Skip to main content

ProShares Announces ETF Share Splits

ProShares announced today share splits on seven of its ETFs. The splits will not change the value of a shareholder’s investment.

Forward Splits

Two ETFs will forward split shares 2-for-1:

TickerProShares ETFSplit Ratio
BZQ UltraShort MSCI Brazil Capped 2:1
ZSL UltraShort Silver 2:1

All splits will apply to shareholders of record as of the close of the markets on November 10, 2015, payable after the close of the markets on November 12, 2015. The funds will trade at their post-split price on November 13, 2015. The ticker symbol and CUSIP numbers for the funds will not change.

The forward splits will decrease the price per share of each fund with a proportionate increase in the number of shares outstanding. Every pre-split share will result in the receipt of two post-split shares, which will be priced at half the net asset value (“NAV”) of a pre-split share.

Illustration of a Forward Split

The following table shows the effect of a hypothetical 2-for-1 split:

Period# of Shares OwnedHypothetical NAVValue of Shares
Pre-Split

100

$100.00 $10,000.00
Post-Split 200 $50.00 $10,000.00

Reverse Splits

Four ETFs will reverse split shares 1-to-3, and one will reverse split 1-to-5:

TickerProShares ETFSplit RatioOld CUSIPNew CUSIP
GDXX Ultra Gold Miners 1:3 74348A251 74347B482
GDJJ Ultra Junior Miners 1:3 74348A277 74347B466
UOP Ultra Oil & Gas Exploration & Production 1:3 74347B672 74347B458
UBR Ultra MSCI Brazil Capped 1:3 74347X120 74347B490
UBIO UltraPro Nasdaq Biotechnology 1:5 74347B631 74347B474

All reverse splits will be effective at the market open on November 13, 2015 when the funds will begin trading at their post-split price. The ticker symbol for the funds will not change. All funds undergoing a reverse split will be issued a new CUSIP number, listed above.

The reverse splits will increase the price per share of each fund with a proportionate decrease in the number of shares outstanding. For example, for a 1-for-3 reverse split, every three pre-split shares will result in the receipt of one post-split share, which will be priced three times higher than the NAV of a pre-split share.

Illustration of a Reverse Split

The following table shows the effect of a hypothetical 1-for-3 reverse split:

Period# of Shares OwnedHypothetical NAVValue of Shares
Pre-Split 300 $10.00 $3,000.00
Post-Split 100 $30.00 $3,000.00

Fractional Shares from Reverse Splits

For shareholders who hold quantities of shares that are not an exact multiple of the reverse split ratio (for example, not a multiple of 3 for a 1-to-3 reverse split), the reverse split will result in the creation of a fractional share. Post-reverse split fractional shares will be redeemed for cash and sent to your broker of record. This redemption may cause some shareholders to realize gains or losses, which could be a taxable event for those shareholders.

About ProShares

ProShares helps investors to go beyond the limitations of conventional investing and face today's market challenges. ProShares helps investors build better portfolios by providing access to a wide array of investment exposures delivered with the liquidity, transparency and cost effectiveness of ETFs. Our wide array of ETFs can help you reduce volatility, manage risk and enhance returns.

Geared (Short or Ultra) ProShares ETFs seek returns that are either 3x, 2x, -1x, -2x or -3x the return of an index or other benchmark (target) for a single day, as measured from one NAV calculation to the next. Due to the compounding of daily returns, ProShares' returns over periods other than one day will likely differ in amount and possibly direction from the target return for the same period. These effects may be more pronounced in funds with larger or inverse multiples and in funds with volatile benchmarks. Investors should monitor their ProShares holdings consistent with their strategies, as frequently as daily. For more on correlation, leverage and other risks, please read the prospectus.

Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. ProShares ETFs are generally non-diversified and each entails certain risks, which may include risk associated with the use of derivatives (swap agreements, futures contracts and similar instruments), imperfect benchmark correlation, leverage and market price variance, all of which can increase volatility and decrease performance. Short positions lose value as security prices increase. Leverage can increase market exposure and magnify investment risk. Investments in smaller companies typically exhibit higher volatility. Smaller company stocks also may trade at greater spreads or lower trading volumes, and may be less liquid than stocks of larger companies. International investments may also involve risk from unfavorable fluctuations in currency values, differences in generally accepted accounting principles, and from economic or political instability. Securities focusing on a single country may be subject to higher volatility. In emerging markets, many risks are heightened, and lower trading volumes may occur. GDXX and GDJJ are subject to risks faced by the gold and silver mining industry, including risks related to changes in the price of gold and silver. Gold and silver mining companies may also be adversely affected by changing inflation expectations, the availability of alternatives, disruptions in the supply chain, rising production costs, rising regulatory compliance costs, increased environmental regulations, and changes in industrial, government and global consumer demand. Gold and silver mining companies may dramatically outperform or underperform more traditional equity investments. Technology companies may be subject to severe competition and product obsolescence. Narrowly focused investments typically exhibit higher volatility. There are additional risks related to commodity investments due to large institutional purchases or sales, and natural and technological factors such as severe weather, unusual climate change, and development and depletions of alternative resources. There are additional risks due to debt levels in the underlying countries, inflation and interest rates, investment activity, and global political and economic concerns. The price of silver is volatile and may be affected by large institutional purchases or sales, indirect investment in gold and silver, industrial usage, and political and economic concerns. Certain derivative instruments will subject ZSL to counterparty risk and credit risk, which could result in significant losses for the fund. Please see the summary and full prospectuses for a more complete description of risks. There is no guarantee any ProShares ETF will achieve its investment objective.

Investing in ETFs involves a substantial risk of loss. ZSL is not an investment company regulated under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and is not afforded its protections. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing. This ETF generates a K-1 tax form. This ETF is not suitable for all investors.

Carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of ProShares before investing. This and other information can be found in their summary and full prospectuses. Read them carefully before investing.

This information must be accompanied or preceded by a current ProShares Trust II prospectus (http://www.proshares.com/funds/trust_ii_prospectuses.html). ProShares Trust II (issuer) has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and other documents the issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the issuer and this offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at sec.gov. Alternatively, the issuer will arrange to send you the prospectus if you request it by calling toll-free 866.776.5125 or visiting ProShares.com.

ProShares are distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co., which is not affiliated with the funds' advisor or sponsor.

Contacts:

Media:
Hewes Communications, Inc.
Tucker Hewes, 212.207.9451
tucker@hewescomm.com
or
Investor:
ProShares
866.776.5125
ProShares.com

Data & News supplied by www.cloudquote.io
Stock quotes supplied by Barchart
Quotes delayed at least 20 minutes.
By accessing this page, you agree to the following
Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.