns, and prepare, disseminate and file such tax reports, as
it is advised by its counsel or accountants are from time to time required by any applicable statute, rule or regulation.
In addition
to periodic reports filed with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports
on Form 8-K, all of which can be accessed on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or on CPER’s website at www.uscfinvestments.com,
the Trust pursuant to the Trust Agreement, will provide the following reports to shareholders in the manner prescribed below:
Annual
Reports. Within 90 days after the end of each fiscal year, USCF shall cause to be delivered an annual report containing the
following:
| (i) | financial
statements of the Trust, including without limitation, a balance sheet as of the end
of the of the Trust’s fiscal year and statements of income, Trust’s equity
and changes in financial position, for such fiscal year, which shall be prepared in accordance
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America consistently
applied and shall be audited by a firm of independent certified public accountants registered
with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, |
| (ii) | a
general description of the activities of the Trust during the period covered by the report,
and |
| (iii) | a
report of any material transactions between the Trust and USCF or any of its affiliates,
including fees or compensation paid by the Trust and the services performed by USCF or
any such affiliate for such fees or compensation. |
Quarterly
Reports. Within 45 days after the end of each quarter of each fiscal year, USCF shall cause to be delivered, a quarterly report
containing a balance sheet and statement of income for the period covered by the report, each of which may be unaudited but shall
be certified by USCF as fairly presenting the financial position and results of operations of the Trust during the period covered
by the report. The report shall also contain a description of any material event regarding the business of the Trust during the
period covered by the report.
Monthly
Reports. Within 30 days after the end of each month, USCF shall cause to be posted on its website and upon request, to be
delivered, a monthly report containing an account statement, which will include a statement of income (loss) and a statement of
changes in NAV, for the prescribed period. In addition, the account statement will disclose any material business dealings between
the Trust, USCF, commodity trading advisor (if any), FCMs, or the principals thereof that previously have not been disclosed in
this prospectus or any amendment thereto, other account statements or annual reports.
The
Trust will provide information to its shareholders to the extent required by applicable SEC, CFTC, and NYSE Arca requirements.
An issuer, such as the Trust, of exchange-traded securities may not always readily know the identities of the investors who own
those securities. The Trust and CPER will post the same information described above including its monthly account statements,
which will include, without limitation, CPER’s NAV, on CPER’s website at www.uscfinvestments.com.
Fiscal Year
The fiscal
year of CPER is the calendar year. USCF may select an alternate fiscal year.
Governing Law; Consent
to Delaware Jurisdiction
The rights
of USCF, the Trust, CPER, DTC (as registered owner of CPER’s global certificate for shares) and the shareholders are governed
by the laws of the State of Delaware. USCF, the Trust, CPER and DTC and, by accepting shares, each DTC Participant and each shareholder,
consent to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware and any federal courts located in Delaware. Such consent is
not required for any person to assert a claim of Delaware jurisdiction over USCF, the Trust or CPER.
Legal Matters
Litigation and Claims
From
time to time, USCF, the Trust and CPER may be involved in legal proceedings arising primarily from the ordinary course of its
business. None of the Trust or CPER is currently party to any material legal proceedings. In addition, USCF, as sponsor of the
Trust and general partner of the Related Public Funds may, from time to time, be involved in litigation arising out of its operations
in the ordinary course of business. Except as described herein, USCF is not currently party to any material legal proceedings.
Optimum
Strategies Action
On April
6, 2022, USO and USCF were named as defendants in an action filed by Optimum Strategies Fund I, LP, a purported investor in call
option contracts on USO (the “Optimum Strategies Action”). The action was in the U.S. District Court for the District
of Connecticut at Civil Action No. 3:22-cv-00511.
The Optimum
Strategies Action asserted claims under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), Rule 10b-5
thereunder, and the Connecticut Uniform Securities Act (“CUSA”). It purported to challenge statements in registration
statements that became effective in February 2020, March 2020, and on April 20, 2020, as well as public statements between February
2020 and May 2020, in connection with certain extraordinary market conditions and the attendant risks that caused the demand for
oil to fall precipitously, including the COVID-19 global pandemic and the Saudi Arabia-Russia oil price war. The complaint was
seeking damages, interest, costs, attorney’s fees, and equitable relief.
On March
15, 2023, the court granted the USO defendants’ motion to dismiss the complaint. In its ruling, the court granted the USO
defendants’ motion to dismiss, with prejudice, the plaintiff’s claims under Section 10(b) of the 1934 Act and Rule
10b-5 thereunder, and a claim for control person liability under Section 20(a) of the 1934 Act. Having dismissed all claims over
which the court had original jurisdiction, the court declined to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over the plaintiff’s
state law claim under CUSA and dismissed the claim without prejudice. No notice of appeal was filed.
Settlement
of SEC and CFTC Investigations
On November
8, 2021, USCF and USO announced a resolution with each of the SEC and the CFTC relating to matters set forth in certain Wells
Notices issued by the staffs of each of the SEC and CFTC as more fully described below.
On August
17, 2020, USCF, USO, and John Love received a “Wells Notice” from the staff of the SEC (the “SEC Wells Notice”).
The SEC Wells Notice stated that the SEC staff made a preliminary determination to recommend that the SEC file an enforcement
action against USCF, USO, and Mr. Love alleging violations of Sections 17(a)(1) and 17(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the “1933 Act”), and Section 10(b) of the 1934 Act, and Rule 10b-5 thereunder.
Subsequently,
on August 19, 2020, USCF, USO, and Mr. Love received a Wells Notice from the staff of the CFTC (the “CFTC Wells Notice”).
The CFTC Wells Notice stated that the CFTC staff made a preliminary determination to recommend that the CFTC file an enforcement
action against USCF, USO, and Mr. Love alleging violations of Sections 4o(1)(A) and (B) and 6(c)(1) of the Commodity Exchange
Act of 1936, as amended (the “CEA”), 7 U.S.C. §§ 6o(1)(A) and (B) and 9(1) (2018), and CFTC Regulations
4.26, 4.41, and 180.1(a), 17 C.F.R. §§ 4.26, 4.41, 180.1(a) (2019).
On November
8, 2021, acting pursuant to an offer of settlement submitted by USCF and USO, the SEC issued an order instituting cease-and-desist
proceedings, making findings, and imposing a cease-and-desist order pursuant to Section 8A of the 1933 Act, directing USCF and
USO to cease and desist from committing or causing any violations of Section 17(a)(3) of the 1933 Act, 15 U.S.C. § 77q(a)(3)
(the “SEC Order”). In the SEC Order, the SEC made findings that, from April 24, 2020 to May 21, 2020, USCF and USO
violated Section 17(a)(3) of 1933 Act, which provides that it is “unlawful for any person in the offer or sale of any securities
to engage in any transaction, practice, or course of business which operates or would operate as a fraud or deceit upon the purchaser.”
USCF and USO consented to entry of the SEC Order without admitting or denying the findings contained therein, except as to jurisdiction.
Separately,
on November 8, 2021, acting pursuant to an offer of settlement submitted by USCF, the CFTC issued an order instituting cease-and-desist
proceedings, making findings, and imposing a cease-and-desist order pursuant to Section 6(c) and (d) of the CEA, directing USCF
to cease and desist from committing or causing any violations of Section 4o(1)(B) of the CEA, 7 U.S.C. § 6o(1)(B), and CFTC
Regulation 4.41(a)(2), 17 C.F.R. § 4.41(a)(2) (the “CFTC Order”). In the CFTC Order, the CFTC made findings that,
from on or about April 22, 2020 to June 12, 2020, USCF violated Section 4o(1)(B) of the CEA and CFTC Regulation 4.41(a)(2), which
make it unlawful for any commodity pool operator (“CPO”) to engage in “any transaction, practice, or course
of business which operates as a fraud or deceit upon any client or participant or prospective client or participant” and
prohibit a CPO from advertising in a manner which “operates as a fraud or deceit upon any client or participant or prospective
client or participant,” respectively. USCF consented to entry of the CFTC Order without admitting or denying the findings
contained therein, except as to jurisdiction.
Pursuant
to the SEC Order and the CFTC Order, in addition to the command to cease and desist from committing or causing any violations
of Section 17(a)(3) of the 1933 Act, Section 4o(1)(B) of the CEA, and CFTC Regulation 4.14(a)(2), civil monetary penalties totaling
two million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000) in the aggregate were required to be paid to the SEC and CFTC, of which
one million two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($1,250,000) was paid by USCF to each of the SEC and the CFTC, respectively, pursuant
to the offsets permitted under the orders.
In
re: United States Oil Fund, LP Securities Litigation
On June
19, 2020, USCF, USO, John P. Love, and Stuart P. Crumbaugh were named as defendants in a putative class action filed by purported
shareholder Robert Lucas (the “Lucas Class Action”). The Court thereafter consolidated the Lucas Class Action with
two related putative class actions filed on July 31, 2020 and August 13, 2020, and appointed a lead plaintiff. The consolidated
class action is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York under the caption In re: United States
Oil Fund, LP Securities Litigation, Civil Action No. 1:20-cv-04740.
On November
30, 2020, the lead plaintiff filed an amended complaint (the “Amended Lucas Class Complaint”). The Amended Lucas Class
Complaint asserts claims under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, and Rule 10b-5. The Amended Lucas Class Complaint challenges statements
in registration statements that became effective on February 25, 2020 and March 23, 2020 as well as subsequent public statements
through April 2020 concerning certain extraordinary market conditions and the attendant risks that caused the demand for oil to
fall precipitously, including the COVID-19 global pandemic and the Saudi Arabia-Russia oil price war. The Amended Lucas Class
Complaint purports to have been brought by an investor in USO on behalf of a class of similarly-situated shareholders who purchased
USO securities between February 25, 2020 and April 28, 2020 and pursuant to the challenged registration statements. The Amended
Lucas Class Complaint seeks to certify a class and to award the class compensatory damages at an amount to be determined at trial
as well as costs and attorney’s fees. The Amended Lucas Class Complaint named as defendants USCF, USO, John P. Love, Stuart
P. Crumbaugh, Nicholas D. Gerber, Andrew F Ngim, Robert L. Nguyen, Peter M. Robinson, Gordon L. Ellis, and Malcolm R. Fobes III,
as well as the marketing agent, ALPS Distributors, Inc., and the Authorized Participants: ABN Amro, BNP Paribas Securities Corporation,
Citadel Securities LLC, Citigroup Global Markets, Inc., Credit Suisse Securities USA LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Goldman
Sachs & Company, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Merrill Lynch Professional Clearing Corporation, Morgan Stanley & Company
Inc., Nomura Securities International Inc., RBC Capital Markets LLC, SG Americas Securities LLC, UBS Securities LLC, and Virtu
Financial BD LLC.
The lead
plaintiff has filed a notice of voluntary dismissal of its claims against BNP Paribas Securities Corporation, Citadel Securities
LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Credit Suisse Securities USA LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Morgan Stanley & Company,
Inc., Nomura Securities International, Inc., RBC Capital Markets, LLC, SG Americas Securities LLC, and UBS Securities LLC.
USCF,
USO, and the individual defendants in In re: United States Oil Fund, LP Securities Litigation intend to vigorously contest
such claims and have moved for their dismissal.
Wang
Class Action
On July
10, 2020, purported shareholder Momo Wang filed a putative class action complaint, individually and on behalf of others similarly
situated, against defendants USO, USCF, John P. Love, Stuart P. Crumbaugh, Nicholas D. Gerber, Andrew F Ngim, Robert L. Nguyen,
Peter M. Robinson, Gordon L. Ellis, Malcolm R. Fobes, III, ABN Amro, BNP Paribas Securities Corp., Citadel Securities LLC, Citigroup
Global Markets Inc., Credit Suisse Securities USA LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Goldman Sachs & Company, JP Morgan Securities
Inc., Merrill Lynch Professional Clearing Corp., Morgan Stanley & Company Inc., Nomura Securities International Inc., RBC
Capital Markets LLC, SG Americas Securities LLC, UBS Securities LLC, and Virtu Financial BD LLC, in the U.S. District Court for
the Northern District of California as Civil Action No. 3:20-cv-4596 (the “Wang Class Action”).
The Wang
Class Action asserted federal securities claims under the 1933 Act, challenging disclosures in a March 19, 2020 registration statement.
It alleged that the defendants failed to disclose to investors in USO certain extraordinary market conditions and the attendant
risks that caused the demand for oil to fall precipitously, including the COVID-19 global pandemic and the Saudi Arabia-Russia
oil price war. The Wang Class Action was voluntarily dismissed on August 4, 2020.
Mehan
Action
On August
10, 2020, purported shareholder Darshan Mehan filed a derivative action on behalf of nominal defendant USO, against defendants
USCF, John P. Love, Stuart P. Crumbaugh, Nicholas D. Gerber, Andrew F Ngim, Robert L. Nguyen, Peter M. Robinson, Gordon L. Ellis,
and Malcolm R. Fobes, III (the “Mehan Action”). The action is pending in the Superior Court of the State of California
for the County of Alameda as Case No. RG20070732.
The Mehan
Action alleges that the defendants breached their fiduciary duties to USO and failed to act in good faith in connection with a
March 19, 2020 registration statement and offering and disclosures regarding certain extraordinary market conditions that caused
demand for oil to fall precipitously, including the COVID-19 global pandemic and the Saudi Arabia-Russia oil price war. The complaint
seeks, on behalf of USO, compensatory damages, restitution, equitable relief, attorney’s fees, and costs. All proceedings
in the Mehan Action are stayed pending disposition of the motion(s) to dismiss in In re: United States Oil Fund, LP Securities
Litigation.
USCF,
USO, and the other defendants intend to vigorously contest such claims.
In
re United States Oil Fund, LP Derivative Litigation
On August
27, 2020, purported shareholders Michael Cantrell and AML Pharm. Inc. DBA Golden International filed two separate derivative actions
on behalf of nominal defendant USO, against defendants USCF, John P. Love, Stuart P. Crumbaugh, Andrew F Ngim, Gordon L. Ellis,
Malcolm R. Fobes, III, Nicholas D. Gerber, Robert L. Nguyen, and Peter M. Robinson in the U.S. District Court for the Southern
District of New York at Civil Action No. 1:20-cv-06974 (the “Cantrell Action”) and Civil Action No. 1:20-cv-06981
(the “AML Action”), respectively.
The complaints
in the Cantrell and AML Actions are nearly identical. They each allege violations of Sections 10(b), 20(a) and 21D of the 1934
Act, Rule 10b-5 thereunder, and common law claims of breach of fiduciary duties, unjust enrichment, abuse of control, gross mismanagement,
and waste of corporate assets. These allegations stem from USO’s disclosures and defendants’ alleged actions in light
of the extraordinary market conditions in 2020 that caused demand for oil to fall precipitously, including the COVID-19 global
pandemic and the Saudi Arabia-Russia oil price war. The complaints seek, on behalf of USO, compensatory damages, restitution,
equitable relief, attorney’s fees, and costs. The plaintiffs in the Cantrell and AML Actions have marked their actions as
related to the Lucas Class Action.
The Court
consolidated the Cantrell and AML Actions under the caption In re United States Oil Fund, LP Derivative Litigation, Civil
Action No. 1:20-cv-06974 and appointed co-lead counsel. All proceedings in In re United States Oil Fund, LP Derivative Litigation
are stayed pending disposition of the motion(s) to dismiss in In re: United States Oil Fund, LP Securities Litigation.
USCF,
USO, and the other defendants intend to vigorously contest the claims in In re United States Oil Fund, LP Derivative Litigation.
Legal Opinion
Richards,
Layton & Finger, P.A. has been retained to advise the Trust and USCF with respect to the shares being offered hereby and has
passed upon the validity of the shares being issued hereunder. Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP has also provided CPER with its opinion
with respect to federal income tax matters addressed herein.
Experts
Cohen
& Company, Ltd., an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the statements of financial condition of CPER
as of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, including the schedule of investments as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the
related statements of operations, changes in partners’ capital and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2024 and
2023, that appear in the annual report on Form 10-K that is incorporated by reference. The financial statements of CPER in the
Form 10-K were included therein in reliance upon the report of Cohen & Company, Ltd. dated February 28, 2025, given on its
authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
Spicer
Jeffries LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has audited the statements of operations, changes in partners’
capital and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2022, that appear in the annual report on Form 10-K that is incorporated
by reference. The financial statements in the Form 10-K were included therein in reliance upon the report of Spicer Jeffries LLP
dated February 27, 2023, given on its authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
Effective
November 14, 2023, Cohen & Company, Ltd. replaced Spicer Jeffries LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm
of CPER.
Material U.S. Federal Income
Tax Considerations
The following
discussion summarizes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of shares in
CPER, and the U.S. federal income tax treatment of CPER, as of the date hereof. In general, this discussion is applicable to a
shareholder who holds its shares as a capital asset. This summary does not purport to be a complete description of the income
tax considerations applicable to an investment in shares. For example, CPER has not described tax consequences that may be relevant
to certain types of shareholders subject to special treatment under United States federal income tax laws, including dealers or
traders in securities, commodities or currencies, financial institutions, tax-exempt entities, insurance companies, persons holding
shares as a part of a position in a “straddle” or as part of a “hedging,” “conversion” or
other integrated transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes, or holders of shares whose “functional currency”
is not the U.S. dollar. Furthermore, the discussion below is based upon the provisions of the Code and U.S. Treasury Regulations,
rulings and judicial decisions thereunder as of the date hereof, and such authorities may be repealed, revoked or modified (possibly
with retroactive effect) so as to result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below.
Investors
considering the purchase, ownership or disposition of shares should consult their own tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal
income tax consequences in light of their particular situations, as well as any consequences arising under the laws of any other
taxing jurisdiction.
As used
herein, a “U.S. shareholder” is a beneficial owner of a share that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes: (i) a
citizen or individual resident of the United States; (ii) a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation) created or
organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia; (iii) an estate, the income
of which is subject to U.S. federal income tax, regardless of its source; or (iv) a trust if, (x) a court within the United States
is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more “United States persons”
(within the meaning of the Code) have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or (y) the trust has made
a valid election under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations to be treated as a “United States person” (within the
meaning of the Code). A “non-U.S. shareholder” generally is a beneficial owner of a share that is neither a U.S. shareholder
nor a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If a partnership (or other entity or arrangement treated as a partnership
for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds CPER shares, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner will generally depend
upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. A partnership, or a partner of a partnership, holding CPER
shares should consult his, her, or its own tax advisor regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of investing in CPER
shares.
USCF,
on behalf of CPER, has received the opinion of Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP, counsel to the Trust, that, subject to the conditions,
limitations and assumptions stated in this discussion, the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to CPER and to U.S. shareholders
and non-U.S. shareholders will be as described below. In rendering its opinion, Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP has relied on the
facts and assumptions described in this prospectus as well as certain factual representations made by the Trust and USCF. The
opinion of Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP is not binding on the IRS, and as a result, the IRS may not agree with the U.S. federal
income tax positions taken by CPER. If challenged by the IRS, CPER’s U.S. federal income tax positions might not be sustained
by the courts. No ruling has been requested from the IRS with respect to any matter affecting CPER or prospective investors.
INVESTORS
CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE OF SHARES SHOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF U.S. FEDERAL INCOME
TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF U.S. FEDERAL ESTATE OR GIFT TAX LAWS, STATE, LOCAL, AND FOREIGN
TAX LAWS, AND INCOME TAX TREATIES.
U.S.
Federal Income Tax Status of the Trust and CPER
The Trust
is organized and operated as a Delaware statutory trust in accordance with the provisions of the Trust Agreement and applicable
state law. Notwithstanding the Trust’s status as a statutory trust and CPER’s status as a series of that trust, due
to the nature of its activities, CPER will be treated as a partnership rather than a trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
In addition, the trading of shares on the NYSE Arca will cause CPER to be classified as a “publicly traded partnership”
for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Under the Code, a publicly traded partnership is generally taxable as a corporation for
U.S. federal income tax purposes. In the case of an entity (such as CPER) that is not registered under the 1940 Act; however,
the Code provides an exception to this general rule where an entity’s gross income for each taxable year of its existence
consists of qualifying income (the “qualifying income exception”). In addition, in the case of a partnership a principal
activity of which is the buying and selling of commodities (other than as inventory) or of futures, forwards, and options with
respect to commodities, “qualifying income” includes income and gain from commodities and futures, forwards, options
and swaps, and other notional principal contracts with respect to commodities. In connection with the opinion provided by Eversheds
Sutherland (US) LLP, the Trust and USCF have represented, among other items, the following to Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP:
| · | At
least 90% of CPER’s gross income for each taxable year will be derived from (i)
income and gains from commodities (not held as inventory) or futures, forwards, options,
OTC swap transactions, cleared swaps and other notional principal contracts with respect
to commodities, and (ii) interest income; |
| · | CPER
is organized and operated in accordance with its governing agreements and applicable
law; and |
| · | CPER
has not elected, and will not elect, to be classified as a corporation for U.S. federal
income tax purposes. |
Based
in part on these representations, Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP is of the opinion that CPER will be classified as a partnership
that it is not taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. CPER’s taxation as a partnership, rather than
a corporation, will require USCF to conduct CPER’s business activities in such a manner that it satisfies the qualifying
income exception on a continuing basis. No assurance can be given that CPER’s operations for any given year will produce
income that satisfies the requirements of the qualifying income exception. Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP will not review CPER’s
ongoing compliance with these requirements and will have no obligation to advise the Trust, CPER, or CPER’s shareholders
in the event of any subsequent change in the facts, representations, or applicable law relied upon in reaching its opinion.
If CPER
failed to satisfy the qualifying income exception in any year, other than a failure that is determined by the IRS to be inadvertent
and that is cured within a reasonable time after discovery, CPER would be taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax
purposes and would be subject to U.S. federal income tax imposed at corporate rates. In that event, shareholders of CPER would
not report their share of CPER’s income or loss on their U.S. federal income tax returns.
In addition,
any distributions to shareholders would be treated as dividends to the extent of CPER’s current and accumulated earnings
and profits. Subject to holding period and other requirements, any such dividend to a non-corporate distributee may be a qualified
dividend that is subject to U.S. federal income tax at the lower maximum U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to long-term
capital gains, and corporate distributees may be eligible for the dividends received deduction. To the extent a distribution exceeded
CPER’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, such excess would be treated as a return of capital to the extent of
the shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in its shares and would reduce the shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in its shares
accordingly (but not below zero), and to the extent the amount of the distribution is not a dividend and exceeded the shareholder’s
adjusted tax basis in its shares, such excess is treated as gain from the sale or exchange of property. Accordingly, if CPER were
taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such treatment would likely have a material adverse effect on the
economic return from an investment in CPER and on the value of the shares.
The remainder
of this summary assumes that CPER is classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and not taxable as a corporation.
U.S.
Shareholders
U.S.
Federal Income Tax Consequences of Ownership of Shares
Taxation
of CPER’s Income. No U.S. federal income tax is paid by CPER on its income. Instead, CPER files annual information returns,
and each U.S. shareholder is required to report on its U.S. federal income tax return its allocable share of CPER’s income,
gain, loss, deduction, and credit of CPER. These items must be reported by the applicable shareholder without regard to the amount
(if any) of cash or property the shareholder receives as a distribution from CPER during the taxable year. As a result, if, for
example, CPER recognizes ordinary income in the form of interest on Treasuries and other investments, and net capital gain from
Eligible Copper Futures Contracts and Other Copper-Related Investments for a taxable year, shareholders must report their share
of these items regardless of whether CPER makes any distributions to shareholders. Consequently, a shareholder may be allocated
income or gain recognized by CPER but receive no cash distribution with which to pay its tax liability resulting from such allocation,
or may receive a distribution that is insufficient to pay such liability. Because USCF currently does not intend to make distributions,
it is likely that, in any year CPER realizes net income and/or gain, a U.S. shareholder that is allocated income or gain from
CPER will be required to pay taxes on its allocable share of such income or gain from sources other than CPER distributions.
Allocations
of CPER’s Profit and Loss. Under Code section 704, the determination of a partner’s distributive share of any
item of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit is governed by the applicable organizational document unless the allocation provided
by such document lacks “substantial economic effect.” An allocation that lacks substantial economic effect nonetheless
will be respected if it is in accordance with the partners’ interests in the partnership, determined by taking into account
all facts and circumstances relating to the economic arrangements among the partners. Subject to the discussion below concerning
certain conventions to be used by CPER, allocations of CPER income pursuant to the Trust Agreement should be considered as having
substantial economic effect or as being in accordance with a shareholder’s interest in CPER.
In situations
where a partner’s interest in a partnership is sold or otherwise transferred during a taxable year, the Code generally requires
that partnership tax items for the year be allocated to the partner using either an interim closing of the books or a daily proration
method. CPER allocates tax items using an interim closing of the books method under which income, gain, loss, deduction and credit
are determined on a monthly “mark-to-market” basis, taking into account CPER’s accrued income and deductions
and gains and losses (both realized and unrealized) for the month. The tax items for each month during the taxable year will then
be allocated among the holders of shares in proportion to the number of shares owned by them as of the close of business on the
last trading day of the previous month (the “monthly allocation convention”).
Under
the monthly allocation convention, an investor who holds a share as of the close of business on the last trading day of the previous
month will be treated for purposes of making allocations as if it owned the share throughout the current month, even if such investor
disposes of such share during the current month. For example, an investor who buys a share on April 10 of a year and sells it
on May 20 of the same year will be allocated all of the tax items attributable to May (because the investor is deemed to hold
the share through the last day of May), but will not be allocated any of the tax items attributable to April. The tax items attributable
to that share for April will be allocated to the person who is the actual or deemed holder of the share as of the close of business
on the last trading day of March.
Under
the monthly convention, an investor who purchases and sells a share during the same month, and therefore does not hold (and is
not deemed to hold) the share at the close of business on the last trading day of either that month or the previous month, will
receive no allocations with respect to that share for any period. Accordingly, investors may receive no allocations with respect
to shares that they actually held, or may receive allocations with respect to shares attributable to periods that they did not
actually hold the shares.
By investing
in shares, a U.S. shareholder agrees that, in the absence of new legislation, regulatory or administrative guidance, or judicial
rulings to the contrary, it will file its U.S. federal income tax returns in a manner that is consistent with the monthly allocation
convention as described above and with the IRS Schedules K-1, K-3, or any successor form provided to shareholders by the Trust.
In addition,
for any month in which a Creation Basket is issued or a Redemption Basket is redeemed, CPER generally will credit or debit the
“book” capital accounts of its existing shareholders with any unrealized gain or loss, on CPER’s assets. The
capital accounts as adjusted in this manner will be used in making tax allocations intended to account for the differences between
the adjusted tax basis and fair market value of assets of CPER at the time new shares are issued or outstanding shares are redeemed
(so-called “reverse Code section 704(c) allocations”). The intended effect of these adjustments is to equitably allocate
among shareholders any unrealized appreciation or depreciation in CPER’s assets existing at the time of a contribution or
redemption for book and tax purposes.
CPER applies
certain conventions in determining and allocating items for tax purposes in order to reduce the complexity and costs of administration.
USCF believes that application of these conventions is consistent with the intent of the partnership provisions of the Code and
the applicable Treasury Regulations, and that the resulting allocations should have substantial economic effect or otherwise should
be respected as being in accordance with shareholders’ interests in CPER for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Code
and existing Treasury Regulations do not expressly permit adoption of these conventions, although the monthly allocation convention
described above is consistent with methods permitted under the applicable Treasury Regulations, as well as the legislative history
for the provisions that require allocations to appropriately reflect changes in ownership interests. It is possible that the IRS
could successfully challenge CPER’s allocation conventions on the ground that they do not satisfy the technical requirements
of the Code or U.S. Treasury Regulations, requiring a shareholder to report a greater or lesser share of items of income, gain,
loss, deduction, or credit than if CPER’s conventions were respected. USCF is authorized to revise CPER’s allocation
method to conform to the requirements of future U.S. Treasury Regulations.
The assumptions
and conventions used by CPER in making tax allocations may cause a shareholder to be allocated more or less income or loss for
U.S. federal income tax purposes than its proportionate share of the economic income or loss realized by CPER during the period
it held its shares. This “mismatch” between taxable and economic income or loss in some cases may be temporary, reversing
itself in a later period when the shares are sold, but could be permanent. For example, a shareholder could be allocated income
accruing before it purchased its shares, resulting in an increase in the adjusted tax basis of the shares (see “Tax Basis
of Shares”, below). On a subsequent disposition of the shares, the additional amount of tax basis might produce a capital
loss the deduction of which may be limited (see “Limitations on Deductibility of Losses and Certain Expenses”, below).
Section
754 Election. CPER has made the election permitted by section 754 of the Code, which election is irrevocable without the consent
of the IRS. The effect of this election is that, in connection with a secondary market sale, CPER adjusts the purchaser’s
proportionate share of the adjusted tax basis of its assets to fair market value, as reflected in the price paid for the shares,
as if the purchaser had directly acquired an interest in CPER’s assets. The section 754 election is intended to eliminate
disparities between a partner’s adjusted tax basis in its partnership interest and its share of the adjusted tax bases of
the partnership’s assets, so that the partner’s allocable share of taxable gain or loss on a disposition of an asset
will correspond to its share of the appreciation or depreciation in the value of the asset since it acquired its interest. Depending
on the price paid for shares and the adjusted tax bases of CPER’s assets at the time of the purchase, the effect of the
section 754 election on a purchaser of shares may be favorable or unfavorable. In order to make the appropriate tax basis adjustments
in a cost-effective manner, CPER will use certain simplifying conventions and assumptions. It is possible the IRS will successfully
assert that the conventions and assumptions applied are improper and require different tax basis adjustments to be made, which
could adversely affect some shareholders.
Section
1256 Contracts. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, CPER generally is required to use a “mark-to-market” method
of accounting under which unrealized gains and losses on instruments constituting “section 1256 contracts” are recognized
currently. A section 1256 contract is defined as: (1) a futures contract that is traded on or subject to the rules of a national
securities exchange, which is registered with the SEC, a domestic board of trade designated as a contract market by the CFTC,
or any other board of trade or exchange designated by the Secretary of the Treasury, and with respect to which the amount required
to be deposited and the amount that may be withdrawn depends on a system of “marking to market”; (2) a forward contract
on exchange-traded foreign currencies, where the contracts are traded in the interbank market; (3) a non-equity option traded
on or subject to the rules of a qualified board or exchange; (4) a dealer equity option; or (5) a dealer securities futures contract.
Under
these rules, section 1256 contracts held by CPER at the end of each taxable year, including, for example, Futures Contracts and
options on Futures Contracts traded on a U.S. exchange or board of trade or certain foreign exchanges, are treated as if they
were sold for their fair market value on the last business day of the taxable year (i.e., are “marked to market”).
In addition, any gain or loss realized from a disposition, termination, or marking to market of a section 1256 contract is generally
treated as long-term capital gain or loss to the extent of 60% thereof, and as short-term capital gain or loss to the extent of
40% thereof, without regard to the actual holding period (“60 – 40 treatment”).
Many
of CPER’s Eligible Copper Futures Contracts and some of its Other Copper-Related Investments will qualify as “section
1256 contracts” under the Code. Gain or loss recognized through disposition, termination, or marking-to-market of CPER’s
section 1256 contracts will be subject to 60 – 40 treatment and allocated to shareholders in accordance with the monthly
allocation convention. Cleared swaps and other commodity swaps will likely not qualify as section 1256 contracts. If a commodity
swap is not treated as a section 1256 contract, any gain or loss on the swap recognized at the time of disposition or termination
will be long-term or short-term capital gain or loss depending on the holding period of the swap.
Limitations
on Deductibility of Losses and Certain Expenses. A number of different provisions of the Code may defer or disallow the deduction
of losses or expenses allocated to shareholders by CPER, including, but not limited to, those described below.
A shareholder’s
deduction of its allocable share of any loss of CPER is limited to the lesser of (1) the adjusted tax basis in its shares or (2)
in the case of a shareholder that is an individual or a closely held corporation, the amount which the shareholder is considered
to have “at risk” with respect to CPER’s activities. In general, the amount at risk will be a shareholder’s
invested capital, plus its share of any recourse debt of CPER for which it is liable. Losses in excess of the lesser of (1) the
adjusted tax basis in a shareholder’s share or (2) the amount at risk must be deferred until years in which CPER generates
additional taxable income against which to offset such carryover losses or until additional capital is placed at risk.
Noncorporate
taxpayers are permitted to deduct capital losses only to the extent of their capital gains for the taxable year, plus $3,000 of
other income. Unused capital losses can be carried forward and used to offset capital gains in future years. In addition, a noncorporate
taxpayer may elect to carry back net losses on section 1256 contracts to each of the three preceding years and use them to offset
section 1256 contract gains in those years, subject to certain limitations. Corporate taxpayers generally may deduct capital losses
only to the extent of capital gains, subject to special carryback and carryforward rules.
For taxable
years beginning before January 1, 2026, otherwise deductible expenses incurred by noncorporate taxpayers constituting “miscellaneous
itemized deductions,” generally including investment-related expenses (other than interest and certain other specified expenses),
are not deductible. For taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, such miscellaneous itemized deductions are deductible
only to the extent they exceed 2% of the taxpayer’s adjusted gross income for the year. Although the matter is not free
from doubt, CPER believes the management fees that CPER pays to USCF and other expenses CPER incurs will constitute investment-related
expenses subject to the miscellaneous itemized deduction limitation, rather than expenses incurred in connection with a trade
or business, and will report these expenses consistent with that interpretation. In addition, for taxable years beginning on or
after January 1, 2026, the Code imposes additional limitations on the amount of certain itemized deductions allowable to individuals
with adjusted gross income in excess of certain amounts by reducing the otherwise allowable portion of such deductions by an amount
equal to the lesser of:
| · | 3%
of the individual’s adjusted gross income in excess of certain threshold amounts;
or |
| · | 80%
of the amount of certain itemized deductions otherwise allowable for the taxable year. |
For taxable
years beginning before January 1, 2026, noncorporate shareholders are entitled to a deduction (subject to certain limitations)
equal to their “combined qualified business income.” “Combined qualified business income” for this purpose
includes 20% of a noncorporate taxpayer’s “qualified publicly traded partnership income.” In general, “qualified
publicly traded partnership income” includes a noncorporate taxpayer’s allocable share of “qualified items”
of income, gain, deduction, and loss. A “qualified item” for this purpose is an item of income, gain deduction, or
loss that (1) is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business within the United States and (2) included or allowed
in the determining the taxpayer’s taxable income for the tax year. As discussed below, although the matter is not free from
doubt, CPER believes that the activities directly conducted by CPER will not result in CPER being engaged in a trade or business
within in the United States. See “non-U.S. Shareholders—Withholding on Allocations and Distributions”
below. As a result, CPER does not anticipate that any of its items of income, gain, deduction, or loss will be reported as “qualified
publicly traded partnership income” eligible for the deduction for “combined qualified business income.” “Qualified
publicly traded partnership income” also includes any gain or loss from the sale of an interest in a partnership to the
extent attributable to “unrealized receivables” or “inventory” under section 751 (for a discussion of
section 751, see “Tax Consequences of Disposition of Shares” below). A noncorporate taxpayer that recognizes
any gain or loss from the sale of an interest in CPER that is attributable to “unrealized receivables” or “inventory”
under section 751 should consult with such taxpayer’s tax advisor to determine whether any portion of such gain or loss
constitutes “qualified publicly traded partnership income” eligible for the deduction for “combined qualified
business income.”
A taxpayer
is generally prohibited from deducting business interest to the extent that it exceeds the sum of (i) business interest income
of such taxpayer, (ii) 30% of the adjusted taxable income of such taxpayer, plus (iii) the “floor plan financing interest”
of such taxpayer. In the case of partnerships, this determination is made at the partnership level. To the extent that the business
income of the partnership exceeds the amount necessary to absorb all of the partnership’s business interest, such excess
amount is allocated to the partners as excess business income, which amount may be used against any business interest of the partner
(but not any other partnerships). To the extent that the partnership has any disallowed business interest expense, such amount
is allocated among the partners, reduces the partners’ adjusted tax basis in their partnership interests by their allocable
shares, and is carried forward to future years. Such carryforward may only be used as a deduction to the extent that the partnership
has excess business income in the future. In the event that a partner transfers a partnership interest with any excess business
interest carryforward amounts, such amounts increase the partner’s adjusted tax basis in its partnership interest immediately
before the transfer. Although it is not free from doubt, CPER does not anticipate that it will be treated as engaged in a trade
or business. As a result, CPER does not anticipate that any portion of its interest expense (if any) will constitute business
interest or that shareholders will be allocated any excess business income as a result of holding CPER shares.
Noncorporate
shareholders generally may deduct “investment interest expense” only to the extent of their “net investment
income.” Investment interest expense of a shareholder will generally include any interest accrued by CPER and any interest
paid or accrued on direct borrowings by a shareholder to purchase or carry its shares, such as interest with respect to a margin
account. Net investment income generally includes gross income from property held for investment (including “portfolio income”
under the passive loss rules but not, absent an election, long-term capital gains or certain qualifying dividend income), less
deductible expenses other than interest directly connected with the production of investment income.
To the
extent that CPER allocates losses or expenses to a shareholder that must be deferred or are disallowed as a result of these or
other limitations in the Code, the U.S. Treasury Regulations thereunder, or other U.S. federal income tax authorities, the shareholder
may be taxed on income in excess of its economic income or distributions (if any) on its shares. As one example, the shareholder
could be allocated and required to pay tax on its share of interest income accrued by CPER for a particular taxable year, and
in the same year, be allocated a share of a capital loss that it cannot deduct currently because of the limitations discussed
above. As another example, the shareholder could be allocated and required to pay tax on its share of interest income and capital
gain for a year, but be unable to deduct some or all of its share of management fees and/or margin account interest incurred by
the shareholder with respect to its shares. Shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the effect of limitations
under the Code, the U.S. Treasury Regulations thereunder, and other U.S. federal income tax authorities on their ability to deduct
their allocable share of CPER’s losses and expenses.
Tax
Basis of Shares
A shareholder’s
adjusted tax basis in its shares is important in determining (1) the amount of taxable gain or loss it will realize on the sale
or other disposition of its shares, (2) the amount of non-taxable distributions that it may receive from CPER, and (3) its ability
to utilize its distributive share of any losses of CPER on its tax return. A shareholder’s initial tax basis of its shares
will equal its cost for the shares, plus its share of CPER’s liabilities (if any) at the time of purchase. In general, a
shareholder’s “share” of those liabilities will equal the sum of (i) the entire amount of any otherwise nonrecourse
liability of CPER as to which the shareholder or an affiliate is the creditor, guarantor, or otherwise bears the economic risk
of loss (a “partner nonrecourse liability”) and (ii) a pro rata share of any nonrecourse liabilities of CPER that
are not partner nonrecourse liabilities as to any shareholder.
A shareholder’s
adjusted tax basis in its shares generally will be (1) increased by (a) its allocable share of CPER’s taxable income and
gain, and (b) any additional contributions by the shareholder to CPER; and (2) decreased (but not below zero) by (a) its allocable
share of CPER’s tax deductions and losses and (b) any distributions by CPER to the shareholder. For this purpose, a net
increase in a shareholder’s share of CPER’s liabilities will be treated as a contribution of cash by the shareholder
to CPER and a net decrease in that share will be treated as a distribution of cash by CPER to the shareholder. Pursuant to certain
IRS rulings, a shareholder will be required to maintain a single, “unified” adjusted tax basis in all shares that
it owns. As a result, when a shareholder that acquired its shares at different prices sells less than all of its shares, such
shareholder will not be entitled to specify particular shares (e.g., those with a higher adjusted tax basis) as having
been sold. Rather, it must determine its gain or loss on the sale by using an “equitable apportionment” method to
allocate a portion of its unified adjusted tax basis in its shares to the shares sold.
Treatment
of CPER Distributions. If CPER makes non-liquidating distributions to shareholders, such distributions generally will not
be taxable to the shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes except to the extent that the sum of (i) the amount of cash
and (ii) the fair market value (subject to certain exceptions and adjustments) of marketable securities distributed exceeds the
shareholder’s adjusted basis of its interest in CPER immediately before the distribution. Any cash distributions in excess
of a shareholder’s adjusted tax basis generally will be treated as gain from the sale or exchange of shares.
U.S.
Federal Income Tax Consequences of Disposition of Shares
If a shareholder
sells its shares, it will recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized and its adjusted tax basis
for the shares sold. A shareholder’s amount realized will be the sum of the cash and the fair market value of other property
received, plus its share of any CPER debt outstanding.
Gain or
loss recognized by a shareholder on the sale or exchange of shares held for more than one year will generally be taxable as long-term
capital gain or loss; otherwise, such gain or loss will generally be taxable as short-term capital gain or loss. A special election
is available under the U.S. Treasury Regulations that will allow shareholders to identify and use the actual holding periods for
the shares sold for purposes of determining whether the gain or loss recognized on a sale of shares will give rise to long-term
or short-term capital gain or loss. It is expected that most shareholders will be eligible to elect, and generally will elect,
to identify and use the actual holding period for shares sold. If a shareholder fails to make the election or is unable to identify
the holding periods of the shares sold, the shareholder may have a split holding period in the shares sold. Under such circumstances,
a shareholder will be required to determine its holding period in the shares sold by first determining the portion of its entire
interest in CPER that would give rise to long-term capital gain or loss, if its entire interest were sold, and the portion that
would give rise to short-term capital gain or loss, if the entire interest were sold. The shareholder would then treat each share
sold as giving rise to long-term capital gain or loss and short-term capital gain or loss in the same proportions as if it had
sold its entire interest in CPER.
Under
section 751 of the Code, a portion of a shareholder’s gain or loss from the sale of shares (regardless of the holding period
for such shares), will be separately computed and taxed as ordinary income or loss to the extent attributable to “unrealized
receivables” or “inventory” owned by CPER. The term “unrealized receivables” includes, among other
things, market discount bonds and short-term debt instruments to the extent such items would give rise to ordinary income, if
sold by CPER. However, the short-term capital gain on section 1256 contracts resulting from 60 – 40 treatment, described
above, should not be subject to this rule.
If some
or all of a shareholder’s shares are lent by its broker or other agent to a third party — for example, for use by
the third party in covering a short sale — the shareholder may be considered as having made a taxable disposition of the
loaned shares.
Shareholders
desiring to avoid the consequences of a deemed disposition of their shares are urged to seek advice from their tax advisors.
Other
U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters
Information
Reporting. The Trust will report tax information to the beneficial owners of shares and the IRS. Shareholders of CPER are
generally treated as its beneficial owners for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, CPER will furnish its shareholders
each year with tax information on IRS Schedule K-1 and, if applicable, IRS Schedule K-3 (Form 1065), which will be used by the
shareholders in completing their tax returns. The IRS has ruled that assignees of partnership interests who have not been admitted
to a partnership as partners, but who have the capacity to exercise substantial dominion and control over the assigned partnership
interests, will be considered beneficial owners for U.S. federal income tax purposes. On the basis of such ruling, and except
as otherwise provided herein, CPER will treat any person whose shares are held on their behalf by a broker or other nominee as
a shareholder if that person has the right to direct the nominee in the exercise of all substantive rights attendant to the ownership
of the shares.
Persons
who hold an interest in CPER as a nominee for another person are required to furnish to us the following information: (1) the
name, address, and taxpayer identification number of the beneficial owner and the nominee; (2) whether the beneficial owner is
(a) a person that is not a U.S. person, (b) a foreign government, an international organization or any wholly-owned agency or
instrumentality of either of the foregoing, or (c) a tax-exempt entity; (3) the amount and description of shares acquired or transferred
for the beneficial owner; and (4) certain information, including the dates of acquisitions and transfers, means of acquisitions
and transfers, and acquisition cost for purchases, as well as the amount of net proceeds from sales. Brokers and financial institutions
are required to furnish additional information, including whether they are U.S. persons and certain information on shares they
acquire, hold or transfer for their own account. The nominee is required to supply the beneficial owner of the shares with the
information furnished to CPER. Penalties may apply with respect to the failure to report required information.
Partnership
Audit Procedures. The IRS may audit the U.S. federal income tax returns filed by CPER. Partnerships are generally treated
as separate entities for purposes of U.S. federal income tax audits, judicial review of administrative adjustments by the IRS,
and tax settlement proceedings. The tax treatment of partnership items of income, gain, loss, deduction, and credit are determined
at the partnership level in a unified partnership proceeding rather than in separate proceedings with the shareholders.
CPER
may be liable for U.S. federal income tax on any “imputed underpayment” resulting from an adjustment due to an IRS
audit. The amount of the imputed underpayment generally includes increases in allocations of items of income or gains to any shareholder
and decreases in allocations of items of deduction, loss, or credit to any shareholder without any offset for any corresponding
reductions in allocations of items of income or gain to any shareholder or increases in allocations of items of deduction, loss,
or credit to any shareholder. If CPER is required to pay any U.S. federal income tax arising from an imputed underpayment, the
resulting tax liability would reduce the net assets of CPER and would likely have an adverse impact on the value of the shares.
Under certain circumstances, CPER may be eligible to make an election to cause the shareholders to take into account the amount
of any imputed underpayment, including any interest and penalties. The ability of a publicly traded partnership, such as CPER,
to elect this treatment is uncertain. If the election is made, CPER would be required to provide shareholders who owned beneficial
interests in the shares in the year to which the adjusted allocations relate with a statement setting forth their proportionate
shares of the adjustment (“Adjusted K-1s”). The shareholders would be required to take the adjustment into account
in the taxable year in which the Adjusted K-1s are issued. The Code generally requires CPER to designate one person as the “partnership
representative” who has sole authority to defend against an audit with the IRS, challenge any adjustment in a court of law,
and settle any audit or other proceeding. The Trust Agreement appoints USCF as the partnership representative of CPER.
Reportable
Transaction Disclosure Rules. In certain circumstances, the Code, U.S. Treasury Regulations, and certain IRS administrative
guidance require that the IRS be notified of certain taxable transactions through a disclosure statement attached to a taxpayer’s
U.S. federal income tax return. These disclosure rules may apply to transactions, irrespective of whether they are structured
to achieve particular tax benefits. These disclosure rules could require disclosure by the Trust or shareholders, if a shareholder
incurs a loss in excess of a specified threshold from a sale or redemption of its shares, or possibly in other circumstances.
While these rules generally do not require disclosure of a loss recognized on the disposition of an asset in which the taxpayer
has a “qualifying basis” (generally is an adjusted tax basis equal to and solely determined by the amount of cash
paid by the taxpayer for such asset) and satisfies certain other requirements, they do apply to a loss recognized with respect
to interests in a pass-through entity, such as the shares. Significant penalties may be imposed in connection with a failure to
comply with these reporting requirements. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors concerning the application of
these reporting requirements to their specific situation.
Additional
Tax on Investment Income. Individuals with income in excess of $200,000 ($250,000 in the case of married individuals filing
jointly), and certain estates and trusts, are subject to an additional 3.8% tax on their “net investment income,”
which generally includes income from interest, dividends, annuities, royalties, rents, and net capital gains (other than certain
amounts earned from trades or businesses). The income subject to the additional 3.8% tax includes any income from businesses involved
in the trading of financial instruments or commodities.
Regulated
Investment Companies. Interests in and income from “qualified publicly traded partnerships” satisfying certain
gross income tests are treated as qualifying assets and income, respectively, for purposes of determining eligibility for regulated
investment company (“RIC”) status. A RIC may invest up to 25% of its assets in interests in one or more qualified
publicly traded partnerships. The determination of whether a publicly traded partnership such as CPER is a qualified publicly
traded partnership is made on an annual basis. CPER expects to be a qualified publicly traded partnership in each of its taxable
years. However, such qualification is not assured.
Non-U.S.
Shareholders
Subject
to the discussion below concerning FATCA (as defined below) and backup withholding, generally, non-U.S. shareholders who derive
U.S. source income or gain from investing or engaging in a U.S. business are subject to tax in the United States with respect
to two categories of income. The first category consists of amounts that are fixed, determinable, annual and periodic income,
such as interest, dividends and rent that are not connected with the operation of a U.S. trade or business (“FDAP”).
The second category is income that is effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business (“ECI”).
FDAP income (other than interest that is considered “portfolio interest”) is generally subject to a withholding tax
imposed at a 30% rate, which may be reduced for certain categories of income by an income tax treaty between the United States
and the recipient’s country of residence. In contrast, ECI is generally subject to U.S. tax on a net basis at graduated
rates upon the filing of a U.S. tax return.
Withholding
on Allocations and Distributions. The Code provides that if a partner in a partnership is engaged in the conduct of a U.S.
trade or business during a taxable year, a non-U.S. shareholder who is a partner in the partnership will also be considered to
be engaged in the conduct of a U.S. trade or business during that year. Classifying an activity by a partnership as an investment
or an operating business is a factual determination. Under certain safe harbors in the Code, an investment fund whose activities
consist of trading in stocks, securities, or commodities for its own account generally will not be considered to be engaged in
the conduct of a U.S. trade or business, unless it is a dealer in such stocks, securities, or commodities. This safe harbor applies
to investments in commodities only if the commodities are of a kind customarily dealt on an organized commodity exchange and if
the transaction is of a kind customarily consummated at such place. Although the matter is not free from doubt, CPER believes
that the activities directly conducted by CPER will not result in CPER being engaged in the conduct of a trade or business within
in the United States. However, there can be no assurance that the IRS would not successfully assert that CPER’s activities
constitute a U.S. trade or business.
In the
event that CPER’s activities were considered to constitute a U.S. trade or business, CPER would be required to withhold
at (1) the highest rate specified in section 1 of the Code (currently 37% (39.6% for taxable years beginning after December 31,
2025)) on allocations of income to individual non-U.S. shareholders, and (2) the highest rate specified in Code Section 11(b)
(currently 21%) on allocations of income to corporate non-U.S. shareholders, when such income is allocated or distributed. A non-U.S.
shareholder with ECI will generally be required to file a U.S. federal income tax return, and the return will provide the non-U.S.
shareholder with the mechanism to seek a refund of any withholding in excess of such shareholder’s actual U.S. federal income
tax liability. Any amount withheld by CPER on behalf of a non-U.S. shareholder will be treated as a distribution to the non-U.S.
shareholder to the extent possible. In some cases, CPER may not be able to match the economic cost of satisfying its withholding
obligations to a particular non-U.S. shareholder, which may result in such cost being borne by CPER, generally, and accordingly,
by all shareholders.
If CPER
is not treated as engaged in the conduct of a U.S. trade or business, a non-U.S. shareholder may nevertheless be treated as having
FDAP income, with respect to its allocable share of CPER’s income that consists of FDAP income. Such allocations would be
subject to withholding tax imposed at a 30% rate (possibly subject to reduction by an income tax treaty). Amounts withheld on
behalf of a non-U.S. shareholder will be treated as being distributed to such shareholder to the extent possible. In some cases,
CPER may not be able to match the economic cost of satisfying its withholding obligations to a particular non-U.S. shareholder,
which may result in such cost being borne by CPER, generally, and accordingly, by all shareholders.
To the
extent any interest income allocated to a non-U.S. shareholder that otherwise constitutes FDAP is considered “portfolio
interest,” neither the allocation of such interest income to the non-U.S. shareholder nor a subsequent distribution of such
interest income to the non-U.S. shareholder will be subject to withholding, provided that the non-U.S. shareholder is not otherwise
engaged in the conduct of a trade or business in the United States and provides CPER with a timely and properly completed and
executed IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E, or other applicable form. In general, “portfolio interest” is interest paid on
debt obligations issued in registered form, unless the “recipient” owns 10% or more of the voting power of the issuer.
The Trust
expects that most of CPER’s interest income will qualify as “portfolio interest.” In order for CPER to avoid
withholding on any interest income allocable to non-U.S. shareholders that would qualify as “portfolio interest,”
it will be necessary for all non-U.S. shareholders to provide CPER with a timely and properly completed and executed Form W-8BEN
or W-8BEN-E (or other applicable form). If a non-U.S. shareholder fails to provide a properly completed Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E,
or other applicable form, USCF may request that the non-U.S. shareholder provide, within 15 days after the request by USCF, a
properly completed Form W-8BEN, W-8BEN-E, or other applicable form.
U.S.
Treasury Regulations require withholding on certain distributions made by a publicly traded partnership. An exception under these
rules applies if a publicly traded partnership certifies that it is not engaged in a trade or business within the United States
at any time during its taxable year through the publicly traded partnership’s designated date. In order to make this certification,
the publicly traded partnership must issue a “qualified notice” indicating that it qualifies for this exception. A
broker may not rely on such a certification if it has actual knowledge that the certification is incorrect or unreliable. CPER
intends to issue qualified notices that satisfy the applicable requirements and which confirms this exception from withholding.
Certain aspects of these rules remain unclear. Until the IRS issues guidance further clarifying these rules, non-U.S. shareholders
are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the impact of these rules on an investment in CPER shares, and brokers are urged
consult their tax advisors in making withholding decisions pursuant to these rules.
Gain
from Sale of Shares. Subject to the discussion below concerning FATCA (as defined below) and backup withholding, gain from
the sale or exchange of the shares may be taxable to a non-U.S. shareholder if the non-U.S. shareholder is a nonresident alien
individual who is present in the U.S. for 183 days or more during the taxable year. In such case, the nonresident alien individual
will be subject to a withholding tax imposed at a rate of 30% on the amount of such individual’s gain. In addition, if CPER
is treated as being engaged in a U.S. trade or business, a portion of the gain on the sale or exchange will be treated as effectively
connected income subject to U.S. federal income tax to the extent that a sale of CPER’s assets would give rise to effectively
connected income. Section 1446(f) of the Code provides that certain transfers of a partnership interest, including an interest
in a publicly traded partnership, may be subject to withholding tax imposed at a rate of 10%.
Under
U.S. Treasury Regulations, brokers generally are required to withhold on certain transfers of interests in partnerships, including
interests in publicly traded partnerships. An exception under these rules applies if a publicly traded partnership certifies that
it is not engaged in a trade or business within the United States at any time during its taxable year through the publicly traded
partnership’s designated date. In order to make this certification, the publicly traded partnership must issue a “qualified
notice” indicating that it qualifies for this exception. A broker may not rely on such a certification if it has actual
knowledge that the certification is incorrect or unreliable. CPER intends to issue qualified notices that satisfy the applicable
requirements and which confirms this exception from withholding. In addition, certain aspects of these rules remain unclear. Until
the IRS issues guidance further clarifying these rules, non-U.S. shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding
the impact of these rules on an investment in CPER shares, and brokers are urged to consult their tax advisors in making withholding
decisions pursuant to these rules.
Branch
Profits Tax on Corporate Non-U.S. Shareholders. In addition to the taxes noted above, any non-U.S. shareholders that derive
ECI are classified as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes may also be subject to an additional tax, the branch profits
tax, at a rate of 30% (or a reduced rate of tax pursuant to an applicable income tax treaty). The branch profits tax is imposed
on a corporate non-U.S. shareholder’s dividend equivalent amount, which generally consists of the corporation’s after-tax
earnings and profits that are effectively connected with the conduct of the corporation’s U.S. trade or business, but are
not reinvested in a U.S. trade or business.
Prospective
non-U.S. shareholders should consult their own tax advisor with regard to these and other tax issues unique to non-U.S. shareholders.
Backup
Withholding
U.S.
Shareholders
A U.S.
shareholder may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding when such U.S. shareholder receives taxable distributions
on the shares and proceeds from the sale or other disposition of the shares (including a redemption of the shares). Certain U.S.
shareholders, including, but not limited to, banks and corporations, generally are exempt from information reporting or backup
withholding. A U.S. shareholder will be subject to backup withholding, if such U.S. shareholder is not otherwise exempt and:
| · | such
U.S. shareholder fails to furnish the U.S. shareholder’s U.S. taxpayer identification
number or “TIN,” which, for an individual, generally is his or her U.S. social
security number; |
| · | the
IRS notifies the payor that such U.S. shareholder furnishes an incorrect U.S. TIN; |
| · | CPER
is notified by the IRS that the U.S. shareholder has failed properly to report payments
of interest or dividends; or |
| · | such
U.S. shareholder fails to certify, under penalties of perjury, on an IRS Form W-9 (Request
for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification) or a suitable substitute form (or
other applicable certificate), that the U.S. shareholder has furnished a correct U.S.
TIN and that the IRS has not notified the U.S. shareholder that the U.S. shareholder
is subject to backup withholding. |
U.S.
shareholders should consult their tax advisors regarding their qualification for an exemption from backup withholding and the
procedures for obtaining such an exemption, if applicable. Backup withholding is not an additional U.S. federal income tax, and
taxpayers may use amounts withheld as a credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability or may claim a refund, if they
timely provide certain information to the IRS.
Non-U.S.
Shareholders
The amount
of taxable distributions that CPER pays to any documented non-U.S. shareholder on the shares will be reported to the non-U.S.
shareholder and to the IRS annually on an IRS Form 1042-S, regardless of the amount of U.S. federal income tax withheld. Copies
of these information returns may also be made available under the provisions of a specific income tax treaty or agreement with
the tax authorities of the country in which the non-U.S. shareholder resides. However, a non-U.S. shareholder generally will not
be subject to backup withholding and certain other information reporting with respect to payments that CPER makes to the non-U.S.
shareholder, provided that CPER does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such non-U.S. shareholder is a “United
States person” within the meaning of the Code, and the non-U.S. shareholder complies with applicable certification and disclosure
requirements and furnishes to us the requisite information.
If a
non-U.S. shareholder sells or exchanges a share through a United States broker or the United States office of a foreign broker,
or such sale is deemed to occur through a United States office of a foreign broker, the proceeds from such sale or exchange will
be subject to information reporting and backup withholding, unless the non-U.S. shareholder provides a withholding certificate
establishing that such holder is not a U.S. shareholder to the broker and such broker does not have actual knowledge or reason
to know that such holder is a U.S. shareholder, or the non-U.S. shareholder is an exempt recipient eligible for an exemption from
information reporting and backup withholding. If a non-U.S. shareholder sells or exchanges a share through the foreign office
of a broker who is a “United States person” (within the meaning of the Code) or has certain enumerated connections
with the United States, the proceeds from such sale or exchange will be subject to information reporting, unless the non-U.S.
shareholder provides to such broker a withholding certificate establishing that such shareholder is not a U.S. shareholder and
such broker does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such evidence is false, or the non-U.S. shareholder is an exempt
recipient eligible for an exemption from information reporting. In circumstances where information reporting by the foreign office
of such a broker is required, backup withholding will be required only if the broker has actual knowledge that the holder is a
U.S. shareholder.
A non-U.S.
shareholder generally will be entitled to credit any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules against the non-U.S.
shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability or may claim a refund, provided that the required information is furnished
to the IRS in a timely manner.
Non-U.S.
shareholders are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the application of information reporting and backup withholding
to their particular situations, the availability of an exemption therefrom, and the procedures for obtaining such an exemption,
if available.
Foreign
Account Tax Compliance Act Provisions
Legislation
commonly referred to as the “Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act,” or “FATCA,” generally imposes a 30%
withholding tax on payments of certain types of income to foreign financial institutions (“FFIs”), unless such FFIs
either: (i) enter into an agreement with the U.S. Treasury Department to report certain required information with respect to accounts
held by certain specified U.S. persons (or held by foreign entities that have certain specified U.S. persons as substantial owners)
or (ii) reside in a jurisdiction that has entered into an intergovernmental agreement (“IGA”) with the United States
to collect and share such information and comply with the terms of such IGA and any enabling legislation or regulations. The types
of income subject to the tax include U.S.-source interest and dividends. While the Code would also require withholding on the
payments of the gross proceeds from the sale of any property that could produce U.S. source interest or dividends, the U.S. Treasury
Department has indicated its intent to eliminate this requirement in proposed regulations, which state that taxpayers may rely
on the proposed regulations until final regulations are issued. The information required to be reported includes the identity
and taxpayer identification number of each account holder that is a specified U.S. person and financial information associated
with the holder’s account. In addition, subject to certain exceptions, this legislation also imposes a 30% withholding tax
on certain payments to certain foreign entities that are not FFIs, unless the foreign entity certifies that it does not have a
greater than 10% owner that is a specified U.S. person or provides the withholding agent with identifying information on each
greater than 10% owner that is a specified U.S. person. Depending on the status of a beneficial owner and the status of the intermediaries
through which the owner holds its shares, a beneficial owner could be subject to this 30% withholding tax with respect to distributions
on its shares. Under certain circumstances, a beneficial owner might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes.
Other
Tax Considerations
In addition
to U.S. federal income taxes, shareholders may be subject to other taxes, such as foreign (non-U.S.) income taxes, state and local
income taxes; unincorporated business taxes; business franchise taxes; gift, estate, or inheritance taxes; or intangible taxes
that may be imposed by the various jurisdictions in which CPER does business or owns property or where the shareholders reside.
Although an analysis of these various taxes is not presented here, each prospective shareholder should consider their potential
impact on its investment in CPER. It is each shareholder’s responsibility to file the appropriate U.S. federal, state, local,
and foreign tax returns. Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP has not provided an opinion concerning any aspects of state, local, or
foreign tax, or U.S. federal tax, other than those U.S. federal income tax issues discussed herein.
Certain ERISA and Related
Considerations
General
Many
employee benefit plans and individual retirement accounts (“IRAs”) are subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security
Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), or the Code, or both. This section discusses certain considerations that arise
under ERISA and the Code that a fiduciary of: (i) an employee benefit plan as defined in ERISA; (ii) a plan as defined in Section
4975 of the Code; or (iii) any collective investment vehicle, business trust, investment partnership, pooled separate account
or other entity the assets of which are treated as comprised (at least in part) of “plan assets” under the ERISA plan
asset rules (“plan asset entity”) who has investment discretion should take into account before deciding to invest
in the entity’s assets in CPER. Employee benefit plans, plans defined under Section 4975 of the Code and plan asset entities
are collectively referred to below as “plans,” and fiduciaries with investment discretion are referred to below as
“plan fiduciaries.”
This
summary is based on the provisions of ERISA, the Code and applicable guidance as of the date hereof. This summary is not intended
to be complete, but only to address certain questions under ERISA and the Code. The summary does not include state or local law.
Potential
plan investors are urged to consult with their own professional advisors concerning the appropriateness of an investment in CPER
and the manner in which shares should be purchased.
Special Investment Considerations
Investments
by plans governed by ERISA are subject to ERISA’s fiduciary requirements, including the requirements of investment prudence
and diversification. As a result, each plan fiduciary must consider the facts and circumstances that are relevant to their plan’s
specific circumstances when evaluating an investment in CPER, including the role that an investment in CPER would play in the
plan’s overall investment portfolio, taking into account the plan’s purpose, the risk and loss of potential return
with respect to the investment, the liquidity, the current return of the total portfolio relative to the anticipated cash flow
needs of the plan, and the projected return of the portfolio and relative to the plan’s investment objectives. Each plan
fiduciary, before deciding to invest in CPER, must be satisfied that its investment in CPER is prudent for the plan, that the
investments of the plan are properly diversified and that an investment in CPER complies with the terms of the plan.
CPER and Plan Assets
Regulations
issued under ERISA contains rules for determining when an investment by a plan in an equity interest of a statutory trust will
result in the underlying assets of the statutory trust being deemed “plan assets” for purposes of ERISA and Section
4975 of the Code. Those rules provide that assets of a statutory trust will not be deemed to be assets of a plan that purchases
an equity interest in the statutory trust if the equity interest purchased qualifies as a publicly-offered security. If the underlying
assets of a statutory trust are considered to be assets of any plan for purposes of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, the operations
of that trust would be subject to and, in some cases, limited by the provisions of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code.
An equity
interest will qualify as a publicly offered security if it is:
| (1) | freely
transferable (determined based on the relevant facts and circumstances); |
| (2) | part
of a class of securities that is widely held (meaning that the class of securities is
owned by 100 or more investors independent of the issuer and of each other); and |
| (3) | either
(a) part of a class of securities registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the 1934
Act or (b) sold to the plan as part of a public offering pursuant to an effective registration
statement under the 1933 Act and the class of which such security is a part is registered
under the 1934 Act within 120 days (or such later time as may be allowed by the SEC)
after the end of the fiscal year of the issuer in which the offering of such security
occurred. |
Regulations
under ERISA state that the determination of whether a security is “freely transferable” is to be made based on all
of the relevant facts and circumstances. In the case of a security that is part of an offering in which the minimum investment
is $10,000 or less, the following requirements, alone or in combination, ordinarily will not affect a finding that the security
is freely transferable: (1) a requirement that no transfer or assignment of the security or rights relating to the security be
made that would violate any federal or state law; and (2) a requirement that no transfer or assignment be made without advance
written notice given to the entity that issued the security.
USCF
believes that the conditions described above are satisfied with respect to the shares of CPER. USCF believes that the shares of
CPER therefore constitute publicly-offered securities, and the underlying assets of CPER will not be deemed to be “plan
assets” under applicable ERISA regulations.
Prohibited Transactions
ERISA
and the Code generally prohibit certain transactions involving plans and persons who have certain specified relationships to plans.
In general,
CPER shares may not be purchased with the assets of a plan if USCF, the clearing brokers, the trading advisors (if any), or any
of their affiliates, agents or employees:
| · | exercise
any discretionary authority or discretionary control with respect to management of the
plan; |
| · | exercise
any authority or control with respect to management or disposition of the assets of the
plan; |
| · | render
investment advice for a fee or other compensation, direct or indirect, with respect to
any money or other property of the plan; |
| · | have
any authority or responsibility to render investment advice with respect to any money
or other property of the plan; or |
| · | have
any discretionary authority or discretionary responsibility in the administration of
the plan. |
Also,
a prohibited transaction may occur under ERISA or the Code when circumstances indicate that (1) the investment in shares is made
or retained for the purpose of avoiding application of the fiduciary standards of ERISA, (2) the investment in shares constitutes
an arrangement under which CPER is expected to engage in transactions that would otherwise be prohibited if entered into directly
by the plan purchasing the shares, (3) the investing plan, by itself, has the authority or influence to cause CPER to engage in
such transactions, or (4) a person who is prohibited from transacting with the investing plan may, but only with the aid of certain
of its affiliates and the investing plan, cause CPER to engage in such transactions with such person.
Special IRA Rules
Individual
retirement accounts (“IRAs”) are not subject to ERISA’s fiduciary standards, but are subject to their own rules,
including the prohibited transaction rules of Section 4975 of the Code, which generally mirror ERISA’s prohibited transaction
rules. For example, IRAs are subject to special custody rules and must maintain a qualifying IRA custodial arrangement separate
and distinct from CPER and its custodial arrangement. Otherwise, if a separate qualifying custodial arrangement is not maintained,
an investment in the shares will be treated as a distribution from the IRA. Additionally, IRAs are prohibited from investing in
certain commingled investments, and USCF makes no representation regarding whether an investment in shares is an inappropriate
commingled investment for an IRA. Finally, in applying the prohibited transaction provisions of Section 4975 of the Code, in addition
to the rules summarized above, the individual for whose benefit the IRA is maintained is also treated as the creator of the IRA.
For example, if the owner or beneficiary of an IRA enters into any transaction, arrangement, or agreement involving the assets
of his or her IRA to benefit the IRA owner or beneficiary (or his or her relatives or business affiliates) personally, or with
the understanding that such benefit will occur, directly or indirectly, such transaction could give rise to a prohibited transaction
that is not exempted by any available exemption. Moreover, in the case of an IRA, the consequences of a non-exempt prohibited
transaction are that the IRA’s assets will be treated as if they were distributed, causing immediate taxation of the assets
(including any early distribution penalty tax applicable under Section 72 of the Code), in addition to any other fines or penalties
that may apply.
Exempt Plans
Governmental
plans and church plans are generally not subject to ERISA, and the above-described prohibited transaction provisions described
above do not apply to them. These plans are, however, subject to prohibitions against certain related-party transactions under
Section 503 of the Code, which operate similar to the prohibited transaction rules described above. In addition, the fiduciary
of any governmental or church plan should consider any applicable state or local laws and any restrictions and duties of common
law imposed upon the plan.
No view
is expressed as to whether an investment in CPER (and any continued investment in CPER), or the operation and administration of
CPER, is appropriate or permissible for any governmental plan or church plan under Code Section 503, or under any state, county,
local or other law relating to that type of plan.
Allowing
an investment in CPER is not to be construed as a representation by the Trust, CPER, USCF, any trading advisor, any clearing broker,
the Marketing Agent or legal counsel or other advisors to such parties or any other party that this investment meets some or all
of the relevant legal requirements with respect to investments by any particular plan or that this investment is appropriate for
any such particular plan. The person with investment discretion should consult with the plan’s attorney and financial advisors
as to the propriety of an investment in CPER in light of the circumstances of the particular plan, current tax law and ERISA.
THE
FOREGOING SUMMARY OF ERISA CONSIDERATIONS IS BASED UPON ERISA, JUDICIAL DECISIONS, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR REGULATIONS AND RULINGS
IN EXISTENCE ON THE DATE HEREOF, ALL OF WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. THE SUMMARY IS GENERAL IN NATURE AND DOES NOT ADDRESS EVERY
ERISA ISSUE THAT MAY BE APPLICABLE TO AN INVESTMENT IN CPER OR TO A PARTICULAR INVESTOR.
Form of Shares
Registered Form
Shares
are issued in registered form in accordance with the Trust Agreement. The Administrator has been appointed registrar and transfer
agent for the purpose of transferring shares in certificated form. The Administrator keeps a record of all shareholders and holders
of the shares in certified form in the registry (the “Register”). USCF recognizes transfers of shares in certificated
form only if done in accordance with the Trust Agreement. The beneficial interests in such shares are held in book-entry form
through participants and/or accountholders in the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”).
Book Entry
Individual
certificates are not issued for the shares. Instead, shares are represented by one or more global certificates, which are deposited
by the Administrator with DTC and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee for DTC. The global certificates evidence
all of the shares outstanding at any time. Shareholders are limited to (1) participants in DTC such as banks, brokers, dealers
and trust companies (“DTC Participants”), (2) those who maintain, either directly or indirectly, a custodial relationship
with a DTC Participant (“Indirect Participants”), and (3) those banks, brokers, dealers, trust companies and others
who hold interests in the shares through DTC Participants or Indirect Participants, in each case who satisfy the requirements
for transfers of shares. DTC Participants acting on behalf of investors holding shares through such participants’ accounts
in DTC will follow the delivery practice applicable to securities eligible for DTC’s Same-Day Funds Settlement System. Shares
are credited to DTC Participants’ securities accounts following confirmation of receipt of payment.
DTC
DTC has
advised CPER as follows: DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the State of New York and is a member
of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code
and a “clearing agency” registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the 1934 Act. DTC holds securities
for DTC Participants and facilitates the clearance and settlement of transactions between DTC Participants through electronic
book-entry changes in accounts of DTC Participants.
Transfer of Shares
The shares
are only transferable through the book-entry system of DTC. Shareholders who are not DTC Participants may transfer their shares
through DTC by instructing the DTC Participant holding their shares (or by instructing the Indirect Participant or other entity
through which their shares are held) to transfer the shares. Transfers are made in accordance with standard securities industry
practice.
Transfers
of interests in shares with DTC are made in accordance with the usual rules and operating procedures of DTC and the nature of
the transfer. DTC has established procedures to facilitate transfers among the participants and/or accountholders of DTC. Because
DTC can only act on behalf of DTC Participants, who in turn act on behalf of Indirect Participants, the ability of a person or
entity having an interest in a global certificate to pledge such interest to persons or entities that do not participate in DTC,
or otherwise take actions in respect of such interest, may be affected by the lack of a certificate or other definitive document
representing such interest.
DTC has
advised CPER that it will take any action permitted to be taken by a shareholder (including, without limitation, the presentation
of a global certificate for exchange) only at the direction of one or more DTC Participants in whose account with DTC interests
in global certificates are credited and only in respect of such portion of the aggregate principal amount of the global certificate
as to which such DTC Participant or Participants has or have given such direction.
Inter-Series Limitation
on Liability
Because
the Trust was established as a Delaware statutory trust, each series established under the Trust will be operated so that it will
be liable only for obligations attributable to such series and will not be liable for obligations of any other series or affected
by losses of any other series. If any creditor or shareholder of any particular series asserts against the series a valid claim
with respect to its indebtedness or shares, the creditor or shareholder will only be able to obtain recovery from the assets of
that series and not from the assets of any other series or the Trust generally. The assets of each series will include only those
funds and other assets that are paid to, held by or distributed to the series on account of and for the benefit of that series,
including, without limitation, amounts delivered to the Trust for the purchase of shares in a series. This limitation on liability
is referred to as the Inter-Series Limitation on Liability. The Inter-Series Limitation on Liability is expressly provided for
under the Delaware Statutory Trust Act, which provides that if certain conditions (as set forth in Section 3804(a)) are met, then
the debts of any particular series will be enforceable only against the assets of such series and not against the assets of any
other series or the Trust generally. In furtherance of the Inter-Series Limitation on Liability, every party providing services
to the Trust, CPER or USCF on behalf of the Trust or CPER, will acknowledge and consent in writing to the Inter-Series Limitation
on Liability with respect to such party’s claims.
The existence
of a Trustee should not be taken as an indication of any additional level of management or supervision over CPER. To the greatest
extent permissible under Delaware law, the Trustee acts in an entirely passive role, delegating all authority for the management
and operation of CPER and the Trust to USCF. The Trustee does not provide custodial services with respect to the assets of CPER.
Recognition of the Trust
in Certain States
A number
of states do not have “statutory trust” statutes such as that under which the Trust has been formed in the State of
Delaware. It is possible, although unlikely, that a court in such state could hold that, due to the absence of any statutory provision
to the contrary in such jurisdiction, the shareholders, although entitled under Delaware law to the same limitation on personal
liability as stockholders in a private corporation for profit organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, are not so entitled
in such state. To protect shareholders against any loss of limited liability, the Trust Agreement provides that each written obligation
undertaken by USCF on behalf of the Trust or CPER shall give notice that the obligation is not binding upon the shareholders individually
but is binding only upon the assets and property of CPER, and no resort shall be had to the shareholders’ personal property
for satisfaction of such obligation. Furthermore, the Trust and CPER indemnify all shareholders of CPER against any liability
that such shareholders might incur solely based on their status as shareholders of one or more shares (other than for taxes for
which such shareholder is liable under the Trust Agreement).
What is the Plan of Distribution?
Buying and Selling Shares
Most
investors buy and sell shares of CPER in secondary market transactions through brokers. Shares trade on the NYSE Arca under the
ticker symbol “CPER.” Shares are bought and sold throughout the trading day like other publicly traded securities.
When buying or selling shares through a broker, most investors incur customary brokerage commissions and charges. Shareholders
are encouraged to review the terms of their brokerage account for details on applicable charges.
Marketing Agent and
Authorized Participants
The offering
of CPER’s shares is a best efforts offering. CPER continuously offers Creation Baskets consisting of 50,000 shares through
the Marketing Agent, to Authorized Participants. All Authorized Participants pay a $350 fee for each order they place to create
or redeem one or more Creation Baskets or Redemption Baskets. The fee of the Marketing Agent, which is calculated daily and payable
monthly and borne by USCF, is equal to 0.025% of CPER’s total net assets. In no event may the aggregate compensation paid
to the Marketing Agent and any affiliate of USCF for distribution-related services in connection with this offering exceed ten
percent (10%) of the gross proceeds of this offering.
The offering
of baskets is being made in compliance with Conduct Rule 2310 of FINRA. Accordingly, Authorized Participants will not make any
sales to any account over which they have discretionary authority without the prior written approval of a purchaser of shares.
The per
share price of shares offered in Creation Baskets on any subsequent day will be the total NAV of CPER calculated shortly after
the close of the core trading session on the NYSE Arca on that day divided by the number of issued and outstanding shares. An
Authorized Participant is not required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of shares.
When
an Authorized Participant executes an agreement with USCF on behalf of CPER (each such agreement, an “Authorized Participant
Agreement”), such Authorized Participant becomes part of the group of parties eligible to purchase baskets from, and put
baskets for redemption to, CPER. An Authorized Participant is under no obligation to create or redeem baskets, and an Authorized
Participant is under no obligation to offer to the public shares of any baskets it does create.
As of
February 28, 2025, the Trust had the following Authorized Participants: ABN AMRO Clearing Corp., BNP Paribas Securities Corp.,
Citadel Securities LLC, Goldman Sachs & Company, Jane Street Capital LLC, Jefferies LLC, JP Morgan Securities Inc., Merrill
Lynch Professional Clearing Corp., Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc., RBC Capital Markets LLC and Virtu Americas LLC.
Because
new shares can be created and issued on an ongoing basis, at any point during the life of CPER, a “distribution,”
as such term is used in the 1933 Act, will be occurring. Authorized Participants, other broker-dealers and other persons are cautioned
that some of their activities may result in their being deemed participants in a distribution in a manner that would render them
statutory underwriters and subject them to the prospectus-delivery and liability provisions of the 1933 Act. In addition, any
purchaser who purchases shares with a view towards distribution of such shares may be deemed to be a statutory underwriter.
Authorized
Participants will comply with the prospectus delivery requirements in connection with the sale of shares to customers. For example,
an Authorized Participant, other broker-dealer firm or its client will be deemed a statutory underwriter if it purchases a Creation
Basket from CPER, breaks the Creation Basket down into the constituent shares and sells the shares to its customers; or if it
chooses to couple the creation of a supply of new shares with an active selling effort involving solicitation of secondary market
demand for the shares. Authorized Participants may also engage in secondary market transactions in shares that would not be deemed
“underwriting.” For example, an Authorized Participant may act in the capacity of a broker or dealer with respect
to shares that were previously distributed by other Authorized Participants. A determination of whether a particular market participant
is an underwriter must take into account all the facts and circumstances pertaining to the activities of the broker-dealer or
its client in the particular case, and the examples mentioned above should not be considered a complete description of all the
activities that would lead to designation as an underwriter and subject them to the prospectus-delivery and liability provisions
of the 1933 Act.
Dealers
who are neither Authorized Participants nor “underwriters” but are nonetheless participating in a distribution (as
contrasted to ordinary secondary trading transactions), and thus dealing with shares that are part of an “unsold allotment”
within the meaning of Section 4(a)(3)(C) of the 1933 Act, would be unable to take advantage of the prospectus-delivery exemption
provided by Section 4(a)(3) of the 1933 Act.
USCF
intends any broker-dealers selling shares will be members of FINRA. Investors intending to create or redeem baskets through Authorized
Participants in transactions not involving a broker-dealer registered in such investor’s state of domicile or residence
should consult their legal advisor regarding applicable broker-dealer or securities regulatory requirements under the state securities
laws prior to such creation or redemption.
While
the Authorized Participants may be indemnified by USCF, they will not be entitled to receive a discount or commission from the
Trust or USCF for their purchases of Creation Baskets.
Calculating Per Share NAV
CPER’s
per share NAV is calculated by:
| · | Taking
the current market value of its total assets; |
| · | Subtracting
any liabilities; and |
| · | Dividing
that total by the total number of outstanding shares. |
The Administrator
calculates the per share NAV of CPER once each NYSE Arca trading day. The per share NAV for a normal trading day is released after
4:00 p.m. New York time. Trading during the core trading session on the NYSE Arca typically closes at 4:00 p.m. New York time.
The Administrator uses the closing prices on the relevant Futures Exchanges of the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts
(determined at the earlier of the close of such exchange or 2:30 p.m. New York time) for the contracts traded on the Futures Exchanges,
but calculates or determines the value of all other investments of CPER using market quotations, if available, or other information
customarily used to determine the fair value of such investments as of the earlier of the close of the NYSE Arca or 4:00 p.m.
New York time in accordance with the current Administrative Agency Agreement among the Administrator, CPER and USCF. “Other
information” customarily used in determining fair value includes information consisting of market data in the relevant market
supplied by one or more third parties including, without limitation, relevant rates, prices, yields, yield curves, volatilities,
spreads, correlations or other market data in the relevant market; or information of the types described above from internal sources
if that information is of the same type used by CPER in the regular course of its business for the valuation of similar transactions.
The information may include costs of funding, to the extent costs of funding are not and would not be a component of the other
information being utilized. Third parties supplying quotations or market data may include, without limitation, dealers in the
relevant markets, end-users of the relevant product, information vendors, brokers and other sources of market information.
In addition,
in order to provide updated information relating to CPER for use by investors and market professionals, the NYSE Arca calculates
and disseminates throughout the core trading session on each trading day an updated indicative fund value. The indicative fund
value is calculated by using the prior day’s closing per share NAV of CPER as a base and updating that value throughout
the trading day to reflect changes in the most recently reported trade price level of the SCI as reported by Bloomberg, L.P. or
another reporting service.
The indicative
fund value share basis disseminated during NYSE Arca core trading session hours should not be viewed as an actual real time update
of the per share NAV, because the per share NAV is calculated only once at the end of each trading day based upon the relevant
end of day values of CPER’s investments.
The indicative
fund value is disseminated on a per share basis every 15 seconds during regular NYSE Arca core trading session hours of 9:30 a.m.
New York time to 4:00 p.m. New York time. The normal trading hours of the COMEX ends prior to the close of the core trading session
on NYSE Arca. As a result, there will be a gap in time at the beginning and/or the end of each day during which CPER’s shares
are traded on the NYSE Arca, but real-time futures exchange trading prices for Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts traded
on the COMEX are not available. During such gaps in time the indicative fund value will be calculated based on the end of day
price of such Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts from Futures Exchanges immediately preceding trading session. In addition,
Other Copper-Related Investments and Treasuries held by CPER will be valued by the Administrator, using rates and points received
from client-approved third-party vendors (such as Reuters and WM Company) and advisor quotes. These investments will not be included
in the indicative fund value.
The NYSE
Arca disseminates the indicative fund value through the facilities of CTA/CQ High Speed Lines. In addition, the indicative fund
value is published on the NYSE Arca’s website and is available through on-line information services such as Bloomberg and
Reuters.
Dissemination
of the indicative fund value provides additional information that is not otherwise available to the public and is useful to investors
and market professionals in connection with the trading of CPER’s shares on the NYSE Arca. Investors and market professionals
are able throughout the trading day to compare the market price of CPER and the indicative fund value. If the market price of
CPER’s shares diverges significantly from the indicative fund value, market professionals will have an incentive to execute
arbitrage trades. For example, if CPER appears to be trading at a discount compared to the indicative fund value, a market professional
could buy CPER’s shares on the NYSE Arca and sell short copper futures contracts. Such arbitrage trades can tighten the
tracking between the market price of CPER and the indicative fund value and thus can be beneficial to all market participants.
The Trust
reserves the right to adjust the share price of CPER in the future to maintain convenient trading ranges for investors. Any adjustments
would be accomplished through stock splits or reverse stock splits. Such splits would decrease (in the case of a split) or increase
(in the case of a reverse split) the proportionate NAV per share, but would have no effect on the net assets of CPER or the proportionate
voting rights of shareholders.
Creation and Redemption
of Shares
CPER
creates and redeems shares from time to time, but only in one or more Creation Baskets or Redemption Baskets. The creation and
redemption of baskets are only made in exchange for delivery to CPER or the distribution by CPER of the amount of Treasuries and
any cash represented by the baskets being created or redeemed, the amount of which is based on the combined NAV of the number
of shares included in the baskets being created or redeemed determined as of 4:00 p.m. New York time on the day the order to create
or redeem baskets is properly received.
Authorized
Participants are the only persons that may place orders to create and redeem baskets. Authorized Participants must be (1) registered
broker-dealers or other securities market participants, such as banks and other financial institutions, that are not required
to register as broker-dealers to engage in securities transactions as described below, and (2) DTC Participants. To become an
Authorized Participant, a person must enter into an Authorized Participant Agreement with USCF on behalf of CPER (each such agreement,
an “Authorized Participant Agreement”). The Authorized Participant Agreement provides the procedures for the creation
and redemption of baskets and for the delivery of the Treasuries and any cash required for such creations and redemptions. The
Authorized Participant Agreement and the related procedures attached thereto may be amended by CPER, without the consent of any
shareholder or Authorized Participant. Authorized Participants pay a transaction fee of $350 to CPER for each order they place
to create one or more Creation Baskets or to redeem one or more Redemption Baskets. The transaction fee may be reduced, increased
or otherwise changed by USCF. Authorized Participants who make deposits with CPER in exchange for baskets receive no fees, commissions
or other form of compensation or inducement of any kind from either CPER or USCF, and no such person will have any obligation
or responsibility to CPER or USCF to effect any sale or resale of shares.
Certain
Authorized Participants are expected to be capable of participating directly in the physical copper market and the Copper Interests
markets. Some Authorized Participants or their affiliates may from time to time buy or sell copper or Copper Interests and may
profit in these instances. USCF believes that the size and operation of the copper market make it unlikely that an Authorized
Participant’s direct activities in the copper or securities markets will significantly affect the price of copper, Copper
Interests, or CPER’s shares.
Each
Authorized Participant is required to be registered as a broker-dealer under the 1934 Act and is a member in good standing with
FINRA, or exempt from being or otherwise not required to be registered as a broker-dealer or a member of FINRA, and qualified
to act as a broker or dealer in the states or other jurisdictions where the nature of its business so requires. Certain Authorized
Participants may also be regulated under federal and state banking laws and regulations. Each Authorized Participant has its own
set of rules and procedures, internal controls and information barriers as it determines is appropriate in light of its own regulatory
regime.
Under
the Authorized Participant Agreement, USCF, and the Trust under limited circumstances, have agreed to indemnify the Authorized
Participants against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the 1933 Act, and to contribute to the payments the Authorized
Participants may be required to make in respect of those liabilities.
The following
description of the procedures for the creation and redemption of baskets is only a summary and an investor should refer to the
relevant provisions of the Trust Agreement and the form of Authorized Participant Agreement for more detail, each of which is
incorporated by reference into this prospectus.
Creation Procedures
On any
business day, an Authorized Participant may place an order with the Marketing Agent to create one or more baskets. For purposes
of processing purchase and redemption orders, a “business day” means any day other than a day when the NYSE Arca,
the New York Stock Exchange, or any of the Futures Exchanges upon which a Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contract is traded
is closed for regular trading. Purchase orders must be placed by 10:30 a.m. New York time or the close of regular trading on the
NYSE Arca, whichever is earlier. The day on which the Marketing Agent receives a valid purchase order is referred to as the purchase
order date.
By placing
a purchase order, an Authorized Participant agrees to deposit Treasuries, cash or a combination of Treasuries and cash, as described
below. Prior to the delivery of baskets for a purchase order, the Authorized Participant must also have wired to the Custodian
the non-refundable transaction fee due for the purchase order. Authorized Participants may not withdraw a creation request, except
as otherwise set forth in the procedures in the Authorized Participant Agreement.
The manner
by which creations are made is dictated by the terms of the Authorized Participant Agreement. By placing a purchase order, an
Authorized Participant agrees to (1) deposit Treasuries, cash, or a combination of Treasuries and cash with the Custodian, and
(2) if required by USCF in its sole discretion, enter into or arrange for a block trade, an exchange for physical or exchange
for swap, or any other OTC transaction (through itself or a designated acceptable broker) with CPER for the purchase of a number
and type of futures contracts at the closing settlement price for such contracts on the purchase order date. If an Authorized
Participant fails to consummate (1) and (2), the order shall be cancelled. The number and types of contracts specified shall be
determined by USCF, in its sole discretion, to meet CPER’s investment objective and shall be purchased as a result of the
Authorized Participant’s purchase of shares.
Determination of Required
Deposits
The total
deposit required to create each Creation Basket (“Creation Basket Deposit”) is the amount of Treasuries and/or cash
that is in the same proportion to the total assets of CPER (net of estimated accrued but unpaid fees, expenses and other liabilities)
on the purchase order date as the number of shares to be created under the purchase order is in proportion to the total number
of shares outstanding on the purchase order date. USCF determines, directly in its sole discretion or in consultation with the
Administrator, the requirements for Treasuries and the amount of cash, including the maximum permitted remaining maturity of the
Treasury and proportions of Treasuries and cash, that may be included in deposits to create baskets. The Marketing Agent will
publish such requirements at the beginning of each business day. The amount of cash deposit required is the difference between
the aggregate market value of the Treasuries required to be included in a Creation Basket Deposit as of 4:00 p.m. New York time
on the date the order to purchase is properly received and the total required deposit.
Delivery of Required
Deposits
An Authorized
Participant who places a purchase order is responsible for transferring to CPER’s account with the Custodian the required
amount of Treasuries and cash by noon New York time on the second business day following the purchase order date. Upon receipt
of the deposit amount, the Administrator directs DTC to credit the number of baskets ordered to the Authorized Participant’s
DTC account on the second business day following the purchase order date. The expense and risk of delivery and ownership of Treasuries
until such Treasuries have been received by the Custodian on behalf of CPER shall be borne solely by the Authorized Participant.
Because
orders to purchase baskets must be placed by 10:30 a.m., New York time, but the total payment required to create a basket during
the continuous offering period will not be determined until 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the date the purchase order is received,
Authorized Participants will not know the total amount of the payment required to create a basket at the time they submit an irrevocable
purchase order for the basket. CPER’s per share NAV and the total amount of the payment required to create a basket could
rise or fall substantially between the time an irrevocable purchase order is submitted and the time the amount of the purchase
price in respect thereof is determined.
Rejection of Purchase
Orders
USCF
acting by itself or through the Marketing Agent shall have the absolute right, but no obligation, to reject a purchase order or
a Creation Basket Deposit if USCF determines that:
| · | the
purchase order or Creation Basket Deposit is not in proper form; |
| · | it
would not be in the best interest of the shareholders of CPER; |
| · | due
to position limits or otherwise, investment alternatives that will enable CPER to meet
its investment objective are not available to CPER at that time; |
| · | the
acceptance of the purchase order or the Creation Basket Deposit would have adverse tax
consequences to CPER or its shareholders; |
| · | the
acceptance or receipt of which would, in the opinion of counsel to USCF, be unlawful;
or |
| · | circumstances
outside the control of USCF, the Marketing Agent or the Custodian make it, for all practical
purposes, not feasible to process Creation Baskets (including if USCF determines that
the investments available to CPER at that time will not enable it to meet its investment
objective). |
None
of USCF, the Marketing Agent or the Custodian will be liable for the rejection of any purchase order or Creation Basket Deposit.
Redemption Procedures
The procedures
by which an Authorized Participant can redeem one or more baskets mirror the procedures for the creation of baskets. On any business
day, an Authorized Participant may place an order with the Marketing Agent to redeem one or more baskets. Redemption orders must
be placed by 10:30 a.m. New York time or the close of regular trading on the NYSE Arca, whichever is earlier. A redemption order
so received will be effective on the date it is received in satisfactory form by the Marketing Agent (“Redemption Order
Date”). The redemption procedures allow Authorized Participants to redeem baskets and do not entitle an individual shareholder
to redeem any shares in an amount less than a Redemption Basket, or to redeem baskets other than through an Authorized Participant.
By placing
a redemption order, an Authorized Participant agrees to deliver the baskets to be redeemed through DTC’s book-entry system
to CPER not later than noon New York time on the second business day following the effective date of the redemption order. Prior
to the delivery of the redemption distribution for a redemption order, the Authorized Participant must also have wired to USCF’s
account at the Custodian the non-refundable transaction fee due for the redemption order. An Authorized Participant may not withdraw
a redemption order, except as otherwise set forth in the procedures in the Authorized Participant Agreement.
The manner
by which redemptions are made is dictated by the terms of the Authorized Participant Agreement. By placing a redemption order,
an Authorized Participant agrees to (1) deliver the Redemption Basket to be redeemed through DTC’s book-entry system to
CPER’s account with the Custodian no later than 3:00 p.m. New York time on the second business day following the Redemption
Order Date (“Redemption Distribution Date”), and (2) if required by USCF in its sole discretion, enter into or arrange
for a block trade, an exchange for physical or exchange for swap, or any other OTC transaction (through itself or a designated
acceptable broker) with CPER for the purchase of a number and type of futures contracts at the closing settlement price for such
contracts on the Redemption Order Date. If an Authorized Participant fails to consummate (1) and (2) above, the order shall be
cancelled. The number and type of contracts specified shall be determined by USCF, in its sole discretion, to meet CPER’s
investment objective and shall be sold as a result of the Authorized Participant’s sale of shares.
Determination of Redemption
Distribution
The redemption
distribution from CPER consists of a transfer to the redeeming Authorized Participant of an amount of Treasuries and/or cash that
is in the same proportion to the total assets of CPER (net of estimated accrued but unpaid fees, expenses and other liabilities)
on the date the order to redeem is properly received as the number of shares to be redeemed under the redemption order is in proportion
to the total number of shares outstanding on the date the order is received. USCF, directly or in consultation with the Administrator,
determines the requirements for Treasuries and the amounts of cash, including the maximum permitted remaining maturity of the
Treasuries, proportions of Treasuries and cash that may be included in distributions to redeem baskets. The Marketing Agent will
publish an estimate of the redemption distribution per basket as of the beginning of each business day.
Delivery of Redemption
Distribution
The redemption
distribution due from CPER will be delivered to the Authorized Participant on the second business day following the redemption
order date if, by 3:00 p.m., New York time on such second business day, CPER’s DTC account has been credited with the baskets
to be redeemed. If CPER’s DTC account has not been credited with all of the baskets to be redeemed by such time, the redemption
distribution will be delivered to the extent of whole baskets received. Any remainder of the redemption distribution will be delivered
on the next business day to the extent of remaining whole baskets received if USCF receives the fee applicable to the extension
of the Redemption Distribution Date which USCF may, from time to time, determine and the remaining baskets to be redeemed are
credited to CPER’s DTC account by 3:00 p.m., New York time on such next business day. Any further outstanding amount of
the redemption order shall be cancelled. Pursuant to information from USCF, the Custodian will also be authorized to deliver the
redemption distribution notwithstanding that the baskets to be redeemed are not credited to CPER’s DTC account by 3:00 p.m.,
New York time on the second business day following the redemption order date if the Authorized Participant has collateralized
its obligation to deliver the baskets through DTC’s book entry-system on such terms as USCF may from time to time determine.
Suspension or Rejection
of Redemption Orders
USCF
may, in its discretion, suspend the right of redemption, or postpone the redemption settlement date, (1) for any period during
which the NYSE Arca or any of the Futures Exchanges upon which a Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contract is traded is closed
other than customary weekend or holiday closings, or trading on the NYSE Arca or the Futures Exchanges is suspended or restricted,
(2) for any period during which an emergency exists as a result of which delivery, disposal or evaluation of Treasuries is not
reasonably practicable, or (3) for such other period as USCF determines to be necessary for the protection of the shareholders.
For example, USCF may determine that it is necessary to suspend redemptions to allow for the orderly liquidation of CPER’s
assets at an appropriate value to fund a redemption. If USCF has difficulty liquidating CPER’s positions, e.g., because
of a market disruption event in the futures markets, a suspension of trading by the exchange where the futures contracts are listed
or an unanticipated delay in the liquidation of a position in an OTC contract, it may be appropriate to suspend redemptions until
such time as such circumstances are rectified. None of USCF, the Marketing Agent, the Administrator or the Custodian will be liable
to any person or in any way for any loss or damages that may result from any such suspension or postponement.
Redemption
orders must be made in whole baskets. USCF acting by itself or through the Marketing Agent may, in its sole discretion, reject
any Redemption Order (1) USCF determines that the Redemption Order is not in proper form, (2) the fulfillment of which its counsel
advises may be illegal under applicable laws and regulations, or (3) if circumstances outside the control of USCF, the Marketing
Agent or the Custodian make it for all practical purposes not feasible for the shares to be delivered under the Redemption Order.
USCF may also reject a redemption order if the number of shares being redeemed would reduce the remaining outstanding shares to
100,000 shares (i.e., two baskets) or less.
Settlement Time
As of
the date of this prospectus, under Rule 15c6-1 under the 1934 Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required
to settle in two business days, unless the parties to such trade expressly agree otherwise. In February 2023, Rule 15c6-1
under the 1934 Act was amended to require, effective May 28, 2024, trades in the secondary market to settle in one business
day, unless the parties to such trade expressly agree otherwise or unless an exception applies. As a result, for creations or
redemptions of baskets occurring on or after May 28, 2024, the creation procedures and redemption procedures described in
this section is hereby revised as of such date to provide that delivery of Treasuries and/or cash, as well as shares of the fund,
will occur on the first business day following the purchase order date or redemption order date, as applicable.
Creation and Redemption
Transaction Fee
To compensate
CPER for its expenses in connection with the creation and redemption of baskets, an Authorized Participant is required to pay
a transaction fee to CPER of $350 per order to create or redeem baskets, regardless of the number of baskets in such order. An
order may include multiple baskets. The transaction fee may be reduced, increased or otherwise changed by USCF. USCF shall notify
DTC of any change in the transaction fee and will not implement any increase in the fee for the redemption of baskets until thirty
(30) days after the date of the notice.
Tax Responsibility
Authorized
Participants are responsible for any transfer tax, sales or use tax, stamp tax, recording tax, value added tax or similar tax
or governmental charge applicable to the creation or redemption of baskets, regardless of whether or not such tax or charge is
imposed directly on the Authorized Participant, and agree to indemnify USCF and CPER if they are required by law to pay any such
tax, together with any applicable penalties, additions to tax and interest thereon.
Secondary Market Transactions
As noted,
CPER creates and redeems shares from time to time, but only in one or more Creation Baskets or Redemption Baskets. The creation
and redemption of baskets are only made in exchange for delivery to CPER or the distribution by CPER of the amount of Treasuries
and cash represented by the baskets being created or redeemed, the amount of which will be based on the aggregate NAV of the number
of shares included in the baskets being created or redeemed determined on the day the order to create or redeem baskets is properly
received.
As discussed
above, Authorized Participants are the only persons that may place orders to create and redeem baskets. Authorized Participants
must be registered broker-dealers or other securities market participants, such as banks and other financial institutions that
are not required to register as broker-dealers to engage in securities transactions. An Authorized Participant is under no obligation
to create or redeem baskets, and an Authorized Participant is under no obligation to offer to the public shares of any baskets
it does create. Authorized Participants that do offer to the public shares from the baskets they create will do so at per-share
offering prices that are expected to reflect, among other factors, the trading price of the shares on the NYSE Arca, the per share
NAV of CPER at the time the Authorized Participant purchased the Creation Baskets, the per share NAV at the time of the offer
of the shares to the public, the supply of and demand for shares at the time of sale, and the liquidity of the Eligible Copper
Futures Contracts market and the market for Other Copper-Related Investments.
Shares
initially comprising the same basket but offered by Authorized Participants to the public at different times may have different
offering prices. An order for one or more baskets may be placed by an Authorized Participant on behalf of multiple clients. Authorized
Participants who make deposits with CPER in exchange for baskets receive no fees, commissions or other forms of compensation or
inducement of any kind from either CPER or USCF, and no such person has any obligation or responsibility to USCF or CPER to effect
any sale or resale of shares. Shares trade in the secondary market on the NYSE Arca. Shares may trade in the secondary market
at prices that are lower or higher relative to their NAV per share.
The amount
of the discount or premium in the trading price relative to the per share NAV may be influenced by various factors, including,
among other things, the number of investors who seek to purchase or sell shares in the secondary market, the availability of Creation
Baskets, the liquidity of the Eligible Copper Futures Contracts, and the market for Other Copper-Related Investments. In addition,
while CPER’s shares trade during the core trading session on the NYSE Arca until 4:00 p.m. New York time, liquidity in the
market for Copper Interests may be reduced after the determination of the settlement price by COMEX at 2:30 p.m. New York time.
CPER’s NAV is calculated based on the settlement price of the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts at 2:30 p.m.
Eastern Time and the closing share price of CPER on the NYSE Arca takes into account changes in the price of the Benchmark Component
Copper Futures Contracts that occur after the settlement price is determined. As a result, during this time, trading spreads,
and the resulting premium or discount, on the shares may widen.
Use of Proceeds
USCF
causes CPER to transfer the proceeds from the sale of Creation Baskets to the Custodian or other custodian for use in trading
activities. USCF will invest CPER’s assets in Copper Interests and investments in Treasuries, cash and/or cash equivalents.
When CPER purchases Eligible Copper Futures Contracts and certain exchange-traded Other Copper-Related Investments, CPER is required
to deposit typically 5% to 30% with the FCM on behalf of the exchange a portion of the value of the contract or other interest
as security to ensure payment for the obligation under the Copper Interests at maturity. However, from time to time, the percentage
of assets committed as margin may be substantially more, or less, than such range. This deposit is known as initial margin. Counterparties
in transactions in OTC contracts will generally impose similar collateral requirements on CPER. USCF will invest CPER’s
assets that remain after margin and collateral are posted in short-term Treasuries, cash and/or cash equivalents. Subject to these
margin and collateral requirements, USCF has sole authority to determine the percentage of assets that are:
| · | held
as margin or collateral with FCMs or other custodians; |
| · | used
for other investments; and |
| · | held
in bank accounts to pay current obligations and as reserves. |
An FCM,
counterparty, government agency or commodity exchange could increase margin or collateral requirements applicable to CPER to hold
trading positions at any time. The percentage of assets committed as margin may be substantially more, or less, than 5% to 30%
range described above. Ongoing margin and collateral payments will generally be required for both exchange-traded and OTC contracts
based on changes in the value of the Copper Interests.
Furthermore,
ongoing collateral requirements with respect to OTC contracts are negotiated by the parties, and may be affected by overall market
volatility, volatility of the SCI, the ability of the counterparty to hedge its exposure under the Copper Interests, and each
party’s creditworthiness. Margin is merely a security deposit and has no bearing on the profit or loss potential for any
positions held. In light of the differing requirements for initial payments under exchange-traded and OTC contracts and the fluctuating
nature of ongoing margin and collateral payments, it is not possible to estimate what portion of CPER’s assets will be posted
as margin or collateral at any given time. The Treasuries, cash and cash equivalents held by CPER will constitute reserves that
will be available to meet ongoing margin and collateral requirements. All interest income will be used for CPER’s benefit.
CPER’s
assets posted as margin for Eligible Copper Futures Contracts are held in segregated accounts pursuant to the CEA and CFTC regulations.
Collateral posted in connection with OTC contracts held with CPER’s FCM will be similarly segregated and if held with other
counterparties will be segregated pursuant to contract between CPER and its counterparties.
If CPER
enters into a swap agreement, it must post both collateral and independent amounts to its swap counterparty(ies). The amount of
collateral CPER posts changes according to the amounts owed by CPER to its counterparty on a given swap transaction, while independent
amounts are fixed amounts posted by CPER at the start of a swap transaction. Collateral and independent amounts posted to swap
counterparties will be held by a third-party custodian.
Additional Information
About the SCI and CPER’s Trading Program
The overall
return on the SCI is generated by two components: (i) uncollateralized returns from the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts
comprising the SCI, and (ii) a daily fixed income return reflecting the interest earned on a hypothetical 3-month Treasuries,
calculated using the weekly auction rate for 3-Month Treasuries published by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. SHIM is the
owner of the SCI.
Table
1 below lists the Futures Exchange on which the Eligible Copper Futures Contracts are listed and quotation details. Table 2 lists
the Eligible Copper Futures Contracts, their sector designation and maximum allowable tenor.
TABLE 1
Commodity |
|
Designated
Contract |
|
Exchange |
|
Units |
|
Quote |
Copper |
|
Copper |
|
COMEX |
|
25,000 lbs. |
|
U.S. cents/pound |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TABLE 2
Commodity
Name |
|
Commodity
Symbol |
|
Allowed
Contracts |
|
Max.
Tenor |
Copper |
|
HG |
|
Mar, May, Jul, Sep, Dec |
|
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prior
to the end of each month, SHIM determines the composition of the SCI and provides such information to the NYSE Arca. Values of
the SCI are computed by the NYSE Arca and disseminated approximately every fifteen (15) seconds from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., New
York City time, which also publishes a daily SCI value at approximately 5:30 p.m., New York City time, under the index ticker
symbol “SCI.” Only settlement and last-sale prices are used in the SCI’s calculation, bids and offers are not
recognized — including limit-bid and limit-offer price quotes. Where no last-sale price exists, typically in the more deferred
contract months, the previous days’ settlement price is used. This means that the underlying SCI may lag its theoretical
value. This tendency to lag is evident at the end of the day when the SCI value is based on the settlement prices of the Benchmark
Component Copper Futures Contracts, and explains why the underlying SCI often closes at or near the high or low for the day.
Composition of the SCI
The composition
of the SCI on any given day, as determined and published by SHIM, is determinative of the benchmark for CPER. However, it is not
possible to anticipate all possible circumstances and events that may occur with respect to the SCI and the methodology for its
composition, weighting and calculation. Accordingly, a number of subjective judgments must be made in connection with the operation
of the SCI that cannot be adequately reflected in this description of the SCI. All questions of interpretation with respect to
the application of the provisions of the index methodology for the SCI, including any determinations that need to be made in the
event of a market emergency or other extraordinary circumstances, will be resolved by SHIM.
Contract Expirations
Because
the SCI is comprised of actively traded contracts with scheduled expirations, it can be calculated only by reference to the prices
of contracts for specified expiration, delivery or settlement periods, referred to as contract expirations. The contract expirations
included in the SCI for each commodity during a given year are designated by SHIM, provided that each contract must be an active
contract. An active contract for this purpose is a liquid, actively-traded contract expiration, as defined or identified by the
relevant trading facility or, if no such definition or identification is provided by the relevant trading facility, as defined
by standard custom and practice in the industry.
If a
futures exchange, such as the COMEX, ceases trading in all contract expirations relating to an Eligible Copper Futures Contract,
SHIM may designate a replacement contract. The replacement contract must satisfy the eligibility criteria for inclusion in the
SCI. To the extent practicable, the replacement will be effected during the next monthly review of the composition of the SCI.
If that timing is not practicable, SHIM will determine the date of the replacement based on a number of factors, including the
differences between the existing Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts and the replacement contract with respect to contractual
specifications and contract expirations.
The designation
of a replacement contract could affect the value of the SCI, either positively or negatively, depending on the price of the contract
that is eliminated and the prices of the replacement contract. It is impossible, however, to predict the effect of these changes,
if they occur, on the value of the SCI.
Contract Selection and
Weighting
Weights
for each of the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts are determined for the next month. The methodology used to calculate
the SCI weighting is based solely on quantitative data using observable futures prices and is not subject to human bias.
The monthly
weighting selection is a process based upon examination of the relevant futures prices for copper:
1) On
CPER’s Selection Date (“CPER’s Selection Date”):
| a) | the
copper futures curve is assessed to be in either backwardation or contango (as discussed
below); and |
| b) | the
Three Eligible Copper Futures Contracts are identified. For each month, the Three Eligible
Copper Futures Contracts are as follows |
Month |
January |
February |
March |
April |
May |
June |
July |
August |
September |
October |
November |
December |
Closest
to Expiration Futures Contract |
Mar |
Mar |
May |
May |
Jul |
Jul |
Sep |
Sep |
Dec |
Dec |
Dec |
Mar |
Eligible
Futures Contracts |
Mar |
May |
May |
Jul |
Jul |
Sep |
Sep |
Dec |
Dec |
Dec |
Mar |
Mar |
|
May |
July |
July |
Sep |
Sep |
Dec |
Dec |
Mar |
Mar |
Mar |
May |
May |
|
July |
Sep |
Sep |
Dec |
Dec |
Mar |
Mar |
May |
May |
May |
Jul |
Jul |
A futures
curve in backwardation occurs when the price of the closest-to-expiration Allowed Contract is greater than or equal to the price
of the next closest-to-expiration Allocated Contract. These contracts will have expirations that are approximately two or three
months apart. A curve not in backwardation is defined as being in contango, which occurs when the price of the closest-to-expiration
contract is less than the price of the next closest-to-expiration contract.
2a) Backwardation:
If the copper futures curve is in backwardation on the Selection Date, the SCI takes positions in the first Eligible Copper Futures
Contract, weighted at 100%.
A hypothetical
example is included below, with the selected Eligible Copper Futures Contract shaded below:
Copper Futures Contract | |
Expiration Date | | |
Contract Price | |
Nearest-to-maturity | |
| December-10 | | |
| 374.70 | |
Next nearest-to-maturity | |
| March-11 | | |
| 365.20 | |
Eligible Copper Futures Contracts | |
Price | |
December-10 | |
| 374.70 | |
| |
| | |
2b) Contango:
If the copper futures curve is in contango, then the SCI takes positions in first three Eligible Copper Futures Contracts, each
position is weighted at 33.33%.
A hypothetical
example is included below, with the three selected Eligible Copper Futures Contracts indicated below:
Copper Futures Contract | |
Expiration Date | | |
Contract Price | |
Nearest-to-maturity | |
| December-10 | | |
| 374.00 | |
Next nearest-to-maturity | |
| March-11 | | |
| 375.70 | |
Eligible Copper Futures Contracts | |
Price | |
December-10 | |
| 374.00 | |
March-11 | |
| 375.70 | |
May-11 | |
| 376.30 | |
| |
| | |
Due to
the dynamic monthly weighting calculation, the individual weights will vary-over time, depending on the price observations each
month. CPER’s Selection Date for the SCI is the 10th business day of the calendar month.
The following
graph shows the weights of the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts selected for inclusion in the SCI as of December 31,
2024.

Portfolio Construction
The portfolio
rebalancing takes place during the Rebalancing Period. At the end of each of the days in the Rebalancing Period one fourth of
the prior month portfolio positions are replaced by the new weights for the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts determined
on CPER’s Selection Date.
SCI Total Return Calculation
The value
of the SCI on any business day is equal to the product of (i) the value of the SCI on the immediately preceding business day multiplied
by (ii) one plus the sum of the day’s returns for another version of the SCI known as the SummerHaven Dynamic Copper Index
Excess Return (“SCI ER”) (explained below) and one business day’s interest from the hypothetical Treasury portfolio.
The value of the SCI will be calculated and published by the NYSE Arca.
SCI Base Level
The SCI
was set to 100 on January 2, 1991.
SCI ER Calculation
The total
return of the SCI ER reflects the percentage change of the market values of the underlying commodity futures. During the Rebalancing
Period, the SCI changes its contract holdings and weightings during a four day period. The value of the SCI ER at the end of a
business day “t” is equal to the SCI ER value on day “t -1” multiplied by the sum of the
daily percentage price changes of each commodity future factoring in each respective commodity future’s notional holding
on day “t -1”.
Rebalancing Period
The SCI
is rebalanced during the 11th through 14th business days of each calendar month, when existing positions are placed by new positions
and weightings based on the signals used for contract selection on 10th business day of the calendar month as outlined above.
Changes to the SCI effective
on December 31, 2020
Previously,
the SCI could have been comprised of two or three Eligible Copper Futures Contracts. Beginning with the commodity selection process
that was scheduled to occur on December 31, 2020, the rebalancing period for the SCI changed from the first four business days
of each month to the 11th-14th business days of each month, based on signals used for contract selection on the 10th business
day of each month, rather than the last business day of each month. In addition, commencing with the first commodity selection
date occurring after the change: the SCI was revised as follows: the number of Eligible Copper Futures Contracts was reduced,
and the SCI itself is now comprised of one or three Eligible Copper Futures Contracts. Previously, the SCI could have comprised
of two or three Eligible Copper Futures Contracts. These revisions to the composition of the SCI are intended to ensure that the
SCI components at any given time represent copper futures contracts for which there is an active and liquid trading market.
INFORMATION
YOU SHOULD KNOW
This
prospectus contains information you should consider when making an investment decision about the shares. You may rely only on
the information contained in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement. None of the Trust, CPER or USCF has authorized
any person to provide you with different information and, if anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you
should not rely on it. This prospectus is not an offer to sell the shares in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale of the shares
is not permitted.
The information
contained in this prospectus was obtained from us and other sources believed by us to be reliable.
You should
rely only on the information contained in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement or any information incorporated
by reference to this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with any information that is different. If you receive
any unauthorized information, you must not rely on it. You should disregard anything we said in an earlier document that is inconsistent
with what is included in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement or any information incorporated by reference
to this prospectus. Where the context requires, when we refer to this “prospectus,” we are referring to this prospectus
and (if applicable) the relevant prospectus supplement.
You should
not assume that the information in this prospectus or any applicable prospectus supplement is current as of any date other than
the date on the front page of this prospectus or the date on the front page of any applicable prospectus supplement.
We include
cross references in this prospectus to captions in these materials where you can find further related discussions. The table of
contents tells you where to find these captions.
SUMMARY
OF PROMOTIONAL AND SALES MATERIAL
CPER
uses the following promotional or sales material:
| · | CPER’s
website, www.uscfinvestments.com; and |
| · | CPER
Fact Sheet found on CPER’s website. |
The materials
described above are not a part of this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
This
section is provided here as a convenience to you.
INTELLECTUAL
PROPERTY
USCF owns
trademark registrations for USCI (and Design) (U.S. Reg. No. 4437230) for “Fund investment services,” in use since
September 30, 2012, and USCI UNITED STATES COMMODITY INDEX FUND (U.S. Reg. No. 4005166) for “Fund investment services,”
in use since August 10, 2010. USCF owns trademark registrations for CPER UNITED STATES COPPER INDEX FUND (and Design) (U.S. Reg.
No. 4440922) for “Financial investment services in the field of copper futures contracts, cash-settled options on copper
futures contracts, forward contracts for copper, over-the-counter transactions based on the price of copper, and indices based
on the foregoing,” in use since September 30, 2012, UNITED STATES COPPER INDEX FUND (U.S. Reg. No. 4270057) for “Fund
investment services,” in use since November 15, 2011, and THE FIRST COPPER ETF (U.S. Reg. No. 4472746) for “Financial
investment services in the field of copper futures contracts, cash-settled options on copper futures contracts, forward contracts
for copper, over-the-counter transactions based on the price of copper, and indices based on the foregoing,” in use since
February 13, 2012. USCF relies upon these trademarks through which it markets its services and strives to build and maintain brand
recognition in the market and among current and potential investors. So long as USCF continues to use these trademarks to identify
its services, without challenge from any third party, and properly maintains and renews the trademark registrations under applicable
laws, rules and regulations, it will continue to have indefinite protection for these trademarks under current laws, rules and
regulations.
USCF owns
trademark registrations for USCF (and Design) (U.S. Reg. No. 5127374) for “Fund investment services,” in use since
April 10, 2016, USCF (U.S. Reg. No. 5040755) for “Fund investment services,” in use since June 24, 2008, and INVEST
IN WHAT’S REAL (U.S. Reg. No. 5450808) for “Fund investment services,” in use since April 2016. USCF relies
upon these trademarks and service mark through which it markets its services and strives to build and maintain brand recognition
in the market and among current and potential investors. So long as USCF continues to use these trademarks to identify its services,
without challenge from any third party, and properly maintains and renews the trademark registrations under applicable laws, rules
and regulations, it will continue to have indefinite protection for these trademarks under current laws, rules and regulations.
USCF has been granted two patents Nos. 7,739,186 and 8,019,675, for systems and methods for an exchange traded fund (ETF) that
tracks the price of one or more commodities.
WHERE
YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
The Trust
has filed on behalf of CPER a registration statement on Form S-3 with the SEC under the 1933 Act. This prospectus does not contain
all of the information set forth in the registration statement (including the exhibits to the registration statement), parts of
which have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information about the Trust, CPER,
or the shares, please refer to the registration statement, which you may access online at www.sec.gov. Information about
the Trust, CPER, and the shares can also be obtained from CPER’s website, http://www.uscfinvestments.com. CPER’s
website address is only provided here as a convenience to you and the information contained on or connected to the website is
not part of this prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus is part. The Trust is subject to the informational
requirements of the 1934 Act and USCF, on behalf of the Trust and CPER, will file certain reports and other information with the
SEC under the 1934 Act. USCF will file an updated prospectus annually for CPER pursuant to the 1933 Act. The reports and other
information can be accessed online at www.sec.gov.
STATEMENT
REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This
prospectus includes “forward-looking statements” which generally relate to future events or future performance. In
some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,”
“expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,”
“potential” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. All statements (other than statements
of historical fact) included in this prospectus that address activities, events or developments that will or may occur in the
future, including such matters as changes in inflation in the United States, movements in the stock market, movements in U.S.
and foreign currencies, and market volatility in the commodities markets and futures markets and indexes that track such movements,
the Russia-Ukraine war and conflicts in the Middle East, CPER’s operations, USCF’s plans and references to CPER’s
future success and other similar matters, are forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions. Actual events
or results may differ materially. These statements are based upon certain assumptions and analyses USCF has made based on its
perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors appropriate in
the circumstances. Whether or not actual results and developments will conform to USCF’s expectations and predictions, however,
is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the special considerations discussed in this prospectus, general
economic, market and business conditions, changes in laws or regulations, including those concerning taxes, made by governmental
authorities or regulatory bodies, and other world economic and political developments. See “Risk Factors Involved with an
Investment in CPER” Consequently, all the forward-looking statements made in this prospectus are qualified by these cautionary
statements, and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments USCF anticipates will be realized or, even if
substantially realized, that they will result in the expected consequences to, or have the expected effects on, CPER’s operations
or the value of its shares.
INCORPORATION
BY REFERENCE OF CERTAIN INFORMATION
We are
a reporting company and file annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the SEC. The rules of the SEC allow
us to “incorporate by reference” information that we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information
to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus.
Any reports filed by us with the SEC subsequent to the date of this prospectus and before the date that any offering of any securities
by means of this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement is terminated will automatically update, and where applicable,
supersede any information contained in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We incorporate by reference
the documents listed below and any future filings we will make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the 1934
Act after the date of this prospectus until all of the securities offered by this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement
have been sold or we otherwise terminate the offering of these securities; provided, however, that information “furnished”
under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K, or other information “furnished” to the SEC, which is not deemed filed is
not and will not be incorporated by reference. This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents set forth below that have
been previously filed with the SEC.
| · | Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on
February 28, 2025. |
Any statement
contained in a document incorporated by reference in this prospectus shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes
of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or in any other subsequently filed document that
also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus modifies or supersedes such statement. Any statement so
modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.
We will
provide to each person to whom a prospectus is delivered, including any beneficial owner, a copy of these filings at no cost,
upon written or oral request at the following address or telephone number:
United
States Commodity Index Funds Trust
Attention: Katie Rooney
1850 Mt. Diablo Boulevard, Suite 640
Walnut Creek, California 94596
(510) 522-9600
Our website
is www.uscfinvestments.com. We make our electronic filings with the SEC, including our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly
reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to these reports available on our website free of charge as soon
as practicable after we file or furnish them with the SEC. The information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference
in this prospectus and should not be considered a part of this prospectus.
Privacy Policy
CPER
and USCF may collect or have access to certain nonpublic personal information about current and former investors. Nonpublic personal
information may include information received from investors, such as an investor’s name, social security number and address,
as well as information received from brokerage firms about investor holdings and transactions in shares of CPER.
CPER
and USCF do not disclose nonpublic personal information except as required by law or as described in their Privacy Policy. In
general, CPER and USCF restrict access to the nonpublic personal information they collect about investors to those of their and
their affiliates’ employees and service providers who need access to such information to provide products and services to
investors.
CPER
and USCF maintain safeguards that comply with federal and applicable state law to protect investors’ nonpublic personal
information. These safeguards are reasonably designed to (1) ensure the security and confidentiality of investors’ records
and information, (2) protect against any anticipated threats or hazards to the security or integrity of investors’ records
and information, and (3) protect against unauthorized access to or use of investors’ records or information that could result
in substantial harm or inconvenience to any investor. Third-party service providers with whom CPER and USCF share nonpublic personal
information about investors must agree to follow appropriate standards of security and confidentiality, which includes safeguarding
such nonpublic personal information physically, electronically and procedurally.
A copy
of USCF’s current Privacy Policy is available at http://www.uscfinvestments.com.
APPENDIX
A
Glossary
of Defined Terms
In this
prospectus, each of the following terms has the meaning set forth after such term:
1933
Act: The Securities Act of 1933.
1934
Act: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
1940
Act: Investment Company Act of 1940.
Adjusted
K-1: A statement to investors who owned beneficial interests in the shares in the year to which the adjusted allocations relate
setting forth their proportionate shares of the adjustment.
Administrator:
BNY Mellon.
Authorized
Participant: A person that purchases or redeems Creation Baskets or Redemption Baskets, respectively, from or to CPER.
Authorized
Participant Agreement: An agreement with USCF on behalf of CPER whereby a person becomes an Authorized Participant.
Backup
Withholding: U.S. federal income tax that is required to be withheld.
Basket:
A block of 50,000 shares.
Benchmark
Component Copper Futures Contracts: The one or three Eligible Copper Futures Contracts that make up the SCI at any one time.
Beginning with the first commodity selection process that occurred after the commodity selection process that was scheduled to
occur on December 31, 2020, the Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts is the two or three Eligible Futures Contracts that
make up the SCI at any one time.
BNO:
United States Brent Oil Fund, LP.
BNY
Mellon: The Bank of New York Mellon.
Board:
USCF’s board of directors.
Business
Day: Any day other than a day when the COMEX, NYSE Arca, the New York Stock Exchange, or any of the Futures Exchanges upon
which an Eligible Copper Futures Contract is traded is closed for regular trading.
CEA:
Commodity Exchange Act.
CFTC:
Commodity Futures Trading Commission, an independent agency with the mandate to regulate commodity futures and options in
the United States.
Cleared
Swap Contract: A financial contract, whose value is designed to track the return on stocks, bonds, currencies, commodities,
or some other benchmark, that is submitted to a central clearinghouse after it is either traded OTC or on an exchange or other
trading platform.
Code:
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
COMEX:
Commodity Exchange, Inc.
Commodity
Pool: An enterprise in which several individuals contribute funds in order to trade futures contracts or options on futures
contracts collectively.
Commodity
Pool Operator or CPO: Any person engaged in a business which is of the nature of an investment trust, syndicate, or similar
enterprise, and who, in connection therewith, solicits, accepts, or receives from others, funds, securities, or property, either
directly or through capital contributions, the sale of stock or other forms of securities, or otherwise, for the purpose of trading
in any commodity for future delivery or commodity option on or subject to the rules of any contract market.
Commodity
Trading Advisor or CTA: Subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Commodity Exchange Act, any person who for compensation
or profit, (i) engages in the business of advising others, either directly or through publications, writings, or electronic media,
as to the value of or the advisability of trading in any commodity for future delivery or commodity option on or subject to the
rules of any contract market, or (ii) as part of a regular business, issues or promulgates analyses or reports concerning any
of the activities referred to in (i).
Copper
Interests: Benchmark Component Copper Futures Contracts and Other Copper-Related Investments.
CPER:
United States Copper Index Fund.
Creation
Basket: A block of 50,000 shares used by CPER to issue shares.
Creation
Basket Deposit: The total deposit required to create each basket.
Custodian:
The Bank of New York Mellon.
DCM:
Designated contract market.
DNO:
United States Short Oil Fund, LP.
DTC:
The Depository Trust Company. DTC will act as the securities depository for the shares.
DTC
Participant: An entity that has an account with DTC.
ECI:
Income that is effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business.
Eligible
Copper Futures Contracts: Futures contracts for copper that are traded on the COMEX.
ERISA:
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
Exchange
for Related Position (EFRP): An off market transaction which involves the swapping (or exchanging) of an over-the-counter
(OTC) position for a futures position. The OTC transaction must be for the same or similar quantity or amount of a specified commodity,
or a substantially similar commodity or instrument. The OTC side of the EFRP can include swaps, swap options, or other instruments
traded in the OTC market. In order that an EFRP transaction can take place, the OTC side and futures components must be “substantially
similar” in terms of either value and or quantity. The net result is that the OTC position (and the inherent counterparty
credit exposure) is transferred from the OTC market to the futures market. EFRPs can also work in reverse, where a futures position
can be reversed and transferred to the OTC market.
FCM:
Futures Commission Merchant.
FDAP:
Amounts that are fixed, determinable, annual and periodic income, such as interest, dividends and rent that are not connected
with the operation of a U.S. trade or business.
FFI:
Foreign financial institution.
FINRA:
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority.
Futures
Exchanges: The COMEX or other futures exchanges that trade copper.
IGA:
Intergovernmental agreement.
Indirect
Participants: Banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC
Participant, either directly or indirectly.
IRA:
Individual retirement account.
IRS:
U.S. Internal Revenue Service.
ISDA:
International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc.
Limited
Liability Company (LLC): A type of business ownership combining several features of corporation and partnership structures.
LLC
Agreement: The Sixth Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of USCF, dated as of May 15, 2015 (as amended
from time to time).
LME:
London Metal Exchange.
Management
Directors: The four management directors that make up USCF’s board of directors.
Margin:
The amount of equity required for an investment in futures contracts.
Marketing
Agent: ALPS Distributors, Inc.
Marygold:
The Marygold Companies, Inc., formerly Concierge Technologies Inc., a company publicly traded under the ticker symbol “MGLD.”
NAV:
Net asset value of CPER.
NFA:
National Futures Association.
NYSE
Arca: NYSE Arca, Inc.
Option:
The right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell a futures contract or forward contract at a specified price on or before
a specified date.
OTC
Derivative: A financial contract, whose value is designed to track the return on stocks, bonds, currencies, commodities, or
some other benchmark, that is traded OTC or off organized exchanges.
Other
Copper-Related Investments: Contracts and instruments based on the Eligible Copper Futures Contracts or copper, such as cash-settled
options, forward contracts, cleared swap contracts and OTC transactions.
Position
Limits Rule: Regulatory limits imposed by the CFTC on speculative positions in certain physical commodity futures and option
contracts and swaps that are economically equivalent to such contracts in the agriculture, energy and metals markets and rules
addressing the circumstances under which market participants would be required to aggregate their positions with other persons
under common ownership or control.
Redemption
Basket: A block of 50,000 shares used by CPER to redeem shares.
Redemption
Order Date: The date a redemption order is received in satisfactory form and approved by the Marketing Agent.
Register:
The record of all Shareholders and holders of the shares in certificated form kept by the Administrator.
Related
Public Funds: United States 12 Month Natural Gas Fund, LP (“UNL”); United States 12 Month Oil Fund, LP (“USL”);
United States Oil Fund, LP (“USO”); United States Gasoline Fund, LP (“UGA”); United States Natural Gas
Fund, LP (“UNG”); United States Brent Oil Fund, LP (“BNO”); United States Commodity Index Fund (“USCI”).
SCI:
The SummerHaven Copper Index Total Return owned and maintained by SummerHaven Index Management, LLC.
SEC:
Securities and Exchange Commission.
Secondary
Market: The stock exchanges and the OTC market. Securities are first issued as a primary offering to the public. When the
securities are traded from that first holder to another, the issues trade in these secondary markets.
SEF:
A swap execution facility.
Selection
Date: The last business day of the calendar month with respect to CPER.
Shareholders:
Holders of shares.
Shares:
Common shares representing fractional undivided beneficial interests in CPER.
SHIM:
SummerHaven Index Management, LLC.
Spot
Contract: A cash market transaction in which the buyer and seller agree to the immediate purchase and sale of a commodity,
usually with a two-day settlement.
SummerHaven:
SummerHaven Investment Management, LLC.
Swap
Contract: Swap transactions generally involve contracts between two parties to exchange a stream of payments computed by reference
to a notional amount and the price of the asset that is the subject of the swap. Some swap transactions are cleared through central
counterparties. These transactions, known as cleared swaps, involve two counterparties first agreeing to the terms of a swap transaction,
then submitting the transaction to a clearing house that acts as the central counterparty. Swap transactions that are not cleared
through central counterparties are called “uncleared” or “over-the-counter” (“OTC”) swaps.
Tracking
Error: Possibility that the daily NAV of CPER will not track the Applicable Index.
Trading
Advisor: SummerHaven Investment Management, LLC.
Treasuries:
Obligations of the U.S. government with remaining maturities of 2 years or less.
Trust:
United States Commodity Index Funds Trust.
Trust
Agreement: The Fourth Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust and Trust Agreement of the Trust effective as of December
15, 2017.
UBTI:
Unrelated business taxable income.
UGA:
United States Gasoline Fund, LP.
UHN:
United States Diesel-Heating Oil Fund, LP.
UNG:
United States Natural Gas Fund, LP.
UNL:
United States 12 Month Natural Gas Fund, LP.
USCF:
The sponsor of CPER, United States Commodity Funds LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, which is registered as a Commodity
Pool Operator, who controls the investments and other decisions of CPER and the other Funds.
USCF
Investments: USCF Investments, Inc., formerly Wainwright Holdings, Inc.
USCI:
United States Commodity Index Fund.
USL:
United States 12 Month Oil Fund, LP.
USO:
United States Oil Fund, LP.
Valuation
Day: Any day as of which CPER calculates its NAV.
You:
The owner or holder of shares.
United States Commodity (AMEX:USCI)
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United States Commodity (AMEX:USCI)
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から 7 2024 まで 7 2025