A. GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Almanack Investment Partners, LLC ("Almanack" or “Advisor”) is a Delaware limited liability
company formed on September 14, 2015. Almanack is principally owned by Gadsden Group Holdings,
LLC.
The Advisor's core business is to offer investment management services to individual and institutional
clients using model asset allocation portfolios. Each model portfolio is designed to meet a particular
investment goal (the "Core Allocation"). Almanack offers its services through a number of
independently owned offices located across the United States.
As discussed below, Almanack offers to its clients (individuals, high net worth individuals, state or
municipal entities, trusts, estates, and charitable organizations, etc.) investment advisory services, and,
to the extent specifically requested by a client, financial planning and related consulting services. In
addition, Almanack also provides services to other investment advisers in the form of sub-advisory and
consulting.
Almanack manages advisory accounts on a discretionary or non-discretionary basis through
relationships with Charles Schwab & Company, Inc. (“Schwab”), Fidelity Investments (“Fidelity”),
Pictet Asset Services (“Pictet”) and Interactive Brokers (“IB”). Almanack’s annual investment advisory
fee may be either fixed or based upon a percentage (%) of the market value of the assets placed under
Almanack’s management. Through personal discussions with the client in which the client's goals and
objectives are established, Almanack Investment Adviser Representatives determine which model
portfolio is best suited to the client's individual needs and objectives. The Advisor's Core Allocation starts
by forming a fundamental understanding of the primary drivers of potential portfolio exposures and
emphasizes the development of methods for combining these exposures (often index based) into a
diversified risk conscious portfolio.
Once Almanack determines the suitability of the portfolio, the portfolio is managed based on the
portfolio's intended objective. Clients are permitted to place reasonable restrictions on the types of
investments to be held in their account as long as such restrictions do not materially interfere with
Almanack’s ability to effectively manage client assets. Clients retain individual ownership of all
securities.
Because some types of investments involve certain additional degrees of risk, they will only be
implemented/recommended when consistent with the client's stated investment objectives, tolerance for
risk, liquidity needs and overall suitability.
To ensure that Almanack’s initial determination of an appropriate portfolio remains suitable and that the
account continues to be managed in a manner consistent with the client's financial circumstances,
Almanack will:
1. At least annually, contact each participating client to determine whether there have been any
changes in the client's financial situation or investment objectives, and whether the client wishes
to impose investment restrictions or modify existing restrictions;
2. Be reasonably available to consult with the client; and
3. Maintain client suitability information in each client's file.
In addition, Almanack provides an internal platform for Almanack investment adviser representatives
(“IARs”) to access investment management, business consulting and operational support services.
These IARs share resources, ideas and other best practices within the platform and deliver investment
advice, insurance solutions and other financial services to their own individual and institutional clients
in the investment advisor community. In addition to the services described above, Almanack also offers
Investment Management Services as described below at Item 4.B. including consulting services. Each
of these businesses are described in more detail below.
B. INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Almanack may be engaged to provide discretionary or non-discretionary investment advisory services.
Almanack’s investment advisory fee is based upon a percentage (%) of the market value of the assets
placed under Almanack’s management and generally ranges from .25% to 2.0% annually.
Almanack’s annual investment advisory fee shall include investment advisory services, and, to the extent
specifically requested by the client, financial planning and consulting services.
Almanack supports its own investment management platform (the "Platform") that is available to the
IARs of Almanack. Before engaging Almanack to provide investment advisory services, clients are
required to enter into an Investment Management Agreement (“IMA”) with Almanack setting forth the
terms and conditions of the engagement (including termination, describing the scope of the services to
be provided, and the fee that is due from the client).
To commence the investment advisory process, an IAR will first ascertain each client’s investment
objectives and then allocate and/or recommend that the client allocate investment assets consistent with
their designated investment objectives. Once client assets are allocated, Almanack provides ongoing
monitoring and review of account performance and asset allocation.
Almanack shall have discretionary authority to engage unaffiliated investment managers and serve as an
overlay portfolio manager to construct, allocate and reallocate investment portfolios for clients of
Almanack IARs. Almanack also provides the following services, either directly or through contractual
relationships with third parties, with respect to the Platform:
• Investment model administration and Manager facilitation services
• Advisor as Portfolio Manager ("APM") functionality, account administration, billing and
reconciliation, account aggregation, reconciliation and reporting, and client account reporting
• Business management reporting technology services
Investment Services
The Advisor offers compliance, operational and back-office support to its IARs through third party
service providers. These services are typically funded through the fees charged by the IAR to its clients.
As part of these services to the investment advisor, Almanack provides the IARs with access to a range
of investment advisory services for use by advisors with their clients, including Separately Managed
Accounts ("SMA"), Mutual Funds and Exchange Traded Funds ("ETF") Asset Allocation Strategies and
Unified Managed Accounts ("UMA") (each an "Investment Program" and collectively, the "Investment
Programs"). The Investment Programs are generally made available by Almanack to their IARs, who
may recommend one or more Investment Programs to their clients. A client's investment adviser
determines which services and Investment Programs of Almanack to use with its clients and may use the
services of other third-party service providers in conjunction with the Investment Programs.
FINANCIAL PLANNING AND CONSULTING SERVICES (STAND-ALONE)
Consulting Services
Almanack offers a range of consulting services including allocation research, risk analysis, benchmarking,
and manager assessment. These services are provided pursuant to specialized engagements individually
negotiated with Almanack’s clients based upon their specific needs and objectives.
In performing its services, Almanack is not required to verify any information received from the client
or from the client’s other professionals (e.g., attorney, accountant, etc.) and is authorized to rely on such
information. Almanack may recommend the services of itself, and/or other professionals to implement
its recommendations. Clients are advised that a conflict of interest exists if Almanack recommends its
own services or the services of any of its Advisory Affiliates (as set forth in Item 10). The client is under
no obligation to act upon any of the recommendations made by Almanack under a consulting engagement
or to engage the services of any such recommended professional, including Almanack itself. The client
retains discretion over all such implementation decisions and is free to accept or reject any of Almanack’s
recommendations. Clients are advised that it remains their responsibility to promptly notify Almanack
if there is ever any change in their financial situation or investment objectives for the purpose of
reviewing, evaluating, or revising Almanack’s previous recommendations and/or services.
Financial Planning
To the extent specifically requested by a client, Almanack may provide financial planning and/or
consulting services (including investment and non-investment related matters, including estate planning,
insurance planning, etc.) on a stand-alone separate fee basis. Almanack's planning and consulting fees
are charged either at an hourly rate or up to 1% of the client's total net worth, subject to a minimum of
$1,000; however, discounted rates can and may be offered. The fees charged are dependent upon the
level and scope of the service(s) required and the professional(s) rendering the service(s). Prior to
engaging Almanack to provide planning or consulting services, clients are generally required to enter
into a Financial Planning and Consulting Agreement with Almanack setting forth the terms and
conditions of the engagement (including termination), describing the scope of the services to be
provided, and the portion of the fee that is due from the client prior to Almanack commencing services.
If requested by the client, Almanack will recommend the services of other professionals for
implementation purposes, including Almanack’s representatives in their individual capacities as
registered representatives of a broker-dealer, or licensed insurance agents. (See disclosure at Item 10.C.).
The client is under no obligation to engage the services of any such recommended professional. The
client retains absolute discretion over all such implementation decisions and is free to accept or reject
any recommendation from Almanack. It remains the client’s responsibility to promptly notify Almanack
if there is ever any change in their financial situation or investment objectives for the purpose of
reviewing, evaluating, or revising Almanack’s previous recommendations and/or services.
Financial planning is a comprehensive evaluation of a client's current and future financial state by using
currently known variables to predict future cash flows, asset values and withdrawal plans. Through the
financial planning process, all questions, information, and analysis are considered as they impact, and are
impacted by, the entire financial and life situation of the client. Clients purchasing this service either receive
a written report or access to software which provides the client with a detailed financial plan designed to
assist the client in achieving his or her financial goals and objectives. In general, the financial plan can address
any or all of the following areas:
• PERSONAL: Almanack reviews family records, budgeting, personal liability, estate
information and financial goals.
• TAX & CASH FLOW: Almanack analyzes the client's income tax and spending and planning
for past, current, and future years; then illustrates the impact of various investments on the client's
current income tax and future tax liability.
• INVESTMENTS: Almanack analyzes investment alternatives and their effect on the client's
portfolio.
• INSURANCE: Almanack reviews existing policies to ensure proper coverage for life, health,
disability, long-term care, liability, home, and automobile.
• RETIREMENT: Almanack analyzes current strategies and investment plans to help the client
achieve his or her retirement goals.
• DEATH & DISABILITY: Almanack reviews the client's cash needs at death, income needs of
surviving dependents, estate planning and disability income.
• ESTATE: Almanack assists the client in assessing and developing long-term strategies, including
as appropriate, living trusts, wills, review estate tax, powers of attorney, asset protection plans,
nursing homes, Medicaid, and elder law. Almanack gathers required information through in-depth
personal interviews. Information gathered includes the client's current financial status, tax status,
future goals, returns objectives and attitudes towards risk. Almanack carefully reviews documents
supplied by the client, including a questionnaire completed by the client, and prepares a written
report. Should the client choose to implement the recommendations contained in the plan,
Almanack suggests the client work closely with their attorney, accountant, insurance agent, and/or
investment adviser. Implementation of financial plan recommendations is entirely at the client's
discretion.
Almanack also provides general non-securities advice on topics that may include tax and budgetary
planning, estate planning and business planning. Investment recommendations in financial plans may
include any or all of the following:
• Exchange-listed securities
• Securities traded over-the-counter
• Corporate debt securities (other than commercial paper)
• Commercial paper
• Certificates of deposit
• Municipal securities
• Variable life insurance
• Variable annuities
• Mutual fund share
• United States governmental securities
• Options contracts on securities
• Interests in partnerships investing in real estate
• Interests in partnerships investing in oil and gas interests
• Any investments held by the client at the inception of the advisory relationship
Typically, the financial plan is presented to the client within six months of the contract date, provided
that all information needed to prepare the financial plan has been promptly provided. Financial Planning
recommendations are not limited to any specific product or service offered by a broker-dealer or
insurance company. All recommendations are of a generic nature and should be reviewed with your
attorney, accountant or other professional as appropriate prior to implementation.
SIGNAL PROVIDER
Almanack may be selected by third-party investment advisors to serve in the capacity as a signal-provider
to their client accounts. When selected as a signal-provider, Almanack will develop and provide the third-
party advisor with signals and recommendations for when to buy and sell investments. Almanack will
provide signals on a non-discretionary basis to those third-party advisor accounts. As such, Almanack has
no investment discretion, no knowledge of the underlying investment advisor’s clients, no authority to
effect and/or execute trades on behalf of the third-party advisor’s clients and no knowledge as to whether
the third-party advisor followed any of the signals provided. This means the third-party advisor will trade
their client accounts to implement the signals provided by Almanack. The third-party investment adviser
will maintain discretionary authority on the account to place trades and make changes to the account or the
portion of the account based on the signal provided by Almanack. It is important to note Almanack
manages investments and accounts for other clients and gives them advice or takes action for them or for
our personal accounts that may be different from the signals we provide to such third-party advisors.
Almanack is not obligated to buy, sell or recommend to a third-party advisor any security or other
investment that it may buy, sell or recommend for any other clients or for Almanack’s own accounts. The
fees for signal provider services are agreed upon by the third-party investment adviser and Almanack. The
agreement will state the manner, amount and timing of Almanack’s compensation. Generally, compensation
will be based upon the value of the assets to which a signal is being applied. Such fees may be higher, or lower
than those paid by Almanack clients who are not in such arrangements.
MISCELLANEOUS
Limitations of Financial Planning and Non-Investment Consulting/Implementation Services: As
indicated above, to the extent requested by the client, Almanack may provide financial planning and
related consulting services regarding non-investment related matters, such as estate planning, tax
planning, insurance, etc. Almanack is not a law firm or accounting firm, and no portion of its services
should be construed as legal, tax or accounting advice. Accordingly, Almanack does not prepare estate
planning documents or tax returns. To the extent requested by a client, Almanack may recommend the
services of other professionals for certain non-investment implementation purposes (i.e. attorneys,
accountants, insurance agents, etc.), including representatives of Almanack in their separate individual
capacities as registered representatives (individually and/or collectively, “Third Party BD”), each a
FINRA member broker-dealer and/or as insurance agents. The client is under no obligation to engage
the services of any such recommended professional. The client retains absolute discretion over all such
implementation decisions and is free to accept or reject any recommendation from Almanack and/or its
representatives (See Item 10 below). The recommendation by Almanack’s representative that a client
purchase a security or insurance commission product in his/her separate and individual capacity as a
registered representative of a Third-Party broker dealer, and/or as an insurance agent, presents a conflict
of interest, as the receipt of commissions provides an incentive to recommend investment or insurance
products based on commissions to be received, rather than on a particular client’s need. No client is
under any obligation to purchase any securities or insurance commission products through such
representative. Clients are reminded that they may purchase securities or insurance products
recommended by Almanack through other, non-affiliated broker-dealers or insurance agencies.
Retirement Rollovers-Potential for Conflict of Interest: A client or prospective client leaving an
employer typically has four options regarding an existing retirement plan (and may engage in one or a
combination of these options): (i) leave the money in the former employer’s plan, if permitted, (ii) roll
over the assets to the new employer’s plan, if one is available and rollovers are permitted, (iii) roll over to
an Individual Retirement Account (“IRA”), or (iv) cash out the account value (which would, depending upon
the client’s age, result in adverse tax consequences). If Almanack recommends that a client roll over their
retirement plan assets into an account to be managed by Almanack, such a recommendation creates a
conflict of interest as Almanack will earn new (or increase its current) compensation as a result of the
rollover. No client is under any obligation to roll over retirement plan assets to an account
managed by
Almanack.
When Almanack provides investment advice to you regarding your retirement plan account, individual
retirement account, or other qualified asset under ERISA, we are fiduciaries within the meaning of Title
I of the Employee Retirement Income Security and/or the Internal Revenue Code, as applicable, which
are laws governing retirement accounts. The way we make money creates some conflicts with your
interests, so Almanack operates under a special rule that requires us to act in your best interest and not
put our interest ahead of yours. Clients can engage Almanack to provide either education or
recommendations with respect to qualified ERISA assets including:
from a qualified plan to an IRA;
from an existing third-party IRA to an IRA;
changing the account type of an existing IRA;
from a qualified plan to another qualified plan; and
from an IRA to qualified plan rollover.
Such provisions also extend to other qualified assets such as Education Savings Accounts and retirement
annuities. Clients should fully understand all of the conflicts, risks, costs & expenses, as well as potential
benefits associated with moving qualified retirement assets. Clients are under no obligation to accept or
follow Almanack’s recommendations.
Unaffiliated Private Funds
Almanack may also provide investment advice regarding unaffiliated private investment funds.
Almanack, on a non-discretionary basis, may recommend that certain qualified clients consider an
investment in unaffiliated private investment funds. Almanack’s role relative to the private investment
funds shall be limited to its initial and ongoing due diligence and investment monitoring services. If a
client determines to become a private fund investor, the amount of assets invested in the fund(s) shall be
included as part of “assets under management” for purposes of Almanack calculating its investment
advisory fee. Almanack’s clients are under absolutely no obligation to consider or make an investment
in a private investment fund(s).
Affiliated Private Fund
Almanack is the investment adviser to Almanack Alpha Fund LP (“AAFLP” or the “Fund”) which is an
unregistered investment company organized as a limited liability corporation and sponsored by
Almanack. Almanack also serves as a General Partner to AAFLP.
As noted above, Almanack is affiliated with AAFLP, the complete description of which (the terms,
conditions, risks, conflicts and fees, including incentive compensation) is set forth in the Fund’s offering
documents. Almanack, on a non-discretionary basis, may recommend that qualified clients consider
allocating a portion of their investment assets to the Fund. The terms and conditions for participation in
the affiliated fund, including management fees, conflicts of interest, and risk factors, are set forth in the
fund’s offering documents. Almanack’s clients are under absolutely no obligation to consider or make
an investment in AAFLP.
The investment objective of the Fund is to invest in other funds which seek to achieve above-average
capital appreciation, lack of correlation to traditional markets, and low volatility returns for its clients
by investing in a broadly diversified portfolio of alternative investment opportunities. While there are
no substantive limits on the investment strategies that may be pursued by the Fund, it is anticipated that
the Fund will seek to leverage the Advisor’s expertise to identify, invest, and manage a select suite of
investment opportunities. The Fund will utilize the Advisor’s relationships, contacts, and knowledge
for the benefit of the strategy. It seeks to provide consistent long-term returns. Income is not an
objective.
In providing advisory services to the Fund, Almanack directs and manages the investment and
reinvestment of the Fund's assets and provides reports to investors (through the Funds' administrator).
Almanack manages the assets of the Fund in accordance with the terms of its governing documents.
AAFLP is a Fund of Hedge Funds.
Private investment funds generally involve various risk factors, including, but not limited to, potential
for complete loss of principal, liquidity constraints and lack of transparency, a complete discussion of
which is set forth in the Fund's offering documents, which will be provided to each client for review
and consideration. Unlike other liquid investments that a client may maintain, private investment funds
do not provide daily liquidity or pricing. Each prospective client that elects to invest in the Fund will be
required to complete a Subscription Agreement, pursuant to which the client shall establish that the
client is qualified to invest in the Fund and acknowledges and accepts the various risk factors that are
associated with such an investment.
In the event that Almanack references private investment funds owned by the client on any supplemental
account reports prepared by Almanack, the value(s) for all private investment funds owned by the client
shall reflect the most recent valuation provided by the fund sponsor. If the fund sponsor does not provide
a post-purchase valuation, then the valuation shall reflect the initial purchase price (and/or a value as of
a previous date) or the current value(s) (either the initial purchase price and/or the most recent valuation
provided by the fund sponsor). If the valuation reflects the initial purchase price (and/or a value as of a
previous date), then the current value(s) (to the extent ascertainable) could be significantly more or less
than the original purchase price. The client’s advisory fee shall be based upon such reflected fund
value(s).
The affiliated Fund generally invests in unaffiliated private investment funds. As such, a client will incur
separate management fees: (1) the fee charge by the underlying unaffiliated private investment funds; (2)
the advisory fee charged by Almanack (the amount invested in the affiliated funds will be included as
part of the client’s assets under management (see Item 5 below) for purposes of calculating Almanack’s
fee; and (3) the management fee charged by AAFLP itself.
Because the Advisor earns compensation from the AAFLP, Almanack's advisory fee may, in the
aggregate, exceed the fee that it would earn under its standard "assets under management" fee schedule
referenced in Item 5A below absent a client’s investment in AAFLP. The recommendation that a client
become an investor in AAFLP presents a conflict of interest, but clients are under no obligation to
become an investor in any Almanack-sponsored fund.
Use of Mutual and Exchange Traded Funds: Most mutual funds and exchange traded funds are available
directly to the public. Thus, a prospective client may obtain many, if not all, of the funds(securities)
utilized by Almanack in managing client assets independent of engaging Almanack as an investment
advisor. However, if a prospective client determines to do so, he/she will not receive Almanack’s initial
and ongoing investment advisory services. In addition to Almanack’s investment advisory fee described
below, and transaction and/or custodial fees discussed below, clients will also incur, relative to all mutual
fund and exchange traded fund purchases, charges imposed at the fund level (e.g. management fees and
other fund expenses).
Cash Positions: At any specific point in time, depending upon perceived or anticipated market
conditions/events (there being no guarantee that such anticipated market conditions/events will occur),
Almanack may increase or maintain higher cash positions. Absent a specific written agreement to the
contrary, cash positions (i.e. cash, money markets, etc.) are generally included as part of assets under
management for purposes of calculating Almanack’s advisory fee.
Portfolio Activity: Almanack has a fiduciary duty to provide services consistent with the client’s best
interest. As part of its investment advisory services, Almanack will review client portfolios on an
ongoing basis to determine if any changes are necessary based upon various factors, including, but not
limited to, investment performance, fund manager tenure, style drift, account additions/withdrawals,
and/or a change in the client’s investment objective. Based upon these factors, there may be extended
periods of time when Almanack determines that changes to a client’s portfolio are neither necessary nor
prudent. There can be no assurance that investment decisions made by Almanack will be profitable or
result in any specific performance level(s). Clients pay Almanack advisory fees regardless of whether
or not their account increases or decreases in value.
Fee Differentials: As discussed above and indicated below at Item 5, Almanack shall generally price
our advisory services based upon various objective and subjective factors. As a result, our clients could
pay diverse fees based upon the market value of their assets, the complexity of the engagement, and the
level and scope of the overall investment advisory services to be rendered, and client negotiations. As
a result of these factors, similarly situated clients could pay different fees, and the services provided by
Almanack to any particular client could be available from other advisers at lower, or greater, cost. Before
engaging Almanack to provide investment advisory services, clients are required to enter into a
discretionary or non-discretionary IMA, setting forth the terms and conditions of the engagement
(including termination), which includes the fees and services to be provided.
Non-Discretionary Accounts Service Limitations: Clients that engage Almanack on a non- discretionary
basis acknowledge that Almanack cannot effect any account transactions without first obtaining consent
to such transaction(s) from the client directly. In the event Almanack would like to make a transaction
for a client’s account (including in the event of an individual holding or general market correction), and
the client is unavailable, Almanack would be unable to effect the account transaction(s) (as it would for
its discretionary clients) without first obtaining the client’s consent. As a result, recommended trades
for non-discretionary accounts will be delayed and, in some cases, may not be executed at all.
Independent Managers: Almanack may allocate (and/or recommend that the client allocate) a portion
of a client’s investment assets among unaffiliated independent investment managers (“Independent
Manager(s)”) in accordance with the client’s designated investment objective(s). In such situations, the
Independent Manager(s) will have day-to- day responsibility for the active discretionary management of
the allocated assets. Almanack will continue to render investment supervisory services to the client
relative to the ongoing monitoring and review of account performance, asset allocation and client
investment objectives. The factors Almanack considers in recommending Independent Manager(s)
include the client’s designated investment objective(s), management style, performance, reputation,
financial strength, reporting, pricing, and research.
The investment management fee charged by the Independent Manager(s) is separate from, and in addition
to, Almanack’s advisory fee as set forth in the fee schedule at Item 5 below and which will be disclosed
to the client before entering into the Independent Manager engagement and/or subject to the terms and
conditions of a separate agreement between the client and the Independent Manager(s).
Sub-Advisory Engagements.
Almanack may also serve as a sub-adviser to unaffiliated registered investment advisers per the terms
and conditions of a written Sub-Advisory Agreement. With respect to its sub-advisory services, the
unaffiliated investment advisers that engage Almanack’s sub-advisory services maintain both the initial
and ongoing day-to-day relationship with the underlying client, including initial and ongoing
determination of client suitability for Almanack’s designated investment strategies and or programs. If
the custodian/broker-dealer is determined by the unaffiliated investment adviser, Almanack will be
unable to negotiate commissions and/or transaction costs, and/or seek better execution. As a result,
client may pay higher commissions or other transaction costs or greater spreads, or receive less
favorable net prices, on transactions for the account than would otherwise be the case through alternative
clearing arrangements recommended by Almanack. Higher transaction costs adversely impact account
performance.
Inverse/Enhanced Market Strategies: Almanack may utilize long and short mutual funds and/or
exchange traded funds that are designed to perform in either an: (1) inverse relationship to certain market
indices (at a rate of 1 or more times the inverse [opposite] result of the corresponding index) as an
investment strategy and/or for the purpose of hedging against downside market risk; and (2) enhanced
relationship to certain market indices (at a rate of 1 or more times the actual result of the corresponding
index) as an investment strategy and/or for the purpose of increasing gains in an advancing market. There
can be no assurance that any such strategy will prove profitable or successful. Furthermore, Almanack
may hold these positions for longer than the one day that many fund prospectuses suggest, which may
lead to additional risks. For periods longer than a single day, these funds will lose money when the level
of the underlying indices are flat, and it is possible that the funds will lose money even if the level of the
indices either increase or decrease (if inverse). Longer holding periods, higher index volatility, inverse
exposure, and levered exposure each exacerbate the impact of compounding on an investor’s returns.
During periods of high index volatility, the volatility of the indices may affect the returns of the funds as
much as, or more. than the return of the indices. In light of these enhanced risks/rewards, a client may
direct Almanack, in writing, not to employ any or all such strategies for his/her/their/its accounts.
Use of Affiliated Funds and Two Levels of Fees: Affiliated Adviser and Exchange Traded Funds.
Almanack’s related adviser, Gadsden LLC, (“Gadsden”) is the investment manager to an exchange-
traded fund (“Affiliated Fund”) known as the Gadsden Dynamic Multi-Asset ETF (NYSE Arca:
GDMA). The Affiliated Fund is managed by a principal(s) of Almanack and is used to construct many
of Almanack’s model portfolios (and the Advisor accounts of clients following each model), subject to
the quantitative and qualitative investment selection and evaluation criteria described in Item 8 below.
The allocation of an Affiliated Fund investment included in the Advisor account will vary depending
on the model portfolio selected by the client. Given the discretionary nature of the models, at a future
date, the allocation of an Affiliated Fund investment in accounts will fluctuate higher or lower in a
portfolio without notice to the client.
An investment proposal which you may receive at the time of account investment sets forth the initial
anticipated asset allocation and lists the corresponding specific investments, including the Affiliated
Fund, to be used in the management of your account. Please note that both the allocation and the specific
investments used for your account are subject to change. You should refer to your account statements
and account information on the custodian statements, which show the composition of your account
holdings and specific percentage allocation to each investment in your account, including the Affiliated
Fund.
Almanack and its affiliate have a conflict of interest in selecting the Affiliated Fund for client portfolios
because Almanack’s affiliate earns compensation for advisory services provided to the Affiliated Fund.
This compensation is in addition to the asset-based fee that you pay to Almanack resulting in the receipt
of “two levels of fees.” Almanack addresses the conflict associated with investing accounts in the
Affiliated Fund in multiple ways, including disclosing the conflict of interest in this Disclosure Brochure
and providing you with detailed information about your account’s allocation to individual positions.
These additional fees may be significant, both in absolute dollar amounts and relative to Almanack’s
net income, and the receipt and retention by Almanack and its affiliate of these fees create an incentive
for Almanack to select and continue to retain an Affiliated Fund over unaffiliated funds. A more detailed
discussion on the additional fees that Almanack and its affiliates receive from the use of an Affiliated
Fund in accounts and the ways we address this conflict of interest appear in this Item 4 and in Item 8
below.
As described above under “Use of Affiliated Funds and Two Levels of Fees” in this Item 4, Almanack’s
affiliate receives compensation for advisory services it provides to an Affiliated Fund. Such fund-related
compensation will be in addition to the account Fee and presents a conflict of interest. You should
consider this additional fund-related compensation when evaluating the amount and appropriateness of
the fees we earn in connection with your account.
Client Obligations: In performing its services, Almanack shall not be required to verify any information
received from the client or from the client’s other professionals and is expressly authorized to rely
thereon. Moreover, each client is advised that it remains their responsibility to promptly notify Almanack
if there is ever any change in their financial situation or investment objectives for the purpose of
reviewing, evaluating, or revising Almanack’s previous recommendations and/or services.
Disclosure Statement: A copy of Almanack’s written disclosure statement as set forth on Part 2 of Form
ADV and Form CRS shall be provided to each client prior to, or contemporaneously with, the execution
of the Investment Management Agreement and/or Financial Planning and Consulting Agreement.
C. Almanack shall provide investment advisory services specific to the needs of each client. Prior
to providing investment advisory services, an investment adviser representative will ascertain each
client’s investment objective(s). Thereafter, Almanack shall allocate and/or recommend that the client
allocate investment assets consistent with the designated investment objective(s). The client may, at any
time, impose reasonable restrictions, in writing, on Almanack’s services.
D. Almanack does not participate in any wrap fee programs.
E. As of December 31, 2023, Almanack had approximately $802,193,139 in regulatory assets under
management, of which $755,180,420 was managed on a discretionary basis and $47,012,720 on a
non- discretionary basis. Additionally, Almanack had approximately $1,244,518,974 in assets
under advisement.